The republic. [volume], August 03, 1849, Image 2

About The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853

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filwcellaneottB.
Ftoin ike Fftvc York Jllbion.
KKMINItK KNCC* OF MAUAMK KKt'A;
I NIER.
Devolution reigns in the old convent De I'Abbayeaux-Bois,
in the Kue de Sfevrea ; the trees have put
forth their leaves, and the birds warble merrily oeneath
their shade; but hers, alas! there is no
sympathy with the joyousness of summer, for the
hand of death has |?ussed over the Monastery?
Madame tUkamier has gone 10 her long home.
The Abbaye-aux-Bois became latterly a complete
asylum for poets and beautiful women ; here, after
leading a life of ambition, excitement, and romance,
they curne to seek shelter for the remainder of their
days It was in one of the uuiet apartments of this
uhiuyc that the Duchesse d'Abrantea, who was
utterly ruined by the fall of the Empire, begun to
write her spirited and fascinating memoirs. Want
und lalior Killed this noble-minded woman. She,
whose loss we are now mourning, died not of misery,
but of old age ; possibly the recollection and
the sight of so many extraordinary events may have
hurried her to her grave; but by whatever cause j
her deA(h wu occasioned, Madame Kframier will
ever be remembered as one of the moat beautiful
and attractive women of our time. She formed the
centre of all that was good, lovely, noble, arid generous.
Far happier than the Beatrix of Florence,
the Beatrix of Paris had three Dantea at her feet,
Chateuubriand, Benjamin Constant, and Ballauche.
Her life was like a beautiful poem. She entered
upon it in a revolution, and in the midat of a revolution
ahe finished its course; yet she lost not a
single ray of her glory. Heaven seems to have
visited this bewitching woman most kindly ; she
was not denied the atmosphere for which she was
created?her existence seems to have been an eternal
felt, an everlasting youth. Wherever she
turned, homage awaited her, and misfortune approached
her only at a respectful distance.
There were three women under the Directory
remarkable for their beauty and elegance?according
to the madrigals of the time they were the
three Graces; they were Madame Tallien, Josephine
de Beauharnais, and Madame Recamier.
These enchantresses were to be teen every where;
at the concerts where Garni sang; at the balls where
Trfnitz danced?poor Trenitz! who afterwards died
mad at Charenton. They appeared exactly at the
same moment on the scene, like three flowers which
hud suddenly bloomed on the very edge of an extinguished
volcano. Each had her separate politi csJ
mission; they reigned and governed entirely
through the influence of their grace and beauty.
. Josephine, who was soon after to reign as empress,
.1 .. . ?i-j m_n: : i,?. ?
auus wruie tu iuuutuuc iojiicij lu iuhu u?-? ^ ?
a larilliaut/ete at the Hotel Ttelusson: 1
^iie sure to come in your peach-blossom slip.
Our dresses must be exactly alike. 1 intend to
wear a crimson handkerchief, fastened at the temples
a la Creole. This style, which is decidedly becoming
*o you, it may be rather presumptuous for me to
assume. You are young; perhaps not prettier, but
infinitely fresher and more blooming. We must
endeavor to eclipse and to drive our rivals to despair.
Cest un coup de partie."
Madame Recamier was the only one of the three
who still wore, in her latter days, the handkerchief
fastened 2 la Creole. At that lime there were continual
contests of taste and novelty; after the revolution of
habits and manners, came a revolution in costume,
'/"heresla Carbarrus restored the taste for the Greek
fashions, the cotfurt & CJkbenienne, the transparent
and tightly-fitting tunic. Josephine was the first
who was ambitious to wear the purest cameos and
the mot't magnificent onyx stones and agates; these
sparkled either on her dress or glittered to her hair.
Madame Recamier, in her turn, introduced the veil,
that chaste and elegant adornment, wi:'ch has the
effect of agreeably piquing imagination, and casting
over a woman a charm almost mysterious.
In 1800 Madame Recamier, who was just eighteen,
lived in the fine chateau of Clichy la Garenne, which
i wus afterwards destroyed. It would be impossible
to form an idea of her Hebe-like freshness, unless
she had been seen. HereducaUon contributed still
more to her charms: she was an admirable pianiste,
and danced divinely, accompanying herself with
the tambourine, which was then all the rage. It
was at this chateau of Clichy, and a short time afterwards,
in her magnificent salons in the Rue du
Mont Blanc, that Madame Rfcamier received almost
all the princes of Europe. Her husband was
rich then, enormously rich. The architect, Berihaui,
had transformed this hotel into a fairy palace;
it seemed as if one of the tales of Galaud had been
{ realized
The balls of Madame R#camier became the resort
of fashion; the gavottes were danced on these occasions,
and compositions for the harpticnord were
n?rfnrmcd which were afterward destined U) be
very popular. The ladies wore all kinds of costume?Egyptian,
Spartan, Roman, and French.
It was a perfect scene of enchantment of whi< b it
was impossible to form any conception. Madame
Hameiin, who is still alive, was the heroine of these
fHtt. Madame Hameiin, with Cinderella's foot,
is alone able to describe one of those magic evenings,
which only required a painter like Wateau,
and a poet like Laitsignant or Vowenon, or the
Abb* ruefe, to give an adequate idea of them. The
habitues of her morning cauteries, the persons who
were intimate with her, and visited iier every day,
were Luc ten Bonaparte, Fox, Madame Visconti,
Matlueu Montmorency, General Moreau, that thin
pale, and fair Madame de Terudner, and that joyous
t>eing, Ouvrard, a man full of energy, and very
variously informed; he possessed all the stalelinean
of a courtier, as well a? the cultivated mind of a literary
man. and the money of a man who thoroughly
understood business.
The third residence of Madame Recamier, and
perhaps (he one which she loved best, wan S(
Bnce?St, Brice, with it* sunny landscape*, its
rippling ntreams, and it* delicious shades; where
she had the boldness and happiness of offering
shelter to Madnme de Stael when she was pursued
by the Emperor. It has been said that this noble
action of Madame Rframier drew upon her one of
the most biiter remarks ihat Napoleon ever made.
It is impossible to conceive that any one could hate
Madame Recamier. She visited Madame de Star I
in her exile, and willingly shared it with her; but
on her return from Paris, ahe discovered (hat her
husband's fortune wan crumbling away under the
imperial desfioiism She 110 longer found hersell
in possrssion of sumptuous hotels, nor of feudal
chatraux nothing but the mediocrity of the Laur
1-A .,;il he , r.t
P*""1 w"" ~ ??? . -7 of
her glorious dr.auty She wai enjoying the delightful
aocirty of the author of "Ataia," at Dieppe
when the revolution of July broke out. Her efforti
to detain M. de Chateaubriand were unsuccessful
and he set out for Paris. On reaching that city, hi
was soon recognised, at the entrance to the Jouma
dft DrbaU. by sorpe of the youths of the Polvteoh
nic school, and tound himself suddenly lined it
their arms, and carried in triumph above the barn
cades.
tiince that time Madame RAcamier always livec
in the Abbaye-aux-Bois, that was her Versailles
her Trianon. She held her little court here, ai
her fireside There was scarcely n distinguished
person, whatever the nature or degree of his merits
who was not admitted to h'r t'lmr, from I,nee <t<
Lannvnl, pioP-asor of elocuUon at the Pryiane
Francaise, down to Victor Hugo?from the Barm
Gerard, down to M Ingres, the restlcs* H mi*
antbropical artist?from the author of "La Ve*
tale," with his venerable white hair, and hia nu
merous orders on his breast, down to the compose
of the "ProphHe," wild and strange, like a child c
Germany. Stendhal was frequently there; he ha
just written his t?ook called "De I'Amour," an
had often mused opposite the bust of Madame Rl
camier by Canova, which was placed over th
chimney-piece; there the young Menmff has e
Ikiwed the old Balanche; and the serious M. d
Bonald has greettd the laughter-loving Rossini. I
that blue and white talon might lie seen at the nam
time the timar of M. Pasquier, the cordon of M . I
Due de Dondeauville, the tonsurr of M. de Lamer
nius, the laurels of M . de Bnrante, the sword of W
de Vigny .in short, it might be remarked that all
was visited by all the persons whose portraits hn
treen placed in the gallery at Versailles in t!
course of fifty years.
There was also a gentle, nay, almost materm
welcome at the Abltsye for those young muw
WOO wen JU?> ocgmning 10 mnom, nut wno wci
timid ami retiring, no that her l>*autieM remain*
unseen, like wild flower* hid by the bushes, an
only half-blown. The Abl.aye seemed anolhi
I'.irnaaaus, with it* choir of muses. The literar
r<'4rru at the Abbaye possessed quit. aa much 11
flnence, and whs frequently more just in it* dec
atone than the Univemity etMerie, or that of the "R
vue de* fJeux Monde*." Here honnra were bewtnv
ed, and academicians were nominated; and anm,
the number. M. Amfiere, and the author of tl
Theatre de Clara Gazul. Hut we mu* not forn
Madame R^oimier while we speak of the Ahl*tt
we are dwelling too much iif?*>r? the houae instead
confining ouraelvea to it* miatreaa, for there i* n
much to lie wild about thia unrivalled woman, t
pride of the French nation.
She dreaaed heraelf in a atyle singularly been mi
to Irer, either in wbil? gaur.e or mualin, or aoi
other material of delicate texture. Her port
which ia to be Men at the Louvre, baa been ma
time* engraved; it ia a faithful representation
thai lovely face, so full of candor. There was not
the least formality about her featuraa, and her countenance
assumed every sharming variety of expression;
sometimes she was pensive, sometimes
^ay; but there was always something distinguished
about her. Madame de Tease, in talking of a literary
woman, made the following remark: " If I
were a king, I should command Madame to sfieak
to me forever;" but I would make some alight variation
in this sentence, and would say that, if 1
were a king, I should command Madame Kfeamter
to look at me unceasingly. She possessed all the
amiable coquetry which is to beauty exactly what
figures tn relief are to a monument. I somewhat
agree with the old author of the piece entitled
"Thfcee des dames," who observed, "that, if it
were not for a pinch of the salt of coquetry in a
woman's composition, she should become the most
insipid ragout in the world." It is the spirit of coquetry
which renders her so pu/uatUt, and lights up
her eyes in so fascinating a manner that it is impossible
for the heart of man to withstand her influence.
Women who are without this charm arc of
a very milk-and-water nature. Madamotselle Mara
was. perhaps. the person who was most like Ma
dame RtVamier in the exquisite dignity of her manners.
An evening passed at the Abbaye was more
useful to an actress than ten years spent at the
Conservatoire. Madame Recainier had pupils,
without being aware of it. Mademoiselle Mante
caught soincuiing of her manner, it was here that
i she learnt to act the part of Celimiitu so admirably.
The Jewess Rachel was also among the number of
visiters at the Abbaye,and, perhaps, in her performance
of Mrienne Lecouvreur, some of the recollections
which she must have brought away from the
salon of the Rue de SSvrea may still be traced.
Madame Recamier related very interesting anec[
dotes of the Revolution. Her memory was like a
I curious book, which she only opened to a few
friends, and from which she read with her eyes
closed. One morning a great crowd was pushing
its way through the Rue de Mont Blanc, opposite
the Spanish ambassador's hotel. The King of
Elruria was about to enter his carriage, and was
standing at the entrunce, talking to Madame Recamier
and M. Beffroy de Reigny, that writer who
earned such an eccentric reputation under the name
of Cousin Jaques. The Prince was kissing Madame
R&umier's hand very gallantly, when she heard a
loud voice close by her ear. She turned round, and
perceived a soldier, who was shouting out at the
tor of his voice, "Citoyen, voire voiture est prele
quand voire majeste voudra monter."
The following anecdote is probably better known:
A gentleman who found himself upon one occasion
placed between Madame de Stael and Madame Recamier,
remarked very awkwardly, that he had wit
on one side of him and beauty on the other. " Without
Dossessin? either one or the other," observed
Madame de Siael.
It has been hinted that Madame Rfoamier had
left her memoirs. We ahould be very glad if this
were true, but we scarcely dare hope it. She has,
however, left us the celebrated picture of Corinne,
which ornamented her drawing-room; a bust of
herself by Canova; the original drawing of Girodet's
" Atala;" and several other remarkable things,
which we do not call to mind.
Prom the Pennsylvania Inquirer.
A Storm and Providential Escape.
k thrilling sketch.
We have seldom read any thing more graphic
and thrilling than the following letter, from a distinguished
gentleman of Virginia to his wife, who
; is now on a visit to this city. Although dashed
off with the utmost rapidity, and intended merely
for the eye of affection, it is minute and glowing in
an eminent degree. The occurrences narrated are
full of interest, and mark in the most impressive
manner the wondrous ways of Providence. The
letter, we repeat, was not intended for publication ;
and, although its gifted author may feel surprise,
as well as regret, at seeing it in print, yet we trust
he will overlook any apparent indelicacy, as the
sketch embodies not only incidents of a novel and
startling character, but truly Chrisuan sentiments
and a salutary moral.
Only, E. S., Va., July 16, 1849.
Mi dear Wife: We are, without hesitation of
..belief, the objects of God's tender mercies. You
i must not tremble, except with love and adoration
i of Providence, when 1 tell you of the incidents of
i the last two days, which have nearly overwhelmed
! me with calamity, and, at the same instant, grateful
surprise at the most wonderful escapes of myself
and our dear children. Saturday last (this is
Monday night, when 1 begin to breathe free) was a
very hot day?a burning, blistering heat, which 1
| was out in, to see mat my neia nanus niusneu ineir
harvesting and stacking my grain properly, and in
time for Sabbath. Tbey did their work quickly
and well, and finished by the middle of the day?
the weather fuir and glowing with sunlight; and I,
feeling in good health and spirits, told the men
they might have the half of the day, and any of
them who eliose might go along with me to fish in
the bay. They were very cheerful and grateful,
and 1 was rather bent on finding a cool breeze down
, the creek, than expecting much sport with my line.
Two of them, ola Jesse (Darkey's husband) and
' George, aaul they would like to go with me, and I
guve permission?also 10 my son Henry, and nephew,
little Henry, to go along. The two large
boats were both up in the yard, under the oaks,
awaiting repairs and painting. Mr. Bull was gone
to assist his brother in harvesting, and John's Jim
was at his carperter'e work on your arbor, under
the oaks. By the merest accident, I passed his
bench, tltought of his claim to a little rest from labor
loo, aaked him if he would like to go with me,
and he gladly consenting, 1 ordered him to prepare
the only canoe afloat?the one we call the old Constitution,
the one of third-size rate?and to get his
line.
V\ tth every thing ready, and a light westwardly
breeze, we set sail for the ntouth of Oc rancook. We
had to tieat all the way down, and the wind was
so light that two of the men had to row half the time.
Anout four, p. m., we reached anchorage for fishing,
and put out our lines about half a mile from the bar
1 of the creek, and midway from side to side, say a
mile from land Scarcely had we liated our hoolts,
when we noticed a cloud in the west. In ten minutes
a Mr. Kiliman, in a small, sharp canoe near
by, with a small child on ooara, sain to me mat i
' was in a atauncli boat, wrll manned, but he waa
I afraid to riak the threatening storm in hia craft, and
i he put off for the ahore In speaking distance he
' hailed, and exclaimed, "Look there!" I turned
to the westward, and aaw what I had often wished
, I to act, and wish never toaee again?a water-spout
i One, another, a third roee eome two hundred feet
, high, in quick succession, eome five milea distant,
> rapidly whirling a moment, and then daahing otl
I like rare horaen to the southward, at right ariglea tc
! the wind, atill from the west. Thia raised my api
j prthenaion, and I ordered the anchor raiaeo and
- 1 linea wound up immediately. The foremast had
| been left standing, the sail waa unfurled, and w<
I started In fifty vards the wind overtook us. Wt
, dared not steer for nearest land. Oui course war
i ! inevitably before the blast eastward. The nearest
I j ahore was about three milea off in that direction. I
placed Jim (John's) at the helm. He proved calm,
1 and brave, and atcady The sail could not be taker
s in, the boat could not atai.d under it, we were all ol
t a amother, the children were unconscious of danger
* 1 and Jesse and George were dumfounded. Thi
crisis fell on Jim and m?. The water was raised b)
- the wind horizontally, and was driven to sting likt
r shot The boat ran under, apouting water fron
if the gunwale on one aide over t'other tide. at dot
d ' uould hart it. Such was actually the pressure tha
d it would not ail come inaide, or ahe would have fillet
V ' immediately. The sheet rope broke, and that prove*
ie , to be our aafety. Jim gave the helm up to me, am
1- j ran forward to unstep the mast. This he couli
e i not do, and it took all my strength to keep the l?oa
n 1 from broaching to. Fortunately we reached th
le shore, sprang out, and (he mart and aaii with ua
le some fifteen or twenty feet?wet, but safe?to fee
i- about the strongest wind then that I ever felt in mi
I life.
ic We went up to the house of a M r. Taylor, am
id dried ourselves until the storm subsided, when w
ie took our gallant little craft, again spread both sail
I for home, and got just past Mr Oliver's, when
al saw my Jim in a limping gate along shore. Steere
"* for him, and asked him what was the matter? I
re waa his evening to go and see his wife and he w?
d gone, I thought, before I saw him. He sat dow
id and said nothing. I asked him again, sharp!)
rr I what he was doing there' He ruse and seemed Ix
y wild# red, but shortly said, incoherently, "Sir,
ri- was spying after you; I am atnick, your house
:i- torn to pieoea?I never expected to see you again!
e- i I turned to the shore, jumper! out, and hurrie
v- home Here was displayed the pow r and the pr<
g vidence of God' You had iieen sem from the dange
fie He had sent me from real lo apparent danger to t
;et safe; he had nared our f/oor rhildrrn and our scrMH
re, tertipped and en/reefed all round by tht ftg/Uning
of wratk'1 Oh! how peat all understanding are (ioa
ill! wsys towards the children of men ! How unwo
he thy I am to he Hts meanest Creature' Annie wi
standing at your dreaning-iable in our r.hamfie
ng Richard and Nene were in the nursery rrx>mrie
Richard on the floor, Nene in her little chair b
lit, ; iween Annie and her cot. Jim was at ihe we
ny ' parrel window Charlotte (the cook) was in tl
of | cook room. The fluid |>aaaed down the rod, lea
a the house untouched, until it oime to the iron
t winch held it to the plate of lite eecond story,
or noddle plate between the e ves of the house and
basement. There it entered the plate and weather
boarding, shivering them to piece*?entered the
Mirsery room at the edge of the chimney, scorched
the floor on top, and bunted it up troui below
through a hole, which splintered in a few inches
frotn Nene's chair?evidently was attracted to the
little iron cot?passed off at the southwest foot of
it again into the plate above the floor on the south
side of the house?followed the plate straight over
the portico the whole length of the south side of
the house, and thence, at the southeast corner,
bounded off, descending to the corner where the
colonade joins the kitchen, melting the heads of i
nails and scorching and rending us it went. Jim
was badly shocked, scorched and blistered in the
left fool?not a sign of other effect in the room I
where he was. Nene was shocked slightly and so
was Annie?not a thing broken in the house except
one vessel and my spit-box in the office room '
of the basement?the very varnish uninjured of i
your dressing table, where Annie was, anu the feet
of which touched the very track of the lightning.
I thanked God! my household, if not my house, j
was safe. The thing was to look after the brick i
work and house frame, to see if it was in danger of
toppling. (
Night was coming fast, and I sent for carpenters
immediately. With the aid of Mr. Oliver and
Johnny's Jim I was assured of safety for the time, I
but a cloud was still in the west, and the two large j
chambers and the two parlor rooms were wrecks.
I moved the children down into my office, and had I
my bed put into the breakfast room. I feared fire (
would burst out somewhere in the house during
the night, and was walking sentry for hours on the '
two torn sides of the house, when the servant called
me to see the last of my affectionate dog Boxer.
As the children were lying down on their lodges in
the office, they smelt something burnt. They I
searched for the fire?moved the sofa?the threedivided
sofa in the southwest corner, and there my 1
poor dog lay stiff dead, and scorched from under 1
his left eye, broad as your two fingers, between his
forelegs, down his left side to his tail, and swollen
very large. God had stricken my dog and spared 1
my children! We traced the fluid past where he j
lay, along the washboard, behind one case of
shelves for my books on the south side, and there 1
lost it; but where could you imagine we found it to
have escaped? Full seventy-five feet through the 1
dining-room?the colonade, which Charlotte de- 1
scribed as one sheet of fire?out at the brick step ,
from the cook-kitchen door to the well?knocking
away a half of brick and escaping through an aperture
like a bullet hole. Old Charlotte was shocked
in her hands and arms; Annie complained of her
head; Nene of her breast; Jim was not himself un- 1
til the next morning; Richard kept telling me that
it went between his legs. He, like he always is,
was right. Behold! when we come to undress him
for bed, his pantaloons were badly scorched all in
frrsnt nnrl KrrxaH fla vmir thrpp finO^rS hftlnw th#?
left knee. Annie an/he behaved exceedingly well,
like grown people of good sense and nerve. He
gave me the most intelligent account of every thing,
taking me by the hand and making me heed him?
not hurriedly nor fluBtered, but solemn and dignified
as wisdom and fortitude would make one older
in years. Nene was, and is still, like a poor little
bird which has flown against the window in the
storm. Annie was a woman, and behaved like
one; did more than could have been expected of her
until I came, and finding then a bosom to throw
their burden of trouble upon, she gave way to tears
and trembling. Poor things?they are happy now.
We found the house not so badly injured as was
supposed.
THE REPUBLIC.
WASHINGTON: I
FRIDAY MORNING, AUG. 3, 1849.
In compliance with the recommendation 1
of the President, and for the proper observance
of the day set apart for fasting, humiliation,
and prayer, our office will be
closed this day, and no paper issued from
it to-morrow. We anticipate the publication
day of our tri-weekly paper on the
same account.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE U. STATES.
A Recommendation.
At a season when the Providence of
God has manifested itself in the visitation
I ** f* fx - 1 __ L * _ L ' _ J*
ol a learrui pesuience, wnicn is spreading
its ravages throughout the land, it is fitting
that a people, whose reliance has ever
been on His Protection, should humble
themselves before His Throne; and, while
acknowledging past transgressions, ask a
continuance of Divine Mercy.
It is, therefore, earnestly recommended
that the first Friday in August be observed
throughout the United States as a day of
Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer. All
business will be suspended in the various
branches of the public service on that day;
and it is recommended to persons of all
religious denominations to abstain, as far
as practicable, from secular occupations,
and to assemble in their respective places
of Public Worship, to acknowledge the
Infinite Goodness which has watched
over our existence as a nation, and so
long crowned us with manifold blessings ;
and to implore the Almighty, in His own
\ good time, to stay the destroying hand
1 which is now lifted up against us.
Z. TAYLOR.
. Washington, Jvly 3, 1H49.
On this day the American people, forI
getting every distinction of political party
; or difference of religious creed, unite as a
f nation in acknowledging their dependence
! on the Supreme Ruler of the Universe,
, and implore his mercy upon them. Their
? own Chief Magistrate, moved by the cry
} of distress that has come up from somany
? parts of this long favored Republic, and
j affected by the lamentation that is heard
f in the dwellings where the hand of the
J Destroyer has been most grievously felt,
e has recommended to all to set apart this
j day as one of fasting, humiliation, and
y prayer. It will be so observed throughout
j the land. And will it not be a soul-enP
nobling spectac le } Where elac can man,
* in the extremity of distress, and in the
(1 consciousness of his own utter helplessIt
ii# h?pL I#ir KiiDoort * The law written
" in the heart of each individual risen up to
| assert its power and it* origin at seasons
like this. The history of our race proves
m that, when human mean* fail, we turn to
" | our common Parent in humhle supplication.
v The heathen, in his blindness, bending ber
fore the stock and stones which his own
u hands have fashioned to show forth his
'? untutored ideas of Deity, is nevertheless
r" obeying the law of his nature, and imis
ploring mercy from the fountain of good^
' ness. The civilized nation* of antiquity,
e- unenlightened by any direct revelation of
the will of f?od, yet, as if obeying an
y. j irresistible impulse, in times of calamity
THE REPUBLIC.
- .? J L_. ?*
invoked their greater and lesser deities tp
forbear and to withdraw their displeasure
from them. But to us, who are the inhabitants
of a land which our forefathers sought,
that they might here have freedom to worship
God, this inatinctive principle of obedience
and humble supplication comes
enforced with all the sanction of a divine
command. It has pleased the Maker of
us all to encourage us so to do. If he has
afflicted, he can heal; if, for our sins, he
has withdrawn the light of his countenance,
it may return again if we acknowledge
our dependence upon him. Such
are his promises ; and if, in the unexampled
prosperity with which we have been favored
as a nation, increasing in wealth,
in power, and in every element of social
happiness?exempt from two of the great
est ills that afflict humanity?without the
sound of war on our borders, or the cry of
famine in the land?we have forgotten
fiim, and he has chosen to lay his afflicting
fiand upon us,?is it not meet that we
should, as one people, acknowledge our
transgressions, and ask his mercy ?
The spectacle that this day will afford
will be one calculated deeply to impress
the human heart. Twenty millions of
people this day meet in the temples of
their worship?omit all secular employment,
and hold communion with their own
consciences and with the Author of their
being. Who will not be improved by
such meditation ? And will it not be like
giving back to the moral atmosphere an
element that has been, for a time, withflrawn
up! urhtrK wqu ouupnfial fn ifu nn_
m* m ii 11^ j v?- n U4VH nuo voovuniu vv ivv
rity ? And may not the Omnipotent God,
moved by the supplications of so many
of his creatures, restore to the natural
atmosphere the healthful element, in whose
absence disease and death come upon us ?
There may be scorners who, in the
fulness of their self-sufficiency, and devoid
of all Christian faith, may affect to sneer
at the observance of this day as recommended
by the President. They can follow
up their profanity, and, if they choose,
may desecrate the occasion by more congenial
observances, but with them there
will be no such synpathy as a good man
would covet?they will stand out as gloomy
unbelievers, and no right-minded human
being will desire to come into their secret.
PRESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS.
The Union, in summing up its reasons
for assailing President Taylor as not qualified
for the post he occupies, says of him:
" He entered the army forty years ago, when he
" was but a young man. His education was very
" limited. He has been during a good share of his
" service in the army, stationed on the frontier, and
" engaged in savage warfare, where he had nooppor*
" tunity to acquaint himself with books, muck lest to
11 acquire a buncledge of laws and ethics necessary to
" qualify him for the high duties of statesmanship.
" He never voted for forty years, as he says. He
" never filled a civil office. He was never a justice of
" the peace, a State Representative, a Representative in
" Congress, nor a judge. He never distinguished him"
self in arms until he went to Mexico. These facts
" all go to show that he could have no experience in
" statesmanship, nor any acquaintance with political
,k measures aiui men. 1
Here are certain positions laid down,
which are worthy of note, as exhibiting,
in their negative form, the qualifications
that the 44 sole organ" of the Opposition
regards as essential, not only to fitting a
man for the Presidency, but for enabling
him to attain 44 any acquaintance with
political measures and men." In the first
place, he must not allow himself to be
44 stationed on the frontier," where he
will be liable to be 44 engaged in sav age
warfare." He must shirk every thing of
that kind, and never go to protect the
helpless women and children of our border
settlements from the incursions of Indians.
It is not in such services, and
subjected to the rigid discipline and methodical
habits of the camp, that he can
44 acquaint himself with books," much less
acquire 44a knowledge of laws and ethics."
How could ne ever nave nad an opportunity,
amid such pursuits, to learn the great
duty of obedience to the laws; or to study
that complex system of political " ethics,"
which has been so brilliantly illustrated
in the vetoes, defalcations, intrigues, and
proscriptions of the administrations to
which the present is diametrically opposed
?
And now for his positive qualifications.
If the distant aspiration of one day reaching
the Presidency enters his imagination,
let him at once bethink himself whether
he has ever been a "justice of the peace!"
"Wast ever in court, shepherd??No,
truly.?Then, thou art damned.?Nay, I
hope.?Truly, thou art damned, like an illroa-ted
egg, all on one side." Wast ever
a justice of the peace, reader ? No ? Nor
a State Representative ? Nor a Representative
in Congress? Nor a judge? Truly,
thou art "in a perilous state," read
er; and must despair of ever being President,
or even of having " any acquaintance
with political measures and men."
This doctrine may be very good Locofocoism,
but is it sound democracy ? Seriously,
are the large class of our fellowcitizens
who have never served either in
a State or Federal Legislature?who have
never known the official dignity of a judge,
a justice of the peace, or a Commissioner of
Patents?are they willing to be considered
rit v f ru n / It i nH far au f Ko iVoui/l^nrv
is concerned? la the having "filled a civil
office" to be the test and measure of a
man's fitness ? Are there no Cincinnati
at the plough, who, though not " known,"
|>erhaps, at Richmond, would yet make
capable and intelligent Chief Magistrates ?
No Hancocks, who are yet in the counting-room;
no Franklins in the workshop,
who are as qualified to preside over the
destinies of the country as if they had been
"justices of the peace," office-holders, or
office-seekers and trading politicians all
their lives ? Milton tells us?
"Tb? y also ??'rve, who only stand and wait," 1
Tiie sentiment is as true in a republic as
it is in the moral world. And a modern
poet, with equal felicity and justice, has
said?
"The world knows nothing of its greatest man!"
Yes; there are good men and true who
have never held office of any kind?who
have never been even "justices of the
peace"?but whom their country's call
and need would convert into heroes, and
.1 1_ . J f 1! x! i 1
snow 10 oe possessed 01 qualities wormy
of commanding the atfection and confidence
of their fellow-citizens. We are
often told, that but for the Mexican war
General Taylor would have remained in
comparative obscurity. Who disputes it?
And so, but for the revolutionary troubles,
Washington might have lived and died
an obscure planter on the banks of the Potomac.
the $155,000 defalcation.
We learn from the Pennxylvuniun that
proceedings were had on Thursday before
Mr. Justice Gribr, in the U. S. court at
Philadelphia, in regard to the case of Mr.
DeNBY, late temporary navy agent at Marseilles.
Mr. Denby was in Moyamensing
prison, and, up to Thursday, refused to
employ couusel, when Mr. Gerhard vollinfpprprl
tn annoar in hiu rlpIpiipp
? " -ft""" " ""
It is very probably the case, as is said
to have been stated by Mr. Ashmead,
that the missing money never came into
the hands of Mr. Denby. It came into
the hands of his agent, who lost it in
commercial speculation. Whether or not
Mr. Denby received the money is a matter
of very little consequence. It is not
the guilt or innocence of Mr. Denby that
is at issue in this matter. The important
question is: How happens it that,
with all the stringent provisions of the
Sub-treasury law to protect them, the late
Administration lost, in a single transaction,
$155,000 ?
The issue we make is not with Mr.
Denby, nor with his agent, Mr. Osborne.
The money is lost. What has the late
head of the Navy Department to say to
it? Is it possible that, after all that Mr.
Polk and Mr. Walker have told us of
the safety of the public money under the
Sub-treasury system, it was still liable to
be squandered in commercial speculations
with various European and American
houses?
CALIFORNIA.
In another^part of this morning's paper
will be found two letters from San Francisco,
which present a reliable and most
interesting account of the present political
and economical condition of the territory.
NORTH CAROLINA.
We have nothing by Telegraph in regard
to the elections, in consequence of the
adoption of a new rule on.the southern
line of Telegraph, requiring the offices to
be closed at eight o'clock.
OFFICIAL.
APPOINTMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT.
Z. T. Conner to be Postmaster at Macon,
Georgia.
Benj. D. Wunderlick to be Postmaster
at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
custom-hou8c officers.
Hiram Roberts, Collector, Savannah,
Ga., vice Wm. B. Bulloch, removed.
Bryan Morell, Naval Officer, Savannah,
Ga., vice Jacob De la Motta, re
IIIU vcu.
Wm. P. White, Appraiser, Savannah,
Ga., vice Wm. Mackey, removed.
John C. Clark, of N. Y., to be 1st
Auditor of the Treasury, vice Wm. Collins,
removed.
OftKooM.?A census of the inhabitants of Oregon
has recently been taken, and it shows that the
number of the population is 8,902, including foreigners,
who number upwards of 300. There are.
according to the census, 2,509 voters; but in consequence
of the absence of mnny st the mines, the
vote at the next election will be much reduced.
Gov. Lane has issued a proclamation fixing the
number of members of Council and House of Representatives
to which each county is entitled, and
ordering the election to be held for them and for
delegate to Congress on the first Monday in June
next. There are six candidates for Congress in
the field.
The rage for gold-hunting continued as strong as
ever at laat advices, and both the newspapers pub
lished in Oregon had suspended operations in consequence
of it.
Saaaoaar and RsaNoaa RaiLaoao.?The (toll
held in the borough of Norfolk to test the sense of
the citizens as to the propriety of authorising the
authorities to subscribe $200,000 to the stock of the
Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Company, has resulted
favorably?the vote for the subscription being
310, and against it 114. The matter has been,
for some time past, the subject of mucti heated controversy
in the borough.
The U. S. steamer Alleghany was the first ship
of any size which for a series of years has entered
the harbor of St. George, Bermuda; thua disproving
the correctness of an idee, which, if not put
forth designedly, haa been generally believed, that
veaeela of any *i7e could not obtain an entrance
into that port. The officer* of the Alleghany
were treated with great hoapitality by die British
officer* in garrison.
There ia residing at Paacagoula, in a neat little
cottage on the sea-shore, not far from the hotel, a
genuine French countes* of the old regime, who
haa there sought refuge from the republican trou
1>IC? BIIU iwmniiM ?i^w >uc wimr
nent of Europe. She was the daughter of a Spanish
officer, owning vast estaies in New Orleans; married
a young French nobleman, who wan promoted
u> high position by Napoleon ; reaided in Paria
many years ; parted from her hualiand; their income,
which at one time exceeded, from rente in
New Orleans, ?fi)0,0(JO per annum, liecame embarrassed;
and after eoma years she has returned to
thia country to recuperate her fortunea, and spend
the residue of her days in peace and quiet. This
romantic story is told in the last IhUa.
Attempted Neoeo Insurrection in St. Ma
re's, Oa.?The Wakulla (Fla.) Timet of the |8th
mat. saya;
"We have heard to-dsy of on attempted insurrection
among the negroes in the neighborhood of
St. Mary's, Ou. It is snid about three hundred of
them intended seising the steamboat Wm. Oaston,
and carrying her in Nassau, New Providence.
Owing to a delay in the arrival of the boat, their
scheme was detected. Numerous arrests were
1 made "
a
: i |IIIII?M?1WIHIWI?>?-.- . ? '
Baltimmm Bum.?A |>aragiaph tvopied inlo this
papci some duys since was credited to (he Baltimore
Sun. Thin, the Sun says, was an error, and
U has occurred Irom inadvertence, and froin the fact
that the Baltimore paper hna one or two namesakes
resembling it so much in mechanical appearance
that the mistake Qftighl naturally enough take place, i
We call attention to the advertisement of Messrs. |
Tuylor & Maury, in another column. Persons
desirous of ordering any book or books from distant
cities can save expense of freight, postage, |
dkc., by leaving their orders with them, as they fur- \
msh all works at the lowest catalogue and advertised
prices.
Lata From Bermuda.?Journals from this
group of islands liuve been received up to July
24. On the 2Qd, the U. S. steamer Alleghany urrived
at St. Qeorge'a in seventeen days from Madeira,
on her return to the United States, after an
experimental cruise of about two years on the
Eastern coast of South America and the Mediterranean,
keeping the sea two winters during the
time, by leaving the northern for the southern, and
returning to the northern hemisphere at the periods
of the winters of each. The Alleghany called
at St. George's for water and provisions.
The Alleghany was built in 1847, and is one of
Lieut. Hunter's experiments. Compared with the
former attempt at improvement in naval steamships
by this officer, the Alleghany has performed tolerably
well. We believe that, with the aid of wind
and steam, she makes somewhat belter time than
sailing vessels. Her propellers are at the sides, and
are submerged. It has been before reported that
she was preparing to leave Cadiz on the same day of
the Princeton. If she left on that day, June 26th,
she made the passage to Bermuda in twenty-six
days. We believe Levi 0- Slamm, of this city, is
purser of the Alleghany. At Bermuda there had
been a great draught. The Gazette says:
"The scarcity of water, from the long drought,
becomes daily more alarming; very many families
throughout the island are entirely dependent, either
on their more fortunate neighbors, or on the precarious
supplies obtained from the wells. The latter,
we are informed, are, in many instances, so reduced,
that the water in them can only be obtained
at high tides. The pasture is every where parched
and withered, the cattle arc suffering severely, and
some cows, we are told, have died.'1
A report had been current at Jamaica, that their
Governor, Sir C. Grey, was expected to leave
shortly to succeed Lord Elgin in the government of
Canada; and that Lord Harris, the Governor of
Trinidad, would be Sir Charles's successor at Jamaica.
This report, we imagine, has arisen from
thq circumstance of Lord Elgin having expressed
a wish to retire from the government of Canada.
The Nicaragua Route.?We take from the
New York Journal qf Commerce the following
communication from the British Consul to a company
interested in the establishment of a new route
across the Yucatan peninsula. The Journal of
Commerce states that in the letter of the British
Consul the style of the company is incorrectly
given:
Her Britiih Majesty's Consulate, >
New York. July 30, 1849. $
Sir: Her Britannic Majesty's Government being
informed that an agreement for the establishment
of a communication between the Atlantic
and ihe Pacific has been concluded between the
government of the State of Nicaragua and Mr.
Clapp and Dr. Brown, citizens of the United
States, and agents of the "New York and New
Orleans Steam Navigation Company"?of which
company you apprized me that you were one?
from the execution of which agreement it is inferred
that the government of Nicaragua has led the
the New York and New Orleans Company to suppose
that that government is competent to dispose
of the exclusive right of navigating the St. Jonn's
river; such agreement likewise containing a clause
binding the company to build a public store at St.
John's: I am instructed officially to inform the
New York and New Orleans Steam Navigation
Company?which I take leave to do through you?
that the boundary line of the MoBauito Kingdom
touches the St. John's river at the Muchuca rapid,
about thirty tniles below the Lake Nicaragua, and
that from thence to the mouth of the St. John's
the navigation of that river belongs to Mosquito.
I have likewise to inform the company that the
port of St. John's* now called Orey Town, at
which they have agreed with the Nicaragua government
to build a store, also belongs to Mosquito;
that Her Majesty's Government is bound to protect
the King of Mosquito in the exercise of the territorial
rights which he possesses over Grey Town,
and over the lower part of the St. John's river, and
that the government of Nicaragua has entered into
an agreement in regard to places where it has no
competence.
I have the honor to be, sir.
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) ANTHONY BARCLAY.
The Pacific Railsoad Convention.? KfTorts, it
is aaid, will be made to induce both Mr. Calhoun
and Mr Benton to attend the meeting of this body
at Memphis on the 23d of Octolier. It is scarcely
likely, however, that this will be the case, from
the direct antagonism ot the positions on this and
all other questions of these prominent leaders of
Locofocoism.
LOCAL MATTERS.
National Fast.?This being the day recommended
by the President to be set apart as a day
of solemn fasting and prayer, we are glad to perceive
that it will lie observed generally in our city
in a proper and becoming manner. All public and
private business will be generally suspended, and
proper religious exercises will be holden in the various
churches throughout the city.
Bbice-making ?The numerous public and private
improvements now going on have created quite
an active demand for bricka, and the varioua kilna
throughout the city prenent acenea of lively and
gratifying activity. Mr. Thomaa Crown, of Maryland,
having olxairied the contract fur furniahing
thia article for the Patent Office building, haa leaaed
the exlenaive brtck-yarda of Mr. Batea, on the
northern boui dary of the city, and haa already
made conaidernble progreaa in the execution of hta
contract.
Thf. Alleohant.?The arnval of thia beautiful
ateamer, commanded by Captain Hunter, off our
navy-yard, on Wedneaday morning, from the Mediternnean,
haa created no little excitement among
the denixena of the neighborhood, and our citizena
generally. She haa been viaited by riumeroua partiea
during yeaterday and Wedneaday. We are
glad to learn that the office re and crew arrived in i
good health.
Fai.?r Alarm*?The firemen were called out by
the ringing of the belle and the cry of " Fire!" on
Wedneaday, near midnight, and, after a run to the
navy-yard, diacovered the alarm to be falae. The
ando lLn? .keeairra/l aknuf nrtrtti r?f laat Mnnrlan
More rare should be exercised by those having
chsrge of the alarm belle, an it is not Ttry agreeable '
to our worthy firemen to l>? called from their work
or awoke from slumber by such alarms, and to
find oui that a hoax ha* tioen played upon them by
some thoughtless individual, after the fatigue of a
run of two miles. ?
Turners am a Past*?A fine |?arty of ladies and
gentlemen, under the management of the Sons of
Temperance, sp*nt an agreenble time yesterday, at .
Favier's Spring Garden, in the first ward, in dancing,
singing, and other amunements. The party
dispersed lor their homes at a late hour last evening,
delighted with the pleasures of (he day.
We regret to learn that news reached his family <
in this city yesterday, by telegraph, of the death i
of James Lashed, esq., long and favorably known <
a* the efficient chief clerk of the First Comptroller's I
office, Treasury Department. i
Mr. Lamed died at Frederick, Mel., whore he "
had I wen sojourning for a time, endeavoring to '
repair an enfeebled constitution, lie was one of
our muai esteemed citizens, and enp>\od, in an j
eminent degree, the respect and confidence of his I
fellow-cilizens. i ?
(florrtapcmbmte of tl)c Republic.
San Fhancisco, June 20, 1849.
The steamer which leavea to-day will convey to
the Atlantic cities the "Alia California" news|>aper
of June 14, containing Governor Riley'a proclamation*
of June 3d and 4th, with the remarka
of the editor under the general caption of "A Revolution,
its Progress;" alao an address of the socalled
"Legislative Assembly of the district of San
Francisco.*' As the "Alta California" is the only
newspaper in California, (except a small one just
started in the gold regions,) it will necessarily carry
to the States the only printed information respecting
the slate of affairs in this country, which can
be sent by this steamer. That paper owns and
controls the only presses in California, and is entirely
under the influence of the members of the
District Assembly. It is exclusively the organ of
that body, but cannot pretend to speak for the great
mass of the people of this territory. Due allowanno
must llinrnfiira Iia mini** 111 rnMfllllir lln nnlurnna
t..V.?V M.V.V.V.V ww ..? V ...
and it must be remembered, that as yet, the people
of tins country have had no means of expressing,
in newspaper form, their true opinions and sentiments
We propose a few remarks in reply to the "Alia
California's" criticisms upon Governor Riley's
proclamations, it is said that the civil government
of California ended when the war began, and the
military government ended when the wur ended;
and since that time we have had neither government
nor governor. This assertion is untrue. The
civil government was allowed to continue during
the whole time in which General Kearny and Col.
Mason commanded in California, with the simple
exception, that certain offices were not Ailed at all,
and others, in virtue of authority given by President
Polk, under the laws of war, were filled by
appointment insiead of election. One of the first of
General Kearny's official acts was to direct that the
existing laws of the country, not in conflict with
the Constitution, should be recognised and enforced,
and the only civil laws which were suspended
during the war by either Kearny or Mason,were,
if we remember rightly, those relating to the
"denouncement" of mines, and the performance of
marriuge ceremonies. Scarcely a day passed during
the administration of either of those governors,
that they were not called upon to decide
some questions connected with the civil e-overn
merit, and in every instance, they decided, or at
least pretended to decide, in accordance with the
civil laws of the country. The temporary regulations
made by them for the security and military
occupation of the country ended with the
war, and no attempt was made by Colonel Mason
to revive or continue them aAer he received
the treaty of peace; and hit very first act after the
peace was to issue a proclamation, as governor,
(not "orders" as a military officer,) to the people
of California, declaring that the existing laws and
civil officers must continue till others were made
and appointed to fill their places. He immediately
surrendered all claim to appoint officers who
were made elective by the laws of California, and
called upon the people to supply all vacancies by
election.
During the war the governor had an undoubted
right to suspend any civil law of the country, and
make another tQ supply its place; but since that
time he has never claimed any authority whatever,
not given him by the laws themselves.
The assertion of the "Alia California," that Colonel
Mason did not "attempt to exercise any civil
functions whatever for several months" previous
to Oeneral Smith's arrival, is utterly false. Scarcely
a day passed during that time that he did not
exercise the functions of civil governor, by making
appointments, deciding questions submitted to him
by alcaldes, Ac., Ac. Even the editor of the
"Alia California" was an applicant (at least through
his friends if not personally) to Governor Mason
for a civil office after the war, and when the office
was given to him, he declined it simply because
Colonel Mason would not give him a higher anlary
and delegate to him powers not authorised by law.
And several of the getters-up of this District Legis
lature were nol only applicanta for office for themselves
and their friends, but some of them actually
at this day hold offices given them by Colonel Mason,
as civil governor, afier the war. Even the
writer of this famous legislative address has always
recognised the authority of the alcalde in an adjacent
district, and recorded his conveyances and
land titles in his office. But in this district, where
he hopes to gain some political notoriety, he has
taken the back-track, and denies the legitimacy of
the very laws and authorities which he has hitherto
recognised and supported. Political consistency
!
The editor of the Alta California entirely misrepresents
the facts of the case respecting the volume
of laws prepared by Colonel Mason. 11 was
expressly stated in the title page of that volume
that they were for the government of California
during its miHlan) occupation; and the simple reason
why no attempt was made to put them in force after
the news of (teare was, that they contained provisions
contrary to the existing laws of the country Those
provisions could have been legally enforced during
the war, but not after its close. We knew of
several instances in which Governor Mason was
written to by alcaldes, asking by wbat laws they
should be governed; and his reply wss, " by the
existing laws and customs of the country;" and
we do not believe a single case can be found id
which that officer has expressed s different opinion
The act of General Kearny, in granting water
lots in San Francisco, is also misrepresented by
the editor. Thai grant was made by General
Keamy in his caiwcity of Governor, and signed
as such ; and, if it is ever confirmed, that confirms
>rr >-n r-u mi inr (Hiwrni given nim oy ISC
lawn of Mexico. No one ever pretended that
General Kearny, a* a military officer, could make
grants of land.
Again: the editor's assertion respecting the aalea
of "'Pueblo lnnd?" ia utterly falae. When Colunel
Macon wna officially informed that the aulhoritiea
of a certain pueblo were aelling nut landa in violation
of the "fundamental Mexican lawa," he laaued
a decree forbidding auch aalea, and had the decree
recorded in the book of record of the alcalde of
that peublo; and the alcaldea and town councila of
other puebh>s were informed that granta of land
not made in strict ponformity with the existing
lawa of California could never be recognised.
The aaaertion of the editor that General Riley
has " called for the election of mwe different officers
or bodies, not one of which, with the single
exception of alcaldea, has ever been elected or
recognised since the war begun," is utterly false
Every one of the sine officers or bodiea named in
Governor Riley's proclamation have been filled and
recognised during the whole course of Maaon'a and l,
Riley' administrations, except the 3d, 4ib, and 5th.
.. mmm |?>nur m nil inf .m noting inr
war nor since the peace, simply because competent
peraona could not be found who were willing to
accept the office* with the aalanea authorized by
law. Several peraona were written tn in the. early
part of laat year, tn aacertain if they would act aa
judge* and prefecta; and we believe that all, with
one aolitary exception, declined.
The gold placera had just been diacovered, nnd
rvcry l>ody waa too eager in the ptirauit of wealih
10 content to hold judicial office* During the paat
winter, however, a few individual* in San Francia"o,
who were loo indolent to earn a livelihood in the
usual way, tooh advantage of a controversy between
two aeta of councilman, (who claimed in
have lieen elected by the people,) to organize them*
wive* into a legislative body, and aoon proceeded
10 vote themselves and their friend* high aalnnea,
ind to levy taxes on the people to pay theae aalaries.
\ nimitier of very reapectahle person* who had ,
uat arrived in the country, and were ignorant of
he true atatc of affairs ai first, took part in their pro eediiiga,
but ae soon ss they learned the irus
I