Daily constitutionalist. (Augusta, Ga.) 1846-1851, December 21, 1847, Image 2

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THE CONSTITUTIOJS All ST. JAMES GARDNER, JR. TERMS. ally, per annum t £3 qq j Tri-Weekly, per annum G 00 If paid in advance 5 00 Weekly, per annum q qq I If paid in advance 2 50 ■ To Clubs, remitting $lO in auvakce, FIVE j COPIES are sent. This will put our Weekly pa per in the reach of new subscribers at TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. who will pay up arrearages, and send four new subscribers, with the money , can get ! the paper at 52 00 ITT* All new subscriptions must be paid in ad vance. O 3 Postage must he paid on all communications and letters of business. BY OUR PONY EXPRESS. 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MAIL. [From the New Orleans Picayun l 6th mi/.] From Havana- The brig T. Street, Capt. McConnell, arrived on Tuesday evening from Havana, bringing us | dates to the 9th Lust. The local news we find in them is of no particular interest here. All the papers devote much attention to Mexican aifairs, but though they have the ad vices of the English steamer which left Vera Cruz on the Ist inst., they add little to our stock of information. We find one letter in the Diurio de la Marina, which may be of some interest. We translate it: Mexico, Nov. 28, 1817, | Congress has at last assembled at Queretaro, l and after a thousand debates, threats of new revolutions, military pronunciamentos, &c., it has made Gen. B. Pedro Anaya Provisional President. He is without doubt a worthy man, but it is almost impossible for any one to do any thing, if demoralization has reached its last stage. When nations arrive at that ex treme point, nothing but the power of the Almighty can save them. Every thing else goes on as at the date of my last letter. A train is expected here which is now at Puebla, which is said to be escorted by five thousand troops. Insecurity becomes every day greater, and in the streets and houses we hear of nothing but robberies, so that it is impossible to live here in tranquillity. By a letter from Queretaro of the 23d inst.,l learn that the Governors of the States, c- n voked by the Government to learn their opin ions upon the continuation of the war, have in fact met. They «ro all in favor of the con tinuation of hostilities save those of Puebla and Mexico, who did not comply with the sum mons to meet. It is believed that the Govern ment declared to the Junta that it was dis posed for peace. Thus is presented the diffi culty of opposing opinions, and if the Presi dent is disposed to yield to those of the Gov ernors, there must be a change of ministry.— The present Ministers are Pena y Pena, of Foreign Affairs; D. Luis dc la Rosa, of Justice, and Mora y Villamil, of War, There are not yet four Ministers. Scott has received orders from his Government to support his army at the expense of this country. It seems to be understood in Mexico that should Congress not be in session so as to make an election of President by the Bth of January next,when Oen. Anaya’s term expires—and, it is not probable that it will be in session—then the executive functions will devolve once more upon Pena y Pena by virtue of his office of President of the Supreme Court. From Texas. —We have advices from Gal veston to the 11th inst. Who's governor is : not yet determined. At Bostrop on election day, a fight occurred between Wayne Barton and John Burleson.— Shots were fired, and the latter was so serious ly wounded that he subsequently died. The Recent Prize Cases.—The recent pro ceedings of the United States Court in this city in relation to prizes taken by tire Squadron in the Gulf during the Mexican war, have ex cited much attention, not only from the im portance and gravity of the decisions, but from the novelty of the subject in our courts. The decision of Judge McCaleb in a recent case, which we publish exclusively,has called much attention to this interesting and perplexing j branch of the law. A new question is about to be brought forward in relation to these mat- j tors. A partial order of distribution has been recently made by the court of the proceeds of the Coosa,. Plymouth, Armarda, Tclegrafo, and other vessels and cargos taken as prizes by the Gulf Squadron, Sixteen thousand dol lars and upwards have already been paid to the different prize agents who represent the officers and crews interested in the distribu tion, besides the half proceeds which have been paid to>the United States. An order for the distributing the remaining funds in court was about to be made, when an interesting question, involving nice points of prize law, was propounded by one of the prize agents. It is whether the officers and men attached to a ship, although they might not have been im mediately connected with taking a prize, are ! entitled to a portion of the funds. This ques- i tion will soon be argued and decided. We I are pleased to see that our gallant tars arc about to reap some little recompense for their long and wearisome cruises in tire Gulf. Gen. Taylor Gone to Natchez—On Thurs day last a highly respectable deputation of gentlemen from Natchez waited upon Gen. Taylor at Baton Rouge, and invited him to visit their city, which polite invitation the brave old soldier promptly accepted. He left on the steamboat C. E. Watkins, on Friday evening, for the city of the Bluffs, where ere tills he has been cordially welcomed. The Sugar Crop.— The Franklin Planter’s Banner of the 9th inst. says: “The effects of the late frost are now severely felt by most ! of our planters, and will most undoubtedly cut the crop short. The cane was completely killed, and on many plantations badly frozen; but so long as the weather remained told it produced welU Now, however, the wreathe* has become wet and warm, our plantaters are compelled to top low, and it is greatly feared much cane will be completely lost.” Western Rivers. —-The St. Louis Republic cm, of the 9th inst., says: “The navigation of the Missouri and of the Mississippi, above the mouth of the Illinois, is now almost entirely suspended on account of low water, and the supplies of produce are now derived chiefly from the Illinois, which continues to be in fair navigable stage, though falling fast. The weather for two days past, has been mild and generally fair, though it was cloudy yesterday and some rain fell during the night.” Oppo site St. Louis the river was getting quite low. The steamboat Independence got aground on the bar just below the city, on- the evening ot the Bth inst., and was not gotten oli by the next evening. NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 15, P. Cotton.—'So steamer yet. Sales coalined to 1,500 bales in small k>ts at steady prices. | Sugar. —Salas 400 hhds at firm prices; Fuir 3$ Prim* * 4*?-. j * ■ | Molasses. —Sales 500 bbls. at 184 f» 18£c. No' stock on the Levee. Flour. —Market quiet. Sales a flatboat load Ohio at 55 37£; 720 bbls. at So 87100 in lots at 55 50; 160 Illinois at $5 50; 100 Choice Illinois at 5'5 GO; 100 Common at 54 05; 222 St. Louis 55 62; 100 Ohio at 55 40; and 100 Choice at St. Louis at j 56- Corn.—Market bare. Small sales of Yellow at j GOc. Lard. —The demand has been active and the I sales comprise 60 tierces at sgc.; 32 bbls. at 6c ; 375 do. at 64c.; 314 at I and 507 at G^c. Bacon. —23 tierces Sugar Cured Hams were sold atlo£c ;14 tierces green Hams at 4c.,and 22 tierces j Shoulders a? 3c.; 30 bbls. gi een Hams, Sides and i Shoulders at 4. 4^c. Salt. —A cargo of 2,000 sacks Coarse sold at 67c. Freights. —No new foreign engagement lias trans i pired. f Heported for the Baltimore Sun. j THIRTIETH CONGRESS—First session. Washington, Dec. 15, 1847. SENATE. A message was received from the House that Mr. Gurley had been elected Chaplain on their part; and also that the House had ap pointed Messrs. James G. Hampton and John L Robinson, on the Committee on Enrolled Bills. The Vice President presented the annual report of the Superintendent of the Coast Sur -1 vey, whicli was ordered to be printed, together ! with 1,250 extra copies. Mr. Calhoun submitted the following resolu tions, which were ordered to be printed: Resolved, That to conquer and hold Mexico, cither as a province or incorporating it into the Union, is inconsistent with the avowed object of the war, contrary to the settled policy of the Government, in conflict with itscharac- | ter and genius, and in the end, must be sub versive of all our free and popular iustitu l tions. Resolved, That no line of policy in the far : ther prosecution of the war should be adopted which may tend to consequences so disasL oui. Mr. Downs offered a resolution which was adopted, instructing the military committee to inquire into the expediency of erecting a military hospital for disabled volunteers at New Orleans. Mr. Niles offered a resolution, which was adopted, admitting the heads of the different bureaux in the several departments to the floor of the Senate. Alter some other business of no general in terest, the Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Chaplain elect, the Rev. Mr. G urley, made a fervent and appropriate payer. Mr. Smith, of Illinois, asked leave to submit a resolution, but the Speaker replied that the first business in order would be the unfinished business of yesterday, to wit: the resolution of the geutlemm from Ohio, (Mr. Vinton,) for a new standing committee, and the amend ment offered to the same by the gentleman j from Delaware, (Mr. Houston.) Mr. Rhett addressed the House warmly and at some length in opposition to the resolution, | and against the doctrine of internal improve- I meats by the General Government. Mr. Caleb B. Smith replied, and defended j both the resolution and the doctrine of inter nal improvements, as well in regard to the lakes and great western rivers as the Atlantic harbors and rivers. Mr. Root followed on the same side, and entertained the house with some spicy and facetious strictures upon the anti-internal im- j provement doctrines of some of the Southern | straight-laced gentlemen. Mr. Bedinger next addressed the House, and took ground against the internal improvement doctrine which the proposed new committee j was designed to foster. A message from the President of the United i States was here received, and on motion of j Mr. Thompson, of Mississippi, who remarked that it treated of the subject unler discussion, | I ordered to be read. | The Clerk accordingly read the message, | which contained the President’s objections, at great length, to the River and Harbor Bill, passed at the last session of Congress, but not signed by the President. Mr. Wentworth moved that the said mes sage be referred to the committee on com merce. Mr. Vinton honed the gentleman from Illinois would give way to amotion which he designed to make for the appointment of a select com mittee to receive this message, and make a re port on the same, which should go the coun i try along with the message. Mr. Wentworth suggested that the com -1 mittec on commerce would no doubt make a report in opposition to the doctrines of the message, which would go to the country with , i it. Mr. Vinton said the dut’es of that committee wouldbe sufficiently arduous- without attend.ng I to this elaborated message* He thought the better way would be to raise a select commit tee, which could have time to go fully into the important subject treated of by the mes sage. He then entered into an examination of some of the positions assumed by the Presi- ; dent, and made an argument in opposition to ! them. He took up and replied to the declaration j of the President, that the arrest of this- system of internal improvements by a former President, ; (Jackson,) had saved’ to the country two hundred millions of dollars. He gave a history I of the appropriations for internal improve i ments which have been made by past Con ! gresses, and concluded by imputing great error 1 to the President in the matter. Mr. Haralson, of Georgia, followed, and ! remarked that discussion upon the message before it is printed and put on the desks of members would be premature and out of place. Let the message be printed, he said, thnt mem- j bers may know all that it contains, and then, he doubted not, some fifty members on that : floor would be ready to reply to it. Their speeches could then go out to the country and have their effect. He moved that the mes sage be laid on the table and printed. Mr. Baily, of Virginia,rose not to go into a con stitutional argument upon the subject under discussion. He would take another occasion to do that. But he rose Jo reply to a single remark of the gentleman from Ohio. (Mr. Vinton,) in relation to the arrest of the ap propriations for internal improvements by a former President. He then went on to show tlxat the declaration of the present President the subject was not exaggerated, but that the fi-gxxres and calculations of the gentleman ' from Ohio were incorrect. Mr. Andrew Stewart was in favor of refer- 1 ring the document to a select committee, as he f < considered the message a very important one. i He spoke lor some minutes on the subject, i He wished the committee to be composed, of 1 one member from each State of the Union. - Mr. Sims, of South Carolina, made a few re marks and moved to amend the motion of the gentleman from Illinois, so. as to have the message inserted on the journal- The Speaker stated that the Clerk informed him that all messages from the President of the United States are spread upon the journal. Mr. Schenck took the floor, and made some strictures upon the message, and the manner, time and object of sending it into the House, ; not to be acted upon by the House of much as to act upon the House. In conclusion, Mr. S. moved that the House 1 adjourn, but gave way to Mr. Holmes, of S. ] Carolina, who submitted a preamble and reso- * iu tions us a basis of a free trade treaty of peace 1 with Mexico, which were read for the intbrma- ; tion of members,and then the House adjourn ed. Dir. Holmes’ Resolutions- Whereas, The Confederacy was formed for the poupose of establishing a perfect Union and promoting the general welfare, it becomes those who are entrusted with regulating the Government so to direct its movements as to perfect that Uir on and advance that welfare: And Whereas, the prosperity, felicity, safety, and perhaps, national existence, are involved in the invasive war we are now prosecuting against our sister Republic of Mexico, this im portant consideration should lead us to the adoption of such measures as may result in do- | ing justice to Mexico and promoting the las- ! ting welfare of the United States. Therefore ■ be it I Resolved, That it is inexpedient for the L. | States as to use its conquests as to extinguish j the national existence of Mexico, but so to avail itself of the victories it has achieved, as , to establish, by treaty stipulations, a lasting | peace with Mexico upon the basis of an entire free trade between the two Republics, such as j exists between the several States of this Union. Resolved, That wo agree to re-cede all the | territory we have taken from Mexico beyond the Rio Grande upon the condition that our citizens have free ingress and egress into New Mexico and Upper California, the privilege of holding land, exercising their religion, and of carrying on trade as fully as any of the Mex ican citizens of those provinces. Resolved, That a further condition be the right of entry and departure of our shipping, both National and Domestic, into and from the Mexican ports as unrestricted as in the ports j of the United States, with all the rights of ; breaking bulk, taking in, discharging, purchas- j ing and selling of cargoes, as in our own ports. I Resolved further. That we stipulate for a right of constructing a Railroad from the U. S. to the harbor of San Diego, and to any town in New Mexico or California. Resolved, That it is expedient to keep pos session of the Castle of San Juan d’Uloa as a hostage for the fulfilment of the stipulations above recited. Mexican News- We find in the New Orleans papers some ! interesting items of news received by the re- j cent arrivals. The Picayune says the Arco Iris of the 7th | records a tragic affair which took place in the j village of Medellin on the evening of the 4th inst. A detachment of American soldiers was quartered there for the night. About 11 o’- ! clock some of them started for a ball in the I village, but with perfectly peaceable intentions. Some of the party at the ball took alarm, how ever, and one of them, a black fellow and a guerrillero, went to the door and discharged a 1 pistol at the advancing Americans. The A- i mericaus immediately returned the tiro, killing i six persons and wounding ten, one of whom i died shortly afterwards. One of the wound ed was a woman. They gave but one discharge | of their guns. In the Mexican Congress a warm debate had , i occurred on a proposition of Seuor Otero to I restrain the President from alienating any ter- j ritory, except that of Texas. The vote was 23 ; for, and 46 against it. Congress had also re fused to allow a report of the debate on the sub ject to be printed. A resolution was submitted by Garcia Var das that the Government should show cause why Santa Anna was ordered to be tried with i out a previous order of Congress. 1 his reso i lution was rejected by a vote of 42 to 33. | On the oth, Sr. Perdigon in secret session ! accused Mora y ViUamil, the Sceivtary of War, lof high treason. Party viol-.-nee, and the re i gard of the Secretary of the United States, are j J assigned as the causes of this accusation. It ! is hinted that the Secretary was barn at P«n- I sacola. In relation to the dissension** betwixt She ; officers of the army, the Vera Cruz correspon ; dent of the Delta gives the following account J A lamentable feeling pervades the arms at Mexico, owing to jealousies and heartburn ings, envy and malice, and political prejudi ces. Gen. Scott has arrested Pillow and W orth. T lie circumstances which led to this ; step ae believed to be these : Two letters, emanating from the American camp,-published in the United States, have been rea I by. Gem Scott. In an order publishe Ito the army ho prematurely decides who wrote them, and most bungUngly impeached the honor, patri otism, and services of the two Generals, who . are eulogised in those letters. One of the | Generals (Pillow,) denies, in a card published 1 | in Mexico, the authorship of the letter attri- 1 bated to his pen by Gen. Scott. The other General, (Worth,) prefers charges against Scott, and Scott arrests him for contempt. — i I Gen. Pillow was arrested because he appealed 1 from an opinion of Scott, requesting the latter ! to transmit the appeal to the Secretary of war. ; Scott refused in a /tasty manner; whereupon, the former remarked, “1 wild do it, sir.”— "Then I arrest you, sir,” was Scott’s reply. — So matters stand at last dates. The army is excited, and if we may judge , from what we hear at this- distance, more than a moiety of it sympathizes with the Generals sought to be disgraced. It is said that on a | visit to the theatre by Gen. Pillow, an audi ence of over 3030 being present, he received three hearty cheers ; immediately after which the audience gave three more for Gen. W orth. [From the N. O'. Della, With im(.\ Dlatamoros- By the arrival yesterday of the U. S. trails-' port steamer Ann Chase,- Capt. Harrison, we are in possession of the Matamoros Flag, to the Bth inst., from which we extract the fol lowing ; Fight with the Comanches. Late ac counts from Saltillo represent that the Coman ches have made a descent, with a large force,upon the Mexican settlements near Par ras and Saltillo, robbing and murdering in every direction. Major Lane of the Texas cavalry, and sixty men of his command had a fight w ith them. A large force had been sent tiThis assistance, to enable him to drive them back, to their homes in the mountains. The following is an extract of a letter, writ ten by Major Lane, to a friend in Saltillo, de scribing the engagement he had with the In dians. The letter is dated- Excantado, Nov. 22, 1847. Dear Nelson —We had a fight yesterday with one hundred and twenty Camanches. The red devils got wind of our approach, and were formed in battle order and bold array to re ceive us. I ordered- a charge, and we dashed into them in gallant style. They received us in good order, but were soon put to flight, and we kept up a running fight for two miles or mo re .killing thirty and wounding many others. We pressed upon their mountain, ponies so ; ciose that they anally dismounted and took i to the mountains on . i oot> an d the pursuit was i given up. Our poor friend, w. H. Bell, was , killed in the charge, and Mr. Muity and two others wounded; the men fought well, an q j 1 can whip Comanches on any ground. 1 start i for Parras to-morrow, with my whole com mand, again in pursuit of Indians, who we un derstand are in large force in that neighbor hood ; some say nine hundred strong. They have been. devastating the settlements, killing , the Mexican, ho mb res, and carrying off the wo men, This you know is not Clrristian-like, and we go to show our gallantry in defence of the fair. Mount and come with us, for we are certain to have a brush. 1 t dugnstci, (Georgia. TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. 21. By Telegraph- IN ADVANCE OF THE MAIL. The mail failed again last evening from offices North of Richmond. Our Telegraphic des patch, how ever, came through, bringing us ad vices from Washington to 16th, P. M. The telegraph between Washington and N. York is no doubt out of order, as we have no com munication from the latter city from our cor | respondent. Wasaixgtgx, Dec. 16—2 P. M. SENATE. The Vice President called the Senate to or | dcr to-day at 12 o’clock. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Gurley. : Mr. Berrien of Georgia, appeared to-day, w'as sworn, and took his seat. The Vice President laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary of War, transmitting a map of the route to California; and notes thereon, by Captain Emory, togeth er with Col. Cooke’s report —which w r ere or dered to be printed. The Vice President laid before the Senate the proceedings of a war meeting in Philadel phia—which were laid on the table. Mr. Foote announced the death of Senator Speight, and after pronouncing upon him a I brief but eloquent and touching eulogy, the | Senate passed the accustomed resolutions of mourning and adjourned, without transacting further business, until Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. On motion of Mr. Charles J. Ingorsoll, the special order of the day, being the report of the Committee on the Rules, was postponed i till to-morrow. Mr. Botts offered tt joint resolution to re store the mail between Washington and Rich moud to the old contractors, at the rates for j merly allowed, and to indemnify the new con i tractors for damages. The message of the President of the United States, giving his reasons for withholding his signature to the River and Harbor Bill, passed by the last Congress, came Up next, as the un finished business of yesterday. Mr. Pettit made a spirited speech, against the reference of the message to a select com } j mittee, as proposed yesterday by Mr. Vinton. After Mr. P. had concluded, Mr. Jacob Thompson arose and announced the death of Senator Speight, and after pro nouncing upon him an appropriate eulogy, the j House adopted the customary resolutions of mourning, and adjourned. Gcu- Quitman- This distinguished officer, now on his way from New Orleans to Washington city, is ex pected to arrive in this city this morning.— Notwithstanding the short notice we have had of his coming, we understand committees were yesterday appointed, for the purpose, and that he will receive such a reception at the hands of our citizens, as his distinguished services in the cause of his country so richly deserve. His arrival will be announced by the tiring of connon, and at 12 o’clock a pub lic reception will be given him at the City HalL Concert. Our citizens will have an opportunity, this and to-morrow evenings, of enjoying a rich treat in the musical line. When we mention the names of Hcrz and Sivori, in one Concert, j 1 it should of itsolldraw a full and fashionable i house. Wc see by the Washington and Rich mond papers that their Concerts in both cities, drew full houses, and gave much satisfaction. [ fhlitorial Correspondence.] Mil-ledgeville, Dec. 18, ’47. The HoUse of Representatives was the scene j of a “fare tip" yesterday morning, which, but I for the opportune intervention of some of the bystanders, might have rivalled some of the ! scenes of the Missouri Legislatures, which have occasionally found their way in print. Mr. Jones, of Paulding, called up a resolu tion laid by him before the House two days previous, to the" effect that, Wttetchs, one P. W. Alexander, a reporter for the Augusta | Chronicle $ Sentinel, had used language in a communication to that paper of a member of that House which was false, nwliciotrs, and libelous J Resolved, that said reporter be brought before the bar of the House, required to make an apology, or meet with such repre mand as the House might prescribe. Mr. Bailey moved that a Committee be ap pointed to investigate the matter. Mr. Jack son, of Walton, suggested that the matter should lay over for further consideration; and some members showed a disposition not to make a serious affair of it.- Mr. Jones, think ing perhaps that the House was not sufficient ly prompt in protecting his rights, and its own, withdrew the resolution. Just then he espied a dilapidated pair of tongs, having but one leg, leaning near the fire place at the right of the Speaker's' chair, and he moved immediately towards it, seized it and marched down the aisle to Mr. Alexander’s seat under the gallery. Mr. A. was ready to receive him with a chair brandished in the air. As above stated, the bystanders interposed, and pre vented the combatants from approaching with in striking distance. It is a matter of curious speculation whether the sight of the tongs arrested the eye of the honorable member after the withdrawal of the resolution, or before, and thus suggested a more summary remedy than the slow process of a Committee of investiga tion. The language complained of, it seems, was not very offensive in itself, and independent of any latent motive to depreciate the legislative services and standing of the honorable mem ber, in connetiort w r ith Mr. Tift, who was em braced in the same category. The spirit, rather than the letter of the words used, seem to have excited the ire of the aggreived party. following statement will show, that prior i to the occurrence of the tongs and chair flour ish, Mr. Alexander was prepared to make an amende: After the restoration of order, Mr. O-artrell read, at the request of said reporter, a state- ! ment, iu which the reporter disclaimed all in- ! ten tion of injuring any member of the House 1 t &c., &c. It is due to Mr. Alexander, the re porter, to say that this statement was placed in Mr. Gartrell's hands before the House met I this morning, with direction to read it in the I event of the withdrawal of the resolution, i lam pleased to record the fact that, although the Irezevant Bill was reconsidered, it has a gain passed the House by the same vote it re > reived when first carried—62 to 58. I invoke ■ for it a safe passage through the Senate. Ihe bill to commute the punishment of . death, in the case of William L Williams, to perpetual imprisonment, it will be seen, was lost by a very decisive vote —30 for, 70 against . the bill. I saw his wife to-day as she arrived here in the stage. Sad news awaited her. So strong was the evidence against him, that of j tho:i e voting in favor of the commutation, not one did it on the ground that the verdict was not strictly just. All who assigned reasons I for their votes stated that they so voted on the general principle ot opposition to capital pun- i. ishment—assuming the position of the celc- | brated John W ilkes, that the worst use you | can put a man to, is to hang him. Some vot- i | against the bill, did so, among other rea- ! sons, on the ground that they doubted the , constitutional power of the Legislature to | modify the punishment, while some of those so voting stated, that owing to their op position to capital punishment, they would | ] vote for a bill if offered, to grant an absolute 1 pardon. Mr. Walker, of Hichmoni, stated 1 that a petition to grant 'Williams absolute j i pardon, could probably not get twenty signa- ’ tures among the citizens of Richmond county, i I am of the same opinion. There have been some interesting discus- ! sions on the bill to give the election of Judges of the Superior Courts to the people of their ] respective circuits, which bill was lost. Also, on the resolution offered by Mr. Jones of Paulding, to the effect that, Whereas, the | constitution and laws of the State of Georgia, 1 contain no piovision for the electibnof Judges of the Superior Courts by the Legislature : ; Resolved , That the people be requested at j the B next Congressional elections, to indorse i on their tickets “by the people” or “by the Legislature,’’and that in case a majority should | vote in favor of the election by the people, the Governor shall issue his proclamation for ; the election of those Judges at such times as j are prescribed in the resolution. This resolution was carried vesterdav, after ■ • • I | some debate. This morning a motion to re- j consider was carried, and the resolution was ! discussed at length, in which Messrs. Gartrell and Bartow contended against the adoption j of it, and Messrs. Jackson of Walton and Ke- ; nan, argued iu its favor. I was surprised that j such strenuous opposition should be made to ! leaving this question to the people. It is palpable that the constitution is silent as to the mode of electing these Judges, and that the Legislature has assumed the right to elect, i I believe that : .hc people are capable of decid ing wisely the question with whom this right of electing Judges should be vested. They would probably leave it with the Legislature. This would be preferable for many reasons to the exercise of the right directly by the peo- \ pie/ But sufficient has occurred at this ses- I sion, not to go back and review the Uniform | experience of legislatures in this State, to satis- ; I # | | fy any impartial spectator, that elections to i ; judicial offices by the'legislature.are influenced I by party alone, and not by ability, and that ; men of the best abilities arc n at apt to be me st | | generally preferred. A man i i elected accord- j | ing to his politics/ No abilities arc so emi- j 1 nent as ever to secure support from political , j opponents. Mr. Bartow was placed in rather | ( a ludicrous attitude of Joseph Surface- ism iu j his disclaimer of our voting for candidates i ( upon the log rolling principle. “You vote for my frieud, and I’ll vote for yours.” Mr, ; Jackson, in his inimitably cool manner, quoted { the poet’s illustration, “A rose by any other name will smell as sweet.” i and admitted that ho often had done what the member from Chatham called “entering i into a reciprocity of compliments,” but that ( | he was plain spoken enough to call it ‘dog i rolling.” lie would excel t that gentleman, | as he disclaimed ever being capable of such i bargaining, so called, out of respect to the * feelings of that gentleman, but would say that I he believed him the only one in the legisla- ture who could claim for himself such au ex- I i ception. One of the most important bills offered dur ing the session—one which I thought would have enlisted the whole agricultural interest * of the House, was lost by a large vote —only 20 voting in its favor. I allude to the bill to establish a Professorship of Agricultural Chem- ‘‘ istry at Franklin College, and to appropriate ' $2500 per annum for that purpose. It was strenuously and most forcibly advocated by Messrs. Harris (of Clarke,) Mr. Pinckard and I Mr. Shockley, and opposed by Messrs. Jones of Paulding and Clark of Chatham. The sole ground of opposition alleged was, that the State could not afford it, Mr. Clark admitted that it would be a good step, but that it was unwise to go further in debt for such a pur- j pose. Mr. Jones thought it an unnecessary and useless expenditure of the people’s money. I hope the people will fully discuss this mat- c ter among themselves, and be prepared to ex- 1 press themselves on. the subject through their representatives at the next session. The general Corporation bill for manufac- ] taring, passed the Senate to-day. It is the i bill introduced by Mr. Lawton.—passed with- J out amendment. It is almost identical with j that passed by the House, and will doubtless ] receive the concurrence of that branch of the 1 General Assembly and become a law. G, Destructive Flood in the Ohio- 1 The llichmond Times of the 17th inst. says: Our telegraphic correspondent in Baltimore yesterday sent us information, just received there from Cincinnati, that the Ohio had ris- ] en to an extrordinary height, by which, great ( damage had been done to the adjacent conn- c : try. It is stated that 1000- families were ren- dered houseless. Pearl and Broadway streets, i Cincinnati, were overflowed and immense in- 1 jury sustained. A meeting of the people of i that city, to take measures for the relief of the ! sufferers, was called. Business in the city _ | almost suspended. —'— ~ I—iwiiMWCTwfnMif1 —iwiiMWCTwfnMif 11 1 jji -mi i|i Memory of Chancellor Kent ~ i j ee '‘.“S s of tho bench and bar of both Phi. ladelphra and New York have boon held, and highly appropriate proceedings had. in res peot to the character of the late Chancellor Kent. In Philadelphia, an eloquent enW.um on the Character of the distinguished deceased, was delivered by Horace Dinner, Esq., and in New York, they were pronounced by Ogden Hoffman, U. F. Butler, D. Lord and 11. Me*. m ell, and resolutions of a corresponding char | actor were adopted. The Montgomery Flag~Sf the 18th inst. says Gen. Quitman arrived in this city yes terday. He was received on the part of the citizens by Mr. Yancey, who made an address appropriate to the occasion, which was briefly replied to by Gen. Q. To-day the General is to be received by a committee of the two Houses, who will conduct him to the capitol. Ihe Masons and Odd Fellows arc invited to join in the celebration. GEORGIA LEGISI*ATURE. LV SENATE, Friday, Dee. 17. The action of the Senate yesterday, in rela tion to the West Point & Atlanta Rail Road Company, was re-considered this morning O The first section being read, Mr. Marks moved to amend bv striking out in said sec tion the words “ West Point” wherever they occur,and inserting in lieu thereof “LaGrange,” which was received. Mr. Williamson moved further to amend by striking out in said first section the word “ Anderson” and in inserting in lieu thereof “Andrew,” which was received. The eleventh section being read, Mr. Sim mons moved to strike out the whole section, which was agreed to. The report as amended was agreed to, the bill w as read the third time, and on the ques tion shall this bill now pass, the yeas and nays were required to be recorded, and are, Yeas.—Messrs. Barclay, Boynton, Camp, Chastain, Clayton, Coffee, Darden, Dunagan, Duncan, Farris, Henderson, Holloway, Hunt, Hunter, Irwin, B. D. Johnson, W. J. John son, Lawton, McArthur, Marks, Maxwell, Moore, Montgomery, Raiford, Rees, Simmons, Smith, Stapleton, Terrell, Wales, Watters, Williamson, Willingham—33. Nays.—Messrs. Cochran, Collins, Glenn, Hilliard, McLeod, Snider, Stewart, Wiggins— 8. The Senate then took up the special order of the day —it being the bill of the House of Representatives for the completion of the Western & Atlantic Rail Road. Several un successful attempts were made to have the bill amended, and it passed without alteration. Yeas.—Messrs; Clayton* Coffee, Darden, Duncan, Farris, Forman, Fort, Holloway, Hunt, B. D. Johnson, Little, McArthur, Mc- Leod, Marks, Maxwell, Moore* Montgomery, Parks, Rees, Simmons, Smith, Snider, Staple ton, Terrell, Wales*Wiggins, Williamson, Wil lingham —28; Nays.—Messrs. Barclay* Camp* Chastain, Cochran, Collins, Dunagan, Glenn, Hender son, Hilliard, Hunter, Irwin, W. J. Johnson, Lawton* Raiford, Watters —14. The Senate took up the bill which provides for a j unction of the Central Bail Road and Ma con and Western Rail Road in or near the limit of the city of Macon, and upon its passage the yeas were 29, nays 13. Also, the bill, to re vise and make of lorec an act to incorporate the Thomaston ami Baruesville Rail Road Company—-which was read the third time and passed. The Senate took up and passed the IAII to authorize Hiwassee Rail Road Company of the State of Tennessee to extend their Rail Road from the Tennessee’ line to some point on the Western & Atlantic Rail Road of the State of Georgia.- Saturday, Dec. 18v The Senate took Up the special order of the day—it being the bill of tire House of Repre sentatives to incorporate the Gainesville Rail Road Company, &c.* which was passed with amendments. The Judiciary Committee reported a bill to exempt from taxation the property belonging to the colleges in this State—and to exempt the Faculty and Students thereof from patrol and Militia duty. HLL.L3 PASSED. To prescribe the time, place and manner of holding elections for Senators to represent the State of Georgia in the Congress of the Uni ted States. To authorize an increase of the capital stock of the Marine and Fire Insurance Bank of the State of Georgia. To revise and amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Milledgeville Rail Road Company, assented to on the 26th day of De cember, 1837. To incorporate the Etowah Rail Road Com pany in Cass, Cherokee, and other counties of the State of Georgia. IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday*, Dec. 17, 1847. Mr. Jackson of Walton, moved to reconsid er so much of the journal of yesterday, as re lates to tho passage of the bill for th*i relief of Peter Trezevant. Carried. Yeas —Messrs. Anderson of Wilkes, An drew's, Arnold, Bacon, Bailey.Baratte, Bartow*, Battle, Bethune, Black, 'Browm, Bryan of Houston, Cabiness, Carter, Clark, Crocker, Do zier, Dubignon, Fleming, Franklin, Gartrell, Glenn, Glover of Jasper, Graham, Harris ot Baldwin, Harris of Clark, Harris of laliafer ro, Hodges, Holmes, Howard, Jackson ot Clark, Renan, Lewis, McDuffie, Mclntosh, Neal, Nisbet, Pace, Perkins, Phillips, Pinkaro, Pollock, Price, Quarterman, Ramsey*, Item, Reynolds, Robinson of Coweta, Robinson of Laurens, Seaward, Shockley, Smith of Ogle thorpe, Talbot, Tift, Todds Townsend, Wal ker of Richmond, Ward, Williamson, Ww bish, Wood, Zachary —62. Nays—Messrs. Alexander, Anderson of Warren, Barnes, Baugh, Beasley, Bird, Bran don, Brinson, Bullard, Cameron, Candles* Carlton, Cleveland* Colbert, Cone, Darnah, Dorminv, Fields, Freeman, Gaulden. Glass, Glover if Jones. Hall, Harden, Heard, Hen dricks, Jackson of Walton, Jones, Keith, gore, Lawhon, Malony. Martin, McConnell or Cass, McConnell of Cobb, McDonald, Mc- Leod, Morgan, Morris, Moseley, PenticojJ Rawls, Robinson of Jasper, Sanford, Shefflemv Smith -of Cass, Spear, Strictland, Sumnw* Ferrell, Tillman, Yardcman, Walker of Craw lord, Wethers, Whitworth, Williams, M llsOll —SB. , The House took up the special order oi