r
S ESS)1 WEEKLY 1 . . : & AffiaiPBBa
VOL.1. GREENSBOROUGH, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 2, 1836. NO. 5.
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PROSPECTUS OP THE
CAROLINA BEACON,
Published in the town of Greentborough, N. C.
Believing that a miscellaneous publica
tion, conducted with a strict regard to tlie
chastity of its columns, and neat apjwax
ence, would meet with sufficient encour
agement in so wealthy and populous a sec
tion of our State, wc will briefly give a few
of the most prominent points of our view,
of what we intend this paper to be a Fa
mily Newspaper.
As it will doubtless be admitted that cv
ery person should be conversant with the
politics of his country, such matters as are
of general interest in this line, will be re
gularly published, in such a manner, as if
possible to render them not unpleasant to
any person. We shall at all times consider
ourselves at liberty boldly to express wur
opinion ou -any subject, and shall ever op
pose any movements in the heads of De
partments, or, others in power, tending in
our opinion, to subvert the liberties of the
people, or in any manner tresspassing upon
the powers granted to them by the people,
and clearly set forth in our National Con
stitution. We will support such person for
the Presidency, whose jwlitical course wc
believe most closely identified with the in
terests of the South, and interested in its
welfare ; but hope never, on oceount of
sectional motives, so far to forget ourselves,
as to uphold, men without regard to jrrinciple.
The various projects of Internal Improve
ment which have been, or which may be,
proposed, for the benefit individually of our
citizens, and for the State or Country at
large, shall receive our most cordial suport.
The several topics of Morality, Litera
ture, Agriculture, &c, &c., shall ever re
ceive that attention (so far as our limits will
atfmnrr
demand, together with all other matters u
snally found in like publications. In ad
dition to which we propose, from time to
time, publishing correctly engraved ricics
tt vmive gcenery works of nature and of
art hoping to receive a proportionate in
crease of patronage.
Well written communications, from what
ever party, or oil whatever subject, will find
place in its columns, so that they be free
from low invective and abuse, which can
ntfMhe cr than uphold and elevate the dignity of
the public press.
The paper is printed with entire new ma
terials on a large super royal sheet at two
dollars per annum in advance, and threk
boLLARS if not paid within three months.
ZEVELY fc WEST.
M
Flattering themselves that their assortment
of Type, Cuts, Flowers, and Ornaments
suitable for every variety of
Plain and Ornamental
JOB PRINTING,
is really superior
to any in the State,
resocctfullv invite all persons wishincrsuch
j--
work executed, to call at their office on
South street, a few doors from the Court
house, and can rest assured that all work
done by them cannot fail to be executed in
the neatest and most fashionable manner,
and on Hie most reasonable terms at a very
short notice.
, ... Thcirprinting materials are entirely new,
and were selected but a few weeks since in
Philadelphia and New York, by one of the
nrm.
Advertisements of all kinds cither by
hand-bills, or cards, or any kind of plain
or ornamental printing, on plain or fancy
colored paper or cards, and embellished by
any des:red cuts, neatly, correctly and ex
peditiously executed.
03" Gentlemen at a distance wishing
work done, by forwarding the manuscript,
or copy, staling the number of copies dc
ircd,can rely on having their work execu
ted as promptly as by personal attendance.
TEMPERANCE The Annual Meet
ing of the Guilford County Temper
ance Society will be held in the Court-IIpu.se
in this place on the 4th day of July next,
at half past one o'clock ; all the Societies
in the County are requested to send in their
reports. Several addresses may be expect:
cd. A general attendance is requested.
WM. II. CUMMING, SecV
The Capitol represented by the above
engraving is an elegant building ot tree
stone, standing on an eminence, with a front
of 3"0 feet, including the wings, and cost
ou r $2,000,000. The Senate chamber is
in the north Wing the Representatives Hall
in the poutb; tire other (Hflitms of the build
ings are appropriated to rooms for the dif
ferent committees, Library room, Post of
fice for members, and numerous others for
various purposes ; and from the Rotunda in
the centre,-. are passages communicating
with rvcrv part of the building. In niches
on the eastern portico are the two statutes
of Peace and War, lately procured, which
are truly very elegant sjcciineiis of sculp
ture, and very appropriately situated. Sev
eral acres around the Capitol are very taste
fully laid out with gravel walks, grass plots,
-a-'lbuntitm-imdfmohc., the w hole en
closed by an iron fence.
Washington became the capital of the
United States, in 1800. Its population at
that time was only 3,210, but it is now over
20,000. of whom about 2,300 arc staves.
It m situated on the Maryland side of the
river Potomac, on a small stream, called the
Anacostia, or Eastern Branch. Like the
capitol of ancient Rome, it has also its Ti
ber ; a small stream running through the
middle of the citv.
The principal streets of "Washington are
ten in number, called avenues ; and are
named after so many different states of the
Union. They diverge, ive of them from
the Capitol, and five Of them from the Pre
sident's house; and indirect line of com
munication id formed bet ween these two
edifices by Pennsylvania avenue, the finest
street in the city. Tfie avenues are cross
ed by streets running north and south, auJ
by others running eaet and west. Thus
the city is cut into squares by the rectan
gular streets, and then these squares are
divided, diagonally, by the avenue. , Where
th? avenues, by tho manner of their inter
section with the streets, form acute angles,
there are reservations which are to remain
open The avenues juid streets leading to
public places, are from 120 to 160 feet
wdejjhe others from 70 to 110 feet.
Thougirthw
out, it is very irregularly settled. It con
tains over eight scjiiat miles, of which large
portions are yet but tluoly inhabited. The
buildings are principally in three clusters
or villages ; one near the Capitol, one near
the Navy .Yard, one near tho President's
house, one at GreenleaPs point, and one
near Georgetown. That at Greenlcafs
point is the most - solitary : that - riear
Georgetown the smallest.
The President's house stands on a beau
tiful rising ground, presenting a fine view,
not only of the Capitol, but of the more im
portant parts of the city elsewhere. It has
also a fine water prospect. It is built of
white free stone; is two stories high, with
alofty basement; and is 180 feet long by
85 in width. The waters of the Tiber might
be easily conveyed not only to the Capitol,
Lut rifSiaenia Tho fSrmr
President's house was destroyed by the
British in August 1814.
The rest of the government buildings
arc the general post office, four large build
ings in which arc kept the principal depart
ments of the government, with their sub
ordinate, uTiccs ; a magazine, arsenal, and
workshops, marino barracks, navy yard,
navy hospital, and penitentiary. About
two miles north of the city is Columbian
Corteges r
The city is healthy, and on the whole
pleasant. The water also good. It is al
most of course, a place of considerable bu
fsinesa for its size. Regular lines of steam
boats ply from Washington to Alexandria,
Norfolk, Ace., and numerous stages to vari
ous places, besides the Canal, and the Rail
Road to Baltimore.
ISKETCliES OF CHARACTER.
GENERAL HOUSTON.
From the Washington Corretpondence of the
I'ennsylvania Inquirer.
The first time that I ever saw Houston,
was, I think, in the year 120. As I was
standing at the corner of College street,
Nashville, Tenn. with a friend, a fine look
ing man dashed by m and I was induced to
inquire his name.
That, Sir, said my friend, is Major Hous
ton, a young man of great promise who is
rapidly rising in public favor. He is brave,
has fought gallantly with General Jackson,
and in the lapse of a few years will be Gov
ernor of Tennessee.
I learned that Maior Houston was oricin-
j -
ally a carpenter, but soon quitted the pro
fession, and commenced the study ot law,
polities and arms. To the latter science
he was most enthusiastically devoted; but
as war was now at an end, he confined him
self to politics andlaw. Soon after he was
elected to Congress, and as a member of the
House of Representatives, held 'k command
ing position. His popularity was steady
and rapid in the increase, and the year 18
28 found him Governor of the State of Ten
nessee. In the wars of 1810 '17, with
the Scminolcs and Creeks, he distinguish
ed himself ai ';'jHaTn?-ti6ldietr'ndriit-fhc'-:
celebrated battle of the Horse Shoe, he was
badly wounded in the arm, which disabled
him. ,In 1826, having, in debate, animad
verted with severity on the removal of Mr.
Curry from the Post Office at Nashville, and
the appointment of Mr. J. P. Irwin, a near
relative of Mr. Clav. ho was challenged by'
that gentleman to mortal combat. The par
ties met in Kentucky Irwin was snot ana
badly wounded ; and though no exceptions
were taken to the mode in which Houston
conducted himself on the occasion, an in
dictment was obtained agains't him, for po
litical effect, as he alledged, as lie was ai
that time a candidate for the office of Gov
ernor of Tennessee.
On the 20th of February 1828, whilst
holding the office of Chief Magistrate of
Tennessee, he challenged Chapman John
son, of Virginia, to the field, and the invi
tation wag declined. At the Virginia Con
vention of that year, Mr. Johnson reported
an address to the people of Virginia, re
commending the rc-elcction-of Mr. Clay,
and in that address, those who had partici
pated in the battle of the Horse Shoo,-as
Governor Houston understood it;wcrc trea
ted with gnat severity; As one
tors m that battle, Governor Houston de
manded redress from Mr. Johnson ; in re
ply to which that gentleman replied that
the address was the production of a Con
vention oY two hundred, and he could not
consider himself personally responsible for
the acts of that body.
On the 10th day of April, 1828, Govern
or Houston, formally resigned the office of
Governor of Tennessee, and adjured the
State. Assuming the garb of an Indian, he
departed for the remote scenes of Arkansas,
anil resolved to spend his days in perpetu
al exile. His letter of resignation to Mr.
Speaker Call, is one of the m-.st beautiful
productions of the kind now in existence.
At the time he resigned the robes of office,
he had but just been married to a beautiful
woman, one of the most respectable ladies
of Tennessee. They had not betu married
but a few days, or weeks at least, before
the lady repudiated her allegiance to her
lbrd, and claimed the protection of her pa
rents. The causes that led to the scpera
lion have .never . been unravelled to thc
world, and. in all probability will perish
with the wife and husband. Popular cla
mor and suspicion were strongly excited a
gainst Houston, and to avoid public opin
ion, as he himself said, he became an exile
in ArlcansasrMany''alledgd';lhat he was
compelled, such was the excitement against
him, to abandon Tennessee. After having
soent a vear or two in Arkansas, he became
engaged in some army contracts, which
once more introduced him to the walks oi
civilized life. In consequence of the con
tracts, he was charged with fraud and spe
culation by Mr. William Stansbury, a mem
ber of Congress from Ohio. As soon as
they reached the cars of Houston, he made
his appearance in Washington, and taking
the law into his own hands, flogged Stans
bury in Pennsylvania Avenue. For this
breach of " the privilege," he was arrested,
and reprimanded at the Bar of the House,
and another shade of darkness was added
to his character. Although few could jus
tify the course of Houston, fewer pitied
poor Stansburv. He had most justly meri-
ted all he received, but tor all tins, uom
the moment of the outrage until the com
mencement of the Texian war, Houston.
wa3 looked upon by the American people
as a base, a lost man. , In 1833, he com
menced the practice of the law in Natchez ;
but soon after abandoned that place for
Texas. It is most probable that Ik had in
view the conquest of that country, the mo
ment he entered it. The rest need not to
be told.
General Houston is now about forty-two
years of age. He is a man of impetuous
temperament, but always firm and ardent
and sincere in his friendships. His con
duct towards his young bride cannot be de
fended by any honorable man.
SANTA ANNA.
Some particulars of this personage, which
wc have derived from gentlemen intimate
ly acquainted with him, may be interesting
to the public.
Santa Anna is about 42 years of age, and
was born in the city of Vera Cruz. His fa
ther was a Spaniard of old Spain, of respec
table standing, though poor; his mother
was a Mexican. He received a common
education, and at the age of 13 or 14 was
taken intq, the military family of the then
intendant of Vera Cruz, Gen. Davila, who
took a great fancy" to him . and brought him
up. lie'remainedwith.,Gen. D. until about
the year 1830. While vith Davila, he was
made a Major, and when, jhsjaled he. took
the honors very coolly, and onsome of his
friends congratulating him, he said, "Si mi
hicicra dios quisicra estar algo mas. If
you were to make me a god, I should de
sire to be something greater. This trait
developed at o early a period of his life,
indicated the existence of the vaulting am
bition which has ever since characterized
his life.
After serving the Spanish Royal cause
until 1821, he left Vera Cruz, turned a
gainst his old master and benefactor, and
placed himself at the head of some irregu
lar troops, which he raised on the sea coast,
near Vera Cruz, and which are called Ja
rachos in their language, and which were
denominated by him his Cossacks, as they
are all mounted and armed with Hpears.
With this rude cavalry he besieged Vera
Cruz, drove Davila into the castle of San
Juan d'Ulloa, and after having been redu
ced again entered at a subsequent period
and got entire possession of the city, expel
ling therefrom the old Spanish troops, and
reducing the power of the mother country
in Mexico to the walls of the castle.
Subsequent to this Davila is said to have
obtained an interview with Santa Anna, and
told him he was destined to act a promi
nent part of the history of his country, and
now says he, I will give you some advice:
44 Sicmprc vayis con las muchoV' always
go with the strongest party. He always
acted up to this motto until he raised tho
grito (or cry,) in other words, took up tho
cudgels for the friars and church. v He then,
overturned the federal government and es
tablished a central despotism, of which tho
priests and the military were the privileged
orders." His life has Wen from the first of
the most romantic kind, constantly in revo
lutions, constantly victorious, until the last
fatal rencontre.
His manners arc extremely affable ; he
is full -of anecdote arid humor, and make
himself exceedingly facinating and agreea
ble to all who come into his company ; ho
is about five feet ten inches, rather spare,
Ins a moderately high forehead, with black
whiskers, without mustaches, and an eyo
large, black and expressive of a lurking de
vil in his look : he is a man of genteel and .
dignified deportment, but of a disposition
perfectly heartless ; but has never evinced
a eavageness of character except in the
massacres in which he has been implicated
in Texas. He married a Spanish lady of
property, a native of Alvarado,and through
that marriage obtained the first part of his
estate called Manga de Clavo, six leagues
from Vera Cruz. He has three fine chil
dren, yet quite young.
I ho following striking anecdote of San
ta Anna illustrates his peculiar quickness
and management. During the revolution
of 1829, whiln he was shut up in Oxaca,
u.. n...,uu.mu Uj vmment troops,
and reduced to the utmost straus lor tuo
want of money and provisions, having a ve
ry small force, there had been in conse
quence of the seige and firing every day
through the streets, no mass for several
weeks. He had no money and hit upon
following expedient to get itj he took pos
session of one of the Convents, got hold of ,
the wardrope of the friara, dressed his offi
cer and pm of ihe foMiera irr4"ndrs""
ly in the morning had the bells rung for
mass. People delighted at having again
an apportunity of adoring the Supreme Be
ing, ffoeked to the Church where he was,
and after the House was pretty well filled,
his friars showed their side arms and bayo
nets from beneath their cowls and closed
the doors upon the assembled multitude.
At this unexpected denouncement there
was a tremendous shrieking, when one of
his officers ascended the pulpit and told the
people that he wanted 810,000 and must
haveJtT : lie ftnall: e
about $3,500, when he dismissed the con
gregation. As a sample of Santa Anna's pious whims
we relate the following:
In the same campaign of Oxaca, Santa
Anna and his officers were there beseiged
by Rincon who commanded the govern
ment troops. Santa Anna was in convent
surrounded by a small breast work. Somo
of the officers one night to amuse them,
selves, took the wooden saints out of the
church and placed them as sentries, dress
cd in uniforms on the brcatwork. Rincon
alarmed on the morning at this apparent
boldnes, began to fire away at the wooden
images, supposing them to be flesh and
blood, and it was not until some of the of.
ficcrs who were not in the secret had im
plored Santa Anna this desecration that
the firing ceased. .
Many similar facts arc related of Santa
Anna. .We have not room at present to
say more than there is no man who has fil
led the space that is so little understood.
In short, he is all things t.lL.roi-vJIo-:.-t,
never was out of Mexico, and the likeness
of him in this city, bears no resemblance
to him. N. Y. Star.
The Sea1 Bottom. Tha bottom of the ba
sin of the sea seems to have inequalities like
those of the surface of continents. Were it
dried up,itwould present mountains, valleys,
and plains. It is covered almost through
out by an immense quantity of testaceous
animals, or those who have shells, intermix,
ed with sand and grain. A celebrated diver,
employed to descend into the Strait of Mes
sina, saw there, with horror, enormous polypi
attached to the rocks, the arm3 of which,
being several yards long, were more than
sufficient to strangle a man. In many seas,
the eyes bcc nothing but a bright sandy plain
at bottom, extending for 100 miles, without
an intervening object. But in all others,
particularly'the Red Sea, it is very differ
ent ; the whole body of this extensive bed
of water is a forest of submarine plant?,
canals, formed ty insects for their habita
tions, branching out to a great extent.
Here are even the madreporess sponges, mos
ses, sea mushrooms, and various other things,
covering every part of the bottom. The
bed of many parts of the sea near America
present a very different, though a beautiful
appearance. This covered with vegetables,
which make it look as a. meadow ; and be ,
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