Newspaper Page Text
Augusta, £a.
Saturday Morning, Dec. 29, 1849.
JAMEJ 51. Editor andTuMisiier'
ANDREW H. H. RAWSON. Assistant Editor.
CT he Office of the Republic
linn been removed to the Brick
Building firwt door below the
Cagle and Phoenix Hotel.
Agent for the Republic.
Having engaged the services of Mr. Joseph
Barton as a Travelling Agent for the Republic,
we comtndld him to the kind aid of our friends.
He is authorized to receipt for subscriptions
and advertisements.
S 3” Our usual variety of editorials and se
lected matter is necessarily prevented to-day
by the length of the President’s Message.
St. Jfohu’H Bay.
This time-honored day was celebrated on
Thursday by the Masonic fraternity of this
city and Hamburg. We learn that the ora
tion of W. H. Hull, Esq.,of Athens, deliver
jn the Masonic Hall, was chaste, elegant and
impressive, and are pleased to hear that it will
be published. The supper in the evening,
prepared by Mr. Win. Allen, and which is
stated to have been one of the most sump
tuous ever gotten up in this city, we are
told, was an occasion of much social en
joyment. We regretted that indisposition
prevented our attendance.
.The Bresidcut’s Message.
pug, denies us the JpportunltyMo accomMt.y
f the President’s Mmage, with sach remark's {
! as portions of it seem to require. It is brief.
■ and comprehensive. It presents a very satis- ;
factory account of our relations with foreign
powers. As to our domestic interest# we eould
not do justice to the Message or ourself in
thiTfew words for which we could make room
now. We need scarcely say, however, that
from the indications thrown out on the Califor-
- nia question wo cannot concur with it.
Our review must be postponed till Tuesday,
for the accompanying reports of the. Secreta
ries or ample synopsises of them we will make
room as early as we can.
Steamer Oregon.
I A large number of citizens of this city and
Hamburg partook of a fine supper given on
board of this noble Steamer on Wedms4>iy
evening. The Oregon is a superior
affords excellent accomodations for passengers. ‘
*>be will run between this city and Savannah. '
The Book Auction.
The citizens of Augusta have never had a
better opportunity to supply themselves with I
books, stationary, &c., than this auction room
affords them, and they seem to know it. The i
sales are conducted with the strictest fairness |
toward the bidder. is no by-bidders ,
employed against him, and be is permitted
to select any book he wants, and it is cried off
at once. This is a courtesy not always shown
to the public jit book Auctions. We have :
rarely ever seen a largeqselection of excellent
- and elegant books for sale, even in the largest .
Book Stores. The selection ranges at large
through science, art, politics, literature and
, religion, and all the principal works are got ' (
up in the most expensive and gorgeous style,
also in the simplest and cheapest editions
suited to the varied tastes and means of pur
IT We would ask attention to the advertise
ment in reference to the Meson Academy.—
(fective departments: Lexington* is perhaps 1
as healthy a village as there is in the State, (
and for morality, and intelligence, is excelled ,
by none. i
(iovernor of Alabania—luaugu- ,
ration. (
The inauguration of Governor Collier took i
place at Montgomery on the 17th inst. The 1
procession, consisting of the military, citizens, ‘
&.C., marched to the Methodist Church, where
the ceremonies took place. The Flag & Ad- ■
vertiser says: • 1
At the Church, an appropriate prayer was '
made by the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Chaplain of
the day, after which the Governor elect deliv- 1
ered his address, which was listened to with '
great attention and interest by the large con- '
course of persons who had assembled on the
occasion. The oath of office was administer- 1
ed by the Hon. L. P. Walker, Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
After the inauguration, the procession was '
again iormed, and escorted the Governor to
his rooms.
The procession was attended by the excel
lent band of music attached to the Circus of ;
Messrs. Robinson & Eldred. Everything
cannectcd with the ceremonies passed off in
good style; and,considering the gloomy wea
ther of the morning, and the feeling of sadness
which has hung over the city since the de
struction of our beautiful capitol, it was as gay
a time as we usually see on such occasions. |
The inaugural dwells considerably upon the
vast resources of Alabama, and urges upon
the people to use the means to devalope them ■
to the best advantage. On the subject of our
Federal Relations, Gov. Collier holds that the
declaration by Congress that no more slave
States shall be admitted into the Union, would,
if submitted to, degrade the South in the wti
. mation of the civilized world—would be an as
sault upon the honor of the slaveholding States,
and would be an assumption of power not ,
granted by the Constitution. Gov. Collier fa
‘ vors the measure of a Southern Convention.
His positions appear to be mildly but firmly ta-
JTA correspondent of the New York Tri-
• bune in a letter of the 19th inst. said :
In the Senate Mr. Calhoun looks as inex
orable as ever. Occasionally a sardonic smile
slightly diversifies the character of his coun
tenance. But its expression in repose is cold,
. determined, belligerent. His arrowy glance
warns you that he has buckled on his armor ,
—that he belongs to a military people—that
he already snuffs the breath of war. The
slave of a single absorbing idea, all the dis
cursive properties of his mind are paralyzed, .
and his brilliant conversational powers have
dwindled into fretful, spasmodic breathings of I
this solitary purpose of his ambition.
From this description of Mr. Calhoun’s looks
we should like them admirably. They are I
I just the looks we want from Southern men in i
Congress at this time. We have no doubt
I Mr. Calhoun is as determined as he looks.
■ This writer says Mr. Calhoun is the slave
■ of a single absorbing idea, but he seems to
■ forget that there is a reason for the whole
■ South to entertain that one idea, in order to
» enable them to confbat the one idea of anti-
B shvi try at the North.
■ What the Tribune writer sees in Mr. Cal-
K houn.is
•• His soul bright beaming from his eyes.”
■ resolved on nothing less than justice to the
|B South.
I The slavery question he sees, is the absorb
■ ing question at the North, and no wonder it is
absorbing one with him as it should be
Bfwith all Southerners, when, if left to the
Rguidance of Northern fanaticism it would not
prostrate the independence and honor of
|3g||ia!f the States of the Union, but even the
I itself.
WIIKLI £-<llo’l IIIIC
BY JAIES SMYTHE, r Z 1 WSBKtI #OW tIT ft.’l bcUOUd .I® NCWS,
„ Citcrature, Enetai Intelligence, 3nmdture,'&r. *. <
ANDREW H. H. DAWSON, - - - ASSISTANT EDITOR.
Terms—TWO HOLLARS a year, invariably in advance. AdV'ertisemeHt< HlSertpd the CUStO-
Or $2,50 if not paid within two months. ■ * ?'’■
Tri-Weekly, per advance ‘ / UlftTV TatCS.*
Or $5.00 if not paid within two months. x x
. • a /■ .•• ! ’. - .4 ; !
VOLUME in.
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
The House of Representatives having at
length been organized (after many days of in
effectual efforts)by tlie election of a Speaker,
the President of the United Stales yesterday
transmitted to both Houses of Congress, by
Col. W. W. 8. Bliss, his Private Secretary,
the following Message :
Fellow Citizens of the Senate
, and House of Representatives:
I Rtxty years siavc efnpt -1 r’Tice»ftmest*b
i lishment of this Government, and the Con
i gress of the United States again assembles v l
| legislate for an empire of freemen. The pre
. dictions of evil prophets, who formerly preten- .
I ded to foretell the downfall of our institutions,
‘ are now remembered only to be derided, and
: the United States <4 America at this moment
' present to the world the most stable and per
! manent Government on earth.
i Such is the result of the labors of those
who have gone before us. Upon Congress
1 will eminently depend the future maintenance
of our system of free government, and the
. transmission of it, unimpaired, to posterity.
We are at peace with all the nations of the
! world,'and seek to maintain our cherished re-
I lations of amity with them. During the past
• year we have been blessed, by a kind Provi
, deuce, with an abundance of the fruits of the
earth ; and, although the destroying angel, for
j a time, visited extensive portions of our territo
! ry, with the ravages of a dreadful pestilenco,
"»pt, the Almighty has at length deigned to
Fstay his hand, and to the inestimable
: blessing of general health to a people who
hafe acknowledged his power, deprecated his
; implored his merciful protection.
Virile injoying the benefits of amicable
i intercdWwe with foreign nations, we have not
; been insensible to the distractions and wars
which have prevailed in other quarters ofthe
r world. It is a proper theme of thanksgiving
to Him who rules the destinies of nations,
that we have been able to maintain, amidst
all these contests, an independent and neutral
position towards all belligerent Powers.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the
most friendly character. In consequence of
the recent alteration of the British navigation
acts, British and other foreign ports, will,
(under our existing laws,) after the first day
of January next, be admitted to entry in our
ports, with cargoes of thegrowth, manufacture,
or production of any part of the world on the
same terms, as to duties, imposts, and charges,
as vessels ofthe United States with their car
goes ; and our vessels will be admitted to the
same advantages in British ports, entering
therein on the same terms as British vessels.
Should no order in council disturb this legisla
tive arrangement, the late act of the British ;
Parliament, by which Great Britain is brought
within the tetris proposed by the act of Con- j
gress latof 11 U ’ d, will be
countrie - -
ment and to say has been
terminated, and our Minister there has been
received. It is therefore, unnecessary to
refer to the circumstances which led to that
interruption. I need not express to you the
sincere satisfaction with which we shall wel
come the arrival of another Envoy Extraordi
nary and Minister Plenipotentiary from a sis
ter republic, to which we have so long been
and still remain, bound by the strongest ties
of amity.
Shortly after! had entered upon the dis
charge of the Executive duties, I was appriz
ed thut a war-steamer belonging to the Ger
man Empire was being fitted out in the har
bor of New York, with the aid of some of our
naval officers, rendered under the permission
of the late Secretary of the Navy. This per
mission was granted during an armistice be
tween that Empire and the Kingdom of Den
mark, which had been engaged in the Schles
wig-Holstein war. Apprehensive that this
act of intervention, on our part, might be view
ed as a violation of our neutral obligations, in
curred by the treaty with Denmark, and of the
provisions of the act of Congress of the 20th
of April, 1818, I directed that no further aid
should be rendered by any agent or officer of
the Navy; and I instructed the Secretary of
State to apprize the Minister of the German
Empire accredited to this Government of my
determination to execute the luw ofthe United
States, and to.maintain the iaith of treaties
with all nations. The correspondence which
ensued between the Department of State and
the Minister of the German Empire is here
with laid before you. The execution of the
law and the observance of the treaty were
deemed by me to be due to the honor of the
country, as well as to the sacred obligations of
, the constitution. I shall not fail to pursue
' the same course, should a similar case arise,
■ with any other nation. Having avowed the
opinion, on taking the oath of office, that, in
disputes between conflicting foreign Govern-
i ments, it is our interest, not less that our duty,
’ to remain stricly neutral, I shall not abandon
I it. You will perceive from the correspondence
I submitted to you, in connexion with this sub-
■ ject, that the course adopted in this case has
I been properly regarded by the belligerent
I Powers interested in the matter.
Although a Minister of the United States to
the German Empire was appointed by my pre
decessor in August, 1848, and has for a long
time been in attendance at Frankfort-on-the-
Main, and although a Minister appointed to
represent that Empire was received and accre
dited here, yet no such Government as that of
the German Empire has been definitely con
stituted. Mr. Donelson, our representative at
Fiankfort, remained there several months, in
the expectation that a union of the German
Stales, under one constitution or form ofgov
ernment, might at length be organized. It is
believed, by those well acquainted with the ex
isting relations between Prussia and the States
of Germany, that no such union can be per-1
manently established without her co-operation. I
In the event of the formation of such a union,
and the organization of a central power in
Germany, of which she should form a part, it
: would become necessary to withdraw our
i Minister at Berlin; but while Prussia exists
i as an independent kingdom, and diplomatic re
| lations are maintained with her, there can be
no necessity for tbe continuance of the mis
■ sion to Frankfort. I have, therefore, recalled
I Mr. Donelson, and directed the archives of the
legation, at Frankfort, to be transferred to the
American legation at Berlin.
Having been apprized that a considerable
number ot adventurers were engaged in fit
ting out a military expedition, within the Uni
ted States, against a foreign country, and be
’ lieving, from tbe best information 1 could ob
tain, that it was destined to invade the island
■' of Cuba, I deemed it due to the friendly rela
tions existing between the United States and
' Spain; to the treaty between tbe two nations ;
to the laws of tbe United States, and, above
all, to the American honor, to exert the lawful
authority of this Government in suppressing
the expedition and preventing tbe invasion.
To this end, I issued a proclamation, enjoining
it upon the officers of ibe United States, civil
and military, to use al) lawful means within
their jxjwer. A copy of that proclamation is
I herewith submitted. The expedition hae been
suppressed. So long as the act of Congress
ofthe 20th of April, 1818, which owes its ex
istence to the law of nations and to the policy
of Washington himself, shall remain on our
statute book, I hold it to be the duty ofthe
Executive faithfully to obey its injunctions.
While this expedition was in progress, I
was informed that a foreigner, who claimed
our protection, had been clandestinely, and.
as was supposed, forcibly carried off in a ves
sel from New Orleans to the island of Cu
•fret —R- such steps to
?be taken, as I in case the
• information I had received should prove cor
rect, to vindicate the honor of the country, and
the right of every person, seeking a:i asylum
on our soil, to the protection of our laws. The
person alleged to have been abducted was
promptly restored, and the circumstances of
the case are now about to undergo investiga
tion before a judicial tribunal. I would res
pectfully suggest that, although the crime
charged to have been committed in this case,
is held odious, as being in conflict with our
opinions on the subject of national sovereign
ty and personal freedom, there is no prohibi
tion of it, or punishment for it, provided in any
act of Congress. The expediency of supply
ing this defect in our criminal code, is, there
fore, recommended to your consideration.
I have scrupulously avoided any interfer
ence in the wars and contentions which have
recently distracted Europe.
During the late conflict between Austria
and Hungary, there seemed to be a prospect
that the latter might become an independent
nation. However faint that prospect at the
time appeared, 1 thought it my duty, in accord
ance with the general sentiment of the Ameri
can people, who deeply sympathised with the
Maygar patriots, to stand prepared, upon the
contingency of the establishment by her of a
permanent Government, to be the first to wel
come independent Hungary into the family of
nations. For this purpose I invested an agent,
then in Europe, with power to declare our
willingness promptly to recognise her indo T
pendenoe in the event of her ability to sustain
it. The powerful intervention of Russia in
the contest extinguished the hopes of the
struggling Magyars. The United States did
not. at any time, interfere in the contest; but,
the feelings of the nation were strongly enlist
ed in the cause, and by the sufferings of a
brave people, who had made a gallant though
unsuccessful effort tdbe free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been, dur
inglhe past year, prosecuted with renewed
vigor, and it has been my object to employ
every effort of honorable diplomacy to procure
their adjustment. Our late Charge d’Affaires
at Lisbon, the Hen. George W. Hopkins, made
able and energetic, but unsuccessful, efforts to
settle these unpleasant matters of controversy, i
and to obtain indemnity for the wrongs which I
were the subjects of complaint. Our present
Charge d’Affairs, ’jht tnat Court, will also bring
dition of Portugal, in past times, has been re- i
presented as one of the leading causes of her 1
delay in indemnifying our suffering citizens.
But I must now say it is matter of profound 1
Regret that these claims have not yet been set
tled. The ontrssion of Portugal to do justice 1
to the American claimants, has now assumed 1
a character so grave and serious, that I shall
shortly make it the subject of a special mes- !
sage to Congress, with a view to such ultimate '
action as its wisdom and patriotism may sug- i
gest.
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden,
Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the ;
Italian States, we still maintain our accustom- |
ed amicable relations.
During the recent revolutions in the Papal |
States, our Chatge d’Affaires at Rome lias
been unable to present his letter of credence,
which, indeed, he was directed by my prede
cessor to withhold until he should receive fur
ther orders. Such was the unsettled condi
tion of things in those States, that it was not
deemed expedient to give him any instructions
on the subject of presenting his credential let
ter different from those with which he had
been furnished by the late Administration, un
til the 25th of June last, when, inconsequence
of the want of accurate information ofthe ex
act state of things at that distance from us, he
was instructed to exercise his own discretion
in presenting himself to the then
ernment, if in his judgment sufficiently stable ;
or, if not, to await further eveia*. Since that
period Rome has undergone another revolu
tion, and he abides the establishment of a Gov
ernment sufficiently permanent to justify him
rn opening diplomatic intercourse with it.
With the Republic of Mexico, it is our true
policy to cultivate the most friendly relations.
Since the ratification of the Treaty of Guada
lupe Hidalgo, nothing has occurred of a seri
ous character to disturb them. A faithful ob
servance of the Treaty, and a most sine 're
respect for her rights,' cannot fail to secure
the lasting confidence, and friendship W that
Republic. The Message of my predecessor,
to the House of Representatives, of the Bib of
February last, communicating, in compliance
with a resolution of that body, a copy of a pa
per called a Protocol, signed at Queretaro, on
the 30th of May, 1848, by the Commissioners
of the United States and the Minister of For
eign Affairs of the Mexican Government, hav
ing been a subject of correspondence’between
the Department of St'te and the Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of that
Republic, accredited to this Government, a
transcript of that correspondence is herewith
submitted.
The Commissioner on the part of the Unit
ed States for marking the boundary between
the two Republics, though delayed in reaching i
San Diego, by unforeseen accidents, arrived I
at that place within a short period after the I
time required by the Treaty, and was there
joined by the Commissioner on the part of 1
Mexico.' They entered upon their duties; and
at the date of the latest intelligence from that
quarter, some progress had been made in the
survey’. The expenses incident to the organi
sation of the commission, and to its convey
ance to tbe point where its operations were to
begin, have so much reduced the fund appro
priated by Congress, that a further sum, toco
ver the charges which must be incurred during
j the present fiscal year, will be necessary.
' The great length of frontier along which the
■ boundary extends, the nature of tbe adjacent
j territory, and the difficulty of obtaining sup
' plies, except at or near tbe extremes of the
line, render it also indispensable that a liberal
’ provision should be made to meet the necessa-
I ry changes during the fiscal year ending on
the 30th June, 1851. 1 accordingly recom
j mend this subject to your attention.
In the adjustment of the claims of American
1 citizens on Mexico, provided for by tlie late
I Treaty, the employment of counsel, on the part
I of the Government, may become important for
i tlie purpose of assisting the Commissioners in
I protecting the interests of the United States.
I recommend this subject to the early and fa
vorable consideration of Congress,
Complaints have been made in regard to the
inefficiency of the means provided by the Gov
ernment of New Grenada for transporting the
United States mail across the Isthmns of Pa
nama, pursuant to our Postal Convention with
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 1, 1850.
that Republic, of the 6th of March, 1844.
Our Charge d’Afl’aires at Bogota has been-di
rected to make such representations to the
governmentof New Grenada as will, it is hoped,
lead to a prompt removal of the cause of com
plaint
The sanguinary civil war with which the
Republic of Venezuela has for some time past
been ravaged, has been brought to a close. In
its progress the rights of some of our citizens,
resident or trading there, have been violated.
The restoration of order will afford to the Ve
nezuelan Government an opportunity to ex
amine and redress these grievances, and 6t7;-
ers of long standing, which onr representa
tives at Caraccas have hitherto ineffectually
urged upon the attention of that Government.
The extension of tlfe coast of the United
States oft the Pacific, and the unexampled ra
pidity with which the inhabitants of California
especially are increasing in numbers, have
imparted new consequence to our relations
with the other countries whose territories bor
der upon that ocean. It is probable that the
intercourse between those countries and our
possessions in that quarter, particularly with
the Republic of Chili, will become extensive
and mutually advantageous, in proportion as
California and Oregon shall increase in popu
lation and wealth. It is desirable, therefore,
that this Government should do every thing in
ilßpower to foster and strengthen its relations
with those States, and that the spirit of amity
between us should be mutual and cordial.
I recommend the observance of the same
course towards all other American States.—
The United States stand as a great American
Power to which as their natural ally and
friend they will always be disposed first to
lock for mediation and assistance, in the event
of any collision between them and any Euro
pean nation. As such, we may often kindly
mediate in their behalf, without entangling
ourselves in foreign wars or unnecessary
controversies. Whenever the faith of our
treaties with any of them shall require our
interference, we must necessarily interpose.
A convention has been negotiated with Bra
zil providing for the satisfaction of American
claims on that Government, and it will be
submitted to the Senate. Since the last ses
sion of Congress, we have received an Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
from that empire, and our relations with it
are founded upon the most amicable under
standing.
Your attention is earnestly invited to an
amendment of our existing laws relating to
the African slave trade, with a view to the
effectual suppression of that barbarous traffic.
It is not to be denied that this trade is still, in
part, carried on by means of vessels built in
tlie United States and owned or navigated by
some of our citizens. The correspondence
between the Depaatment of State and the
Minister and Consul ofthe United States at
Rio de Janeiro, which has from time to time
ot otfr laws by oteaus <n sA-reuers l . ■ v-u-oet*
sold in Brazil, when provided with such papers
by the Consul, instead of . returning to the
United States far a new Register, proceed at
once to the coast of Africa, for the purpose of
obtaining cargoes of slaves. Much additional
information, of the same character, has recent
ly been transmitted to the Department of
State. It has not been considered the policy
of our laws to subject an American citizen,
who, in a foreign country purchases a vessel
built in the United States, to the inconvenience
of sending her home for a new register, before
permitting her to proceed on a voyage. Any
■ alteration of the laws which might have a
| tendency to impede the free transfer of pro
j perty in vessels between our citizens, or the
free navigation of those vessels between our
citizens, or the free navigation of those vessels
between different parts of the world, when
employed in lawful commerce, should be well
and cautiously considered; but I trust that
your wisdom will devise a method by which
our general policy in this respect, may be
preserved, and at the same time the abuse of
our flag, by means of sea-letters, ia the manner
indicated, may be prevented.
Having ascertained that there is no prospect
of the reunion of the five States of Central
America, which formerly composed the repub
lic of that name, we have separately negotiated
with some of them treaties of amity and com
merce, which will be laid before the Senate.
A contract having been concluded with the
State of Nicaragua, by a company composed
of American citizens, for the purpose of con
structing a ship canal through the territory of
that State, to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, I have directed the negotiation of a
treaty with Nicaragua, pledging both Govern
ments to protect those who shall engage in
| and perfect the work. All other nations are
I invited, by the State of Nicaragua to enter
I into the same'treaty stipulations with her; and
I the benefit to be derived by each from such
i an arrangement will be the protection of this
j <rreat inter-oceanic communication against any
l Power which might seek to obstruct it, or to
monopolize "its advantages. All States enter
ing into such a treaty will enjoy the right of
passage through the canal on payment of the
same tolls.
The work, if constructed under these guar
atities, will become a bond of peace instead of
a subject Os cunteffiton und strife between the
nations of the earth. Should the great mari
time States of Ruropp consent to this arrange- j
ment, (and we have no reason to si9jM>se that i
a proposition so fair and be ;
opposed by any,) tbe energies of their people ;
and> ouYs will co-operate in promoting the
success of the enterprizc. I do not recom
mend any appropriation from the National
Treasury for this purpose, nor do I believe
that such an appropriation is necessary. Pri
vate enterprise, if properly protected, will com- ,
plete the work, should it prove feasible. The
parties who haye procured the charter from
Nicaragua, for its construction, desire no assis
tance from this Government beyond its pro
tection ; and they profess that, having examin
ed the proposed line of communicqtioq, they I
will be ready to commence the undertaking
whenever that protection shall be extended to
them. Should there appear to be reason, on
examining tbe whole evidence, to entertain a
serious doubt of the practicability of construct
ing such a canal, that doubt cpuld he speedily
solved by an actual exploration of the route.
Should such a work be constructed under
the common protection of all nations, for equal
t benefits of all, it would be neither just nor
! expedient that any great tnaratime State
should command tne communication. The
i territory through which the canal may be
opened ought to be freed from the claims of
! any foreign Power. No such Power should
1 occupy a position that would enable it here
after u> exercise so pontroliiiig an influence
| over the commerce ot the world, or to obstruct
i a highway which ought to be dedicated to
\ the common uses of mankind.
' Tbe routes across the Isthmus, at Tehuan
• tepee and Panama, are also worthy our seri
: ous consideration. They did not fail to en
gage the attention of my predecessor. The
negotiator of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidal
go was instructed to offer a very large sum of
money for the right of transit ac rose the Isth-
mus of Telinartleppc. The Mexican Govern
ment didjlQl accede to the proposition for the
purchase of the right of way, probably because
it had already Contracted with private individu
als for the donptructiou of a passage from the
Guasaculeo ifter. ,to Tehuantepec. I shall
not renew* any proposition to purchase, for
money, a right which ought to be equally se
cured to all nations, on payment of a reasona
ble toll totbe owners of the improvement, who
would, donbtless, be-well contented with that
compenstuion, mid the guaranties oj the mari
tiinc Sttufe ofctlie world, jn" separate Treaties
negoUt A|f.'#ix Mexico, buiding her. aitd them
to protect those wno shonld cotStretfr rim
work. Such guaranties would do morq to se
cure the completion of the communication
through the territory of Mexico than any other
reasonable consideration that could be offered ;
and as Mexico herself would be the greatest
gainer by the opening of this communication
between the Gulf and the Pacific ocean, it is
presumed that she would not hesitate to yield
her aid, in the manner proposed, to accomplish
an improvement so important to her own best
interests.
Wg ( have reason to hope that the proposed
rail road across the Isthmus of Panama will
be successfully constructed, under the protec
tion of the late Treaty with New Grenada, ra
tified and exchanged by my predecessor on tire
10th day of June, 1848, which guaranties the
perfect neutrality of the Isthmus, and the
rights of sovereignty and property of New Gre
nada over that Territory, “ with a view that
the free transit from ocean to ocean may not
be interrupted or embarrassed” during the ex
istence of the treaty. It is our policy to en
courage every practicable route across the
Isthmus, which connects North and South
America, either by rail road or aanal, which
the energy and enterprise of our citizens may
imlflce them to complete ; and I consider it ob
ligatory upon me to adopt that policy, especi
cially in consequence of the absolute necessi
ty of facilitating intercourse with our posses
sions on the Pacific.
The position ofthe Sandwich Islands, with
reference to the territory ofthe United States
on the Pacific; the success of our persevering
and benevolent citizens who have repaired to
that remote quarter in christianizing the na
tives and inducing them to adopt a system of
government and laws suited to their capacity
and wants; and the use made by our numer
ous whale-ships of the harbors of the islands
as places of resort for obtaining refreshments
and repairs, all combine to render their destiny
peculiarly interesting to us. It is our duty
to encourage the authorities of those islands in
their efforts to improve and elevate the moral
and political condition of the inhabitants; and
we should make reasonably allowances for the
difficulties inseparable from this task. We
desire that the islands may maintain their in
dependence, and that other nations should con
cur with us in this sentiment. We could, in
no event, be indifferent to their passing un-
TWlinSTti dtimaiii or ..«y
> n ’ **♦”*««• Ilia n com-
mm.’ interest, and it is to no ontf
of them will attempt to to
the entire independence of mJ, islands.
The receipts- into the Treasury for the fis
cal year ending on the thirtieth of June last
were, in. cash, forty-eight millions.eight hund
red and thirty thousand ninety-seven dollars
and fifty cents, ($48,830,097 50,) and in Tre
asury notes funded, ten millions eight hundred
and thirty-three thousand dollars, (10,833,000)
making an aggregate of fifty-nine millions six
hundred and sixty-three thousand ninety-seven
dollars and fiftv cents. C 559,663,097 50:7 and
the expenditures for the same time were, in
cash; forty-six millions seven hundred and
ninety-eight thousand six hundred and sixty
seven dollars and eighty-two cents, ($46,-
798,667 82,) and in Treasury notes funded,
ten millions eight hundred and thirty-three
thousand dollars, (10,833,000,) making an ag
gregate of fifty-seven millions six hundred and
thirty-one thousand six hundred and sixty
seven dollars and eighty-two cents, ($57,631 ,-
667 Bfi.)
The accounts and estimates which will be
submitted to Congress in the report of the Se
cretary of the Treasury, show that there will
probably be a deficit, ocasioned by the expen
ses of the Mexican war and treaty, on the first
day of July next, of five millions eight hund
red and twenty-eight thousand one hundred
and twenty-one dollars and sixty-six cents,
($5,828,121 66,) and on the first day of July,
1851, of ten millions five hundred and forty
seven thousand and ninety-two dollars and
seventy-three cents, ($10,547,091 73,) mak-‘
ing in the whole a probable deficit, to be pro- |
vided for, of sixteen millions three hundred
and seventy five thousand two hundred and
fourteen dollars and thirty-nine cents, ($16,-
375,214 39 ) The extraordinary expenses of
the war with Mexico, and the purchase of I
California and New Mexico, exceed ia amount!
this deficit, together with the loans heretofore
made for those objects. I therefore recom
mend that authority be given to borrow what
ever sum may be necessary to cover that defi
cit. I recommend the observance of strict
economy in the appropriation and expendi- !
tore of public money.
I recommend a revision of the existing tar- I
iff and its adjustment on a basis which may ■
augment the revenue. I (to not dpubt the i
riglit or duty of Congress tp encourage do- j
mestip industry, which is the great soqree pf I
l nationalas well as individual wealth and pros- ‘
perity. I look to the wisdom and patriotism ■
lof Congress fur the adoption of a system
whieh rnay place home labor at last on a sure
and permanent footing, and, by due encour
agement of manufactures, give a new and in
creased stimulus to agriculture, and promote
the development of our resources, and
tension of our commerce. Belfeyingthat to the
i attaintflent of these ends (as well as the nece
ssary augmentation of the revenue and the pre- I
vention of frauds) a system of specific duties
is best adapted, I strongly recommend tp Con
gress tbe adoption of that system, feeing the
duties a; rates high enough'to afford substan-
I tial and sufficient encouragement to our own
industry, and at the same time, so adjusted as
to ensure stability.
The question of the continuance of the Sub
treasury system is respectfully submitted to
the wisdom of Congres. (f continued, im
portant modifications of it appear to be indis
pensable.
For further details and views of the al»ye,
and other matters connected wjtl; camtoerce,
the finances; and reyenue, I refer to the re
port ofthetiecietary of the Treasury.
No direckaid has been given by the General
Government to the improvement of agricul
ture, except by the expenditure of small sums
for ibe collection and distribution ot agricultu
ral statistics, and for some chemical analyses
which have been, thus far, paid for out of
the patent fund. This aid is, in my opinion,
wholly inadequate. To give to this lading
branch of American industry the eaaourage
ment which it merits, t respectfully recom
mend tne establishment of an Agricultural
Bureau, to be connected with the Department
of the Interior. To elevate the social, condi
tion of the agriculturist, to increase his pros
perity, and to extend his means of usefulness
to his country, by multiplying his sources of
I information, should be the study es every
j statesman, and a primary object with every
. legislator.
No civil government having been provided
i by Congress for California, the people of that
I Territory, impelled by the necessities of their
j. political condition, recently met in Convention
i for the purpose of forming a constitution and
State government, which the latest advices
give meTcason so suppose has been aecotnp
lishedjjmd it-fs believed they will shortly ap
ly for the -admission of California into the
Union as trsorifreign Stalo. Should such be
' IC . (, '4sfal‘ l ld4th <) jlld theiMonstitution be oon-,
j application to the favorablqrconsiderations of
Congress. ><
The people of New,Mexico will also, it is
believed, at no vefy distant period present
themseloes for admission-into the Union. Pre
paratory to the admission of California and
New Mexico, the peoplp of each will have in
stituted for themselves-a republican form of
government,'"“laying its foundations in such
principles, and organizing its powers in such
form, as to them shall seem most likely to ef
fect their safetyand happiness.”
Byjwjailing their action, all causes of un
casi-nnR may be avoided, and confidence and
kind feelfug preserved. With a view of main
taining the' harmony and tranquility so dear
to all, we should abstain from the introduction
of those exciting topics of a sectional charac
ter which have hitherto proceed painful’appre-
Ijensions in the public and I repeat the
solemn warningofthe first and most illustrious
’of my predecessors against furnishing “any
ground for characterizing parties by geograph
ical discriminations.” •
A Collector has been appointed at San
Francisco, under the act of Congress extending
the revenue Jaws over California; and meas
ures have been taken to organize the custom
houses at that and the other ports mentioned in
that act, at the earliest period practicable.—
The Collector proceeded overland and ad
vices have not yet been received of his arri
val at San Francisco. Meanwhile, it is under
stood that tiie customs have continued to be
collected there by officers acting under the mi
litary authority, as they were during the Ad
ministration <1 my predecessor. It will, I
think, be expedient to confirm the collections
thus made, and direct the avails (after such
allowances as Congress may think fit to au
thorize) to be expendel within the Territory,
or to be paid into the Treasury, for the purpose
of meeting appropriations for the improvement
of its rivers and harbors.
A party, engaged on the coast survey, was
dispatched to Oregon in January last. Ac
cording to the latest advices, they had rot left
California ; and directions have been given to
them, as soon as they shall have fixed on the
sites of the two light-houses and the buoys au
thorized to be constructed and placed in Ore
gon, to proceed witKout delay to make recon-
, coast, the speedy eriftion of which is u’rgeut
*ly demanded by our, rapidly increasing com
' merce.
I have transferred the Indian Agencies from
I Upper Missouri and Council Bluffs to Santa
' Fe and Salt Lake, and have caused to be ap
pointed sub-agents in the valleys of the Gila,
the Sacramento, and San Joaquin rivers. Still
further legal provisions will-be necessary for
the effective and successful extension of our
system of Indian intercourse oyer the new
territories.
I recommend the establishment of a branch
mint in California, as it will, in my opinion,
afford important facilities to those engaged in
mining', as well as to the Government in the
disposition of the mineral lands,
I also recommend that commissions be or
ganized by Congress to examine and decidq.
upon tne validity of the present subsisting land
titles in California and New Mexico ; and that
provision be mad« for the establishment of of
fices of Surveyor General in New Mexico,
California and Oregon, and for the surveying
and bringing into market the public lands in
those territories. Those lands, remote in po
sition and difficult of access, ought to be dis
posed of on terms liberal to all, but especially
favorable to the early emigrants.
[n order that the situation and character of
the principal mineral deposites in California
may be ascertained, I recommend that a geo
logical and mineralogical exploration be con
nected with the linear surveys, and that the
mineral lands be divided into small lots suita-
I ble for mining, and 1 e disposed of, by sale or
lease, sons to give our citizens an opportunity
of procuring a permanent right of properly in
the soil. This would seem to he as important
to the suepess of mining 3 s of agricultural
I pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California, and
the advantages which its ports and harbors
and those of Oregon afford to commerce, espe
cially with the islands of the Pacific and In
dian oceans, and the populous regions of East
ern Asia, make it certain that there will arise
in a few years large and prosperous cmnmuni
ties on our western coast. 'ft therefore be
comes important t|iat a iineof communication,
thp best and most expeditions which the nature
of the country will admit, should he opened
within the territory of (he United States, from
the navigable waters £»f the Atlantic or the
Gulfnf Mexico to the Pacific. Opinion, as
elicited at d expressed by tiro large and re
spectable Conventions, lately assembled at St.
Louis and Memphis, points to a railroad as that
which, if practicable, will best meet the wish
es ard wants of the country. sui vyhile tms.
if in
qf great patipritfi importance, and of a value
to the country which it would be difficglt to,
estimate, it ought also to be regarded as an
undertaking of vest magnitude and expense,
and ope v>hiph must, if it he indeed praetica
file* enpouater many difficulties in its construc
tion and use. Therefore, to avoid failure aud
disappointment; to enable Congress to judge
whether, in the condition of the country
through which it must pass ; th? w?r? be fea
sible ; and, if it ’■» found so,’ whether Ft should
be gnjo.taken a;, a national improvement or
left to Individual enterprise; and, in the latter
alternative, what aid, if any, otmht t?he ex
tended to it bv the Government, f recommend,
as a preliminary measure,' a careful reconnais
sance pf the several proposed routes by a sci
entific corps, and a report as'-t'o the practica
bility of making such a road, with an estimate
of the cost of its construction and support.
For fur l et views on these other mat
ters connected w;th tpe duties of the Home
department, 1 refer you to the report of the
Secretary of tne Interior.
I recommend early appropriations for con-,
tinning the river tmu harbor improvements
which have bepn already begun, and also for
she construction of tho-e for which estimates
have been made, as well as for examinations
and estimates preparatory to the commence
ment of such others as the wants of the coun
try, aud especially the advance of our popula
tion over new districts, apd the extension of
commerce, tnay render necessary. An esti
mate of the amount which can be advantage
, ously expended within the next fiscal year l un-
NUMBER 1
der the direction of the Bure*u-< Topographi
cal Engineers, of tbe
Secretary of War, tp .which ~1/espedtfully in
vite the aitentiotvof.Crjgreii. '
j The cession of terfftory made by the late
i treaty with Mexico lias greatly extended our
i.exposed frontier, and rendere|Tts defence more
I difficult, - That treaty has alio brought us un
der oblations to . Aicxico, to comply with
which a military, force'is requisite. But our
military establishment is not materially chang
ed, as to its efficiency)" from the Condition in
whioh it stood before the commenosaent oi the
Mexican war. tojE will there-,
Jnre be necesjmry t nrqj I recommmd to 4be fit'
viiiable ’c%u!«iderarf.n,
of the several ebrps otWie ale
western posts, as proposed in the accompany
ing report of the Secretary of War.
e Great embarrassment has resulted from the
effect upon rank, in' the army, heretofote giv
en to brevet and staff commissions. The
views of the Secretary of War on this subject
are deemed important, and if carried into ef
fect will, it is believed, promote the harmony
of the service. The plan proposed for retir
ing disabled officers, and providing an asylum
for such of the rank and file as from age,
wounds, and other infirmities occasioned by
service, have become unfit to perforin their re
spective duties, is recommended as a means of
Increasing the efficiency of the army, and as an
act of justice due from a grateful country to
the faithful soldier..
The accompanying report of the Secretary
of the Navy presents a full and satisfactory
account of the condition and operations of the
naval service during the past year. Our citi
zens engaged in the legitimate pursuits of com
merce have enjoyed its benefits. Wherever
our national vessels have gone they have been
received with respect, our officers have been
treated with kindness and courtesy, and they
have on all occasions pursued a course of
strict neutrality, in accordance with the policy
of onr Government.
The naval force at present in commission is
as large as is admissible, with the number of
men authorized by Congress to be employed.
I invite your attention to the recommenda
tion of the Secretary of the Navy on the sub
ject of a re-organization of the Navy, in its va
rious grades ot officers, and the establishing of
a retired list for such of the officers as are dis
qualified for active and effective service.—
Should Congress adopt some such measure as
is recommended, it v ill greatly increase the
efficiency of the Navy, and reduce its expen
ditures.
I also ask your attention to the views ex
pressed by him in reference to the employment
of war steamers, and in regard to the contracts
for the transportation of the United States
mails and the operation of the system upon
the prosperity of the Navy.
By an act of Congress passed August 14th,'
1848, provision was made for extending post
office and mail accomodations to California
and Oregon. Exertions have been made to
rizes, the ill adaptation of piir post office larks
to the situation of that cocntry, and the mea
sure of compensation for services allowed by
those laws, compared with the prices of labor
and rents in California, render those exertions
in a great degree, ineffectual. More particu
lar and efficient provision by law is required
on this subject.
The act of 1845, reducing postage, has
now, by its operation during four years, produ
ced results fully showing that the income from
such reduced postage is sufficient to sustain
the whole expense of the service of the Post
Office Department, not including the cost of
transportation in mail steamers on tbe lines
from New Y’ork to Chagres, and from Pana
ma to Astoria, which have not been considered
by Congress as properly belonging to the mail
service.
It is submitted to the wisdom of Congress
whether a further reduction of postage should
not now be made, more particularly on the let
ter correspondence. This should be relieved
from the unjust burden of transporting and
delivering the franked matter of Congress, for
which public service provision should be made
from the Treasury. I confidently believe that
a change may safely be made, reducing all sin
gle letter postage to the uniform rate of five
cents, regardless of distance, without thereby
imposing any greater tax on the Treasury than
would constitute a very moderate compensa
tion for this public service; and I therefore re
spectfully recommend such a reduction.—
Should Congress prefer to abolish the franking
privilege entirely, it seems probable that no
demand on the Treasury would result from the
proposed reduction of postage. Whelherany
further diminution should now be made, or the
result of the reduction to five cents, which I
have recommended, should be first tested, is
submitted to your decision. .
Since the commencement of tne last seszion
of Congress, a postal treaty with Greqt Britain
has been received and rtpifiad, and such regu
lations have tteep, formed by the Post Office
Ejepartmepts of the two countries, in pursu
ance of that treaty, as to carry its provisions
into full operation. The attempt to extend
this sama arrangement, through England, to
France, has not been equally successful; but
thepurpose has not been abandoned.
ror a particular statement of the coi dition
of the Post Office Department, and other mat
ters connected with that branch of the public
service, I refer you to the report of the Post
master General,
By Ike act or ttd March, 1849, a Board was
constituted to make arrangements for taking
the seventh census, composed of the Secretary
of State, the Attorney General, and the Post
master General; and it was made the duty of
this Board “• to prepare and cause to be printed
snch forms and schedules as might be necessa
ry for the full enumeration of the inhabitants
of the United States; and also proper forms
and schedules for collecting, In statistical ta
bles, under proper heads, such information as,
to mine;, agriculture, commerce, manufap
iqres, education, and other topics, as would ex
hibits full view of the pursuits, industry, edu
cation and resourqpa of the country.” ’J'he
duties enjoined upon the Census Board thus
pstabfished having been performed, it now rests
with Congress to enact a la w for carrying into
effect the provision of the Constitution which
■ requires an actual enumeration of the people
of the United States withiq t'ia orisuing year.
Among the dutfej assigned by the Constitu
, tion to (he iqeneral government is one of local
«ud limited aplication, but not on tfeii account
the less obligatory: I io tlie trust com
mitted to CougCLie, as the exclusive legislator
and "ofe guardian of tbe interests cd the Dis
-1 trie’, of Columbia. I fcgg to commend these
interests to your kind attention. As the Na
tional Metropolis the city of Washington must
I be an object of general interest; and, found
ed as it was under the auspices of him wMbse
j immortal name it bears, its claims to tbe foster
ing care ofCongress present themsemselves
I with additional strength. Whatever can con
tribute to its prosperity must enlist the feelings
of its ccnstitutjsmal guardians, and command
> their favorable consideration.
, Our Government is one of limited powers,
1 and Us successful administration eminonfly
-L. .U. it iii-i
• depends on (lie confinement of each df' fte oo-
I’ordfriate branches within* ftu bwn appftwfete
sphere. The first section rif the Comjaiffi
brduins that ‘all legislative powersxjjM'hiii,
grunted shall be vested in a Xfeugreas rtf , 06.
Uditcd States, wbrch shall consist of aefeMlp
arfd House' of Represmitallves.” The Ew®/
cuilvethas suHiorlly to recommend (notlo die- . *
tate) measures to Congress, Having perfdrtn
ed tlrat dirty, ffieExecutive department of. the
rightfully control' the de
cision of Congress orfa'ny subject of legisla- 4
tion, utilil that decision shall have been official
ly aifemiHcd to the President for approval.—
’ Tiio elieekj>rovided by tie Constitution, in
; the clause conferring the qualified veto,-.will
I never,, bp oxetcisetf by-me, except in the ca
ses sontemplated by the Fathers of the Repnb- “ "■
diu. F view Utas an extretb# measure, to be.
to only in extraordinary cases—as
wherajt majr become neceisary te defend tbe
Executive-ago inM thq encroachments of the
LegUMtive power, or so preuenfrhasty and in
considerate of uncotistitutional legislation.
By qautiouslyjconfining thjaremedy within (he
sphere prescribed to it in the' cctemporaneoua
expositions pf the framers of the Constitution,
tlie wilj of the .People, legiti|aate)y expressed
l on all subjects of Legisltitidn, through their
■ constitutional organs, the lsenxtorV«»ia Repre
eentatifts of the United IHlatee, will have its
.full effect. As indispensable to the presents- '
tion'of our system of self-government, the in
dependence of tbe Rejfresentatives of the
States and the . People guarantied by the
Constitution; and they ‘owe no responsibiHiy
to any human power but. their constituents. ’*
By holding the. Representative responsible r
; oply to the People, qnd exempting him from
Ml other influences, we elevate the ebsraeter
of the constituent, and quicken his dense of
■responsibility to his country. ,It is under these
circumstances only that the Hector can feel
that, in the choice of tbe law-maker, 'he is,
himself, truly a component pan of the sover
eign power of the nation. With equal care
we should study to defend the rights of the
Executive and Judicial Departments, Our
Government can only be preserved in its puri
b’ ■fe ! !l‘TP res W‘ a ® <l entir* elimination of
eViSjr’cmni >e*t«iAeugy ncsordinsae
to*.»tib-io.e O cr fl ftpfea»Dfp sqaWher. With
the strict observ. or and xSe <uher
injunctions of tftrf Constitution ; wiih a sedtf
lous inculcation of that respect and Jove for
the Union of the Slates which our Fathers
cherished and enjoined upon their children;
and with the aid of that over-ruling Providence
which has so long and so kindly guarded our
liberties and institutions, we may reasonably
eXpect to transmit them with their innumera
ble blessings to the remotest posterity.
But attachment to the Union of the States
should be habitua'ly fostered in every Ameri
can heart. For more than half a century,
during which kingdoms and empires have fall
en, this Union has stood unshaken. The
patriots who formed it have long since descend
ed to tbegrave; yet still it remains, the proud
est monument to their memory, and the object
of affection and admiration with every one
worthy to bear the American name. In my
judgment, its dissolution would be the greatest
of calamities, and to avert that should be the
study of every American. Upon its preserva
tion must depend our own happiness and that
of countless generations to come. Whatever
dangers may threaten it, I shall stand by it
and maintain it in its integrity, to the full extent
of the obligations imposed and the power con
ferred upon mo by the Constitution.
Z. TAYLOR.
Washington, December 4th, 1849.
Legislature.
There was not much business or importaac
in the House on the 20th.
Mr. Joseph E. Brown introduced some res
olutions into the Senate condemnatory of the
course of Hon. T. Butler King in California,
which were taken up and made the order of
the day for Monday the 21»t of January next.
These proceedings we will give in our next.
Messrs. Toombs and Stephens. —We
give in another column a detailed account of
the proceedings of the Whig caacusat Wash
ington for the nomination of a candidate for the
Speakership, that our readers may have an
opportunity of judging of the propriety of the
course of our Whig Representatives in Con
gress (Messrs. Stephens, Toombs and Owen.)
’ t .'Xu ’ln Jl”sl h “o’u
Athens Whig.
We are pleased to learn, says the Savannah
Georgian, that Mr. Rosenband has succeeded
tn obtaining the whole of his money which it
was supposed had been destroyed by the fire
on the 17th inst. It was removed to a place of
safety in a box of clothing, and was discover
ed ou examining the goods.
Mrs. Partington's Opinion of the
Ethiopians.—“{Yes, 1 did go to hear the Eat
the-opium Sarah-naders, yes 1 did, and 1 don’t
keer if Deaton Blathers does hear of it. I’d
rather heer them blessed black martingales
than a dozen of Deacon Blather’s old sar
mints. One of them sung out « hat my poor
Paul used to like, in tho salt seller voice, just
like a baby’s whistle and musical snuff box
together. One of ’em shook his fingers to
gether and they rattled like pipe stems; but
what I like mostest of all was the beautiful
music of the according line. Oh how delwhes
tbe music rolled out of it; I could have got
tip and danced with delight.” And the old
lady got up and really shook herself all over.
MAR iFFeD .
On Thursday evening, Dec. 20, by the
Rev. Mr, Everett, Mr. James M. Hatcher, of
Jefferson, and Miss Sarah Frances, daughter
of Elias Lazenby, Esq., of Columbia county.
dTe D.
At San Francisco, California, on the 21st
October last, Dr. Claiborne Anderson Watkins,
a native of Richmond county, Geo.
In California, u short time since, Ellsworth
Foster Park, Esq., late of Hawkinsville, Ga.,
and snn of Col. John G. Park.
At Milledgeville,on the 18th inst., Mrs. Eli
za M. Randolph, relict of the late Dr. R. H.
Randolph, in tbe 40th year of her age.
Speriat Notices.
< ‘ B '' a ■ - -AMSa. 'u . .~r :.'3c.a ■
[communicated.]
To the generoii'i Voters of Rich*
mond County.
With the most profound feelings of .grati
tude for your kind support, at former elections,
1 once more, and, perhaps, for the last time, in
voke your aid on Monday next. All thtfte
considerations of sympathy and Benevofence
that operated upon the hearts of the humane
voters who so kindly elected me to the office
of Coroner still exist, and, if possible, with in
creased weight. J plead with you, fellow ci
tizens, not far myself, but on behalf of help
less and dependent children: but-jor them,
God knows I would not thrust myselfYiefora
>you at this time. lam poor and unfortunate, “
and therefore it is that 1 am thus constrained
thus to appeal to your generosity. lam forc
ed to ask you, as men and Christians, in the
name of charity, and in th*sacred name of hu
manity, to extend to me a helping hand, in this
my time of wed. Think not you are voting
fftr tpe- No. each vote given in ray name,
will be, as it were, manna from heaven put
into llto mouths ot little creatures unable to
sustain and support themselves—bread given
to the poor and needy. Snatch from me the
perquisites of this office, and you virtually
doom myself and little ones to almost certain
want and misery. I, therefore, in the most so
lemn manner, with a spirit saddened and sub
dued by misfortune, earnestly solicit yonr
friendly aid. I beseech you, men of Rich
mond, turn not a deaf ear to this appeal—but,
animated by the noblest sentiment that dwells
within the human breast, bestow your suffra
ges upon one who sadly experiences the awfu I
reality of niter destitution.
JOSHUA 8. WALKER.
Augusta, Dec. 29, 1849.