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AUGUSTA, GA. U KDNKHOAI MOKMAU JAM Ait V 3 A National lUNKRti-ruY Bill. — 'l he commit tee on the Bank 1 apt Law in the U. S. House of Representatives have agreed to report Mr. Jenckes bill. This document is very leng fi 7 and elaborate. It embraces fifty one sermons, and makes a document of sixty-four r l S r ‘ s - . makes the U.S. District Courts, Courts of bauk ruptcy, always cpen for th« transaction of business under this act, as well i Q vacation as in term time. And the jurisdiction conferred extends to all cases and controversies arising bet veen the bankrupt and any creditor or cre ditors; to the collection of all the assets of the bankrupt; to the ascertainment and I‘quida tion of the liens and other specific claims there on; to the adjustment of the various priorities, and conflicting interests of all parties and to the marshalling and disposition of the d'iferent funds and assets, so as to secure the rights ot all parties and due distribution of the assets among all the creditors. The said Courts to sit for the transaction of bankruptcy business at any place in the district, of which place, at the time of holding court, they shall have given notice, as well as at the places designated by law for holding such courts. The act treats of the administration of tbe casts in Courts of Bankruplcy, defines at length and minutely the steps to be taken in cases of voluntary bankruptcy, reserves to creditors all the property of the debtor except necessary household furniture, and such other articles and necess tries as the assignee shall designate and set apart, having reference in the amount to the family, conditions, and circumstances of the bankiupt, but altogether not to exceed In valtie, in any case, the sum of five hundred dollars; andulsothe bankrupt’s wearing ap parel, and that of his wife and children, and the uniform, arms and equipments of any per son who is, or has been a soldier ia the militia or in the service of the United States. The bill provides for the examination of bankruptcy; for tho disposition of property perishable in its nature, and in dispute; de* dares preferences and fraudulent conveyances void; provides the form of procedure in bank ruptcies of partnerships and corporations; for involuntary bankruptcy; penalties against bankrupts, penalties against officers, and fees and costs. The above is but a brief synopsis of the bill spoken of. But it gives its leading points.— Whether it will bo passed as reported is un certain. But it is evident that a bill of some kind, of which tho present bill will furnish the material provision, wiil be passed by this Con gress. Congress and tub South. —We trust that a majorit ? ‘hr members of Congress will, upoi n 1 ke the only common sense view . .0 taken in regard to the Souther.) 11 . ed. And that is—to adini' 'it tv ! liis is the only course which oan be wisely pursued. The Northern members of our National Legislature cannot fail soon to be convinced of the truth of what •Henry Ward Beecher has already told them, that peace cannot be arranged and preserved on war principles. Most especially is this true among people of the same family and nation. Anything short of the most generous confi dence and kindly fraternal feeling, will be continually engendering animosity, and bring ing them frequently into violent collision. Except when for the purposo of accomplish ing vengeance the hearts of men are hardened and their understandings darkened, there is always truth enough, plain and palpable, t 0 guide every one safely through all the difficul ties and perils of life. The matter of the pros perity or the ruin of the whole population of the South, aud to a great extent relatively that also of the North—for the North cannot pros per if the South is to be the abode of unthrift, auarcby and violence—depends entirely upon the prevalence of good Benso and a communion of sympathy and friendship among the whole people, and particularly between those of the the North. If Congress is wi e and doos not seek to in volve itetlf inextricably in difficulties of the greatest magnitude, and forever estrange the Interests and sympathies of th 9 two sections of the country from each other, they will immedi ately iuvite those representatives in whom the people of the South have the fullest confidence, to join them in their consultations on the common welfare. We trust that when Congress comes together after the adjournment, they will discern that this is the only course which can be pursued with safety. If they do not, but prefer instead, to lend a listening ear to foolish and imprac ticable counsels, we fear much trouble will yet ensue# Cotton Manufacturing Statistics.—From a report just published, we gather the annexed statistics in regard to cotton manufacturing operations. In 1859 the quantity of cotton used in the United States was 927,651 bales' larger than for auy previous year. In 1860 the number of establishments in the United States was about 1.150, with a capital of $85,- 000,000, using $45,000,000 worth of cotton, and producing $80,000,000 worth of goods. In M«»»acUx»eotto, in 1 stvo there wore 1.680.471 spindles, and 41,620 looms. The annual con sumption of cotton is estimated at from seventy to seventy-five pounds per spindle: the aver age value of goods per spindlo is from thir teen to sixteen dollars, and the number of yards per spindle is from 200 to 230. Accord ing to the census of 1850, allowing 425 pounds to the bale of cotton, the consumption in the United States was 272,527,000 pounds. In 1661, the year of the opening of the war, after the first four months some of the mills at the North began to work on short time, and for the last half of the year many mills suspend ed operations entirely. Those that continued in operation did not probably work more than four days in the week. Only two-third3 of a year’s work was done, and only 600 000 bales of cotton consumed. One half of it was used tor the manufacture of duck aud other heavy articles under government contracts. Cotton in 1861, was, for the first time, imported from Liverpool to New York and Boston; 14,500 bales were shipped hither from European ports, besides 4,000 bales of Surat cotton. In 1860 the manufacture of cotton goods in New England was three fourths of that of the Whole United States. Iu England there are 1,003 spindles to 1.000 inhabitants; in Nevf England 1,000 spindles to 1.000 inhabitants. PERSONAL.—The New (Means papeis says Mrs. Robert Tombs has sailed from that city for Savannah. Cotton ai fc'sw York. —Since July Ist, the number of bales of cotton that has arrived at sbe port of New York is 1,532,089. What 'Jongrk.-s Ocgut to I)o.—'lhe con servative m-n inali -ectiuns of tbe country have been soieiy tried and disappointed tl.m far. with tbe action® of many membeis of Con gress. It f* now po t’me for any public man to be fa'dohs or revengeful. This country has teen distracted with a bloody, civil war. It a jw wants peace. It most have peace. Any factious which endeavors to keep alive the flames of discord, is a faction which has not the interests of the nation at heart. No true patiiot or statesman will refuse to settle the difficulties between the two sections upon a just and equitable basis. The South has thus far done everything in her power to have matters arranged. She has ratified the anti-slavery amendment. She has repudiated the war debt. She has given guarantees that ihe negroes shall be treated fairly. These were the conditions im posed upon her, and these conditions she Las complied with without a murmur—although it has cost an immense pecuniary sacrifice and loss. And having complied with the terms laid down by the General Government, she has a right to expect that the privileges she onco enjoyed under that Government will be promptly restored to her. It was well observed by a leading conserva tive Northern journal that ‘'President John “son had done more to reconcile the South to “the supremacy of the Union in eight months, “by his policy of conciliation, than England “has in reconciling Ireland to-its lot after four “centuries of such a policy as that advocated “by tbe Sumners and Stevenses of the Ameri “can Congress.’’ The President’s policy is the only policy that can restore this country to its former prosper ity. Itever.ge should never find a lodgment in the breast of those entrusted with the manage ment of the a’ffiirs of a great nation. Generou and conciliatory measures are the only meas ures which should bo introduced into Con gress. They are tho only ones which should be tolerated. Gentlemen 1 Members of the Thirly-Ninth Congress 1 Let your official conduct be that of patriots, not partizans. And instead of en deavoring to foment and create narrow party prejudices, act with that magnanimity and forbearance which eau alone bring happiness to our people. Dash not the cup of peace from their lips, but rather seek to pour oil up on tho troubled waters, and say to the politi cal storm which threatens—“peace, be still.” A Fearful State of Affairs.—lt is with feelings of sorrow ad regret that W 9 chroni cle day, by day the scenes qf robbery and murder which are on the increase in our beau tilul 'city and vicinity. A few short weeks ago a ca 33 of robbery would startl e the public mind and cause much comment. Now such deeds are looked on as small matters, when compared wiih others of a greater magnitude, and more fearful in their character. One thing must he apparent to every obser ver. Crime of all kinds is rapidly on the in crease in our midst. And what makes matters still worse, is the fact that as crime increases, the unla *ful deeds committed also increase in onormity. We havo no heart to write upon the subject - ——— - 1 IruE— It io u griuvo mutter to jefiectupon. Augusta, once one of the most law abiding cities in the South, is now so thor oughly infested with robbers , and villians of so desperate a character, that a person is un safe even within the quiet of his own domicil, after shades of night have fallen. Truly— these aro evil times. They are fearful times We commenced this article not to speak of matters in general, but to refer to one in par ticular—the diabolical outrago perpetrated within a few miles of our city last night. The repeated attacking of a private residence, by an organized bahd of villians, reminds oae of the deeds committed-in the daik ages of barba rism. When open warfare was carried on between tho South and the North, act3 of violence and blood were expected. They were the evils which always follow in the train of armies. Bu t now, after the white wino of peace are spread o’er the land, the people expect all things of this kind to cease It is no use to smooth over matters. We might a3 well speak our mind at once, and thus cea?o writing about a distasteful sub ject. The outrage committed at a residence near this city on Thursday night was an in famous outrage. Au outrage of most high handed order. There cau be no extenuating circumstances in a deed of this kind. Those who took part in it richly deserve to be visited with the severest penalty that either the civil or the military law can inflict—the penalty of death. Perhaps we ought not to say auy thing on this subject, before it is investigated. But we feel wo should be recreant to our duty as a journalist did we not,-at least, say as much as we have. States not Amenable for Treason.—Judge Redfield of Boston, has written a letter to Sena tor Foot of Vermont, in which he takes the ground squarely that none of the States, late the scenes of insurrection, are responsible as States, and that nothing but individuals in the States are amenable to the law on the score of treason. The reasoning is said to be clear, cogent, compact and convincing; one of the most powerful arguments, in .fact, which has emanated from any quarter. This is what the radicals might term “ c fire iu the rear.” It affords us pleasure to re cord the fact that one of the leading men of even'Boston.jMassac'nusetts—that hotbed of all political heresies and fanatical isms—does not support the radicals in ’heir present uncalled for, unprincipled, and most outrageous effort s to deprive the South of the rights she has un der the Constitution of the United States. It is sincerely to be hoped that mote statesmen of the stamp of Judge Redfield will lift up their voices against the present movement made in Congress to injure the South, and use their influence to support the President in his herculian task ot bringing order out of chaos, so that united once again, as a people, we may grow and prosper as a nation. The letter of Judge Redfield shows the South one thing. It shows th it there are men at the North ready to stand by her and do all they can to have justice done. L a t us stand jby those men also. Let us banish all radical J ideas, and taking our position upon the con- I servative platform laid down by the President, ' exert ourselves to the uttermost to assist him ; in carrying shame, confusion, and defeat to j the ranks of those who seek to crush out our 1 very life blood, In order to gratify their veno | mous hatred. Executive Appointment. —The Milledgeville 1 papers anncucethat Gov. Jenkins has appoint ed H J G Williams, of Baldwin county, as one j of his Secretaries. Major W., held the same po sition uoder Gov. Brown. The National Paktt at the Sc-nth as well as the North, have taken their position, with , the President uron the Constitution, a? their platform. They recognize that as the great ( charter of human rights. The National party : also have a strict regard for tho c.inprouiises j of the Constitution, and a rigid respect for the reserved rights of the States. The leaders of the new party hold that the General Government has no more right to transcend its powers, than have the States of the Confederacy to act in viola tion of their guarantees. In speaking of the Constitution, we m-an the Constitution as approved-by W hingion and defined by Jefferson, Budj.et to any amendments—constitutionally ratified by the people. When we of the Union, wo mean the Union of the several sovereign States united under the Federal Constitution for the better protection of each. The duty of the Government is to secure obedience to the Con stitution and laws. This dene, nothing more is required. Beyond this, is the mission neither of the Government nor of any party to aot. When the people of the South conform to the terms of the Government, as they already have, and resume their position under tho Constitution, it is the duty of the Government to receive them; not to humble or deb; se th p m, and divest them of their manhood ; but to re store them, conscious that the more elevated their position, the more prosperous their con dition, the better it would be for the whole Union. Tbe States come into the Union upon tbe terms of political equality, and those terms should be held sacred by all parties. These are the sentiments of tho patriotic, pure, and peaceful declarations of the Message of Piesi dent Johnson. That document defends this restoration policy, and we hope it will not be abandoned to please a faction of Radicals op posed to it. The President has the wisdom to perceive that tne salvation of tho people, de pends upon the permanency of the principles of good government —principles which were defended by Washington, Jtffersou, and a host of other statesmen from their day to the pres ent time. servants of the people at Washington si o ild so guard their acts that they will lend to lvance tho prospects ot the whole country. They should remember that it is not for us as a nation, iu an hour like tho present, to pur sue a doubtful pulicy, or to mark out anew road. Wo should be guided by old land marks. We should turn neither aside'to th* right or the left, for around us-on every side yawns an unfathomable abyss, in whoso dark, umultuous waves, far, far below the reach of «arthly resurrection, repose the awful and mystic remains of republics like our own—ouce proud ol their independence and glory ; once renowned lor all the arts of war and peace ; once tbe theme of the adulation of poets and scho'ais —whose names are embalmed in his tory ; once like our own, looking down the stream of time, to a divinity of duration, and an infinity of perfection, but now—alas 1 foun. dered, lost, shattered into a thousand frag ments, and “Like the baseless fabric of a vision, Leaving not a wreck behind.’’ •Tm; New #_ oioso. Ere the sun lights tho earth again, eigh teen hundred aud sixty-five will be numbered with the things of the past. A retrospect of that past reveals all its deeds. And the chariot of time as it rolls heavily along, reminds us that: Thus, in unbroken series, all proceeds ; And shall, till wide involving either pole, And the immensity of yonder heaven, Tho final flames of destiny absorb The world, consumed in-one enormous pyre! The experience of the year whose last hour is numbered with the midnight shades of this, has taught us a great many pleasant, and quite as many sad truths. Its events, wore pregnant with an importance which it is difficult to over rate, possess, in themselves, much from which salutary lessons may be learned. 'The acts which constituted and gave birth to these events, encourage us on the one hand, whilst they warn us on the other. We ri j flee that the blast of the bugle, calling armed men to deadly combat, no longer rings from the mountain tops, nor breaks tho still atmosphere of the valley. In its stead the music of the black smith’s anvil, the shrill whistle of steamboats and engines, the lowing of the herds, all blessed iu harmony, and the whole country looks up and is glad, at the prospects, bright iu anticipation, with which the New Y"ear skirts Ms apparel. Having passed through the fiery ordeal of war, and, in the Providence of God having bsen permitted to escape many dire evils, which, had thsy been visited upon U3, might have left U3 where hope, if it ever springs up, does so only to perish ; let u- look well to the future, firmly resolved to study the welfare of each other, the glory of our great State ; and the good of our common country. With the dawn of the New Year we pray that the land we love may be deluged with the fioodtide of all the rich blessings of Peace and that happiness and success, dear reader, may be your attendants through Eighteen Sixtt- Six. TnE True Policy. — The Senate of Kentucky has received a message from the Governor an nouncing that he had pardoned Governor Hawes, William H. Simms and others, and re commending that the same be granted by the General Assembly, and that a general law be passed pardoning all persons indicted ia the State courts for treason. This is right. It is the true policy. Every Executive officer te the North as weil as South should advocate and do all in their power to carry ont such a policy. It is this policy that the President, in his wisdom and fore.-ight has adopted. It should be the policy that Congress should support. The day of fighting is over. The discordant and horrid sounds of war have ceased to be heard throughout the laud.— Peace has once more visited our distracted country. In order to enjoy the bounteous blessings she always brings in her train, every body of Legislators—State as weil as National —must adopt nothing but conservative meas ures. Must put down and crush out all radical ism. Must legislate for the whole nation. When that time arrives, our country will be truly blessed indeed. Theu shall we be in a proper condition to enjoy the rich gifts a kind and gracious Providence always bestows upon a contented and um’(£4 people. The Tceacco Market. —The stock of Virgi nia and North Carolina tobacco in Haw York on December 1, was 1,607 hogshead*, one hogbead same time last year. The stock on Ist December has not heretofore exceeded 700 hogsheads, except in the year 1800, when it amounted to 1,970 hogsheads. The stock of leaf tobacco, of all kinds,in New York Decern her 1, was 26,149 i hogsheads, against 36,505 hogsheads same time last year, and 15,833 hogshead* on Ist December, 1860. France anp Mexico —A Washington corres pondent of the Cincinnati Commercial states that “the Government has received no official intelligence from the Emperor Napoleon that he intends to withdraw the French troops from Mexico, yet it is vaguely given out by the French Minister, fn diplomatic circles, that such is the Emperor’s intention. It appears that Maximilian has assurances that their places will be supplied by Austrian troops, large numbers of whom are said to be on their way to Mexico.” Napoleon is cne of the most wary rulers of the age. Ho has become satisfied that his re lations with the United States, growing out of his intervention in Mexico, have become ratliqi critical, and the indications are that he'is pro- Ririug to shift the responsibility of the future occupation of that country upon the shoulders of other parties. If trouble is to grow out (f the holding of Mexico, Napoleon seems to de sire that it shall not bo with him. But Maxi milian having been put thero by the wily Frenchman, may not be entirely satisfied with this arrangement when the trouble docs come, anil may force Napoleon to hear his share of it. Pi a Iron—Of tbe total production in 18G4 cf anthracite pig iron, there w;i3 produced in Massachusetts, 2,505 tons; New York, 120,403 tons : New Jersey, 29 578 tons ; Pennsylvania 521,391 Ions; Maryland, 10,378 tons. The to tal production of the raw bituminous coal and coke furnaces for 18G4 was 210,000 tons, o which Pennsylvania produced 121,860 tonsf Maryland 1,717 ; Western Virginia 3,300, and Ohio 82,131. The productof the rolling mills making rail road iron in the United States was 335,469 tons. In 1850 the production was only 29,083 tons. Massachusetts has now two mills, pro ducing 30,312 tons. There are now about thirty steel works in the United States. The total production of all kinds during the pa3t year amounted to about 18,000 tons, as follows; Massachusetts, 450 tone; Connecticut, 100 tone; New York, 2,500 tons; New Jersey, 3,700 tons; Pennsylvania. 11,500 tens. The works in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., pro duced about one-half of theeteel manufactured in the country. The capacity of the steel works is not less than 48,000 tous per annum. The Labor Queition Elsewhere. —Private accounts from Arkansas are encouraging The labor prospects for the coming year are fa vorabio. Contracts for the cultivation of the land are being made, and the indications are that a good crop will be produced. The condition of the freedmen in Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Alabama, is reported by agents iD these States to be improving. The negroes are re turning to their old masters, andjare glad to get back to their old quarters. The fretdmenof Georgia will find that their former masters will deal more liberally with them than new ones They will also find that they will provide for their wants better, take better care of them when sick, and in every way treat them more kindly than strangers. Let every negro who can make a contract with those to whom he formerly belonged, do so. An Opinion.—lloraceToayuaiu tromg ns&cu what he thought of the prospects of the Ten nessee delegation, since the last action of the House, said he thought Thad. Stevens had the whole Southern Confederacy in his breeches pocket, and m«wit to keep it there for a good while, Mr. Maynard should have adJed “if permit ted so to do.” Already have somo of Mr. Steven’s former supporters deserted him. And it is to be hoped that the balance will give him the cold shoulder unless he becomes more moderate in his views. It is high time radi cals of his stamp were given to understand that the days of their misrule had gone by and that they must permit statesmen, who work for the interest of the whole nation, to oc cupy the place they have so long unworthily filled. Negro Suffrage in Washington Citv.— Some of the radicals wanted a vote on negro suffrage taken iu Washington City. Well, they have been gratified. The vote has been taken It stood thirty in favor and 6,500 against. The radicals got all they bargained for and something thrown in this time. It might very properly be said that they took a seat in the wrong pew.” If Congress now forces upon the City of Washington a measure they have shown such a strong opposition to, it will be an outrage of the most glaring nature. The Weather North.— We have accounts of extreme cold weather at the North and West. At Quebec, on Friday night, December 15, the thermometer fell to twelve degress below zero. On Saturday morning it was eight below. At Montreal it was eight below. On Thursday, December 14, at Chicago the thermometer ranged from 8 below to 10 above zero. At Milwaukee the range was from 10 below to 5 above ; at Madison, 12 below ; at Green Bay, 20 below ; at St. Paul, 25 up to 3 below ; at Dubuque, 6 below, river frozen over ; at Law rence, Kansas, 8 below, with several inches of snow; at Cincinnati the lowest mark was 8 above zero. Colored Justicb. —A negro was lately, brought before a Justice of the Peace in Mis sissippi, charged with assault and battery up on another negro, and a jury of colored men were summoned to try the case. After lisien •ing attentively to the evidence and the charge of the Justice, the jury assessed a fine of twen ty five doPars on each of the parties to the wiit. Tie justice meted out in this case was de cidedly colored—no matter from what position you view it. Another Item fjr Radical Congressmen.— During the war, with her ordinance of seces sion unrepealed, and a portion of her citizens arrayed in arms against the General Govern ment, the State of Tennessee had representa tives on the floor of Congress Now with that oi.finance revoked, her citizens at peace and submissive to the laws, it is attempted to de p.ive her of that right. The philosophy or jus tice of snch a course of proceeding is anoma lous and astounding, and has no foundation in the Constitution. ITir Me Bins Matos.— The present Mayor of ilobiie appears to be determined upon cleaning that city of vagrant i. A short time since he had all arrested who would not show that they bad some visible means of support. This was a good movement on his part, and worthy of fating imitated elsewhere. Now, be ha3 taken a step to keep the vagrants out. All steam boat captains who bring such persons to the city, are to be arrested and punished according to la w. The Mayor of Mobile is to be com mended for his seal and energy in a good work. On Another Hcbby.— Beecher the radical, some time since astonished the people by talk ing strongly in faycr cf conservative measures. Every one was completely taken aback by the course pursued by the Reverend pu’pit stump orator and agitator. But Beecher and conser vatism, it seems, are no more congenial to each other than oil and water. You may stir them up, but they will separate. Beecher’s conservative coat did not suit him. And now, lo! We find he has already cast it off, and has bestrode another hobby. “Universal suffrage,” is the burthen of his song. Well, Beecher would not be Beecher unless he was trying to get somebody into hot water. A Gbeat Danger.— The Columbus Enquirer thinks that one of the greatest dangers before the South is the probability that our people wiil neglect the raising of provisions and do' vole too much attention to the planting of cotton. We think tbe Enquirer has good reasons for its fears. Every one appeals to be'deter miaed to plant all the cotton he can, and leave the provision raising for his neighbor. A good corn and hog crop next fall will pay well. California Cotton —We see some of the papers state that cotton raising can be made profitable in California at five cents per pound. This ia stretching the truth a little too far. Unless tbe great Southern staple grows in California after being planted without any care and attention : the above statement about its being a profitable crop at five cents a pound, is too absurd to be believed.by those who have been cotton planters. Gov. Jenkins’ Position. —ln the New York Times we find tbe annexed paragraph on the position taken by Gov. Jenkins : Whatever may have been thought of the shape given by Judge Jenkins to tbe action of the Georgia State Convention, of which he was confessedly the leader, his recent course uiustieceivc tbe approval of the entire loyal North. Unanimously elected Governor of Georgia, ho yields gracefully to tho decision of President Johnson, that he shall not at present enter upon the dischargo of his duties, and in a letter to the Legislature, the tone of which is admirable and unaeceptiouable, postpones hie inauguration until the national Executive shall indicate its willingness that the cere mony should take place. f If the newly elected Governors of Mississippi and some other Sbutheru States bad manifest ed the spirit exhibited by Judge Jenkins, and sho-'-n themseives as anxious to comply with the wishes of President Johnson as thov were ambitious to assume authority they could not exercise,'the work of restoration would have been both simplified and expedited. In speaking of tho Governors position on tbe labor question, the Times further remarks: “Each succeeding day brings additional proof that if the moderate men of the South, such as Gov. Jenkins, of Georgia, are allowed some discretion in determining the future status of the freedmeD, it will fare at least as well with the emancipated population as if we provided a sumptuary code for their guidance and pr otection in Washington or Boston. Nothing, we taka it, cau be more liberal, kindly, or temperate than the spirit which pervades Gov. Jenkins’ inaugural address on this very question ot the negroes’ future. Lot the employers---the governing class at the South—be encouraged, as Gov. Jrukins asks that they be, in seeking to establish mu tually just and kindly relations with the eman cipated class, and we shall escape all the dan gers of anarchy, .and many—if not all—of the evils of industrial stagnation and social disor gan’zatiou. The great problem of keeping tbe two races together in tho lately insurgent OtaiCß OatwtuiD .L«U l». «<2raa tageons, must be solved at the South—in the local Southern Legislatures, in the local courts of justice; in the Executive council chambers of just such Governors as Judge Jenkins. Every feather's weight of extra official pres sure from without will most surely produce a reaction in the minds of ,the better disposed of the employers at the South. And nothing that the philanthropy of the North can con tribute will be a compensation to the freedmen for his forfeiture of the good-will and kindly co-01 peration 'of those who have heretofore directed his labor. A-nTiiso. Valuable Invention. —Among the many valuable inventions recently brought before the public at the North, is one to asais in starting cars. It was invented by 11. H Coveit, Esq., of Detroit. Here is a description of it. Q j,, As tho public generally are aware, the most important item of expense connected with the system oi Horse Railroads, is the immense out lay of money required to furnish the rail oad companies with horses, as the usage which they receive in this service is necessarily pecu liarly severe. Probably there is no work in which horses are employed where the mortality arising from over exertion is so great. This is caused by the strain required to start the car to which the horses are attached. When the car is at a stand-still an immense amount of strength is necessary to get it in mo tion, after which but comparitively little pull ffig is requisite to draw the car. Within two weeko past we heard mentioned the min of several horses, caused by the strain experi enced in starting of the car by which exertion, very many horses are rendered utterly unfit for any kind of work. This is especially true in winter when the wheel of the car ad heres to the track much more closely than in the summer season, as the coldness af tho weather causes the frost in them to freeze together tightly, even though the car remains at a stop but a moment. Railroad companies have long felt the need of some apparatus of simple con struction and working, which should obviate this evil, by taking from the horses this strain, aud having it performed by the apparatus in question. The need of such an invention, and the promise of pecuniary reward which it offers have induced practical mechanics to attempt the cons ruction of simple machine which would answer the purpose. Several such attempts have been made but have failed. Mr. H. H. Covert, a Well -known mechanic of this city, has contrived an apparatus which has succeeded admirably, and cannot be equaled for simplicity and practical use. The invention has boen test ed by the railroad aud has given creat satis faction. Last week an experiment wes made with a car loadt and with nearly three tons of iron apff the machine was fouud to do its work fh&roughly and well. It consists of a pinch bar attached to the car, and suspended between the wheels by a jaw bolt and knuckle jointed lever and is operated by a horizontal lever attached to the drsfliron, • which is semewtat similar to the draft iron of a railway car. When the car is brought to a standstill, the horizontal lever hooks on to a pin in the draft-rod, which operates the pinch bar. As the horse or horses start, the car U thrown forward with about one-twentieth of the power necessary without the bar. A§ ££>on as the powei of the bar is exhausted, it ytffngs back clear from the track and remains so until the car is again stopped, when it again hooks on ready for action. The machinery is very simple and effective, and wholly under the control of the motive power. Doubtless the dontrivance will prove highly remunerative to its inventor. The cost of applying the appa ratus to a car is about S3O, and the jhoreefl-th tjiat it wiii save will be enormous. We hope tjo see it used on every horse car. Gen. Bbeckinricoe.—A correspondent of the Cincinnati Enquiier, writing from Toronto, Canada, speaks thus of Gen. Breckinridge : Gen. Breckinridge is hero. He looks well and is in peifeet health. It was represented during the war that his hair bad turned from jet black to silvery white. That was a mis take; a few grey hairs are perceptible about the locks, tbit i-iall. He is keeping house in an humble, ietired way. He is much respected by the citizens, and is invited to two or three parties a week at the residences cf the first families. He is a great walker, walking from six to ten miles a day, while the weather per mits such exercise. He is a hard etudent, read ing a great deal. I could not but think that it is a misfortune that a gentleman of his cul. ture and intellect should be loet to his country- FOHKItiX ITEHB. The cattle disease is preading alarmingly in England. It is also raging in France. Great activity prevails among the Russian military and Naval Departments. The Spanish government shows no iuiention ot abandoning its headstrong aggression in South America. Two jnore Fenians had been convicted and sentenced, the one to twenty years and the other to ten years' peua! servitude. Twenty thousand British troops were stationed in Ire land, and, a3 aa additional precaution, tho Chaucel fleet had been ordered to winter off the coast. * A special commission has been ordered to inquire into the Jamaica atrocities. The total Dtrength of the Euiopean arinie3 is 4,735.782 men. Lord Juba Russell and Sir Robert Peel have had a serious diliicaliy. The latter refuses to settle it. During the month of October, Great Britain exported 734.157 tons cf coal. The eholcia is spreading ip Russia, notwith standing tho measures taken to prevent it. The attempt to stock tho Australian rivers with sahnen has been so far successful. Nearly fourteeu thousand fires occurred in Rursia in the year 1864 The town and canton of vica, Andalusia, Spain, are being rav sp'ders. All vegett insects, and their bi .. . •'swelling. , *’J he corporation < • . funds the sum of t\ ieft in trust “to bui in... The English difficulties in India are incradng Gei:. Schofields visit to Pari* has given rise to many rumors Importations of animals from England to France are prohibited except Lorses, mules and dogs. Tho weekly bank returns of the bank of France show an increase in cash of Twenty-two and a quarter million francs. Forty-nine chronometers were found on the privateer Shenandoah. The. Delhi Gazette contains the particulars of the sale of an English girl of fourteen years cf age to the Chief of lihatwa, in the Kattywar territory, to be placed in his harem. The girl’s parents, (a dissolute couple it is said) received itom the chief the sum of 3,000 rupees, about $1,5C0. The English political agent intorfem and so tar as to iequire the bride groom, a man c-f seventy years old, to execute a marriage set tlement, by which the new liwht of the harem is secured in possession of an income of *twc thousand rupees per annum. Hamburg papers state that a portion of the Heligoland rock, having been long undermined by the sea, had fallen and was engulfed iu the wave3. Out of the 500 inhabitants ou the Island, 70 are said to have perished. The death of the fattest mau in tho world. M-Hei.ni, is recorded, lie was German by origin, and employed iu Paris as translator of foreign correspondence. His ago was forty two ; he weighed 500 pounds, and latteily was unable to pass through doors of ordinary dimensions. The Maderia wine crop, which for several years was destroyed by a disease of the vine, is ibis year a success. About 4,000 pipes of wino w 11 he made, and the prospects of the nest crop are even more favorable. Another new steamer, the Eadymion, has been launched for the British navy. Her ar mament will be four one hundred rounder Armstrong guns, iriffled, muzz’e-loading, aud nine one hundred and ten pounder breach loaders. In 1863 tho different Chinese markets re ceived a quantity of that perfidious drug known as opium to tho value of 200,000,000, of which 150,000,000 were imported into Shang hai alone. The local custom returns show that within nine years, opium, to the amount of onetheusand million mutes has arrived at that port. A steamer, constructed after the Bysteal of Wyman’s cigar ship, has just been launched at Havre. Its length is seventy-three feet, and breadth nine ; it is provided with eight screws, of t*Biol* eix aro entirely cubaaerged ; these are worked by engines of twenty-live horse power. It is estimated that, at the present time, ves sels are being constructed, in French yards, for Prussia, to the amount of one million sterling. The Emperor of Russia has just carried out an important reform by the re-constitution 'of the courts of justice and the appointment of trial by jury. A Dutch lady is exploring Uupner Egypt Hu her own yact. Her crew consists of ten Eng lish and ten Egyptian sailors, The deaths from choltra in France during the month of October were four thousand and twenty, and three hundred and seventy-nine from tho sixth to the twelfth ot November. The latest noveliies of Pari3 fashions are jewelry made in the ancient Egyptian and Carthagenian style, and hieroglyphics stamped or worked on ladies’ dresses and crinoline. Piracy is increasing to an alarming extent in China. It is reported that France has given England the six months notice required to terminaie the existing treaty, because cf the strict for malities required befo’.e French offenders are given up. Stephens, the Fenian head centre, has cer tainly effected his escape to Paris. Donovan, convicted of Feniantem, has been sentenced to penal servitude for life. The cattle disease, which has destroyed somo 34,000 head in England, 8,000 in Holland, and 400 or 500 in Belgium, has hitherto scarcely attacked France, where only 43 have died of it. Late returns of the Bank of France show an increase of 22,000,000 in the metalic reserve, and a decrease of 12,000,000 in the circulation, and 0f56,000,000 in tho discount department. The cholera still hangs about Parte, but is diminished in Vieua. . .. Penny trains are now fully established in London, England. They run entirely under ground, late ana early. They will take a per son to his neighborhood for t wo cents in tm minutes, while if he took a bus above ground an hour would be consumed in reaching hte destination, and have to pay twelve cents. New York Tobacco market.—a wew York paper in speaking cf the tobacco trade of that city, comments thus : “The entire stock of tobacco in market is large as a whole; but of desirable qualities the supply is Email, and at no period during the past four years has the market been so bate of Western Black work of every style as it is now, and ha3 been for months past, there being scarcely a Sot of such in first, hands, as will be seen from the annexed remark! regarding each particular style, ibis can only be accounted for by the restricted productions of the West ern factories being confined to supplying their large home trade in the Northwest and South west, where moro remunerative prices were obtained than could be got in thte rnaiket.— Now that cur market is cleared of nearly al 1 the old tax paid black tobaccos with which it has been burdened so long, we may expect, on the return of the next manufacturing seasons —but not till then—to receive consignments of dark tobaccos properly put up with some of this year’s crop, which is said to be very fine in Missouri.” Planets Destroyed.— The belief that this world is ultimately to he destroyed by fire, is supported by the discovery that such a fate h.s befallen far larger planets than ours. French astronomers assert that no fewer than fifteen hundred fixed stars have vanished from the firmament within the last three hun dred years. Tycho Brahe gives an interest ing account of a brilliant star of the largest size, which, on account of its singular radience, had become the special object ol hte daily ob servation for several months, duriDg which the star gradudiy became paler, until its fi nal disappearance. La Place states that cue of the vanished fixed stars of the northern hemisphere afforded indubitable evidence of having been consumed by fire. At first the Stir was a dazz ing white, next of glowing red and yellow lu tre, and finally it btcame pale and ashed colored. The burning ot .the star lasted sixteen mouths, when this penny visi to*, to which perhaps, a whole series of plan ets may have owed allegiance, finally depart ed and became invisible forever. Most of the sugar and cotton plantations of Louisiana are still a wreck, but planters are making every exertion to produce good crops next year. NKWB SUMMARY. Four young villains, now under arrest for the murder ol nil old man named Stoddard, in Ilerkimer county, N Y, have made confessions of their blocdy deed. They also confies that they had selected a tavern-keeper as another victim, and actually called at his tavern to rob and kill him. when their hearts failed them and they left The leader of this gang of vil lains is only eighteen years old. Iu the new Stock Exchange on Wall street, New York, an immense vault has been con structed, one hundred feet in length by twen ty feet iu width, anu nine feet high. It is constructed of great blocks of freestone, lined with Franklimite iron, and minlaid with steel pla e«, rendering ib absolutely,burglar proof and fire proof. On the moruirg of the great Western earth quake it is said that Goose Lake, situated in tbe Nevada range of mountains, near the north ern line' of California, was covered with a great number of waterspouts, rising at ihe same time and at a shoit distances i'ronfteacli other, over tho whole surface of the lake, pre senting much the appearance of an immense school of “whales’’ blowing A company of capitalists from Carlisle, Pa , have bought 12,280 acres of timbered land in Rockingham and Augusta counties, Va. . The Uaion Natioi al Bauk of Philadelphia has declared a*dividend of forty per cent, lear of taxes out of tho contingent fund. Samples of cotton goods shipped from Man chester to India were analyzed and found to contain only about sixty Bix per cent of cot ton fibre. The proportion, of fermented flour was fourteen per cent., and mineral matter thirtien percent. It is reported that Secretary Stanton has offered his tesignation, insisting upon its ac ceptor co. Tho Fenians at the North are divided. Some support the old President and some the new one. Revenue cutters have been posted along the coast to assist vessels in distress. Cornelius Cole has been effected U. S. Sena tor from Calilornia. Gen. Howard wants eleven million dollars (or the freeumen’s bureau the coming year. The work upon the Hoosic tunnel Mass, still continues. Female horse thieves are becoming plenti ful at the North. Tbe larger portion of the Merrimac has been raised and removed to the Norfolk navy yard. It is said the Moimous have grown im mensely wealthy out of the overland emigrant trade. Emigrants in latge numbers aie flocking to Western Texas. The gold mines at St. Paul’s, Michigan, aro causing much excitement. Steamers have commenced running between Portland, Maine, and Liverpool. At Chicago, December 21, the mercury stood ten degrees below zero. A locomotive steam plow has been invented in New England. Most of the lead mine furnaces of Missouri aie closed. Major Hastings and hi3 colony have left Mo bile tor Brazil. The river at St Louis has been frozen thick enough to permit persons to cross thereon. The Western Republican members are op posed to negro suffrage in the District of Columbia. Postmaster General Dennison is taking step3 to have the winter mails more legular. Tbad Steven’s position on reconstruction is tho same he occupied iu his Lancaster speech. A movement is being made to increase the tariff on all good3 manufactured in this coun try. « Tbe total number of United States soldiers nosv on duty in Alabama is about eight thou sand. Hon Trusten Polk has returned to St. Louis. a fata' cattle disease has brokeu out at Run da, Wisconsin. Tho first forty miles of tho Pacific railroad west of Omaha has been fiuished. A riot occurred at Alexandria, Va., Decem ber 25. Four whites and six negroes were killed. Gov. Sharkey of Mississippi, has been reliev ed, and Gov. Humphreys recognized by the President The French inhabitants of Canada are siding with the Fenians. I)r. Bath, the celebrated African explorer, is dead. lie died in Africa. The Pacific Railroad California Directors re port that they have now about 5,000 Chinese coolies at work on the road, and they expect soon to have 15,000 of them. They are going over the mountains one hundred and twenty miles from Sacramento, 7,000 feet above tide water, aLd they expect to bo at Salt Lake in 1868, where they hope to meet the road from the East. It is intended to establish a telegraphic sta tion at Cape Ros'er, near Gaspe,~ in order to obtain earlier news from the Quebec steamers. A letter from Pit Hole city, Pennsylvania, speaks of crime as still rampant there. The quietly disposed inhabitants generally stay at home after dark as it is dangerous to travel the streets at night. A few days since the post office was broken open and the letters theiein robbed of money, drafts, &0., of the estimated value ot $250,000 The small pox is spreading rapidly in Noith Carolina. A Mrs. Caroline Ortise, diod at St. Louis re cently in the 106th year of her age. She was one of the earliest French settlers of St. Louis. The Legislature of Tennessee having refused to allow negro testimony to be taken in courts of that State, Gen. Fiske, Superintendent of the Freedmen,s Bureau—under spe cial orders from the War Department, has issued an order, which demands that all cases iu which negro testimony is invoked, and which have heretofore been disposed of by municipal authority, shall ,be brought before the court of adjudication. At a recent balloon ascension at San Fran cisco the mrouant exhibited some startling performances on a trapeze—two ropes suspend-, ed about two feet apart, at the bottom by a stout stick attached to the balloon. During tho ascent he hung by his feet and bauds to the trapezi, then by one foot or by the neek, and again lying across it on his breast and back, imitating the motions of a swimmer. After re maining in the air twenty or thirty minutes he ascended in safety. Additional reports from British Columbia represent no abatement in the gold field ex citement. The Russian Telegraph line has been com pleted 440 miles above New Westminister, and the wire for 400 miles more was on the ground. In reply to the remonstrances of the mana gers of the New York savings banks, the Com missioner of Internal Revenue says, that in hin opinion, they are exempt from the payment of the tax, but that no fines will be enforced on account of their failure to render their returns of deposit, provided they at onco pay the tax specified bv law. The Commissioner adds that they are at liberty to pay the tax levied under protest, and that he will give them every fa cility for testing the legality of tho case beforo the courts. About six million of acres of land in Mis souri are being offered for one dollar por acre. The Germans are occupying them. The Canadian Oil discoveries, are mere speculative dodges. The Canadian merchants desire to have the reciprocity treaty continued. Over sixteen million of paper collars have been manufactured fn Massachusetts since May. The gold mines of Nova Scotia are attract ing much attention. The New Orleans papers published the President’s Message entire by Telegraph. They have commenced collecting U. S. taxes in interior of Florida. The Supreme Court of Missouri has decided in favor of the constitutionality of the new oath. The trair.B are now running on the South Carolina railroad to within five miles of Co s lutnbia Iron for the relaying of the track on the Greenville and Columbia railroad has been purchased. Juarez writes that he is tired of the Presi dency of the Mexican Republic. The pork backing business of Chicago has reached the enormous aggregate of $30,000,- 000 a year. The Southern emigrants to Brazil have set tled near Eagnora. The rebuilding of Colt’s largo factory at Hartford, has been decided upon. The struc ture is to be one story higher than the old one, 500 feet by 80 in size.