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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST: I
JAMES GARDNER, JR.
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MESSAGE.
To the Senate of the United Stales:
I return to the Senate, in which it origina
ted, the Hill entitled “an act to provide for
the ascerlHinmcnl and satisfaction of claims
of American citizens for spolialion committed
by the French prior to the dial wl July, 1801, ”
which was presented to me on the 6th insl.,
with my objections to its becoming 1 a law.
In attempting to give the Bill the careful
examination it requires difficulties presented
themselves in the outset, from the remote
ness of the period to which the claims belong,
the complicated nature of the trausalions in
which they originated,and the protracted ne
gotiations to which they led between Fiance
and the United .Stales. The short time in
tervening between the passage of the bill by
Congress and the approaching close of their
session, as well as the pressure of other offi
cial duties, have not permitted me to extend
my examination of the subject into its minute
details. Hut in the consideration that 1 have
been able to give to it, 1 find objections of a
grave character to its provisions.
For the satisfaction of the claims provided
for, it is proposed to appropriate five millions
of dollars. I can perceive no legal or equit
able ground upon which this larue appropria
tion can rest. A portion of the claims have
been more than half a century before the
government in its Executive or legislative
departments, and all of them had their origin
in events which occurred prior to 1800.—
Since 1802 they have been Irom time to lime
before Congress. No greater necessity or
propriety exists for providing for these claims
at tins time than has existed for near a cen
tury; during all which period this questiona
ble measure has never, until the present
lime received.tlie favorable consideration of
Congress. Jt is scarcely probable, if the
claim had been regarded as obligatory upon
the government, or constituting an equitable
demand upon the Treasury, that those who
were contemporaneous with the events which
gave rise to it, should not long since have
done justice to the claimants. The Treasu
ry has often been in a condition to enable the
Government to do so without incon.enience,
if the claims had been considered just. JMr.
Jefferson, who was fully cognizant of the
early dissentions between the Government of
the U. Stales and France, out of which the
claims arose, in his annual, message in 1808
adverted to the large surplus then in the
Treasury, and its “probable accumulation,”
and inquired whether it should lie “unpro
ductive in the public vaults,” and yet these
claims though then before Congress were not
recognised or’paid. Since that, the public
debt of the cevolution and of the war of 1812
lias boon extinguished, and at several periods
since, the Treasury has been in possession of
large surplusses over the demands upon it.—
In 1836 the surplus amounted to many mil
lions of dollars, and for want of proper objects
to which to apply it, it was directed by Con
gress to be deposited with the Slates.
During this extended course of time, em
bracing periods eminently favorable for sa
tisfying all just demands upon the Govern
ment, the claims embraced in this bill met
with no favor in Congress, beyond the Re
ports ofCommittees in oneortlie other branch.
These circumstances alone are calculated to
raise strong doubts in re.spect to these claims; I
and especially, as all information necessary
to a correct judgment concerning them, has |
been long before ifie public. These doubts I
are strengthened in my mind by the examina
tion I have been enabled to give to the trans
action in which they originated.
The bill assumes that the United States
have become liable in those ancient transac
tions to make reparation to the claimants for
injuries committed by Fiance. Nothing was ;
obtained for claimants by negotiation; and the
bill assumes that the Government has be- ;
come many ways responsible for these claims, i
The limited time allowed me, before your ad
journment makes it impossible to reiterate
the facts and arguments by which, in prece
ding Congresses, these claims have been suc
cessfully resisted. The present is a period
particularly unfavorable for the satisfaction
of claims of so large an amount, and, to say
the least of them, of so doubtful a character.
There is no surplus in the Treasury. A
public debt of several millions has been ere- i
ated within the last few years. We are en
gaged in a foreign war uncertain as to its ;
duration, and involving heavy expenditures;
to prosecute which war, Congress has, at its
present session, authorized a further loan.—
JSo that in effect the Government, should
this bill become a law, would have to borrow
money and increase the public debt to pay
these claims. It is true, that by the provi
sions of the bill, payment is directed to be
made in land scrip instead ol money, but the
effect upon the Treasury will be the same.
The public lands constitute one of the
sources of public revenue,and ifthese claims
be paid in land scrip, it will, from the date of
the issue, to a great extent, cut off from the ;
Treasury the annual income from the sale of j
public land.-; because payments lor the lands
sold bv the Government may be expected to i
be made in scrip until it is all redeemed. If
those claims be just they ought to be paid in
money, and nothing less valuable. The Hill j
provides that they shall be paid in land scrip,
whereby they are in effect to be a mortgage
upon the public lands in the new {Stales; a
mortgage, too, held in great part, if not wholly, i
by non-residents of the Slates in which the i
lands lie, who may secure these lands to the ;
amount of several millions of acres, and then
demand lor them exorbitant prices from the i
citizens of other States who may desire to !
Eurchase them for settlement, or they may
eep them out of the market and thus retard \
the prosperity and growth of the Stales in j
which they are situated. Why this unusual
mode of satisfying claimants upon the Trea
sury has been resorted to, does not appear.
It is not consistent with a sound public policy.
If it be done in this case it may be done in all
others. It will form a precedent for the saiis- j
faction of all other stale and questionable I
claims, and would undoubtedly be resorted to j
by all claimants, who, after successive trials, I
| shall fail to have their claims recognised and
' paid in money by Congress.
The bill proposes to pay five millions of
dollars, to be paid in land scrip, and provides
“that no claim or memorial shall be received
by the commissions” authorized by the act,
“unless accompanied by a release or dischar
ge of the U. S. from all other and further i
compensation than the claimant may be eii
j titled to receive under the provisions of the j
act.” These claims are estimated to amount
to a much larger sum than five millions of !
dollars, and yet the claimant is required to 1
release to the Government ail other compen- ■
gallon, and to accept his share of a fund j
known to be inadequate.
If these claims be well founded, it would be
unjust to the claimants to repudiate any por
tion of them, and tlie remaining sum could
hereafter be resisted. The bill proposes to
j pay these claims not in the currency known
to the Constitution, and not to their foil
i amount.
Passed, as this bill has been, near the close
of the session, and when many measures of
importance necessarily demand the attention
j of Congress, and possibly without that full ,
! and delilierate consideration winch the large
i sum it appropriates and the existing s'ate of i
the treasury and of the country demand, I
deem it to be my duty to \vithhold my approval,
that it may hereafter undergo the revision of |
Congress, i have come to the conclusion i
I with regret. In interposing my objections i
l to its becoming a law, I am truly sensible
; that it should be an extreme case which
i would make it the duty of the Executive to
> withhold his approval of any bill passed by *
; Congress upon the ground of its expediency I
alone. Such a case I consider this to he.
JAMES K. FOLK.
Washington, Aug. 8, 1846.
I [ From (he St. Louis Republican. Avgust 4.]
VERY LATE FROM SANTA I E.
Major Howard and Lieut. May, who were
! despatched by the U. S. Government to New 7
j Mexico last Spring, arrived here last night ’
! on the steamer Amaranth. We learn from
i them that they left the settlements on their ;
return about the Ist of July, and Santa Fe-,
the 6th. With the exception of rumors, in ;
i relation to the war between the two govern
ments, one of which was, that Gen. Taylor
i had surrendered to Gen. Ampudia, which oc- '
casioned some rejoicing—all was quiet on j
their departure.
Through*an express, which reached Major
Howard at Taos, the day before lie left, they
; were first informed of the approach of Gen. ;
Kearney, and the intelligence created great I
excitement. The Governor issued liis pro- ,
clarnation, calling upon the Mexicans to nre- ;
pare to meet the invaders. A small body of i
Texans, emigrating to California, thirteen in
i number, who had lost their way, were taken ;
prisoners, under the supposition that they i
' were spies, or the advance of the Americans, |
but they were finally released. The princi- j
pal Alcaide, at Taos, and some of the priests, i
were very busy in stirring up the people to a
resistance of the threatened invasion; they
are represented as being weil disposed to
: ward the Americans, and it is thought that j
j no force xan be raised. The only regular
i troops in New 7 Mexico is a body of 25(J men ;
at {Santa Fe, with six«pieces of artillery.—
I Tiiere was no intelligence of any troops be- I
ing on the inarch, from the lower depart- I
I moots, for the protection of that provence. *
It is supposed that efibits are being made, or
j will be, to engage or enlist tlie Puebla In- j
: dians, who are a strong body, numbering six '
or seven thousand men, into their service,
i Speyers bad not reached .Santa Fe, nor
i was lie met on the way, and it is supposed
! he look tiie lower road. Messrs. Doan &l j
! Co., were the only traders that had got into j
j Santa Fe, and they were in advance of their I
| goods.
Capt. Moore, with four companies of Dra- i
I goons, accompanied by near three hundred I
! wagons, comprising Glasgow’s, llamanj 7 , and I
* Maguffin’s trading companies, were met at j
the crossing of the Arkansas; Capfs. {Sum- '
ner and Cook’s two companies of Dragoons j
at the Big Arkansas; Gen. Kearney on the
17th, twenty miles beyond Pawnee Fork, and I
! Major Swords’ command, guarding the pro- i
vision wagons in the rear of the Little Ar- i
; kansas. The whole were getting on well, I
and Gen. Kearney expected to reach Bent’s
Fort by the Ist of August, where he would :
halt a short time to assemble and refresh the i
, troops, and would then push on, without wait- :
! ing for Colonel Price's Regiment. A volun- j
| teer of the name of Pearson, died on the j
route, and another had been drowned whose
name was not recollected.
Information was given Major Howard, at
| Bent’s Fort, derived from the Delcware, and
I oilier tribes of Indians, that the Camanches
manifested a hostile disposition, and a large
body, said to be seven hundred strong, bad
been committing depredations on the traders,
and had exhibited the scalps of two whites
whom they had killed; as Iris party consisted
of only twenty-two men, he apprehended an
attack; but they did not make their appear
ance, until the camp fires of Capt. Moore’s :
companies were in view, w'hieb no doubt de
terred them from carrying out their hostile ;
intent. The Kansas and Camanches had a
severe battle, about the Ist of July, near tire -
Pawnee Fork, in which a number of each :
party were killed. Major Howard and bis j
party reached Independence without having !
met with any serious difficulty or detention
on the way.
[From the Athens Banner. August 11.]
THE CO.MM ENCEM ENT.
The bustle and excitement of the past j
week has given place to our usual quiet—tire 1
i crowd has come and gone, bearing with it, j
we trust, gratifying recollect ions of our
classic town, and favorably impressed with
the interesting incidents of a Commencement j
i occasion. An unusual number of visitors
congregated to witness the exercises, and we
believe the general impression was, tfiat on \
no former occasion have those exercises been
of a more elevated character.
| The gold medals contended for by the ora
■ tors selected from the Sophomore Class, were
awarded—the first to John J. Grant, of Upson
j county, and the second to Charles A. A. Dun
wody,of Roswell, Cobb county,' The Hon.
j Win. C Dawson, as the organ of tiie com
mittee, in presenting the medals, paid a high
; compliment to the speaking talents of all the
j orators, announcing that the committee had
! found it difficult to discriminate, where all the
performances bad been so excellent.
1 The Address before the Alumni Society,
t by James W. Harris. Esq., we did not hear;
’ but those who did, pronounce it an effort of .
great power and brilliancy.
We listened with much pleasure on Thurs
day, to the practical and profound address
delivered by Hon. J. L. Peltigru before the
; Demosthenian and Phi Kappa Societies. His
| subject was the progress of knowledge, and
j ably did be discourse upon it. The address is
I one of those productions which will bo read
with interest and advantage, and we presume j
! the public will ere long have opportunity of :
its perusal.
The Trustee* have elected Doct. John Le-
Conte,nf Savannah, In (lie Professorship of
Natural Philosophy and Chemistry. Doct. L.
was a graduate of this instilution in 1838.
and it is a high compliment to his capacity
: and talents, that he was elected over a num
j her of competitors, among whom were some
very distinguished and experienced gentle
men.
AUGUSTA. GEO..
FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 14, IS4G.
lETUpon our first page, will be found the
Message of the President of the United
States, and other interesting public docu
ments, upon the settlement of the Oregon
question.
GEN. DAVID E. TWIGGS.
We are gratified to learn that the citizens
of this city and count}’, have made arrange
ments to present lo (Jen. Twiggs, a Sword,
as a testimonial of their appreciation of his
gallant conduct in the battles of Palo Alta,
and Resica dela Palma, on the Bth and Otb
j May, last. '
VOTE ON THE INTEUXAL IMPROVEMENT RIEL
Below will be found I lie vote in die Senate
upon the internal improvement bill which
■ induced the veto of the President.
\ Eas —Messrs. Allen, Ashley, Harrow. Benton,
Berrien, Hreese, Cameron, (’ass, John M. Clayton,
' Thomas Clayton. Con* in, Davis, Dayton, Dickin-
I son, Dix, Greene. JHannegan, Huntington, Jarna
| gin, Johnson of Louisiana. Johnson oC Maryland,
Miller, Morehead, Pearce, Phelps, Rusk, Semple,
Sevier, Simmons, Speight, Sturgeon, Upham,
VVeb-ter and Wood bridge—3l.
Nays—Messrs. Archer, Atherton, Baghy, Cal
houn. Chalmers,Cilley, Fairfield, Haywood, Hous
ton, Lewis, Mangum, Niles, Fenny backer,Turney,
i Westcott, and Vulee—l6.
THE MAINE SENATOR AGAIN.
In the Maine Age, of August 7th, is a long
1 editorial article reviewing the causes which
i induced the whigs of that state to attempt to
excite suspicions of fraud in the election of
j James W. Bradbury, to the Senate of the U.
i
! States from the slate of Maine. From that
i paper, we extract the following, which, while
it triumphantly vindicates the purity of die 1
j election referred to, likewise exhibits the
j “harmonious whigs” in confidential brother
hood, in no very enviable light.
Alter furnishing indubitable evidence of
i the care and vigilance exercised in counting
j the ballots at that election, the editor pro
| ceeds:
But the evidence does not stop here, even.
Since the Whigs have published their re
monstrance, we have ascertained, and are j
j authorised to stale, that more than seven- i
; ty-three democrats (the number necessa
. ry for a choice) voted for James W. Brad
; BURY ON THE FINAL BALLOT. Os Ihe truth of
j this statement, we have the evidence in our
| possession. This fact is also known and ad
| milled by the federalists, fur the Journal of |
: July 24th, says;
i “We understand that 74 or more democrats de- \
j flare that they voted for Air. Bradbury."
What then can he said for the truth of the ;
statement of the whigs—that there was mis
take—fraud, and no election? Wfeat will he |
said of those fifty-three whigs who it is re- |
; ported have not only certified but sworn that i
1 they voted for Mr. Evans? Have any of them
! certified and sworn falsely? It is a notorious I
j fact, that leading federalists have repeatedly j
| declared that some of their men had bolted I
i and lied about it, and I hat they had no doubt i
| they would swear falsely also. In the de- j
| bale in the House, Mr. Friend of Etna, said: ;
“On the afternoon of the balloting, a member, \
who heard him now, stated to him (Mr. F.) that :
there were two whigs who voted for Mr. Bradbury , i
and he. knew them. Another fact, —he had learned j
on reliable authority, that one of the leading whigs !
in the House was recently heard to say‘he was sat
isfied that some members of liis party, had bolted '
and lied about it; hut be wanted them togo to h—l 1
with tbe additional crime of perjury on their :
souls!’” I
Did any member of the federal party ques- !
tion the truth of what Mr. Friend declared.—
Not at all. They knew it was all true.
NAVIGATION OF THE COLUAIBIA RIVER.
Gov. Cass, a few days since, introduced a 1
resolution requesting the Secretary of the
Senate to cause to be printed for the use of
the Senate the following document.
Extract from the charter granted to the Hud- \
son's Bay Cimipany by Charles the. 2 d, j
dated May the 2d, in the two and twentieth j
year of his reign, being 1671.
The third section provides that the persons !
named, “and such others as shall be admitted !
into the said society, as is hereafter expressed, !
shall be one body corporate and politique, in ;
deed and in name, by the name of the Gov- \
ernor and Company of Adventurers of England !
trailing into Hudson's Bay, and them by the
name of The Governor and Company of Ad- \
venturers of England trading into Hudson's j
B uj, one body corporate and politique, in 1
deed and in name, really and fully forever i
for us, our heirs and successors,” &c.
Section 12. And further we do bv these |
presents, for us, our heirs and successors,
make, create, and constitute the said Gov
ernor and Company, for the time being and
their successors, the true and absolute lords
and proprietors of the same territories, limits, i
and places aforesaid, and of all other the
premises, saving always the faith and allegi- I
ance and sovereign dominion to us, our heirs
and successors, for the same; to have, hold,
possess, and enjoy the said territories, limits, 1
and places, and all and singular other the :
premises hereby granted, as aforesaid, with
their and every of their rights, members, ju
risdictions, prerogatives, royalties, and ap- !
punenances whatsoever, to them the said ,
Governor and Company and their successors ;
forever, to be holden of ns, our heirs and
successors, as of ourmanor of East Green
wich, in the county ofKent, in free and com
mon soccage, and not in capite, or by knight'
service: yielding and paying yearly to us,
our heirs and successors, for the same, two j
eiks and two black beavers, whensoever and i
as often as we, our heirs and successors, \
shall happen to enter into the said countries,
territories, and regions hereby granted.
The Baltimore Republican in reference to
this subject says:—Notwithstanding the posi- I
live language used in the above quotation
from the Charier, it would seem from a short
discussion which arose on the introduction
of the resolution, that there is still some
doubt whether the charter be perpetual or
limited.
- 11- ||,m * tii, ~r ri~
FRENCH SPOLIATION BILL.
We publish in other columns the Message
1 of President Polk, assigning his reasons lor
vetoing this bill.
“From p°ak to peak.’lhe railing crags among
Leaps the live thunder.”
The editors of the Georgia Journal and
Chronicle &• Sentinel were still engaged, at
the last accounts, in their endeavors to pro\e
which of the two, is the correct representa
tive of whigery in Georgia.
As the democrats can enjoy the privilege
of looking on at the difficulty, it makes but
little difference to them who obtains the ad
vantage, How harmonious the whigs are!
I Perfect models—no wonder they tell the de
mocrats about Pennsylvania.
The next rumbling of the “ live thunder
may be heard in Milledgeville about next
Tuesday morning, if the Jove of the Journal
does not become too “ reluctant to pump—
Let the paper bullets fly—“ it will never do
to give it up so” Mr. Thweat.
NEW COTTON.
The New Orleans Picayune of August Bth,
under its editorial head, writes thus:
The first bale of new cotton sent to this
market tins season was received yesterday
bv Win. Laugblin & Co. It was a good de
scription of lair cotton, from the plantation of
; ex-Governor McNutt, of Mississippi. It was
| sold at 14 cenis.
Under the commercial head of the same
paper, and of the same date, appears the fol
lowing remarks:
Cotton. —A package of about 150 lbs. new
Cotton, which cannot be dignified by the title
of the “first bale of new Cotton of the sea
son,” was received this morning from the
i plantation of Ex-Governor, A. G. McNutt,
I of Mississippi. It appears not to have ar
i rived at proper maturity, is badly cut in the
gin, and can hardly pass as a fair sample of
new Cotton.
I)EMOC 11 ATIC AIEETING.
At a meeting of the democratic party held
in Augusta, on the 12th inst., Mr. Geo. \V. j
Lamar, was called to the Chair, and W. H.
Pritchard, requested to act as Secretary.
On motion, the following gentlemen were
j appointed a committee to report the names of
j delegates to represent the County of Rich
{ mond in the Democratic Convention to he |
| held in Warrenton, on the 15th inst., P. Mc-
Gran, Dr. Newton, Thos. J. Walton, John 11.
; Mann, and S. 11. Oliver.
The following are the names of the Dele
i gates reported, and approved by the meeting.
Maj. J. Alexander, Win. R. McLavvs, and
! Wm. Schley,jr.
| On motion—
Resolved, That our delegates have full
power to supply any vacancy that may occur:
• Resolved, That the proceedings he pub
i lisiied in the Georgia Constitutionalist.
GEO. \V. LAMAR, Ch’m. i
W. 11. Pritchard, Soc’y.
[communicated ]
j Mr. Editor —What has become of onr :
I Board of Health ? What has become of our
city Scavenger? Do make the enquiry, and ;
| let us know. ALL DOWN TOWN. ;
GATHERINGS FRO AI THE PRESS.
O’Mrs. Gen. Gaines and children, were i
i at St. Louis, on the 28th ult.
j O’Gen. Gaines is 80 years old, and the j
I oldest officer, except one, in the service.
Elworth Outdone. —The pedestrian, Geo.
I Clarke, has completed his undertaking of
! walking 1,500 miles in 1,000 successive hours
at Norwich, England.
Consumption of Ice. —The Missouri, from j
New Orleans, arrived on the 2nd inst., at tft.
, Louis, consumed on her passage up, four and j
i a half tons of ice, besides a hogshead of the i
same material which had been packed forthe i
’ private consumption of the bar!
CTTlie Razor Strop Man is in New Haven. 1
; A man got ani;ry with him and called him a
: fool. “Weil,” said he,“if I am, there is one
more left of the same sort.”
O’lt is reported that Joe Claveau, the celc- '
| brated clown attached to the circus cpmpany
of Messrs. Howe and Mabie, committed sui
cide, by cutting his throat with a razor, at
1 lowa City, a few days ago.— Reveille, July 30.
Spurious Money. —Counterfeit Mexican dol
• lars are very plentiful in Philadelphia and !
other places. They are a new and recent
i issue.
•
Maine. —All the bank charters, in this
| State, expire in October, 1847. A bill is now
| before the legislature to re-charter them.
j Keen. —A distinguished clergyman, the
other day, having examined the process of
i manufacturing in the Middlesex (woollen)
j mill in this city, from unrolling the fleece to
| boxing up the finished cloth, —wound up his
! numerous interrogatories by asking, “if the
I wool they used in such immense quantities,
i grew on a tree similar to the cotton shrub.”
—Lowell Advertiser.
Who threw that Pie. —At a fight a few days
since, at Johnson’s Creek, New York, be
tween some of Sand’s Circus Company and j
the citizens, one of the belligerants was
picked up for dead, covered with blood. On
j washing the dead man it was found that he |
was knocked over by a cherry pie, and the \
juice was the blood—it is supposed he will
i recover.
Poisoning on hoard the Ganges. —Capt.
Siouer has been discharged. No evidence to
; establish his guilt.
A Sailor all Over. —An eye-witness tells
i the following: A few days since a jolly son
| of the ocean, was about being put on board
an outward bound ship, for which he had pre
viously entered, when he asked leave to have
another run up town. Being informed that
he could not be permitted to go, as the ship I
was about sailing, he sung out to a man on
i the wharf, an entire stranger to him, “Here,
1 my friend,” throwing him a silver dollar,
| “spend that for me—l’ll do as much for you
another lime.” Jack never gives up, while
there is a shot in the locker.
Military Promptitude. —About four weeks
ago we had an account, through the New Or
leans papers, of an unfortunate affair at
Vicksburg in. a detachment of volunteers,
on their way to the Rio Grande, in which a
sergeant, named Sneed, was killed by R. C.
Miller. *\Ve now learn from the Tennessee i
Democrat, that Miller has been tried by court ,
martial, convicted of murder and shot. i
r^ gMga j I ... ' ■ i ■ l ■ mi!. ■1- <’■
WASHINGTON CITV, }
7. 1846. S
Before leaving I think that some
few observations 1 have made relative to ob
| jects here, disconnected with polities and le-
I vislalion, which I have obtained, might fbr
nish themes for an interesting letter. I will
not undertake, however, to describe all that
I have seen, nor half that is worthy of being
seen. My visit has been too short to enable
me to perforin luflf of the latter task, and on
the former, I might till many quires of paper
without exhausting the subject. The Capitol
: itself, isTa theme for a volume. There are
two hundred apartments in it, each bating
its appropriate uses. W e have its architec
| ture, which has bePn much admired by cmi
noisenrs; its beautiful and extensive groulTHs,
i which are the pleasant resort of thousands
for recreation and exercise; its tine history I
paintings, most of them of superior mentis
works of art, and doubly interesting from
j association; its statues, which are ornamen
tal and imposing; its portraits which piesent
vividly on canvass many of our most distin
guished countrymen, living and dead, who
' have shed the lustre of their great fame, and
talents, and patriotism, upon their country’s
history. All these are themes ol criticism
and comment, and are suggestive of varied
reflection.
1 was more interested in the appearance
' of the Library of Congress than of anv other
I had seen. It is extensive, and embraces
1 in its range of contents, every variety of sub
ject. It is kept in beautiful order, and the
arrangement is altogether admirable. 1 went
' also into a room, where are kept neatly bound
, journals and proceedings, files of newspapers
| published at Washington, proceedings of tlie
I legislatures, state papers of all kinds, and in
fact everything that was ever in print in re-
I Terence to state or national affairs. It, is an.
| immense collection. lam told a heavy loss
I was sustained by fire in 1801 by tbe govern
ment. in the destruction of its then collec
tion of similar documents. The Law Library
attached to the Supreme Court, isalso a huge
repositois of Law. I recollect to have
seen but one Law Library in the United
Slates that, could approach a comparison with
it; That is the State Law Library of New
York, at the city of Albany. Lis very ex
tensive and well selected.
While in the basement, where the Su
premo Court room is located, I passed by an
immense furnace, in full blast, equal to that
| of a steam boat of one hundred horse power.
: 1 was told that this was connected by fines
with the entire basement, and that this fire
| was burning all lli£ year round, to keep dry
the pillars and arches which support this
\ immense pile. But for this precaution, so
| great would be the moisture as seriously to
j impair their strcngfii, and to unsettle the
j building.
After threading many labyrinths through
ranges of offices and committee rooms, on the
first and second floors, and winding up vari
ous stair-cases, so as to form some idea of
i the extent and uses of this great struct lire, I
I ascended to the top of the rotunda. This is
| ninety-six feet in diameter, and one hundred
[ and twenty-two feet high from the floor.
The entire height above the level of Penn
sylvania Avenue is two hundred and fifteen
feet. From this summit, you are enabled to
obtain a splendid view of the whole city, and
! surrounding country; of the Navy Yard,
i which although in the corporate limits,
I forms a separate city to itself; of Georgetown
| just above; and of Alexandria, six miles be
i low, which intercepts all the commercial
| business which finds its way up the Potomac
; into the District. Washington City itself is
improving, and increasing in population.
; New buildings are in progress of erection,
: real estate is improving in value, and rents
are high. lam told that rents are twenty
per cent, higher than in Baltimore. Yet the
latter, though spreading out in every direc
tion is compactly built, and each new range
of buildings has direct reference to economy
of space, while Washington presents the ap
pearance, as was well remarked by “one of
i the Trollopes,” of a wide plain on which a
! giant had been playing with houses, as if
i they were toys, and when tired of his sport,
: had thrown them down and strewn them in
i every direction utterly regardless of order.
| The statue of Washington, by Greetihough,
fell short of my expectation. It was massive
and majestic. But it had a very ponderous
look, it had none of that airiness which is
inseparable from grace, and which vve asso
ciate with the agile frame of Lite warrior.
The representation is that of one both warrior
and sage, his right hand pointing to Heaven,
while his left holds a Roman Sword. This
sword is much too short, not longer than
from the point of the elbow to the finger
ends of tbe statue; and taking the due pro
portions of the statue would more accurately ;
represent the Bowie Knife of modern limes.
I viewed the statue, however, inside of a house
built around it, which is a much nearer view
than comports with the design of the sculp
tor. The house is to be removed from around
it; Congress having made an appropriation
for the purpose; and then the statue viewed
from the appropriate distance may appear
more impressive and sublime.
The President’s house, and grounds are in
the finest taste, and very showy. I forbear
a minute description of a visit inside, for al
though it was at a levee, which is open to all
who may be respectably introduced, yet it
partook in this instance of the character of a
small private party of ladies and gentlemen. '
There was present much of beauty and fash
ion, with nothing of pomp and ostentation.
The assemblage was not large, but among
them were some very distinguished men, and
some very beautiful women—among the for
mer no one was more conspicuous than the
\ ice President. lie is as polished and gay
'tr. r i u’z~ ~i * wiißiiijwwwwiww^^
in the saloon, as he is stately and command
ing in the Senate. The President seem* to
j be a gentlemanly, social man, of good man
ners, quiet, yet. unrestrained, and evidently
j fond of society, while not desirous of display.
• His lady is handsome, elegant, and agreea
ble. What more can I say ? Yet, in justice,
I can say no less.
Yesterday afternoon, the “Marine Band,”
j which consists of twenty-eight members,
{ took their accustomed station in the beautiful
| grounds sloping to the river, at the south front
of the President’s house. This is, two eve
nings of the week .the fas hi on a hip promenade.
■ No vehicles are admitted within the enclo
sure. As this was said to be the last of the
i season, the concourse was unusually great.
’Phis is certainly the place to see the beauty
! and fashion of the city, and that sight is alone
worth a visit to Washington. Yet lam here
too late, by a month or two, to see the full
splendor of the array; for the number of fair
; visitors from a distance, who contributes so
much to the attractive spectacle, and who are
i usually here during the session, has recently
: diminished very rapidly.
I mentioned, in one of my letters, an in
; tended visit to the Patent office, and National
Institute. I have since accomplished both
i visits. The collections of the Institute are
. in the second story of the Patent office, and
to the second story 1 soon passed, for I have
| too lit'le of a mechanical turn, to take much
I interest in the models of American inventive
; genius, and American ingenuity, though no
| one places a higher estimate upon their value
and importance. They have won for our
country great honor, and been productive of
immense results, in advancing national pros
! perity. I did not fail, however, to inquire.
I for Remington's model of his one-icheel sulkey,
! about the paternity of which, there is some dis
•| pule, and I had the satisfaction of seeing that
wonderful specimen of American ingenuity.
I 1 hope it may yet prove a fortune io the true
! inventor. It will bean inestimable convent
! once to collecting agents, &c.,as it can follow
every cow-path through the country, and
every man’s door can be reached in defiance
of bad roads, and will be an admirable acqui
sition to gouty old gentlemen, who are fond
of deer-hunting, and do not like horseback
exercise.
The collections in the Institute embrace
j such a world of wonders, both of nature and
1 art, brought together from every portion of
f the globe, from earth, air and sea, that it
i would be a vain attempt to give an account
j of them at the close of a letter. The snb-
I ject is worthy a separate epistle, but I cannot
promise one. 'Phis is already extended the
usual length, and 1 have yet many topics still
untouched, which I designed should have a
place. I had an idea of giving a few sketches
• of distinguished members of Congress, not
delicate drawings, but somewhat after the
j charcoal style. But although 1 believe I
would he both “Rough and Ready” in that
sort of portraiture, I doubt whether you
might not, in some cases, fancy a caricature,
when an accurate likeness was intended. My
imagination had drawn pictures of some,
1 which have proved caricatures upon the liv
ing original, so far as personal appearance is
j concerned, and vice versa.
My difficulty in travelling, is not to find
| themes, but to select them; a greater difficulty
is, to abstract sufficient time from objects
which amuse and interest me, to endeavor to
ainticeand interest your readers.
RAMBLER.
GEORGIA RAIL-ROAD.
Consignees per Hail-Road, July 12.—T. N.
Poulain & Son, Scranton & Stark, 31. M. Dye,
South Carolina Rail Road, Hand & Williams,
Dawson & Weaver, 11. L. Jeffers, I. T. Heard &
: Co., Bustin & Walker, P. Flemming, Gould <k
Bulk ley, D'Antigiiac & Evans, F. Lamhack,
Adams, Hopkins & Co. and Doughty, Beall «fc
■ Roberts.
■fr n« m uni i i mmmmemtmmm mm inmim—
SOUTH-CAROLINA RAI E-ROAD.
Consignees per Rail-Ruad, August 12. —W. A.
; Carr, G. Anderson, P. A. Suminey, 11. 31. Parks,
J. Noe, A. Alexander, Georgia Rail Road, Roswell
.Mining Company, Davis & 11., A Hitchcock, J.
J. Richards, C. E. Grenville, Kenrick & Thayer,
(4. Brunner.. J. U. Dickerson, T. Richards, E. E.
Scofield, J. T. Hungerford, W. Haines, D. Hodge,
B. F. Chew, F. Lumback, B. H. Warren, Cook &.
| Clayton, H. D. Bell, A. Frederick, G. it. W iison,
G. W. Lamar Co., J. Ansley, O. 11. Lee, Dun
bar <fe 8., C. McDonald, J. E. McDonald, J. F.
Griffin, and Walker I’.
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It was once said “There is nothing new under
the sun.” 'Phis has been emphatically true, in re
gard to medicines. Hundreds of Pills, Panaceas,
Expectorants, and Specifics of all sorts have been
pulled into notoriety—all made mainly of the same
ingredients,adding no new materials to the healing
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furnishes a new' medical agent—a new principle
evolved from nature’s own depository. It cures
Asthma, incipient Consumption, Liver Complaint,
j and ail diseases of the Lungs, w hen nothing else
i will. An honorable member of tbe Canadian Par
liament writes that it has cured him of Asthma of
ten years’standing. A. Williams, Esq., Attorney
at Law, 58 VV illiam street, New York, was cured
of the same disease of twenty-four years’standing.
3lr. Cozens, of Haddonfield, N. J., makes affidavit
that it cured him of a supposed Consumption, after
physicians had given him up to die; and so of hun
dreds of others.
SOTllemember, we positively, in no case, palm
ofi unreal cures as produced by this invaluable
remedy. Be sure to get “Dr. VVistar’s Balsam of
Wild Cherry,”
I or sale by HAY ILAND, RISLEV &. CO., and
THOMAS BARRETT & CO., Augusta,
august 10 3 21
\V I STAR'S RALSAM OF WILD CIiLRR\7
The genuine article is constantly kept on hand
by the subscriber, who is also the agent for
“ Swayne's Compound Syruji of Wild Cherry
feb 2U J. E. 31ARSHALL.
0Cr 3 We are authorized to announce
W3I. JOHNSON as a candidate for Receiver of
Tax Returns, at the next election in Richmond
county. • 22 td august 12