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Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, March 20, 1852, Image 3

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NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN DOWNINGVILLE,
IN TUB STATB OF MAINE,
To hooie a Delegate to the Baltimore Convention,
and decide on the Presidency.
Downisovuu, State or Maime,
Mabch 10, 18o2.
According to a call from Uncle Joshua, the chair
?maD, posted up in the usual places?that is, on the
meetin-houae, and on the center school house, and
on Bill Johnson's store?the adjourned meeting
from February 9 was held this evening m the cen
ter school-house. Democrats all on hand, without
distinction of party, and the school-house chock
full before seven o'clock. On taking the chair,
Uncle Joshua called the meetin to order, and ad
dressed them as follcrs:
" Gentlemen and feller-Democrats, before we take up
the business of the evening, I feel it my duty to say u
few words about the present state of our party, and to
lift up my warning voice against diviatont. If we can t
come together like brothers, and all pull at one end of the
rope we're gone. If part pulls at,pne end of the rope
and part pulls at 'tether end, the rope snaps, and
?we all tumble head over heels and come to the ground.
80 I hope, feller-Democrats, the divisions and disputes
that broke out in our last meetin, February 9, wont be
seen to-night. I say, feller-Democrats, if we mean to
beat, we must harmonize, as Mr. Richie used to say ;
wc must harmonize. It's true there's some pretty hard
difficulties in our way, but we must get round em. When
I'm ploughing in the field with a smart team, and see a
hard stump right ia the way, ' I know better than to go
straight ahead, and keep the plough in, and stick the
ploughshare right among the roots, and tear the ploug 1
to pieces. But what do I do ? I just run the plough out
of the ground, and slip round the stump, and then set 111
again and go along as smooth as ever. And so when I'm
mowing in haying time, and see a hornet's nest in the
Bide of a stump, or in a heap of stones, I had a good deal
rather loave a little grass standing round em than to mow
txp so close as to stir em up and bring the whole swarm
out round my ears. Now, I say, feller-Democrats, if the
Democratic party would only jest keep out of the way 0
stumps and hornet's nests, we could got along smooth
enough, and carry the day any time. But if we are
agoing to run our ploughshare into every abolition stump
that stands in the way, and stick our scythe into every
slavery hornet's nest that we come across, the jig is up
with us, and we may as well give up the farm at once and
go off to the Grand Banks and ketch codfish, for it would
be no use for us to fish for offices any longer unless we
can harmonize.
" Gentlemen, that distinguished old Democrat of Penn
eylvania, Mr. Buchanan, lately wrote a letter to the De
mocrats of Baltimore ; it was dated the 23d of February;
it was a great letter; and Mr. Buchanan is a great man.
Iq that letter he says : 'There has seldom been a period
when the Democratic party of the country was in greater
danger of suffering a defeat than at the present moment.'
And, gentlemen, a Democratic member of Congress from
Ohio, Mr. Olds, made a speech in the House the 5th of
this month, in which he says: ? Mr. Chairman, I am free
to acknowledge as a national Democrat that I am humi
liated at the bickerings exhibited by prominent Democrats
upon this floor.' Gentlemen, these handwritings on
the wall showB us what we are coming to if we don't
harmonize. Therefore, I hope we shall set an example
of harmony here to-night that will 6end a thrill through
the whole country from Maine to Texas, and from the
Atlantic to Californy."
Uncle Joshua sot down, and the meetin give three
cheers for the harmony of the Democratic party.
Bill Johnton. Mr. Chairman, I rise to renew the mo
tion that I made at the last meeting, that we choose Ma
jor Jack Downing for our delegate to the Baltimore Con
vention.
Doctor Brigjt. My motion was before that, Mr. Chair
main, which was, that we take up the question of the Pre
sidency first. And I still think we ought to discuss that
matter, and have a fair understanding abo*t it, before we
choose our delegate to Baltimore. Howsser, in these
times I go for harmony, and for the sake of harmony 1
withdraw the motion, and am ready to vote on the delegate.
[The motion was then put by the chairman, and
Major Downing was elected delegate to Baltimore
by the unanimous vote of the Convention, followed
by three cheers.]
Chairman. There, feller-Democrats, !s an example of
harmony. That shows us what we can do when we all
pull together. If we can only make the Democrats all
over the country pull together, we shall choose our Pre
sident jest as easy as we hare chose our delegate.
Doctor Bripsh. In order to do that, Mr. Chairman, we
must fix on the right candidate. And I hope we shall
now have a full and free discussion, lay down our plat
form of Democrat ic principles, and then examine the can
didates, and see who is the best man to stand on our plat
form.
Chair-nan. Well, yes. Doctor, you are about right in
theory, but sometimes practice, In order to get along, has
to be different from theory I'm an old Democrat, as you
all know, and I'vo seen how things has worked this forty
years. Now, my own opinion is, that the first and the main
thing is to pick out the man that *>e can elcct, and not bo
ther much about principles. It is n t principles that gh es
us the offices, but the man; and we must elect our man,
or get no offices. The Dimocratic principles can be regu
lated after we agree on our man. for they are all very
simple and plain. And the fewer the better. In Gineral
Jackson's time we did n't hare but three. One was the
Bank, and one was the Tariff, and one was Internal Im
provements. Them you know was the Whig principles,
and them was the ones we had to fight agin. And I don t
think we can do any better than to stand on the same
ground now. I've thought for some years past that all
Dimocratic principles might be reduced down to one plain
simple principle, and thatls, to/if hi ag\n the Mhtgt. That
is the safest and most important principle in the whole
Dimocratic creed. And it Is one that is easy to be un
derstood, and easy to rally the party upon. The Whigs
may bother about as many principles as they are a mind
t? ; we bo need to have but one. We may bring em all
under one rule, and that is, to fight agin the Whigs. We
?re agin the Bank, and agin the Tariff, and agin Internal
Improvements, because them are Whig doctrines. Now,
let us follow out the same rule, and wherever the Whigs
go for abolition we must fight agin abolition, wherever
the Whigs go for slavery we must fight agin slavery. If
we stick to this rule through thick and thin, and only
atick together, there's no danger; we shall carry every thing
*11 afore us.
Doctor Briff<f?. Well, Mr. Chairman, I think there's a
good deal of meaning in what you say. And I go for
harmony; so I move we go according to your plan, and
pick out a candidate that we can eleet, and fix up the
principle* afterwards; for, jest as yon say, what good will
the principle* do u# If we don't elect our candidate'' Now,
Mr. Chairman, as you are postmaster, and have all the
papers at your office, and know how things get along, I
move that you name over the candidates for the Presi
dency, and tell us how they stand, so we may see which
is the strongest tnd go in for him.
Chtiirmn*. Well, as to that, all the SUtes hasn't put up
their candidates yet, but a good many of em has, and
some of em I can name ov?r. There's New York, she
puts up Governor Marcy ; and Pennsylvany puts up Mr,
Buchanan; and Michigan puts up Gineral Cass; and
Kentucky puts up Gineral Butler; and Illinois puts up
Judge Douglas; and Indiana puts up Gineral Lane; and
Texas puts up Gineral Houston. And I spoae there may
be more that I don't think of now, but these is some of
the foremost one*. The Dimocratic Review, printe.i in
New York, tbnt ? thought to take the W1 in mat
ters, divides the?c candidates into two classes, the old
Class and the young class ; or, as some of the papers calls
em, Old Fogie. ?nd Vonng America. The old fo*y ola?<
is Governor Marcy, and Gineral Cass, and Mr. Hnchanan,
and Gineral Butler, and Qineral Houston. And the Young
America class is Judge Douglas. And the Dimocratic
Review goes in decidedly for this last class.
Deacon Show. I should like to hare the opinion of our
venerable chairman about Judge Douglas, as to whether
he's the right man for us, aud whether wc better go in
for him along with the Democratic Review.
Chairman. As to that, 1 can only say Jud^ce Douglas
is a mere boy yet, only about forty years old, and some
folks thinks he better tarry at Jericho till his beard is
grown. There is good mettle in him: but let him wait
fifteen or twenty years longer, and then may be it will do
to begin to talk about him.
Deacon Snore. That's correct. I move we pass over
the Young America class, and take up the Old Fogies.
Chairman. Well, what say to Governor Marcy ? Our
Dimocratic brethren will please to express their minds
freely. In order to harmonize we must know each other's
opinions.
Sargent Joel Downing. I've no doubt, Mr. Chairman,
but what Governor Marcy is a good sound sort of a Di
mocrat, and has done good service in the party, but I
think that patch on his trouses has done the job for him,
so he'll never get over it. If we undertake to run him,
we shall get iick'd, that's all.
Chairman. Well, how will Mr. Buchanan do ? He's a
strong candidate, and lately got a majority in the Dimo
cratic Convention of Pennsylvany in spite of Gineral Cass,
who did n't get half so many votes as he did.
Deacon Snow. The greatest thing I know agin Mr.
Buchanan is, that I've heard he was once an old
Federalist. If that's the case I should n't like to vote
for him; and, moreover, if there's the least, taint of Fe
deralism about him Mr. Richie will be sure to fight agin
him tooth and nail. So there would n't be no chance to
elect him.
Chairman. Well, there's Gineral Cass, how does he
stand? Is there any reason why he would n't run well?
Sargent Joel Downing. Mr. Chairman, I don't want to
be too particular, and I aiut hard to please; but Gineral
Cass, I don't think, would run better than some one of the
others. And, besides, he's got off the true Dimocratic plat
form, and would n't come under your rule, to fight agin the
Whigt. For a year or two ago he and Gineral Foote and
some others went off upon a slant and jined Webster and
Clay and got up the compromise. We can't call that
fightin the Whigs. The Dimocrats have been a good
deal wratby about it; and it is n't but a little while ago
I sot a Dimocratic paper in Richmond, Tirginia, calls em
"the miserable set of ragmuffins who got up the Union
party." It would n't do to have a candidate that the
Dimocratic papers can talk so about. It would n't pro
duce the right sort of harmony in the ranks of the Di
mocracy. I think, Mr. Chairman, we better go further,
if we fare worse.
Chairman. Well, gentlemen, then there's Gineral But
ler, of Kentucky. He's said to be a very safe, careful,
sound Dimocrat; one that it will be hard to pick any
flaws in. What say to him ?
Bill Johnton. [Mounting on a bench with two or three
papers in his hand.] Mr. Chairman. Gineral Butler is
the worst candidate in the whole lot. Ginerally speaking,
he is n't nowhere ; and when you do happen to find him
he is n't never in the right place. You remember, sir. at
our last meeting I described in my speech the Butler bait
as being all nicely rolled in meal and rubbed over with a
little Yan Buren oil. Well, sir, since then the meal has
been shdok off: the Van Buren oil could n't make it stick.
It's all shook off, and shows nothing but a black slavery
cat. A few weeks ago Mr. Cabell, of Florida, in Con
gress called Gineral Butler a "mum candidate." That
straitened him out, and showed his color, and one of his
friends in the House read a letter from him that showed
he went the whole hog in favor of the " ragmuffyxs' com
promise." Sir, I hold that letter in my hand, and in it
Gineral Butler preaches about the compromise like-a
Methodist minister. He says : " It iB as though a great
1 national altar had been erected in eur midst, on which
' every lover of our common country is invited to lay his
? offering of peace, and to offer up his prayers for the
' perpetuity of the Union and the continuance of the in
' estimable blessings which we enjoy under its protection."
8ir, that language shows that he is n't fit for President;
it's enough to turn the whole Dimocracy agin him. The
great Dimocratic paper in New York, the Evening Post,
that was in favor of him awhile ago, now says: "We
cannot congratulate him on the skill with which he is
playing bis game for the Presidency."
And, sir, I have in my hand the Dimocratic Review,
the great organ of our party : and that shows Gineral
Butler up in his true colors. Tt says he is n't nothingnor
nobody; nothing but "a mere beaten horse." It says
the country might be lost "before Gineral Butler could
get an idea into his head, or a word out of it." The
Review says : " From his almost total lifelessness in pub
?lie affairs, it was denied at the last Presidential election,
'even in his own neighborhood, that he was a Democrat
? at all. * * * And General Butler went to the polls
' in 1848 and voted for himself to prove his own Demo
?cracy." On the whole, the Review says: " We declare
him made up of feeble negatives." Mr. Chairman. I
move we skip over Gineral Butler, and take up the next
candidate. u
Deacon Snow. I wont pretend to say we can do any
thing with Gineral Butler; may be he is out of the ques
tion. But there Is some reason to think it i? possible the
Dimocratic Review has n't exactly done him justice. I
like to see fair play all round. Mr. Breckenridge. a re
presentative in Congress from Kentucky, made a speech
on the Presidency a few days ago, the 4th of this month,
if I mistake not, and he declares the Dimocratic Review
is "full of gross misrepresentations. ' I will read, with
your leave, Mr. Chairman, one extract from his speech :
" There was a gentleman fall of talent, full of activity, a
? particular partisan and friend?as he had a right to be?
' of a particular gentleman mentioned in connexion with
'the Presidency. That gentleman went to the State of
? Kentucky upon a political pilgrimage last fall, the ob
'ject of which was, I suppose, to drive General Butler
? from his own soil, to dishonor him at home, by fasten
' ing upon him a corrupt political intrigue. But he fail
? ed in his object; and came back and bonght np the De
' mocratic Review for a political partisan paper for the
'campaign: and, with no names at the mast-head, that
' Review is now pursuing a course as fatal to the Demo
? cratic party as it is fala* and unfair."
And. Mr. Chairman, the Washington Union" our great
Dimocratic organ at the seat of Government, comes out
agin the Dimocratic Review about as hard as Mr. Breck
enridge. Jest hear what it says: " And last, but not
' least,-among the numerous organs which create dissen
? tion and promote discord, is the Democratic Review.
' This periodical, once so elevated in its objects, descends
' to the level of mere faction, and opens its batteries upon
' all the prominent mambers of the Democratic party who
' happen not to suit the taste of the editor." The Union
paper goes on to gije the Democratic Review a good
drubbing; it says the attack upon Gineral Butler was
uncalled for, and is insulting to the people of Kentucky;
and the Union stands np for the class of Old Fogies like
a man. Bat as Gineral Butler is such a disputed can
didate, perhaps we better pass along to the next.
CfiMirmmn. Well, there's the old hero of San Jacinto
left, Gineral Houston, of Texas ; what say to him * He's
said to be a great favorite with the Dimocracy. and has a
good deal of the grain of old Hickory abont him.
What's the reason we cant all harmonixe upon him ? Oen
tlemen will please to speak their minds.
Solomon Jonft, (Trader at the upper corner ) Mr.
Chairman, old Sam Houston's boss can be currici in short
ordeT I can tell ye. The fact is, he's been all over the
country, giving temperance lectures and making temper
ance speeches, and I solemnly ewear he never shall have
my vote as long as there's any strength in brandy.
[Great sensation. Deacon Snow callcd the speaker to
order. ]
Chairman. Well, gentlemen, we've been through all the
foremost candidates, and there aeems to be difficulties all
round. I wonld call upon our respected delegate to Bal
timore, Miyor Downing, who has had a good deal of ox
perienoe in political matters, to give us his views. Now,
he ha* men the proceedings this evening, and heard the
Dimocracy of Downingvill* express their sentiments. I
wnnld uk hits what course he will feel it his duty to
take when ho gets into the Baltimore Convention.
M.jjjr J a I Dowm/ij. Mr. Cha:rinau unl fellow-Deuao
cruts. utter returning you my biucere thanks for ibe ho
nor you have conferred upon me this evening. I beg leave
to fctute that from the instructions which I beem to get
from this meeting to-night, an I the light I now have on
the subject, 1 bhould feel bound to propose to the ( in
vention to take a gineral vote whether they will have a
candidate from the Old Fogy class or the Young America
class. If they decide in favor of the Old Fogies, I should
move that Governor Marcy, ? and Mr. Buchanan, and
Gineral Cass, nnd Gineral Butler, and Gineral Houston
be put into a hat and shook up, and then the President
of the Convention draw one of em out. And whichever
come out first the Convention should unanimously agree
to run him, and ask no questions. But if they should
decide in favor of the Young America class, 1 should
move to put Judge Douglas into the hat, and shake him
up. and draw him out, and agree to run him at all ha
zards. [Here three cheers were given for Major Downing.]
Chairman. Gentlemen and feller-Democrats, if it be
your minds that our delegate, Major Downing, be instruct
ed to follow his own instructions, please to say aye.
[The question was carried by a unanimous and
very loud vote. And after three more cheers for
the harmony of the Democracy, the meeting ad
journed.]
Copy of the Secretary's minutes, examined and
approved for the prm by
MAJOR JACK DOWNING.
FR OM 0 UR L OiYD OX CORRESPONDENT.
London, February '26, 1852.
The capricious divinity who presides at the wheel
of fortune often displays the most fantastic freaks
among politicians, setting the wisdom of the wise
and the calculations of the cautious at defiance.
Last week we ventured to assume that the cause of
the Whig Administration had been much strength^
ened since the opening of Parliament, and particu
larly so by the verdict of nearly two . to one in its
favor, on the division upon Lord Naas's motion,
involving a serious charge against Lord Claren
don and the policy of the Government towards Ire
land. We thought Lord John Russell left St.
Stephens's on Thursday night with a consciousness
of renovating political power, and ventured to fore
tel a successful continuance of the W hig Cabinet.
Our ink was scarcely dry, however, before a sad re
versal took place. On Friday night the Ministers
asked leave to introduce a bill to establish a local
militia and to amend the existing laws relating
thereto. Lord Palmerston had previously given
notice of two amendments to this bill, both being
in its title; one to omit the word local, the other to sub
stitute the word consolidate for the word amend. Lord
John Russell did not object to the latter amendment,
but he took his stand against omitting the word locel.
Upon the retention or omission of this word, a debate en
sued, and, on a division, Ministers were defeated by a
vote of 136 against 125, considerably less than half tke
members being present. Of the 136 who voted agaimt
Ministers, 11 were Whigs and Free-Traders, 13 1 eelite,
Free-Traders, and 18 Irish Reformers. Radicals, Free
Traders, kc., leaving only 94 Protectionists, or supporters
of Lord Stanley's policy.
The Iloifsf assembled on Monday, and received the an
nouncement from Lord John Russell that he and h.s
colleagues had placed their resignations in the hands ?f
her Majesty, who had been graciously pleased to accent
them, and had commanded the attendance of the Ear', nf
Debby, who. it was understood, was then employed n
making arrangements for forming a new Administration
The same notification was made in the House of Lords ty
the Marquis of Lakdsdowste, who then most gracefully and
feelingly concluded a public life which has literally ei
tended through half a century. Lord Jons Russell
spoke well, and stated that, " free-trade, exteusion of suf
frage, and peace, were the grounds upon which he,meant
to take his stand in or out of office." His lordship was
much cheered, and was in high spirit*.
Apart from all prejudice and party feeling, we think no
one can read the list of the new C abinet. which is an
nounced this morning, without doubting the fitness and
standard of ability of some of the noble and right hono
rable personages who occupy prominent places therein.
No one doubts the talents, the worth, or the mer.tal fitness
of Lord Debit for the high position which he has assum
ed ; although we think a majority of the people of Eng
land will repudiate the commercial and financial regula
tions wuich he comes into office pledged to support. Re
specting Mr,.D'I?*AKLi (the new Chancellor of the Ex
chequer) we certainly think that he is the man to lead the
House of Commons, or we should rather say to take the
lead of his party in that House; for we must doubt whe
ther that assembly will consent to be led by him. We
think, however, that he has consulted rather his ambition
than his genius in the selection of office. He will find it
difficult to be both a wit and a Chancellor of the Exche
quer. The figures of rhetoric are very difficult things
from the figures of a financial statement. Perhaps, how
ever, the office is not his choice. The position was de
clined by Mr. Thomas Bariso, and we believe by Mr.
H EERIE*; the former, undoubtedly, the fittest man of his
party to fill it. He naturally, however, preferred being
the head of the first mercantile firm in the world, to the
occupancy of a laborious office, and a responsible con
nexion with a political party of very poor prospects,
with a very uncertain tenure of power and place. I*st
year Mr. D'Israeli was all but disowned by Lord Derby,
who stated that he had no follower* fit for high adminis
trative posts; though Mr. D'Israeli stood by listening
to the selfish and supercilious disclaimer.
Of Lord Chancellor Srr.n**, we can say but little; he
is a sound lawyer and an amiable gentleman, and he may
easily make as good a Chancellor as his predecessor did.
who certainly disappointed public expectation, and pro
bably would not long have remained in office, even if the
Whig Administration had kept its position. Sir Eowaro
Suom:* is said to be unfavorable to some of the great
law reforms which the public begin to regard as desirable
if not absolutely necessary, particularly to the registry of
Meeds.
The Earl of Lossdalb is an old man, (65;) his prede
cessor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, is 72. Lord Los?
da:.e has had considerable official experience, having been
successively Commissioner of Woods and Forests, Trea
surer of the Navy. Vice President of the Board of Trade,
an 1 Postmaster Oeneral. He will most probably be an
acceptable Ministe- His busines- in the House of Lor I
will be lighter than Lord I^jmoowvb'b was the Farl of
| Derby now taking the Ministerial lead in debate in that
I body. '
We scarcely know enough about any of the Secretaries
of State to enable us to give an opinion. Mr. WALfotE
is a man of talent and attainment, but his fitness for the
Home Office is very much doubted; he is 46 years of age.
and was called to the bar in 1S31; he holds the rank of
Queen's counsel, and has been in Parliament for the small
borough of Midhnrst since 1846. The Ear! of MaT.mes
bi'rt is the grandson of a diplomatist, and the gren'
grandson of a philologist, (James Harris; the author of
Heme* and other learned works ;) h? is said to be a sen
sible and clear-headed man, and of mild and amiable tem
per ; but he has undertaken an office which did not pass
from Palmkrsto* to GaANriT.l.B without exciting misgiv
ings, and which recent incidents, as well as the genera!
state of European affairs, seem to point out as the most
responsible in the British Cabinet, if not at this time In
this world. But if we have our doubts as to the fitness
of the new Home and Foreign Secretaries for their re
spective offices, what shall we say about the strange turn
up which has made Sir Jons Pahkotor Secretary for the
Clonics, snd placed the well-being of onr forty-four de
pendencies, all more or le*s in an unsettled state, under
the care of thi? active Worcestershire magistrate? The
highest office he has ever filled is that of chairman of the
county sessions; he has never shown any remarkable
cleverness even in that position, and certainly never evinc
ed any capacity for any thing beyond It.
The interests of the navy will not, we think, suffer in
the hand* of the Duke of Northuhbbexahd. His grace
holds th* rank of rear admiral, is a man of business ha
bits, and good practical abilities. The Earl of HARr
wicke it? undoubtedly equal to the duties of the post of
fice. Mr. Herries has other defects besides those of
age to uufit hint for active life. The construction of the
new Indian charter is certainly above his grasp. Mr.
IIi:nllv's appointment as President of the Board of Trade
is said to be as good as uny on the list.
Lord JiniM Mann tit* may probably manage the woods
and forests as well as those who have preceded him have
done ; he cannot manage them worse. His lordship has
not, however, ever shown much (query, any?) business
talent. It is principally as a poet?we mean rkywuter?
that he has been known to the public. He has immor
talized himself by the couplet?
" Let laws and learning, trade ami commerce die?
41 Hut (Jod preserve our old nobility
The Duke of Wellington retains hi* place as Comman
der-in-Chief. Who else can take it so long as his Gracc
lives? Lord Haruinoe succeeds Lord Anulesea as
Master-Gcueral of the Ordnance; one brave man and good
soldier in the place of another.
Of the law appointments we have nothing to say. Both
the in? and the out* have the reputation of being good
lawyers, and industrious and amiable and capable men.
But we lament that the sound statesmuulike course and
high intelligence of the Earl of Clarendon should have
been superseded by the knight errantry and nothingness
of the Earl of Eolintox, and the quiet, business-like
habits of Sir W.Somerville by the self-complacent, but
very inefficient Lord Naas.
It is undoubtedly-to Lord Palmkrston the protection
ists have to return thanks for placing them in office. Dy.
themselves they have been trying hard for six years, but
never successfully, to overthrow their Whig rivals. Lord
Palmf.rston has had his revenge, and it will pa doubt be
the sweeter on account of the rapidity and the apparent
ease with which it has been attaiued. Under the skilful
guidance of an unlooked-for leader, the re-actionists have
stormed the heights of office. Lord Palmerstox bides
his time; he could not have taken office under Lord
Derby, but we greatly mistake if the next scene in the
political drama does not exhibit him in strange company.
At present we cannot sympathize with his feelings, nor
congratulate him on his position.
The returns of the Bank of England exhibit an increas
ed circulation of ?281,428, and an increase of bullion of
?314,524, and a consequent increase of unemployed
funds, of ?33,01*6, making the entire reserve ?11,877,092.
The money market is unaltered, and there is no new fea
ture in the exchanges. Business in general is dull; Con
tinental affairs being looked upon with suspicion and
alarm. The funds have rallied again from the temporary
depression caused by the Ministerial crisis. The returns
of the Bank of France are as follows; 25 francs for ?1:
Bullion, ?23,158,768; bullion on deposite, ?133,798; cir
culation, ?22,906,600; public deposites, ?3,670,750; pri
vate deposites, ?5,470,696; bills discounted. ?4,568,784;
Government securities, ?8,815,826 The great plenty of
money in Paris is about to cause a reduction in the rate
of interest.
The corn market is firm, with a tendency to advance.
All the markets for colonial and foreign produce are firm-;
this may be particularly said of sugar, coffee, cotton, and
wool.
The excise statements for the past year have just been
issued; showing an increase in the consumption of all
excisable articles except hops.
The tonnage for the years 1850 and 1851 Is as follows:
Inuards. 1850. 1851.
British 4,078,544 4,388,245
United States 595,191 778,664
Other countries 1,439,901 1,821,824
0,113,096 6,988,733
Outwards.
British 3,900,104
United States 620,034
Other countries 1,826,180 1,547,< 31
5,906,978 0,483,144
The returns of the Board of Trade, showing the exports
and imports in the year 1851, have been published. The
declared vflue of the exports of British and Irish produce
and manufactures during each of the last six years is as
under:
1851, value of exports ?08,492.659
1856. ditto 65,735,447
1849, ditto 58,910,883
184f> ditto 48,946,825
1847. ditto 50,897,790
1846, ditto 51,227,060
The year which has just terminated, therefore, exhibits
an increase in our exports, as compared with 1850, oi
C2,757,212, and, as compared with 1848. an increase of
?*<>,000,000.
Of the to^fcls, cotton goods aqd yarn form a large pro
portion, being 28,257,401/. in 1851 and 30,078,Vtt9/. in
.1852. being an increase over lost year of 1.821,598/., or
nearly seven per cent. This is exclusive of haberdashery
and millinery, likewise showing an increase. The woollen
trade has been stationery, and, if wool be included, a
alight decline appears in this year, consequent on shorter
shipments of wool. The total of wool, woollens, and
woollen yarn in 1852 was 10,815,001/., and in 1^)1
10,564,307/., being a decrease on 1852 of 49,246/ The
trade in linen yarns shows an increase of 219.621/., or
nearly 5 per cent ; the exports being, 1852, 5,048,615/.,
and 1851. 4,828,994/. The trade in silk goodB and twist
show* a very satisfactory improvement, the exports being.
1852, 1,331,369/.. and 1851, 1,255,651L, or an increoaeof
75,718/!. or 0 percent., chiefly under the head of manu
factures. The trade in metals and minerals likewise ex
hibits a prosperous condition. The effect of the abolition
of the excise on glass seems to work well, the exports
bring, 1851, 80m5o/.. and 1852, 326,662/.
Of -aw materials the import and consumption has been:
1851. 1852.
Cotton tons 296,239 388,115
Vool lbs. 74,674,483 81,068,t>79
Flax tons 91,145 59,709
Alpaca wool lbs. 1,662.295 2,018,202
The deaths In London last week were 1,072, or 122 be
low the average; and the births 1,589, or 142 above the
average.
There is very little new In the Literary world. The
Wtttminrfer Review has lately commenced a new series with
a new editor and a new publisher; the latter, Mr. John
Chapman, pay? liberally for the articles, which appears
to he the great secret of success. The first number of the
new series is allowed to be one of the most Interesting
quarterly publications which has been lately issued. We
have been favored by a literary friend with the following
list of the authors of the principal articles :
Representative Reform W. J. Fox, M. P.
Oysters, their works und way*. ...Dr. Forbes.
The Employees and Employed. ...W. R. Grey.
Mary Queen af Scots J. A. Fronde
Madame Krudener G. H. Lewis
The latest Continental Theory of
Legislation Francis Newman
The Ethics of Christendom Rev. Jas. Martineau.
Retrospect of American Litera
ture R W. Griswold.
Retrospect of German Literature . J. Oxenford.
Our Foreign summary will be very brief, no
thing of striking intorest having occurred on the
continent during the week. Franck is now gov
erned by autocratic edicts, and we know of no new
ones since the infamous one respecting the pre*?.
We arc glad to rcoord a dcoroc in the Al'nntrur, by
which a prize ot 50,000 francs is offered to the per
son who shall render the \ oltaio pile cheaply appli
cable to industry as a source of heat and light, and
to science as applicable to chemistry, mechanics, or
medical practice. The competition open to scien
tific men of all nations for five years. The M?mi
teur declares that the policy ot Louis NafoIBW is
exclusively devoted to internal objects ; that no de
mands hive been made by Franco since the 2d De
cember on any foreign State except BeloU M, auu
that merely in reference to political refugees; an I that it
is absurd to impute warlike schemes to a Government
which has made no preparations for them. A petition is
circulating for signatures by the supporters of Locis Na
poleon, to be presented to the Senate upon its meeting.
The prayer of the petition is that the President maj gra
ciously awmmc the empire an<l constitute it hereditary.
The first petition emanates from the town of Chatilldn
sur-Loire. The division between the President and Gen.
dk St. AaXAVD is exciting more notice than evor. The
General has been pressed to resign if he refuses to sign
the rfiewrfsaal of sixty officers accused of favoring the Or
leans party, bnt he declines to do either.
Detachments from all the regimenta of the army are
about b/'ing summoned to Paris to receive the new colors,
with the eagle surmounting them, which will be present
ed to them with much imposing ceremony. The quarrel
between M. uk Psbsuixy and M. urn Mavm is becoming
more .in.I more violent.
All the telegraphs throughout the Austrian dominions
Imve boeit taken uuilt'r the direction of the Govenimeut,
aud will he iu future managed by the r?j.; office, so that
their Utility lor uew?paper purposes L> entirely destroyed.
There is nothing new from Pbissia. The Berlin pa
pers are occupied with discussions upon the changc in
the British Cabinet, which is viewed according to Hie po
litical party to which the writer belongs. The attention
o! European statesmen is anxiously directed towards Bel
gium. lhe acts und demands of France from time to
time since the 2d of December indicate a very feeble re
spect for the independence and neutrality of that State,
lhe press of Belgium yet remains free, however, in spite
of all the requisitions of Louis Napoleon addressed to the
Government of that country. The constitution guaran
ties its freedom; and King Leoi'oid, even wer? he inclin
ed to obey the French President, has not the power to
control it. The King of Belgium has protested in the
strongest manner against the decrees relative to the Or
leans property, which plundered his children of their ma
ternal inheritance; and though he has sought to remove,
as tar as the laws permitted, all ground of complaint from
a powerful neighbor, he has shown a vigorous determina
tion to provide by all possible means for the protection of
the country. Never since the emancipation of Belgium
from its connexion with the Low Countries have the pa
triotism and independence of the people been more stea
dily manifested, for they know, by what is passing around
them, that they owe to the constitutional throne of Leo
fold not only their existence as a nation, but a degree of
liberty and tranquillity which no other State on the con
tinent has preserved. The army, well appointed and
numbering upwards of 90,000 men, is firmly attached to
the liberties of the country; and the loyalty of all classes,
both civil and military, expresses itself in numerous ad
dresses of support and confidence to the Crown. The de
fences of the country consist in the old and important line
of fortifications on the French frontier, which the Belgian
Government has been employed for some years in prepar
ing for evwy emergency; behind them Antwerp forms'a
vast entrenched camp, commanding the Scheldt, open to
maritime communications and defended by the citadel iii
which General Chasse made his gallant resistance to
Marshal Geoabd in 1882. The resources of this little
kingdom are therefore sufficient to defend it against a
coup de mam. The King of Belgium and his people have
a right to claim the support of Europe if they are ever at
tacked, not only by virtue of the treaties which solemnly
guaranty their independence, but also by the use they
have made of their liberties. Though numbering only
four millions in population, they fill a most important
space on the map of Europe; and their neutrality is
equally essential to their own prosperity and to the gene
ral peace. On that ground especially the slightest in
fraction of the engagements of the conference of London,
in which the French Government of that day took so con
spicuous a part, would be viewed by all the Powers as a
most serious occurrence; and it deserves notice that the
Emperor of Russia has now, for the first time, resolved to
accredit an Envoy to Brussels, having obtained the re
moval of the Polish officers heretofore employed in the
Belgian army.
The King of the Belgians has bestowed a diplomatic
mission on the Prince de Ligne to proceed to the Courts
of Berlin and Vienna, in order to negotiate the support of
those Powers against all aggression on the part of France.
In the second chamber of the Xttkerlandt, a vote was
taken on the 13th instant which confirms the free-trade
policy Of that country, as agreed to in 1847. The vote
was decisive, being 44 to 10.
The Commissaries of Prussia and Austria formally trans
ferred the Government of the Duchy of Holstein on the
18th instant to the commissary of Denmark, in an official
conference held at Kiel.
Fxbbi abv 27.?The papers of this morning state an
opinion that Parliament, after its session of this evening,
will adjourn until Monday, the 8th of March, to allow for
the necessary elections, in consequence of various mem
bers of the House of Commons having taken office.
The only news from France is that the deep schisms
which divide the Legitimists tend to throw stragglers ol
bofh sections into the arms of Louis Napoleon. The Duke
de Montmorency has accepted n commission in the army,
the Dukes of Doudeauville and Bauflfremont were present
at the President's levee on the 25th instant, and the Mar
quis de Paatoret k?s been nominated a member of the
Council of Surveillance. f? was noticcl ut the rresi lem's
levee that Louis Napoleon opened the ball with Lady Cow
ley, the wife of the English Ambassador. This attention
is interpreted as intended to produce a certain diplomatic
efTect in the present uneasy state of political relations be
tween Great Britain and France : particularly as the Pre
sident did not dance at the preceding ball. All the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps were present. English and
Russian uniforms were the most numerous. Eight thou
sand persons were present.
The Daily ^eict thinks that the incoming administra
tion will be more likely to cultivate a good understanding
with Russia than with any othcr.continental Power.
The demand for American stocks has been active du
ring the week. The following are, the latest quotations
reported by Messrs. D Ball, Son & Co.:
p . , ****??abU. Price*.
United States 5 per ccnt. bonds 1853 001 9jl
Do C per cent, bonds 1862 102 103
Do 6 per cent, do 1868 1101 111
? Do 0 do stock 1867, 1868 107 108
New York State 5 per cents. ...1858. 1860 9*> 96
Pennsylvania 5 per cent stock 8" 83
Ohio 6 per cents 187*!!!!!!l06 107
Massachusetts 6 p. ct. sterling bonds 1868 108 ? 109
Maryland 5 per cent. do 891 90
Virginia 6 per cent, bonis 1857^ 1875.!!!!! 94 95
Do 0 per cent bonds q~i
Kentucky 6 per cents .1868. "!!! 97 9s
Tennessee 6 per cents ,.1866 93 94
Co nada ?i per cent, bonds 1874 107 10#
Do 6 per cent, arrip 4 4i pm
Hoston city 5 por cents. 1858. 1802 ??4 95
Montreal city 6 per cents 1857, 1865 82 8 i
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
6 per cent, mortgage bonds I860...... 7 i 7>; ?
Pl'GET'S SOUND, (North Orkoo*.)
TORRESPONDFN I OF THE DAILY SCIOTO OAXtTTS.
The following is believed to bo the first popular
iesoription of tue country about I'uget'a Souuiever
published in the Atlantic States
Oriuos, Jaxtary 20, 1862.
Dear R.: Having primis^d you a few items upon mat
ters and things*pertaining to Oregon, 1 will now endeavor
to fulfil a part of that pronj-*e: doing ?o, more especially,
for the benefit of tho?e win may be preparing to emigrate
to this Territory before the expiration of the donation
clause in the act of Congress of September 27. 1850, grant
ing 160 acres of Inn 1. each, (or 320. if married.) to actual
settler*.
The remarks following will b* confined, at this time, to
that great region of ountry lying north of the Columbia
river, so little known in the Atlantic State*, and only re
cently coming into notice among us Oregonians?a region
awaiting the occupancy of the settler; opening out to the
eye of the beholder a magnificent picture ?f lovely groves.
prairie plains, mountain streams, and landscapes of un
surprised grandeur.
w ,thi.f the last few months I have received much and
valuable information from personal friends and acquaint
ance who have been over to "spy out the land,"' many j
oi wh >m are preparing to vacate comfortable homos or
valuable claims on the south side of the Columbia river
for the chance of securing a share in the future destiny
of the north, I have al.?o had opportunities of conversing
freely with a number of those already located on the
*ound, on whose information I rely.
Starting, then, from Astoria, a voyage of some fifty miles
up the Columbia river brings you to the mouth of the
Cowliti, a rapid mountain stream, having its principal
sources in the Cascade Range, near and between Mount
St. Helens and Ranier, on whose summits the eternal
snows lie oold and glittering. Thirty miles' travel up the
Cowliti tarings yon to Warba's Landing, a few mll-ja above
which are situated th?5 well-known Cowliti FaAs, occn-1
pied by the Hudson Bay Company. From fwbi'i jour
travel overland some fifty miles. a'ad reach Olympiad'
e sou em of Puget's Souud ; during which travel vou
cross the hcftdwuters of ? i?? /u ? ? ? .
r r , .. , * of tiie Chicluleee, (pronounced
V' w . L ls t0 I* an extensive body of beauti
iul furmmg lunda-prairie uxld timber alternating, aoil
uch, and now, in the midst of our winter season, covered
wuh a rich carpet of green, luxuriant grass. This -treat*
debouches into Gray'. Harbor, but the bar at its mouth
renders the entrance so dangerous that, in all probability
the Jehaliaites will become tributary to the commerce of
Olympia. It iS upon the Jehalis that Dr. Vannaudan con
templates settling his colony of 3,000 German families
from Pennsylvania, who are expected to arrive LnSeptem'
ber of this year.
From the Jehahs to Olympia the country is level well
watered, alternating with groves of timber and beautiful
piairies, with a soil exceedingly rich and fertile, except
in the immediate vicinity of Olympia, where it is thin and
gravelly.
Olympia is a new town, just starting up, favorably situ
ated to become one of the three principal cities which Na
ture has designed shall grow up somewhere on the waters
of Puget's Sound. Here the custom-house for the North
Oregon District has been established; and the Collector
has already given us a proof of his vigilance by the seizure
of two British vessels for smuggling.
A few miles east from Olympia, bring you to Nisqually,
near the mouth of a creek of the same name, an old
trading-post of the H. B. Co,, which, under their dispen
sation, has seen its best days. Turning your face to the
northward, and keeping along the eastern shore of the
Sound, some four or five miles bring you to Steilacoom, a
city recently laid out, with large expectations is futuro.
At present, as there are no females in the place, it has no
prospect of increasing its population in the natural
way. Lncle Sam has a few of his " Boys" here, to keep
things 0. K.
1 ussing Steilacoom, you soon come to a considerable
stream fcalled Pu-e-allop, (not named on the map,) upon
whose banks are said to be some charming claims. Be
tween the head-waters of this, near the Cascade Range,
sweeping round in a semicircle towards the south and
west, are thousands of sections of "mighty fine land,"
Watered with pure, gushing mountain streams, and capa
ble of being converted into an earthly paradise.
t rom the Pu-e-allop, continuing north, you next reach
the De-wa-mus, (on the map "Sakpam,"J quite a large
river, running through another body of fine farming lands, '
part prairie and part timbered. Immediately at the
mouth of this river is a Tide Prairie of a mile or two in
extentbut somewhere in this vicinity c?(y A'o. two will
grow up?for why! Because there is a good Pass oppo
site, leading through the Cascade Mountains, over which
a road will be made, thereby commanding the trade of the
great and beautiful adkima Valley, lying on the east
?ide of the mountains, and through which will hereafter
travel the great overland emigration, on their way to the
Puget s Sound settlements. Put one point of your divid
ers at Fort Walla Walla, and you will find the distance to
Vancouver and that to Puget's Sound about equal. The
route down the Columbia is a most formidable one, having
both the Dalles and Cascades to encounter. Now, if we
can get a good road through the Cascade Range, directly
on a line from Walla Walla, towards the Sound, the
nearest point on the latter to said road will be an im
portant one.
Some thirty or forty miles further north bring you to
the river Sno-ho-maa, (on the map called "Taxpam,") ~.
another fine stream, which, some fifty miles from its -
mouth, makes a fall of about 275 feet perpendicular,
where it leaps from a table shelf of the Cascade Range.
On the banks of this river, extensive beds of a superior
quality of coal are said to have been discovered. North
of the Snohomas, are two other considerable streams,
with, however, such jaw-brenking names, that I am afraid
to attempt spelling them. But little is yet known of the
ountry through which these rivers run, but it is suppos
ed to be of similar character with the other. Opposite
the Snohomas, and running up north, lies Whitby's Island,
about sixty miles in length, the soil of which " cannot be
beat." AHatest accounts, there were some thirty claims
already tplce^i on it.
The couatry on the east side, between the Sound and
the Cascade Range of mountains, will average about fifty
or sixty mites in width. Immediately on the sound, there
is a heavy, forest of timber, from one to four miles in
width, consisting of fir and cedar, some of which grows
to eight, twelve, and sixteen feet in diameter. Many of
the cedars are long, tall, and straight, running up sixty
or serent?/rtu without a limh. ttenftug tkrough this belt
of timber, you come out in the alternation") or prairie and
timbered Ja^ls, generally level, good, rich soil, and all
| finely watered by little stream; from the Cascade raoun
1 tain*.
On the western side of the Sound, near to the Pacifte
coast, the country is got so well known. Report, how
ever, leadsa? to believe there are some beautiful valleys
and pleasant plains running into and down from the
Olympus Range of mountains, whose highest peak towers
up over 8,900 feet. It is confidently predicted that rich
depotdtes of gold will be found in this range, whenever
prospected. ??
Leaving the Pacific at Cape Flattery, approaching the
Sound from seaward, you enter the Straits of Juan de
Fuca, nowhere less than fifteen miles wide, and, steam
ing onward aad eastward, some seventy-five miles, you
are at the entrance of Admiraly Inlet, very near where
City Xo. 3 will grow up: but whether it will be called
"Port Townjepd." or some other name, remains to be
seen. You are now at the entrance of the most magnifi
cent harbor in W? world; about one hundred miles in
length: everywhere deep: and not a rock whereon to
split: on whose waters the ships of all nations m?ght
float: an 1 surrounded by a belt of timber sufficient to
lumber up the markets of California, the Sandwich Is
lands, Japan and China, for all time to come.
Then, with such a sheet of water, and such a country
around it, who can fo*et*l.its-future destiny ? Itis nearer
to Japan and China tlfawany other Pacific port. It may
become the headquarter* of the American whaling fleet,
so soon as we can furoiolvjhem with the outfits and refits.
It may become the great depot for coaling our Pacific
steamers. It may so?n become the centre of a? rich a
gold region as has yet Keen discovered: and, ere long, the
inhabitants of the young-and brilliant "State or Colum
bia," may be proudly knocking at the halls of Congress,
for permission to add anetfler star to.the already bright
galaxy flashing on the "behoved banner of our glorious
Union. * B.
N. B. The above is at your service. I ha?e written
hastily, but so much at length that I forebore to tell you
of the
Climqto.?How that it is about tie same as in the Wil
lamette part of Oregon, mild and salubrious ; or. to strike
your readers more forcibly, you may compare it with that
of Tennessee, without the extreme summer heat of the
latter: or of ?
Its admntnpfs t? Kmiymntt?How that cattle, horses,
sheep, and hogs can be reared all the year round without
any expense for feeding. Wheat and small grain gr6w
wonderfully, and vegetables of all kiwis luxuriantly;
or of
ft* ?How that coiti*h, halibut, and
J other varieties, at times almort blacken the waters of the
sound, and that within this year several salmon fisheries
will be established; or of
lu Wild Game.?How that deer, bears, elk, and strall
deer are plenty . and geese, swan, ducks, brant, kc , can
always be had for the cost of sfoeot.ng thereof, or of
lit vtva )? 'ag't over ihte par! oPiheijon, where all vessels
have to pay from $.">00 to $1,000 for bar pflitsge and
towage, every time they visit the Columbia river towns;
all which will be saved when Ihey enU r I'uget's tonmi
with or for cargoes ; or,
W hp 1 praite up 'heewr thee to high!?/, net becsusw
our Willamette lands are inferior, but because h*rt a early
all the good land.* are claimed, and there nearly all are yet
vacant, offering first choice to-the first year's emigration.
All this, and much more I colfljl, and would, and shoul<l
have told yon, had I not spun th?_flr?? yarn so long.
There is much excitement hers and round about in re
lation to the Sound country Many are preparing to g<*
over, and we anticipate that a heavy emigration, both by
land and sea, will pour like an a^lsnche into that beau
tiful region this year, soon to make the waste place*
flourish like a flower garden

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