CHARLOTTE :
FRIDAY JNORK1AG, March 16, 1855.
A I AIR PROPOM'IIOV
There are many of our subscribers who have
been reading our paper for nearly ihree years,
who have not paid Ua one dime, though our terms
art cash. To all those we say. Pay ip between
this and the April Court, and we will only charge
the atlvunre price but all who do not heed this
tiotico we will in no case receive less than $3 a
year, for every year in arrears. Our terms ore
$2 cnsh, 2.50 if payment is delayed 6 months,
and S3 at the end of the year. Thus it will be
seen that those who will accept our proposition
will save something smart, and we will be greatly
benefitted by it.
CHARLOTTE MARKET.
Western Democrat Office
1
Thursday Evening, March 15, '55
Cotton Coming in quite freely upwards of
300 bales changed hands since our hst, at prices
ranging from 5 to 1.
Flour Sales light; market well supplied
prices unchanged, sells at u
Wheat None offered, but would readily bring
$1.50, prime quality.
Corn Good deal offered at 75 a 85.
Meal In demand, at 80 a 95.
1'eas SO a 65. Oats none offered.
U achn flog round 7 a 7j.
Charleston Market.
Charlfst -n, March 13. Cotton Sales to-day
about 1360 bales. Prieea ranged from 7 to 8c.
Fire.
This day week (Friday) was probably the most
windy that we ever remember to have experienced
even in March. Unfortunately persons who were
clearing new ground for the coming crop had set
fire to the woods in several localities, from which
much destruction of property resulted. As far
as we can hear the fire has ravaged the county,
burning houses, fences, and destroying the lim
ber. From Cabarrus we learn that Dr. Harris at
Mill Grove had his house entirely consumed
u -.u ti k c. " ws a handsome
gather with ail his lurni""
dwellinn - ",e l,)SS w'" very heavily upon
mm.
In Steele Creek Settlement, in this county, Mr.
Robert Potts, hud his dwelling burnt.
From Union we also learn that there was a
considerable destruction of property, a number
of houses burned.
Just around our town the woods were on fire,
and their lurid light illuminated our streets all
Friday evening, filling the minds of many with
dread.
The Charlotte & S. C. Railroad suffered from
the same cause, some 5 or 6 miles were burned
but by the energy of the Superintendent the dam
age was soon repaired j as to permit the trains
to pass over.
It was truly a "dies irac" and if it had been
the 13th, instead of the 0th, the Millerite prophe
cy of the consuming of tire world, would have
come nearer being fulfilled than any of their pre
vious predictions.
The ih a riot to and Kutuerfordton
Kail Koad.
We learn that the friends of this Road will hold
a meeting in Gaston on next Friday, (23d,) and
another in Lincolnton on the day following, (24th.)
We have every reason to congratulate ourselves
on the early movements that are making to arouse
attention and secure tho building of this Road, for
we humbly believe that it is of vast, we may say
vital, importance to the future growth of our
town. Salisbury seems to take hold in earnest
of her Western extension, which, if she should
even progress with, will militate greitly against
us, unless we could also penetrate the Mountains.
One or the other of these Roads must and will
be built that is as fixed as destiny. This is the
most important as a State enterprise, and certainly
the most feasible and the cheapest, and will pass
through a country far richer in mineral, agricul
tural and manufacturing resources. It is import
ant for us just now, to make a demonstration
for if we show our capacity to complete the en
terprise, we think the Salisbury extension will at
once bo abandoned, or, at most, drag out a sickly
existence, impotent either of good or evil. If '.his
Road is built to Rutherlordion, it will certainly be
extended on through Cherokee and connect with
the French Broad Road then onward by other
lines into the valley of the Mississippi, and will
be the directest route for that whole country to
reach the Atlantic eoaat ; and by the universal
law of trade will command the travel and freight,
and be the best paying Road in the South.
We should not suffer our interest in the Wil
mington extension to divert us from the good that
will reault to us from this. Our position as a
point is such that we ought to do all we can for
both to divide our subscription, and if we give
the most to either, the difference ought to be in
favor of the route to the Mountains. That Road
will opon to us a connexion with the iron and
lime region, and will pour into our lap the pro
duce of the whole Cis mountain region the other
end will give us a more direct communication
wi;h the ocean, and bring to us the coal-fields, a
commodity so neeesaary for manufacturing pur
poses. Whether the Road will be located through Gas
ton or Lincoln is a matter that will have to depend
greatly upon the amount of money raised by the
respective counties, and is a matter of no very
great importance to us. If it should go through
Gaaton it will be some 10 miles shorter, will be,
of course, less expensive, and will be the means
of cutting off the trade of Gaaton and Cleaveland
from South Carolina towns and direct it to us.
These are considerations that should have their
weight with those of our people who wish to sub
scribe. We will endeavor to attend th meetings
t Dallas and Lincolnton, and sum up the argu
ments uaed by the friends of the respective routes
and present them to our readers.
The Approaching; Canvass.
J. A. Caldwell, Esq., of Lincoln, is announced
through the "Whig" as the candidate for Con.
gress in this District at the approaching election.
We understand, though it is not publicly an
nounced, that General A. J. Dargan of Anson, is
also in the field, and we would oot be surprised
before the canvass is half way advanced if several
more knights were to don the helmet and mount
Rosanant ready to enter the list. Come on gen
tlemen, the more the merrier and we assure you
your chances will not be diminished by it in the
slightest degree. Mr. Craige is willing to cope
single-handed or against a battalion of you. He
is armed at every point, and if the whole Whig
party, Know-Nothings, et id omne genus array
themselves against him they will not impede his
way. You know he has some legs and such
small obstacles he can easily step over. We wish
to sec him aroused sufficiently to cause him to put
forth his powers. His friends are impatiently
awaiting to hear him ditcuss the grave and mighty
questions which have agitated the public rnind
since his election to the last Congress. Having
demolished the AjaxTelamon of the Whig party
of this District during the last canvass, we imag
ine that the lesser heroes will not give him much
trouble,
The licw Postage Law,
Every person being interested in the amended
act of the 3rd Maich, 1855, in regard to postages,
a synopsis of its provisions will not be unaccepta
ble :
From and after ihe 1st of April, 1855, the post
age to be charged on ea,ch single letier for any dis
tance in the United Slates, not exceeding three
thousand miles, is three cents, and over three thou
sand miles, ten cents.
Half an ounce in weight will constitute a single
letter; and double, treble, and quadruple letters to
be charged in the same proportion.
All letters between places in the United States
shall be pre-paid, from and after the 1st of April,
1855, by stamps or otherwise, and that from and
after the 1st ol January, 1856, postmasters must
place postage stamps upon all prepaid letters upon
which such stamps may not have been placed by
the writers, or which may not be enclosed in
s amped envelopes.
A registraiion of valuable lei0'" squired lo
be made upon th" rJ,,,enl of a fee of five cents
;n -jwrf.fun to the pre-paid postage, but the Gov
ernment will not be responsible for the loss of any
registered letter or packet.
The franking privilege is to remain as hereto
fore. Selling postage stamps for a larger sum than
their marked value is to bo punished as a misdemeanor.
Post Office Rales.
The following are some of the Rules of the Post
Office, which are not generally Known :
A postage stamp cut from a stamped envelope,
cannot be used for postage.
A postmaster, under no circumstances, is allow
ed to open a letter not addressed to him.
When letters are missent, it is not lawful to
charge postage for forwarding.
All newspapers having words written on or in
them, are subject to letter postage. To entitle
pnpers to be sent to bona fide subscribers at half
a cent each, a full quarter's postage is required in
advance.
It is improper for deputy postmasters to remove
the wrappers of public documents franked by mem
bers of Congress.
No paper, or other thing, except bills or re
ceipts of publishers, can be sent enclosed in a
newspaper without subjecting the whole to letter
postage.
Subscribers to a weekly newspaper in the county
of its publication shall receive the same free of
postage.
Bona fide subscribers to a weekly paper, whose
post office is in an adjoining county, are allowed
to receive papers published in a county in which
they live, free of postage.
Any mark with a pen on a circular, such as
date or anything of the king, subjects it to letter
postage.
Postmasters can make no deductions from the
established rates under any circumstances what
ever. Postmasters are required to give notice to a pub
lisher or editor when a subscriber refuses to take
his paper from the office.
N. C. Railroad.
At the meeting of Stockholders of the North
Carolina Railroad, held at Greensboro last week,
the one million proffered by the State, and all the
proposed amendments of the Charter, were unani
mously accepted. About 600, 000 was repre
sented. Among the changes made, one is that
no stockholder can be chosen a director vvho does
not own stock to the amount of five shares.
Later from IWcxico.
New Orleans, March 11, 1855. The steam
er Orizaba has atrived with Vera Cruz dates of
tho 8th, ajpd city of Mexico of the 3d. Santa Anna,
had gone South with all his troops except 1,500.
The official paper says he has gone to the baths,
but it is rumored that he has gone lo join Alvarez,
and execute a coup d'etat.
There was a severe shock of an earthquake at
Mexico on the 28th ult.
GalTToWN, Notwithstanding the chastisement
the rascals at Greytown, or Sun Juan, received
from the United States some time ago, it appears
they have again been committing outrages upon
American citizens. One American was attacked
and terribly beaten, and another had to place him
self under the protection ol the American consul
to save his life. A correspondence of the N. Y.
Times says the whole town was in a state of
great excitement, the cry was 'death to Americans.'
It was not considered safe for an American to be
out of doors.' It is stated that a bearer of dis
patches has arrived at Washington with the par
ticulars. The Bounty Land Act. The act which pas
sed Congress give to every person who served in
any capacity, as long as fourteen dnys, by land
or sea, in any war since 1796, 160 acres of land
Tho widows or minor children to receive the ben
efit, in case ol the death of the person so entitled.
Our Minister to France. Judg6 Mason, the
American minister in Paris, is said to have almost
entirely recovered his health. During his illness,
the Emperor and all the Imperial family manifest,
ed much interest in his welfare, and at the last di-
j plomatic gathering at the Tuilleries the family ol
Mr. Mason were present, and were warmly con
gratulated on the Minister's recovery.
OCT We are indebted to Charles W. Welch,
Chief Clerk of the Navy Department, for a copy
of the Navy Register for 1855.
For the Democrat.
Mr. Editob ; A communication which ap
peared in your paper some two weeks since,
charging th Know-Nothings with being in closo
communion wiih and struggling for the el vation
of the Abolitionists of the North, seems to have
drawn from otle of the fraternity signing himself
"Amicus," an effusion which I presume he intend
ed as an answer to 'Mecklenburg," and a defence
of the " dark lantern " party against the said
charge. How far "Amicus" clears up tbw charge
against his brethren may be better ascertained by
reference to his communication itself see it, read
it, analyze if, line by line and sentence by sen
tence, and in no part of it will you find a denial
of the charge. For this manifestation of his hon
esty, "Amicus" isenti'ledto much credit; and it
proves that some of the Know Nothings, at least,
have consciences that are not composed entirely
of indii rubber.
We, therefore, re iterate the charge that the
Know-Nothings are fighting shoulder to shoulder
in the ranks with the Abolitionists. And we again
ask " where has the Know-Nothing Society stood
up for Southern Rights ? Where has it united
with the friends of the South in the election ol
sound national men to the Congress of the United
States?"
The South needs no further identity of this new
order than to know that it was formed by the Ab
olitionists of i he North. Can anything good and
wholesome for the South come out of Massachu
setts, the hot-bed of abolitionism ? Can a secret
political association having at its head Henry
Wilson, who "wishes slavery in the District of
Columbia abolished who wishes the Wilmot
Proviso established who wishes all new Slave
States excluded w ho wishes all connection be
tween the General Government and slavery sbol
ished who wishes the agitation of the slarery
question continued until all these objects are ac
complished," have anything in it that would re
commend it to Southern favor? Yet this is the
party that is attempting to insinuate itself inta the
affections of the Southern people pretendiig to
be the great bulwark between the abolitionists and
the South ! " We see the South besieged by the
Abolitionists of the free States, besieged no', as
heretofore, as enemies but under the guise and
gloss of false friends. Messrs. Seward, Fesen
den, Wilson, Washburn, and the rest, are just
now as anxious for their Southern friends as i" the
latter were their sworn and accepted associates.
Tho prejudices of the Southern people against the
adopted citizens are artfully aroused and kept up
by old Whig leaders, Prentice, Bi.tts and Rayner,
on the ground that the foreign-born citizen is
generally hostile to Southern institutions, and
with this plausible appeal they hope gradually to
conduct the whole Soulh into the arms of diis
new Order already created at the North, thus na
tionalizing Know-Nothingism, and making Aboli
tionism irresistible at the same moment. Will
the South be fascinated by the serpents wiles, and
forget that it is invited to its own destruction, or
will it take counsel from facts? Will it be mis
led by the miserable humbug of Know-Nothingism,
illiberal prejudices, and secret mummeries?
Never before was Abolitionism at once so domi
nant and so defiant. Never before was it so bold
and so confident. Never before were. its hellish
schemes so publicly proclaimed and so warmly
and so ably advocated. Never before has it dared
lo ask the South to unite with it, proffering peace
with one hand and death with the other.'1'' And
this is the party that is even now struggling for a
foot-hold in the old County of Mecklenburg, the
Hornet's Nest of the Revolution, for the purpose
of controlling our elections. Look to it Demo
crats of Mecklenburg. The Whigs have never
been able to beat you single-handed, what they
will be able to do since their amalgamation with
the Know-Nothings and Abolitionists, remains to
be seen at the next August election. But what
necessity can there be for a secret political asso
ciation in our country, is any man's liberty in
danger for expressing his sentiments freely and
openly, provided those sentiments are not treason
able ? Aaron Burr once formed a secret political
association which ended in his destruction, by
leaving a mark upon him that he could never wipe
out. And this will be the result of the present
Know Nothing Society, its members will receive
a mark like the members of. the famous Hartford
Convention, that will descend with them to their
graves. Come out then ye " dark lanterned "
gentlemen and let your light shine before men,
stop your deeds of darkness, be independent, act
like men, who are not ashamed of their associ
ates, come out and let us see who you are.
MECKLENBURG.
For the Democrat.
Mr. Editor : Some weeks ago an article ap
pea red in your paper, to which my signature was
placed, giving the reasons for which the Students
of Davidson College left that Institution. I have
sines learned that some of the statements in that
communication are erroneous, and I am convinced
that they were made through mistake.
It was stated in that article that the Students,
generally, did not leave College for the reason
reported, i. e. because the young man was sus
pended on suspicion of striking Maj. Hill on the
arm with a stone but we have seen several stu
dents who declare that such was the cause of their
leaving College, and we have heard from several
more to the same effect. To them we say you
were mistaken, for the above charge was not
made against young N , as the Registry of
the Faculty shows. Two other statements were
made in that communication about which we were
misinformed : The first was, that the class-mates
of the )oung man suspended, testified that he
was among the foremost in his class.- We are
told by the Professors themselves, that such was
not the Cbse, and have had evidence to the contra
ry. The other was, that we were told that voung
N.'s essay was the only one highly commended
by the Professor before whom it was delivered.
This is positively denied, and out of justice to the
Professors and myself we wish it corrected.
Yours Jiespectfuily,
F. H. JOHNSTON.
communicated.
Charlotte, Ro. 2.
The former brief sketch imperfectly represented
the external appearance of yur city, with a few
incidental allusions to distinguished personages.
Time did not permit us to speak at length of the
Granite Range, Sadler's Hotel, Johnson's now
buildings, the Branch Mint and various other taste
ful and attractive edifices. Tho Methodist Epis.
copal Church is efficiently large and well-seated
to accommodate a numerous ihrong of hearers.
The Rev. Mr. Pickett a gentleman and a scholar
who can read the text of the Scriptures in eight
or nine different languages is zealously laboring
in this field with the mosu; cheering prospects of
success. He is exceedingly popular with all de
nominal ions, and is eminently adapted for exten
sive usefulness in whatever region Providence
may assign his position.
The Episcopal edifice evinces a cultivated taste
and its interior is elegant, comfortable and suitably
arranged for sacred purposes. We could but ad
mire ihe simple cross pointing to the celestial vault
as the emblem of the holy oblation wiih which
our hopes were purchased, and of the fair and
charming Heaven to which we 6hall be safely con
ducted. With the Rev. Mr. Hewitt for its pastor,
we do not hesitate to affirm that the cause of this
denomination must advance and prosper. The
manner in which he performs the admirable ser
vice is comely and graceful, beautiful and im.
pressive.
The Presbyterian Church is located in ample
and handsome grounds and, though it has stood
for more than fifteen years, it stills wears a very
decent and respectable appearance ; but, since its
members have resolved to erect an entirely new
edifice we take leave of it with the remark that
the enterprise and spirit are to be commended,
and express our hope that w hen completed it will
reflect honor and credit upon iheir intelligence,
taste and liberality.
The Cemetry contains elegant and costly Mon
uments of Marble, which tender affection has
reared to the memory of departed worth. Among
many others we observed those erecied at the
graves of the late Mr. John Springs, Mrs. Aman
da Springs, and Mrs. Steele. Peace be to the
shades of the mighty dead, and oh ! for a resolu
tion of the living to imitate their noble and distin
guished virtues.
Constituted as we are, it is natural to seek an
association with kindred spirits and, during our
rural or urban visftations, to notice the social char
acter of the citizens. Should it become necessa
ry to change our residence, we should invariably
prefer a location in which could be found intelli
gent, respectable, and if possible religious society.
None but parents can appreciate the force of the
thought suggested, and it would be well for them
if they contemplated the subject more frequently,
and practised the dictates of their own wiser judg
ment. The great harriers to the exercise of refined
and noble feeling, and to delightful social inter
course, are aristocracy, misunderstandings and
altercations. These, we are happy to know, do
not exist in Charlotte. There is not a more Re
publican and Democratic town in the State. All
are as one family inviting and encouraging the
unembarrassed enjoymnt of the civilities, cour
tesies and hospitalities of genuine friendship. Be
sides, the character of the resident gentlemen and
ladies is a sufficient guarantee that all persons in
troduced will receive a polite attention, and be
spared the pain or disgust arising from a wounded
delicacy or offended taste.
These few paragraphs are written by one who
has no feeling to gratify nor interest to promote,
and who, from the nature of his circumstances,
obligations, and relations, cannot expect to leave
his present location, but who is impelled by a par
donable desire to give to each dun praise and thus
stimulate ourselves and others to higher efforts
and worthier deeds. TRANS IENS.
Rail Road Meeting.
The citizens of Rutherford County held an ad
journed meeting at the Court House, on Tuesday,
February 27th, for the purpose of adopting some
preliminary measures and passing resolutions re
lativo to the charter granted by the late session
of the Legislature, for the construction of a Rail
road from Wilmington to Rutherfordton via Char
lotte, and, also, make arrangements for other
meetings for the furtherance of the great enter
prize. On motion, Gen. G. W. Logan was chosen to
preside oyer the deliberations of the meeting, and
C. H. Chapin and M. O. Dickerson appointed
secretaries.
The Committee appointed at a previous meeting
to prepare resolutions, were then called on to
report, and presented the following resolutions:
Whereas, we look upon the design of construct
ing a Railroad from Wilmington to Charlotte,
thence to Rutherfordton, chartered by the Legis
lature at its late session, as the most important
work of internal improvement ever projected for
a very large section of this State and for the
country generally, commencing, as it does, at a
sea-port town on ihe Atlantic, capable of becoming
one of the most important commercial cities in
the Union, and extending in an unbroken and
almost unwavering line, from the seaboard on the
East to the mountains on the West, traversing at
every step a country rich in agricultural, mineral
and manufacturing resources, very accessible from
every and distant points; and whereas, it will
open facilities of incalculable vulue to our State
for travel and the traasportation of commerce
hitherto cut off,. or at the control of other States,
furnish us with a ready market for our produce,
and, at the same time, build up a great commer
cial emporium within our own borders, to be
the pride of the State, and to improve and make
rich our whole glorious country. Therefore.
Resolved, That we most cordially approve of
the charter an its various liberal provisions as
granted by the Legislalure, and pledge ourselves
to use energetic and efficient measures iu carry
out the project therein contemplated.
Resolved, That in view of the immense interests
we have at stake, it is the imperative duty, not
only of the citizens of Rutherfordton, but of the
surrounding country, to act individually and in
concert, in accordance with our best judgment and
to the utmost of oar means to obtain a speedy ac
complishment of this great design.
Resolved, That by the able and i fficient services
of our faithful representatives from this countv
Gen. J. G. Bynum and W. M. Shipp, and also Dr.
C. Mills in aiding in projecting and carrying
through the Legislature ihe charter for this great
project, they have filled to overfiowjfg the mea
sure of confidence and gratitude of their constit
uents and fellow-citizens, and we doereby ten
der them our sincere and hearty thanks lor their
energetic, faithful and patriotic services.
Resolved, That we recommend a general meet
ing of delegates and citizens from all the counties
on the proposed route, and of all others interested
in the success of the enterprise, to be field at such
time and place as may be hereafter designated,
for the purpose of organizing more completely and
devising ways and means to accomplish the great
work in contemplation, believing that in this as
well as in every other great public enterprize,
union is strength.'
JOS. W. CALLOWAY,
C. J. WEBB,
T. B. JUSTICE,
ED. BRYAN,
C. H. CHAPIN,
1
I
2
J
5S
The meeting was then addressed at some length
by Gen. J. G. Bynum, discussing the various pro
visions of the charter, the many advantages of
the proposed route over others, and presenting
with clearness and force, the ability of the people
in the several counties on the route to construct
the road in accordance with the provisions of the
charter.
Wm. M. Shipp, Eq., then addressed the meet
ing on the polic of the State in building up a
commercial city in our own limits, and the ample
means of the citizens of this and other countries
to construct the road.
Col. Davis, of McDowell county then addressed
ihe audience in his usual felicitous style on sub
jects of interests connected with the enterprize.
On motion, the resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
On motion of Gen. Bynum, it was voted that
the committee on resolutions Jos, W. Galloway,
C. J. Webb, T. B. Justice, Ed. JJryan, C. H.
Chapin be a committee to make arrangements
for a series of meetings to be held in ihe several
counties on the route between this plr.ee and Char
lotte, and report at the next meeting.
On motion, Gen. J. G. Bynum and Grn. G. W.
Lognr. were added to the committee.
Voted lhat the secretaries be requested to trans
mit copies of the proceedings of this meeting to the
North Carolina Whig and Carolina Intelligencer,
wuh a request to publish the same.
The meeting then adjourned to meet again on
Monday, March 12th.
G. W. LOGAN, President.
C. H. Chapin,
M. O. Dickerson,
Secretaries.
Rail Road Rleetiiig.
Pursuant to a call, a meeting was held in the
Court House at Lincolnton, March 3d, 1855.
On motion, J. T. Alexander was appointed
Chairman and Dr. Alexander Ramsour and A.
Costner, Secretaries. '
After explanatory remarks on the object of thr.
meeting by Hon. J. F. Hoke and H. W. Guion,
Eq., the following Resolutions were unanimously
passed :
1. Resolved, That a general meeting be held
at this place on the 24th inst.
2. Resolved, That H. W. Guion, J. F. Hoke
and H. Cansler be a committee to draft business
for said meeting.
3. Resolved, That the same Committee act as
a Committee of Correspondence.
4. Resolved, That J. F. Hoke and L. D. Childs
bo a committee to have notices struck for said
meeting.
5. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meet
ing be published in the Hokeville Express, and
the papers on the line of the Charlotte, Wilming
ton and Rutherford Rail Road be requested to
copy.
Meeting then adourned.
J. T. ALEXANDER, Ch'n.
A. Ramsour, )
K Secretaries.
A. Costner. $
From Sevastopol.
The London New Monthly Magazine publishes
the following letter, purporting lo be written in the
trenches before Sebastopol by Tom Peter to his
Fanny Green :
"The war's going on with us at a swimming
pace. The chief officers had been divided into
three divisions ; one division's dead, one's sick
and one lying in the mud, under damp blankets,
(the water cure system is going on up here,) and
the third has hooked it and gone home. A few
juniors, like Gill, and me, and Pubbs, who have
no interest, are left here to go off quietly into the
ground and say nothing about it. Our comman
ders are especially careful of our health ; r.nd to
make us hardy, they divide a whole suit of clothes
amongst five. One has the coat; anoihep the
trousers, which, docked at the knee, like Jessie's,
and finished off with fringe ; a third the shirt ; a
fourth the slipplers, (hoois are out of fashion ;) and
the fifth the garters if your blushes will pardon
my mentioning such a word.
"The same with the food ; they indulge us
with one entire meal per diem. To day we have
dinner, (raw pork and wet biscuit ;) yesterday it
was a supper, (raw pork and wet biscuit ',) the d iy
before breakfast, (raw pork and wet biscuit.)
Our tents have been ingeniously contrived to let
in and retain the rain, so that we have the luxury
of a perpetual shower and cold vapor bath ; but
we cannot, try as we will, get the water to re
main more than three inches above ground, so
that when we lie down in it at night we are not
quite covered. We are fining down to elegance
under the treatment, and feel cool and very grate
ful to our commander and the government at
home.
"Now, my dear girl, I have an earnest request
to make you. I want you to turn nurse (in name
you know) and come out as such to Scutari hos
pital. If your mamma oWjectsf talk her over about
the pious office you will be performing. Lots ol
young ladies have come out, some of them in white
veils, which look very fascinating. If you come
I'll manage a slight wound or sickness, and get
sent down to hospital."
George Law and the Presidency. George
Law, of New York, has replied to the letter of the
Know-Nothing members of the Pennsylvania Leg
islature, inviting him to become a candidate for
the Presidency. He defines his position very
frankly. He opposes sectional agitation ; considers
the American movement second only to the De
claration of Independence ; censures demagogues
for having endeavored to band together citizens of
foreign birth, according to their national or reli
gious creeds, and advocates a tariff lhat will yield
only sufficient to defray government expenses.
He considers a tariff which yields a surplus to the
.treasury impolitic, causing frequent convulsions,
periodical bankruptcy, and ruin to the currency
and every branch of business. His tariff views, it
is supposed, will not give him any great popularity
in Pennsylvania, with the know-nothings.
An Inconsistency. Every bodv likes mod,
ty and hates brass, and yet every body encoura
les-
ges uie lauer, ana leaves the former to take care
of itself. Modest merit ! what ia it worth 1 The
more a man has of it, the poorer he is, in this age
of rivalry and humbyggery. . He would starve
to death on such fodder as that capital can procure
From the Richmond Digpd,
The Gstend Conference.
Among the documents sent in on Saturday t0
Congress, relative to the Oslend Conference, arid,
which are said lo be very voluminous, coverin
some 200 pages, are several letters from Mr
Marcy to Messrs. Soule and Buchanan the fint
to Mr. Soule, discouraging the idea of propoiB
to purchase Cuba of Spain, but expressing a wjj
for a commercial treaty with Spain, and insisting
that the Captain General of Cuba oughl to have
power to redress injuries as well as inflict them
the second to Mr. Buchanan, complaining of Bh!
tain keeping fleets on the Cuban coast to watch
us, and protesting against the African colonization
scheme ; the third and fourth to Mr. Soulc, re
counting the Black Warrior outrage, and demand
ing 8300,000 indemnity to owners ; ihe fifth (0
Mr, Soule, fears that an African colonization
scheme is on foot, and in consequence, gives Soule
powers to negotiate for the purchase of Cuba
sixth to Mr. Soule, suggests the Ostend conference'.
The most important of the documents, however
is tne joint despatch of Messrs. Buchanan, Masce
and Soule, dnted Aix Li Chapelle, (Prussia,) Oct.
18, 1854, and addressed to Mr. Marcy, the Ameri.
can Secretary ol State. The despatch gives the
result of conferences which, in compliance with
the wish of the President, were held first at Ostend
in Belgium, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of October
lust, and then at Aix La Chapelle, on the dayi
next following, up to the 18ih of October. The
despatch stales that, after a full and unreserved
interchange of views and sentiments between the
ministers, they cordially and unanimously arrived
at the conclusion and the thorough convictions
lhat an immediate and earnest effort ought to be
made by the Government of the United Stales
to purchase Cuba from Spain, at any price for
which it can be; obtained, not exceeding the sum
of dollars. The proposal, the3 think,
ought to be made to the Supreme Constituent
Cortes of Spnin, and all the proceedings on thn
part of the United States be open, frank and
public.
The despatch proceeds to give reasons at length,
showing that (he United States ought to make t tie
purchase, and the probability that the Spnnish
government will prove willing to sell it, because
this would cssen'ially promote the bel interests of
the Spanish people.
Commanding iho mouth of the Mississippi, and
the immense trade which seeks that avenue, that
outlet, it is held, car. never be secure to our peoplr,
whilst Cuba is a dependency of a distinct power.
Another cause of unceasing danger is pointed out
in the system of immigration and labor lately or
ganized wit bin the limits of Cuba, and the ty runny
and oppression of its immediate rulers which
threaten an insurrection at any moment, and may
result in direful consequences to the American
people. The suppression of the African slavo
trade, it is suggested, can only be effected by
falling into American hands, and the trade of Eng
lurid ind France with Cuba, would be greatly bene
fitted were lhat island annexed to the United Stales,
and would rapidly extend with the increasing popu.
latiori and prosperity of Cuba.
The interests of Spain, it is urged, would be
essentially promoted by the proposed purchas.
Two third? of the price of the island, it is urged,
would be ample for the completion of her moil
important public improvements, and, with the re
maining forty millions, she might satisfy the de
mands now pressing so heavily upon hr credit,
and create n sinking fund which would gr;iduully
relieve her from her overwhelming debt. Hrr
British creditors are importunate, nfid their gov.
ernment my interpose to coerce payment. The
present is her golden opportunity, Cuba, it is
alleged, never, in her best days, yielded lo tho
Spanish exch quer a clear annuiil income uf mora
than a million and a half of dollnra. The expenses
of its government have so increased as lo leave
a deficit chargeable on the Spanish treasury of
$600,01)0, and, under no possible circomstencn
can It y ield to Spain one per cent, on ihf large
amount which ihe United States are willing to pay
for its acquisition.
The danger of Spain losing Cuba from insur
reetion and revolution is then pointed out, and tho
dangerous complications between nations lo which
it may give birth, if Cuba be not sold, is niilargfd
upon. The United States it is stati d, have never
acquired n foot of territory except by hiir purchase,
and it does not design to acquire tho island ti
Cuba w iihoui ihe consent of Spain, unless justified
by the great law of self preservation. If after
offering Spain price far above its value, and hit
shall have been repulsed, and Cuba, in the possei
sion of Sp iin, should seriously endanger our inter
nal peace and union, then we should be justified,
wresting it from Spain, uponrlh same principle
that would justify and individual in tearing down
the burning house of his neighbor, if there were
no olher means of preventing the flames from des
troying his own house.
It is. slated by the Washington correspondent
of the New York Ilernld, that Mr. Mircy'a Irttcr
in reply to the joint despatch, is very l"ng, inking
decided ground agiinst the opinions mlvancrd by
Messrs. Mason, Buchanan and Soule, ind direc
ting Mr. Soule to retrace his ground and resume
negotiations at Madrid upon the most peaceable
basis.
To this, it is added, Mr. Smile replied in a brief
nole, stating that the instructions thus communi
cated were of so x'raordinnry a character so
totally at variance with ihe whole previous pohry
of tho administration, and disregardlul of the hu
miliating position he would be compelbd to as
sume were he to carry them out, thflt self-respect
left him but one course to pursue, and he accor
dingly tendered his resignation.
An Independent Western Republic. Alt'
ter from San Francisco announces what is if'
port ant, it true that an extensive secret schrm
is advancing there, to form a new republic, con
sisting at first of ten Slates, three to be comprised
within the present limits of the State of Califor
nil, three in Oregon Territory, two in Washington
Territory, and two from the western portion of
Utah and New Mexico. The basis is to be a con
federated government, and ihe President, Cabinet,
Senators and Representatives, are to be chosen
by the direct vote of the people. Five of the Stat''
are to recognize slavery, and the Sandwich Islands
are to be guarantied their independence. At k,t'
so says tho letter, but alt its statements rqu"e
confirmation.
A German family in New York were recently
poisoned by eating raw bacon-ham. Two of then1'
Wm. Wise and wife, are dead, and the third f'
son, aUo an adult, is not expected to recover.-"
Hams are not unfrequcntly poisoned by the mean'
employed lo preserve them, but the poison is dra
out in the act of boiling this mode of cookmj
them, i he ii , is regarded the safest.
The Kinney Expedition The Washing0"
Union says : . fl
We av ail ourself of this occasion to state, up
tho authority of Col. Kinney, that ihe variJu,hrjfl
mors in circulation, here and in Cuba, . ',c v
any way connect him or his enterprise win
designs upon Cuba, are utterly groundless,
expedition has no other destination or obC! ,(,
a peaceful settlement of the lands claimed by
company he represents.'