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m 1,,,,,,,,,, , r , mt m ,i ibtti«■»»■ warn.Trg-tnsaf?jm
[From the Culumbu# Enquirer •]
TEXAS.
“Go«l said I t there be lighUaml there was light.”
In compliance with tlie many promises made
ut my Iriends, and particularly to ym r wortiiy
predecessor, I herewith submit to the readers
of your paper, a bnet description ol tbe lands
of Texas —Us present Government—tbe charac
ter of its population ; its productions, and such
observations as nmy seem to me to deserve par.
ticnlar notice. 1 will here remark, that I have
just returned from that country, tor the second
time, and the observations that follow, result
from having seen the country in both the dry and
rainy seasons ; and arc principally gleaned Irom
my private Journal.
I hope the foregoing remarks will he received
ns a sufficient apology l->r intruding on the pub
lie—to my particular friends, none is required—
to those of an opposite character I am altogether
indifferent —I am discharging a debt due to
friendship, and at the same time, I trust, call
ing the attention of my teilow citizens (who are
totlinfoii land that will scarcely sprout a cow pea,
and all for State pride,) tooneol the most valua
ble and interesting sections of country on the
continent of America, lint time passes, and I
will to the point, and let my Journal speak lor
itself.
“I sailed from New-Orleans early in Novern
ber last for Matagorda Bay, and arrived there
the sixth day, without any particular occurrence,
save and except the “shooting and falling of the
stars,” which greatly alarmed the sailors.
This is a beautiful buy, and is situated in 28th
Jeg. 19 min. bit. and near 97 deg. long, from
Greenwich. The entrance is easy of access,and
12 to 14 feet water on the bar ; and good nav;g;i
tion inside fifty miles up to the mouth of Laliaca
river, in a S. \T. direction ; and forty.five miles
<o die Town of Matagorda, at the mouth ol Colo
rado River, due North.
The town of Matagorda is well situated, and
must in a few years be the principal shipping
port of that immense section of country. But
as your readers are essentially land lubbers, and
consequently care little for any ihing else but
land, I will proceed to that subject. The gene,
ral course ot the Colorado River is North West,
«nd very much resembles your own favorite
Chattahoochie, both in the straightness of its
course, and rapidity of its current. But here
the comparison ceases, and a more difficult task
for the writer commences. To describe such
lands, as they should be, is impossible in a com
nuinicatiun like this, and to pass them over with
a general sweeping remark that they are the
best lands in lire world, will not sutisly such as
fee! an interest in the country (for whose sake I
am alone writing) and might be considered by
the indifferent retder as an exaggeration, by a
person of little experience. I will briefly des
cribe the lands on and between Colorado and
Cany (''reek. Cany Creek rises about 80 miles
above the month ol the river, and within one
quarter of a mile of the river, and runs to th«
•outhward ami eastward for sonic distance,when
it changes its course and rims parallel with the
River, toils month at the extreme eastern head
efMatagorda Bay. The first bottom lands on
tbe Colorado ar« of a rich red texture (as indeed
are most of the bottom lands in Texas,) and well
timbered with Cottonwood, Walnut, Cellar, Sea
Ash, and Percon, and arc nor generally more than
it quarter of a ntile wide, when a second rise
lakes place, and the timber becomes thin, but
eane is found in more abundance, and the texture
of the soil continues the same. This second bot
tom i« genera 11 three-fourths to a mile wide,when
the prairie bottom commences, being somewhat
higher, but of the same kind of fort, though ra
ther lighter, and large quantifies of shell are
found here. These are from one to four miles
wide, and run out to the common prairie land,
which in the lower country, (except immediately
on the coast,) are generally rich soil.
The distance between Colorado and Cany, will
average about twenty five miles, and bus but lit.
tie timber, except what is to be found on these
two streams.
There are occasionally to be found Islands of
timber of considerable size, and the margins of
the many Bayous, are well timbered, but not
enough to ever induce settlers to bring into culii
vation the central part of the country, all of
which i« as rich as anytime can desire. This
may be «aid to b« oncot the best stock countries
in the world and abounds with deer. Cany lands
are said to be the richest in Texas; and I think
I can safely effirm that there is no body of land
of the like size in the known world, which is ca
pable of supporting as large a population. It will
be recollected that it is 80 miles long in a direct
line, and when you add to this its innumerable
meandering?,and then remember that its timbered
and cane bottoms alone, are from four to twelve
miles wide, and join Wild Peach and Prairie
land nearly as rich as the bottoms affoid; it will
' nqt appeal very incredible. Cany never over
-1 Bows; its soil resembles that of Colorado, or I
might with equal propriety say lied River, but
from the great quantity of shell and growth of
cane, i# considered the most productive and at
the same lime durable.
These Wild Peach lands are lie Id in higli es.
timation for the growth of Cotton, and from what
I have seen of their productions, not without
good cause. They are ot lighter soil, than Cany
bottoms, and can be worked all seasons. It is
impossible for me to inform you any thing cer
tain about the depth ot the soil in any of the hot
tom lands, from Trinity River, Westward. Let
it suffice to say, that 1 feel certain a thousand
acres can be found, without particular reference
to location, that will exceed ten feet soil to one
acre, that will fall short of that depth. 1 pray
you not to be startled at this assertion ; but to re
member that e/f bottom lands, f ram Mississippi
and Red River, Westward, are formed by the
alluvion deposits, caused by the yearly spring
freshets. I do not pretend to say that the hot.
tom lands of Texas, are far superior to those of
Red River, to which they bear so greut a lusem.
blance. My own impression is, that the only
difference i« to be found in the longitude, and
the henlthfulness of the tw« sections of the coun.
try ; whilst the more westerly location and expo
sure. are known to flavor the growth es cotton,
(both of which are combined in Texas.) The
best and purest of water can be bad, in either
springs or w ells—this last is n blessing of which
the people on Red River or its bayo ’s know
noth mg. They are altogether dependent upon
rain oreielcrn water, for both white families ami
slave. But this is foreign to my purpose, as I
did not set out to institute a comparison of the
relative importance ot those two sections ot
country, so I will retrace ray steps to the lands
of Cany. I will here remark that the cane and
timbered lands, continue to within about six
miles of the Gulf of Mexico, where they stop,
and an open sandy prairie commences and con
tinues up to the'sea beach. The soil is quite
lj?hi, and decidedly the finest I have ever seen;
there being no little or no grit in it. So far as my
"° e *’ I should pronounce this the best
ion tot the growth of sea island cotto* that I have
ever seen. In relation to the general appear
ance and lace ot the country, 1 have imperlec tly
described to you, I must say, that 1 consider most
ot the prairie land ot the lower country, too Ucel
and flat, tor successful cultivation.
In addition to this objection, they are of the
Mack stiff lane sod , which, in connection with
the last, renders them o! much less value in my
estimation. The coumry becomes higher as
you journey North, but does not become suffi
ciently broken and undulating to carry off the
water, until you reach the 3U dog. Lat. about
which point, y»u find handsome running rivulets,
and excellent spring water, uni whai is still more
important to the agriculturist, the black sandy
Prairie soil takes place of the stiff black Lime
soil , and Amber abounds more plentifully. It
will stagger the credulity of many know’ing ones,
when I inform them, that good—nay the best of
free stone springs and weds are to be had in
these Prairies ! —Such, however, is the fact.
VVha» I have said in regard to the bottom lands
of Colorado, apply vviih equal force and truth,
to those of the San Bernard and Brasses rivers,
only those ot the last, are very heavily timbered,
and are generally from one id six miles wide.
One thing must not be forgotten at tb s pon.t —
viz : there is no black swamp, or bayou, to any
of the water courses I have ever seen in Texas.
The bottoms run boldly out into the adjoining
Prairies, where most settlements are formed, in
the midst of beautiful Live Oak Groves, that
are scattered over those immense planes, to the
distance of one hundred and thirty miles from
the coast. The growth of timber in the Sandy
Prairie, and off from die water courses, is ge
nerally Post Oak and Black Jack. The former
abounds in great abundance, and is very fine
timber, being altogether different from any I
have ever seen. They use it there for Boards,
in covering their cabins, in preference to going
to the bottoms for Cedar. The soil is similar
to the open Prairie, and is considered the best
Corn land. There is a brisk breeze blowing
from 9 o’clock in the morning until an hour by
sun, w hen it declines until alter dark when it
springs up again, and continues quite cool curing
the night, so much so, that it is unpleasant to
sleep without a blanket. The winds prevail du
ring the summer months from S. \V. generally.
The San Bernard River is not exceeding one
hundred and fifty miles long, and rather small—
for illustration sake, I will say, about the size <1
the Oakmulgee River for twenty five miles, when
it falls off, and heads among the springs that
! rise in the Sandy Prairies about the middle
ground be tween Brasses and Colorado. Its lands
are fine, and the river is navigable for sixty or
seventy miles; but its bar at the mouth destroys
what advantages might be expected to result
from sued- a stream (for tide water goes nearly
j or quite tire whole distance) there being only 3j
feet.
T now coire to the Brasses de Dios, or the
“Arm of God” which is considered the best
\ navigable stream in Texas (Colorado being shoa
ly for the first hundred and fi'ty miles, which oh
| streets navigation at low water; and at the same
time ass rding a greater body of good land than
any other stream in that, or any other country.
I will barely say that (his River finds its way di
| reedy to the sea, having no other Haven except
what is lobe found in its own banks. The en
trance is quite easy ot access, and from 8 to 9
feet water can be carried over the bar safely,
’ though the vessels trading there co not general
t iy draw exceeding seven feet. All vessels en
tering with goods, proceed up the river to Bras
j soria and Columbia, the first 25 and latter 35
j miles, to discharge cargoes. The bottom, lands
, of Brasses, ar--as good as the heart of man can
' desire ; and are generally of a rich red clay de
posite, and from two to six miles wide. They
, are well timbered, with Cedar, Percon, Ash,
j Cottonwood, P.lm and Walnut. &c.
They tire not more subject to overflow-, than
j most of Southern and Western Rivers, and in-
I deed have not overflowed for the last forty-six
years, until the great freshet last May was a
year since. Then a general overflow- took place
from Alabama to the Colorado, and God knows
t how much further. But the damage done in
, Texas, was not to be compared to that on the
Ohio river. The Bottom lands of Bras os are
j dry, not having Ponds, Lakes and Bayous cut.
t ting them up as is generally the case on Missis
sippi and Red Rivers.—This remark applies
with equal truth to all other water courses I
’ have examined m the country.
The Prairie lands adjoining the bottoms, are
, good, i believe, 1 may say, without exception,
but Ido not like those in I lie low country. I
mean to be understood by the lower country,
that section from the coast as high up as San
Felipe, say one hundred miles. These Prairies
are, in my opinion, too strongly impregnated
with Lime, and are of a stiff black texture, and
- not subject to cultivation in rainy weather, as the
black Sandy Prairies are.
The Bottoms ot Brasses-asall the Rivers from
■ Trinity to Colorado, are skirted by one or the
other of these kind of Prairie, excellent spring
and well water, and fine healthy situations
for building can be bad. It must not bo o.
mitted to mention, here, that I never have
seen a spring of good water in I lie low country,
and tbe well water is somewhat touched with
the Lime, though quite culd and clear.
When you approach the coast to the distance of
forty miles, the water becomes indifferent and
gets worse as you draw nearer. The bluff
springs on tbe river in the up country, are gen
erally good and most settlements are made im
mediately on the river banks or out of tbe prai
ries adjoining the outskirts of the bottoms, so as
to be convenient to both,fund make their election
of either, or a portion of each. The river is
r said tohe navigable tor steamboats to the groat
(Whaco village,) falls, three hundred miles from
the mouth. The bottoms grow w-ider as yon pro
ceed north and north West (the general course
of the river) and are said to he of a richer quahv.
I cannot give yon any information on this sub
ject, from actual observation, higher up than the
San Antonio road, which is the northern bounda
ry of Austin’s old colony, and distant one hun
dred and ninety miles from the mourh of Brassos.
There are several rivers making into Brassos
> which are said to be nearlv or quite as large— to
wit: Little Brassos, San Gabriel, San Antonia,
Yagos, and Bosque, <tc.
The bottoms of these rivers above the Falls
are said to be frequently from twelve to twenty
miles wide ; hut how- it is possible for them to
’ be richer, or better, in any respect, than those of
. the middle and low country, I am entirely at a
loss to determine. I can give you but liitie in
• formation with regard to Trinity river, which is
situated to «4ie east of Brassos, as 1 have only
travelled the road to the United States, and be.
[ ing satisfied with the country I had examined,
felt no inclination to prosecute my voyage of dis
covert- any further. The lands of Trinity are
said to be fine, both in the low- and up country,
, and which lam not disposed to doubt, particu
. lariy as regards the up country, as it has its
! source in the same region with the Brassos, and
, runs nearly parallel with it, to its month. The
lands between these two rivers above the 31st
deg. Lat. are said to he desirable, but not alto,
i gather as good as are ftmnd on the Brassos, and
, i farther West
I have but little more to sav touching the lands
of this country, which is likely to interest you or
your readers ; indeed I four, I have already im
posed too heavy a tax on the patience of many.
For the information of such as are disposed to
: know something in relation to the lands of Red
i River, laying in Texas, I will barely say, that so
! far as quality and fertility of soil is considered,
! they are not surpassed by any lands in the world,
j and only equalled by those of Brassos, Cany,
! Colorado, and other more westerly rivers.
I liis river is the iiort ern boundary line be- i
tween our government and that of Mexico, from i
about 3.1 3(1 Int. ami troni near this point takes j
a westerly direction, and keeps it, without vary
ing ten miies to the distance of lour hundred i
miles, hs bottoms, the whole ol this distance,
are equal to the host lands, below the great raft
in Louisiana, and when ibis is removed by our
government, ihe river will he navigable the whole
way around the northern boundary oi Texas. It
may nut be am.as here :or me to add, that eigh
• ty miles of this immense raft, was removed sea
son before i«st, and would have been finished,
but the appropriation gave out. and the work was
' suspended in consequence thereof. There was
another appropriation made last session ot Con
- gross, more than sufficient to complete it, and the
. work will progress as the river rises* and the
1 snag boat can ascend the rapid. It is proper
1 that I should inform the inquisitive, that little or
■ no water can be had in the bottoms of R< d River,
• and that if they expect to live on it, and derive
i the advantages of a more easy and direct com
> municafion wish New Orleans, they may expect;
. more than a full share of sickness, and to drink
cistern water.
I will now make a few remarks of more im
’ mediate interest to the emigrant, and I have
• done. Each lu adot a family, upon going to the
country, presents himself to the agent ol the go
• vernment and enters Ins name as an emigrant,
t and solicit and order ot survey for one league
• ofland, which being granted, he examines for
i himself, and whenever he finds lands to his li
’ king, which are not already appropriated, the
survey is made under his own eve, and return
made and entered on the records of the Laud
■ Office, and certificate issued accordingly. In
1 like maimer, each unmarried male, eighteen
i years old, procures one quarter ot a league.
t A league of land, is four thousand four han
't died and forty-four acres, by our admeasure
-1 mint; and the office lees and cost of survey, to.
i geffier with the sum claimed by t,.e Govern.
r ment, amounts to about one hundred dollars.—
t The emigrant is allowed six years to make an
I improvement on the land, and to pav the amount
J due government (say from 30 to SSO a league)
and at the expiration of this time, if both are tie
• glccteil, the land is forfeited, and they decline is
-3 suing patents. The lands and all other property
- are in the meantime free of taxation. Bv a re
-1 cent law, titles can he perfected immediately,
i by paying up ail dues, hut in order to hold land,
1 you must actually reside in the country,and after
3 a certain period, live on it yourself, or have a
s tenant. In relation to the government of the
r country and the character ol the people compos
-3 ing its present population, I am sorry to says
t that a greater degree of ignorance and prejudice
Y exists in the minds of the people of the United
j (States than Black Hawk and ihe prophet exhib
ited some two years since, concerning our own
- government and people. -
t It is true, there never has been a complete
- civil and judicial organization in Texas until the
- present year. It is also true, that Texas is a
3 mere province of the Mexican Government and
i stands in the same relation to the states of the
confederacy as one of the Territories ol the Uni
ted States does to the states.
t But it is a question vet to he decided, whether
- any of our Stales or Territories have now or ever
1 had a better system of Legislation, than the pro
, vinco of Texas has enjoyed up to this time.—-
• 'l'he whole province was divided out into juris,
dictions (similar to our judicial circuits) and the
Judge oi each jurisdiction is called iu their lan
> gunge Alcalde.
s in each jurisdiction there is an Ayuntamiento
a composed of five persons, ol which body, the Al
cable is President, ex-officio, and all elected by
Y the free suffrage of the people ol their ruspec
, five jurisdictions, for the term of one ye ; r.—
These Aynntamientos have iheir regular meet
i ings, and are also subjael to he railed together
on iinv emergency by ihe President. ’I heir pow
x ! er and duty is merely municipal, and confined
a |to its natural boundary. They enact such laws
e as are d.sire lin their own circuit, and forward'
s them to the Legislature of the adjoining State to
a which the province is attached, and it not found
a to he unconstitutional are approved, sem back
u and became laws for that jurisdiction from the
- date of “ approval.”
It is generally believed in this coun ry, that
s the people of Texas join in every little plot and
I revolu'iou got up in the interior of Mexico; and
that they are kept in subjection hv a superior
3 I Spanish population, and how the pliant kr.ee to
, ! all ihe idols and superstitions of the Church of
I i Rome. Such is not the fact. It must be reeol
, ' leeted that Texas is some twelve or fiireen bun
t dred miles front the city of Mexico, in which city
5 I and neighborhood, most ot the plots and counter
' plots arc got up: and two thirds of the way through
I a wilderness country, or only inhabited by Indian
I tribes, who wage an everlasting war with the
Spaniard. Most, if n«t all the revolutions to
i which tiiat cmuttiy has unfortunately been sub
i jeefed, have ended, ami probably hew ones got
; under way, before the people of Texas a r * ftp
i prised of them, and they never have as yet, been
concerned in any ot them. With the exception
! ot one Spanish town on the extreme western
i boundary of Texas, (Bexar, by name,) which has
i about five thousand inhabitants, there is not ex
• cteding live hundred Spaniards in the limits ot
f the province. There is not less titan forty five
1 thousand Americans, and not the first Catholic
f Church that 1 have ever seen or heard of, in n
country, having as extensive area (according to
Col. Benton) as thirteen States of the size of
South Carolina, and capable of sustaining as large
i population as France.
Bui for the satisfaction of those who feel in
i terested on this subject, lam happy to s ate, that
the last. Congress of Coahuila tolerated all relt
gions, and passed other important laws for the
better Government and security of life and pros
perity in the property of I exas.—Among them,
a separate judicial act, or code exclusively for
the benefit of the people of 1 exas. which adopts
the English language, and directs all proceedings
I to he kept recorded in that language, and all laws
iof tfie two states to he printed in both. This law
j also established a separate Supreme t ourt and
I Circuit Court, and the appointments had been
filled (with Americans ton) before I left the
country and I had the pleasure of attending one
court.
The presiding Judge, is a brother of the Sena
tor Rurnit of Ohio, and is both a gentleman and
scholar. The other appointments are equally
acceptable The same law provides for the ap
pointmentof three political Chiefs, to re.-tde in
different sections of the country, whose duty is
nearly or quite the same as a Governor of one of
the territories in the United States. W lieu I
add to this, that the Government lias determined
not to make any more grants after the present
ones are complied with, and have proceeded to
1 enact a regular land law, and established nine
| land offices, preparatory to bringing all the vacant
I lands in that immense country into market by
| public sales, and state the mode of doing so, I
shall have exceeded my intended limits.
A person desiring to purchase public land,
goes to the office iu the district where the land is
situated, and files his petition for sale, and oh.
tains an order of survey. 1 l> e land run offin
to labors ofone hundred and seventy seven acres,
1 hut the same individual can have surveyed and
I purchase tiro hundred and seventy five labors, or
I about 50.000 acres, at the minimum price of ten
■ dollars the labor, the purchaser paying surveyor’s
: fees. One third of the purchase money is pay
: aide at the sale, the remainder in two equal an
nual instalments, though they can pay the cash
and receive patents immediately. T hi= law. goes
into operation next year.
Touching the society of the interior of Texas,
■ I solemnly declare to you that I have never }et
sqenas food in any new and frontier settlement
in the United States. It is true many bad men
have fled from Justice to this country, and have
found a.s.ffc asylum m that of Texas. The same
objection may he and was raised against Georgia
and Alabama ’in iheir early settlement and indeed
every state in the West. Bui fugitives from this
couiitrv, gen- rally stop soon after crossing the
line, and seldom venture into the interior of Aus
tin’s Colonies, where they were certain to ho in.
differently received, and refused their head fight
us land. Those disposed to quibble will say tha t
a man’s character cannot be known until he has
obtained his land, and then he cannot be remov.
ed. In answer, I will merely mtoim such skep
tic’s that the proprietors of the old grants afe in
vested with the supreme command of till matters
in their limits, and that the emigrant does not be
come a legal free-holder until the expiration of
six tears from the date of their first having an
order of survey, and in the mean time, should hrs
character he ascertained to he bad and highly,
culpable, he is forthwith ordered from the Colony
and his name erased from the record. Austin’s
Colonies alons are larger than the State o* Ala
bama, and tiie intelligence, respectability ot
character and untiring enterprise ol the tnhahi
tnms mav salelv he contrasted wi 'h .Muscogee,
Harris. Talbot, Trouppr Meriwether counties.
I will now conclude this too lengthy comma
ideation, by advising about one half ol the peopl*
of Georgia, who are cultivating the low grounds
: of gullies, to emigrate without delay, and I pledge
myself neither them or their children will ever
have cause to regret the move. It is about nine
hundred and fifty miles from Columbus to “Cole’*
settlement,”near the Brasses river, some fitly
miles above finn Felipe., and Hr, Hoxey perform
ed the trip with all of his negroes; from Mont
gomery, Ala. in six weeks.
The crops are very fine this year, indeed I may
safely say that there will he provisions enough
to spare to support abundantly double the pre
sent population. lam forming a «etrlment near
Col. Cole’s, and will he happy to welcome such of
my friends to the country as can trust themselves
beyond the shadows of their own pine forest.
Your friend, &e. •
J. W. FANNIN, jr.
Mobile, 21st. Sept. 1834.
A « ny ei n 1 /“* A
» v/ w u ■ i wr •
Saturday Morning:, Oct. 18, IS3I. .
We adverted, in our former remarks upon the pro
posed amendment to the constitution, changing the
annual for biennial elections and meetings of the leg
islature, to th? loose manner in which, owing to the
large number of members, th n proceedings ofour
legislature are conducted. Nothing can beadvaneed
to show the looseness with which legislation is car
ried on in our state, than the circumstances attending
the passing of the act by the last legislature, altering
the constitution; and which circumstances we pro
ceed to state.
Th" act amending the constitution provides, that
the Senat", instead of being elected annually, shall
he elected biennially, after the year 1835 ; that the
representative*, instead of being elected annually,
shall he fleeted biennially, also after the year 1835 ;
and that the meetings of the legislature, instead of
being annually, shall he biennially after the year
1835. Then the act extends the term of service of
the judges of the superior courts, and of the attorney
and solicitors general, from three to lour years : the
first election for judges and solicitors, agreeably to
litis am'itdm-nt, to take place in tho year 1837. So
far so good: th A sections of the constitution thus
amended, will not conflict with the amendments
proposed. But the act goes no further; and yet there
is one important section of the constitution, which,
if the proposed amendments are adopted hv the next
legislature, must become null and void. The 15th
section of the ith article, declares, that “ no part of
this constitution shall he altered, tml 'ss a hill for that
purpose, specifying the alterations intended to be
made, shall have hern read three times in the house
of reprcpres'mtativeSj and three times in Ihe senate,
on three several days in each house, and agreed to
by two thirds of each house respectively ; and when
any such bill shall he passed in manner aforesaid, the
same shall he published at least six months previous
to the NEXT ENSUING ANNUAL ELECTION
FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEM
BLY ; anil ifsitcb alterations, or any of them, so pro
posed, shall h? agreed to in THEIR FIRST SES
SION THEREAFTER, by two thirds of each
branch of the general assembly, after the same shall
have been read three times, on three separate days,
in each resp ctive house, then, and not otherwise, the
same sha 11 become a part of this constitution.”
This section gives power to the legislature to alter
the constitution, provided the meetings of that legls
laiuro bs annual, and the election of the members be
also annual. If the meetings and elections are bien
nial, will the legislature possess still the power dele
egated to it by that 15th section ? Certainly not. —
.This section becomes null and void,and the legislature
is deprived of a most important power. The act pass
ed at the last scssior of the legislature should have
amended the 15th section, which relates to annual
elections and meetings,as well as the sections actually
altered- Why was it not done ?
We are aware that, if the proposed amendments to
the constitution, go into operation, the spirit of the
15th section would authorise the legislature to alter
the constitution, because that spirit wishes every
amendment to be adopted by two separate but suc
cessive legislatures ; whether the elections of the
members and meetings of the legislature, be annual
or biennial, it matt ts not; hut the very letter of the
constitution would he violated; and this letter of the
cons.itution cannot be misunderstood ; and the keen
est ing malty cannot construe the section in question
so as to make it correspond with the proposed amend
meats. It is then very clear, tint, if we wish
to follow the letter of the constitution, the legis
lature will c -use to possess the power of amendment,
until the loth section is amended to correspond with
ihe propos'd amendments.
But another serious question arise*. The 15th
s ction gives power to the legislature to change or
alter or amend the constitution. In this very sec
tion th i forms to be pursued are explicitly and ex
pressly provided, and ’he most essential of those forms
contemplate annual elections of members and annual
meetings of the legisislure. The question then is,could
th 2 legislature exercise the power of amendment, hv
changing the forms,without violating this 15th section?
By this section it is evident, that all amendments must
be has e d on annual elections of members, and annu
al meetings of th? legislature: this is peremptory:
by (If' proposed amendments, all future alterations
are to bs based on biennial elsclions of members and
biennial meetings of tho legislature ; the obvious con
clusion then, is, that th? legislature eould not amend
the constitution so as to render null anJ void an im
portant provision of that instrument, without first
amending that clause which evidently conflicts with
the ammjnvmts made, ami which seems to us to pre
clude any amendment affecting, and, in fact, des
troy ing the force of its provisions. This 15th sec-|
tiaa prescribes the forms for amending the constitu- ,
lion; can the legislature alter those forms without
th? authority of that instrument w hich established
them, or without the authority of that power which
gave Iff? and force to that instrument ?
Wc have given our opinion upon this interesting j
point of the subject under consideration. We in ij
be mistaken in onr view of it; we will with pi asnro
1 receive any communication which may throw light
! upon it, and show tha ineorrectn ss of th» positions
| we have assumed in regard to this importrnt con ni
tutional question.
CoiigrcsKional He turn*.
The returns from 79 counties, give the following
segregate of the votes for rn -tubers of Congress.—
There are 11 counties to be h ard from, which, from
what we have been informed was tbs result of the
elections in those counties, will increase the union
ticket to about 500 votes more. The counties f-oin
which we have no authentie roturns are, Appling,
Cherokee, Cobb, Etnanpel, Ixjwndes, Paulding, Ra
bun, Sumter, Union, Walker, and Ware.
UNION. STATE RIGHTS.
Coffee, .10.600 I Real], 36,621
Grantland, 30,597 ( (’happell, 26,759
Hayn<w, 30,6 S 1 I DanoU, 26,599
Owen*, 30,601 j Foster, 27,267
Schley, 30,959 I Gambia, 26.965
Sanford, 30,500 | Gilmer, 27,532
Terrell, 30,583 | Lamar, 36,620
Towns, 30,732 j N vvnan, 26,;>80
Wayn*, 31,010 I Wilde, 37,122
State Legislature.
We have received the returns of all the coun
ties except live, namely : Cobb, Paulding, U
nion, Walker and Wore. We are enabled to
give the political complexion of’ both branches of
tne General Assembly, as follows :
In the 85 counties heard from, 85 senators and
171 representatives were elected, in two coun
ties, Monroe and Cass, there were ties for re
presentatives, one for each county. Os the 85
senators elected, 56 are union men and 29State
Rights; of the 171 representatives, 107 are
union men, and 64 State Rights; giving a ma
jority in the Senate to the union party of 27. and
in the house of 43 ; in joint ballot a majority of
70. Os the 5 coimties to he heard from official*
ly, we have been informed that the union ticket
has succeeded in Cobh, Union, Walker, and
Ware, and the State Rights in Paulding. Add.
ing these comities to the 85, the result will he,
that the union putty will have in the senate 60 !
senators, and tiie State Rights party 3l(, giving a
majority to the Union party ot 60; and in the
house, the union party will have 1| 1 represen
tatives, and the State Rights 65, giving a majorr
ty of 46 ; and on joint ballot a majority of 76.
Meilical Coileffi* «f Georgia.
The Introductory L*‘*tures, in this Institution, will
be delivered during next week, (commencing on
Monday) in the Chapel of the Academy. Th 1 publi#
are respectfully invited to attend.
Tl»c Crops*.
The Charleston Courier of the 17th inst.. says ;
“We have been shewn several letters front the coun
try, giving very unfavorable accounts of the cotton
and rice crops.
“A letter from a planter on Waccamaw, states that
where he supposed he would not have lost over 200
bushels Rice, by the late gale, he finds on
that there will be a loss of at least 300 barrels by the
freshets which have subsequently taken place.
“A letter from 81. Matthews of the 10th iiist.info!ms
that lbs cotton crop* in that vicinity will be excivd
ly shortened by the excessive wet weather, and fears
are entertained that the quality will also be material
ly injured, by the sprouting of the seed in the pod,and
thus when ginned, many of them will break up in the
Colton, and leave it full of specks.
“ A l iter from Darien advises that 'he Sea Island
Crop in that vicinity will not approach one half of the
usual product, and the Upland in the interior not much
more.”
The Savannah Hoard of Health report, the deaths
of five persons in that city during the week ending
the 14lh ins'.—one by cholera.
Extracts of a letter from Mobile to a Mercantile
House in this city, dated
“MOBILE, OCT. B.—Until latterly our ac
counts from the section of country, tributary to
this market, represented the growing cotton crop
in a prosperous condition ; but within the last
three weeks, we learn that in several districts,
an insect has appeared, which in its progress, is
doing much injury to the plant ; th s, coupled
with the unhealthy state of the country bordering
the large livers, may tend to render the pros
pects of the planter less flattering. Still, we are
inclined to believe that this year’s crop of South
Alabama, will under any citcumslances exceed j
the last, (which was 149,500 bales,) some 15 a
25,000 in bales.
From the best information, we have been ena
bled to obtain from New Orleans, it is calculated
that the exports there, during the present season,
will not materially differ from those of the past,
which readied 462,253 bales, whilst F onda may
shew a considerable access, made up in part Irom
Georgia.
“ Between 3 and 400 hales of onr new crop
have come to market. The quality so far as we
have seen is good, both as regards colour and sta
ple, and some small lots have met buyers .it l ie.
At this price we would deem it unsafe ;o operate .
still, so long as wc continue to receive favorable
advices from the other side, a decline can scarce
ly be looked for until our market becomes well
supplied.
“Freights.—Coastwise Jc. No vessel loading |
for Europe.
‘■Exchange on England—none offered ; on the
North 2 a 2-ic. dis.”
BOARD OF HEALTH, f
Savannah, 15th Oct —l2 o’clock, M. \
The Board of Health announce to their fellow :
citizens, that no case of malignant cholera has j
been reported to the board, as existing wnhm the (
limits of the city, since tlieir last report, nor has
any such case come to the knowledge ot the ,
Board. £jj S. II ENRY, Chairman.
S. Sheftvll. Secretary, B. H.
On motion. Resolved, that in consequence of t
the improved stale of the public health, tht*
Board will dispense with daily meetings and re
sidue their weekly meetings, unless sooner call, j
ed together by the Chairmen.
Sincnih/r effects o f Beauty on n Young Man. —
Bishop Dupov invited one day to dinner two cler
ormen and three ladies: he noticed that during the
whole rep i st. the youngest of the clergymen had
his eves fixed on one of the ladies, who was very
handsome. The Bishop, after dinner, when the
ladies had retired, asked him what he thought of
| the lady he had just been looking as. The cler
' rrymaii answered:— “My lord, in looking at‘the
lady, I was reflecting that her beautiful forehead ,
will one dav he covered with wrinkles; that the
coral on her lips will pass to her eyes, the vivac- |
itv of which will he extinguished: that the ivory of I
her tae'h will he changed to ebony; that to the j
1 I
lilies and roses ofher complexion the withered
appearance of care will succeed; that her tine soil
akin will become a dry parchment; that her n
greenble smiles will lw; converted into grimace*
—ami at teogih she will become the ontidoteof
love.’ J never should Have supposed, said the
Bishop, that the signt of a fins woman would
have inspired a young man with such profound
meditations.
MONTIIOMERY7(AfaJ OCT. 11.—Tot. •
ton begins to come in pretty freely.—A largo
proportion of it is stored, with the expectation of
belter prices.
The River rose several feet, a saw days since*
and is now in good condition. Several Boats
ore expected soon,
Colton is selling, now, at from IJJ to
cents per pound.
C O JI M E IS €1 A L . ■ >
I. A TEST DATE FROM LIVERPOOL t t I SETT. 6.
LATEST DATE FROM HAVRE : , , , xi'O. 26
HALTIMORK, Itri. lit.— Coffee. — .Alu.nl lOill
have 1 een laken ilit. week qt price* rainjiiiu I'lmu 11, m
li| to 12 cl*.—ehieffv ,11 the inuhfle laics. t>Sie*»|'seve-*
ml linmfred h.T«* Sr. D>>iniii”o have l>een maile at HU a
10 5 rr-rrls Sale* of print* green ruham I9J a I.T
»I -IHi a :««) hags Layiiiiyra at 12 a 12A, and »,f mixed J;f
maiea at I2cciu*.
« Kitov - Sales of inferior re | aeked Uplands at 1-li A
rents: and of fair irmul at ISA ci *
llinca'd street Hour.— In the early part of Ihr
sales frinn stores were made ai >5.12{, and occasionally
»i #a 189. Within the last day >rr two,—owing to thrf
coiitmnanre of :i fair demand, and (he mttnrlwm of th«'
Stocks try reason of the smallnt ss of the rere.pN, Utr
market lias her me more drill, and prices hare advniicerl
a Inile. Sale* have sim fe-l ei ti made at ?s.ts}. ami fSvSSi
mid ai the last named rale it is in gnnd deinaud 10-dav.*
The wagon price in the early pan of (he week was £eite
nt fly > V Inti -ince then ii has Dili aneeil. an,l iu, w
front i 55.12 j. The falling olf in the rweeipis arise*
front the occupation ofllm fimners in the business til aeed
n>".
H'hUlrn. —The market has been quiet, anil transac
tions limited. We time sales el Rials at 30 n 3o[ cents'
and In Is at 32a 33 eenrs. Tile supplies by wap,ins con'
tinne •mall; the wnson prire ofhrls is now alteiil 29 rents
a lift sales of i fit-same from stores ate making m small l,n*
nl 33 a"4 rent*. The inspections of lit* week comprise if
hhds and 8/Bbt(s—a l Itv waeons.
PM IL \ OKI- PH I A , Oct. 10.— LWf«».—The demand tin*
been quite moderate at former prices. The sales report
ed only amount to 131 t.alss I jdand m HA, I4{ and 1.V.,
3 iind 4 inns.: 32 (tales X iriiiiiia at MA anil Lie, and a sntalF
pat cel of Louisiana al Ifjc. Amo*. Arrived tins week
from Ha vault ah. 33'> hales.
WhmOrtt. —The i e Tipis einil inne lieht —sales from urng
ons in hhds at AHlr.. 6run store 20A. and upwards of 27J.
[ bi ts, at 30 cents. The demand is (air.
X.\T( 'll HZ, t iel 2.—The weather has'been terrible foe
the planter's prospeets. Smee Monday it lias rained al
most constantly. On Tne ilav u blew a "ale, ami almost
inralenlah e dainaze has been done to the ernps. It is in,,
possible i« make any estimate except of that in the im
mediate vicinity of the city, and wr think h e speak willi
ill hounds, when we put it down ni 30 pei ceiil We liavn
no prospect of fair weather vet, anil yytry Imui 's rain is
doitis a vast amount ol injury:
( ntre*. — Prices have advanced from a half to a cent
on onr lasi quntaiions. A sale was effected this morning
at 14 cents—it uas of prime quality.
shipped this Week, 2119
*• previously, 7(i3
Total since Ist Heps. J 173
Shipped saine lime a-i year, 70H
Bogging ami Huge. —,\o variation in price*, allhouk’lv
there is a large slock on hand.
MAKIA I: ISTKIXIGEMCE.
FROM Tins PORT.
Steamer Caledonia, Hubbard, Savaiinsih.
Steamer Georgia, Lyon, do.
SAVANNAH, Oct. 16.-— Arr’d. Rr. ship Nimrod,
Atkins, .Liverpool. Pass-ntger, sfr. K. .lohnsort ; schr
Lewis Spr>nc-T, .lain’ a. Truxillo, hound to New York,
put in in distress; .steamers Caledonia, Hubbard,
and Georgia, I .von, Augusta.
Sail -d, brigs Nt w Hanover, Levy, Philadelphia ;
Grecian, Cord, Port Royal; .Mail.; t fttawiiy, Morion,
Dari-Tt.
XN’enl to sea, ship Floridian, O-ho n , New York;
l»ri'_-s Fratue s, Croft, Philadelphia ; CIIIIO, Harden,
Providence ; schr. Edward Vine nil, Alcorn, New
A"o k.
CHARLESTON, 'Oct. 17.—Arr. Sp, brig Gen.
Ricaibrt, Marlire-z, Havana.
Went to sea, ship Calhoun, O'.N nll, N"w ;
lirig Planter, Stuart, do. ; Comet, Trout, J’hdadel
phia ; Keif. Pacific, LUivn, Providence.
BALTIMORE, <>et. I f.—Sailed, ships
Barclay, for Bretu "11; Alex uW, Charlraton.
MAJBILE, Oct. 10.—Arr. ship Junior, Parker, fm. •
New York.
(’bared, brig Altaknpns, Croiglr ad, Tampico.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. J. — Arr. brig Comaquid, 1
Snow, Boston.
DC/ 3 The Subscriber, a gradii
nlcof:hu University of Ctnnbridgc, in England,
offers his services to such of the Ladies and
Gentlemen of tins city, as may ho desirous of
instruction in any of the following Sciences and
Branches of Literature, viz : Geology and Min
eralogy, Chemistry, Botany, or Entomoly ;
the branches of Natural Philosophy, compris
ing Mechanics, Astronomy, Hydrostatics am)
Optics;—the Latin, French or Spanish La>-
guages ; <>r Algebra and Arithiiietie.
He will give his 'attention-fa a class 1 Consist
ing of not less than eight persons on any of the
above subjects.—For terms and further pavticn
lar», application may be made to the subscriber
at tiie Planter’s Hotel, or at the Book Stores of
Mr. Richards and of Mr. Plant, where name*
of persons wishing to attend any course will be
received. JOHN POWELL.
October 15 6 42
[CTThe Exorcises of Mrs. C.
A.Subal’s FEMALE BOARDING ACADE
MY'. are still continued in Augusta, in th« nms
House occupied last year.
Ai! the Branches of a Polite English EdtiM.
Uou, together with French, Music. Dancing
and Panning, are taught in the Academy.
Mrs 8. hopes to merit, by unremitting atten
tion to the Pnpiis confided to her care, a eonttnua.
i tion of the patronage so liberally bestowed. A
! few Boarders cun be accommodated.
October 9 36
[CT 3 Any person having a goo d
and experienced N URSE to hire, can find a sit
j nation for her, by applying to
G. R. ROUNTREE, k
IIE will also hire out several good Servant**
■ among whom is a good Washer and Ironer.
October 9 6 36
XT The Subscribers have
moved their Counting House into the Eastern
Tenement attached to Mason &. Randle’s Ware-
House, up stairs, where they are prepared t*
1 make advances on the most liberal term* o*
! shipments of cnjtton to their friends in Liver,
: pool, Havre, Now York and Savannah.
They offer for sale Bills on New York ol
| any sight and in sums to suit purchaser*.
GAN All L, WOOLHOPTER A CO.
October 8 3nt 36 **
{CT Or. Cunningham, has r#-
J moved to Reynold street, two doors holuw Wa*h
; ington street, opposite A. Cumming’s Wareli»us*» ;
October 3 tN 32
DC? 3 The Honorable the Justi
ces of the Inferior Court will, on the 4ih Mon,
day of tiie present month, proceed to appoint a
Keeper or Superintendent to take'charge ol the
Poor House, for the County of Richmond, the
duties to commence on the Ist January next.
Applications will be received in writing by the
undersigned until the day of appointing.
JAMES McLAWS, Clerk,
October 15 "s 4 42
j [Gr Dr. L. A. Dugas has r©-
; moved to the House on Reynold street, here,
i tofbre occupied by Mrs. Smelt,
j October 11 t 39
I