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qpWMBtMMMW i>■ 11 ii ■■ TiMMUgaw ejiiuuß’gJLjar^'rrTrj; THE’CONSTITUTIONALIST. JAMbS GA K UN E r7Tr7~ TERMS. Pally, per annum $3 00 Tri-Weekly, per annum 6 00 If paid in advance 5 00 Weekly, per annum 8 00 If paid in advance 2 50 To Clubs, remitting ,$lO in advance, FIVE COPIES are sent. This will put our Weekly pa per in the reach of new subscribers at TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. 27FSubscribers who will pay up arrearages, and jtend four new subscribers, with the money, can get the paper at $2 00. fETAII new subscriptions must be paid in ad vance. (E/’Poatage must be paid on all communications and letters of business. [From the Columbian Magazine.] Blau’s Image in Woman’s Heart. BY HENRY MORFORD. V,t range but most beautiful- creation ! strange In the possession of the rich and rare Affection, that knows not of time or change. Art thou, oh woman! and the love we bear To God and to his angels unto thee Is rendered, with the sense of burning shame ~ That man to thee in love and purity, Bears but a worthless, an unhallowed name ; *And often when thy soft kisses on our brows Fall sweet and cooling as the summer rain, Man, humbled, at the heart’s great temple bow : And feels those dear fond kisses to be pain. And, oh! in those few moments to recall The angels that have left us and gone home Take back again the words we have let fall And be as thou art, in the days to come, Faithful and fond and loving to the end! But the hours pass, the lips are felt no more. And man, the lover, half forgets to bend. And grows as cold and heartless as before- But falters woman as the path grows dim? Presses the hand less fondly in her own— Because the rm-les are few and faint with him, And ail the pressure must be thine alone? Fond heart of woman, never! there 5s still , The old remembrance of the first sweet time— When o’er thy bosom, with a pleasant thrill, His image crept as creeps an olden rhyme, Filling the vacant chambers with warm light, Waking the passions from their long repose, And making all things radiant to the sight, With colors of the gold and the rose; The form of old is graven on thine heart. The eyes of old still look their love to thine Oh, bright delusion, fair and kindly art, That makes the harsh to-day seem yet divine, And so thou lovest on, in heat, in cold, In gladness or in sorrow, holding yet By some memorial of the times of old, When heart with heart and soul with spirit met; i And so thou invest on ; bright beautiful, And holy woman, is there not a place Where thy sweet eyes with tears shall never dull, And love hold never an averted face : Is there no heaven brighter than our own For those who falter not in middle earth , But hold the spirit, dying and alone , Bright as it blessed them in its very birth? I know not, but I know that if the dew Os thy sweet eyes is not dried up in heaven , Man’s ministering angels will be few , And few his pleasant hopes to be forgiven : And if the seraphs, on their brows of light W ear not tbe impress of a woman’s smile , Darkened will heaven be to manhood’s sight, And earthward will his wings be drooped awhile Thou, whose full heart has kept him in its hold Thro’ shame and grief,without one thought of fear, For my poor wreath, instead of hireling gold . Give me when I am destitute, a tear! j[ From the New York Journal of Comment Zd [concluded.] Now contrast the breathing out of threaten tags and slaughter on the part of the Mexi cans, with the eminently pacific tones of Gen. Taylor. In a despatch dated Corpus Christi, Feb. 26th, 1846, he says,— “I have taken occasion to represent to some citizens of Mat amor os, who were here with a large number of mules for sale, and- -who are represented to have considerable influence at home, that the United States government, in occupying the Rio Grande, has no motive of hostility towards Mexico, and that the army will, in no case, go beyond the river, unless hostilities should be commenced by the Mexi cans themselves; that the Mexicans living on this side, will not be disturbed in any way by the tVoops; that they wall be protected in aU their rights and usages; and that every thing which the army may need, will be piirchased from them at fair prices. I also stated that, until the matter should be finally adjusted be tween the two governments, the harbor of Brazos Santiago would be opened to the free use of the Mexicans as heretofore. The same views were impressed upon the Mexican cus tom-house officer at Brazos Santiago by Cap tain Hardee, who commanded the escort which covered the reconnoissance of Padre island.” Again, in reply to the demand of Ampudia, April 12th, summoning him to withdraw his force within twenty-four hours, and retire be yond the Nueces, Gen. Taylor says,— “I have been ordered to occupy the country up to the left bank of the Rio Grande, until the boundary shall be definitely settled. In rarrying out these instructions, I have careful ly abstained from all acts of hostility, obeying, in this regard, not only the letter of my in structions, but the plain dictates of justice and humanity. The instructions under which I am acting, will not permit me to retrogade from the position I now occupy. In view of the relations between our respective govern ments, and the individual suffering which may result, I regret the alternative which you of f rr; but, at the same time, wish it understood that I shall by no means avoid such alternative, leaving the responsibility with those who rash ly commence hostilities.” . “Very pacific, to be sure,” perhaps some one will say, “but was he not all fhis while in the Mexican territory:” Let us examine the question, and see. In the first place, the Western boundary of Texas as annexed to the United States, is not necessarily the same as when it was a Province of Mexico. The river Nueces may have lieen the Western boundary of the Province, (the evidence is very conflict ing on this point,) but the boundary of the Republic of Texas, which had maintained its independence for nine or ten years previous to its annexation to the United States, was de clared by its solemn Act of 19th December, 1836, to be the Rio del Norte. The country between that river and the Nueces was often traversed by Texian forces, was represented in the Texian Congress and Convention, and was recognised as a part of Texas by our own Con gress on the 31st Dec. 1845, by the passage of an Act including it within our revenue system. Corpus Christi, on the West side of the Nue ces, was by that Act declared to be a port of delivery. A revenue officer to reside within that district was appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate. The Conven tion signed by President Santa Anna when a prisoner, after the battle of San Jacinto, and ratified by his Generals, may be taken for what it is worth. It is stipulated for the with drawal of all the Mexican forces beyond the Rio Grande.- I admit that the immediate bor der of that river was never fully in subjection to the Texian government; and there were some little squads of Mexican soldiers there when Gen. Taylor arrived. But this Ido net think conclusive. It may have been sufficient to render the territory “disputed,” but not more. If the territory was disputed, why might it not be occupied by our own,, as well as by Mexican troops? The American gov ernment expressly ordered Gen. Taylor not to molest ary Mexican posts which might be found there, unless he should first bo attack ed by the Mexicans. It was this very boun dary, among other things, that we desired and offered again and again to settle by negotia tion. Mexico refused. By leaving any part of it in her undisputed possession, wc should seem to admit that it did not belong to us.— Besides, the placing of an efficient military force there, to rise the language of President Po 1 k in his Special Message, “had become necessary, to meet a threatened invasion of Texas by the Mexican forces, for which cx- I tensive military preparations had been made.” It was earnestly solicited both by the Congress and Convention of Texas, which had now be come an integral part of this Union, and as much entitled to protection as any other part. ! It was strongly recommended by Gon. Taylor, ! provided the government of the United States I had determined upon making the Rio Grande ! boundary an ultimatum. On the whole, I do not think his advance, with the distinct j and public announcement that “the United j States government, in occupying the Rio ! Grande, had no motive of hostility towards Mexico,” and that “the array would in no case go beyond the river unless hostilities should ; be commenced by the Mexicans themselves,” i was by no means an act of war : yet it is the ' only act on the part of our government or i troops, which appears to be relied on as an off set to the numerous hostile declarations and acts of Mexico, to prove that the war exists not by her act, but by our own. Whether it was wise, under all circumstances, to advance our troops beyond Corpus Christi, I shall not undertake to decide: but this I will say, that after years of provocation, evasion, breaches of promise, rejection of our ministers, out rages upon our commerce and the persons of j our citizens, and at length a refusal either to | grant redress or to negotiate,—and after re | peated avowals from the highest sources of | power, of her intention to re-conquer Texas, i accompanied by manifest preparations for that ' end, —Mexico at least had no right to com plain, if our government saw fit to adopt pre cautionary measures, even by the occupancy of a portion of the disputed territory which wc had not occupied before. I have thus stated very briefly my views c-f the origin of the war. By a renewed examina tion of documents andtfacte, I am more than ever convinced that the government of my : country anxiously sought the preservation of peace until it was interrupted by the ! act of Mexico, and has ever "since been striving for its restoration, by every honora ble means which offered a hope of success.— Scarcely had the smoke of the battles of Palo i Alto and Resaca de la Palama cleared away, | when the American government, hoping they might have produced a willingness on the part of Mexico to listen to propositions of peace, addressed the government of that coun try, (July 27, 1817,) in the kindnest manner, with the view to the desired result. The fol io-wing is an extract from Mr. Buchanan’s des patch of the above date, addressed to the Mexi can Minister of Foreign Relations: “The President of the United States, no less anxious to terminate than ho was to avaid the present unhappy war with the Mexican re public, has determined to make an effort to accomplish this purpose. He has accordingly instructed the undersigned, Secretary of State, to propose, through you excellency, to the Mexican government, that negotiations shall forthwith commence for the conclusion of a peace just and honorable for both parties.— Should this offer be received and responded to by the Mexican government in the same frank and friendly spirit by which it has been dicta lie Will limnedhttTrljr "despatch an Eirvny extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the city of Mexico, with instructions and full ]>owers to conclude a treaty of peace, which shall adjust all the questions in dispute be tween the two republics. If the Mexican gov ernment should prefer to send a minister to Washington, to conduct the negotiation here, he shall be received with kindness and respect, and every effort shall be made to accomplish the object of his mission with the least possi ble delay. “In the present communication it is deemed useless, and might prove injurious, to discuss the causes of the existing war. This might tend to delay ordefeut the restorat ion of peace. The past is already consigned to history; the future, under Providence, is within our power. “The occasion may, however, be embraced to state, that the President has ever cherished the kindest feelings for Mexico, and that one of the first wishes of his heart is, that she may be a powerful and prosperous republic, iff per petual amity with the United States.” The Mexican Minister, Rejon, in reply, Aug. 31st, objected to the proposition, but said it would be submitted to the Congress of the na tion, which was to meet on the 6th of Decem ber, (more than three months then future,") to deliberate upon the security and honor of the nation, and provide for its welfare. Be fore Congress met, the battle of Monterey had been fought and won; but the infatuation of the Mexican government had in no degree abated. The proposition for peace, so gene rously tendered by the American government, was treated as cavalierly by the Mexican Con gress as by the Executive. Next came the battle of Sacremcnto, Buena Vista, Vera Cruz, and Cerro Gordo,—almost annihilating the Mexican arras* and opening to onr troops the way to fhJpC a pit 01. But in the mean time a new Overture had been made by our government, through the medi um of Senor Atocha, who being himself of Spanish origin, it was supposed might possess some facilities for gaining the Mexican ear, which an American would not. His mission too was unsuccessful. And now, as our victo rious troops are advancing upon the Capital, a messenger of peace goes with them, ready to offer or receive propositions, with a view to the immediate termination of the war, and the adjustment of all differences on equitable terms. In short, President Polk has fully re deemed the pledge which he gave in what is called his War Message, (May 11,1846,) when he said, —“It is my anxious desire, not only to terminate hostilities speedly, but to bring all matters in dispute between this govern ment and Mexico to an early and amicable adjustment; and in this view, I shall be pre pared to renew negotiations, whenever Mexi co shall be ready to receive propositions, or to make propositions of her own.” As therefore the origin of the war is not just ly chargeable upon the American government, so neither is its continuance. Indeed lam not certain but the business of suing for peace has been overdone. Instead of appreciating the generous motives which prompted these oft repeated overtures, it is not improbable that the Mexican government has construed them into an evidence of the burdensome nature of the war to ourselves, and so has been induced to hold out, in the hope of producing divisions here at home. It has been encouraged to ex pect such things by the tone of a portion of our party press, and a few men of better in tentions, who talk about cutting off the sup plies. In mv qpinion, if we wished to prolong the war indefinitely, we could not adopt a course better adapted to that end, than pre cisely the one which these gentlemen recom mend. Every indication of defection here, of a lack of unity, of shrinking from the burdens of the war, of withholding from the govern ment the necessary supplies to carry it on, will be the death-warrant of many a brave man in ! Mexico, and perchance of many a coward. I ; have no faith at all in such prescriptions. None at all,in the scheme of aband *nivg the tear. The ; war -cannot be abandoned, livery were it possi ble that at the moment when we tre apparently on the verge oi a permanent peace, we could be so demented as to withdraw our forces and give up all the advantages gained, that would notf terminate the war; it would add new fuel j to the tiame. It would encourage Mexico, now' almost ready to succumb, to make new r efforts. I She would then be able to draw supplies of ! men, money and provisions, from her whole vast territory, whereas now they have to come from very narrow limits. If w r e abandon the war, now almost finished at the Mexican Capital, we shall have to fight it over again in Texas; unless inded w*e are prepared to aban don Texas too. and then Louisiana, &c. No, it is because I hate war, and love human life, that I am for compelling pence, which there is rea son to believe can now very soon be dope,and probably without much additional bloodshed. In regard to the terms of it, I am comparatively indifferent; provided only that justice is done. We should remember that might gives no right. What is called the right of conquest, is only the right of robbery, I do not Avbh my nation to hold property by such a title, lint Mexico has wronged us, —long and grie vously. She has*seized our vessels, and plun dered the property of our citizens. As indem nity for these spoliations, she is justly indebt ed to us several millions. In a final adjustment of differences, I would insist upon payment. If unable to pay in money, I would take laud. As to the expenses of the war, I have my doubts. Believing that was brought upon us by the act of Mexico, and that she is responsi ble for its continuance, having refused all over tures for its termination, I might think it just that she should pay a part of the expenses she has occasioned ns. But on this head lam not ! anxious. In ray opinion the pecuniary aspect i of the question is its least important one. What we have mainly to look alter, is our own honor, and justice to Mexico. The two are inseparably connected. AVe now hare a noble opportunity, such as Are probably shall never have Again, to show that if w'c are physically capable of vin dicating our rights, so avg are morally capable of doing right, Avhcn the poAvor is in our oaa'u hands. ~ GERARD HALLOCK. [From the Chattanooga ( Term.) Gazette, July 9.] Steamboat Excursion up the Elk River, More than tAvo weeks ago, by invitation, we j left our post to accompany the ctcav of the ; steamer “Haiti Martin,” on an exploring expe dition up the Llk River. It was an enterprise that had been sometime previously spoken of by a few enterprising gentlemen of this place, | and a correspondence had been opened up AA'ith j a portion of the citizens of G Lies county on the subject. But it was not /thought practicable to make the first trip until, the fall, and it would have been until then deferred, but from the fact that a slight rise had taken, place in the Elk. Learning this fact, the caa ners of the Martin directed her to be forth with taken doAA'n and the trip attempted. All ware most, agreeably surprised at the result. The entrance into the Elk river is about 20 miles below Decatur, and a feAv miles beloAv the commencement of the Muscle Shoals. In reaching the mouth, we found some SAvift wa ter, but none that was insurmountable by the boat. At the mouth, the Elk is wide and deeu, and although we had no pilots for some dis tance up, Avho knew the river, no difficulty presented itself. We found the land on eith er side very rich, and a good deal of it in a high state of cultivation. Ail the grains groAv finely in that section, but Cotton is their sta ple commodity. AVe noticed considerable stock on the banks—some tine mills—and many other evidences of a rich and prosperous peo ple. & J’wrrsr-T-»'KTTTTT prayc rfftlVC . AT., wp landed ajt Elk ton, in Giles county, about 70 miles übove the mouth of the xiver. Here avg were mot by a large croAvd of delighted peo ple, and invited to partake of a dinner pre pared at their hotel'. The invitation aaus ac cepted, and the Captain and his creAv, and a number of ladies and gentlemen set doAvn to a most sumptuous feast. After dinner the guests repaired to the boat, where the creAv and com pany were appropriately and encouragingly addressed by the Rev. Mr. Osbourne. At the conclusion of Mr. Osbourne’s remarks. Cap tain Parrot Aveut forward and acknowledged the courtesy extended to him and his crew', and introduced to the citizens the editor of this paper, who occupied the balance of the time allotted for the stay of the boat, in an address . to the people. At the conclusion of his dress, the boat w'as lossed from her and glided down the stream, amidst the doz ening shouts of the people on the banks a|id the responses of those on the boat. This experiment in Steamboating on the Elk river, creates a new era in the business, tfade and commerce of this section of country. fWe learned from those who were well informed on the subject, that there was a plenty of #atcr in the river for the boat to run up to Fayette ville, in Lincoln countv, and often in theiwin ter season, to AVinchester, in Franklin colnty. Out of those count' es, a large amount of c|tton is shipped to Orleans, on Flat-Bo^s. — Giles county alone exports near or quit ell 5,- 000 bales, the most of Avhich Avill go to Sayan 4 nah and Charleston, when steamboats go| to running regularly on the Elk river. Butft is not the Cotton alone that will make the t|ude on that river important. The planters jind fanners raise an abundance of Corn, AVftat. Oats, Bacon, Lard, &c„ and their surpluwvill be henceforth throAvn into our SouthemlAt lantic markets. And it is Avell knoAvn,ithat the market for the sale of Produce is ant » be come the market for the purchase of Go«s.— Looking at it in this light, the successfx na vigation of the Elk river opens up a flat&ring prospect for the in Georgia and |*outh Carolina, and cannot help attracting attrition. The hospitality and interest mamfeslld by the citizens on the river, Avill long be ptnnem ed bv the creAv of the boat, and gives earn est that they Avill not permit the excitement created to subside, until Steamboating it their beautiful stream becomes a common loccur rence. AVe noted down many amtisifig ir fideuts | connected with the pioneer trip of t e Sara Martin up the Elk, which we may noti i here after. ( AVe extract the following from a coi muni cation in the Southern Patriot, prii :od at Athens, Alabama, OA-er the signature of S. B. “It Avas truly amusing to witness the t rilling excitement the visit of the steamer pj >duced ! upon all classes and colors of citizen# ‘ along the riA’cr. Forty overseers could not 1 ,ve re strained the negroes on the farms nJar the river from running, hollowfing and shouting, almost at the top of their voices, upon ■eeing the boat, like a thing of life, moving ilp the river, with such ease and grace. The waiter confesses for himself, he was induce! t« ride some four miles in order to AA'itness theftfact, and to join with others in enjoying a Siort pleasure trip on board the steamer on h« re turn route. He'had the pleasure of conlfers ing with several persons who accompaniedlthe Sam Martin up the river as far as it wentlin ’ Avhose judgment implicit confidence may l?e | had, AA'ho arc well acquainted AA'ith the riA'%: j they risk nothing in saying the river is alto gether practicable for steamboats of propel construction, and should the Charleston mar% ket prove the most advantageous to this sec-\ tion of country, will we not see the enterprise fk peculiar to the genius of our country and peo- ' pie, embracing and bringing into requisition those facilities which are necessary and proper for carrying on the great interests ot the coun “lt is hoped that so soon as the Georgia rail road is completed to the Tennessee river, some experiments will be made on the Eastern route to market, and if it prpA'es successful, as I doubt 1 not it will, Avill it not be giving the farracas of the country another string to their boAV. AVe hope to sec it tiled.” £1 ujit s I ct, (Georgia. SATURDAY IYSORNIKG, JULY 17. FOR GOVERNOR HCR. 0. W. TOWNS. OF TALBOT. The Missouri Volunteers. The folloAving is an extract from the reply of Col. Doniphan to the address of Col. Ben j ton at St. Louis, welcoming the return of the ! volunteers. It conveys in a feAv words the impression made upon our gallant troops, of all parties, and from all sections of the Union by the factious and unfeeling course pursued by the whig party in reference to the war. 1 AVhile our patriotic citizen soldiery were toil | ing and fighting for the honor and the rights | of our country, some amid the rugged passes and the inhospitable snows of Northern Mexi co, others beneath the fierce sijn and upon the burning sands of the Rio Grande and the G ulf coast, but all inspired with the same unflinching spirit of devotion to the cause of their coun try, behold the attitude presented by whig politicians and presses at home. They AA'ere denouncing the war Avith studied terms of in famy —denouncing their government for every crime that could bring a lasting stigma upon a nation —denouncing their countrymen in arms as little better than a band of robbers. Some AA'ere more guarded in phrase than others, but the spirit and tendency of all their efforts w'ere the same. The foremost man among the AA'higs in this course was Senator Conyin of Ohio. 1 And for Ids,prominent services to the whig party on this question, the large body of Northern whigS insist on his nomination for the next Presidency; “It is not for me, fellow-citizens, to discuss the merits of this war. But it is natural that I, for one, should say something in relation to it. It is a strange I war; when first commenced, it was denounced by 1 a large party in our countn — the party to Avhich I belong—as a war for political purposes. But, when j soldiers were to be raised for the prosecution, you find that men of all parties —the opposers and the adA'ocates, the accusers and the accused—-were ready to engage in the war, to rally under the same > standard, to fight in the same tented field. What | a spectacle for the people of the Old World to gaze { upon! i =, | “Men Who AA'ere engrossed in the strife of politi j cal prejudices were willing, like Roderick Dim and ; Fitz James, to lay aside those prejudices for the I time, when enemy was to he engaged— i to renew their dissensions, if ever, when peace should he restored. Fellow-citizens, I wish that the same patriotic feeling had existed in the coun cils of this nation. S AA'ish that Mexico could have seen the same unaa-mity in pur people, in the pro secution of this Avar, that they have seen in our forces in the field. I recollect Arell the impression made on my mind, on one occasion,.when an ex press, sent by me to General Wool, brought me such stray papers as had found their way to the general’s camp—the latest dates were of the 29th —consequently, we had seen nothing of.th£yro cecdings of the last session of Congress, cr of ihe President's message. The first thing I cast my. eye upon was a speecn or mr. owwm, senator ir run Ohio, denouncing the war, and those engaged in it. as little better than a band of robbers. Gentlemen, a Avinter shower bath would have been plcasaift , compared with my sensations on reading it! Free/,- 1 ing—chitling! Such speeches might have been deemed patriotic in the United States; but place yourselves av here we have been, and endure what we have undergone, and then imagine our sensa tions. We were in a city numbering in population at least tAventy times our force, and surrounded by enemies on all sides. We had crossed the Sierra Madre, and found, when avc had arrived at Chihua hua, that we were looked upon as little better than a band of robbers! FelloAv-citizens, the speeches which are made in opposition to this war, are said to emanate tVbni the peace party; but I say that they are made by those who are postponing the peace eternally!” The Richmond Blues. It will be seen by the folloAving letter ad dressed to Capt. Adam, that the Blues have the dinner tendered them by this spirited corps. AVe are requested by Capt. Adam to state,that the amounts subscribed by a number of our citizens for the purpose of giving the Blues a public reception, will hi* returned to the different subscribers. AUGUSTA, July 16, 18k7. Gentlemen At a meeting of the JUch mond Blues, held for the purpose of respond ing to the kind and generous invitation ex tended to our Company by the Akpusta Guards, the following resolutions were adop ted: Resolved, That we fully appreciate the patri otic feeling that prompted the Augusta Artillery Guards to extend to us the compliment of 4 din ner, as a token of their regard, for whatevel ser vices we may have rendered the country sas a part of the late Georgia Regiment. Unsolved, That a Committee of five be | ap pointed to respectfully decline the invitation tendered us by the Augusta Artillery Gulrds and express to them our full appreciation of their generous compliment. AVhile we decline your invitation, avc at Ihc same time tender to you, in behalf of fur corps, our warmest thanks and gratitude, Aid assure you that nothing will afford us ra re pleasure and gratification than the continr ad existence and prosperity of your patrio ;ic company. Yours respectfully, JOHN PHINIZY, Jr., T AVM. PHILIP, D. D. McMURPHY, Committee! GEO. GORDON, K. H. MUSGROVE, J To Capt. James Adam, and others, Comm: St tee. Chicago Convention. Among the Vice. Presidents, we observe the j name of Thomas Butler King, of Georgia. Corwin, of Ohio, w'as proposed as President, but declined the honor. A Remarkable Cavern. An object of great curiosity has been dis covered near Philadelphia, in the neighbovjr hood of Port Kennedy. It consists of a re markable cavern in a lime stone quarry. It is 160 feet in length and 60 feet wide, and 20 to 40 feet deep, The interior shows some beau tiful specimens of nature’s architectural pow er. There are arches, piers and cornices, ex- Lhibiting almost the same regularity of work manship as though executed by. the hand of after the strictest rules of art, % m * lu Authenticity of Gen. Taylor. “Signal” Let ter Established. The Cincinnati papers of the <th instant supply ample materials to refute the assertion of “The National Whig,” that the document published by the Cincinnati Signal, purporting to be a letter from General Taylor to the editor of the Signal, is a forgery. The following ex tract, from the Cincinnati Enquirer, places the authentecity of the letter beyond controversy. “We have the original letter before us, in the hand-writing, as we are assured, of Major Bliss —with the bold signature of the old Gen eral attached, which we have compared with the one appended to the letter furnished Mr. Atwood, the painter—and if one is genuine both are so. But beyond this, we have the state ment of a distinguished officer direct from Monterey, that ho was present when the letter was written, and was requested by Gen. Tay lor himself, to say to the editor of the Signal, lest he should consider it a private letter, that it tons intended for public-ition." Gen. M’Duffie. Wo regret to learn from the Abbeville Benner, of the 7th instant, that the life of this distin guished statesman is, at this time, very low with a nervous affection, and fears are enter tained for his recovery. Harvesting Machine. A correspondent writing from Michigan to the New York Evangelist says—“A field of sixty acres was harvested in two days as fol lows. A machine was drawn into the field by sixteen horses, guided by as many boys as ! necessary. On the front of the machine a man was statiomed to adjust the forks and circular knives to the height of the wheat, which was ! readily thrown back into the machine. No more was seen of it, till another man, in the rear part of the machine, was seen tying up well filled .sacks of pure grain in perfect order for the fiour mill. This huge machine (of the best wheat) harve ded and bagged three bushels in a minute.” Kentucky. There are at least thirteen candidates for the | Whig nomination of Governor in Kentucky I at tills time. The election takes place in one ,! year from next August. Truth Stranger than Fiction. Wq translate from the New York Schnelpost the following strange incident, as related in a German paper: “The Captain of the South Sea Whaler, Borussia, named Hart wig, lately arrived at Stet tin, Prussia, states that when on the coast of Kamschatka, he fell in with the Captain of an American Whaler, who inquired of him if he was acquainted in Wolgast, (Swedish Pomer ania!') On Capt. Hart wig answering in the af firmative, the American told him that his father, now a resident of New Bedford, was a native of Wolgast, when it was ascertained that he was the brother of the American, who had | not been heard of for more than forty years. ' What made this discovery more remarkable, was the fact, that Capt. 11. while engaged in New Bedford to ship some Harpoons, had j passed the house of his brother several times without dreaming of his existence.” < Amusing' Scene in a Court House. On Friday last a follow named George Mun fOrfl, ftltlU) tllC Iti.tloo,' wad triv>rl i(1 I Philadelphia, on themh.vrge of being a common ! vagrant .He was convicted and sentenced to 1 prison for thirty days. It is stated in the pa pers that he veipbustcatcd against the sentence, but the Judge (named Parsons) was immovable. He finally grew riotous and demanded a trial by Jury. The Ji. dge Vms inflexible, and threat ened to commit him for contempt. George dared him to do so. The Juc Vc would not be dared and committed. Then George grew in dignant. “You won’t let me offr” ‘‘No.” “I didn’t expect you would. There is too much of the Christian charity and spirit about your name. God made religion, but the devil made Parsons.” The court room, it is said, was con vulsed with this sally of wit, which neither re spect for the place nor personal regard for the Judge could suppress. [communicated.] A meeting of the Richmond Blues, was held at Lamback’s on Thursday evening, July 15, 1817. The meeting having been organized: An invitation to a public Dinner, from the Augusta Artillery Guards was read. Whereupon the following Preamble and Re solutions were offered, and unanimously car ried. Whereas, an invitation has been extended to us by the Augusta Artillery Guards, a kin dred Milita-y Corps, as an appreciation and compliment to our Company upon its return to the place of its enrollment; and whereas a portion of the citizens of Augusta has shown themselves devoid of every principle of patziot ism, and manifested,as was expected, a spirit in opposition to that of the country, and what should have been expected of American Free men: Resolved , That we fully appreciate the patri otic feeling that prompted the Augusta Artil lery Guards to extend to us the compliment - of a Dinner, as a token of their regard for whatever services wc may have rendered our country as a part of the late Georgia Regi- : ment. Resolved , That a Committee* -of five be ap pointed to respectfully decline the invitation tendered us by the Augusta Artillery Guards, 1 and express to them our full appreciation of their generous compliment. The following gentlemen were then appoint- 1 ed that Committee:Lieuts. Phinizy,and Philip, Serg. D. D. McMurphy, Corp. George Gor don and private R. H. Musgrove. On motion, it was Resolved, r l hat the thanks of this meeting be tendered to Mr. Lamback, for the use of the ' room; and that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the city papers. On motion, the meeting then adjourned. D. W. DILL, Chairman. Alex. Philip, Secretary. [communicated.] ; Seldom has there been an election pending 1 of more importance than the present. Yet I fear Democracy wall sleep upon its post, un conscious of the momentous questions which hang upon its issue. Let it be remembered that at the next session of the Legislature two U. States Senators are to be chosen. Let me ask * the democracy, Have you duly considered this , all-important topic*- . The gubernatorial election Is of importance enough, but it sinks almost into insignificance when compared with the results dependent upon the choice of United States Senators. As to State policy, there can be but little dif ference of opinion between whigs and demo crats. It wc have an honest and efficient man at the head of State affairs, this is sufficient. Not so with national officers and legislators. The questions which have divided parties siflcc the formation of the constitution turn upon the light in which that instrument is view'ed. In addition to honestg and efficiency, national officers and legislators should have proper notions of the great palladium of our liberties. The question is, and always has been, Shall wc strictly regard the letter of the constitution, or shall wc give it a latitudinous construction r Democracy has always contend ed for the former, Federalism for the latter. Shall Democracy or Federalism prevail ? Prior to the year 1810, there was scarcely a respectable body of Federalists known in Georgia. In that year, the people were led astray by coon skins and hard cider, and foil into the font embrace of those whose Stygian breath they had always shunned ‘as destruc tion alike to States Rights and Nation at inter ests. One more step in 1814, brought them into still closer quarters with Clay, Webster and Adams. At that juncture, by the elec tion of Mr. Polk, the people decided that Fed eralism should be no more. A portion of the Whig party in Georgia, seeing the flourishing , condition of every interest —and especially of manufactures —under the predominance of free trade, in spite of the whig prophecy of Mr. Clay, in his “last letter ,” that the whole coun try would be ruined, have come to the conclu sion that the revenue tariff ought not to be re pealed for the enactment of a protective one. | Hence there have arisen two wings of the j Whig party in this State.: the wing i Headed by Judge Berrien, the other by Judge t Dawson. The latter wing would adhere to the faith of their fathers, but they have not the moral courage to break off old associations. Between these two wings there has been a contest. This contest was decided by. the late Whig Convention, when the Berrien in fluence prevailed, and nominated Clinch over Dawson. .... ‘ A falcdn thWfng in her pride of place Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.” Berripn is the substance, Clinch but the shadow... , > , Berrien’s Federal notions of a bank, tariff and internal improvements, are too well known and admitted by both parties to require com ment. On the day of the Whig Convention in Milledgeville, it was said unto the party, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” The choice was made, and it was said unto Berrien, “Thou art the man.” “We will serve thee—we will kneel before the molten calf which lias led us astray from the faith of our father’s; yea, we will bow the knee to Baal and be hewers of wood and! drawers of water to New England Manufacturers.” Not wbat will be the effect of this verdict? It will be the final adoption by the Georgia whigs of the most odious federal principles.. It is true that we hear murmurs amongst the Dawson men, and some go so far as to say they will not support Clinch. For in addition to the General’s §doption of Berrien notions, an. idea has gone abroad, which is admitted by bis own party, that the old warrior is better for leading on a battalion than for occupying the Executive Chair* and they know that if he is elected to that post, all his duties must be performed by proxy*. Now the Dawson men very naturally ask, why could not our chieftain have been nominated, so that' the executive office might have been filled by the. people’s choice rather than by a substitute with whose appointment they have nothing to dor Let me tell you in the first place, Daw son is not federalist enough to please the Ber rien dynasty, and in the next place he is a Judge instead of a General. and has no military fume along with General Taylor to “recom mend” him to the support of the people. I have said we hear murmurs among the Daw son men. This will not long be the case. Georgia whigs have proved themselves verv tracta ole —have shown themselves easily led— not like lambs—but like coons—to the slaugh ter. Soon an amalgamation will take place, and if the whigs succeed in this election, fare well State rights—farewell Dawson—hail Ber rien—all hail glorious federalism. I have heard many whigs say that they could not vote for Berrien, and could not vote for a man who, they were certain, would vote for this monstrous Senator. Verily if Berrien were brought before the people he could hardly raise a corporal’s guard to sustain him. But alas! for the people’s will when federalists have the power. Forsooth it is disregarded, and Berrien is continued Senator in direct op position to the wishes of a majority of those who are sovereign arbiters of their country’s weal. Now what ought all voters to do in such a case? Most assuredly they ought to require a pledge of every candidate for the legislature that he 'will not support Berrien. Failing to got one to make this pledge, they should try another and another until the pro per promise is made, and that too by men in whom there is no guile—by men who have the moral strength to redeem their pledges. CLAYTON. The Season and the Craps. U e have had showers of rain every day for a week past —and we continue to hear from the upper districts of the fall of more rain than usual* The Pee Dee river is in fine boating order, but is not full enough to threat en a freshet. Our information is" direct from (Tieraw by Captain McKenzie, of the steamer Utility, who arrived on Monday. The rice and corn and potatoe crops, in this neighborhood are good. We have understood also that the corn and cotton crops in the ad jacent districts are as good as usual —that the corn especially has improved much in appear ance within the last two weeks. —Georgetown {S. C.) Observes *, 14 th imt. A Conundrum. NVhy are we led to infer that David and Joshua were intemperate men? Because Havid, when he went out to meet Goliath ‘on the field of honor’ Hook a sling f and Joshua, previous to his attack on the walls of Jericho, Hook a horn , and gave a Regular hloic-outJ”