State journal & flag. [volume], March 20, 1846, Image 2

About State journal & flag. [volume] (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) 1843-1846

Image provided by: University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL

                
Culture of Cotton and Corn.
As the cotton planters of the United
Stales, are the principal producers of cotton,
they may defy competition from any, and
every part ol the world, provided they act
in concert themselves: which will natural*
ly lead to the inquiry, howl that concert
of action is to bo effected 1 In our happy
land, it cannot be effected like the concert
in Egypt, where the Pacha sends forih his
Imperial mandate, which must be obeyed.
But it is to be presumed that cotton plan
ters, like other men, are actuated by inter,
est, and if it can bo cleatly demonstrated
that it is to their interest, to produce more
Corn, and less Colton, they will surety do
80.
By reference to the New Oi lcans Pi ice
Current, of the 24th ol December, 1845,
Indian corn is there quoted at from 53 to
GO Cents per bushel—which will make an
average of 5(5 1-4 cents per bushel. By
reference to the Priro Current, of the 3J
of January, 1845, sales of white-corn were
ellerlcd at Iroin 57 to 58 cents: and prime
yellow at 62 and 03 cents per bush'd ; und
on the 10 of January, 1640, from 52 to 50
cents per bushel.
During the last Spring, and early part of
the Summer, corn sold, throughout the
State of Mississippi, and South Alabama,
nt from (illy cents to one dollar per bushel
—making an average of 75cts. per bushel.
And bacon Sold, during the summer,
throughout the State of Mississippi, and in
South Alabama, at from 8to 12ets. per pound
—making an average of 10 ets.
1 have recently traveled through n por
tion ot this State—siiv some twelve or thii
leen counties—and from observation, and
the best inform ition, obtained from mem
bers ol the legislature, and other gentlemen
from almost every part of the State, corn is
now worth from 50 to 75 cents per bushel;
nnd I have good reason to believe it will
be higher during the Spring nnd early part
of the Summer in this State and South Ala
bama, and will command a tolerable high
pric6 throughout the cotton region. And,
ns every thing has a relative value, when we
take into consideration tho difference in la
bor ofcullivating. and housing the two crops,
it must bo conceded that cotton is as well
worth 10 1-2 cents per pound, ns corn is 50
cents per bushel ; and that cotton is as well
worth 10 3-4 cents per pound ns corn is 80
cents per bushel—as per table hereunto an
nexed.*
During my peregrinations, 1 inquired rd
many planters with regard to tlieir cotton
and corn crops, and was informed that the
cotton crops, wiili few exceptions, varied
from three to fifteen hundred pounds of seed
cotton per acre—making an average of
nine hundred pounds per acre. And the
planters, with Cow exceptions, plant, and cul
tivate, from 5 to 11 acres—making an av
erage of 8 1 3 acres—and in the aggre
gate, 7,GoO pounds of seed.cotton to each
laborer, whicu will yield about thirty per
cent, of ginnod-colton, amouming to 2,305
pounds of ginned cotton to the hand, or
laborer ; and was informed, that the yield of
corn, varied from ten to fifty bushels per
acre—making an aveiago of 30 buihels per
acre.
There is every variety of land, in the
State of Mississippi anj South Alabama,
consequently some soils will retire much
more labor in their cultivation than others.
It is, however, the opinion of many planters,
that it is ns easj to cultivate 22 acres of
land in corn, (the average crop) ns it is to
cultivate 8 1-2 acres in cotton, and six, or
seven acris i t corn, to ench laborer.
Suppose it will require the product of six.
or seven acres of land to ench laborer, for
the support ol plantations, (according to
quality.) leaves the product of l(i acres ol
corn to the hand—amounting to ^30 bush
els to the hand—for sale ; nguinst the pro.
duht ol 8 l -2 acies of cotton—making in the
aggregate 2,295 pounds of ginned-Cotton to
each hand.
The 1G acres ol corn, :nn he gathered,
and housed in 1G or 18 dry days; when it
will require, on an average. 09 or 70 days
to pick, and ho s • the product ot tho 8 1-2
ncris of cotton to the hand, exclusive of
gathering tho corn (or the support of planta
tions, ginning and baling the cotton &c
Tho expense of plantations, in either case,
v%ill he about the same, with the exception
Tims you will perceive, that the 480
bushels of corn, at 50 cents per bushel, will
am >unt to 8210: when the 2,205 pounds
of cotton, ut.10 1-2 cents per pound, will
only amount to 8240 97-100—ami at the
prerent overage price, in Now Orleans, only
8151 55-100. And 75 cents per pushed,
for corn, will be cquai to 15 12 cents per
pound for cotton.
In IJorth Ala iatna, where corn is a little
lower, the peerage cotton crop is estimated
at 550 to 000 pounds ot seed cotton, or
from 185 to 180 pounds ol ginned cotton, to
the acre ; consequently, corn is ns much
higher, in proportion to the price of cotton,
as it is in Mississippi, and South Alabama,
und throughout the cotton region.
It will not be expedient to abandon the
cultuic of cotton, in the cotton region of tho
Unitid Slates, for tho reason, 'that if the
south' rn planters turn their attention to the
cultivation of corn, to tho exclusion of cot
ton, it will glut the market with corn, and
cause a deficiency in the cotton crop, that
cannot lie supplied from any other purl of
the world.
I5m, if cotton planters will produce an
abundant supply of provision—produce coin
enough to keep every thing fat and sleek
about them, an I produce just enough cotton
to supply tho demand—they will get remu.
aerating prices for their cotton every year;
and by producing their provision, will citi
tail expenses, and leave the surplus provision
of the northern States to supply the antiles
ant the starving population of Europe:
provided the European governments will
admit it duty-free, or at a moderate duty.
I do not write unadvisedly. I have al
borne the imports, stock, consumption, and
prices ofcottun in Euglan I, for many years
back ; and, invariably, when the slock is a
little larger than usual, it causes a decline
in price, which if tnken oirof the entire crop
of cotton, of the United States, will pay for
the excess of stock from three, to five times
over.
It is not my Wish to be instrumental in
reducing tho supply of cotton below the pre
sent, and increasing, consumption; or to ad
vance the price high enough to check the in
creasing consumption, but I will be pleased
to see stability, and at prices that will amply
remunerate the planters of every part of the
country. And if the present prico of goods,
* See Flag, 14th inst.
will not justify remunerating prices for cot
ton, a very small advance on goods, say a
half cent per yard on the average of cotton
g-oods, will justify at leust two rents per
pound advance on cotton, which will pay to
the plu'ilers remunerating prices, nnd will
not ho sensibly felt by the inass of consu
mers. For instance : a half cent per ynrrl
on calico, will only make three or four cents
in a lady's dress pattern ; or a half ceut per
yard on shirting, will only make about 1 1*2
cents in a gentleman's shirt pattern, which
cannot make a material difference with the
mass of consumers. Hut t h-o cents per pound,
on cotton, will “make glad the hearts’’ ol
the cotton planters, throughout the cotton
region.
Now, that there is a large stock of cotton
in the Qitccndom of Great Britain—which
has a tendency to depiess the price of that,
your great staple—and as provision is high,
and scarce here, nnd there : I will, in con
cUi-ion, recommend to I lie cotton planters
of the United States of America, to pursue
a more provident course : plant more corn
every year than will barely suffice for the
year’s consumption, until they gain six, or
eight month’s supply, over and above <he
consumption, that they may more effectual,
ly guard against famine : that dire calami
ty.
And, by the time limy gain six, or eight,
month’s supply on the annual consumption,
they will have reduced the stock of cotton
in England, which will enlnnco the value
of your great staple—yield more money—
diminish the nut-lay, aad follow the example
of the provident J tsnrii ol Egypt, in days of
yore.
More effectually to promote my philan
thropic views, and to enlist ns many as
practicable in the good cause, I respectfully
refer you to my Circular to the World, nml
to the table hereunto annexed, and sincerely
hope for better prices for cotton, nnd plenty
of provision ere long, nnd forever.
It. W: ANDERSON.
Jackson, Miss.
From the Jacksonville' Republican.
Repudiation—Taxation.
We fear (lie odious doctrine ol repudia
tion will soon begin 10 find supporters and
advocates, though as yet tew have the cour.
age to come out openly and defend it. In
fact, if the last legislature expressed, truly,
the wishes anil sentiments of the people,
wo have in effect declared thni tee So not
intend to pay the debts of the Slate. Now
let us look lor a moment at the facts in the
case. 'I'he aggregate liabilities of the State
are something over $18 000,000, the annu
al in'c est on which amounts to upwards of
half a million of dollars, in I860 there will
he duo an instalment on the six per cent
Honda of $1,113,000 00, and the balance in
a few years thereafter. To meet these lia
bilities we have the nssets ol the State Hank
and Hranchcs. To form a correct opinion
of their value would he somewhat difficult.
The best informed on the subject think it
will fall under rather than over live millions.
If Inis whole amount was now collected and
applied in extinguishment of the State debts,
there would he a balance of over eight
millions of dollars still duo to ho raised by
taxation. Hut under the present system of
legislative financiering the whole available
means of the Hanks will he exhausted in a
few years in paying merely the interest on
the State (funds, leaving the principal wholly
unprovided for. The revenue raised by
the present Tax Hill is barely sufficient to
meet the ordinary expenditures of the Gov
ernment. Now under this slate of facts
what provisions have the Legislature made
to meet the heavy liabilities soon to fall due
and sustain the credit of the State. They
have increased the revenue some 835.0,10 or
§30,000 by a most iniquitous sy intent of par
tial taxation on tan yards, steamboats Jpe.
ana on negroes of non resident. To say
nothing of the injustice of this measure up
on a portion of our citizens: it is just about
ns sensible to expect by such means to re
duce the debts of tlio Slate as it would be
to attempt to bail the waters ol the ocean
with a clam shell. When such efforts ns
those are made, what n rediculous tarce it is
to declaim about sustaining the faith and
credit of the State unsullied nnd vent loud
and eloquent denunciations of repudiation.
Hut even the doetrine of repudiation has
I been broached in the Legislature. the
last session, the Senator from Chambers
openly proclaimed that he would not consent
to tnx his constituents to pay back to the
townships tiio sixteenth section fund ol
which Hie Slate of Alabama, was made the
rut Township!), foi (lie support of schools,
itnJ which fund the State Inis appropriated
to her own use by placing it in the Bank.
This position is the entering wedge in repu
diation, because if the State may justifiably
defraud “a free and enlightened citizen" of
the Republic, much more it will be conten
tended rnay she refuse to pay a "Britisher."
It only remains to be seen whether the
people of the State will sustain this paltry
shuffling of time serving demngogucs, or
come up like men and pay ‘’the sum atiil
tenor ot the bond,” This question must
soon he decided. If at the next session ot
the Legislature the rate of taxation is not
gicatly increased we shall be placed in a
situation in which payment of the Stale
debt will he almost un impossibility. No
matter how h.ullv the affairs of the Govern
mentor of the banks have been heretofore
managed—no matter if the few have plun
dered the many, the people must consent to
an increase of taxation—comparatively hea
vy taxation for several years, or suffer the
State of Alabama to he branded through
all coming time as a fraudulenI Bankrupt;
and its citizens not merely as disregarding
the claims of henor and the dictates ol
high toned public faith, but the plainest
principle of common Honesty. There is no
use in disguising this fact. A rnle of taxa
tion, higher it is true,than we have heretofore
paid, hut not as high as have been levi d
upon the citizens of other States for years
wiil in a short lime pay all that we owe.
We should also recollect that until quite
lately the expenses of the State government
were defrayed by this money which wo bor
rowed upon the Bonds, and we paid nc
Slat-) Tax ot nil- What rank should we
hold nmong our sister States, if when their
citizens consent to he liberally taxed to car
ry on works of internal improvement to de
velop their resources, ure deny to the claims ol
justice, what they yield to the demands o|
public spirit and State pride. We should
recollect that this is not an appeal to our
generosity, or magnanimity hut merely to
ouf lwnesty and justice. If wc falter we
shull nut have cveu the pitiful excuse of the
Mississippi repmhationisls, that Hie agent of
the Slate exceeded his powers in disposing
of the Bonds, but shall stand before the
world an almost unparalleled example of
meanness and dishonesty. VVe would feign
hope that the greut-hearted of the land will
notsuirer so foul a blot to rest upon our fair
escutcheon, that all the glowing eulogies
to which Wo have so often listened upon
the thickly clustering virtues of our State
are something more than empty sound,
that the public ear is not yet deaf to the
still small voice of duty and of justice, and
the public conscience not yet sored with a
hot iron, so that the whisperings of a di
viner spirit fall unheeded upon it ; that the
absorbing love of gold has not yet, in States
or in individuals swallowed up all the better
and nobler feelings of the heart.
Most earnestly would we hope th it the
great future ol our young Stale, in all else
so full of promise, so rich in anticipation,
may never be blighted by so foul a stain.
That this ominous cloud now no larger than
a man’s hand may never overspread the
horizon nnd darken Ihe whole land.
Iron Manufactures of Massachu
setts.
Under this head we include all manufac
tures of which iron is the principal and use.
giving portion, but with regard to some
branches it is only necessnry u> stnte the
value of the articles produced.
Wo have now 32 rdlling, slitting arid no.I
mills, which roll nnd slit 14,1)42 tons of iron
per annum, nnd produce 37.102,400 pounds
of nails—total value, $2,73)1,300; hands
employed, 1720. The number of forges is
102. producing annually bar iion, anchors,
chains, &c., to the amount of $530,960,
and emplnyifg 422 hands. There are four
furnaces for tho manufacture of pig iron,
which produce to the amount of $149,701,
nnd employ 235 hands. Fur the value,
number of factories, and hands employed in
other brunches of iron manufacture, sec
below :
No. of Vai. of an- Hand*
Fuc. niijfl produc. i nipl'tl
91 $1,280,141 12(17
114 $2,022,648 2421
Hollow ware & castings
Machinery
Steam engines & boilers
Scythes
Edge tools
Cutlery
Butts and hinges
Latches and door-handles
Locks
l ocks and brads
[ Shovel, hoes, ilj-e.
j r loughs, &c.
j Bu lings, safes, &c.
I Total yearly value of iron manufactures.
$8,162,40:1. llunds cin|doyed, 7664. To
tul cupitul nvesleil in nil nianufuctures ol
iron in Massachusetts, $5,000,000.
6
20
35
14
5
4
11
26
39
74
7
208,540
113,935
94,441
148,175
25,390
3,200
60,070
253,687
275,212
121,091
129,300
221
171
94
197
49
10
75
269
259
158
87
Woolen Manufactures of Massachusetts.
— lhere are 178 woolen nulls in Massachu
setts, running 514 sets of machinery. Du.
ring the past year, these mills consumed
15,387,448 pounds of wool, manufactured
1,022,359 yards of broadcloth, 2,451,458
yards of cassimere, 3,558,720 yards of sat
anei, 1,052,345 yards ol* Kentucky jeans,
4,490.937 yards Hannel and blanketing, und
256,205 pounds of woolen yarn, 702,000
yards of goods not specified. Total value,
$8,877,473 Capital invested in woolen man
ufactures, $5,604,002, Hands employed,
3,901 males, and 3,471 females.
Carpet Manufactures.—The number ol
mills in Massachusetts is 17, consuming
150,000 pounds of cotton, and 1,786,238
pounds of wool. '1 hey produce 153,958
yards of carpeting, valued at $934,322.
Capital invested, $488,000, Hands em
ployed, 715 males, and 319 females.
Worsted Manufactures.—There are now
10 establishments lor the manufacture of
worsted in this commonwealth, producing
2,321,333 yards of goods, and 617.366 lbs.
of worsted ynrn, valued at $054„564. Cap.
dnl invested, $514,000. Hands employed,
298 males, and 548 females.
Manufactures of lloisrry in Massachu
setts.—This branch of manufacture has now
17 establishments entirely devoted to it.
They produce 134,138 pairs and 28,200
pounds of yarn, valued at $94,792. Hands
employed, 53 mules, and 185 females.
Linen Manufactures.—The Manufacto
ries of linen in the State are 3 in number,
i employing 93 males, and 99 femide^rand
| producing 975,000 yards annually, valued
at $145,090. Capital invested. $79,000.
j Silk Manufactures.—The 8 silk establish
! incuts in Massachusetts, produced during
the last year, 22,509 pounds of sevying silk,
valued lit $150,477. Capital invested,
$38,000. llunds employed, 28 males, and
128 females.—Ex. Paper.
The Credit System.—A committee of
lliu Indiana Legislature made a report in fa
vor of repealing all laws for the collection of
debts, in which the following passage oc
curs:—“From tho best calculations they
have been able to make on this subject, they
have arrived at the conclusion that the nn
nual expense to the people of the Uni
ted St tes, on account of the legal cred
it system alone, in the pay of judges,clerks,
sheriffs, marshals, magistrates, constables,
deputies, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, loss of
time in litigation, &c., &c., cannot be short
of tlx: immense sum of two millions of dol
lars ! to sav nothing of the vice, corruption,
perjuries, strde, discord and crimes, embit
j tered feelings between man and man, and of
i amity and I .ve among members of families.
! poverty and utter'ruiI) of both plaintiff and
defendant, in which the innocent wives and
helpless children urc oftentimes the greatest
sufferers.”
(K5" We learn that the stockholders have
filed the necessary declaration, under a late
act of the Legislature, and have organized
under the style of the “Tuscaloosa Paper
Company,” of which .lames H. Wallace
K-q. lias been elected President, YV. Moodv,
Fsq. Secretary and Treasurer, and Dr. B.
Manly. Col YV. (J. Parish, Mr. A. Briggs
and Dr. J. R. Drish, Directors.
The machinery will be constructed at the
North, in the course of the summer, under
the personal direction of an experienced
paper manufacturer, who is interested in the
stock.—Monitor.
The Texas Telegraph, and Democrat,
arcjappealing lo the democrats of that State,
to organize, with a view to the control of
its political affairs. The Democrat says—
“with a little trouble and care on their
own part, the democrats could render them
nclvc8 invincible in Texas.”
Jontnai llag.
TUSCALOOSA, MARCH 20, 1840.
The Commercial Review_We areen
the receipt of the March number of the
Commercial Review, published in New Or
leans, by Mr. De Bow. It contains a large
quantity of useful statistical information.
I'he articles relule to topics of general in
lerest in the West and South-West, and are
well written .
'I be principle articles in this number art
—“ Intci national Rights of Peace and
War”—“Agricultural and Manufacturing
prospects of the South and West”—“An
tiquities ol Louisiana”—“Military and Na
val Resourci s of the South and West”—
“Commerce and tho Fine Arts”—Com.
mereinl Stutislicts, Foreign and Domestic
and Critical notices of II.inks.
Democratic Review.—Wo are in the
receipt 01 the March number. It is em
bellished with a portrait of tho lion. John
Fairfield, U. S. Senator from Maine.
The following is the table of contents:
1. English and French intervention in the
Rio de la Plata. By Hon. Caleb Cushing.
2. New England. By Mrs. J. W. Mercier.
B. The Gume of North America ; its nomen
clature, habits, haunts and seasons ; with hints
on thu Science of Woodcruft. By Frank Fo
tester. No. 4. The Quail.
4. James Nuyler. By J. O. Whittier.
5 To Rouge. By J. (1. Whittier.
0. Puners »f an old Dartmoor Prisoner. Ed
ited by Nutlianicl ilnwlliorno.
7. Tin Hostility of England to American. Iii
four Nun ills. By the author of "The Yetuas
see.”
8. Coninercial Reform. — 1st Annual Report
of the S»cretary of the Treasury of the United
States, December, 1845.—R. J. Walker. 2d.
Annual /'mancinl Statement of the Minister
of Entrlaid, Sir Robert Peel.
U. Horn Sicilian®. By Signor Salvatore Ab
bate E. k.igliore.
10. Moithly Financial and Commercial arti
cle.
11. Nov Books for the Month.
12. Moithly Literary Bulletin.
New Publications.—We aro indebted
to Mr. WrudrufTfor copies of Sol. Smith's
“ Theatrunl Apprenticeship”; nnd “ Mys
teries of lie Backwoods,” by J. B. Thorpe,
esq., Ediiir of the New Orleans Commer
cid Times. The first is one of the most
readable among all the cheap publications
of tho day. It is written with a freedom of
personal narrative that1 makes one a fa
miliar frieid of “old Sol,” even though he
had never icard of him before. In addition
to his Thcitricnl Apprenticeship, it contains
numerous inecdoles ol distinguished Amor,
ienn actors. Mr. Thorpe’s book is of a
different erst ; it contains several humor,
ous sketclns, but its author aspires to the
character (fa fine, rather than a humorous
writer. It may not have so rapid a sale as
Smith’s Apprenticeship, or Simon Suggs ;
but there aro sketches in it that will! be
longer remembered.
We copy the following complimentary
notice of Judge Mock, from the Baltimore
American :
LEOTUuns.-s-We attend (ho Lecture de
livered on TuJsday evening, at the Rev. Mr.
Ilamncr’sClinch,by the Hon. A. B. Meek,
of Alabama.!— After the opening prayer,
the nudienecwere gratified with a fine vo
cal and instrumental performance by the
Philharmonic Society, which, to those who
ate fond of ijiusic, wo have no doubt con
stitutes a very important feature in the eve
ning’s exevcims. Judge M. is a young
man, nnd in ippenrance younger than he
really is. His subject, “The development
of the Americin Mini),” was discussed with
grout ability and with nru’h originality.
The lecture was enriched with many classi
cal gems,nnd vas highly appreciated by the
refined and ittelligent audience to which it
was addressed. Its composition disclosed
an extensive reiding on the part of tho lee.
tnrer, and Ihn influence of an education of
the most liberal and finished kind.
The Eufunla Demoernr, in noticing an
attack of lie Centrevillo (Bibb county!
Advocate on Mr. Yancov, for his vote on
tho “ notice” to abrogate ihc convention of
1818, says—''we have observed a like dis
position in aigher quarters to moke war
upon those democrats in Congress, who
voted against the passage of the notice, ns
if they were not friends < I Oregon equally
with those who voted for that measure.
The question of notice, was one of expedi
ency merely, involving no principle, and
we can by no means assent to the propo
sition that its passnga was” of so vital a
consequence us the Advocate represents.
Two of our delegation, Messrs. Yancey <Sc
Dargan, vdted against the notice, as it
passed the House of Representatives; and
each submitted his reasons, at length, for
his vote, which we have, heretofore, pub-’
lished.
Mr. Yancey looked upon tho “notice”
r.s indicating unfriendly intentions, which
must lead to war. In this opinion he is
sustained by some of tho ablest minds in
the Union. Many of his friends dilfcrcd
fnorn him, hut as tho Advocate suggests, it
was a difference •* involving no principle.”
Mr. Dargan, whose vote has also been
criticised, has triumphantly sustained his
course, in an argument that would silence
ail horest objections, if it were in the hnnds
of the fault finders. We fully agree with
Mr. Dargan in his positions, ns to the pro.
cess by which the question should he ad
justed ; and it is no little honor to his dis
crimination, to see the efiorts of the ablest
men in the senate directed to the mode of
settlement suggested by Mr. Dargan’s res.
olutions.
05" Col Benjamin F. Powell of North
port, has been elected General of the Bri
gade composed of Tuscaloosa and Pickens
counties, in plnco of Gen. J, *f, Griffin, re
signed.
We publish, in another column, the de
bate on the Oregon question, on the 4ih
and 5th ingt’s. Mr. Huy woe d, in that de
jate, is supposed to have spoken by author
tv of the Piesidcnr. On this point the
[Jirom says:
“May we be permitted to say, that we did
not ourselves understand Mr. Haywood as in
tending to speak authoritatively in the name of
the President, except from the printed docu
ments. We say, with all respect, that no man,
out of his Cabinet, is authorized to speak ex
cathedra for him on this delicate and imporiant
question. He has expressed his opinions in his
own message, or through the letters of the Sec
retary of Slate.—We presume, that no one has
a right to speak for him but from the documents
which he has submitted to his country. His
future course must be judged by his past con
duct.”
The West,so far ns it speakr in the per.
sons of Messrs. Hanncgnn & Allen, is op
posed to nil compromise, and stands ready
to drive the British out ol Oregon ft ct
armis. This violent courso will not he sus
tained by the people at Inrge. lieyond 4S)i>
it is contended, by men whose opinions are
respected by the American people, that Eng.
land has rights, that cannot he disregard*!,
il the principle of Jackson’s administration—
“ to ask. for nothing but what is right, and
subniii to nothing wrong”—is adhered to.
Senator Drx, in his late able speech, as
sumed tiiut such rights were ie existence :
and Senator Beaton endorsed this speech as
satisfactory to all trio friends of truth and
justice. In view of the whole question, as
it now stands, we regard it as one of com
promise and negotiation beyond the 40lh
degree of north latitude. This opinion, we
are glud to find, is held, with great unanim
ity in the South, and there can bo hut little
doubt that it will control the administration
in its adjustment of the question.
in not icinv the debate ol the 41 h and
5th inst’s., tho Richmond Enquirer says:
“A word, now, as to tho subject matter of the
personal controversy between Messrs Hnnne.
Sail and Haywood. It strikes us that no “tie
gotiation” is compatible with tho exclusive
claim up to 54 degrees and 40 minutes. That
is tho extreme of our claim. Great ltrilpin will
not. surrender the whole of it—and lienee the
necessity of negotiation for the best terms of
settlement. II we insist upon the whole, we
had belter prepare at once for war. Hut the
House of Representatives have already, by a
large majority, in passing tho “notice” rosolu
lions, expressly declared that the notice is not
to interfere with the continuance of “negotia
tion” for a pacific adjustment of the question.
If the Senate adopt this ora sonilar resolution,
the President will liavo evidence that Congress
have not disclaimed the idea of further negotia
tion, nor have determined that our extreme
claim to the Russian line must be a sine qua
non : How, then, can the President, however
firmly convinced in his own mind, that our right
to the whole ofUrcgon is “clear and unquestion
able,” in this new aspect of allairs, and in the
face of this expression of opinion by the peo
ple’s representatives, insist upon the whole
claim, and thereby certainly involve tho country
in war ! Armed with this clear intimation ofthe
wishes of Congress for further negotiation and
a speedy settlement, he will, under the obliga
tions of his oath, proceed to the discharge of
his duly, and, if possible, arrange such terms as
will bring the controversy to un honorable and
pacific adjustment.”
The following extract of an article, in a
late number of the Mobile Register, pro
sents, in very comprehensive terms, the
views of that journal on the Oregon ques
tion.
Wo understand the Register as nit
objecting to a compromise of tho ques
tion, provided that no “ concessions’' lie
made “below the strict lino of 49“, either
of territory, ports or privileges.” In this
opinion we coincide fully with the-Register:
up to the 49a our titlo is “clear and ut.qes
lionable,” and this embraces Hie “whole” of
old Oregon. Beyond that our title is dis
puted by a power which has been in pos
session for forty yrnrs ; and whatever may
be the foundation of its original rights, to
the territory, it now has a claim, which na
tional pride, at least, will prompt it to de
fend by nil the means within iln power. But,
perhaps, for ulterior national purposes, it is
of but little consequence, to us, whether
England retains possession of the entire ter
ritory north of 49° or not. Our popula
tion is advancing along the whole length
of our frontier at the rate of thirty miles
tt year—and by the process of emigration
they will ultimately occupy the whole ter
ritory up to the Russian line.
From the Hrgistcr.
We bclive it doubtful whether public opinion,
^lightened as it has been as to the title of the
United States, would be in favor now of agrec
ng to the whole 49th parallel as the boundary,
l'iie great mass of the people are thoroughly
jonvinced that their title is the best in the world
ip to 54,40. They are satisfied beyond a per
tdventure, that Great Britain has no color of
it Ip, even under her own showings, to a foot
jf ground below the parallel of Nootlta Sound,
.ay 49,30—and that any compromise or arbi
ration ought not to have been permitted to be
entertained in regard to any portion of the ter
ritory not included between 49,30 Pnd 51,40.
t)n the naked principle of a partition of the ter
ritory in dispute, the true line ought to be about
the parallel of 52, and this would involve the
waiver cm our part oflhe superior title in favor
cf a division of the territory disputed. In pro
posing therefore to compromise on the 49lh
parallel, the United Stales have not only con
ceded all that is in dispute, but have conceded
something to which they ought not to permit
their title to be disputed at ail—territory which
is as absolutely theirs as Iowa or Alissouri. Wo
confess we have extreme repugnance to any
such compromise ourselves, and believe that it
would be extremely distasteful to the great body
of thd people, although under the circumstances
it which it might be complicated, it might per
haps be acquiesced in after it was made. But
to any concession below the strict line of 49.
either of territory, ports or privileges, as part
of the Oregon settlement, we are very sure that
the administration would not be a party, and
the people, without a dissenting Voice, would
cry out against it. To a qualified navigation
of the Columbia by the British for a series of
years, we do not know that there should be any
very grave objections, while the’absolute right
of jurisdiction and soil were acknowledged to
be in the United Slates, and the privilege were
a grant from us subject to our control. But
this grant ought to be no concession to any
British right or claim for Oregon or any part
of it, but a concession of an undoubted national
right fora commercial object, important to Great
Britain, to be exchanged for some equivalent,
commercial or otherwise, elsewhere. That
would be an unobjectionable mode of treating
on that point independently. In regard to the
question ufharbors, ho compromise of any kind
whatever would be acceptable under any cir
cumstances, whidh does not give the United
Stales good harbors on the coaBt and free access
to the interior sounds in their own right.
Mr, McConnell has introducetfa bill,
in Congress, “to grant the head of a family,
man, maid, or widow, a homestead, not ex
ceeding one hundred and sixty acres.”
Wo arc indebted to Mr. McCounell for a
copy of his bill, which we here subjoin :
Be it enacted by the Senate and Haute of
Representatives of the United States nj America
in Congress Assembled, That from and after
the passage of this act, it shall be lawful for any
man, maid, or widow, being the head of a fomi
ly, after making probate to cultivate a fraction
of land not exceeding one hundred and sixty
acres, and said person shall be, ar.d is hereby,
autliorized to enter, upon and after the payment
of the sum of three dollars and twenty-five
cents, a fraction of one hundred and sixty acres,
as specified above, conditioned that said person
shall declare his or her purpose to cultivate all
or a portion of the said land for the period of
five years: Provided, That said person shall al
so dcclaro that he or she is wholly unable to
pay the minimum price now fixed by law on
the public lands; Provided, also, That said
parcel of land shall inure to the benefit of the
family of the person entering the same, and shall
not be subject to levy, sale, or alienation in any
manner whatever.
from Hon. W. Cost Johnston, of Maryland,
developes tins singular fact that Robert Ful
ton was refused the hull of the House of
Representatives, when seeking to enforce
his views of the practicability of steam boat
navigation, because, “the assembled wisdom
ol the nation” believed it to be a visionary
scheme. In Hunt’s Merchant’s Magazine,
for liie current month, there is an article
on rail roads, that discloses a similar fact, to
which the late Col. Stevens of New York,
llio projector of the Curriden and Amboy
rnil roud, and De Witt Clinton, Robert L.
Livingston, and Guuverneur Morris were
phrties. 'i'heso latter gentlemen were the
commissioners to whom the State of New
York entrusted the building of the Erie
canal. In 1812. Col. Stevens addressed
them on the subject of connecting the two
points—Albany and Lake Erie—by a rail
road, which he estimated, would ensure the
transportation of freight for two thirds less
than canal transportation. The commission
ers had estimated the cost of transporting
freight on the canal at $:i .per Ion. He
urged his scheme with great perseverance,
and offered to convince any intelligent en
gineer that a steam car could be construct
ed to traverse wooden, or metalic rails, at
the rate of 20 miles per hour ! Mr. Ste
ven’s proposed that the fail road silled
bo erected on piles, to prevent detention
during the periods of the year in which the
ground is covered with snow. The com
missioners considered his proposal, and of
feted several objections to it, among others
the following:
“As horses more on the earthy when drawing
a weight, it is belieted that an equal power must,
to produce the tame effect, have sufficient hold
on the earth; and it is doubted whether an en
gine in a waggon can work forward with as
much adtantage as horses on a roud
A line of stages has be^en placed on the
road between Tuscumbia and Decatur, con
necting with the Memphis line west, and
with steamboat line from Decatur to Gun
ter’s landing. By this route passengers may
take the great central route cast, and nr
rive in Washington city, so says thf Demo
crat, in four days and ten hours from De
catur.
Oregon Debate iu the Senate.
Oil I lie 4lh uml 5ih inst’s., Mr. Hay
woockof North Carolina delivered a speech,
in the Sena'e, which has attracted much
ulteniion, and which wus the occasion of
some very intemperate remarks, in refer
ence to ihn President, by Mr. H.innegan.
The following extracts present, in sub
stance, the position assumed hy Mr. Hay
wood, and the rejoinder of Mr. Hnnnegan.
Correspondence of the Charleston Couriet.
Maucii 4th.
“Mr. H. maintained in substance that the
President was bound by good faith to offer the
49th, and to adhere to that offer should it come
back to him ; much of his speech was in reply
to the remarks of some of the ultra Oregon par
ty who had declared their readiness to go to
war for 54° 40, and who had asserted that the
President could not and would not negotiato
for any thing short of the whole of Oregon. The
President had said nothing, which would pre
vent lum from ‘accepting me off r of the 49lh.
Air. H. contended that tBe President stood up
on the 49th, and he Mr. II. placed, himself up
on the same position and would maintain it. In
speaking of the 49th, he wished it to be under
stood, that he did not count inches, and that he
meant the 49th substantially, not regarding
slight variations.
No innn, MrfH. contended, had an; right
to say or to infer that the President ofthe Uni
ted Slates was iu the same position now, that
lie was when his message was written. There
had been negotiations since that time, an cl they
were not ended. The door was nut closed
against them.
Mr. 11. shewed that the negotiation was not
ended, tho’ the correspondence was suspended i
if it was ended by the British Government, the
British minister would go home.
Mr. 11. protested, over and over again, and
in the strongest terms, against any body’s right
to assert that the President would not compro
mise on the 49th, and lie declared if there was
any truth in logic, meaning in language, or sin
cerity in men, he would demonstrate that his
opinion was correct; and he went on to do it
clearly and satifactorily.
March 5th.
Mr. Haywood resumed his remarks on the
Oregon question, and spoke nearly three liours.
lle went on to speak of the propriety of giv
ing the notice, if it ended in nothing, it could
do no harm. If the President should terminate
the negotiation, refuse any compromise, and
still give the notice,he would betray us. If so,
the matter would stiff be in our own hands. If
any-Senatdrs was afraid of trusting the Presi
dent, ho for one, would pledge himself, never
to adjourn, until the question of peace or war
was settled—until it was known, whether a
compromise on 49, would be accepted or not.
t llo wished tho notice to be given early, for
the very reason, that he did not wish tu votB
on the Bills- relating to the territory of Oregon
until he knew what use would be raade of it '
All agreed that the question should be set
tled now. If the country wanted war, thev
could get it by going beyond 49-by refusing fur.
ther negotiation, but ueither the country, nor the
Senate, was in favor of any extreme mea<un a.
Mr. II repeated to day, in strong terms hia
declaration, that the President's views had been
misrepresented here, by those w ho Imd under
taken to speak for him, in regard to his position
on the Oregon question ; and that the Presi
denfa manifest intention was to comoromiso
upon 4‘J.
Mr. H. was of the opinion, that it would
be extremely impolitic to send back the House
resolution, and re-open the subject there for ag
itation. lie had no objection to Mr. Ckitten
dens amendment,if the act was to originate here
As to Mr. Colquitt’s proposition, he oppos
ed it tor many reasons, which he crave at length
—one of winch way, that it appeared to him to
insist upon a compromise bewteen the 49ih
and Columbia river, which he himself could not
agree to. When Mr. If. concluded his remarks.
Mr. liANNLCAN roeu lo make* Rome remarks,
upon what he considered the most extraordina
ry speech he had ever heard in his life. He
wished to put a q icstion to the Senator from
IN. C., and he had reduced it to writing. Had
the Senator the authority of the President of
the U. S. directly, or indirectly, to state that he
womd compromise the Oregon question on the
Mr. Haywood—What I have said, I will
print. What 1 said on tins subject, 1 wrote
belore 1 said it, for fear of some mistake. I
said, ilia, lor the President to authorize any one,
ill uis present situation, to state what lie would
do, would he unwise and impolitic,
Mr. Allen—1 construe the answer of the
Senator into a negative.
Mr. Haywood—I have already endeavored
to piove that the Senator was a bad hand at
construction.
Mr. Allen—The senator assumed to speak
tor the President of the United Stales. If he
did not speak upon his authority, 1 stand ready
to deny that he expressed the views of the Pre
sident.
Mr. Haywood—If 1 stood i^the situation
of the C.iairiiiaii ol the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, 1 Would be ready to answer all questions
pul to me, or quit, but no' Senator has a riMil
to ask questions of me.
Mr. Allen—1 did not demand if as n person
al right, but a public right, 'file Senator has
made ail exposition ol the views of the President
01 me uniteu dates, winch is incorrect.
Mr. Westcott—i call tin* gentleman to or
der. J object to any .discussion here about the
opinions of the President ot the United States.
No mail has a right to bring them here.
Air. Allen—1 do not ask what are the opin*
ions of the President; 1 ask the aulhoiity upon
which Ins opinions ate slated.
Mr. Haywcod, alter stating that he did not
intend to be brought into an altercation, appeal
ed to the rules of order, und denied the right of
any one to interrogate him, wlieu he refused to
answer any further questions.
Mr. Allen again rose,
Mr. Haywood—J am glad to see that my
speccli hikes.
JVlr. Allen—It will not take.
Mr. Hannecian said it was not necessary tor
bis purpose that the Senator should answer
any question. In reply to the {Senator, he
would soy that there was no truth in men, and
no meaning in language, if the President was
not committed to 54 4o. He had stood com
mitted to it, before all the world, since 1844, as
lie went on to shew from his Cincinnati letter,
his message, and oilier sources. It the Presi
dent should turn traitor, and betray the stand
ard which was commuted to him, he, for ono.
would recent it without fear or hesitation. It
tile President should compromise upon the 4Dth,
he would be sunk into an infamy so profound, (
a damnation so deep, that the itund of resur
rection eould never draw him forth. Mr.Han- ..
neoan made some stil stronger remarks of this
character upon the President, when Mr. Man- 1
hum rose and called the gentleman to order.
Mr. Hanneuan said lie did not intend to use
language disrespectful to Ihe Senate ; but, said
bt, it the language und sentiments imputed by
the Senator from North Carolina to James K.
Polk, are authorised, then Janes K. Polk
had spoken words of falsehood, and with tho
tongue of a serpent.
Correspondence of the Journal and Flag.
WASHINGTON CITY, March 12th.
No other question, or subject, is agitated here
except the Oregon question ; all else is for
time forgotten. The mystery thrown round
the question by Senator Haywood’s represents-'
tions of the views ot the Executive ; and Sena
tors Allen, and llaunegan’s, denial of the au
thority ot Haywood, is not yet cleared up. We
have had, innumerable, rumors touching the
matter. It is said, and perhaps with truth, that
some of the 54° 40’ men called on Mr. Polk, to
know it he had authorised Mr. Haywood to
commit him to a compiusiise at 491*; one ver
sion, of the answer of the resident, is an ab
solute deniul of such authority ; another version
is, that, he referred the gentlemen to his messa
ges, and the correspondence, leaving them stall
in uncertainly. It seems to me, that some of
the President's friends, are creating false issues
on this question. There is another rumor to
day, that the ultra Oregon men have had a
caucus, and have determined to yield to a com
promise; this is not true, however, as 1 have
very good reasons for knowing. The;prospect
of an amicable settlement is now very fair, and
war is not considered “inevitable.”
Hon. D. Atchison of Mo., an ultra Oregon
man, is speaking m the Senate to-day. He ia
no Speaker, tho’ a man of fine sense. Yester
day, Johnson of Md., spoke in opposition to “the
whole or none.” He is considered a strong
man ; but his manner is very unpleasant. The
two previous days, were taken up with a speech
from Evans of Maine, also, opposed to the ul
tras. Evans is a very fine speaker, and a man
of undoubted ability.
The Kiver and Harbor bill, has been the bob.
by in the House lor several days. It is gene,
rally opposed by the Southern 'democrats on
constitutional grounds.
Major Donalson, former charge to Tcxasv
has been appointed Minister to Prussia, in place
of Henry Wheaton recalled, at his own request,
Hon. R. M. Saunders, former M. C. from N.
C. has been-appointed Minister to Spain ; the
latter is now in this city. It is expected here,
that Mr. Slidell will return from Mexico imme.
diately.
An article having appeared in the Times of
this city, making unfounded and malioious char,
ges against Borne democratic Senators, Mr. Col
quitt of Georgia denounced the author as a liars
a reply to Mr. Colquitt appears in the pa.
per. The Times i* 'n ba^ hands.
It is expected ">at Calhoun will speak soon,
perhaps next week, Ttiere >• » ereat desire
to hear k“0 on this question. Webster also
hag ye>(0 make his promised defence,
jsdge Meek, late of your city, has been nonr
I,rated for C. S. District Attorney, for the South'
rrn District of your State. Tho uomination will
inquestionably be confirmed.
ALABAMA.