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TH E CONSTITUTIONALIST.
JAMES GARDNERj JR.
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LATEST FROM EUROPE.
ARRIVAL ;OF THE
FR. STEAMSHIP PHILADELPHIA.
Five Days Later
ram the Baltimore American. — ltj I'clegraph.] j
MORE FAILURES IN EUROPE?
The French Royal Mail Steamer Philadel
phia, Capt. Besson, arrived at New York last j
evening, having put into Halifax for coal. Our
correspondent at New York has transmitted to
u.% by Telegraph, the annexed despatch, con
taining the news brought by her.
New York, Nov. 3, 10 P. M.— The French
steamer Philadelphia, Capt. Besson, has just
arrived from Cherbourg, via Halifax, where
she put in for coal.- I hasten to forward you j
such items of news as the lateness of the hour 1
will permit.
The Havre papers of the 7th Mt. copy from 1
the London Times of the 6 th, the failure of the
houses of Rongcmont & Brothers; John
Thomas, Sons & Brothers; Jersey & Co., of
Manchester, for the sum of live hundred thou
sand dollars. Mr. Van Zeler, the Portuguese
Consul, and the principal English house o f Cal
cutta, has failed for the sura of live hundred
and sixty thousand pounds.
At London, confidence in financial 'matters
appeared to be reviving. The Liverpoll Cham
ber of Commerce has sent a deputation of its
members to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
to urge a relaxation of the restrictions of the
Bill. Consols were quoted at 84A-
In the Paris Exchange, on the 9th ult., the
French Funds declined on account of a rumor
that the house of Barings had obtained from the
French Treasury eleven million francs in coin,
to relieve the English money market. The
latest Paris quotations are for 3 per cents. 75 —
a decline of 15 centimes; 5 per cents, declined
20 centimes.
The latest intelligence from Spain is that
Narvaez has triumphed, and that a new Minis
try has been formed by the Queen.
The American Mail steamer Washington,
Capt. Hewett, arrived at Southampton from
New-York on the Bth ult.
The French Mail steamer New-York, Capt.
Ferrand, arrived at Cherbourg from New -York
on the 4th ult.,
The prices of Flour and Corn were low’ in
all the markets of France—Flour is reported at
5 francs lower than in Belgium.
Advices from Africa to the 22d Sept, have
been received in France. Abd-el-Kader had
fought a great battle with the troops of the Em
peror of Morocco, under the walls of Tag a, in
W’hich the Emir lost 4,000 men.
The canton of Luzerne, in Switzerland, w r as,
jit the last dates, in a complete state of insurrec
tion, as were also those of llomont Grugre,
and the Valley of Mavemey.
At Paris, the sales of Cotton w’crc light.—
Wheat w’as selling at 22a23 francs per quarter;
new Rice 13a14 francs, and new Barley at 12 a
1 3 francs.
At London, on the 6th, Cotton was steady.
The dates from Liverpool are only to the 6th
ult. Neither the sale or price of Flour is given
in any of the papers received, nor is there any
quotations to the price of Grain.
The new’s received in Paris on the Bth ult.
from London, caused a great fall in French
funds.
The railroad shares w’ere all declining.
Reform banquets continue to be the order of
the day throughout all Franco.
Admiral Napier is feasting the grandees of
Portugal on board the British fleet at Lisbon,
and has secured the English indemnity.
One of the descendants of Bonaparts has got
into a scrape at Rome.
There is a double guard at the house door of
the late Letitia, mother of Napoleon, besides
the guard at the Austrian Embassy right oppo
site.
The herring fishery has proved a comparative
failure this year, on the coast of Scotland.
Jenny land left England for Hamburg on the
6th of October.
A letter from Berlin, of the 12th, addressed
to the Magdeburg Gazette, states that is was
positively asserted that within the last few days
instructions had been addressed to the repre
sentatives of Prussia at the Courts of Vienna,
Turin, Rome, Florence and Naples, enjoining
them to adhere in all cases to the line of con
duct followed by the Austrian Government
with respect to Italy, and to act in conse
quence.
The Semaphore of Marseilles of the 6th ult.,
reports that the French squadron was still be
fore Naples on the Ist of October. It is said in
private letters that the reformers of Naples have
divided themselves into three columns—the
first division is called the Legion of Death, and
forms the advance guard commanded by Lon
gobero: the centre commanded by Romeo,
who has seized upon Margianna, a large depot
of arms and munitions of war. The rear guard
is under the command of Paulino. The artil
lery troops on duty at Margianna joined the re
bels after the noble exploit of Aspromonte. The
insurgents of Berne in Abrnzzie have abandon
fed their city and returned to the mountains, in
* 4 imitation of those of Reggio. It is said that
Navarre is in rebellion, and large bodies of
troops are assembled commanded by the Baron
Sona.
The Canton of Luzerne is in a state of insur
rection as w r ell as those of Fribourg and the
district of Roraont Gregoire and the valley of
Mauveney. It appears that these Cantons wish
to obtain the object of their demands from the
government.
The government of Lucerne, Berne, Munich
and other cantons are earnestly engaged in
military preparations, in view of the present
critical state of affairs. The majority of the
cantons have resolved to send in front of the
Federal camp commissioners, who are to use
their utmost efforts to bring about a concilia
tion and prevent, if possible, a hostile collision.
The army will await the result of their peace
ful endeavors, and if unsuccessful, it w ill in
stantly cross the frontiers.
Money Markets.
LONDON, Oct. sth. —There have been no
failures announced, but there were rumors
afloat of further suspensions. Consols closed
at 831 to 84 cash; 85 on account.
October Bth. —Our accounts are by the way
pf Paris. The character of the advices from
London are of a gloomy nature. There had
been great depreciation in railroad shares, and
$ of U per cent, in consols.
Cotton Market- !
HAVRE, Oct. 6th.—94 bales Louisiana, 63f.;
50 do 91f., 50c.; 25 Mobile, 88; 34 bales Geor
gia, 96; 15 do, 89, 200 do, 90; 10 bales Louisi
ana, 91f., 50c.; 44 do, 91; 50 do, 88; 35 Geor
gia, 92f.; 90 do, 90; 105 do, 88. Total 681 bales.
C HAVRE, Oct. 9. —Sales of wheat made at
20f. to 23f.; Rico, new, from 13 to 14f.
STILL L ATER.
[Correspondence of the Baltimore Fun.}
ELEVEN DAYS LATER
FROM EUROPE.
AnivH pf.thp c ' r ' l 'T
me steamer Caledonia reached Boston yes
terday evening from Liverpool, having sailed
on the 19th October. Through the medium
of the Magnetic Telcgragh w r c received last
night from our Eastern correspondent,’ the fol
| low ing summary of intelligence brought by her
By Magnetic Telegraph.
LIVERPOOL CORN MARKETS, Oct. 19,
1847, noon.—We quote best Western Canal
Fkmr at 25 a 275. per bbl; Richmond and
Alexandria at 25 a 265.; Philadelphia and
Baltimore at 25 a 265.; New Orleans and Ohio
at 22 a 245.; United States and Canada at 20
a 2ls. Wheat, U. S. white, and mixed, jier
70 lbs. 7 a Bs.; red 6a 7s 7c1.; Oats, per 45 lbs.
2s 3d a 2s Bd.; Oat Meal, per 240 lbs. 23 a 24.;
Indian Corn, per 480 lbs. 30 a 335.; Indian
Meal per bbl. 14 a 15s.
The Corn market is, of course, sensibly in
fluenced by the unparallcd stringency of the
money market, and show’s a general decline,
particularly in quotations for inferior parcels.
Indian Corn has depreciated from 2 to 3s. a
quarter, and Meal has also receded in value,
and is in very limited demand. The above
quotations represent the maximum price, but
occasional forced sales have been made consi
| dcrably under these figures.
In London, yesterday, there w’as an exten
sive supply of foreign Wheat, but trade was
I dull, and American receded from 2to 3s. sd.
per quarter, without any progress being made
in sales.
P. S. —2 o’clock.—The markets tip to this
moment are losing ground. Flour cannot be
quoted beyond 265. per bbl., and Indian Com
shows no tendency to rise above 30s. The
stoppage of the Liverpool Banking Company
is just announced —its liabilities are not heavy.
The Cotton market is much depressed.
Cotton. —New’ Orleans ordinary to middling
4£d to 5Ad per lb; good to middling fair 6Jd to
6|d; good to fine 7d to 8d; Alabama and Ten
nessee ordinary to middling 41 to 43 d; good to
good fair 5Ad; Mobile ordinary to middling
to 5Jd; fair to good fair 5| to 6d; good to fine
61 to 6§d; Bowed Georgia ordinary to middling
4 h to s£d; fair to good fair 5| to 6d; good to
fair 6J Sea Island ranges 9 to 18d; do
stained sto 8 Ad. The market also largely par
ticipates in the general vicissitudes of trade,
and shows a gradual deterioration since our
last telegraphic advices. The quantity of Cot
ton pressing upon the market greatly exceeds
the demand, producing sacrifices on the part
of sellers who have been compelled to submit
to prices considerably under our quotations for
j the sake of obtaining the cash. The sales for
the week ending the 15th, amounted to 21,-
700 bales, of which 3900 bales w ere on specu
lation, and 1800 bales for export. The trans
action of the 19th amounted to about 2000
bales, 'while yesterday they reached only 1200
bales at a decline. In the manufacturing dis
trict business wears Ihe goloomiest aspect,every
w’eek adding to the number of mills w’orking
short time or closing entirely.
Provisions. —Beef,prime mess, per tierce 86
to 925; and ordinary 75 to 83s; Mess, per bbl.
46 to 52s 6d; ordinary 40 to 45; Prime 32s to
365; extra India family Beef per tierce 100 to
j 105 s; Pork, prime mess, new, per bbl. 00 to
675; old 40 to 50s; Mess 65 to 70s; Prime 45 to
50s.
Money Matters. —The disastrous moneta
ry pressure recorded in our last advices has,
during the last fortnight continued to rage
w’ith unabated severity, involving several ad
ditional failures and diffusing a deep and im
penetrable gloom throughout the whole com
mercial community of Great Britain. To such
a point of intensity has the inaccessibility of
money now’ arrived, that there is scarcely any
one house w hich can be looked upon wit hout
suspicion, no matter how exalted its position.
We may avoid further enunciation by stating
that altogether 55 houses "have either broken
down or suspended since the departure of our
last steamer. Yesterday it w’as announced
‘ that the Royal Bank of Liverpool had been
comjiellecl to suspend payment. The Money
‘ Market continues in the most stringent con
, dition, but the London papers of last night
indulge in the strong hopes of a partial resto
ration of ease, owing to the circumstance of a
very heavy payment on the Consols having
F just been made. The sales of Consuls com
menced at 81 to 811,but fell to 80| for transfer
to-day; time bargains 81J to 81A; the quota
tions closed at 81A to 811; Exchequer Bills
■ have been done at 15 to 30s discount. Bank
Stock is quoted at 182 to 183.
! M iscellaneous. —Parliament has been pro
rogued till the 11th December, w hen it will be
[ then farther adjourned till January,for the des
, patch of business.
i The Lord Mayor of London gave a splendid
entertainment to the Duke of Cambridge and
a large company on Saturday w’eek. The in
vita; ions included his Excellency the Ameri
can Minister, and three Polish Princes. Mr.
Bancroft’s health w’as proposed, and his address
in reply was very w armly received.
Fe rrara is about to be completely evacuated
by the Austrian troops, and the Pope will per
severe undisturbed in his career of civil and
administered reform.
The civil war in Switzerland is still impend
ing, and serious disturbances have taken place
in the tw’o Slcilys.
In Spain Espartero has been suddenly dis
placed from the head of the new Ministry, and
Navarez installed in his stead. French influ
ence has been again successful in that country.
The prospects of Ireland during the ap
proaching winter are gloomy enough—famine
in an aggravated form has already reappeared,
and the Queen’s letter has been issued com
manding general collections to be made in the
Church establishments.
MOBILE, Nov. 4.— Cotton. —At the time of clos
ing our last report, the cotton market had been
brought to a complete stand by the dissastrous for
eign intelligence per Cambria, then just received.
Not a bale of cotton had been sold for the two days
preceding our publication, and it being then im
possible to tell at what rates the market would
open when the panic created by the news should
have subsided, we omitted any attempt at giving
quotations. In the early part of the ■Week now
closed, however, buyers entered the market, de
manding a concession of 1| a lAc. on the quotations
prior to the receipt of the Cambria’s news. Hol
ders yielded with great reluctance, and for the first
three days very little was done. On Saturday,
however, holders gave way, and some 900 to 1000
bales changed hands. Monday and yesterday the
sales amounted to about 1300 bales, and the entire
sales of the w eek may be set down at 2600 bales,
principally on French and English accoun*. There
is now a lair demand at the quotations given below,
and the market closes firm, with less anxiety on the
part of factors to sell, except at full rates.
LI VERPOO DECLASSIFICATION,
Good and fine .nominal
Good fair... .nominal
Fair 84 a 8A
Mid. fair 7; a 8
Middling a ?A
Ordinary ~7 a
1 he receipts of the week have been 4,852 hales,
the exports 975 hales, and the stock on hand and
on shipboard, not cleared hist evening, 26.643 bales,
against 9 ; 980 same time ast year.
The weather continues to he in the higheddw
grce favorable to the maturing: of the crop, and for
picking. The quality of that now coming to market
is much improved, and. should the present fine
weather continue, the crop will not only be much
larger than was at one time anticipated, but of a
fine qnalitj".
Augusta, © tors ia
TUESDAY MORNING, NOV. 9.
LdiT We are indebted to our attentive cor- {
respondents, the editors of the Charleston 1
Courier and Mercury, for clips containing the '
aavices brought by the British steamer Cale- *
donia. <
1
Amusements-
Thk 1 n eat re.—Mr. Forbes offers,This Eve
ning, Bulwer’s popular play of “The Lady of ‘
Lyons,” which has always drawn well, and as
the characters are well cast, we have no doubt
those who visit the Theatre 'This Evening, will
be highly pleased. Mr. Crisp,as Claude Mel
notte, is said to have no superior. i
The Pee Dee Ethiopian Troupe—Com
menced their performances in this city, to a
large and respectable audience. We were un
able to attend ourself, last evening, but learn
from thosewho did,that the entertainment gave
general satisfaction. They give another Concert
this evening,at the Masonic Hall,with an entire
new programme. Those who wish to get in a
good humor should attend—some of their
songs are said to be very amusing, and their
instrumental music is hard to beat.
Executive Appointments.
John T. Smith, of Troup, John M. Patton,
of Cass, and Charles H. Rice, of Dooly, Sec
retaries to the Executive Department, and
Benjamin F. Gullet, of Talbot, Messenger.
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Thursday, Nov. 4, 1847.
Elections.
Judge of the Superior Court. —lion. Euge
nius A Nisbet, re-elected.
South Western Circuit. —Hon. Lott Warren.
Coweta Circuit. —Hon. E. Y. Hill.
( Middle Circuit. —Hon. Wm. W. Holt.
. Court of Common Pleas, Savannah. —Hon.
'■ Mordecai Sheftall, SenT.
• Attorney General for the Middle Circuit. —Al-
pheus Colvard.
, Friday, Nov. sth, 1847.
On motion of Mr. Shockley, the Speaker
' was requested to appoint the usual Standing
Committees,
t bills introduced.
r By Mr. Bartow, to give the consent of the
r State of Georgia to purchases made by the
United States, an to cede j urisdiction.
By Mr. Clark, to amend and to incorporate
1 the Savannah and Altamha Canal Company.
By Mr. Jones, of Paulding, to authorize
~ parties to compel answers at Common Law, and
r to authorize parties to interplead at Common
Law.
ELECTIONS SOLICITOR GENERALS.
South- Western Circuit. —Wm. C. Perkins.
5 Chatahoochec Circuit. —Charles J. IV illiams.
) Southern Circuit —Augustus 11. llansell.
3 Northern Circuit. —John Weems.
Western Circuit. —Dickerson Walker.
’ Saturday, Nov. 6th, 1847.
TVio joint aoooion resumed the unfinished
- business of yesterday, to wit: the election of
' Solicitor Generals. 11. W. McCune, Esq., was
re-elected for the Flint Circuit.
j The House took a recess until 3 o’clock,
t P. M.
• Three o’clock, P. M.
The joint session resumed the unfinished
r business of the morning, the election of a So
-1 licitor General of the Cherokee Circuit, and
1 after balloting eight times, failed**) make an
[ election. The Senate withdrew, and the
t House adjourned untilj Monday morning.
a IN SENATE.
? Thursday, Nov. 4th.
' Mr. Simmons offered a resolution for the ap
. pointment of a Committee —one from each
s Judicial District —to report a bill for the reor
c gaaization of the Judicial Districts in the
State, and to equalize the labor of the Judges
e of the Supreme Courts.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, )
1 Miledgeville, Nov. 3. J
I I avail myself of the earliest moment of re
plying to the resolution of the House of Rep
resentatives, passed on yesterday, embracing
s several enquiries in relation to a battalion of
Mounted Volunteers; and have now the honor
to say, that the accompanying letter of Lieut.
I Ward, of the Army of the United States, who
was the mustering,officer at Columbus, will
" convey the desired information concerning
° that portionfbf the battalion that had left the
. State before the Executive appointment of
1 Lt. Col. Calhoun was made, also the officer in
" command of it, the authority by which it
* was removed beyond the limits of this State,
e and distance from Columbus. I also transmit
~ a copy of the order for the appointment of
" Lieut. Col. Calhoun, remarking at the same
0
time, that the claims of this officer were
brought to my consideration by the Honorable
- Secretary of War.
n _ (Signed,) GEO. W. CRAWFORD.
1.
s EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, >
‘ Milledgeville, Nov. 3. >
i In reply to the resolution of the House of
? Representatives in relation to certain bonds of
. the State, which have been hypothecated to
s banking institutions or individuals, I have the
t honor to say, that the report lately made by the
, Chief Engineer to this Department, and now
* in process of being printed for the use of the
d General Assembly, will communicate the de
i sired information, with the exception of that
part of the resolution in relation to the periods
1 when the advances made on the bonds arc to
be repaid. To this, I reply by saying, that
$75,000 advanced by the banks in Savannah,
will payable in the month of May next —
the remainder has been due more than two
years. The holders of these latter bonds have
evinced no uneasiness, and in but one in
-1 stance has the repayment of the advance been
f demanded. They have been directed, wjien
. ever an opportunity occurred of realizing* the
par valuejof the bonds, to sell them and credit
the amount to the Rail Road.
(Signed,) GEO. W. CRAWFORD. 1—
s
[Editorial Correspondence of the Constitutionalist.]
MILLEDGEVILLE, Nov. 6, 1847.
9 7 j
The proceedings of the Legislature on
this day are comprised in a very few words. ‘
After a laborious session of the Gener
al Assembly, and several hours spent, both
morning and afternoon, that august body *
achieved the remarkable exploit of- —electing 1
one Solicitor General. It then adjourned !
over until Monday morning. It is to be hoped
that this will give them ample time to recover
from the exhaustion consequent upon such
severe and protracted labor. Truly it may be <
s lid, that this whig Legislature is a working i
Legislature. \
Every man nearly was in his seat. There 1
were only two or three absentees and those (
were kept away by sickness. But it is not so ,
clear that this Legislature has exercised its {
toorking propensities to the best advantage.— .
Mr. McCune, I am told, is a young man of good
talents, and competent to the duties to the of- «
fice to which he is elected. It seems a pity
that his party were so difficult of conviction
on that point. It took them all the morning
to come to that conclusion.
Judging from the failure of the whigs, who
have a majority on joint ballot, to elect a So
licitor in the Cherokee -Circuit:, one is forced to
conclude, either that they are so overstocked
with talented and competent aspirants that it
is difficult to choose, or that they arc doubt
ful of the possessing one on whom they will
stake their credit of their party by placing him
in office. They seem very reluctant to make
the choice, and by their divisions in this, as in
other instances, will probably leave it to the
democrats to relieve them from their perplexi
ty, and choose for them.
It is exceedingly discreditable to the -whigs
that they should allow such scrambling and
squabbling among themselves for office, at
such a waste of their own valuable time, and
consequent waste of the public money.—
Every day’s session of the Legislature costs
about eight hundred dollars on an average.
For a party that pretends to have a philoso
phical disregard to “the spoils,” and to think
that the Democrats arc the strongest believers
in the same principles —“live loaves and two
fishes, ” the proceedings of the week just
closed is a striking commentary.
The Whig members held a caucus two
nights since—Rev. Wm. Moseley, of Henry, in
the chair. They sent for four of the aspi
rants for the United States Senate, Messrs.
Berrien, Crawford, Dougherty and Dawson.
The Hon. Grigsly E. Thomas, who was a can
didate a few days ago, it would seem was not
sent for. These gentlemen were called, I
suppose, very much as a pedagogue would call
up a class of boys, and catechised to know
whether they would submit, like good fellows,
to a nomination. They replied in rotation, I
understand, the eldest first, and after making
speeches to the point, and all around the point,
responded in the affirmative.
, The speech of Col. Dawson must, however,
havehcen rather dclphic, for there seemed to be
a doubt on the minds of democrats, who judged
of the speech by hearsay, as to whether he did
commit himself to submission to his party on
this point. He is himself perhaps doubtful
whether he is committed or not. It, seems to
“a man up a tree,” very much as if in this un
certainty nothing can be gamed by the Demo
crats by interfering in this family difficulty.
If Col. Dawson had avowed himself an inde
pendent, anti-caucus candidate, as he profes
ses to be with the Democrats in supporting
the administration on tire war question, and to
be with them on the tariff, the two great prac
tical questions of the day, it might have
seemed proper for the democrats to support
him without inconsistency. But if he is dril
led into ranks, to submit to the award of his
party, let his fate be determined at their hands.
So far as those two practical questions are con
cerned, Gov. Crawford is ns much with the
democrats as Col. Dawson. He is a much
abler man, and would be more efficient in the
Senate. If the democratic party interfere in
the present aspect of this affair, it would be
probably quite as judicious to support Gov.
Crawford as Col. Dawson. I should be pleas
ed if it should so result that both might be
elected, as a democrat seems out of the ques
tion. It would have a good moral effect, and
administer a wholesome rebuke to the ultra
tariff, and “no territorial indemnity” doc
trines of Judge -iJerrien, if this were done by
his own party. If, however, the whigs, as a
party, espouse his views on these points, it is
due to that distinguished man, the Ajax of his
party, that he should be re-elected by them.
He is by far their greatest man, and ablest
champion of these whig principles.
You will perceive by the proceedings on
Thursday, that some inquiry has been made
into Gov. Crawford’s financiering with the
Banks. Rumors, grossly exaggerated, if not
wholly false, as appears by his reply to the
call, had become rife in Milledgeville, of large
indebtedness to the Banks for advances made
on hypothecated bonds, and that the Banks
had become exceedingly importunate for their
money. One story carried this indebtedness
to the ridiculously large sum of four hundred
thousand dollars. These rumors acquired ex
ceedingly large growth after they left Augus
ta —that is to say, if they originated there.
But I heard scarcely a whisper on the subject
in that city before I left, and nothing that
could, with any propriety, affect the credit of
the State. This is confirmed by the simple '
statement of the facts in the Governor’s reply
to the resolution of inquiry.
The Legislature will probably be engaged
all day Monday with elections —at the rate of
one a day, it will be so occupied for several
days to come. . G.
Hon. J. W. Huntington, United States
Senator from Connecticut, died at his resi
dence at Norwich, of a sudden attack of in
flammation ofjthe bowels, on Monday evening
week. Gov. Bissell, Whig, will appoint his
successor to hold office till the meeting of the
Legislature in May. Judge Huntington’s
term would have expired in 18oi.
The News-
The New York Express say* —“Private let
ters from the highest sources, from London,
spaiaAvith greater encouragement. The wri
ters express a belief that the crisis had pass
ed, and that the mercantile community had
seen the wot st. The flour market was a little
better in Havre.
“The news has had but little influence on
our market; sales of 500 bales Cotton, at a lit
tle easier prices. The holders of flour and grain
arc a little firmer. Provisions are dull and
lower.”
Louisiana
We have returns from the first and second
districts in this State, which are sufficient to
insure the election of Dcmocratsin both dis
tricts. In the first Congressional District, so
far as heard from, Mr. Le Sere, the Democratic
candidate,runs far ahead of his opponent,Mon
teguel. In the second district, F. T. Lan
dry, (Dem.) runs ahead of Thibodaux, (whig)
and Jacob Baker (independent.)
Reynolds and Segicr, (dem.) arc elected
Senators from New Orleans, and, ten Whigs
and ten Democrats to the House.
This Day’s mail will bring as some intelli
gence from the third and fourth districts.
Military Court Martial-
The Court Martial sitting at Washington on
the trial of Lieut. Col. Fremont, on charges
brought against him by Gen, Kearney, is now
fully engaged in the discharge of its trust. Gen.
K. gave his testimony on Thursday, in the
course of which a number of official papers
were read. The trial promises to occupy a
considerable space of time.
Our Government and the Pope.
The Philadelphia News, of the 3d inst, has
the following on this subject: “It is stated
that the Hon. James Cooper is charged with
the duty of expressing to pope Pius IX, the
sympathy of our Government in his efforts to
enlarge the liberty of his subjects. It is em
inently proper that our Government should
send its encouragement to those who are
struggling for liberty.” Mr. Cooper, it has
been for some days announced, was about to
depart; for Europe.
The Synod of Alabama, lately in session in
Greensboro’, closed its labors last week and ad
journed to meet again next year in Mobile. Bcv.
Dr. Wm. T. Hamilton, of Mobile, was modera
tor, and Rufus Greene, Esq. temporary clerk.
Rev. R. C. Smith, of East Alabama, was chosen
to fill the Witherspoon professorship in Ogle
throrpe University.—The Beacon says, the
session of the Synod was considerably protract
ed by an important matter from the Tuscaloosa
Presbytery I —which, after a full and thorough
investigation, during which several able and
interesting speeches were delivered, was happi
ly disposed of.
The Sugar Crop.
Nearly all the sugar planters in this vicinity,
says the Thibodaux Minerva, have commenced
rooling. The yield, contrary to general ex
pectation, is quite large—averaging from 1000
to 1700 lbs."per arpent.
[communicated.]
Wilkes County Rail Road-
Mr. Editor Having shown the only ration
al construction of the charter of 1833, and
proved conclusively the intention of the Legis
lature, when aided by contemporaneous acts,
I should»perhaps have troubled yourself and
the public nt> further; I do so only with the
motive declared, and shall perform my pro
mise Very' briefly.
Nothing further could be necessary for the
defence of the charter, but “Moderation,” af
ter skirmishing about what he considers light
defences, moves on to attack “ the stronghold
of the Georgia Rail Road.” Were it necessa
ry to retreat to this, it would indeed be found
an impregnable citadel, even by an admission
of “ Moderation” himself. This “ stronghold,”
he says, is the 16th section of the amendment
of 1835. This amendment is in these words;
“ That no exclusive privilege or right of road
extended to the corporation by the act of
which this is amendatory, shall prevent the
State from granting a charter to any Company
that may hereafter applj* for a Railroad to run
from Macon to the Tennessee State line, and
from granting any charter or charters to con
struct any road to cross said road, at any point
west of Eatonton, or Madison, or Athens.”
AATiat more can any reasonable man require
to settle this matter ? “Moderation” admits
that if there were ambiguity in the charter of
1835, the strong implications from this clause
would settle the meaning! Ambiguity!! In the
name of reason, what has “ Moderation” been
writing about, but to enforce his own prefer
ence of two meanings ? When he came to
this conclusion, I am somewhat at a loss to
see with what hope or object he continued his
labors. He has given his meaning—l have
given mine. With this admission, I might
have safely answered his ingenious and labor
ed columns by a simple question. Suppose
a stockholder of the Georgia Rail Road were
asked this question: “ What is the extent of
the exclusive privilege secured by your char
ter?” Answer: “It extends from any point
within twenty miles of the road or its branch
es, continuously to the city of Augusta, for thir
ty-six years.” Would not the answer be per
tinent and plain ? Would a second question
be put for explanation ? I leave the reader to
answer, and, as the lawyers say, I might here
“ submit the case.”
But, let us back to this “ stronghold,” and
see what progress “ Moderation” has made in
Jus attack upon it. The first question the
reader will ask himself, after reading this 16th
1 section in connection with the charter of 1835,
is this : Why ask the Georgia Rail Road for
leave to run a road from Macon to the Tennes
see State lines This was not a road “from
any point within twenty miles of the Georgia
Road or its branches, continuously to the city
of Augusta.” It neither commenced within
twenty miles of this road, nor did it run to
Augusta. Why limit the right of crossing to
any point west of Eatonton , Madison and Athens f
It is said, there may have been rumors of some
claim of exclusive privilege east. If so, then
was the time to settle it, when the Company
was asking banking privileges. They exacted
a cession of a part of this claim. Why not
the whole ? Why not use the fanguage u . c “d
in case ol the Monroe Road! When that road
asked for banking privileges, on what condi
tion did the Legislature grant them ? Th e
following clause was exacted and obtained ;
“ Any other Rail Road Company, now or here
after to be incorporated, may be authorized by
the Legislature to cross the said road at any
point.” Seeing the irresistible force of this
implication, “Moderation” attempts to weaken
it by a proposition on which he lays great
stress. He says the special reservation of the
particular right was made in the same clause
that created the general right. Now this ein
phast'sod proposition happens to be unsupported
in point of fact. The right to run to the Ten
nessee Stale line was contained in the Charter of
1833, and the twenty mile pnrtlege of course teas
attached to it. It was not granted in the
amendment of 1825—an unintentional mis
take no doubt, but one which upsets of course
the whole of the reasoning based upon it. It
is really, sir, trilling with you and the public
to enlarge on this subject. The conclusion is
perfectly irresistible, that the Legislature know
ing aiul fully recognizing , that the general
right had been preciously granted away , were
content to compromise with the Company for this
important modification of it. A man of weak
eyes may be justifiable in wincing at the scene*
but if in possession of all his faculties in full
vigor, he shuts his eyes against the light, tike
presumption is fair that he must be wilfully
blind. No man can resist these accumulated
evidences of intention , without wilfully closing
his understanding against light and truth.
I will now briefly glance at the legislative
history of that period in which our principal
rail road interests were discussed, and as it
was thought settled. Though years have pas
sed off, there are many -who were closely con
nected with those interests, who must recol
lect perfectly well the motive, the policy and
object of each separate company, and the in
tention of the restrictions imposed upon them
respectively. These may now be understood
by all who will glance at the geography of the
country, and the different interests concerned.
The Central Rail Road was one of impor
tance to the State, as it connected Savannah
with Macon through a country nearly two
hundred miles long, much in want of an out
let, and at Macon would accommodate a large
country on the South West, West and North
West. To get this road the State granted an
exclusive latteral privilege, forty miles wide—
the entire length of the road. No road can
interfere with it for any portion of the route.
It was suggested, however, in behalf of
Brunswick and the Southern Seaboard, that a
privilege should be reserved to them of con
necting with the mountains, and the great
West, which it was supposed at that time
would likely be approached through the Rabun
gap. To secure this object, a right to cross the
Central Road w'as reserved to the State for
any road passing “from tide water to the
mountains.” The Central Road would feever
have objected to such a road, as none such
could have been built without being a valua
ble feeder at_ both ends. The company was
not trusted, however, which shows the ex
treme caution of the State in providing ex- %
pressly for every interest they intended to se
cure.
The Georgia Rail Road was of equal impor
tance to the State. Terminating on the Sa
vannah river at the head of navigation, and
connecting the oldest and largest inland town
of the State with the interior, through the
heart of old or middle Georgia, it was a neces
sary improvement for the wealthiest portion • #
of the State and a large portion of the north
western part of it. It was also mainly relied
on as the means of connecting the State with
the great West, as the preamble and amend
ment of 1835 will show. This company had
a charter obtained in 1831 to run a road from
Augusta to Eatonton, and from thence to the
Chattahoochee river , and branch at discretion to
any and every part of the State. But this char
• ter, the best in all other respects ever granted
in the State, contained no exclusive privilege,
and contained a clause allowing the State to au
thorize the crossing it at any point. Imper
fect as the charter was in this particular, it
gave great uneasiness and dissatisfaction to
o O
Macon, and in fact all interests connected with
the Central line, who used strong and harsh
language in relation to the grant, and were
• very anxious to get rid of it.
On the other hand, this road could not be
built without the capital and co-operation of
Augusta. The citizens of this place refused to
move in the matter. They doubted the poli
cy and the profits of such an improvement,
especially without some exclusive privilege
covering the country through which the road
was to be located. The citizens of Athens
took up and agitated the subject with much
zeal, proposing the present location of the
road, including also a branch to Eatonton; and
strongly intimating , if not threatening, that if
Augusta refused to join them they would cross the
country by Warrenton and join the then contem
plated Central line; and they proposed to ob
viate the principal objections by a new char
ter or an amendment of the old one. Augus
ta came to terms. A new charter was applied
for at the same session w ith the Central and
Monroe Roads. It was proposed to surrender
this obnoxious privilege of running to the Chata
koochee and every where else , and in lieu of it
take an exclusive privilege protecting the road from
all points within twenty miles , during the exis
tence of their charter. The privilege was
thought reasonable and was readily granted.
The country allotted to the road was a narrow
one at best, bounded on one side by the Sa
vannah river and on the other by the C entr *
Road. It afforded a doubtful support for one
road, and certainly not business for more, anti
every part of it could be well accommodat'd
by the road, and such branches to it, as nu£,ht
be thought profitable. These branches it
would of course be the interest of the Comp®
ny to allow others to build, if unable to bui
them itself. And the whole country depen
dant on this road and its branches, could h 1
a commercial connection with Savannan
means of the road and hvcf, if found th« cfS
market for it.