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RICHARD H. JOHNSON, Editor. EITTLE ROCK, APRIL la, 1854. J. J. THOMPSON, esq., is a candidate for 'County Judge of Pulaski county, at the ensuing Au gust election. 23?" We are authorized to announce Hon. B. F. OWEN, as a candibate for re-election to the office of Judge of the County Court, of Pulaski county, at the ensuing August election. ^ C3T" We are authorized to announce AMOS KUY-* KENDALL, as a candidate to represent the county of Conway, in the lower branch of the next Legisla ture, at the ensuing August election. Z3T We are authorized to announce JAMES N. JOHNSTON, as a candidate to represent the county of Saline, in the next Legislature, at the ensuing August election-subject to the decision of a demo cratic convention. 2^” We are authorized to announce ARCHIBALD SMI 1II. esq-, as a candidate for Judge of the County Court of 1 ulaski county, at the ensuing August elec tion. . £3? ISOM W. WYATT is our authorized travel jiil' agent, and we hojie our friends will render him nil the aid they can in making collections and pro curing subscriptions. Convention in Pulaski County. W e are requested to invite the democrats of this county to meet in convention at Little Lock on the last Monday of the present month. Delegates to the Princeton canvention for nomi nating a candidate for representative to Con gress, and to the Prairie, Perry, and Pulaski convention for nominating a condidate for State Senator, are to he appointed, and a full attend ance “then and there” is earnestly desired. Notice of Convention. \Ye are requested by several gentlemen from the District of Conway, White and Jackson ccu.ities to state that a democratic convention will be held the first Monday in May next at Searcy, \\ hite county, for the purpose of nomi nating a candidate to represent the senatorial district in the next Legislature. Democratic Congressional Conventions. W e earnestly remind democrats of both the 1st and 2nd Congressional District, that the time for holding conventions to nominate candidates to represent tne State in the next Congress, is not far distant. I he convention for the first District meets at Batesville on the first Wednesday in May next. The convention for the second District meets at Princeton, Dallas county, on the first Monday in May next. It is to be hoped that a full attendance of the counties will be had. C^r We invite attention to the adv. of flow ers, etc. Correction.—As the congressional conven tion meets on the Jirst Monday in May, we have been requested to state that the convention for nominating acandidate for the senetorial district composed of the counties of Conway, Jackson and White, will meet on the Second Monday in May next. 0^7“ We are gratified to learn from Col. Mc Coy, that as the internal improvement commis sioner of Jackson county, he has taken, accord ing to instructions from the county court, the sum of five thousand dollars in stock to the Cairo and Fulton company. This is the amount of stock taken by other counties, and in this step Jackson county has shown a liberal spirit in promoting the best interests of the State. Little Rock, 17th April, 1854. Gentlemen— In answer to your call upon me to be come a candidate for the State senate in this district, I have briefly to reply, that should the democracy of the district hold a convention for the nomination of a candidate, I cheerfully consent that my name may be used before the convention for the nomination. But, holding the triumph of our party as of more impor tance than any mere personal success, in no case will I consent to be a candidate against democratic opposition. Tendering to you, gentlemen, my thanks for the flattering manner in which you have made the call on me, I remain, Respectfullv, S. C. FAULKNER. To Messrs. F. G. Lefevre, Isaac C. Mills, A. J. Hutt, and others. OCT We are credibly informed that promi nent individuals in various portions of the coun try have been induced to believe that the N. Y. Pacific R.R. Co. have control of the Cairo and Fulton railroad. This we are requested to state is a mistake—tne Cairo and Fulton company having had no proposition of any character from that company, have of course entered into no arrangement with it. This explanation is made with the view to correct any erroneous impression that may exist upon this subject. A Comprehensive Petition.—An eccen tric beggar thus laconically addressed a lady:— “ Will you, ma’am give me a drink of water, for I am so hungry I don’t know where to stay to-night?” We doubt whether more meaning could be embodied in so few words. 0^7” Bv letters received from Col. Harley, agent of the Cairo and Fulton railroad compa ny, on the nothern division, we learn that he is making very encouraging additions to the stock subscription. Col. H. has been a day or two with the en gineers, who are progressing rapidly since they crosseed White river. He thinks they will reach the Missouri line about the middle of May next. The people generally in that quar ter are in favor of the road, and will eventual ly contribute liberally by taking stock. In South Arkansas we are informed the indi cations are equally favorable. Many who had heretofore held back, are now adding their names to the stock books, and may be classed with the warmest friends of the road. Cairo and Fulton Railroad.—We refer our readers to the notice in another column, pu blished by authority of the officers of this road. The company, or rather that which is designed as the Missouri division, have filed their articles of association under the general railroad law passed by the Legislature of the State, and in tended to apply to companies having no special charters. Traveling agents along the route proposed have been appointed and at an early day will open books for subscribers of stock.— Our old acquaintance, J. M. Johnson, is the president of the company, and our good humor ed friend, W. G. Phelan, secretary. We ad mire the zeal manifested by the people of Stod dart and other counties and hope they may succeed to the fullest extent in their operations. We bespeak an early ride on the Missouri divi sion of the Fulton and Cairo road.—Cape Oi~ radem Eagle. (&- There will be, says the California Chro nicle, ten times as much grain raised on the Calaveras this year as there was last. Some of the farmers have aingie fields of 300 aeres in wheat, besides oats and barley. 0^7” The “ Eastern Question,” as the war be tween Russia and Turkey is called, begins to assume, in its probable effects upon thi3 coun try, a very serious aspect. Heretofore the press and the people»have sustained, with the great est unanimity, the apparently tottering fortunes of the Turkish government against the attacks of the Russian. England and France, in their attempts at reconciliation, and in their efforts to afford protection to the Turks, have been ap plauded by the voice of the country. Under these circumstances, and not regarding the sub ject as one that touched or affected our interests, the real merits of the question were not exa mined. The exertions of France and England, and their gigantic preparations for the antici pated conflict with Russia were, without one thought to the future, regarded on all hands with the highest favor. But a more mature and deliberate considera tion of the subject, occasioned by the recent avowals of the British government, is bringing about a change in public feeling any thing but favorable to the cause of Turkey and her al lies. A very few months since, this country was startled by a declaration from the British | cabinet that the coalition between France and | England had in view, as one of its purposes, an j interference in the political affairs on this conti ; nent. This intimation, uncontradicted as it still i remains, began, in some degree, to open the | eyes of our people to the various objects of the ; unnatural alliance between these two ancient • enemies. They have combined together, it is ; i shrewdly suspected, not only for the purpose ! of resisting the encroachments of the Russian Emperor, which threaten immediate danger to I their supremacy, but with the ulterior view of ; •carrying out their plans upon this continent. Their plans can hardlv be thought to be friend ly to this government. And the more recent declarations of thcBri | tish government have had the effect very greatly to strengthen these suspicions. The following! 1 piece of intelligence has excited universal indig nation: “Some excitment was produced in commer cial circles bv Lord Clarendon’s anouncement to the Riga merchants, that all Russian produce, to whomsoever belonging, and even in neutral vessels, shall be a lawful prize in the event of war.” I he adoption ot this line ol conduct would effect this country more injuriously than any other nation. A general European war would throw into our hands the carrying trade of Rus sia, but this step taken by England, if persevered in, goes to distroy all such trade. The policy of the United States in regard to European ' quarrels, as concerning matters of no material interest to them, will be to observe a strict neu trality. But the carrying into execution the determination above set forth, which involves the right to search neutral vessels for Rus sian goods, will not only force us from our neu tral ground but throw us at once into the arms of Russia as a powerful friend and abettor.— This government has ever maintained the doc trine that “ free shijis make free goods;” and as an infringement of it by Great Britain brought about the war of 1812, so it will again produce another rupture more serious perhaps than the j first. We can never tolerate the indignity of having our vessels searched by French and British men-of-war, and rather than do so, will commence active hostilities against the allied powers, though such a cause should result in j destroying the “ balance of power” in Europe by turning in favor of Russia the scales of victo ry. The balance of power in Europe is a mat ter about which Americans will trouble them- ! selves but little as it is of no material conse quence to them. In a short time the truth will be known.— Though England and France combined should j attempt to overawe the government of the Unit- j ed States, and to extort from it an acquiescence in the right of searching our vessels or pressing American seamen, they will learn to their cost the strength and energy it can bring into such a contest. i he growth and power and insolent preten sions of the French and British navies are mat ters more deeply interesting to this country than I the maintainance of the “balance of power” in Europe, or the rendering succor to a weaker ■ nation in conflict with a stronger. The gal-: lantrv of the American people may mislead 1 them to sympathise in a bad cause, but it will i never bring them to submit to a degradation I against which their forefathers in the weakness ! and infancy of the Republic rose up in arms. Hon. John Berry.—We notice in the Van j Buren Intelligencer a letter from this gentleman, j stating Iris determination to become a candidate i C . 1 for re-election to the State Senate. Judge; Berry is an old member of our Legislature j and one who has served his constituents and the State faithfully and ably. In the Senate durifcg last session lie was an active and efficient member and occupied a high position in the es teem and regard of his brother Senators. He was always upon the right side of every ques tion, to which he was pointed not only by the soundness of his judgment but by the good ness of his heart. We trust he may be suc cessful in his political career and live many years to represent the counties of Benton and Madison. Thomas H. Benton’s Book.—We have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. James, the very clever agent of this work for Arkansas. He is now stopping at the Anthony House in this city and will remain among us for several days taking subscriptions for the 1st volume. Price $2 50. To commend the book of Col. Benton or to advise the reading public to subscribe for it, would be in us a work of superrerogation. It is a book that has been long anxiously expect ed by the public and one that will be sought after and read with the greatest avidity by the whole world. The fame of the writer, his eminence as a statesman and his long and dis tinguished career in the U. S. Senate, the most august assembly in the world, give a character to the work, the first volume of which is now offered to the public, that will procure for it a very wide spread circulation. The book is to be delivered to the agents upon the 20th of the present month, and as soon thereafter as it will take to deliver it in his State, it will be placed in the hands of the subscribers. A Brownlow Paragraph.—Parson Brown low makes the following announcement in the last received Knoxville “Whig.” The editor of this paper proposes to deliver a discourse to-morrow at Temperance Hall, at 11 o’clock, upon the subject of human depra vity, proving his position by the Bible first, and next, by Kntm ill*. Our Spanish Difficulties. /, The Washington Union in an article uptfn our relations with Spain holds, very justly, some pretty plain language. It is folly to temporize any longer with the Spanish government. Outrage succeeds out rage in rapid succession, only to be followed by the most tardy and reluctant reparation. Pre sident Pierce takes the right view of our diffi culties with Spain, and Congress, we imagine, will sustain him in it. The passage by the House of the bill to increase the navy looks very much like timely preparation for anticipated troubles. The infatuation that impels Spain to provoke this government, at this moment, is unaccoun table. It is thought bv many that she is insti gated to it by France and England. But this seems to us to be very unreasonable. Spain, unaided and alone, is unable to cope for a day with the giant power of the United States, and must, in such a contest, pay dearly for her pre sumption. The acquisition of Cuba by this government would be a certain consequence of a war with Spain. Knowing this, and knowing their ina bility at this time to give her any very great as sistance, because of their own difficulties with Russia, it is hardly probable that England and France could have had a finger in the matter. If they interfere at all, and it is reasonablefthat that they should desire to do so, it will be to compel Spain to an amicable adjustment of the whole affair for the present. It we ore, sooner or later, to have a war with Spain, audit it is our “ destiny” to acquire Cuba by conquest, now is about the most propitious time that could be selected. Si tain has herself provoked the issue, and the hands of her allies, England and France, are full with their own affairs of greater importance and nearer at home. Spain, alone, or even supported by the little assistance that England and France could afford her, would prove no very formidable barrier to our efforts to free Cuba and incorporate her into this glorious confederacy. The article of the Washington Union which is thought to echo the views and sentiments .of the President, seems to indicate the probability of a rupture with the Spanish government, and that vigorous measures will be taken to provide for it. It displays, we think, the right spirit.— Spain must be taught the necessity of treating our Hag and citizens with that respect and con sideration to which they arc entitled. The man ner she has treated citizens of the United States during the last few years, is too intolerable to be longer endured by a proud and powerful nation. Already our forbearing temporizing policy has been misconstrued by the presumptious and ar rogant Spaniard, as the result of timidity. The Union says: “The indications are daily multiplying that we are not long to enjoy uninterrupted peace with Spain. Weieared as much when we saw Pezuela appointed Captain General of Cuba, under what we believed at the time to be British dictation. Lord John Bussell has since admit ted that the selection of this functionary u as in accordance with the wishes of the Aberdeen mi nistry'. And for what did Victoria’s govern ment desire him? Because of Ills known inve terate hostility to the United States and their in- j stitutions, as manifested during his residence at Porto Rico, as Captain General, and afterwards at Madrid!” After further remarks in the same spirit, the Union continues: “If England and France think proper to en dorse this wrong—if they send their vessels to the coasts of Cuba to protect the authorities there in the wanton outrage which has occurred in the instance of the Black Warrior; our duty will be too clear to admit of a doubt ujton the" subject. But when we mention England and France we do not include Englishmen and Frenchmen.— We believe that the day that either of those powers involves itself in a war with this coun try—the beloved of all countries by the masses —will be a fatal one to those who administer its affairs.” And then it admonishes Congress to prepare : for war bv saving: “ It is evidently our duty to prepare for the worst. W e must demonstrate to the good of every land—those entertaining sentiments kin dred to our own—in an unmistakable manner, l that we have not only a good cause, but that we are so prepared that, with God’s blessing, we shall be enabled to maintain it. We should thus contract an alliance more formidable to our ene- ' mies than any ever contracted between crown- j ed heads for the suppression of political liber- ! tv!” • For ths True Democrat. To my great surprise, I saw it announced in the True Democrat of last week, that E. H. English had been removed from the office of Reporter to the Supreme Court. Having sup posed heretofore that J udge English was a fa vorite with the Court, I was naturally led to in quire the cause oi this, to me, strange move ment. It appears that, at the last term of the Court, the J udges made an order that the “ Reports” should be termed “Arkansas Reports” instead of “ English’s Reports.” This was done, I un derstand, for the sake of uniformity. Pike, unambitious simpleton! having called the five volumes published by him “Arkansas Re ports,” not dreaming that his name would de scend to posterity on the frail binding of the Reports. 1 he J udges gave no reason for dismissing Judge English, but it was supposed that it was lor a disobedience, or rather an evasion of the order above named that he was so unceremo niously ejected from office. For the next vo lume of Reports came out was 8th English (]3 Arkansas Reports), and thus the J udgelOSt a snug little office, and his ride to posterity on the back of Mr.. Jacobi’s Binding. ' X. The Act Granting a Pre-emption Right to Settlers within Railroad Reservations. The following is the law recently enacted for the relief of settlers upon railroad lands. Those of our citizens to whom it offers relief, we advise to avail themselves immediately._ As it is uncertain when the order of reservation may be removed, and as the provisions of the bill are of no force after the lands are a^ain thrown open to sale, a delay might prove fa tal. Here is the bill: AN ACT for the relief of settlers on lands reserved for railroad purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of Ameri ca, in Congress assembled: That every settler on public lands which have been or mav be withdrawn from market in consequence of pro posed railroads, and who had settled thereon prior to such withdrawal shall be entitled to pre-emption, at the ordinary minimum, to the lands settled on and cultivated by themj pro vided they shall prove up their rights according to such rules and regulations as may be pre scribed by the Secretary of the Interior, and pay for the same before the day that may be fixed by the President’s proclamation for the restora tion of said lands to market. FRANK PIERCE. Approved March 24, 1854. Teetotal Definition.—A Spirit Level. Drink, that lowers man to the level of the beast.—Punch. «*■——LAI ^ The Democratic Conventions. The time for holding conventions to nomi nate democratic candidates, to represent the Stale in the thirty-fourth Congress, is drawing near. The convention for the first district meets at Batesville on the first Monday in May next, and the convention for the second district meets at Princeton, Dallas county, on the same day. Thus it will be seen that the time is not far off. A few more weeks and the democratic party will be called upon to act in matters of the deepest interest not only to the democracy of Arkansas but of the whole country. The object to be accomplished by conventions is the continued triumph of the great principles upon which the Republic was founded and upon which its government has been so successfully administered. To secure this object it is necessary that the democratic party should take^counsel together. It must have one accredited standard bearer in each district upon whom the democrats may rely with confidence and to whom they can give their hearty and cordial support. We have many aspirants in our ranks, many worthy and true men, and in order to select one from the number we must have a convention. Without such a tribunal to whose decision all must submit in strict obedience, we may have many candidates in the field, and, though with a majority in our favor, be shamefully defeated. And if it is important to have a convention, it is important that it should be a full one. A convention with every county in the district re presented would inspire respect for its action 1 and insure general satisfaction. No one could then complain or murmur against its decision j between the various aspirants or'find an excuse i fora rebellious opposition to its nominee. Democrats should remember that, though the majority of their party may be large in both districts, it can only be maintained by watch fulness and exertion. They should always keep up a thorough organization. Without organization, by which unity and harmony can be secured, it is utterly impossible for any party to succeed, however noble and praiseworthy mav be its cause. Thev have witnessed in oth * er States the unhappy consequences of disob- , ganization. They have experienced it in some degree in this State, though up to the present time they have always been enabled to triumpli over it. w e trust they will profit by the ex perience. A full convention is demanded by the best interests of the party, and it is to be hoped that every county will take immediate steps to be represented. In regard to our own course, it will be the same as in all former contests. Our paper shall be devoted to the support and advocacy of the nominees, whoever they may be. We have confidence in the action of the party in con vention, and shall abide by it. Our personal choice may be defeated, but still, believing that the success of the great democratic prin ciples depends upon the success of the party and its nominees, we would not, upon mere personal grounds, interpose our influence to defeat them. On the contrary, we shall give them our earnest support, and leave no honor able means untried to advance their cause. We repeat, we anxiously hope that both con ventions, the one at JJateaviUe and the one at Princeton, may lie fully attended, and that unanimity and harmony may characterize their proceedings. 0^7” We invite attention to our advertis ing columns. A great many new and interest ing advertisements will be found in them this week. Our friends will do well to patronize those who have the liberality to advertise. The Arkansas IIivkr.— Within the last few days has risen some 12 or 15 feet and is na vigable to Fort Smith and Van Huron for the largest class of boats. Our wharf has been for several days past quite enlivened by the ap pearance of numerous steamboats discharging and reloading t-h%ir freight. The river is again slowlv receding. o * c* --... Mr. Editor— Allow me, through your paper, to congratulate the people upon the return “once more again” of the Auditor to the capitol, and, I hope, to his official duties. W hen his printing office was destroyed by the fire last. February, every one thought that, until he could replace it, the labors of the Au ditor’s office would be performed. But how vain such expectations! The Cap tain, so far from taking advantage of his release from his editorial duties to devote his “ salaried time” to the duties of the people, seems to re gard it as an occasion for recreation and plea sure excursions. Gov. E. N. Conway was Au ditor of Arkansas for fourteen years, and dur ing that time was scarcely ever absent from his olhee, and but once or twice beyond the limits of this city, he had but few clerks and was always at work in his office. But a new sys- ! tern has now been introduced and instead of the Auditor attending personally to his duties he has bacome a mere overseer of clerks who j are paid by the State to perform his duties.— The Auditor himself has become a politician ; and devotes his time to editing a newspaper and - influencing and controlling elections. The du ties of the Auditor’s office are of minor conse- i quence. The present season is or should be a \ busy one in that office. Sheriffs come up to settle and internal improvement commissioners : to draw their funds, and yet they could not do it legally until the return of the Auditor, how has this business been transacted during his ab-1 sence? Was it transacted at all, or did men i after coming here find themselves compelled to leave without accomplishing their business?— More again. “ A Tax-Payer.” i -Ill » HI 0^7” We call attention to an editorial from the i Washington Telegraph and a letter from Robt. W. J ohnson, on our first page, upon the sub ject of the removal of the raft in Red river. The subject is an important one to the peo ple living above the raft, and it is to be hoped that they will take a deep interest in the mat j ter and profit by the suggestions offered in this | correspondence. It is high time that something was done in this behalf and if those interested will only take the initiatory step, our delega tion may be able to effect the entire removal of the raft. New Discovery in Nineveh.—A letter from Mosul (Turkey,) dated Jan. 12, 1853, to the New York Tribune savs: A new palace has been uncovered in the ruins of Nineveh, a palace whose beauty exels any yet found in Asyria. Huge monsters—compounds of the lion, man and eagle—guard the entrances. The slabs are in fine preservation, representing the King and his officers at a lion hunt, a war scene and a vic tory, a state procession led by eunuchs, the King’s chariot being drawn by men, with altars and priests and griffins; in fine, a picture of the Assyrian manners and religion as they were three thousand years ago. The workmanship is most exquisite. The slabs are to adorn the walls of the British Mu seum. 0^r* We have been requested by the Cairo and Fulton railroad company, to state that the several counties which have subscribed to the stock of the company, must file with the com pany, previous to the election of a new board of directors, a certified copy of the county court order making the subscription, and appointing an agent to represent its interests and vote for the county; such agent, if other than the in ternal improvement commissioner of the coun ty, must be a stockholder in the company. Hon. Robt. W. Johnson, of Ark. The press throughout the Union is bestow ing the highest praises upon Senator Johnson for his perservering efforts in behalf of the In dians upon our western borders. The bill he introduced to organize three territorial govern ments for the Indians meets with general favor. Among the numerous notices of it, we find the following in the Daily Evening Star, published in Washington citv. Washington News and Gossip.—A Good Work.—We find the bill recently reported by Senator Johnson of Arkansas, from the Senate’s Indian committee for the establishment of three territorial governments for the south western Indians, who are more or less civilized, rapidly working its way into the favor of the public men in Washington, bike the bill of Mr. Orr, the chairman of the House committee on In dian affairs, it proposes to at last begin the work in that quarter, of faithfully discharging this government’s duty to the Indians; Mr. O’s pro ject designing to begin it with reference to those in Nebraska. Mr. Johnson proposes to takelrom the south western civilized and half-civilized tribes nothing which they now own, or enjoy by treaty with the United States; and while throwing around them the panoply of our con stitution, and of such of the white man’s laws as will be likely to further their individual and common prosperity, to leave them under the influence and operation of all Indian laws, which arc still necessary in their existing condition.— This bill is evidently framed to train them in the art of self-government as practised by the whites, and to hold out inducements to them to imitate the whites hereafter more closely in their habits of life. J Its details, which are simple, are eminently calculated to produce such results, protecting fhern effectually from the sinister interference in their affairs of the class of unprincipled and uncrupulous whites, who at all times seek to prey on the Indian. No white man is allowed under it to obtain the right of citizen-ship in either of the proposed new territories, except under restrictions which will practically pre clude all such, but those who, intermarrying with Indian women or follow the pursuit of ag riculture among them. Those by the by, are prevented from obtaining any control over or identification with the rights or interests of the Indians, involved in their existing reservations or annuities. Mr. .Johnson deserves the sincere thanks of all who have the well being of the remnants of the tribes on our borders at heart. liis long experience with their affairs, at home, in Arkan sas, and as chairman of the House Indian affairs committee, eminently qualifies him to originate this important measure properly. And thus he j has drawn up what is here pronounced a more perfect bill or plan, than was ever before mooted in Congress to the same end; the members being well aware that the question now is, will the United States at List do justice to the Indians? or will they pursue the policy of extinction to Hie bitter end? We repeat, there seems to be a very general desire among them to make this bill, law; which, we trust, will i;e consummated ere the termination of the present session. The following on the same subject is from the'Baltimore Sim: 1 In addition to the territory of Xcbarska, there are the Indian territories, Chel-o-kee, (Chero kee;) Muscogee, (Creek.) and Chap-ta, (Choc taws.) lying west of Arkansas, south of Kansas, north ot 1 exas, and east of New Mexico, to be organized for the purpose of extending the be nefits ol civilization and republican sell-govern ment to those gallant but unfortunate sons of the soil, who, without such an effort on the part of their natural protectors, must necessa rily soon come in conflict with the white race and perish. One ot the tribes is now hero urg ing tiie measure which has been embodied in a bill introduced by Mr. Johnson, of Arkansas, in the Senate. The bill, if passed, will constitute an era in the history of the red man, and prove better than ail abstract .philosophy or romance his ca pacity for a higher stage of humanity than has yet been occupied by him. If these territories are organized with the Indians’ consent, and republicanize l, white men will intermarry with the “ Red Republicans,” and regenerate them in the only way in which old nations have ever been regenerated since the flood—by an infu sion of new and better blood into their veins. IIow much Roman blood is there now in Rome? How much Greek blood in Athens? -— C O N GRESSIONAL. In Senate, March 7th, 1S54. THE HOMESTEAD BILL. The bill from the House of Representatives, to grant a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of t he public lands to actual settlers, was read a first and second time by its title. Mr. Walker. 1 move that it be referred to the committee on public lands. w Mr. JOHNSON. I rise, Mr. President, mere ly for the purpose of. calling the particular at tention of the Senate to a declaration which has been made by the distinguished Senator from Michigan. It is a declaration in which 1 most heartily concur, and which 1 rejoice to hear on this lioor from such a quarter.' It is a declara tion, the clear, practical good sense of which will, I trust, impress it upon this body, as the standing oi the distinguished gentleman who made it will impress it upon the minds of the people of the county. I refer to the declara tion, that the time has come when the govern ment should look no longer to the public lands as a source of revenue. It is to those words, emphatically, that J[ wish to call the attention of the Senate. I know that in our own western States, where we have felt the burdens of the system of land ownership by the general »-o vernment, those words will be hailed proudlv, and we shall be happy to see them carried into effect by the Senate and House of Representa tives, and become the law of the land. Sir, there is not a new State which lias not labored under great disadvantages in conse quence of the burden of the system of own ership by the general government. It has al ways been the policy of every independent State in the world, bv its legislation, to endea \oi to keep within its limits all the circulating medium which its people, be their industry and exportations, may acquire. But the effect of this system of ownership is to draw a\vay the means of the people of the new States. ' The State which I have the honor to represent here, small as she is in point of population—having now only about two hundred and ten thousand people within her borders, according to the last census—has paid into the Treasurv of the Uni ted States millions of dollars, the same is true in reference to the other land States.— When a man comes to settle among us, he is compelled to pay his money into the Treasury in order to get a spot on which to live; and the money which is thus paid by the settlers is car ried out of the State and expended everywhere else. There is no industrious man in the State who makes anything to export but is compelled to pay this government for land to cultivate._ Thus it is that our means are paid over to the land offices, and the money which we contri bute leaves our State, and'is expended in the vast and various schemes which are got up for the protection of your commerce, and the ad vancement of#your local interests along the sea board. These are facts which cannot be denied, ; though gentlemen who wish to receive revenue from the public lands will hardly be willing to acknowledge them. I have stated the burdens, oppressions, and 1 may say, tyrannies under w hich we have suffered for years, vet w’e have never protested against them. But the decla ration made bv the distinguished Senator from Michigan this morning, comes with peculiar pleasure to us who have labored so long under a crying exhaustion of this description, which has been forced upon us by the peculiar policy of the government of the United States, the owner of our soil. I rose simply for the pur pose of calling attention to that declaration, so that it may attract our coisideratidn at once, and may attract the consideration of the country. Sir, the people of the ntw States have con tributed more, in proporti<n to their popula tion, to the support of tliri government, than any other people in the Lnitei States. This is eminently so of my own State. If you go to the Land Office and examine vuir public re cords, you will find that that Statk small as is its population, has paid millions ot doiars into the public Treasury. In return for thk how much have you expended for her ? Why, sir, if we come here and ask lor a small appr&riation of public lands for any specific object \thin the limits of our State, a great outcry is rased, and we are regarded as plunderers. Th» means which those who come into our Suite bi\g with them is taken from us, and thus we ard impo verished; and when we incui* a State debt w hich we happen to be unable to pay, w^ are 1 reproached by those who have impoveiVhed ! us. They forget that it was occasioned by their legislation, and that we are w illing to ax ' ourselves to meet our obligations. Sir, I hope that every man from the no* : States will unite and struggle together, unfl | die day shall cease when this government shall ! make the public lauds a source ot national re venue, uiju thus tax us longer, and that they will mark those who wish to retain such a source of revenue. 1 1 k 1 .. T *11.1 . n _ _ jLVLi. Diiwuu. yy xxtjix x \ ltiacu txitj ilkjkjl uu the motion to take up bill Xo. 227, it was merely as a courtesy to permit this bill to be in troduced and referred; but, like the principles of j this bill, abusing the constitution of the United , States, that courtesy is abused. I do not mean 1 now to enter into the discussion of this bill in j an irregular manner, for it is entirely contrary to any rule or order that ought to prevail in a j deliberative body. The bill is introduced for the purpose of reference, and here we have a j full discussion upon its merits; and not only a disousbiou upon its merits; but the Senator from I Arkansas appealed to the sectional feeling of the i country upon it. Sir, I am opposed to sectional I appeals, whether on tile subject of slavery or of I the public lands. The honorable Senator re i marked that he hoped the people of the new States would put a mark upon the men who opposed the principles which he advocated.— Be it so, Mr. President, although as to myself 1 j cannot, say that I have any higher aspirations than the honorable ] usition which I occupy; yet, whether 1 had or not, no fear of any sentiment, t or anv opinion existing in anv part of this , country, or ol any individual man, will ever make me yield to what 1 believe to be an un ; constitutional principle. I will endeavor to j consider this bill fairly and calmly. I hope, land 1 know, 1 shall be willing to do lull jus ■ lice to tiie western or land States. But I am very sure that if, in my view of the constitu tion, they seek to take that which is common 1 property of the Um^n, and assume a ground that we are now to*give up our property, and cease to look to it as a source of revenue; if they do that in violation of the constitution, no public opiinon of the west, no public opinion or private censure here or elsewtiere, will ever drive me front voting against the bill, and ex pressing my opinions upon the principles of ; justice which it violates. I do not say that it does violate these princ pies, for I have not ex amined the bill; but 1 sj eakof the enunciatioi ot the sentiment widen the honorable Seiiuio* has disclaimed, not as a personality, but in its ! effect calculated to deter a fair examination cl the principles of the bill before it has actually been reported upon by a committee, or cone re the Senate for pn >per discussion. Mr. .lOlhNSUN. 1 will not detain the Sa il ate by discussing the bill at this time. I did no. xiy in the beginning that it was supported only by delegates from western States. On the contrary, I know that some of its warmest and most ardent supporters are to be found in the old Scales. J rejoice that such is the case. I favor the bill myself. 1 shall favor it through out, so long as it is kept within reason aide, bounds. I do not wish to prolong the debae.J I wish merely to say that tno expression whch^ 1 used in the former part of the debate was ;ot i intended to be personal, certainly not to ho ■ •Senator from Delaware. Perhaps my phraao- 1 I logy was not sufficiently guarded. 1 trust, ie vertheless, that we shall be permitted grateflily ; to recollect those gentlemen whose enlarged i and liberal spirit prompts them to legislate ip on interests which are vital to us, that we suill i.o more be oppressed by the attempt to derive ‘ a revenue from the lands that lie within the limits of our State. I may urge upon all, though in doing so 1 may be guilty of iteraion, that we are entitled to great consideration rom this government. The fact should be prnni nently presented that we have already pail in to the public Treasury more than the piblic lands ever cost; nay, sir, we have paid miLions into the public Treasury over and above a'l the expense of the original purchase and o! the subsequent management of the public buds. And the Senator from Delaware should not forget the very striking fact that the Geieral Government is still possessed of an immens.1 do main, although it has derived from the public lands $60,000,000 more than the cost of the whole, including the expense of survev and sale. THE EUROPEAN WAR. The departure of the Bnti h ilaltic Fleet from Portsmouth. The chief event recorded in our advices Ivi this arrival, is the sailing from Portsmouti of the first portion of the British fleet, under thj command in chief of Vice-Admiral Sir Chu'ljf Napier, for the north sea. M This division is composed of the follofiM' sixteen ships: ||| SCREW LIN'E OF BATTLE SHITS. If Guns. t Men. Horse Ifw. The Duke of Wellington.131 1,100 vSO The Royal George.121 990 ,400 The St. Joan d'Acre.101 900 '650 The Princess Royal. 91 859 400 The Blenheim. 00 000 450 The Hnugue. 60 600 45’) The Ajax . 58 «30 459 ihe Edinburg. 58 630 450 680 6,420 4.1.30 SCREW FRIGATES. ! Gniu. Men. Ifjse Pow. j The Imperiouse.50 530 ! The Arrogant.47 450 I The Aphion.34 3-yO j The Tribune.30 300 161 1600 1 PADDLE WHEELS. 1 . Guns- Men. | The Leonard.18 980 | The Dragon. 6 200 | The Bulldog. 6 li j Valorous.10 99, 48 "btf 2020 The above vessels wore to be joled n the Downs by the Cressy, 80, and the Iftrayhs, 50 guns, making the total force of the i'st division to consist of seventeen ships of 1,019 guns, with 8,170 horse power, and 10,lid men. Queen Victoria, on board of h<f little facht Fairy, preceded the fleet out to S’8, haviut pre viously received the visits of theAdmirafc and { Captains in command, who, in ibedienci to a : signal to that effect, repaired onOoard th) Fai ry to take leave of Her Majesty and Prince ; Albert. The day was magnificently file and tie wea ther all that could be desired. Hundreds of thousands of spectators, both afloat and ashore, witnessed tie spectacle and ! the greatest enthusiasm was displayed. Admiral Napier was receded bv the popu lation ot Portsmouth with expressions if joy, j and his embarkation wa.s a complete ovaiion.— | him with an acdress, the dli!frT'',lt'a,! , plied as follows: ° am °1(1 sailor re-f 1 Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen aa-u r I | that I have had only twenty f ^ h^n Ite,! you, ready to go afloat, you ho«« to get I decline to make aW s„0,.‘i . L hUrI'risr,;d if a : to thank you for this v^kirSm??'^ address. I believe it is not usial whm^01^s goes abroad, to have addresses' of t\ V ,man< sented to him, but all I can iv i f k’,U ,,n’'■' | will do the best 1 can to prevent theism/ 1 flag from being tarnished. I know •. cr ’ “ } ( j is expected from the fleet, but, we,ul™ lwd - must not expect too much. (ChS \?1 j are going to meet no common enemy u > ° | =01US t0 m«ot an enemy well prewired \ *** 1 ; sure every officer and man in the* ilor JlT 1 ; his duty gloriously; but, at the same tin ^ J warn you again that you must not expert tri nnieh. (Cheers.) The fleet is a new one- - 4 system ot warfare is new; great consul^1’ is required to ascertain how it is best to m m a fleet urged by steam. The system o} S 1 fare is entirely different now to what it w C formerly; but we will do our best (cheers) £ , I am sure I shall remember to the last di ! nij lite the kindness ot the people of porta n mouth. (Loud Cheers.) 1 ^0rt*| The second division of the fleet was to b, got ready immediately, and would sail as soon as possible under the flaw of Ib-ir \ i, • , , ChaJs f„, a,, Baltic. Th^oul BASh £'c in the Norn sea will then comprise fortv-four n ships, Ol wile , twenty will be ships if,£ line. 1 hev wti mmnU o 91Va rv 1 , , 22.UOO men, mnStf f", s’ mamed % 16.0UO horses. P •' a stc,im I °"« of A London paper, referring to the nrnhiM, I operations to be tUidejukenV this stufJdou, loree sais. I he total W., ot- which Jth fi div>;on haaso prosperous a start on Sa“urdS ! Will coiisistfli about fortv-fou: vessels in/, \ng three tilee-deckors ind twenty u„'e of bat ?, V ships. mfall, the total number of gtma u_: ' uf ^eu 22,000, and of horse nowe if 11 wv. ’ \hemifng ships will be rendered nearly * avaiible al the the screws by the as sis a ice of, ; the jiadal beet, and the whole will form the most pourful armament that ever left tfc ' ; shores of England. They will be ioi ed by % giui screv nips, the Algiers and Hannibal, while, cue state i activity perceptible in all the dock yards wo il seem to indicate that a more over whelming strength still will shortly be added. ,1 here is nueh speculation of course in naval i I Jgrc‘es as ft the probable plan of operations — I tie raon irdent of the gossip speak bodlvof the bomu dment of Constrandt, and 1 oint to the large ■ wntitv of Moorsom’s shells shipped as a protn hut serious mischief is meant. p appears ;1t the construction and materials ol tins terril i projection is a government secret ana so in, plant is it deemed that each ships1 supplieshkibered and registered in a book, and whenever tie is used, the why, the when, and tnc pluct icareiu’Iy noted down, and the de lorwiMed to the Admiralty. 1 his, i ■ said, looks like bombardment; hut the moreciatious shake their heads, and sav :hat to atp:k Constrandt with its eight hun dred gunt \ould be sheer madness. Others again spe kin blockade, and « third hint.it , . capture aidforcupation of the island of Alai. 4$. as comm.nling the gulf of Finland, and ai once settlu^the doubtful neutrality of Swe den. In : tj; oitof this hypothesis, it is alleged that sajhxrs and miners gt out, and that the ships taleatita supply of scaling ladders and other setekcdessorii A few months will put to rest al title speculations, and perhaps add another 4> ?ritessor Creasy's list of the decisive battles ol tio world. Speakfcgol the destination of the fleet, the London lovi of the loti insiant says: Sir Charles Jaji4's fleet is bamd first for Wingo ' Sound. ( j ti.<j coast of Sweden, where the ships will anchkr <r a time, in that position the fleet woiid guard the outlet of the Cattagat. and eiijuyjth* advantages >f being near a great town LkelGistehnirg, vith its population of nearly 30|ikH> sous. Tin next step would lie to pass till Smi’.dor the Great Belt, and enter the Balticl The Poksnoutl. eorreipondent of the Lon don Tinn4 conclides lis description of the scene thus! The h rrahi from the crew of the Duke of WeUingfcn, at bidding farewell to their Queen md cnntry, will long ring in ears of all who hard them t><?r Majesty stood waviig her handkerchief towards tlie mightv ship as shofdeparted, and for a long li^aeaiteihowho fleet had gone the royal vScht rernihel mionless, as if the illustrious ^ occujiantjdesireit ^l,Ser over a spectacle cal cinated trt'mpresshe^1 so Pr°f°undly. V^Vell eight the do tor se^om h-ls roy-j alfV^gazd upon a sene ,nore touching and por-l tentiotf, p0jeil'.in d fortunes of England* sail witi her'iiu * v- . r?t - at force therefore, the first divsion of whch Queen Victoria saw, this day goforth to wa; must exercise an impor tant imuence upoathe future history of a reigt hithero ur,precedediy prosperous and peaceful. What'Ver oe tides, ve have sent out stout ships, mann d by stout aid willing hearts, propelled* by thr same agent? which has so incalculably increied ourintenal resources, and command ed b" a gallant adniral who is notlikelv to los* any op'por unity hat may present itself, haviig his name ascribed in the l»* ■< k of fame, with those of Xlson and the other heroe whee victories h:ve established our supremacy^ up*ti the seas. Mishin gion, March 4th, 1854. Mr. Editor This bill we passed in th: Senate a few day ago. It will enable the Le* nslature so to Lgislate as to prevent, in th uture, many of the hardships, such as have jeeurred inthepst and as are now voidless in consequence of gats that have vested by ex-* isting laws. < It can, if pass l by Congress, which I do no * doubt, be made ae means of very great benefit! not to our own pople alone but also to our Stat.l treasurv. Eespeetfullv, C K. W.* JOHNSON. I ^ relit of purchasers and locators of Swam? ■ vOverflowed Lasi-15 |tly the Senate and House of le-t’ the United States ol Ame Igilsembled, That where lands #3 several States by the act of the be, 1850, “ to enable the State cf Arkansas and oner bcates to reclaim tneswarop lands within t-eir limits,” have been sold ot located since t'.a passage of said act, the pur chase monev uull he paid over to the Suits* for such of sait lands as have been, or may o* sold for cash, ad the Govenor by such agentc agents, as ho nay appoint, may select othe lands in lieu k;those located by warrants anu scrip, upon th| nrrender to the United State* by the Goven , or other duly authorized oih cct, of all righ -title and claim on the part ot such Slate, in 4 to the lands granted to the State as afore which have been thus enter ed," of located. * any part thereof, and upon such surrendej«he titles in fee to the purchaser^ shall piss bv United States patents. Passed t* Senate Feb. 28, lbo4. Public Meeting. Pursuant t# previous notice, a meeting of the democrats of Conway county was held at Spring field on the fth day of April? 1854, tor the pin pose of apponting delegates to the approaching convention t( nominate a democratic candidate for Congress or the first congressional distm of Ark. On motion ot Col. A. Hays, the llo James Gordin was appointed chairman. The chairman explained the object ot tW On motionof Tlie’s W. Venable, the lion* John Mumv was appointed secretary. On motioiof R. L. Cargile, esq., commit tee of five r^mons was appointed by the ctn man fit draf resolutions expressive ofthe ^ of the meeting, consisting of A. Hays, t • Cargile, fbrtnas W. Venable, John H. Uee and Wmi F Harris, who, after retiring a * time, prefee»ted the following resolutions: Rc.oohM. That we concur in the p°n