Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

C|e (Empire £tatt. GRIFFIN, GEORGIA, Wednesday Dec. 24,1856. R G IJY AltS is our authorized Agent for the county cf ßutts. “Tlfl. Judge of the Flint Circuit. 001. O. C. GIBSON, ofeiPike cqtuity, i,a’ a cdn didate for the office of Judge of the Flint Circuit. Democratic Candidates for Spalding County. For Justices of the Inferior Court, A. A. GAULDING, THOS. D. JOHNSON, S. 0. MITCHELL, It. V. CROWDER, AVAL CRITTENDEN. For Clerk luferior Court. T./E. HICKS. Tax Collector, R 1 CHARI) LA WREN CE. Tax Receiver, SAMUEL HAMMOND, County Surveyor, JOSEPH BUNTYX. Couuty Teasurcr, JAMES S. JONES. — Honor too Much. Some of our friends have done us the honor to suppose that we were the individualwbo occupied a prominent position, in the late Commercial Con vention, in Savannah, by introducing the resolu tions, in that body, recommending the restoration of the African Slave Trade. We deem it due to ourself, as well as to our relative, who was the au thor of those resolutions, to correct the erroneous opinion which prevails in certain quarters, in ref erence to the identity of the individual who occu pied the distinguished position above alluded to. We had the honor of an appointment as a Dele gate to the Convention, at Savannah, but having previous engagements which were to come off at the time of the meeting of that Convention, we did uot make our appearance, in person, on that occasion, but sent a proxy to represent us. The gentleman from Georgia, therefore, who had the houor to present to the Convention the important resolutions, to which wc have made reference, was not the Editor of the “Empire State,” but Col. Wm. B. Gaulding, of the county of Liberty. We are induced to make this statement, uot on account of any fear we might entertain, of the responsi bility resulting from the bold position taken by our relative, or the consequences which may fol low, but as an act of justice to him. AVe know that he fears not the responsibility, but is at all times ready and willing to meet those who may as sume the character of assailants, on account of the views he may entertain on this interesting ques tion. AVhcn the occasion presents itself, wo shall be prepared to take position on this subject. AVe hope, therefore, that our friends will divest them, solve? of any fearful apprehensions that they mav have entertained, in reference to the part we are believed by some, to have acted in the late Com mercial Convention, on the exciting theme of the African Slave trade, Christmas. This time honored festival is upon us, whether we are all prepared for it ‘or not. To some, it will be a source of regret, on account of their inability to nteet their pecuniary engagements. To many Svho are not troubled with the perplexing cares of business matters, it will be an occasion of pleasure and rejoicing. To the former class, we would say. bear up 6 under disappointment with philosophic fortitude : to the latter, we say “go it while you nrc young, for when you get old you cau’t.” In order to give our Printers an opportunity to enjoy the festivities of this festival occasion, no pa per will be issued from this office till the first week In January next. To all our readers and patrons, wc wish, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Judge of the Flint Circuit. AVe recur to the election of Judge of this Cir cuit, because efforts have been made by certain proses outside of the Circuit, to give the election a strong party character. E. G. Cabaniss, Esq., of Monroe county, has been nominated by the American Party, as a candidate for this office, and the American presses out of the Circuit, have made appeals to the party to rally to his support as a party. We take it very unkind in our neighbors to interfere in this matter. The citizens of this Judicial District have a pei'sonal interest in this matter. If they choose a bad Judge, they must suffer the consequences. Not so with our neigh bors. None of the evils of an injurious choice can extend to them. Our neighbor of the Union, is more excusable. If he helps to make us a hard bed, he must rest hard with his neighbors As to Mr. Cabaniss, we cheerfully accord to him as a man aud a citizen, all that his friends claim for him. But wc know that no man lives in the Fliut Circuit, who has stronger political prejudices, or who has for the last quarter of a century, devoted more of his time to party matters, nonce we look upou him strictly as a party candidate. Not so with Col. (Gibson, his opponent. Although he has vvoll established political opinions, yet he cannot, strictly speaking, be called a politician. His great lbrt is in the law. He has for years stood along side of the first lawyers in the Circuit, in point of legal ability. Even the warmest admirers and most devoted party friends of Mr. Cabaniss, will not deny that Col. Gibson is altogether his superi or, in point of qualifications for the high and re sponsible station to which they aspire. AVe sub mit then, to every good citizen of the Circuit, whether or not, in choosing an officer, who may be the arbiter of their life, liberty and property, they should select the man who has the highest qualifi cations for the office, or the one whose principal recommendation is his deep devotion to a political party ? Ponder well this question, fellow-citizens, before you oast your votes. Mammoth Turnip. Mr. John P. Atkinson, of Meriwether county, presented us, last week, with a turnip of such large dimensions as to entitle it to the appellation of tbo father of all Turnips. What kind of soil onr friend Atkinson has, or what mode of cultivation he adopts to produce such vegetables, with such dry seasons as we had last Summer and Fall, we are at a loss to conceive. We yield to him the palm of being the best Tnrnip grower in Meri wether or any other county. Mr. Toombs’ Letter. AVe phblish to-day, the letter of this distinguish ed Senator, to the Southern Commercial Conven tion. His opinions, though not entitled to the claim of originality, are to many somewhat new. . As to to the Constitutional powers of the State Legislatures, to pass discriminating laws in favor of one class of mercantile articles over another, there can be no doubt. The Legislature of Geor gia has, for many years, practiced upon this prin ciple, in referance to itinerant traders, by exempt ing from taxation the sale of all goods, wares and merchandise manufactured inour own State. The expediency of the plan proposed by 3fr. Toombs, is the only questionable ? feature in the case. The Southern people have so long bowed the neck to the yoke of Northern Commercial bondage, that it seems almost impossible to arouse them from their fatal apathy, to the assertion of their Commercial independence. A\ r hether they ever will voluntari ly, adopt, as a mass, such a course of policy as will put them in this respect upon an equality with the Northern people, we deem somewhat doubtful.— The time may come, when the exigencies of our condition may demand a resort to some such ex pedient as that suggested by Mr. Toombs ; and when wc are satisfied of the arrival of that period, we shall be prepared to go with Mr. Toombs, and all other true Southern patriots, in any measure, however extreme, t o preserve our rights, our inde pendence, and our equality in the Uuion, Commer cially aud politically. Seiwilt! Insurrection. For two or three weeks past, rumors have been reaching us from several of the neighboring States, of a contemplated insurrection among the black population. The excitement, consequent upon such rumors, has extended to our own State, and in many localities, serious apprehensions of danger are felt by many of our citizens. AVhether these rumors are well or ill founded, we are unable, from the lights before us, to determine. AVe have no doubt that, as usual on such occasions, many cir crcumstances which appear to indicate an insur rectionary intention on the part of the negroes, are highly exaggerated, and the fears of the timid unnecessarily excited. We have been credibly in formed that a rumor prevails in some of the neigh boring counties, that a grand convention is to be held in this place, on the 26th inst., to be compos ed of colored delegates from all the neighboring towns. This 1 rumor, no doubt, had its origin in the fact, that the negroes of this city had conclu ded to have a ball on the day above mentioned,and tickets had been sent to some of the belles and beaux of color, residing in the neighboring towns. Tliis entertainment was projected before any ac counts had reached the white population of this place, of any troubles among the b’acks in other localities. As soon as reports of this character were received, the whole project was instantly sup pressed. Our people, however, are generally of the opinion, that the contemplated ball in Griffin, had no connection with any insuerectionary move ments. It is due to ou- city Authorities, to say, that they never gave their consent, nor were they consulted in reference to the negro ball They have taken prompt measures to suppress any at tempt at disorder in the city, by largely augment ing the police force, and making diligent search for evidences of any improper designs ou the part of the slaves. As yet. no discoveries have been made, so far as we have heard. The citizens have taken the subject iu hand, and have adopted meas ures to raise a military force which, acting in con cert with the “Griffin Light Guards,” under | Cast. S. AV Man-giiam, will be sufficient for any emergency likely to arise. AYhether the rumors, with which the whole country now seems to be rife, are true or false, it behooves our people, in town and country, to be on the alert—to keep out a strong aud vigilant patrol—suppress all assem blages of negroes—watch the movements of suspi* cious white persons, and bring all such to condign punishment, if found improperly tampering with our slaves. If this course is strictly pursued, we need have no fears of a servile insurrection. lion. A. 11. Stephens and B. 11. Hill, Esq. From the card of Mr. Stephens, to be found in another column, it will be perceived that the per sonal relations between these two gentlcmeu, are placed in a very delicate position. It appears that Mr S. had made a demaud upon Mr. H. for that satisfaction which the code of honor recogni zes as justifiable, in a case of personal insult. Mr. 11. refused to give that satisfaction, for reasons not fully known to us. This refusal called forth the card of Mr. S. It presents a direct issue, which Mr. 11. must meet as best he can. AVe for bear further comraeut. Walker Triumphant. Late accouuts from Nicaragua, show that Gen. AA alker is “going on, conquering and to conquer.” He has met the combined forces of his enemies, at several points, and has been uniformly victorious- Ilis own loss has been comparatively inconsidera ble, while that of bis enemies has been heavy. The opinion we have for sometime past, entertained of AValker’s permanent establishment in Nicaragua, is now fully confirmed, and we apprehend that his foes will not hereafter be able to make any serious demonstration against him. A permanent gov ernment being now established, and slavery recog nized. men of enterprise, living in the Southern States, have now a fine field opened to them for a profitable and successful adventure. Thousands will, no doubt, make the experiment. May suc cess attend thein. Fcstinaus lente. The K uow Nothing Party set out with the bold declaration that “Americans should rule Ameri ca.” Iu the City of Macon, the Grand Sandhe drim offthe party was wont to meet. They had a large majority in that eity. Their men were sworn not to vote for a foreign-citizen for any office.— Mark the result. At the late election in Macon, the whole Democratic Ticket for Mayor and Al dermen, was not only elected, but Robert Findlay, a foreign-born citizen, was the highest man on ei ther ticket. Truly may our Know Nothing friends be said to be “hastening slowly” in their wonder ful work. And Robert Findlay deserved the ho nor his fellow citizens have conferred upon him.— An honest, industrious, intelligent mechanic, is worthy of the confidence of his fellow-citizens, whether born on the t Eastern or AVYtern Conti nent. reference to onr advertising columns, it will be seen that our old and valued friend, A. Ported the Georgia Premium Razor Maker, and Blacksmith, continues his business for the next yeat at the same place. AVe have tried him this year, and know that he will do just what he says. Try him; ■ •/ < Southern Commercial t onveuihn. This body closed its labors on Friday evening, 12tli inst. Its proceedings are too lengthy for our limited space, to be given in datail. ‘The ‘follow ing is a brief synopsis of its final action : : 1. A resolution in favor of establishing ii line of steamers to run regularly betweeu Chesapeake Bay and Milford Haven. ‘ .■ 2. A resolution recommending the adoption in all our Schools and Colleges, of Text;Books pub lished at the South. A good recommendation. 3. A. resolution recommending to Southern peo ple, Southern Periodicals and Journals, or such Northern publications as are strictly Conservative in their character. 1 4 A resolution commending Southern Manu facturing and Mining Establishments to the. favor able notice and patronage of the people of the Southern States, especially recommending our Rail Road Companies to encourage such locomo tive aud machine works as may be established among them. 5. A resolution recommending the .Southern people to patrouize our own Seminaries and Insti tutions of learning, in preference So those of other States, whose feelings are antagonistical to our in terests as slave holders. 6. A resolution recommending the establish ment of Schools for the reariug and education of Seamen iu the Southern States. 7. A resolution recommending to the Govern ment of the United States to contract with the Tehuantepec Company, incorporated by the State of Louisiana and domiciled at New Orleans, for the transportation of the United States mails frOm New Orleans across the Isthmu > of ’Tehuaatepee, to San Francisco, on as fuvorkble"and libfcraF terms as now contained in cxistitigi contracts for the per formance of similar services.. 8. A resolution recommending the building of tlie Pacific Rail Road, by way of El Passo, along or near the 22ud degree of north latitude, “to be incorporated and constructed under the authority of the State, and so far as they can do so,.by the Territorial Legislatures, and that the meaus of construction should be derived from individual, corporate and State contributions, together with such aid as may be obtained fromgraetsof public domain, for postal and military contracts, or any other service which may be lawfully rendered to the Federal Government hy said Company.” The resolutions in favor of Free Trade and Di rect Taxation, were referred to a select committee of one from each State, to report attics next meet ing of the Convention The Convention also recommended to the favor able consideration of the the seve ral States through which it is designed to pass, a Rail Road from West Point, Georgia, to the Mis sissippi line, to connect with thfF JtE&sou and Brandon Road, in Mississippi, and the Yieksburg and Shrieveport Road, in Louisiana; and thence to connect with the Southern Pacific Rail Road, char, tered by the State of Texas. The action of the Convention, of course, was wholly advisory, and the measures recommended are of vast importance to the Southern People; and we trust they will re ceive the serious consideration of our people. Law. Our young friend, John D. Stewart, lately ad mitted to plead and practice Law, Sticks his shin gle ou t tils week for public favor. John is a young man of sterling integrity and moral worth, A child must crawl before it can walk—and a young lawyer must have practice before he can tell fully what his powers are. Give him a push. Monroe Fema e University. We refer to the advertisement of this Universi ty, in another column. It will be seen that the corps of Teachers is complete. The President is s© well known, that it would be useless for us to say anything in his behalf. Griffin Female College. As often as we have hitherto called attention to this flourishing Seminary of Learning for Young Ladies, under the direction of its able President, Rev. Hugh E. Morrow, we have at no time felt a stronger interest, or a deeper confidence in its abil ity to do good, than we do at the present time, it has for eight years stood among the foremost of our Institutions for the education of Young La dies, and is now about to enter upon the ninth.— AVith its established reputation and ipereased fa cilities for doing its work, we feel a confidence, strengthened by the history of its past well doing, in commending it to the patronage of the public < Select School. ‘ Rev. C. P. B. Martin will open his Select School for Boys, on Monday, 12th of January next. We regard this gentleman a ripe scholar, and having had loug experience in imparting instruction to the young, he deserves, and we hope he will pos sess, a liberal patronage. By reference to the ad vertisement, it will be discovered that his plan lor a School is admirable. Especial attention is paid to Natural-Science, having reference to Agricul ture, daily instruction being given in this uoble Science. The introduction of this feature augurs anew era in our educational system, Mind few men are better fitted to commence thfe enterprise than the Princiaal of this School. The- observing faculties are called into exercise—Mathematics also.and the ancieut classjcs to those who wish to study them, are taught. We regard the sytem as excellent for imparting that knowledge which will njiike practi cal men, and discipline the mind for'dselulness in the future. ‘ , > ■ r Penitentiary vs Lunatic Asylum.— The Carolina Spartan mentions that High Holt, indicted at Spartansburg for horse stealing, took to insanity by way of escape. In this condition he was visited by a committee of med ical gentlemen, who confessed that lie was in sane 10 all intents and purposes; that it was cruel to send any man the Lunatic Asylum, for by all odds it is the worst place in the world; that its tortures were indescribable, but there was no alternative, for the poor fellow must go there whether he should live or die under the treatment. This conversation had a wonder ful effect upon the lunatic. ‘Gentlemen, I swear lam no more crazy than you are 1’ They as sured him of their concurrence in this opinion, and after trial, he was duly convicted of the crime of horse stealing. A recent Dublin newspaper cfontairis the fol lowing cur ous advertisement:’ , ~ ,M ’ ’ I hereby warn all persona from trusting my wife, Elleu Flanmgan, on my accout; dS lain not married to her. Questions for a Debating Society.— ls. lt man has an uogrv bull by the tail, which would be the best for his personal safety— to hold on I or let go ? . . 1 , . For the Empire State. The Present Administration. It has been remarked ‘hat “he who g@et.ii about to persuade a multitude that they are not s well governed as they ought to be, shall never want attentive and favorable hearers.” And the intemperate zeal wi*b which the pre sent Administration is denounced, demonstrates that he who u tered this truism, was an atten tive observer of history, and hud a thorough insight into the human mind. Four >ears ago it was a favorite interroga tory. with a great party from one end of our country to the other,‘Who is Franklin Pierce?’ i his question is asked no more ; it has been answered by one of the most brilliant Admin istrations which is recorded in the annals of our country, and if its acts had been present ed to the people, without coloring or comment , by an infatuated press, they would have met with no opposition. But led on by the ra ving of malcontent, and incited by the hoarse cries of disappointed aspirants for office, we find many in our midst who exclaim with un measured invective against the Administration, and have unscrupulously united with our bit terest foes, to defeat its measui’es. And what are these measures ? Let us briefly notice a few of them. Almost the first act of Mr. Pierce after as sumlng the Presidential Chair, would have re flected credit upon the firmness and decision of a Jackson. He knew that by the removal of Bronson, lie would incur the opposition of the powerful faction to which he belonged ; but when he saw him prostituting the patron age he had given him to electioneering purpo ses, his duty was plain, and he did not shrink from its discharge. For this act,as hecxpected, he ,\yas assailed with all the animosity and vi tuperation of a venal and corrupted press : and his Southern opponents catching up the cry, poured out their lamentations over the fate of ‘poor Bronson.” But our Chief Ex ecutive “knew the right, and dared the right pursue,” regardhssof their maniac bowlings ; for he remembered that he who acts rightly, is always safe—is always triumphant. The next notable feature of his Administra tion, was the establishment of a commercial treaty with Japan, thus accomplishing an end which had been sought for in vain by several European Nations. The advantages in the way of trade which that treaty secured us, were almost incalculable From the rich fields there thrown open, our merchants have already begun to reap a luxuriant harvest, and it “has not even entered into the mind of man j to conceive” of the immense wealth which our comme ce with her is to pour into our lap ‘ The destruction of a Pirate’s nest in Cen tr.'l Amu ica, was at the time, the subject of considerable amra.-dveision ; but all candid and intelligent person>, will n w admit that it j was necessary in order to protect our National! honor from the indirect assaults of a jealous commercial rival. j The Kosta affair, establishing as it did, a; great principle of international law, is uni er s .My approved of ; so we will pass it by, only rema king that the conduct of the Admmis trauon upon that oeca ion, gave another strik ing proof of it s ability and worth. Mr. l it-ree, by his firm, but couveous poli cy, has happily and peaceably adjusted the | difficulties which grew out of our relations with Spain and England, which, were needless ly complicated by the bungling mismanage ment of the “model President” who preceded him. . We come now to the crowning act of his Administration, and the one for which be has rece.ved ‘he indiscriminate censure of Northern | Abolitionists and Southern Know Nothings. | Wealinde t the passage of the Kansas Ne braska Bill, the o. iy triumph which the South ha-achieved over the Norih. and which has been v .riou lv c i u-acteriz. and umo g us as a “Pandora’s Box”—a ‘ Boon to ilie South, ’ and a “Fraud u; on the South.” Verily this is consistency, and “consisted cy is a jewel.” j Until recently, a man who in a Southern | community should avow his opposition to that; ’ Bill, and deplore its passage, would have been | : driven with hoses from the stand ; he would j 1 have been regarded as unfit, to be a member jof any political organization But now “a 1 change has come over the spirit of their dream,” and thousands are heard to regret its t-xis i tenre u: on the statute book, under the spe- 1 cious plea that it ‘ re-opeus the wounds of -ee- j tional agitati-n. They assail Mr Pierce with j a holy horror for the excitement this act has occasioned, apparently forget:imr that under 1 j the “ Washington Administration.” the coun try was >hakett from centre to circumference, 1 and the thr ate* ed ruin was scarcely averted. Sectional i x •! lenient is indeed to be deplored by every \. ver of his country ; but must we surrender our dearest tights— must we submit to degradation nd depreciation in the Union, because the assertion of those rights, a id the maintainnnee of our equality, re-open the wounds of sectional agitation ? Whether is it better to have excitement and live freemen, or to live in peace and die all slaves ? During the last session of Congress, the ve to of Bills for Internal Improvements, in op position to a majority of the Representatives of the people who elected him, evinced greater moral courage and unwavering firmness than any act by a P resident sincetheformution of our • Government, except, perhaps, the veto of the, Bill re-chartering the United States Bank. From the Georgia Banner. To the Slave Holders of Coweta co. At a meeting of tl e Cit zens of Newan on Monday eveiling December 15, 1856, it was uuanimu sly resolved that no negro will be pennited ‘o vi>it the Town ofNewnan during the ensuing Christ mast Holidays, under any pretext whatever unless on special buisnesy of the owner or overseer, and that to be specified in his pa'S, and to return as soon as such bus - ness is transacted Any negro found in ihe s reets after 7 o’clock at night, will be put in the Calaboose, there to remain until taken out by the owner ; and any negro found on the streets during the day, will beseverly whipped j and sent out of Town j E. D. McKintly, i Jos. . Brown, > Com. B H Mitchell, ) Presentation to Mr J A Sledge. The Democracy of Athens, presented to Maj. I James Asbury Sledge, editor of the Southern j Banner, Athens, Ga., ou the occasion of his • marriage, a beautiful Silver Tea Service. It! was done as a testimonial of their admiration of his worth as a gentlemen, and their hiirh np- j predation of his abilities as an editor. [Ex. Appointment. We understand that E. R - Harden has been appointed Agent of the Western Atlantic Railroad, at Dalton, to fill the vacancy of Mr. Dunn, resigned. Mr. Harden was a few years ago, Agent at Ringgold and was an active and efficient officer. —lntdligtn(*r „ Democratic Meeting in Pike. At a meeting of the delegates from the dif ferent districts in Pike county, held in Zebu lon, Saturday Dec 20th, 1856, to nominate candidates for the county offices of said county to be supported by the democratic party on the first Monday iu J amiary next. On motion of John Neal, Allison Spier Esq. was appointed, chairman, and N P Daniel Secretary. On motion the following named delegates came forward and enrolled, their names Zebulon Dist —John Neal, J H Mitchell, Wm Barrett and J C Bedding. Barncsville Dist —Tliqs Abbott and James Fletcher. Pine Flat Dist—C W Oliver.? Eighth Dist—E L Connelly, R L Anderson RWood, and M McCowell. Seventh Dist—J M Shockley and Win Ezel. Ninth Dist—John Banks, R P Jas Dismukcs, Allison Spier. Seats Dist—N P Daniel and Solomon Seats. First Dist—C R Wilson. Drivers Dist—Henrv Jones, Tlios. J Wells, J A Yarbrough, A A Wilson On motion, it was ‘resolved, That each dis trict cast four votes, and that two thirds of the whole vote be necessary tu a choice. The convention then proceeded to ballot for a candidate for Tax Collector, when Win B Horton was nominated ; and Bolling Green was nominated for Tax Receiver. N T DffiH then offered the following reso lution which was auopfed. Resolved, Thr.t wo recommend for Justices of the Inferior Court, the present incumbents, Jas Eppingcr, W E Maugham, Wm O Kiu drick and John N Maugham: and we further recommend the name of Francis Reyier of Barncsville for the other member of said Court. On motion, John A Yarbrough was nomina ted for county Surveyor aud James Dismukcs for Coroner. ‘ On motion of Wm Barrett, resolved that the proceedings of the meeting be published in the Empire State. ALISON SPIER, Ch inn. N P Daniel, Sec’ty. A Card. The letter of B. H. Hill, Esq., published in the Constitutionalist, of the 26th ult. (copied from the Savannah Republican.) abounding, as it docs, with the grossest pervertion of truth upon matters relating to myself, though not of great weight in themselves, should have been noticed at an earlier date, but for the pendency of a correspondence between him and me upon another subject of a much higher grade, in im portance, which required prior adjustment.-that was a report which had reached me of his . speeches at Thomson and Augusta near the’ close of the late canvass-, in which, as was com-| municated to me, he had said, in substance, at ; both of these places, in alluding to the discus sion at. 1 exingtnn with me. and the discussion at Washington with Mr. Toombs, “that he bad charged them (Messrs Toombs and Stephens') with having betrayed the “Whig party, and having acted towards it worse than Judas Is cariot. For though he betrayed his master, yet he did not base him afterwards—that he had thundered this iu their ears and they had cowered under it.” An explanation of this language took precedence over all minor issues. And I am now compelled by a sense of dutv to myself and the public, to make known that by the correspondence referred to and just termina ted, in relation to it, Mr. Hill has proved him self to me to be not only an impudent braggart and an unscrupulous liar, but a despicable pol troon besides. All these I proclaim him to be, holding invself, notwithstanding what has pas sed. and this denunciation, still responsible even to him . for what. I say, if he be not, utterly in sensible to shame and degredation, however he innv be as to ‘fear.’ The public, therefore, will excuse me for not saying anything further upon his version of the facts relating to the verv immaterial question, so far as 1 was concerned, as to whether he did or not ‘back out from a discussion in Elbert. I will also, I trust, be excused even by the most fastidious, for the language now used to wards him, which my own self-respect on ordi nary occasions would forbid. But when a men dacious gascader sets up wantonlv to asperse private character and malign individual repu tation, and then refuses that redress which a gentleman knows how to ask, as well as how to grant, no course is left for the most courte ous and decorous, and the most upright and honorable, but to put the brand of infamy up on him—there to remain until |a radical change in his character, and especially in his conduct either in giving porsonal insults, or making proper amends for them when given, shall re move it. ALEX H. STEPHENS. Washington D. C., 12th Dec. 1856. The Caniel in Texas. The Galveston News contains correspon dence from Castroville, Medina county, Texas, dated 19th ult., from which we take the follow ing interesting particulars in relation to the camels which have lately been imported there by the United States Government: “I had also the pleasure of making the ac quaintance of Maj. Wavne, for several years attached to the War Department in Washing ton, who went out last voar to Asia and intro duced the camels into this country which ar rived at Indianola last spring, and are now kept at this post. It,has been selected by him as adapted to that service for which he intends them. When we arrived they were out grazing j some two miles distant, attended bv the Arabs who have charge of them, when Maj- Wayne very kindly sent out and had them driven in for our inspection. There arc altogether thirty one, including some young ones, and all are in excellent health, and seem to be doing well.— Maj. Wayne gave ns a very interesting account j of their habits and peculiarities, and he ordcr |ed one of them to be led out and loaded as if i for n journey. After kneeling to receive the I pack-saddlc, a most cumbrous load of itself, but | such ns are used in the country from whence , they came, a load of corn was placed on the j animal’s back, sufficient for two males to draw i in a wagon, with which he started off at a good round pace. A dromedary was next led out, ! which is the saddle animal of the eair.ul, and] i i after kneeling to receive the saddle, he was ’ mounted by an Arab, who started off across ; I the prairie at a pace which seemed to me not j | much short of n two-fortv lick.. This pace they | can keep np for hours in succession, traveling I with perfect ease from sixty to eighty miles J per day. They can subsist for several days without water, and their adaptability to the frontier service for which they are designed is ■ now a matter beyond doubt. Maj. Wavne in-’ formed me that he had forty more animals corning out, and lie is now building a stable in j which they will be kept, which he expects to got finished before the cold weather sets in.” *®rMrs. Dawdle savs that one of- her hoys ! don’t know nothing, and the other dai4. -The, 1 question is, “which is ahead ?” ‘ !i [From the New Or Delta, Decern 1 Highly Important News. ARRIVAL OF THE TEXAS , Four Great Battles iu Nicaragua! WALKER TRIUMPHANT!! GRANADA IN ASHES I A Fortnight later from California . The steamship Texas, J S Crowell, comman der, from San Juan del Ni.rte, arrived at the Ba ize last night. The Texas reached San del Norte from New York, the 2nd inst., and'the Tennessee, from New Oilcan*, on the 3d iuM. The steamship Orizaba, from San Iraucisco, leit that port with Buo passengers, .• and arrived at Sau Juun del Sur on the 3d inst The steamship Tennessee sailed from San Jui ile. N ,i*u; tor New York o.i the’ j sth, with $270,000 in treasure, aud 500 p s ; seugtrs. The steamship Texas for New Or leans the sumo day. The Transit n>..te is in u most excellent condition, affording every facility for the safe auu .-peCdy conveyance of passengers. The news fr m Nicaragua is of the most exciting and thrilling character siuce our last 1 dates. Series of battels have taken place be tween the American forces and the Combined forces of Central America, in all of which the Americans have been entirely su ce>sful. On the 10t.. u!t. mi engagement was had at a place called Half-way-House, on the Transit load, b;tworn 200 Americans, under Brig. ’ Geii Hu it by, ami 1100 of the enemy, under the Costa Rican General Gina*. The enemy were wed fortified, but not-tith*- standi nr their superior number of men. were i mini itiate y routed wkh great loss tie loss • n iue America i side was tw < killed aud ele ven wounded ;thit of the enemy ab u 200 killed. Among their killed was Gen. Caraca. Alter the emmy hid bten dispersed, Gen Hornsby came u ( to Gtauada. i lie licxt day/ Gen. Walker started fiom Granada with 200' 5 men lor Virgin Bay, where he arrived on the l2thiust. —The enemy having learned the*” smallness of the force under Gen. Hornsby/ which i.ad dispersed them again collected their 1 r battered forces, and again occupied their for mer position Gen. Walker marched to attack s them. The enemy hearing that Gen. Walker ‘ comauded in person, fired a few rounds and * immediately retreated They were immediately 11 ’ pursued to aau Juan del Sur, and from that point along the coa-t unt l dispersed through-- out the t ountry.— About 150 of them broke 5 away lrom the army aud fled into Costa Rica* T.ne loss of die enemy could not be ascvN* • tained ; they were ccLtiin.aily kiting.shot J they Were found along the roadt* ;.pf*ibAbfyy about 100. Tiie American 2. killed; j [ana 9 wounded slightly. louuedin ely altei ;he victory Gen. Walker returned to Granada in order u> take reinforcements and march upon M assay a, where about 1,- 500 of the enemy remained. He to k his line of inarch on the lotu ult.,. with 530 men ; but hearing that a number o the opposing army h..d mar ched towards ibe relief of those wno had been beaten on the Ist hum.', he ordered the 2di Infantry, under command of Col. to return to Granada, theuee lO'the Transit by steamer Saa Carlos, to repulse, such forces a* may be found. The remainder of the force.marched on until near the city of Masaya., when they were at tacked by 600 o; emmy in amouscad;, wuere . a snaip light took place aod the foe wa- scat tered m all dire It waascena.ned, on . entering h, ttuii tne enemy hud po.-session of a chunk aud the iUGe-pl. za, which were . j immeuiutefv attacked, and in a fdw minutes i gain* and possess.o.i of isle church, and plaza, j with an nbumlai&ee of factjb.proyis.ous aud ex - , j cein nt water, wittltout the loss of a single man The enemy would not fight, except behind a wail, and Gen Walker, after due consi teia tiou, concluded ta f.tonn the stronghold and 1 give them nothing for a> shield, w hich was ac cordingly duße.. The larger and more vulua | ble j an . f the city was- destroyed, and af.er ’ four days’ fighting the enemy were entirely vanquished After this was a esero] dished, Gen. Walker returned to Granada tocx>*cui further plans, which were well considered, namel , that Granada being a very sickly place, i* was disadv..ntagco. s for the froopg t.return t’tere, :-nd i*,- liad long since concluued to maku R.m fh*- cnp tal, unu ku • upon,an evacuation of Granada that the town might be occupied by the enemy with advantage, lie determined to bum the place, and accordingly gave three days notice to all persons to remove all goods and valuables, amd at the cud of be time he fired the town—not leaving a vestige of a sin gle building—removing all his stores with provisions and in sbitauts to Virgin Hay - He will thence remove to Rivas, which he has made tlie capital. It is supposed that during all the battels since Octobtr the enemy have lost 3,000 men. A terrific battle took place off’ San Juan del Sur between the Niearguan war-steamer Granada. 50 tons, 24 men and two six poun ders, rapt. 0. J. Fayssoux, and the l osta i Rican brig Ouzo de Abril, ISO toi s, 114 men, ! and carrying 6 nine-p< under* —The Imi tic las | ted two hours, and alter hard fighting, the l Nicaraguan steamer succeeded in blowing up | the Costa Rican bri, and destroyed all on board except 17. who were fearfully woun ded. Ihe brig had on board arms, ammunition and provisions together with $12,000 iu spie cie, all of which wer lost. The prospects are excellent,and it is said by the prisoners recently taken, that Costa Rica and Guatemala can never raise another force to come aginst General Walker Ihe news from California is unimportant. The Texas has 86 passengers, amongst whom is Brig. Gen. Hornsby of the Nicaraguan array, and 244 in t. 1 c steerage. The California Presidential vote gives Bu chanan 50,600 — Fillmore 35.000- and Fre mont 19,000. State officers and both Congressmen Demo craiie. Senate- 18 Dem crms, 12 Americans and 3 Republicans. Assembly—6o Demo* crats, 8 Americans and 1-1 Republicans. Stock of merchandise targe and markets dull. Bad Chirograrhy.— A good story is told concerning the writing of J W Brooks, the great railroad manager of Michigan. He had written a letter to a man ou the Central route, notilying him that he must remove a barn, which in some mauncr incommoded the road, under penalty of prosecution. The threatened individual was unable to read any part of the letter but the signattre,, but took it to be a free pass on the road, and used it for a couple of years as such, none of the conductors being able to dispute bis interpretation of the docn> rnent. —-Boston Travels?