Semi-weekly standard. [volume], January 27, 1865, Image 2

About Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??

Image provided by: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC

                
1865
COWFEIt's PEM OX THE LOSS OF TIIE
ftOYAL GEOKE.
it was towards the closo of Cowper's
life, at tho time when that settled gloom
ly which his declining years were so bit
terly oppressed, had taken hold npon him,
that the priom referred to in the headiug
of tills sti-ry was written. The circnm
fctunces attending its composition preseut
one of thfc moat curious and interesting of
psychological phenomena that we have
ever heard of, or that can well bo imagin
ed, nai'iely, that a mind apparently un
con3citms of one set of impressions, wheth
er by an eti'ort of will or otherwise may
Joused to intense action by another set
The dark season of Cowper's calamit
was at its height, iho morning of the
ton which the incidents about to be re I
took place, was dreary, cold, and dull
chilling mist, which nlled the ai
succeeded by a drizzling ram, inak
. . . . .
nature both cheerless and dismal
lv miserable, Cowper was hastil
his room backwards and forwards,
state of extreme agitation aud distress, the
UarkneABSLgloomiac wkhant nnguno.nt-.
ing that deeper darkness and gloom within
him, by which his mind was so heavily
weighed down. He was humming to
himself the air of Handel's March in Soi
jio, his steps keeping time to the music,
' while his thoughts were no doubt busily
occupied in brooding over his own utter
wretchedness.
Suddenly his door flew open, and in
rushed a lady, holding in her hand an
open newspaper, in which she had jnst
been reading the account of the loss of tho
Royal George. Greatly excited at the
melancholy news, 6ho exclaimed : " O Mr.
Cowper! have you heard of the dreadful
accident which has happened! Tho Royal
George has gono down into the sea with
eight hundred men on board, and every
uoul has perished 1" Cowper, wrapped up
in his own reflections, paid no attention
either to her or her story, but continued
to walk on backwards and forwards, burn
ing the air of the March in Scijpio, and
keeping time to the music with his feet.
Who this lady was, we are not able to
state. It is not likely that she was one of
those who were intimately acquainted
with the state of Cowper's mind at that
time, and who with such unvaried tender
ness were particularly cautious never to
suffer any news to reach him which they
thought might excite him, or increase that
melancholy they so anxiously endeavored
to soothe and alleviate.
The catastrophe, as may well be imagin
ed, appeared to her a very fearful one, and
hence she wondered at his not being mov
ed by it. Thinking that perhaps he had
not heard what she had told him, she re
peated the account in fuller detail, dwell
ing with greater emphasis on the fact that
Kempenfelt aad his whole crew of eight
hundred men had entirely perished. Still
n - 1 a. ..I. - 1 a. 1 1.
tjowper iook not mo leitst nuuue, ouiy no
paced his room more rapidly, hummed his
air more loudly, and kept time to the
march with his feet more vigorously.
Hence she concluded that he was deter
mined not to listen to her, and therefore
left the room. .Neverthless, though Cow
per had manifested no sign that the mel
ancholy news had produced any impres
sion on him, he was deeply affected. The
story had, as tho seqnel will show, reach
ed his mind, but it had not yet touched
his heart. Though lie abounded to over
flowing with sympathy for the distress of
others, so much was ho absorbed in his
own misery, that he was entirely carried
away for the time by it. His mind was
struggling for very existence ; he himself
was in agony, just on the verge of des
pair. At that instant the bell of the church
close by began to toll for a funeral. The
unexpected sound, and the solemnity of tho
associations connected with it, wrought a
sudden change in him. Each stroke, as it
boomed forth, was to him like the thrust
of a sword. The chord that united him
to his fellow-mau was now readied, and
vibrated to the touch. His heart was
ready to burst ; full to overflowing with
his own misery ; full of the air from Han
del's March, which he had been hnmmir.g
to himself to relieve that misery ; full of
the dreadful loss which he had heard for
now he knew every word of it, so through
lr had it become fixed on his mind : and.
lastly, full of grief for the eight hundred
brave men, most of them warriors, who
had thus suddenly perished without a mo
ment's warning, not on the stormy ocean.
not on a foreign shore, not by horrors of
ai, wuu in uaruor, ai nouie, while their
ship was at anchor, and tby all busily
oraployed at their ordinary work in time
of peace. Housed to a state of intense
excitement, he conld restrain himself no
longer, but seized a pe.jj, rushed to the
liro-nlnprt nri-oorvo fl .3
it firmly, as if to stop the tolling without,
which appeared to cause him such unut
terable anguish ; and in that 6tate, with
tho rope in one hand and the pen in the
other, he gave vent to his feelings in these
deeply solemn and exquisite lines :
" Toll for the brave !
The brave that are no more I
All sunk beneath the wave,
Fast by their native shore !
Eight hundred of the brave.
Whose course well was tried,
Had made the vessel heel.
And laid her on her side.
A land breeze shook the shrouds
And she was overset ;
Dawn went the Royal George
With all her crew complete.
Toll for the brave !
Brave Kempenfelt is gone ;
. His last sea flight is fought ;
Jlis work of glory done.
It was not in the battle ;
No tempest gave the shock ;
She sprang no fatal leak ;
'Sho rs uPOi n0 rock.
Jlis sword was In ife sheath ;
His Sngers held tbe pen,
When Kempenfelt vent down.
With twice four hundred men,
Weigh the vessel up,
Once dreaded by our foes I
An4 mingled with our cup
Tho tar that England ows,
W 1
1 V
r
m
Her timbers yet are sound,
And she may float again.
Full charged with England's thunder,
And plow the distant main.
But Kempenfelt is gone;
' His victories are o'er ;
And he and his eight hundred
Shall plow the wave no more."
It may hero be necessary to add that the,
measure of the verses corresponds exactly
to tho rhythm of tho music of the March
alluded to in the 6tory.
The Sense of Beauty. Very wonderful
is it that the proportionate vibrations of
the air, and the harmonic ration of sculp
tured marble, should give so keen a sense
of delight to the ear and tho eye ;but how
;uuch more wonderful that unconsciously
in the brain of the man of genius, in the
mysterious molecular actions of the ulti
mate vesicles of the nervous tissue, there
hould bo evolved, without any outward
gencies, those ratios of space and time
Inch working on the nerves and muscles
f voice and hand, make themselves heard
and seen in-far-off lands and far-off times,
filling the world to irsjr&motest bounds with
forms of beauty and tones of melody that
never die miraculously - preserved in
tombs of Thebes; buried, but disinterred,
in palaces of Nineveh ; lingering among the
otaajders of Lycin ; shining, though not
with " original brightness," on tho Acrop
olis of Athens ; and thrillhrg through the
vaults of cathedrals ; requiems of Mozart,
demi-gods of Phidias, sibyls of Michael
Angelo, Madonnas of Iiaphael, heavenly
.cadences of Milton all -answerings of the
internal great ideas, emanations from those
inaccessible cells where the vital force, with
an inspiration and energy past man's un
derstanding, plies her mysterious work I
Thenco issuing, tlicso wonders of form and
sound are caught by the ears and eyes of
other men, pressed to their 1 warts, shrined
with their gods, mingled with the blessed
sanctities of their homes, and handed down
to distant ages, 60 that the thought and
feeling of one mind may become the beau
ty and the joy of all men forever. Sym
onds. Fcnxy Old Gal. A Canada paper tolls
tho following curious story.
" A few days ago an old woman died in
the small town of Lievilzee, on the banks
of the Scheldt. Tho old lady was regard
ed by her simple neighbors as being only
a few removes from positive poverty ; but
she died and as she always had her will
while living she left.no will behind ; but
to the astonishment of her neighbors, she
left behind her cash, bank notes and stock
amounting in value to about two million
guilders. There were pots full of gold and
silver, of withdrawn and forgotten cur
rencies which had been buried for years.
There was a box full of Austrian and other
stock certificates, the coupons of which
had not been cut off for a quarter of a
century ; while in a tin canister, which
might have been the domestic tea caddy,
were a quarter of a million's worth of bank
notes musty with the accumulated damp
of years."
Irish Bulls. " A Dublin student being
asked what was meant by posthnmous
works,' answered such works as a man
writes after he is dead !' And Irish lieu
tenant, stationed abroad, being informed,
by letter that his widowed mother had
married a second time, expressed his alarm
about his right of primogeniture, by ho
ping that she wouldn't have a son older
than himself 1 Bat the best bull we ever
heard of, was shown in Paddy's descrip'
tion of tho animal of that name: 'This
is tho way yon may know him : " When
you see a group of cows lying down in the
held, and one of em is a standing that s
a Duil.' ics i'addy two bulls at
least."
"WllAR IS THE FkONT?" It 13 Well
known that Wheeler has some splendid
troops, and some who aro bad as can be
found. These last are scattered from the
Ohio to the Savannah. A brave and gal-
lant soldier teils the lollowing:
He was going through North Alabama
to join his command. Stopped at a house
to get dinner. To old lady's "Who's
youin's?" replied, "Wheeler's cavalry."
" Whar gwiue T "To tho front." Tho
old lady, put on her spectacles, eyed him
intently, and then drawled out: "Mis
ter, so'them fellers you call Wheeler's
boss critters, been gwine by here every
day. Somo war gwine North, some gwine
South, some East and some West, somo
this way and some that they all sed they
war gwine to tho front ; now, mister, kin
you tell mo whar is tho front ?" The sol
dier left.
Perhaps tho best repartee on record
must be attributed o Lord Byron. One
morning a party -carao into the pnblio
rooms at Buxton somewhat later than
usual, and requested some tongue. They
were told Lord Byron had eaten it all.
" I am very angry," said the mistress,
lond enough fdr the poet to hear her.
"I am sorry for it, madam,'1 retorted
Lord Byron, "but before. I ate the tongue
I was assured that yon did not want it."
To Make Hard Tallow Candles. To
one pound of tallow take five or six leaves
of the prickly pear, spiit them and boil in
the tallow without water, for half an hour
or more; strain and mould the candles.
The wicks should have bpen provionsly
dipped in spirits of turpentine and dried.
If tho tallow at first is boiled in water,
and the water changed four or five times,
it will be bleached and rendered free from
impurities. Then prepare by frying with
tho prickly pears, to harden it.
In this way we have marl a fallnnr ran.
dies nearly equal to tho best adamantine.
Finished expression constitutes tho elo
quence of Nature. . When she has com
pleted her utterances, from snow-drop up
to star, there is not a syllable to ba-aui)-
plied. .The outlines of all her thoughts
aro clearly defined; the little leases that
el aster in tbe grass are as complete and
distinct as the errand, bounding curves of
the great clouds that would make mantles
for the, Sun. The bads of her springs are
the sweetest promises that ever were said,
and the rose in full bloom is a lesson in
rhetoric that might make the angels grow
eloquent.
EsfNsitvANU. Tboops nr ihb Yistsy i Aevy.
Governor Curtia, .of Pennsylvania, thus refers in
bis recent message, to the number of troops furnish
ed by Pennsylvania since the commencement of the
war :
I will further observe that it appears by the re
port of the Adjutant General, herewith transmitted,
that the State, under the sy3tem established by law,
has put into the military service of the United
States Bince the commencement of the war the fol
lowing number of men, viz : '
TROOPS SENT INTO SERVJCB DURING 1864.
Organization for 3 years' terms, 0,867
do 100 days' terms, 7.673
do 1 year term, , 10,094
Volunteer recruits, 20,567
Drafted men and substitutes, 10,651
Kecrmts Tor regular army, " 1,974
Re-enlist men u of Pa. Volunteers:
Infantry, 13,862
Cavalry, 2,834 '
Artillery, " ' 799
Accredited to other States, 889.
17,876
Total
Troops sent into the servica of the United States
since the commencement of the rebellion, including
the 90 days' militia men in the Departments of tbe
MonongaheJa and Susque hanna, 1B03 : -'J.
During the year 1861,
130.C94
do do 18C2,
do do 1803,
do do 1864.
Re enlistment of Pa. Volunteers,
71,100
43,045
73,628
17,676
Total.
836,
44
The 25,000 militia of 1862 are not included in iba
statement.
A Convention. The times demand a Convention
' of the people of this State, and the voice of the
people demands it Ef ents are crowding events in
rapid succession. The experience of the past shows
the folly of trusting to the Confederate authorities
for protection, or for deliverance. As a sovereign
State, the State of North-Carolina, to be true to
herself to be tbe conservator of her interests
niupt take matters into her own hands, so far as re
gards herself. Tho Confederate authorities, even
with the will to protect her, are powerless.
We trust our Legislature will not delay to call a
Convention. Delays are dangerous in this case
delay may be death. We want prompt, decisive
action ; aud for this, we want bold and fearless men.
Hesitation may be cowardice cowardice may -be
ruin. We want no high sounding words no
braggadocio. We want firmness, coolness, delib
eration, common seme aUd action. There is no
time for the play of the fancy or the indulgence of
the imagination. There is no time for words, but
we must act; and tbe sooner the better.
He is recreant to his trust, who, comprehending
tie present state of affairs, does not exert all bia
energies to avert a terrible calamity. Emphatically
tbe cn.sis is upon us. Let the voice of politicians
of panizans of individual interests and opin
ions, cease ; and let the voice of the vhoU people be
beard. That voice comes up unmistakeably for a
Contention.
The people ere sovereign. Besides them we
have no sovereign. None can dictate to them, and
none can still their voice. What are constitutions
to them? They are their own Constitution. What
to them are servants, when they are masters?
Ptoqrt.
It need not be blinked, that the discouragement
and despondency of the people are greater than at
any other period. Our difficulties have increased
upon us and the cloud is denser and more portent
ous. We arc in danger of absolute inertness and
submission to the foe. The courage and fortitude
of the people at home, seem to have forsaken them,
and crime and sin abound among us. If we are
more disheartened, we are nevertheless greater sin
ners. Our chastisements Jiave not humbled us, nor
have we drawn nigh to God.' If this state of things
continue our ruiu is inevitable. JV. C. Christian
Advocate.
It has been said that war has produced an increase
of nrofanity and tho other attendant vices. This
is untrue. War serves only to unmask character';
it does not materially change it. The man who is
a profane swearer, or a drunkard or a thief or roue
now, possessed these t:aiU before; the present un
settled state of society is only the occasion for their
display. The soldier who steals bis comrade's hav
ersack now, had it in his heart to steal before he
became a soldier he was restrained only by public
sentiment or the fear of punishment, or deferred
from the execution of his designs by tbe absence
of a good opportunity.
The man who demeans bimstlf disrespectfully
before unprotected ladies now, would have dtne so
before the war but for the fear of corporeal pinish
ment at tbe hands of somo male relative; tie dis
turber of public worship when civil law is a nulli
ty, was restrained aforetime only by a wholesome
dread of statutes made and provided for the pun
ishment of tbe disorderly and refractory.
Tho man who steals, embezzles, or otherwise ap
propriates government money or property, would
steal bis neighbor's horse, or bia ox, or bis twine,
or bis purse, could he do so with as little fear of
detection and punishment.'
The official who makes seizures of private pro
perty upon a lalse pretense, that he is so authorized
by the Government, would be a highway robber
but for a wholesome dread of punishment. ''
The officer who is abusive and cruel, or unneces
sarily severe now, was a hector before tho war be
wis only restrained by civil law.
The woman who is imprudent and immodest
now, had it in her heart to be so before the war.
The man who makes a false return of tithes now,
would have acted as did Annanias and Sapphira,
had be lived eighteen hundred years ago, aud been
similarly situated. Columbue Sun.
Kind Words. They never blister-the tongue or
lips. And we have never heard of one unental
trouble arising from this quarter. Though roey do
aot cost much, yet they accomplish much. They
help one's own good-nature and good-will Soft
words soften our own soul Angry words ire fuel
to the. flame of wrath, and make the blazh more
fierce. Kind words make other people goodl natur
ed. Cold words freeze people, and hot words scorch
81.704
tbem, and bitter words make them hiftj-nri ter v
wrathful wot make ttietn wrattifal. "TCfiert is Sfljch 'g' '
rush of all these kinds of words in our dajg, i 1B
it seems desirable to giva kind words a cha IC6
among them. There are vain w jrda, and idle wo ds '
and hasty words, and spiteful words, and em ,tr
words, and profane words, and warlike word: JL
Kind words also produce their own image on m a'g
souls. And.a beautiful image it is. They soo tf
and quiet, and comfort the hearer. They shi jje
him out of his sour, morose, unkind feelings. v.
have not yet begun to use kind words in suchabfin.
-uoyn.
'a Jor.
dance as tbey ought to be used PateaL
1 I1.-. TT,tiMn . f. . nu i i
nal furnishes the following very interesting uaV'
graph about a very smill subject. 5
When a flea is made to appear as large as an ele
phant, we can see all the wonderful parta of its for
mation, and are astonished to find that it has a cqt
of armor much more complete than ever a warrior
wore, and composed of strong polished plates, fjt
ted over each other, each plate covered like a tcC.
toiss shell, and where they meet, hundreds of strong
quills project like those on the back of the porcn.
Cine, or hedgehog. There are the arohed neck, the
right eyes, the transparent cases, piercers to punc
ture the skin, a sucker to draw away the blocid.
six jointed legs, tour or which are folded on tbe
breast, ready at any moment to be thrown out
with, tremenous force for that jump which bothers
one when they want to catch him, and at the eijid
of each leg booked claws, to enable him to cling . to
whatever be alights upon. A flea can jump a hun
dred times bis own length, which is the same as if
a man jumped to the height of 700 feet ; and he ca.n
draw a load 200 times his weight
The Columbia Guardian gays the delegation in
Congress from South Carolina waited in a body last
Monday npon the President of the Confederal
States, and presented the request which had been
forwarded to them by Governor Magratb, to appoint
Gen. J. E. Johnston to the command of the troops
in this department The President declined to
make the appointment as desired. We have not
learned to whom he will tender the command.
LEGISLATURE GE IfOETH-CAEOIHIA.
SENATE.
' Mondat, Jan. 23, 1865.
Prayer by the Rev. R. L Mason.
BILLS, KTC. ON TO KIR THIRD READINGS. 4
A' resolution to authorize the Treasurer to receive I
partial payment of taxes from counties within the
enemy's hues. Passed. ,
.' A bill to authorize the county court of Jackson i
to appoint a tax collector. Passed.
X bill concerning tbe mode of taking depositions
in certain cases. Passed.
A bill to enable the Chief Clerk of the Treasury .
to perform certain acts. Passed.
A bill to amend an act to authorize the construc
tion of a turnpike road from Salisbury to the
Georgia line. . Passed.
A bill to amend an act to incorporate the Cape .
Fear Importing and Exporting Company. Paased.
A bill to incorporate lit Hermon Lodge, No. 118,
in the town of Asheville. Passed.
A bill to incorporate tbe Deep River Woolen com-1
pany. Passed.
A resolution to authorize B. F. Bagley, of Per
quimans, to collect arrears of taxes. Passed its 2d
and 8d readings. ,
A bill to legalize elections in tbe town of Monroe
passed its several readings.
RESOLUTIONS, KSMOBJXL8, KTC.
Mr. Crump introduced a resolution in favor of D. ,
H. Sanders, former- sheriff of Montgomery.
Mr. Miller presented a memorial from soldiers,
and citizens of North Carolina, praying for a law in '
regard to furloughs, transportation, 4c Referred
to committee on military affairs. .'
MISCELLANEOUS.
A proposition from the Ilouse to appoint a joint "
select committee on adjournment was agreed to. t
jr-oumW of antrossedLhilhi from tho House were
received and read first time.
A communication from the Treasurer was read,
in answer to resolutions of the Senate asking
information concerning certain appropriations.
Laid upon the table.
The Senate refused to concur in the House amend
ment to the bill in relation to Burke Square.
The Senate concurred in House amendment to tbe
resolution authorizing the Governor to send sup
plies to Wilmington.
6PCC1AL ORDIB,
At 12 o'clock the special order, being resolutions
protesting against emancipation for public services,
was taken up, the question being on the substitute
reported by the joint select committee on Confed
erate relations. The substitute protests against
the arming of slav.es, but gives its consent to their
employment to work on fortifications, Ac. ; declares
that the constitutional provision that Congress shall
not interfere with slavery in the States was intend
ed to prevent their being taken for the public use
without tbe consent of tbe States ; denies the pow
er of the Confederate government to impress slaves
without the consent of the States expressly given,
and then only according to - State laws ; that the
Confederate government having failed to establish
a Supreme Court, each State should decide for itself
the extent and meaning of the powers delegated to '
the general government f
Mr. Dick suoke at some length, and with crit '
pewer and eloquence, in favor of the substitute. '
The reporter took no notes of Mr. Dick's speech,
having no doubt it will be written out by himself
for publication.
Mr. Odom offered an amendment, and spoke in
, favor of it Tbe amendment expresses the belief
that slavery is the normal condition of the negro,
and declares that we will ever oppose any attempt
to liberate him for public services or for any other
cause, either now or in the future.
At the conclusion of Mr. Odom's remarks the
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The House was called to order at 11 o'clock
A. M.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Pritchard, of the Baptist
Church.
Mr. Gudger presented a petition from citizens of
Madison county, praying that certain changes be
made in tbe boundary line of said county. Refer
red to the committee on propositions and griev
ances. Mr. Benbury offered the following resolutions in
reference to tbe arrest and confinement of Dr. H.
P. Ritter :
Whereas, It has been represented to this Gener
al Assembly, that on the 5th day of December,
1804, Dr. II. P. Ritter, a citizen of the county of
Chowan, was arrested at Weldon by CoL Parham,
Provost Marshall, and detained and sent to Rich
mond by Col. P. C. Gaillard and there imprisoned
until returned on demand of the Governor of this
State : and, whereas the gronnd upon which said
arrest is said to have been made were of so feeble
and unsatisfactory a nature as to raise a reasonable
apprehension in the minds of all goods citizens, that
the same outrage may be perpetrated upon every
one passing Weldon : and whereas, the barsh and
cruel treatment of said Henry P. Ritter by the au
thorities at Weldon, as represented to this General
Assembly, can be viewed only as a base and inhu
man use of power to oppress and torture under the
pretence of confining suspected parties : therefore,
etolved, That tbe Governor is hereby instructed
to institute an immediate . and searching enquiry
into the circumstances of said arrest and detention
of the said Henry P. Ritter, and should it appear
that said arrest was based on insufficient grounds,
or that his treatment after his arrest was unusually
harsh or severe, he shall demand of the Confeder
ate government, the immediate arrest and trial of
the said Colonels, Parham and P. C. Gaillard, and
all other officers at said post voluntarily concerned
in any part of said transaction, that was contrary
to law and right or necessarily offensive or cruel in
its execution.
e$ohed That the expenses attending this in
vestigation be paid by the State, and that the Gov
ernor is hereby authorized to draw by warrant
.from the Public Treasurer such sums as may be
necessary for the same.
Papers were submitted with these resolutions
setting forth that Dr. Ritter after bis arrest was
treated with great indignity ; was refused permis
sion to communicate with his friends; was not al
lowed to send to the hotel for his over coat; and
was confined in a log pen for two days, being al
lowed at night neither light nor fire. He was then
Bent to Richmond and imprisoned in Castle Thun
der. While there he was treated with unnecessary
gor was inadequately fed and denied permission
to purcnise lood. un tne lain ult, be was exam
ined and the board of examiners declared there was
.no just cause for his arrest or detention. Notwith
standing this decision be was not released until tbe
14th. - On arriving in Weldon after his release, he
found that his trunk bad been broken open while
in possession of the Provost Marshall, and rifled of
a portion of its contents. Illness consequent upon
exposure, caused the death of one of Dr. Hitter's
servants, who was arrested at the same time, Tho
arrest was based only upon an anonymous letter,
purporting to have been written by an officer of
Hoke's division and asserting. that Dr. Ritter was a
spy; that he had received a bribe of $10,000 to go
to .Salisbury and communicate to the enemy the
state of the defences, fcc, in that locality. A copy
of this letter was read by the Clerk.J
Mr. Cobb inovod to amend by striking out tbe
word " demand," and inserting the word M request".
Not agreed to.
Messrs. Benbury, Mann and Caldwell, urged the
passage of the resolutions, which, after discussion,
were adopted unanimously.
An engrossed resolution to authorize the Gov
ernor to send State supplies to the town of Wil
mington for the support of citizens, was put on its
several readings.
This resolution authorizes tbe sending of 10.000
lbs. of bacon, 300 sacks of flour and 100 bbls. of
corn to Wilmington, from tbe State Commissariat,
to be paid for or returned in kind.
Mr. Grissom moved to amend by authorizing tho
Commissioner of Granville county to make like
purchase for the benefit of indigent citizens of said
county.
Mr. Cowles moved to amend the amendment by
adding also the county of Yadkin.
Mr. Lowe moved to amend by adding the county
of Davidson. This was ruled out of order, an
amendment to an amendment already pending.
Messrs. Fowle and McLean opposed tbe amend
ment which was subsequently withdrawn by Mr.
Grissom.
Mr. Russell moved to amend by providing that a
portion of these supplies be appropriated to sup
plying the wants of the destitute citizens of the
town of Sm.ithville. Adopted. " .
' On motion of Mr. Carter the bill was' amended
by striking out the words " be may see proper "
and substituting tbe words "as may be necessary;"
also by striking out the words w or the payment of
the value of tbe same into the State Treasury."
The bill as amended passed.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AC
Mr. Lyle, a resolution in favor of E. D. Davis of
Jackson county.
Mr. Allison; a resolution in favor of Wm. F.
Wasson, Sheriff of Iredell county.
Mr. Mann, a bill to prevent obstruction to tbe
passage of fish up Creek in the county of
Pasquotank. Also a bill to authorise administra
tors to advance funds for the support of minor dis
tributees of Estates.
Mr. Smith of Duplin, a bill to punish persons for
placing obstructions in the North East branch of
Cape Fear River.
Mr. Gudger, a bill to attach a portion of Madison
county to the county of Buneombew
Mr. Beobury, a bill to restore jury-trials to the
county court of Chowan county in certain cases.
Mr. McGehee, a bill to amend an act to authorize
the J ustices of Caswell county to regulate the clean
ing out of Moon's ereek in said county.
Mr. Stipe, a bill to restore the penalty of $100
on Sheriffs for neglecting to execute or return pro
cess.
. Mr. Waugh introduced a resolution which: was
adopted, requesting information of the Public Trea
surer, as to what steps bad been taken to collect of
the Confederate States the large amount due this
State for our advances made to clothe our troops
and for other military purposes ; and whether those
steps were likely to be effectual, at an early day.
The Senate by message refused concurrence in
House amendment to . the biU authorizing the Pub
lic Teasnrer to rent out the buildings on Burke
Square in the City of Raleigh. The House receded
from its amendment
Mr. Grissom introduced the following resolution.
We eke as, The following notices marked "A"
are being indiscriminately distributed in Granville
and other counties within this State, forbidding
producen to sell any part of their turplue, except
to the government thereby closing tbe market to
non-producers and threatening want and starvation.
Therefore,
Boohed, That the Judiciary Committee be in
structed to enquire whether this action of the C. S.
Quartermasters and their agents is in accordance
with tbe laws of Congress regulating impressments
and the rules and recommendations of the Board of
Appraisers for North-Carolina, and report by bill
or otherwise.
. Tbe resolution was accompanied by the fallowing
Notices marked A.
Gbanvlwle County, Dec 17th, 1804.
Sir: I desire to purchase for the Government
all your surplus corn, oats, fodder, hay, shucks,
straw and bran. I can offer you the prices set forth
on tbe back of this notice to be paid on the delivery
of said articles at the place we may agree upon.
Upon the refusal of this price we must proceed to
settle the value of the article according to the act
of Congress for the regulation of impressments.
This notification binds the property till our nego
tiations shall be closed.
Verv Respectfully,
"JOHN H. ROWLAND,
Agent for J. B. White,
Captain t A. Q. M.
Forrestville, Dec. 14, 1564.
Mr.
Sir. I propose to purchase of you for the use of
tbe U. a. government your surplus corn, oats, rod
der and hay, at schedule price, payable on delivery
of said property at Forestville, N. C, on the
day of 1865. Should you refuse to sell said
property at said price, the same is hereby impreu
ed, and you are hereby notified not to remove or
tramfer the same, and that compensation will be
made to you for said property, according to the act
of Congress, regulating impressments.
Very Respectfully,
J. W. FORT,
Agent for W. E. Pierce,
Captain fc A. Q. M.
The prices on the back of the first of these noti
ces are, for corn, shelled and bagged, $5 per bushel
of 56 pounds ; Fodder aud Hay $3,50 per hundred ;
Oats, shelled and bagged, $4 per bushel of 52
pounds ; Shucks $3,50 per hundred ; Straw $1 ; Bran
50 cts.
On introducing this resolution Mr. Grissom said:
This oppressive restriction affects only the farm
er. This class, who, of all others, reap tbe fruits
of the hardest toil, and not only eat the bread of
honest industry by " the sweat of their brow,"
but support and maintain all others, is made the
subject, by this iniqui ous system of peculiar and un
preceden ted, hardship.
The capitalist the manafacturer and the mechanic
are all comparatively free from this burthen, which
falls like a thunderbolt and hangs like an incubus
upon the shoulders of tbe farmer, paralyzing his ef
forts and waning his patriotism.
He bears his full share of ad valorem taxes upon
his property for tbe support of the government ; be
pays tithe upon his labor and earnings which are
not exacted of tbe other classes ; and then, as if to
add insult to injury, piling " Pelion upon Ossa," he
is vi&ited by the Quartermaster's agent and served
with a notice to sell no part of his corn, oats, fodder,
hay, shucks, straw or bran, except by their permis
sion, to the goveruraent for nominal prices and
worthless scrip. Surely he has cause to cry out in
the bitterness of bis soul, " my punishment is great
er than I can bear." k
Tbe government practically says that the capital
ist, the broker, tbe commission merchant, the trades
men, the heartless speculator, may invest and rein
vest his interest and his earnings, at enormous prof
its as often as he chooses, without embarrassment
but tbe farmer must not be permitted, even from
his hard and scanty earnings, to realize a sufficien
cy to meet and defray bis absolutely necessary fami
ly expenses.
His salt andiron and other indispensable neces
sities are to be purchased at almost fabulous prices ;
his enormous taxes are to be paid ; his family are
to be. cared lor, and his children educated, but he
must not be permitted to sell a grain of corn, a blade
of fodder, a peck of bran, or a pound of bay, to raise
the means to meet these unavoidable expenses, ex
cept at schedule prices to the g-overnmant.
If it should be replied that this policy is the re
sult of necessity on the part of tbe government,
then why does it not in its wisdom direct an equal
ity of its burthens upon all classes and every species
of property and investment, se as not to oppress so
severtly any one f
But unfair and unjust as this policy is to tbe par
ticular class mentioned, depriving them of their
honest earnings and means of subsistence, without
just compensation, in direct violation of a constitu
tional guarantee of protection in the enjoyment of
" life, limb and property, except by due course of
law," its injuries and cruelties are not confined to
them alone.
But if continued, a train of etils must inevitably
be inaugurated, in which classes still more unfor
tunate will be involved as principal sufferers, the
contemplation of which will awaken emotions more
painful and more horrid than the wounds and blood
and carnage of the battle field.
The non producers everywhere who are not safely
lodged in a Confederate office, with their bands in
a Confederate crib tbe poor of tbe land tbe wives
and children of our gallant soldiers in the field, tbe
wi lows and orphans of charity at home, the foun
tains of which will be dried op and exhausted, una
ble to purchase or be supplied on account of this
cruel, iron heeled despotic fiat gone out all over tho
land, must inevitably perish of suffering and want,
even amidst a land of plenty.
They must stand and vainly implore assistance un
til starvation seizes the body and sends tbe soul to
tbe God who gave it or they must combine in law
less resistance to that authority which has with
drawn its protection and left them to share the fate
of the beasts that perish.
These evils cry aloud for correction these wrongs
demand redress. The impulses of humanity, the
good of the country, the safety of the cause re
quire it
The fact ones remembered, now forgotton, orusa
respected, note despised, once acknowledged, now
ignored, that this is the people' tear, the people i
country for weal or woe, should be kept fresh in the
recollection of rulers. They are tbe servants the
people the sovereigns.
. Mr. Polk, also addressed the House in favor of the
resolution and it was adopted. -
Tbe following engrossed bills from the Senate
had their first reading, viz :
A bill to allow fifteen magistrates to transact the
county business of Halifax county :
A bill to amend an act entitled an act to author
ize the Governor to employ slave labor in erectin-
fortifications and other works. -
A bill to amend an act to incorporate the North
Carolina Volunteer Navy Company.:
A resolution authorizing tbe Secretary of State
to furnish Nathan Whitford Esq , with a copy of
the Revised Code, and a resolution requesting the
State Appraising Commissioners to allow market
value for articles impressed.
Oa motion of Mr. Perkins the House took from
the-table a bill to give the County Court Court of
Pitt jurisdiction in tbe re-establishment of lost
wills. The bill passed.
On motion of Mr. Benbury, a message was sent
to the Senate proposing to go into an election at
once for Engrossing Clerk.
Mr. Carter nominated Mrs. CoL Win. J. Clarke
for that position.
The House adjourned until 10 o'clock A. M. to
morrow. SENATE
x, ytt i t Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1865.
Mr. Wright, from the Judiciary Committee, re
ported unfavorably upon a bill to make housebreak
ing in the daytime a capital offence, and also npon
the resolutions to enable soldiers' wives to make
contracts binding the property of their husbands,
and also upon resolutions to prevent tbe sale of
property under execution for specie.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED.
Mr. Leitch, a bill to enable the citizens of the
State to consolidate their lands. Referred to Ju
diciary Committee. .
, Mf. B78on, a resolution to provide indigent
families with cotton yarn.
Mr. Ellis, resolutions instructing the Committee
on Internal IcprovemenU to enquire what railroads
have violated the law and forfeited their charters
r 7- t!1011,', by brib7. by refusing to carry
freight, by collusion with Express companies,. Ac.,
and that tbe committee have power to send for per
sons and papers. Ordered to be printed.
i rS0,Qti' t go into secret session
at So clock, P. M., and that the House be inform
ed thereof. Adopted.-
Mr. Ellis, a bill to prevent thelcollection of debts
in specie.
Mr. Wright bill to repeal the 119th section of
the 84th chapter of the Revised Code.
rarmisriKD business.
The consideration of the unfinished business of
yesterday, being tbe committee's substitute for the
resolutions concerning the arming of slaves, Ac.,
was resumed, and Mr. Ellis spoke at some length,
declaring his confidence in and adherence to the gov
ernment as administered by Mr. Davis, but opposing
the arming or the slaves. On the contrary he would
give every soldier a negro and fifty acres of land
when the war closed.
Mr. Hall spoke in opposition to the resolutions.
He declared that be believed the salvation of the
Southern Confederacy depended npon putting arms
in the bands of the slaves. He favored their em
ployment as an engineer corps. He wanted the ex
periment tried. If they deserted and went to the
enemy they only went a little sooner; but if they
stood firm and true we were saved. He would try
the experiment ; it might save us, and could do us
no harm. Mr. Hall spoke for some time, and was
listened to with much attention.
Mr. Wiggins opposed the arming of slaves as un
constitutional, and spoke in favor of tbe resolutions.
Mr. Patton was in favor of part of the resolutions
only, and desired an amendment providing just
compensation for the slaves taken.
. miscellaneous.
The Senate voted for an engrossing clerk, and
the committee reported that there was no election.
Upon a second vote Mr. Davis was elected.
The Senate then adjourned to 3 o'clock, to go in
to secret session at that time.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The House was called to order at ten o'clock A.
M. Mr. Mann presiding in the Speaker's absence.
Prayer by Rev. Dr. Craven of the Methodist
Church.
The Journal of yesterday read and approved.
Mr. Little presented a memorial from citizens of
Richmond county praying the enactment of a law
making trespass upon land a high misdemeanor.
Referred.
Mr. Fowle, from the Committee on the Judiciary
reported a resolution in favor of the Old Dominion
Trading Company.
Mr. Ly le introduced a resolution in favor of the
Commissioners of Macon county ; also a resolution
in relation to the Commissioners of Jackson county.
Mr. Love, a resolution instructing an inquiry by
tbe Committee on tbe Judiciary whether the Judge
ship of the 8th Judicial District be not vacant tbe
Judge not complying with the law, which requires
that he should reside in some county of the
District
Mr. Johnson, a resolution concerning the Sheriff
of Davie County.
Mr. Polk, a resolution in favor of privates, non
commissioned officers and officers of the line. This
resolution was adopted; the others were referred
or placed on the calendar.
A communication was received from the Secretary
of State, (in response to the resolution pasted on
Saturday last,) showing tbe number of acting
Justices of tbe Peace in the several counties of the
State. Mr. Brown moved that this communication
be printed. Not agreed to Yeas 46, nays 52. On
motion of Mr. Fowle it was laid on the table.
A message was received from the Senate propos
ing that the two Houses go into secret session at
8 o'clock, P. M. This message was recalled by the
Senate.
On motion of Mr. Phillips, a message was sent
to the Senate proposing that tbe two bouses meet
in convention at 3 o'clock, p. m., and go into secret
session. The Senate by message announced con
currence. Tbe Senate by message concurred in the proposi
tion made by the House, on yesterday, to proceed
forthwith to tbe election of an Engrossing Clerk.
Tbere was no election on this ballot
Mr. Davis received 58 votes, Mr. Hill 40, Mrs.
Clarke 22, scattering 4. On a ballot subsequently
bad Mr. Davis was elected.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS. -
Mr. Simmons, a bill in relation to the delivery
and execution of process in the county of Jones.
Mr. Fowle, a bill to exempt employees of news
papers from borne guard duty.
Mr. McLean, a resolution authorizing the remov
al of the State salt works to Saltville. Passed its
several readings under a suspension of the rules.
Mr. Waugh, a bill in favor of Wm. Haymore,
Sheriff of Surry county.
Mr. Lyle a bill to incorporate the Hill Orphan
Fund. Passed its several readings under a sus
pension of the rules.
On motion of Mr. Grissom, the bill to exempt
employees of newspapers from tome guard duty
was taken from tbe table. The rules were suspend- -ed
and the bill passed its second reading and then
its third reading by a vote of 57 yeas to 32 nays.
On motion of Mr. Fowle the bill authorizing the
Secretary of Stale to employ a Clerk, laid on the
table at the last session, was taken up, and pending
its passage the House took a recess until 3 o'clock,
p. m. -
SENATE
Wednesday, Jan. 45, 1&C5.
After tbe reading of the journal. Mr. Courts mov
ed that the Senate go into secret session.
Mr. Wiggins said he did not like the idea of se
cret sessions and desired soae intimation" ef the
purpose for which the secret session was. t be held.
Mr. Courts said it was jb the purpottaf appoint
ing Commiuionert ; and the Senate t&tawent inter
secret session.
After being in secret session aboub an hour,, the
doors were again opwnedr
Mr. liau otiered a resolutoit, exempting from
Home Guard duty the ComissLoners, Ac.-,, ef the
town of Wilmington. RefrejJ to Committee on
miliary .anairs.
Tbe consideration of ta&resolulioea in rerd
tbe arming of slaves, 4c,, was resound),
The 2d and 4thresctHioo3 were sirickejhoi
.The 1st resolution nd. the 2J (3d- of thek aoj
were auopieo. t
Mr. Ward efferr jan amendment, as a .sub'