The New era. [volume], December 12, 1846, Image 2

About The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847

Image provided by: Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA

                
THE NEW ERA.
What is it hut a Map of busy Life ?— < ou'ptr.
POR™U)iTH,Va.
SATUKDAV, DECKM UKIl I* is Its.
OUR FLAG!
THADK-LOW DUTIES—no DEBT—SE
JPARATKJN from banks—economy—ke
Tnfc*?,?i.I«ENT—AND 8TR,CT ADHERENCE
IO THE CONSTITUTION.
VOLUNTEERS.
Recollect, Fellow-Citizens, that
a MFETING will be held THIS
EVENING, at 7 o’clock, at the
Town Ilall, preliminary to a per
fect organization of the Corps. A
general attendance ol Citizens is
earnestly requested.
BOOKS FROM THE HARPERS.
Messrs. I lodges & Co., hare again laid on our
table the usual supply front this laboratory of lit
ernture. which we have barely time to notice.
No. 13. of that excellent work, the Pictorial
History of Knuland.
Nos 122-124 of the Illuminated Shakespeare.
Lneretia ; or the Children of iYight. This is
No. 90 of the Library of Select Novels, and is
from the pen of Sir F. Bnlwer Lytton.
Salkeld’s Classical Antiquities—a compendium
of Grecian ami Roman Antiquities.
F.lectio Moral Philosophy, prepared for Liiera
ry Institutions and General Use. By Rev J R
Boyd.
ICpRev. Mr. Corcoran, of *• Key West,’*
will preach in the Catholic Church, to-morrovr.
nt lOi o'clock, A. M.
INCOR[’ORATION MEETING.
At a meeting of the citizens of Portsmouth,
free holders and voters, held at the Town Hall !
on Wednesday evening, 9th instant. John Cocke, 1
Esq., was called to the Chair, and Or. J„hn P.
Young chosen Secretary.
The meeting was briefly hut pertinently ad
dressed by several gentlemen, when on motion,
made and seconded, the Chair appointed a Com
mittee to prepare a Memorial to lie laid hef.re the
Legislature in order to obtain an Act for further
incorporating the Town or Portsmouth, as fol
lows.
Committee—A. F. Cunningham, Wm. I.
Cocke. John W. Collins. James M. Binford, and
Bernard O'Neill, to which the meeting added the
Chairman and Secretary.
On motion it was,
Resolved, That the proceedings he published ’
in the papers of Norfolk and Portsmouth.
I he meeting then adjourned to meet next
Wednesday night.
JOHN COCKE, Chairman.
Joh> P. V ourrrj, Secretary.
MEETING FOR VOLUNTEERS.
At a meeting of the citizens of Portsmouth,
held at the Town Hall, on Thursday evening the
lOil) inst.. the meeting was called to order by I)r.
John P. Young, on whose motion. Capt. James
Jarvis was elected Chairman, and E. T. Br..\
mire appointed Secretary. The chairman in a
neat and oriel' address explained the object of the
meeting. Dr. John P. Young prefacing them I
with a few eloquent and stirring remarks, then
offered the following Preamble and Resolutions,
whicn were unanimously adopted :
W hereas, the President of tho United Slates
has thought proper to call upon the Slate of Vir
ginia for one Regiment of Troops •* to serve do
ing the existing war with the Republic of Mexi
co.” And whereas Gov. Smith has issued his
Proclamation in response to said call, therefore,
he it
Result ed, That we. a portion of the citizens of
Portsmouth, in Town meeting assembled, deem
it highly important that this section of the Old !
Dominion should furnish at least one Company
for such Regiment.
Resolved, I hat an occasion now presents it
self to our young men especially, whereby they
may not only exhibit their patriotism and devo
lion to their country, hut add lustre to their
names, and we call upon them in the name of our
Common Land to avail themselves of this bril
liant opportunity.
Resolveil, 1 hat a Committee he appointed by
the chair to receive the names of those who feel
disposed to become members of the Company
proposed to he formed, and that said Committee
he empowered to make such arrangements as they
may deem expedient.
Resolved, That the citizens of Norfolk and
vicinity ho requested to co operate with us.
Resolved, I hat what is to ho done, most be
done qun kly.
l/ommiilee under dd resolution, Dr. .T,.|hi P. |
Young, I C. S. hnitlfiplil, Dr. Win f. Cocke, Jjs. j
K. Wilson, C' l. VV’. Wails. Wrn. i\1 I,i>vy, ,J.
.f. Clark. .1 W . Collins, W. C. Boiler, G. C.
Bourdelle, Jolm l.appin; and on million, the
Preniden: and Secretary were added In lhe Com
mitiee.
On motion ii Mas
Ilf solved, Plint when this meeting adjourn, ii
adjourn-, m meet in this place on Saturday even
ing, at 7 o’clock.
Ilcsoljc(/. That the proceedings of this meet
ing tie published in ilie New Era, and the Nor
folk papers.
On motion the meeting then adjourned.
JAMES JARVIS, Chairman.
E. P Bf.A.MiRE, Secret any.
8HI.000 APPROPRIATED.
\\ e rejoice to tell «ur brave Volunteers ihai ihe
Legislature of Virginia have already, in holb
Houses, voted an appropriation of $10,000 for the
support of the Virginia Volunteer* until they are
mustered into ihe Service of the United Stales_
The following bill, repined front the Committee
on Military Affairs, by Mr. Watts, on Thursday
passed through lb* bouse of Delegates,ha ring been
sustained by Messrs Watts, Leake, Dorm in,
and Bociick, and opposed by Messrs. Lapuf.r and
Stme. We know who Lieut. Syme is, ami in
virtue of his military commission, we allow hirn
to criticise the Secretary of W’ar. vthw acts, so
far have elicited the matured military approbation
of the world, hut we do not know Mr. Lanier,
of Pittsylvania. Who in the name of wunder is
Mr. Lanier, who stands in a glorious minority of
one, against one hundred and twenty three 9_
Lieut. Syrne backed out of the opposition on ihe
▼ote.
At a quarter (o 2 o’clock, ihe Senate re aesern
bled, and rereived fn>m the \louse, by Mr. W'ntta
s bill passed by that body, providing for the equip
menl and organization of the volunteers called for
! ("iom \ irginia by the i>encral ^nveriiiiipni. ami ap
proprialing §10.000 fur lliat object. The follow
ing; in a ropy ;
An Arl providing f,.r the p«v and subsistence of
die Virginia Rr{iinrnl of Volunteer*rallt*«| into
ill** Rervie** ..I ili#» United Smti'i, under a rcqni
silion of ilii* President of i|i»* United Stall s ul
ilo* IC'li of November, I8IG
V\ heieas :i rnj lisiiion has been made upon the
j Governor of tlos Commonwealth by the President
i "• • lie United Stales f..r one Regiment of Infantry
| Volunteers, in serve during I|»c* war with t|ie Re
(Uildie of Mexico ; and one H illation of said Regi
ineiii lias been required to rendezvous at the eiiy
ot Richmond, and I lie other ai Guyamloltc. And
whereas hy an order of the Secretary of War of
• lie I. filed Slates, ilu* troops ilius required will
not be mustered into the service of the United
States, except by battalions ; and in order to fur
nisli said troops wnb pay and rations, until thus
mustered as aforesaid ;
Re it enacted by ibe General Assembly of Vir
tjima. 1 bat whensoever a company of volunteer*
shall have the requisite number of rank and file,
and shall proceed to elect their company officers,
ff' in the time of sai.l election. each company thus
to’iued ami organized, and subsequent!V mustered
into the service of the United State*, shall he re
garded as in the serv.ee of the Slat** of Vircinia,
subject tu the rules and articles ot war for the gov
ern.. of the Army of the United States, and
•d. ill bn entitled to tin* sa* .#» pay and rations as is
allowed by law to officers, non commtssioued offi
cers. and privates, hi tin* infantry service of the
L nited States, until mustered into the service of
tin* United Slates.
lie it further enacted, That in order to enable
the Governor ol this Gotniiiuii wealth to execute
the provisions of this act, a sum not «*xceeding ten
thousand dollars be ami the same is hereby appro
priated. nut of any money in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated.
I his act shall be it. force, and take effect from
■ lie passing thereof.
PETERSBURG.
\\ e are told liy the last Petersburg [>ul>lloan
ilial an effort is making to raise another company
of volunteers in that town, and that several names
had been enrolled.
1 lie same paper mentions an interesting inei
dent. A lady nt iliat place who lias heeii for
some time confined to her couch by indisposition,
desired a gentlemen n, vi-ii her. and made known
her anxiety to do s nnetlung for the gallant young
men w ho had volunteered for the war. *• Sir,”
said she, '• I wish to have the honor of contribut
ing to the purchase of the Flag which is to be
presented to the volunteers ; and, inure, if there
is a young man in that company who is about
to Itare a poor, tcidmoed mother beliiml. tin ftt
me knnir her name, ami / will take cake or
her while he is away
A numher of the meinhers of the Petersburg
Volunteers have been presented with Hemducrs,
to serve as bmly guard—and Messrs. Ro. T.
La in h and .1. A. II. Lowndes have presented to
La pi. F. II. Atelier and Orderly Peyton Pollard,
each, a handsome Howie knife for special ser
vice.
GRAHAM’S M A GAZIN F.,
FOR JANUARY.
This work, after having been withdrawn from
our “ exchange” lor some time, made its appear
anee on our desk yesterday, with a reipiest from
the publishers, that we would notice it in such
terms as we think it deserves. We have taken
all things into consideration, and concluded to do
as desired, although we do not think the editors
served os quite decent in cutting us off as they
did. We are of opinion that this is one of the
most heautilul and pleasant magazines of the day,
containing as it does milch light reading of a su
perior order, and always embellished with a splen
did fashion plate, and several richly finished en
gravings, both on sioei and wood. To those I,a
dies who adore their tables with this kind of peri
odical, we would recommend this monthly for its
perfect finish and execution in matter and man
ner. Single Copies |3. Two Copies $5. Five
Copies $10., with a handsome souvenir as a p:v
in in in.
OVF.R ON TftE WRONG SIDE AGAIN.
We regret to see that our old quondam friend,
Dr. Francis Mallory, has been announced hy
the Beacon and Herald as a candidate for Con
gress, at the ensuing election in the Aceomark
District. We believe that Judge Bayly has not
yet determined to leave the field, and we hate to
si e a man, whom we personally respect, as much
as we do Malloiy, made the stalking horse of
whiggery. to receive tlm disgrace of a defeat
which will certainly attend any one who runs
against Bayly.
SO M F/n UNO A STONI SI IING.
The Richmond Junes of Dec. II, gives a
gra »hie description of a visit hy one of the editors
to the Clover 11:11 Coal Pits, where the said edi
tor saw long lines of cars conveying the “ black
diamonds” from the pits to Port Walthall, for
transportation over the Union. The Times men
must certainly have forgotten that the free trade
Tariff, which they prophesied was to ruin the
coal and iron trade, as well as every tiling el-e,
had been in openlion f>.r ten days, with a pre- !
viouo notice that such would he the fact, of some
months. We should like to know.no we wonld'ni I
either, how those gentlemen feel when these
reminiscences come up. They, however, expect,
we see, that Congress will add something to the
prices, fur the benefit of consumers, we presume.
A "liAC'K SQUALL.”
Ai a hpary expense we lmv« prevailed npon
our talented anist glvp „„ f(„rIrtjl„, ,hp
•• lllack &|uali,” "Inch followed ,|te (J. 8. .loop
war Bouton, at Ihe rate „f .. „jne k(lol8 an
hour,” when sho run ashore «.» the north side „f
the island of K.itretliera, and drove her inlf) (iirc,
feel tenter. Such an animal is enough to scare
the Devil, and we do not Wonder at ns driving
the Boston aslmre, where her men could safety
escape its capacious tnouth and awful claws.
1 . , ■■■■■■ i. ■ i ■■■
THft GOV MINOR'S MKSSAGK
1 uis docuineni, wliii'h, to Virginians, is of f.r
deeper interest limn the Pr***i«l»*nt*•» wo
find has already boon honored with lIn* attack* of
• In* federal ptfs*j but Hcmr innob mistaken if it
linos n.it ovoniimlly prove strong a*i ibo *• little
rook ” tlint wan liowo.l out of tin* mountain. ami
which will break down all opposition. There in
a clearness. frankness, ami fearlessness abuiit ii
that defies assault am] criticism. The writer
, lias niarebod ilirortly op to the business of the
i Slate, which is Committed to lii-i champ, and
tolls iis how it stands. Cavillers toll os that
the Governor has a liiihlrn inntire f..r his recoin
inendalinns which is ** pretty well under stood in
Richmond/' hut do no! deign to tell the ignorant
what is understood there, while others proclaim
such and such recomiocndatiiitis ui just and inox
podient. Without troubling ourselves with the
| opinions of those learned savans, \ve shall make
i sttclt extracts as we think of most importance.
that the people may judge fur themselves o| iis
! merits, and first we will quote that section which
shows our prosperity as a State.
THE FINANCES.
“ It affords me great pleasure in inform you
that iIn* finnncHS of nor Slate art- in a highly sat
mfactory condition. On tin* first day <>f October.
184the balance in the treasury was §100 386
06 On tile first day of Octuhrr of the present
year it was §137.<133. By certain laws ,,f your
last session, a ppropria I ions w ere maile from the
Treasury. eharg*atde upon the then accruing rev
enue, portions of which, estimated to amount to
§97,000, were undrawn at the close of the last
fiscal year. Regarding this sum as a charge
tt|>on the Treasury and drawn therefrom, there
would have hpen still left at the period aforesaid
a balance of §40.433; and this nfl»r promptly
meeting every demand upon the Treasury, and
paying > If §45.676 67 of the public debt, which
debt was only payable at the pleasure of the I,e«r
Mature. But many of the charges upon the
Treasury are entirely contingent in their eharac- |
i ter. Of such charges many cannot, and none
i may again recur. And I have the- satisfaction to !
infum you. that under a rale of taxation annually
decreasing for the last three years, after defraying
all the charges of government, and other perma
nent appropriations, you will have at your cunt j
tut*t»d during the present fiscal year an estimated
surplus nf nearly §150.000.
“ This prosperous state of our finances would
seem to call for a further reduction of nor Taxes.
But instead of such a policy, I earnestly recom
mend a small increase of them, upon licences, pi
anos. cloeks and watches, dividends, and upon
interest, except that pay able upon our State bonds.
*• I also recommend a restoration of the lax on
money. Money may he regarded as the most
efficient form of property. Not content w ith or
dinary profits, the owners of money ger orally
hold it for the purposes of usury nr speculation_
and I therefore think I may safely assume, that
there is no portion of the property of the Com
monwealth that can with so much propriety he
called upon to contribute to the support uf the
State.”
His suggestions to lay a lax on «• money.”
which many have hoarded up, instead of invest
ing it in property, that they might thereby escape
bearing a due proportion of the public lumbers,
will make many an old gripti? wince. We
should have liked this section much lirtter if he
had recommended the abolition of the tax on the
printing press, or to have it so regulated that
something like justice might he observed in its
collection, and not make all pay alike, no matter
wl.at the income of the establishment may he_
as it stands it is an odious and oppressive tax.
We proceed now in quote his remarks'oit
Til F. LITERARY FCND.
“ The Literary Fund exhibits the same gene
rai features as were presented hy the last Annual
Report. Had the interest upon the loans made to
Fmory and Henry, and to Hampden Sydney
Medical College been paid, the income would
have amounted to a sum slightly more than that
nt the last year. Although the permanent funds
have received substantially, the usual increase
Irom fines, forfeitures and penalties, from sales of
runaway slaves, from escheats and derelict es
tates, from delinquent and forfeited lands, and
from the Bristoe estate, yet the Report will show
the material reduction of 863.030— a loss to the
lands resulting from (hr depreciation of the stock
of the Bank of Virginia, and now developed on
der a law of your list session. This fund also
sustained heretofore a loss of 818.0/30. on U. S.
Rink stock. 1'his fond, since its creation, has
at different periods lost heavily on dividends. It
still owns 3707 shares of Bank Stock, now worth,
it is supposed §313.170. It d> es seem to me
tliai this valuable fond, dedicated by your en
lightened and patriotic predecessors to the intel
lectoal improvement of our fellow citizens, should
not he identified with unr monetary system, li
able to all its losses, and without any enrres|Hind
mg equivalent. I therefore recommend, that the
.State take this stock on her own account and pay
to the Literary Fund a perpetual annuity nl
818.790. that sum being an interest of six per
cent, upon tint estimated value of the stock afore
said : or. that the President and Directors of the
Literary Fond lip required to exchange it. as
'•'ey can, at par, for any safe six percent, invest
1 he Literary Fond also hi.Ills Stale bonds to
• lip amount nl & I,000.500 50, oj..>n which ihp
Siaip pays an annual interest of #01 32^ 30
W by should this relation n|' creditor and debtor
between the State and tiip Literary Fund be
maintained ? \\ herein consists its u'llify ? The
old idea that the Slate in i if I > l refuse to make such
an appropriation is entitled to but little eonsideta
tion, and certainly less respect. The day is past,
tl it ever existed, when Virgin a, unmindful
ol her honor and I er duly, would refuse, to pay a
specified and acknowledged debt, destined too to
the education ol her ow n children I therefore
recommend that the bonds in cpiestiou to* surreu*
dered to the Stale, In be cancelled, and that the
Legislature pay to the Literary Fund, for and to
consideration thereof, a perpetual annuity of #01 ,
328 39. The two suggestions which I have
made in connexion w ith this subject, it adopted,
will put an «ud to frequently recurring and
sometimes inconvenient enquiries—will to some
''XHMit diminish the expenses ol managing the
fund, and assuredly contract and simplify ns
accounts.”
Is there any dcmagog/iitm in iIip above state
rnent ? we would ask the wiseacres of the oppo
silion. It appears that lb's holy food has not
escaped the rapacity of Banks, hot has suffered a
loss of #81 ,080, and how much more find only
know s.
education and district rciiooi. SYSTEM.
I he education ol nur fellow-citizens, especially
the indigent portion of them, has long engaged
the attention id our benevolent and enlightened
statesmen. Hence spring the University of Vtr
girna, the Primary Nduml system, and tl... noble
hind, to the condition of which I have brn fly ail
verted (/Hiking at the extent of our territory,
the sparseness of our population, and the Condition
o' about two filths of it, we may congratulate nur
selves upon the amount of go •!) w.htch we have
already accomplished. But much remains In do.
The necessity of education is obvious and urgent.
The enlightened, patriotic, ami indigent combine
t«. call upon you as they have done ft|fcm your pre
dr ceasors, to adopt some vigorous and decided
sY'K m which will place within the rea.-h .if ..nr
" * ,,IW «*»'«•* population, ilt« blessings of e. I ties
liou. In the nnn.prou. appeal* in behall of thin
|..li<*y which have within the |**t threw yearn
•..•en made lr««m the forum amt the pres*. it seems
In have been Hssumed that we are the degenerate
of distinguished sires, anil that weimivt n<lnj>t
’•"tn'* efficient <vul< m nf education. in artest nnr
iIiivyiiwaril course. This is not true in farl On
the contrary . never, since we Innk >mr ataml .unnn.r
'he r»:i*iims nf the ear'll, have mir daughter* iieen
fairer, nr nnr Runs mure patriotic; never have the
blessings of inurnlity. ..f Christianity, nml nf edit
eatinn heen an highly appreciated, nr su exten
sively diflW.I.
In the anxiuiiR consideration which has hcen
niven tn tills -subject, the great difficulty has
heen in agreeing upon a practical ami efficient
systi ni. I*ew can appreciate mir difficulties ;
iiune can dn an who are nut familiar with mir
physical and sncial condition—hut aiming nnr dif
Ilci.ltieR, I am happy in say, tndi«pnsiiiun, and I
will add indifference are mil to he fmiml. The
prevailing wish nf mir S'ate is to spread the lights
nl Science join nnr reunites! glens, and into the
humblest habitat inns of the people. That this
Wi!! tie dor.- there cannot he a doubt; how and
"hen, it is in ymir wisdom to decide. I. Imw
ever, recommend that a poll he opened on the day
o! Voiir next annual election, tn list the sense nf
*adi county upon the District School System—
'hat a majority nt ihe voters of each county, vul
ing nt said election, shall decide upon the adop
'i n nr the rejection of the system — dial if it
rejected tiy a particular county, then the dis
trie's into which such county may be divided
'hall severally vote upon its adoption, within
their respective districts; the system lobe udop
,ft each distiict giving a majority of its res
o.eiii voters therefor. In these suggestions my
purjHise is to compel each comity tn vote upon
this system—the best, by 4hr, which I have cx
nmtried—and when rejected in particular coun
ties, to give sueli districts thereof as may de
sire it, all the advantages contemplated hy tlio
system.
Ihe next snljecl of the Message which we
shall notice, we have no dniihl will find favor
with men of all parlies in this section of the
State, and would if the Governor had advised
more severe and stringent action than lie lias.
We are seriously affected in this county and
neighborhood by the influx of that population
spoken of below, and it has long been a desire
w ith our people to gel rid of them, hut they have
not hern able to accomplish this wish. In the
suggestion of the Kx'cutivp they now see light.
FREE NSORO POPUI.ATION.
“ l regard <>nr free npgro population as one of
mtr greatest evils, and to opt rid of jt as one of
mir highest duties. (irpal as may lie the appa
rent difficult v of accomplishing this desiralile mea
sore, it would dwindle into insignificance, under
a hold and decided treatment. But all I now
propose is the passage of a law providing that
each county, at our next annual election, ‘hall
have thp right to vote upon thp question of re
moving the free negroes, within their respective
limits, beyond the Commonwealth—that all coun
ties voting affirmatively shall communicate the
f.et to the Executive, who shall he required to
remove the free negroes within such counties
af er six or twelve months notice; and that such
population shall not thereafter he permitted to
reside therein. Such a law, dependent upon the
vote of the people within their respective cotin
tips, if adopted in a singlp county — relieving the
vihjte man and the slave therein of a great and
: unmiiigahle evil, inflicting no inhumanity upon the
free negro, hut hy placing him in a community
entertaining other and it may he more generous
views of his rights and capahililies,actually' im
proving his prospect of bettering his condition_
won IJ commend itself in a very high degree to
our constituents, and will, gentlemen, find favor,
I sincerely hope, with their representatives._
Even if the proposed law should not he adopted
in a single c< uniy. its mere existence, with the
power at any time to give it vitality, would ma
tonally aid ns in the management «f this unhap
py raep.”
We are highly gratified with the remarks
which follow, as we have long been convineed
that the unfortunate subject mentioned is suffer
ing unjustly, and contrary to thp intention of the
law. We iio not coincide with the Executive in
the amount of guilt, for from all the farts which w e
have been ahlp to gather, we are firmly convinced
that it was an ucnitlenlnl homicide, for which
the prisoner has been severely punished. How
ever this may he, the object sought to he obtained
bv the Governor is one that ought always be pro
vided in every Constitution.
COMMUTATION OF PUNISHMENT.
Wlipn I eante into office f found Hontpr Ifi|]
of Nansemond. nnrf»t sentence of death fur thn
li.i'fiicide nf Roht. I*. Smiih. Fin was under re
pri'vp by niy predecessor, hot for masons having
on million in his guilt or innocence | also ro
priovpd him for one month for like masons._
S ihsequently, I was nrgpil to examine ihn record
and evidence in his case. F did not feel at liherty
' in decline so doing, hel ondern ok with great re
| hictancp, in consequence of a strong impression
j t it it was a case of cruel and deliberate murder.
Mv examination of the case, however, resulted
in a very different conclusion. | became fully
satisfied that ihe criminal was not guilty of o ur
• !er in the first degree, and that il was my duly
i" arrest his execution. Hut. believing him gml
1' of a higFi offence, that dpserved punishment, I
did not feel satisfied to pardon him. and F there
I' re reprieved him until the sixth day of Kehrna
ry next, that the legislature might, if they
thought proper, enable the Executive to commute
Ihe sentence of death to confinement in the peni
tentiary. In this case I have the power to dis
charge the prisoner from confinement, and to free
him Inm all pnnishrnr til whatever, and yet, for
want of the right to urn the Penitentiary, I am
innahle to commute his sentence to a term of years
therein. \\ illnmt legislation I most discharge a
rtvn from all punishment whatever, who is not
goilty of the crime of which he stands convicted,
according to the evidence before m°. hut who is
guilty of a high crime for which lie dpserves and
ought to receive severe pnotshmenl. Ought this
slate of things to exist 7 Will not the Legisla
tore provide for il ? f.aws of the description I
now propose have long prevailed in the State of
New York, and I presume exist in other States of
our lTnii n.
I hf suggestion contained in Hip follow injj
ptragra| h is now lo ns. If it bp in the power of
a mnligr ant or revengeful foe to arrest arul.impri
son an honest man for an imaginary debt, (as
there can bo no doubt there is,) without the
s'lrulow of oath or evidence the sooner the foul
Main is w iper! from the statute lunik the better.
O \TII OR F.VIOKUre NECESSARY IN CASE OT
ARREST FOR DEPT.
ft is known to you. gentlemen, that a person
holding a bond, single hill, note of hand or other
| evidence of debt, can sue thereon and hold the
obligor lo bail, as of rig it. It may he that not a
| dollar is doe—that the apparent debtor is on the
highway in search of a western home. It mat
ter-wol tl at ruin may be the consrrpiencc of his
detention. It is so nominated in the Iron(|; and
he must remain in prison, discharge rhe nnjus’l de
"•and, or give the bail required. |< ibis elate of
the law in harmony with the enlightened spirit of
the age? | think not, and therefore I earnestly
reconfirm nd that a law he enacted, providing that
hail shall not be demandaMe in such cases, except
upon the oath of the creditor nr Borne person for
Iiim, a» to I lie nil'll bn n a (iile due. aiul, tint ||M>
obligor is about depart this Commonwealth, m.i
Ilia I liruci-s* u| execution ninniil lx; served up,
him.”
'I he follow ins "osgewliun ought i<» claim the
ttnmrdiam attention «»f th<- |.*gi«|iture. The
" hi.|.- system ol banking is an nnemu* hnrlbr-n
I upon i he cuiniiiuniiy, drawing its sustenanrr ami
| lit” from the industry and emerpriza of the people
| without rendering an equivalent in return. |l
, they are so permanently fastened upon the body
politic. that they cannot h. shaken off, we go f.r
so restricting their powers tint their issues shall
at all times produce what their face promises ;
and that they shall he compelled to settle de
mauds against them in their own piper. This
can be partially effected hy adopting the recoin
inundation of the Executive.
THE BANKS.
I’he quarterly reports of our Banks are hero
with communicated. I have not been ahle to give
to these Instituti >ns tSat examination their im
portance requires Although their general condi 1
lion is sound and healthy and their administration
is in charge ot officers of high character ami in
to.|ig«nce, I feel it to he my duty to call your at
tention to those located in this city. One of the
great objects in the creation of hanks is to provide
a mixed currency of paper and specie, equal in
value ami eonvi rtihle at pleasure. On no other
terms coil hi any hank hive heen chartered hy
yntir predecessors, yet in this city, in winch three
ul ihprn are located, their practice defeats this im
portant policy. It is true they pay specie lor their
own issues respectively ; hut the obligation to do
so does not extend to branches of the same insti
tution. lecated elsewhere. By paying nut there
fore in this city the mites id distant hraitelies. as
is their daily practice, they supply this communi
ty with an irredeemable and therefore depreciated
currency—deprive specie of its legitimate charac
ter and make it an article of merchandize—com
pel our mnnufactnrere to purchase it for the ad
justinent of tlicit w eekly balances with their ope
ratives. or til use the pestilent small note circula
tion of other States. 'This policy of the Hink is
most assuredly in conflict with the true intent
and meaning of their respective charters, and
with the solid and substantial interests of the
State. As part of the same system, as I am in
formed ami believe, these Banks refuse In collect
for Banks in other States, otherwise than in cur
rent funds, so that all cheeks and drafts for cullec
lions are payable in the depreciated currency tn
w It icli | have alluded. i his policy is annoying
and inconvenient to men of business—it, disregard
of sound and healthy hanking,— injurious to the
' •i.iint-iri «vi uiir o«aip, ami in an respects imle
lensible. We nre not in debt, and lhis*policy has
imt even the insufficient excuse of necessity._
I rue, it pnables the Banks in increase their pro *
(its <m their exchange dealings, and fuidishes an
argument in favor of their being allowed to issue
small notes. Hut, I should regret to believe that
such considerations induce the |*»licy in question.
Hut, he the reasons what they may, the facts are
incontesltble. that the ptevailtng currency of this
city is irredeemable therein,—that sjreein is at a
premium,—that to such extent exchange is en
hanced,—and that the Banks pay out this depre
ciated paper at par. | regard it as a duty of our
Banks to pul out and maintain a cash currency,
and not to pay out as cash the notes of distant
branches. The legality of such a practice may
moreover he questioned, and it may he advisable
f..r you to interfere, and to protect the Slate
against the danger of future loss.
• " ^ or the correction of this abuse, I recommend
the passage of a law requiring eieli Bank to pay
out its own notes, except when other funds are
required. Such a law would make uur Banks
cautious and healty, each Bank sending home the
notes of the others for payment, all would be kepi
within sale and prudent limits,—specie would
cease to he at a premium,—exchange would de
cline, and the small notes of other Slates would
instantly disappear.”
We shall in our next paper, lake up the re
■naming subjects of the Message, and give them
to our readers as above. •
WHY WAS HE SEN 1* THERE?
Our friend Horace Gieeley, of the New York
Tribune, in his usual Federal leader, against the
Mexican war, and uur southern institutions, par
ticularly, gives the following piece of fictitious
history from a correspondent, to stir up the sensi
bililies of the old women and the Websterites
against the war :
“ I he story is current here, and I believe well
founded, that on receipt of the news of the death
of Lieut. G. in the bloody assault upon Monterey,
Mrs. P. of the \\ htle Mouse ordered her coach
and went, doubtless in a spirit id' amiable sympa
thy, to condole with the heart-broken mother, on
the untimely and savage death of her gallant and
darling son—a son to whom she looked as the
pride and hope of her few remaining ypais. Time
had not yet sufficiently assuaged her pn>emal
suffering to admit reason to resume its empire and
the distracted Mother replied—“Tell me amt of
I resignation—tell me. Madam, if yon can, for no
I one seems able to answer me—for wltal was this
wicked war brought upon our country ? Why
was my noble son, the inheritor of his lather’s
virtues and the pride of my old age, sent to he
murdered in that barbarous country ?”
Mrs. P. might, and probably did. answer this,
not spartan mother, somewhat as follows : ** The
war, madam, w as brought upon our country by
repejted Mexican aggressions and insult, stimu
lated, in part, by factions individuals and parti
zm» in this country ; and your son, who has been
educated, fed ami clothed at the expense of the
nation, was called upon, with others, to render it
• >me equivalent service—and I am glad to hear
that he inherited some of bis father’s virtues, for
I am sure he could have drawn none from his
mother’s bosom. You should not have let your
son wear the honors of an American officer, if you
did wish him to reap laurels in the service of his
country. Good day. madam.”
JV1IKK WALSH.
There is something refreshing in the style and
manner in which this singular man adheres to his
trnih and integrity, which we delight to cntem
I'late. 'i'here are some things in Mike which we
J ci.nld wish altered, but nothing which should call
dow n upon him the abuse lie receives from a cor
rupt and degraded pr»ss, who condemn him for
his honesty and troth, without being aide to com
prehend his object or his position. .See how he
speaks to those who calculated o}m>ii Ins desertion
ot his fiiends, and principles
A Sao Mistakf.. — A good many poor narrow
: sighted devils who know no motive power in
I human action beyond self advance and self ag
| grandizement, and who are as incapable of form
ing any conception in regard to the true character
j of an honest and independent loan, as a Sooth
Sea Cannibal i* of understanding the Trinity,
i made op their mercenary minds that when once
elected to the legislature I would cease to de
non nee the hypoeriay, treachery, dishonesty, and
tyranny of hollow hearted pidiura! demagogues_
; 'hat abuses which I formerly loathed would meet
with comparative favor from me, and that, in
short, all ihe great features which so pre eminent
ly distinguish myself and the Sob. from all other
men, and all other | apers, would undergo a
thorough—and to all my honest disciples—inosi
humiliating and mortifying change.
What
a rfiiimiMp pxpt«t»ii in was this I . .
dear conception uhihi these in«pirt,(| #
patriotic individuals have liatl «>I' Hi** manner
which I am constituted. There in nn '
in faltering in me. Unceasingly hate | pn^jj
fiirwar*! through a(l seasons ami circnmstanr*
from boyhood in Hi** present Imnr, in the tpiartPr'
l»"»s war which I have ever wage*] against j*rr, j
anil despotism. ami In I he vigorous prosecution , |
which, until successfully terminated, | have p,m
secrated every hope and energy of my exiatcr,,.,,
Milk ami honey are nut the medicines with ^hicj"
I attempt to cure the virulent and deep seai^
maladies which are poisoning and umlemiinjn
the vitality of society. Desperate diseases
ipiire desperate remedies, and mercenary vice
and practices must hp reached hy caustic and !(■'
kni'e. il nl my l;r« elevation to a seat in
legislature of this Stale tirudoccd an alteration j*
tny conduct and piper similar to that described
il would, as I am well aware, have remove,]
every obstacle to toy future progress in the p,,|Mj
cal field, and I would have been left free to r<« „
at will, and seize upon its fullest and 8iinniPKt
places, hn! the great charm of my character would
he dissolved hy the unnatural tpusformaiion,
the spell which hinds all honest men In me \vou|,|
he f..rever broken. When I recede, it wi||[tB
into eternity. I hat I have ever been right, ( ft.,,)
as folly confident as that I am tmw writino i(,jg
article. I can never make the slightest cuinn*i,
mine with thn«e who delude, plunder and irar»in|
np *n my fellow workingmen, and I will nCVpr
consent tu abate one iota of my just censure and
severity against seffi-di vice and human tyranny
if the base and craven act would make me I>rPsj‘
dent f..r life. Thus* K navis and villains u hodi,
nut like this, may do their all to remedy it.
• ler.lion, it is heyond their |»>urr to undo. ||y
that triumph I achieved all that polilies can r»,,r
do for me, and as to the future, i wunhl nut „jyh
the segar stomp un which I am n r.v puffing'
all the nominations which thev can confer S,,
far from feeling honored by an election to the
sembly nr tu Congress, were it not fur llm rm„n
I have just stated, I should h* led to regard it
the light of a most equivocal compliment, cn.
sidering the unprincipled and incompetent in,!*]
cilea who have been almost exclusively sent them
for years past from tl is city. Any brainless and
worthless blockhead who possesses the wealth far)
easily purchase a nomination ti>r almost any thin.,
hut it takrs one ul Nature’s Noblemen to win and
retain the respect and disinterested love of his
fellow men. by honesty, ability and self sacrific
ing disinterestedness.
W ASH INGTON COU HES 1*0NDEXCE1
Washington, Dee. 10, 1310.
j *Wr. Editor.—The character, talents, ami rep.
utallon at public men, are sai.t to ho public pr,,p.
eriy. If ibis principle lie Irue.then lias oneof
ilie members of tbe present Cabinet Contributed
most largely to the national wealth.
NN lien I read liis very able ami luminous r,..
p-ois on the subject of thp revenue, to Conors
ot the last session. I supposed it almost imp<«ib|a
that the distinguished Secretary of the Treasurr,
even with all his aek now (edged alnlity, eouli!
adit any tiling to the force ami power of the views
ami arguments therein contained ; but a careful
p*»tnsal of It is report of the 9tli instant, has com
pletely dissipated that supposition. A report
which, fur the clearness and perspicuity of its
style, convincing power of its argument, and
thorough acquaintance with the subject which it
displays, deserves to l>e regarded among the first,
if not the very first of state papers which hat
ever emanated from that Department, and placet
its author on the same elevated platform with the
ablest statesmen of our country.
Mr. Walker’s expose of the general operation
"I ihe laws of trade—the adaptation of our pre
sent tariff to those laws, and the Consequent ben
efit which every department of industrial pursuit
must receive from its preservation, is presented
in a style so condensed that an analysis would be
utterly impracticable, any attempt at which,
would hut mar the proportions, ami weaken the
force nf the document. I shall, therefore, forbear;
and knowing that yon will take the earliest
opportunity to lay it lielorc your readers, will
content myself with commending it to their
attentive consideration, with the confident belief
that all who do so, whether "big or democrat,
whatever may have been their opinions heretofore,
cannot hut rise from-its perusal with an increased
disposition to give to the tariff of 1840. a (an
| trial, and accord to its author high praise.
Yours, truly, S. L. E.
Front tlic Baltimore Republican.
DANIEL WEBSTER'S SPEECH.
I his eftort about which there has been such *
noisy '• note of preparation.” hns at length hern
made, and in spread out in full in the Philadelphia
Inquirer. It is applauded and hepraised as a gigantic
speech, hut fur our lile w h cannot see in w hat its im
iliensity consists except in the nuniherof the pages
of the newspaper it covers, and the lime, about
five hours consumed in the delivery. There!'*
nothing new whatever in it. The P. nnsy 1 vanun,
in a hurried editorial, actually anticipated I he sub
stance of the whole speech. He com* 1 inienled
Pennsylvania, exulted over the recent election*
which lie falsely claimed a» *• a revolution pfodu
ced hy the universal dissent from the measure*"'
the ndrniriislion ” He opposed the manner in
which the present war with Mexico was brought
about and prosecuted, and ..d TeX3*
as the ptincipaI ennse ol it, taking Mexican grounJ
better Ilian Santa Anna could. He opposed the
•• People’s Tariff,” the Subtreasury, the Veloe*
lie praised (jen. Jackson, (that was somethin;}
unit, ilti.ugh.) and cursed President Polk, ami uh.
rarer show I •* he expounded the Constitution.’
He concluded Ins speech l>y acknow ledging th*1
the |a<lies present afforded all the" •• pleasure"
the occasion. 'Phis synopsis will stmw thd.
1 he company PXpicted any novelty for their fi,f
dollars, they were mtu-li mistaken, ami inns! ha*'
been a tlear price fur those who looked for milt'
utility, to pay for an enlogtmn on the man w ho tic
stroyed their pci monster, and opposed their fa»"r
tie schemes But these were itieu.es of his speed
elahora ed witli his" usual ability.” His »r«ru
merits have been refu'ed time after time—hts pro
1 penalties to sustain the enemy, though, can »i*rf
[ t*e ernrlicatt r|. I hey are morbidly const ftwtiurta
■ like himself opposed in tlie country, and ihe Instri
I ment which preserves its liberties. Oppp^!1''
; lit the new Isriff and to the war being hts prio*
! pal themes, he accomplished nothing
i against etthr r. He could nut disprove |hegruiin
taken in the following resolutions written *'
sustained by himself in |^^0, in Etoeuil llall I
Urtiilctil, 1 h:»l n > objection ought tit hr
to any amount ol taxes, tqoaliy npp.r tinned
imposed for the pur; .sc ot reremte neeearw'V •
the snpp.rt of government ; but the tux* * ifl'P*
serf upon I be people for the role benefit lV‘
rln*n of nirn.me . qo .lly inenmeintmt with &
prinriplet of our Con*l>l»lion anil *ilh *,'a'
poliri).
Iteiolreel, I hat bigli hnnntir.* ..ns'icft Ann*
tic iiisnufnetures as are principally benefit'd
that I .'.riff, filrnr gri nf enpilnlixlt rolbrf
perxonol imlntlnj, or the mmtr» »f small C8I
tals.and, therefore that we do not perceive **
deucy to promo’s national industry.
lie could not belter prove bis opposition hi b
Country, by denonnring the present war, than I
did hy his hostility to the war, in 1812 ard 181