Staunton spectator. [volume], November 03, 1852, Image 1

About Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896

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THE STAUNTON SPECTATOR,
n
BY L. A J. A. WADDELL.
TERMS.
Gtf- The «SPECTATOR” « published once a
*u>eik, at Two Dollars a year, if paid in advance,
or Two Dollars and Fifty Cents if delayed beyond,
the expiration of the year. JVo subscription will
•be discontinued but at the option oj the Editors,
until all arrearages are paid.
{»- All coDHiinnications to the Editors by mail
must be post-paid, or they will not be attended to.
OP ADE’ERTISEjj&YTS of thirteen lines
for less.) inserted three times for one dollar, and
twenty-jive cents for each subsequent continuance.
Earner advertisements inserted m the same propor
tion. A liberal discount made to those who adver
by the year.
Insurance Company
t OF THE
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA,
CHARTERED MARCH 17, 1852.
t'aoitul $50,000, with power to increase the
same to £*200,000.
THIS Company, having been duly organized,
is now ready to receive Applications and is
roe Policies, and offers to the citizens of Virginia
the inducements ot a home Company for the safe
Insurance of all kinds of Property. Merchandize,
Ate., at lair and equitable rates. The directors as
sure the public that this Company will be con
ducted with a view to permanency, and on the
strictest principles ot equity. justice, and a close
regard to economy and the safety ot the Insured.
* JOS. S. CARSON, President,
C. S. FUNK, Secretary,
O. F. BRESEE. Actuary.
Directors.—Joseph S. Carson. James P. Rieley,
IJoyd Logan, Wra. L. Clark, James H. Burgess,
N. VV. Richardson, John Kerr.
Otf- Office on Piccadilla Street, near the \ alley
Bank, Winchester.
A The attention of Farmers and persons owning
r country property, is particularly called to this op
portunity of securing themselves from loss by tire,
•at a very small cost.
ftv Agrut for Staunton and Augusta County
and vieiuity, CEO. E. PRICE.
Staunton, Aug. 11, 18->2.—ly.
" IS V Y BT T A BEKRS,
WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS,
Pt. 1*5, Maiu Street, Rieliiuoutl, Virginia,
—“-f-o*—
•tv’E are now receiving by Packets from New
YY York and Boston, our full supply ok
GOODS for the fall trade,purchased directly from
the Imp>rters and mostly for cash.
*+ We respectfully invite the Merchants of V irgm
ia, visiting our market to give our stock an exam
ination, with the assurance that we will sell our
foods as low ami make our terms as liberal as any
ouso in the country. Among others we otter
‘20 bbls and 500 do* 5000 lbs best Madder
Castor Oil 1500“ ‘‘ Indigo
D « Spirits Turpentine 100 kegs S. U- Sala
2000 galls. Linseed Oil 100 duz Brand tli s Pills
10,000 lbs White Lead 100 “ Hair Brushes
drv and oil 150 “ Vermifuges asst
150 boxes Chewing ‘20 bbls Burning P lmd
Tobacco 20 “ Eps. Salts
100,000 Cigars part 20 Alum
vorv superior 2 )00 lbs Ext. Logwood.
Together with all the articles, popular Medicines,
new Chemicals and preparations, Fancy Goods,
aad an endless variety of everything usually sold m
drug houses. . . .
Country Merchants, and the public, arc invited
to call and examine our stock and prices.
BENNETT &. BEERS, Druggists.
Richmond. Sept. 8, 1852. _
CONGRESS HALLT
* Thifit ami EUcsnut Streets.
PiiiLADBLPHiA, July 1, 1852.
THE subscribers take pleasure in informing their
friends and the traveling community general
ly that they have this day taken possession ot that
well established and favorably known hotel CO.V
OltCSSS HALL; Third and Chesnut Streets.
They have had the house thoroughly repaired.and
all the modern improvements introduced,and furn
ished in a style of elegance which will atonoe ren
der it unsurpassed tor comfort and convenience..
This is decidedly the best located house in
the city, being in the immediate vicinity of busi
ness. the Exchange, Custom House.aud many oth
er public buildings.
Lines of Oinnihusses leave fir every part ot the
* cjtv every few minutes, their head quarters being
within one s>|uare of the House.
The subscribers arc determined to spare no pains
in making this a convenient and comfortable home
to the traveler.
NORRIS & JACKSON,
Late of Virginia,
July 14, 1852.—ly. Proprietors.
James E. Norris, who is well known to many
of the business men visiting the city, lately in the
Hardware house of James J. Duncan & Co.,Twin,
Brother, Si Co., and formerly proprietor ot the
Virginia Hotel, St. Louis, will have the manage
ment of the House, assisted by polite and compe
tent persons.
WATCHES, CLOCKS AND JEWELRY
DAVID S. BEAR*
IS io\v receiving from Philadelphia and Balti
more, the largest and best selected stock ol
J c w v 1 r y,
over brought to this market, consisting in part of
1 Extra fine Gold and Silver Watches, from
$5 to $200 ; line Marble and other Clocks.
Fob and Vest Chains, Ladies and Gents’ Breast
Pina, Finger Rings.Gjld and Silver Pencil Cases,
Gold ami Stiver .Spectacles,Gold and Silver Thim
bu*, Port Monies, Silver Table and Tea Spoons,
Plated do., do., fine Gold Pens, Girondules, Cas
tors, Fruit Baskets, Flutes, Soy Glasses. Pen and
Pock-Jt Knives, Revolvers. Pistols, Rifles, Shot
Guns, Card Cases, Extra Percussion Caps, Cuff
Pins. Butter Knives. Silver Ladles, and all other
articles kept in the best Jewelry Stores.
jvy- Watches, Clocks and all kinds of repairing
done at short notice, and in the best manner, and
warranted,
Staunton, May 10, 1852. _^_
SCARCE GOODS
At White A i’o’s.
'll'F. are now opening and offer on the most ob
v v liging terms the following Source (ioods:
Bleached Drillings and Satin Jeans, 20 pieces;
Bleached Shirtings and Sheeting, from Id to 9d;
Irish Linens, Table Linens, Whale Bones, Rib
bias. Fall styles Mous D’Laines. Cashmeres,
Persian Cloths assorted colors, at 25c pm yard,
^ for Sacks and Mantillas; Blankets, Linseys,
’ Kersevs. Mourning Ginghams and Calicoes,
JRea! Manchester Ginghams, Plain and Printed
Cashmeres. Black and Figured Silks. White
and Colored Flannels, and many other Goods
SUITED TO THE TRADE.
Staunton, Sept. 22, 1852.—Mess. copy.
LARGE assortment
OF FIR AITTRE.
fU\VFi on hand at this time one of the largest
assortments of furniture l have ever offeredm
. this place, such as Solas at 2*> o > c.i.d
dollars. Bureaux from $15 to $A wood- ET
Heat Chairs $5 to $S per set. cane^seat
Chairs $10 to $18 per set. R *ekmg L hairs $1 ol
to $15, and a largo lot of other turniture which l
.will sell at reduced prices. „
Call next door East ofthe Post Oflico, Main St.,
pn A. D. CHANDLER.
Staunton. Sept. 8, 1852. _
T IE POETICAL Works of Byron, Moor,
Shaksp ;ure, Milton. Young, Grey, Beattie,
V Collins, Tennysm,Longfellow, Cowper, Thomp- j
n m. CampbolL Rogers am! Homans. for sale by :
r S. H. COLEMAN.
Staunton, Sep. 22, 1852.
Clothing Emporium in Staunton
jacobTollitz,
BEGS leave to announce to his friends and cus
tomers that he has just returned Irom the
North with a large assortment ot
Fall and Winter Clothing,
selected by himself, with a due regard to the re
quirements of this market. His stock comprises a
larger assortment than heretofore kept in this mar
ket, and while he can warrant the workmanship to
be equal if not better than any other, the pub
lic will find his prices to be exceedingly low, al
lowing himself to be outsold by no one; purchas
ers will be benefited by purchasing at small profits
which I trust will bo made up by 'he extent ot
the sales.
I respectfully invite attention to a part ot my
stock enumerated below:
Coats.
Frock and Dress Coats, all colors.Business Frock
and Sack do., fancy Cassimere Business and
Frock Coats, Beaver and Pilot Overcoats, Buf
falo do.,Kussuth do., a beautiful article. Lamb’s
Wool do., Blue Blanket do.. Drab, Felt and
Beaver do., Togas of Oil Cloth and Beaver,
Black and Brown Cloth and Beaver Overcoats
Pants,
Fine Black Doeskin Cassimere.Union Cassimere.
Fancy do., Black and Blue Cassinett, I' ancy
do., Corduroy, Tweed, Su\,
Vests,
Black and Fancy Satin, Black and Fancy Sil k
Blue Cloth and Cloth and Cassimere Vests in
| large quantities.
ALSO, a large assortment of Hats,Caps, Pock
et and Neck Handkerchiefs, Silk, Woolen and
Cotton Undershirts and Draws,a large assortment
of fine white Linen Bosoms, Shirts, Trunks and
various other articles usually kept in Clothing
| Stores.
1 respectfully ask a call from my friends to ex
amine my stock of goods, knowing that by so do
ing they will see the advantage arising to them
bv buying at the Clothing Emporium adjoining
the Stage Office, Basement of tho Virginia Hotel.
OO-The Fall and Winter supply is now open
iug.
Staunton, Sep. 22, 1852.
'“wholesale and retail “
CLOTHING HOUSE IN STAUNTON
GOOJ1.1A & CO.,
ADJOINING Messrs. Bare & Sterrott, Va.
Hotel Building, respectfully inform their
' friends and customers, that they have just receiv
ed from the North their stock of
Fall and Winter Clothing,
which has been made up expressly .or the Staunton
Market. Theirs is the headquarters of Fashion
able Clothing. It comprises a larger assortment
' than ever before kept in this market. The work
manship of our goods will he equally as good, or
perhaps better than any other,and in regard to our
prices we have only to" say , that we are certainly
able to sell better bargains, as we manufacture our
clothing ourselves, than those who buy them from
others, and have consequently to pay some profit.
Our stock is larger than we have room for; we
arc, therefore, determined to sell through thisseas
on at such astonishingly low prices, that the pub
lic will soon confess that the best and cheapest
stock of Clothing is to be had at our house. We
give below a list of a part of our stock :
Coats.
French and English Dress and Frock Coats, blk
French Cloth Sack Coats, blue,brown and greer.,
fine Cassimere, Coats, of every color, black and
fancy Cassinets, Beaver and Pilot Overcoats,
Blue Blanket and Blue Felt Coats, Drab Felt
and Beaver do., Black. Brown, and Blue Cloth
and Beaver Overcoats.French Cloth loose Loop
Coats and a beautiful article in Cloaks.
Funt^i.
Black and blue Cloth Pants, Black and Fancy
Cassimere do., black, blue and fancy Satinets,
Corduroy and Tweed do.,
Vests.
Black and fancy Satin Vests, fancy Silk do.. Me
rino do., blue, black, brown and every color of
Cassimere do., German and Blood do.
—ALSO—
White Linen, Nett and Flannel Shirts and Draw
ers. Neck and Pocket Handkerchiefs, Pistols,
Trunks, Umbrellas, Suspenders, Boots and every
thing usually found in Clothing Stores.
Thankful for the patronage received hitherto,
we would earnestly ask a continuance as our very
large stock deserves a great patronage and all
must know the advantage of dealing at the Whole
sale Establishment adjoining Messrs Bare &. Ster
ret, Va. Hotel Buildings.
GOODMAN Sc CO.
Stauaton, Sep. 29, 1852.
To the Interest of the People!
jYtnc is the time to avail yourselves of the advantage
of a skillful Silversmith and Watch-maker.
Gk M. HIRSH having employed a superior
• workman in repairing Watches, Clocks,
Jewelry, &c., &c., are now prepared to have
work done in that line of business at lower rates
than ever before done in this section of country.
All work warranted for 12 months.
They keep on hand a large s*ock of Watches at
small profits, and warranted for one year. They
also otter for sale Jewelry of every description,and
other articles pertaining to a Jewelry and Variety
Store. Remember the place.
G. &. M. HIRSH,
at the Post Office Corner.
Staunton, Aug. 4, 1852.
MCINTOSH’S
HOWARD HOUSE,
(late wheatfield hotel,)
Comer of Baltimore and Howard Street.
—
|'■''IIIS HOTEL has lately been enlarged and
■ improved in every department, rendering it
decidedlv one of the most comfortable Hotels in the
City, and the Proprietor, ever ready to accommo
date, pledges himself to spare no pains to render
every one comfortable that may favor him with a
call. To the patrons of the old House, he returns
his sincere acknowledgments for their very liberal
patronage, soliciting a continuance ol their tavor
and the travelling public generally.
JOHN MelNTOSH, Proprietor.
Baltimore, July 7, 1852.—5m.
Staunton Sky Light
Dagneri'ean Gallery.
'■MIE subscriber has just opened his new Dag
■ uerrean Gallery, opposite the Spectator Of
fice, where he will be happy to see all who are at
all interested in the beautiful art ot Photography.
Having a fine vfri/ and side lights and every oth
er facility, he is prepared to produce the finest re
sults of which the art is capable. The very great
advantage of sky-light is known to all who have
given any attention to the subject. Entire satis
faction given in all eases, or u<> charge.
Pictures taken in all kinds of weather. Dark
dressing greatly preferable. J> KEAG\.
Staunton, July 28, 1852. __
E. G. EVEttETT,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
STAUNTON, VA,
VITILL PRACTISE in the County and Sn
* ▼ perior Courts of Augusta, Rockingham and
Rockbridge. Between the hours of 8 A. M. and
4 P. M. he may !>e found at his Office, on Augus
ta St., two doors South of Mr. Win. G. Sterrett’s
Store, and at all other hours, at his residence, on
Christian’s Creek, Augusta Co.
June 15,1852.—ly. I
Tobacco.
3 1 BOXES lb. Lump Tobacco, prime to ro
ll Af tail at 2-3 cents a pound—just received and
fur stile by LLOYD LOGAN & CO.
Winchester, Aug. IP, IPr*.
1
“Onward and upward !” Darkening clouds
May gather round my way ;
Lov’d friends may from my sido be torn,
And cherished hopes decay ;
Yet this shall be my steady course,
Alike through good and ill,
Let sunbeams shine, or storm winds blow,
Onward and upward still.
Oft has my fainting spirit sunk
Beneath the bitter blast,
And trembled at the deepening gloom
Around it gathering fast;
The time of weakness now is o’er,
New thoughts my bosom fill,
Forward 1 calmly look, and press
Onward and upward still.
Father in Heaven, to Thee I turn;
Help me awhile to bear
Unmurmuring in this vale of tears,
The weight of toil and care;
Help me to feel, to trust thy love,
To do thy holy will,
And lead me, till my life shall end.
Onward and upward still.
Parody.
’Tis the last cake of supper,
Left steaming alone,
And all its light brown companions
Are buttered and gone.
No cake of its kindred,
No cookie is nigh,
To steam on the platter,
Or near its mate lie.
I’ll not leave thee, thou lone ono,
To meet a cold fate,
Since thy mates are all eaten,
Come lie on my plate!
Thus kindly I’ll butter
Thy steaming sides o’er,
And thine on thy sweetness,
When thou art no more.
Thus all cakes must follow,
Three times every day,
When breakfast is ready,
Then vanish away.
When hunger is mighty,
And sickness has flown,
No eako can inhabit
The table alone.
MISCELLANY.
Benevolence and Gratitude.
It was a raw, bleak night ; the rain was
falling fast, while the wind blew in violent
ffUsts. A Portsmouth night coach stopped
at the principal inn of the town to change
horses. The cold and wearied travelers a
li^hted for a few moments to enjoy the
comfort of a blazing fire, as well as to take
refreshments.
“Will vou give a poor fellow a night’s
shelter in your hay-loft ?” asked a weath
er-beaten sailor; addressing one of the ost
le.s who was fastening the harness.
“No. not to such as you,” answered the
man; “you had better make the best of
your way off, or you’ll get more than you
look for, if you prowl about here any long
er.”
“Perhaps, young man,” replied the tar,
“you may one day be sent adrift upon the
world, without a penny to keep your head
abova water; and as to honesty, I know
better than to take what is not my own, if
I have not a shoe to my foot.”
“I wouldn’t trust you farther than I could
see you,” said the ostler, “and if you don’t
be offTll make you.”
Poor Jack was turning away hungry and
foot-sore,when he was tapped on the should
er by a lad who acted as stable boy. “If
you were to go down the road to the first
little shop you come to,” he said “widow
Smith would, I dare say, let you sleep in
her wood house; she is a good old creature,
and is always ready to help any one in dis
tress.”
“Thank you, thank you,” said the sail
or. . j
These few words caused a revulsion of |
feeling in the breast of the forlorn stran
ger ; they toid him that there still were
hearts in which kindness flowed.
John Will is, on coming ashore had been j
robbed of his little all, a thing of no un
common occurrence,and he was compelled
to beg his way to Londou. He deeply felt
the rebuffs he frequently met with. The
prevalence of imposition frequently ren
ders it hard for those who really are in need
to get help, for theiF truthfulness is often
questioned . ,
Jack followed the directions ^iven him;
but he found the shop closed. lie felt that
it was an unseasonable hour; still the fa
vorable account he had received of its own
er encouraged him to tap gently at the door.
His summons was answered oy the worthy
dame, who, after listening compassionate
ly to his tale of suffering, bade him enter |
and share her frugal meal. The tar enters |
tained lus benevolent hostess with a reci- j
tal of some of the ship-wrecks he had wit- j
nessed.and the narrow escapes he had him
self had. And she piously directed his
mind to the good Providence which had
preserved him to the present hour, and the
Saviour who had died to redeem him. The
repast over, the widow placed some clean,
dry straw in one coi ner of the shed attach
ed* to her dwelling, amt with a thankful
heart the wearied traveler stretched him
self upon it.and slept as sound as if on a bed
of down. j .
Before continuing his journey in the
morning, Jack looked in to thank the good
woman for the shelter she had given him;
he found, however, a warm meal awaiting
him. Having partaken of it, and accept
ed a few cents to help him on his way, he
departed with a hearty benediction from his
hostess.
Teji years passed, and the little incident
here recorded had long escaped the mem
ory of all save one of the parties concern
ed. Ten years had wrought many changes
in the town, and most of its inhabitants ;
but they had glided gently oVer the head
of widow Smith. The only alteration per
ceptible in her was, that her hair had be
come moie silvery, and her form was now
slightly bent. She still continued her la
bors of love ; and though her means were
very limited, she was looked upon as the
friend and neighbor of all who were sick,
or in want.
One morning.a large, official looking let
ter was put into Mrs. Smith’s hand by the
postman. Its purport was to beg her at
tendance in London, on the following day,
when the writer said she would receive grat
ifying intelligence, which it was wished to
communicate to herself personally. Much
£
consultation and gossiping ensued. One
of her heighbors thought it a hoax, to play
the. old lady a trick ; another said it would
be highly imprudent for a woman of her
years to lake such a journey, especially to
trust herself alone in such a wicked place
as London; while a third was quite sure that
the writer had some evil design, it did ap
pear a formidable undertaking to one who
had never strayed ten miles from her native
place. The widow’s credulity had often
been imposed upon, yet she would believe
anything but that any one would intention
ally deceive or wrong her. She had great
confidence,too, in the protecting povidence
of God, whom she served in humble de
pendence on his grace in Christ,and there
fore felt no fear in complying with the re
quest in the letter. Wherefore, notwith
standing the ridicule of some, and the re
monstrances of others, the good dame start
ed by the first coach which passed through
on the morrow,and reached London in thne
to meet the appointment.
The address given her was at an inn,and
on arriving there she was immediately ush
ered into a private apartment, where two
respectable looking men were waiting to
receive her. The widow’s surprise was
increased when one of them accosted her
with the familiar phrase, “How do you do,
mother ! don’t you remember me, my wor
thy !” answered he, in answer to her half
frightened, inquiring glance. “I am Jack
Willis, the sailor you housed and fed ten
years ago, when he had neither money nor
friends. I am now captain of a merchant
man; andtliis gentleman turning to his com
panion, “will in my name,do the needlul to
settle an annuity of fifty dollars upon you,
as a proof of my gratitude for your kind
ness and especially for your good advice,
which I hope by God’s mercy, led me to
think of Christ, and to tiust in him for sal
vation.”
The widow, unable to give utterance to
the emotions of her swelling heart, burst
into tears.
Widow Smith returned to her cottage
home, thankful to God for his blessing on
her humble efforts to benefit a fellow crea
ture in body and soul, and for his bounti
ful care for her,and delighted that she now
had increased means of usefulness, and
never after did she listen to a tale of suffer
ing without thinking of poor Jack Willis.—
London Traci Magazine.
French and English Marriages.—In
France marriages are conducted on a very
different plan to those in England. On this
side of the channel young ladies never
choose for themselves, or, if they do, their
choice must be approved of by their parents
or guardians,as the law absolutely prevents
the possibility of any marriage without the
written sanction of paternal authority. To
marry without this, which cannot be done
under the age of twenty-five years,requires
legal proceedings and formalities,which are
generally repugnant to a modest lady. Few
are to be found who will sue their own fa
ther, and expose themslves to three months
public notice, calling thus every body to
witness their impatience.
I might here remark that elopements,or,
as they might be termed in English, “trips
to Gretna-green,” are out of the question in
France, because the young lady, in conse
quence of the above mentioned provision of
the law, would perpetually remain under
the imputation of having offended public
decency. It must, therefore, be well un
derstood that no marriage can take place
without the express consent of the parents.
It may happen,and probably sometime does,
that parents abuse the power which the
law has placed in their hands.—Le Mar
riage en France.
Reducing the Fine.—An Irish weaver
just imported from the sister Isle, took to
his employer at Kilmarnock, the other day,
the first cloth he had woven since his arri
val.
His employer detected in the cloth two
holes within a half an inch of each other,
and told him he must pay a fine of one
shilling for each hole.
“And plaze ye,” returned Pat, “it is by
the number of the holes.or is it by the size
of them that ye put the fine on us r”
“By the number of holes ; to be sure.”
“And a big hole and a small one is the
same price ?”
“Yes, a shilling for every hole whether
big or little.”
“Then give me a hold of the piece,” re
pled Paddy, and getting the cloth into his
hands, he tore the two small holes into one
and exclaimed, “by the hill of Howth that
saves me a shilling anyhow!”
Ax Accommodating Woman.—A city
miss newly installed as the wife of a farm
er, was one day called upon by a neighbor
of the same profession,who, in the absence
of her husband, asked her for the loan of
his plow for a short time. “I am sure you
would be accommodated,” was the reply,
“if Mr. Stone was only at home—I do not
kriow, though, where be keeps his plow ;
but,” she added,evidently zealous to serve,
“there is the cart in the yard—coilldn’tyou
plow with that till Mr. Stone gets back ?”
A Thing which every Farmer srtoULD
Know.—If you wish to drive a ctitnail into
seasoned oak timber, and not have it break
or berid, just have a little oil near by, and
dip the end of the nad into it before driving
and it will never lail to gdi
Spurious Dollars.—Spiirioils gold dol
lars ai'e numerously in circulation at this
time, and great Care should be taken in
their examination by those who deal in
them. They are well made, and calculated
to deceive.
A few years since, at the celebration
of our n.itional anniversary, a poor tinker,
who was present, being called upon for a
toast, offered the following: “Here is a
health to poverty ; it sticks to a man when
his friends desert him.”
A recent writer asserts that the less
a man knows,the wider he carries his mouth
open. He savs—“It is as impossible for
an ignoramus to keep his jaws closed as it
is for a sick oyster to keep his shell shut.’1
f^-Tlie Rev. Mr. Steward advises three
questions to be put to ourselves before
speaking evil of a man :—First, is it true ?
Second, is it kind ? Third, is it necessa
ry ? __
$5= Why is a man ascending Yesuvius
like an Irishman trying to kiss a) pretty
girl ? Because he wants to get at the cra
ter’s mouth.
No professional man lives so much
from hand to mouth a* a dentist.
From the X F. Tribune.
Daniel Webster.
A great soul has passed or is passing frorr
this mortal stage of being. As we write it
is rumored that Mr. Webster is dead, and,
though we do not credit the report as an
ascertained fact, yet there can be little
doubt that,when this sheet reaches the ma
jority of its readers,Daniel Webster will be
no more among the living.
Mr. Webster’s has been a lofty though
not entirely successful career. Descended
from an ancestry originally Scotch, but for
a time resident in England, which migrat
ed to this country very soon after the Land
ing at Portsmouth, he was born in Salis
bury, (now Boscawen,) New Hampshire,
on the 18th of January, 1782. His life has
therefore been extended over nine months
beyond the seventy years allotted to man.
His earliest known progenitor was Thomas
Webster, who settled at Hampton,near the
sea coast of New Hampshire, as early as
1636. The Websters were generally farm
ers and (on occasion) soldiers, were fair
haired, of light complexion, and slender
lrame. The Statesman inherited his stur
dy frame, dark features, black hair. &c.
from his father’s mother, daughter of Rev.
Stephen Batchelder, and a woman of re
markable force of character. His own
mother was also of rare intellectual pow
ers. His father, after fighting well for his
King and country in the French and Indi
an Wars, obtained, after the Peace of 1763,
a grant of land in Salisbury, at the head of
the Merrimac River,and there built his log
cabin and commenced his clearing in 1764
—the farthest North of any British subject
in New England. The log house long since
vanished, as did the frame one built beside
it, in which Daniel Webster was born; but
the farm remains in the family, and the
trees which shaded his boyhood and the
well whence he quenched his thirst, still
wooed him with their well-remembered at
tractions, on each recurring visit, to the
last.
Young Webster received his education
in the common schools of his native town,
in the famous Philips’ Academy,at Exeter,
in the family of Rev. Samuel Woods, of
3oscawen, and at Dartmouth College, to
which his father resolved unsolicited to
send him—a gr^at undertaking for a poor
farmer, m what was still almost a pioneer
settlement. His brother Ezekiel was also
sent a little later to Dartmouth, imposing
on them both, as well as on their parents,
the necessity of observing a most rigorous
economy. But they were both carried cred
itably through, and more than justified the
fond hopes of their parents. Ezekiel be
came a lawyer of eminence, but fell dead
(of disease of the heart) while arguing a
cause in Concord, N. H., in 1829.
Daniel entered college in 1797,and grad
uated in 1801, spending the next year as
Princpal of an \cademy at Fryeburg.Maine,
for $350 per annum,which he saved entire,
earning his livelihood by copying legal re
cords. After spending a few months in the
law office of a Mr. Thompson in Salisbury,
he went to Boston,and entered as a student
the office of Christopher Gore, an eminent
lawyer and statesman, where he made rap
id proficiency, and was admitted to the bar
in March, 1805. Returning to New Hamp
shire, he declined a proffered Clerkship in
the Court of which his father was now a
Judge ; and as his father was visibly de
clining,he settled beside him at Boscawen,
till the old man’s death which occurred in
April, 1806. The next year, Daniel relin
quished his business to his brother Ezekiel,
and removed to Portsmouth, and was mar
ried the following summer to Grace Fletch
er, daughter of Rev. Mr. Fletcher, of Hop
kinton, N. H. By her he had four children
—Grace, Fletcher, Julia, and Edward—of
whom Fletcher alone survives. Edward
died in Mexico, in 1847, while serving as
a Major of Massachusetts Volunteers. Ju
lia became Mrs. Appleton,and died in Bos
ton some years ago.
Mr. Webster lived nine years in Ports
mouth, and was thence elected to Congress
in November, 1812,and re-elected in 1814.
New Hampshire then elected by General
Ticket, and we believe Mr. Webster uni
formly leJ the Federal Ticket. His talents
were w'idely known to be extraordinary,
though he had filled no public station,
when he was first elected at thirty years of
age.
Either Mr. Webster’s own sqtieamish
ness or that of the editors of the successive
editions of his speeches, have done injus
tice to his abilities by suppressing some of
the nobler forensic effoits of his early man
hood. We have a clear recollection of
reading a Fourth of July Oration of his—
we think delivered when he was but 21 or
at most 22 years of age—which for ability
of statement, breadth of view and vigor of
language, would do credit to the maturest
mind. But it Was a federal Oration, and
you will look for it in vain in any collection
of hts speeches. So of the great majority
of his Anti War Speeches in Cdilgress,
from 1813 to 1815 inclusive. If Mr. Web
ster dictated the mutilation and suppression
of his earlier efforts, he committed 4 grave
mistake; if his editors have done it of their
own notion, they have taken mdst Unwar
rantable liberties. They hive not conceal
ed the fact, even from the most ignorant,
that Mr. Webster heartily condemned and
swcepingly opposed that War, while they
have kept out of the public view many of
his strongest reasons therefor, and justified
a vulgar suspicion that he had no reasons
that on calm review he regarded as valid.
True, he did not oppose the prosecution of
that War,now we were in for It, he did not
deny that Great Britain had grievously
wronged and insulted us ; but he believed,
with many of our purest and most patriotic
Citizens, that the wrong had not been alto
gether on one 6ide—that neither our Gov
ernment nor our people had been really
neutral in the tremendous contest which
had so long raged between France and
Great Britain—that peace might have been
preserved and a redress of injuries obtain
ed from Great Britain had this been sought
in a pacific spirit and the United States not
been a covert ally of the French despot in
his war of extermination against England.
Mr. Webster’s anti-war speeches of 18
13-14 have rarely been surpassed in vigor
and cogency, and coming fiom a young
country lawyer, entirely unused to public
life, they evinced a mind of unsurpassed a
bility. His dissections of some of the fi
nancial projects and usages of the time—
especially of (1815,) Mr. A. J. Dallas’
monstrous contrivance, a National Bank
which should lend the Government thirty
millions on a cash capital of only five, and
his exposure of the injustice and unconsti
tutionality of collecting the Public Reve
■ nue at one end ef the Union, in specie, ot
its full equivalent, and at the other in un
redeemable depreciated paper,were so con
clusive that no man ever attempted to an
swer them.
In 1816,the Federal party of New Hamp
shire were defeated in the Congressional
Election, but we are not sure that Mr.
Webster had consulted to run a third time.
In August of that year,he removed to Bos
ton, and devoted himself entirely to the
practice of Law. He declined a nomina
tion to Congress in 1818, and an election
to the Senate, which influential men offer
ed to canvass for in his behalf, at a little
later period, but served as a Presidential
Elector in 1820. and as a member of the
Convention which revised the Constitution
of Massachusetts in 1821. In the fall of
1822, lie was again pressed to represent
Boston in Congress (HoUse,)and so urgent
ly that he did not feel at liberty to decline.
He was chosen by over 1,000 majority.and
returned to the Councils of the Nation, af
ter an absence of six years.
Of his subsequent career, we may speak
more hurriedly, since its leading features
must be fresh in the minds of most citizens.
He distinguished himself (1823) by a prop
osition looking to an early recognition of
Greek Independence, and a magnificent
speech in it? support. He favored also a
like acknowledgment of South American
Independence. In 1824 he made his great
Free Trade Speech—the ablest ever deliv*
ered on that side of the question. Boston
was then the focus of Free Trade, and the
Federalists were its principal champions,
while the mass of the Democracy, counsel
ed by Clay, Snyder, D. D. Tompkins,
Baldwin, H. Niles, Matthew Carey, &c.,
had for years been the ardent advocates of
Protection. The times have bravely alter
ed since then; Mr. Webster has seen occa
sion greatly to modify if not entirely re
tract his Free Trade notions; and Free
Trade is now said to be Democratic. But
we are digressing.
New England unitedly supported John
Quincy Adams for President in 1824, and
Mr. Webster concurred, though never per
sonally an admirer of Mr. Adams. He and
John Randolph were the Tellers when the
House elected Mr. Adams President—by
the vote of 13 States to 11—and he became
one of the ablest and most influential sup
porters of the Administration of Adams and
Clay. Re-elected in 1824 and 1826 with
scarcely a show of opposition, Mr. Webster
was in the latter chosen a Senator of the
United States. Toward the close of 1827
his first wife died,while he was on his way
to Washington to take his seat in the Sen
ate. The next year (1828) was signalized
by the defeat of J. Q. Adams and the ac
cession of General Jackson to the Presi
dency.
During the session of 1829-30 occurred
the memorable debate on Foot's resolution
respecting the Public Lands, wherein Mr.
Webster, in replying to Col. HaVne, of S.
C., vindicated his right to rank first among
living debaters. It is hardly too much to
say of his great and lesser Speech on that
occasion that they rescued the Federal
Constitution from a construction fast be
coming popular, which once established
as correct,must have proved its destruction.
The constitutional right of any State of the
Union to nullify an act of Congress,wheth
er by its ordinary Legislature or by a Con
vention especially called, once admitted as 1
legal, would strip the Federal authority of
all just claim to be considered a Govern
ment and throw us back upon the ineffi
ciency and semianarchy of the old Conti
nental Confederation. Yet that doctrine
of Nullification, so frankly propounded and
abiy defended by Col. Hayne in the debate
with Webster, claimed with much plausi
bility to be based upon and clearly aeduci
ble from the Virginia and Kentucky resolu
tions of 1798 and ’99, which are known to
have been drafted respectively by Jeffer
son and Madison, and repeatedly reaffirm
ed as containing the Democratic creed re
specting the powers of the Federal Govern
ment and their tightfbl limitations. Mr.
Webster inexorably demonstrated the in1
Compatibility of this doctrine with any real
power or force in the Federal Government,
and, admitting fully the right of Revolution
as superior to all Governuients.showed that
a State could not remain in the Union and
assume to nullify acts of Congress Upheld
by the Supreme Court—=-that the contrary
assumption was Condemned by the Consti
tution itself, and utterly at war with the
public tranquility and safety. Mr-. Web1
ster’s speeches arrested the Jackson party
on the brink of Committing itseif irretriev
ably to the doctrine of nullification—a com
mittal which would have proved an act of
suicide.
Mr. Webster femaiiied in the Senate,acL
vocating the recharter of the second Unit
ed States Batik, condemning the Veto by
which that recharter was defeated—oppos
ing the re-election of Gen. Jackson, and
supporting Mr. Clay ih opposition to him—
vigorously Opposing nullification wheh at
tempted to be put in practice ih 1833—op
posing the Tariff Compromise of that year
—the removal of the Deposits, &c., &.C.—
He was a candidate fot President In 1836,
but received the twelve votes of Massa
chusetts only; He continued to serve in
the Senate, warmly advocating the election
of General HarrisOh lit 1840, until he was
called thertce to take the first place In Gen
eral Harrison’s Cabinet, which he continu
ed to fill after the untimely death of that
lamented patriot until long after John Ty
ler’s treachery to ar.d persecution of those
who had elevated him to the post whence
he accidentally reached his dizzy height,
rendered it proper that he should have left
the Senate Department and shaken off the
dust from his feet. An excessive tenacity
of office has been a blemish on the Charac
ter of Mr. Webster. He remained in the
Cabinet until 1843, having meantime nego*
1 tiated the Ashburton Treaty whereby our
lon<r disputed North Eastern Boundary wa9
definitely settled, and returned to the Sen
ate on the 4th March, 1845. He there op
posed the Mexican War as lie had previ
ously opposed the Annexation of Texas, a
vowing the most invincible repugnance
to any act whereby the extension of Slave
ry should be accomplished Under the flag
or by the power of the United States. He
did not, however, oppose the granting of
supplies for the prosecution of the War.—
Mr. VVebster was a candidate for the Whig
Presidential nomination at Philadelphia in
1848, but very meagerly supported. Had
his friends chosen to assent to his nomina
tion for Vice President with Gen. Taylor,
he might have gratified his cherished aspi
ration by filling the Presidential Chair.—
He for a time stood off,but ultimately came
into the support of Gen. Taylor’s nomina
tion, though characterizing it as one "not
fit (o be mad'*,” and mad* several vigorous
\ * ‘
speeches in its behalf. Gen. Taylor was
chosen, but did not proffer an executive
post to the great New Englander, nor is it
known that he desired any.
On the 7th day of March, 1850, whilti
the country and Congress were both agitat*
ed by questions connected with the organi*
zation of the Territories recently acquired
from Mexico and the proposed interdiction
of slavery therein, Mr. Webster made his
memorable speech, taking ground in favor
ot a compromise respecting the Territories*
and against any act or proviso by Con*
gress aiming to exclude slavery therefrom.
He argued that such an act was wholly un»
called for—that the "law of God” had in*
tcrdicted slavery therein, and needed no
rc-enactment by man. Thenceforth, Mr.
W. voted steadily against the Wilmot Pro*
viso and all kindred measures, until, on the
sudden death of Gen. Taylor, (July 11, 18*
50,) he was called by Mr. Fillmore to fill
once more the first place in the Cabinet*
which he retained to the last.
Clay—Calhoun—Webster—the mighty
trio who for forty years have filled so large
a space in the eye and in the heart of the
nation—have all departed. It seems but
yesterday that we saw them sitting togeth
er in the Senate, vigorous in mind and ap*
parently in health—and now thev have pa**
sed from among us forever. H'hen shall
our country look upon their like again <
Staunton
While at this place, a few weeks ago,
we visited, in company with three or four
other gentlemen, the Asylum for the Deaf
and Dumb and the Blind, and after a com*
plete and patient examination of every
thing connected therewith, we mentally
exclaimed,—-"The half had never been told
us.” To the politeness and attention of
Mr. Holdrige Chldcster.a deaf mute teach
er, from Harrison county, are we indebted
for valuable aid in our examinations.
There are a large number of unfortunates
in this institution,—much the largest of
which are the deaf mutes. These arc
divided into three classes each class hav»
ing a separate apartment. The third or
high class is under the instruction of Mr.
Job Turner ; the second or Middle class is
taught by Mr. Holdrmy Cbidcstcr; and the
first, by his sister, Miss Prudence Chides*
ter. [VVe remember being at the residence
of these two teachers’ parents, several
years ago. while they were small children,
and from their total ignorance of every per*
son and thing around them, we little dream
ed that the time would soon come when
they would occupy; high and vastly re*
sponsible stations as teachers of this class
of children. Mr. H. C. informed me that
when he first arrived at Staunton, about
years ago,he did not know the name ofeither
God, the Father-God, the Son—nor God,
the Holy Ghost ; he knew not the name of
either his father, his mother, his brothers
or his sisters—in fact, he kneio nothing.]
VVe visited also the Insane Hospital;
and were kindly taken through many of
the apartments >. but as it was on Saturday,
—cleansing day—we could not be admit*
ted to any of the floors where the Lunatics
were confined. VVe saw several however
who were only partially deranged, and who
had liberty to stroll over the large pleasure
ground of the institution.
VVe took a room at the Virginia Hotel
Where, for $1 50 per day, we fared sump*
Uiously. Messrs. McClung and Peyton,
tne Proprietors, are clever, gentlemanly
men.
The tagle Hotel, by J. N. Woodward,
is also an excellent House. A large nurn*
her of onr acquaintances were at this house,
who all expressed themselves highly pleas*
ed with their fare. VVe made the acquaint*
ance of the landlord,and were highly picas*
ed with him as hotel keeper.—Cm. Stand*
ard\
American YVork Shops.—The number
of clocks made in this country would rath
er surprise one who is not some.vhat post*
ed up in the matter. The Jerome factory
of New Haven, makes, on an average, 600
per day. This is equal to 3,600 per week,
187,000 per year. These clocks sell, on an
average, for $3 each, which shows that the
ahnua! earnings of one Connecticut clock
establishment foots up some $561,700.—
Brewster & Brown,of Bristol, Connecticut,
also turn out an immense number of these
popular time pieces. This firm sends to
London, alone, 75,000 clocks per year, or
about 1,500 per week. It must not be sitp*
posed, however, that the English consume
all the Clocks sent to Great Britain, lor it
is not so—thousands of them being sent
through the London agents to all parts of
the world.
Tute way they Execute Criminals in
China.—A correspondent gives an account
of the execution of fifty-three criminals at
Canton on the 1st of May. After describ
ing the preparations, he says they were all
made to kneel in a row, and three execu*
tioners, with sharp swords, commenced
chopping the heads off with very little cer*
emony, using both hands, and never giving
more than one blow, a man attending be*
hind, holding the arms up.causing the neck
to be in a proper position. When the head
rolled in thfe mud, th:s party gave the body
a push or a kick to throw it on the ground
from a kneeling position. Fresh swords
were used after every three or fotir cuts
were made, and the whole affair could not
have listed more than two minutes.
President Fillmore.—VVe learn that,
as an appropriate mark of respect for the
President of the United States, a number of
gentlemen,Senators, members of Congress,
Judges of the Supreme Court, and citizens
of both political parties, have employed
Mr. D. Stone to execute a bust, in pure t*
talian marble, of Mr. Fillmore, with the de*
sign of having it placed permanently in the
Presidential Mansion,as an appropriate tes*
timonlal to the character of one who has so
greatly adorned and dignified his high po*
sition. It is to be regretted that likeness
es of all the Presidents have not been pre*
served In the same manner.—‘Baltimore A*
merican.
The Largest Hod in the World._
There is now on exhibition in this city at
Mr. Jas.8. Boies’s livery stable, a hog'riis*
edby Mr. Nathaniel Lamb, of Mdltown,
which stands seven feet six inches high,
and girts six feet eight inches, and weighs
twelve hundred pounds. It is one year
and six months old. If any one has got a
greater hog than this we should like to know
it. If this hog was fat, he would weigh
1400 lbs.-— Calais (.Ve.J Advertiser.
Ofir "Shoot folly as it flies—Pope,*’—
was set up by a stupid printer—"Shoot Pol*
lv a* rhe flies, pop.”
t..
i