Daily Richmond times. [volume], July 13, 1849, Image 2

About Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850

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THE DAILY TIMES.
VVM. C. CARRINGTON & WILLIAM II. DAVIS,
EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS.
RICHMOND, VA.
Friday Morning, July 13th, 1849.
A PARALLEL.
The Washington Republic is proving itself a
most harassing foe to its neighbor the Union. In
answer to the unmeasured abuse with which the lat
ter is assailing Gen. Taylor, the Republic adroitly
recalls, from the records of the past, evidence that
precisely the same sort of censure was heaped upon
Gen. Jachson. by the principal editor of the Union,
whilst he conducted the Richmond Enquirer, until
Gen. Jackson became the head of the Democratic
party, when the Enquirer turned to be his fast sup
porter. We do not understand the Republic to draw
from this wonderful parallel of abuse, the conclu
sion that the Union rnay be expected yet to fall into
the ranks of Gen. Taylor’s friends; but rather, that
ivs present assaults upon his character and conduct
should be taken cum grano, that is, with a large al
lowance for party bitterness and for instability of
conviction. _ '
We pray the good Democrats of Virginia to re
fresh their memories of what they were once taught
about “the man of Orleans” (as William Cobbett,
in a fit of enthusiasm, called the iron-willed hero,)
and to ask themselves this plain question : If Gen.
Jackson, in 1824, was pronounced by the Richmond
Enquirer, to be nothing but a soldier, no statesman,
rash, violent and arbitrary, and in all things so unfit
for the Presidency that his election would be a curse
to the country, and yet was aftewards held up by the
same authority as a wise, statesmanlike and patriotic
President, must it not be, at least, doubtful, whether
General Taylor really deserves the reproaches and
condemnation now directed against him from the
very same source ?
RITCHIE ON JACKSON.
“We cannot consent to
lend a hand towards the
election of such a man as
Andrew Jackson.”—Rich
mond Enquirer.
'One, who, on any great
crisis, would convert the
whole country into 'one
great camp, and would re
duce almost every thin°; un
der martial law.”—Rich
mond Enquirer.
"Wecan commend Gen.
Jackson’s modesty in retir
ng from the Senate and the
Bench, where he discovered
the superior qualifications of j
other people. Can we say
as much for his modesty,
when he is now aspiring to
the highest office in this na
tiort —Richmond Enqui
rer.
"He (Gen. Jackson) is a
distinguished soldier—but is
he a statesman? Where is
the evidence of it? Where
are hi3 political speeches?— i
Where are die evidences of j
that skill and attainment in
politics to which a life of1
study and experience is
30 essentially necessary V*—
Richmmid Enquirer.
‘Compare him (General
Jackson) with Adams and
Cm\fford, and how inferior
mussf he be.”—Richmond
Emuirer.
f rlQ (General Jackson) is
too little of a statesman—
too rash—too violent in his
temper—his measures too
much inclined to arbitrary
toveniment—to obtain the
umble support of the edi
tor of this papeh”—Rich
mond Enquirer.
'* Do General JfcukWs j
friends pretend to that ]
he is equal to Washington V\
-Vhen raodcsif/ lay ;
claim to snoh a pr-j
will be tiiii' .-'.'in.Mgh to,!
answer -them -^Ficchmond)
Enquire)
Whn {k n »d of a Pwsgt- i
dent would this ‘great civi1- |
liaif (G.en. Jackson) make ? j
A gentleman who cannot
interpret the plain expres
sions of one law—and yet
would be called upon to ad
minister all the laws of the
land. One whose ideas are
so purely military, that he
would transmute a traitor
into a spy, or would punish ,
treason, not by the civil’
courts, but a court martial.’
—Richmond Enquirer.
"We would deprecate his
(Gen. Jackson’s) election
as a curse upon our coun
try. ”—Richmond. Enqui
rer.
RITCHIE ON TAYLOR.
“ Without experience—
without information in civil
matters—having uo confi
dence in himself (General
Taylor)—little will of his
own, and necessarily de
pendent upon others ior ad
vice and assistance.— Un
ion.
“ The nominee of the
Whig party (General Tay
lor) had been forty years in
the camp. He had never
given a vote, except at a
military council or court
martial, and, asliir as was
known, he had never uttered
a political sentiment.— Un
ion.
“They (the people) only
effect one-eightli of a Presi
dent, (Gen. Taylor,) and
must trust to fortune for the
rest .’’—Union.
“If it be the policy of the
Whig party to elect to the
Presidency a man (General
Taylor) whose previous oc
cupation and habits of life
unfit him for its high duties.”
— Union.
“Notwithstanding Gen.
Taylor’s acknowledged in
competency for the elevated
duties he has assumed.”—
Union.
“His (General Taylor’s)
want of experience in the
science and statesmanship,
and his Jack of knowledge
of men, even if he had pos
sessed a superior and com
manding intellect, con
vinced us he would be ob
liged, in the event of his
election, to throw himself
into the hands of the men
who were instrumental in
briug.i . him in the field as
a cand. late.” — 7 rnion.
“And tins t General Tay
lor.-is dirt second Washing
tort 1 Gracious Heaven!—
Did aa enlightened people'
avcj so grossly err! Shall
■we tut become the laughing
stock of the civilized world!
Is there not danger that the
cause of freedom will suffer
the most serious detriment
throughout both hemis
pheres Y’—Union.
.“He (Gen. Taylor) was
‘neither fish, Hash, nor fowl,
nor yet a red herring’—but
a no-party man-'the se
cond Washington’—the he
ro of a god-abhorred war.—
Union.
“The Gen. (Taylor) him
self, however important he
may have been in the bat
tle field, will be no more in
this whirlwind ofWhig ele
ments than the fly upon a
coach wheel.”— Union.
ELECTRICITY AND CHOLERA.
We publish, in another column, a very curious
essay by Dr. Audrand, of Paris, which, if the facts
it states be facts, seems to establish a connexion be
tween epidemic cholera and atmospheric electricity.
It is certainly a very general remark in this city, that
there have been no thunder clouds since the appear
ance of cholera. The St. Louis Republican men
tions the interesting fact that a piece of sulphur
rubbed with woollen cloth, in that city, while the
cholera prevailed, would not attract a bit of paper,
as it usually does. The subject is certainly well
worthy of investigation; for if the cause of cholera
can once be discerned, we may not despair of find
ing some effective preventive of its ravages. May
not the regular progress of the epidemic from East
to W est. from Asia to Europe, and thence across to
America, have some relation to peculiar conditions
of the great electric current, which encircles
the earth and determines the direction of the mag
net.'
I' rum the National Intelligencer
HUNGARY.
The following interesting account of what took place
a, the Diet ol Debreczin, alter the proclamation of a Re
public, 13 lunituaed in a Letter trom an American in Vi
enna. It will be read with profound attention by the peo
ple ot the United States: K
“Vienna, June8,1849.
* * "Of the movements of the Hun
garians, in the mean time, we are unadvised, except that
since their “declaration of independence" of the House of
Hapsburg, the Diet has proclaimed a Republic. The fol
lowing, according to the prints, is a description of the
-oene which occurred on that occasion in the Diet of De
bieczin. The President of the Council of Ministers, Mr
Gzemere, spoke as follows:
“Our programme consists of three points: First, the
Ministry declares itself a Uccolntionary Government
[Tins drew forth loud applause.) It will consequently
snnnk lrom no measure, trom none which may be neces
sary tosave the country. Hut, as soon as peace shall be
established, the Ministry will cease to be revolutionary •
tor to have recourse to extreme measures, without neces
sity, would be a crime towards the nation. [Applause J
The second point is, that the Ministry will follow the re
publican line. fGreat applause, and bravos, i It will on
pose, by all means in its power, any attempt to restore the
-Monarchy ; but it will also combat any idea of a Repub
lic attacking family tics and property. (Applause) The
Ministry, as God is its witness, wish for a republic which
rhail promote the happiness of the people, and not be a vain
name The third point ol the progrmme is, that the Min
istry will adopt democratic tendencies. I Shouts of au
plauee ; All the bills which it shall present shall he con
ceived in that rense. It adopts the principle of the Sov
ereignty ol the People, in all its consequences. [Prolomr
ed applause It will retire sooner than abandon those
principles"
r he Great t ire in St. Loms.-The origin of the St
Louis hre, alter a judicial exauinaUon before Mr Justice
Butler is given as follows "The result of my exami
nation», that no evidence exists ol any incendiary altering
to produce this tire; that every probability indicates so tar
as any testimony wassubrnitted to me, that the lire must
have originated from sparks proceeding trom passing boats
lodging on a newly pamtad boat, and favoured bv a high
Wind blowing on them
legislature.
[Instead of putting ourselves to the expense of
sending a reporter to the Fauquier Springs, and to
the inconvenience of publishing long reports, which,
in the form of reporting almost necessarily adopted,
would be uninteresting and unintelligible to a ma
jority of readers, we have thought it the better plan
to devote some attention, as the Legislature goes
along, to the Code, as it is brought under conside
ration, and to exhibit the modifications' effected in
the present laws, by showing what are proposed for
adoption and what are actually sanctioned by the two
Houses. The debates are not ot a sort to excite
general interest, and if we inform our readers of
what is really done, we conceive that we shall have
sufficiently met their wishes.]
Monday, July 2d.
SENATE.
VOLUNTEER COMPANIES.
The Senate adopted an amendment to the Code
(part 1st), by authorizing the enrolment of 50 con
tributing members to each volunteer company, who
shall be exempt from military duty for one year by
paying $3 each to the company. [This proposition
was debated in the House, before the Legislature
left Richmond, and was there defeated. We are
persuaded that when the members of that body come
to reflect on the usefulness of the volunteer compa
nies, wherever they are maintained, their efficiency
in preserving the public peace, and protecting life
and property, and the frequency and exclusiveness
with which they are called into service, they will
yield assent to this just and moderate encourage
ment. By abolishing the company musters of the
militia, the House has acknowledged the ridiculous
inefficiency of the militia system. It becomes it,
then, to build up some other for the security of the
community.]
REGIMENTS.
Another amendment of the Senate makes 400 the
number of a regiment, but the regiment not to he
dissolved until it is reduced below 300.
COMMITTEES’ CLERKS.
The Senate (on motion of Mr. Dennis) reduced
the number of committee clerks to four instead of
seven, and to $4 per day instead of $5—and re
quires they perform anv extra service without any
pay.
sheriffs’ fees.
Mr. Dennis moved to reduce sheriff s comnns
missions on taxes or licenses to 5 per cent on all
sums up to $5000, and to 2 1-2 per cent on the ex
cess over $5000—carried.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
state’s vote in improvement companies.
The bill, as reported, prohibits a company from
organizing before the Board of Public Works sub
scribes. The Revisors recommended a provision
that the vote of the State, in joint stock companies,
should never exceed one-half of the whole number
of votes given by others; the general scale of voting
being one vote for each share under 20, one for
every two shares over 20 and under 100, one for
every five shares over 200 and under 500, and one
for every ten shares exceeding 500. The Revision
committee modified the limitation of the State’s vote so
that it shall never exceed two-thirds of the remain
ing vote, and this provision was not changed by the
House. The bill requires the Board of Public
Works to appoint, directors on behalf of the State in
proportion to the stock ownei} by the State; but with
the following important exception ;
“Where the stock held on behal f of the State in a
company is more than two-fifths of the whole capital
stock thereof, an appointment shall not be made under
this section, but the State shall vote in the election
of directors in such company in the general meetings
of stockholders.”
A previous effort had been made by Mr. Harri
sion, of Prince William, in committee, to strike out
this clause, so that the State Directors would in all
cases be in proportion to the stock of the State.—
Mr. R.ives now repented the motion to strike out,
and it was rejected, ayes 47, noes 50. [Surely if it
be proper to scale the vote of the State and other
large stockholders, in order to protect small stock
holders from oppression, the principle should be ap
plied in the appointment of directors. The Direc
tors manage the whole affairs of a company, and if
any one interest appoints a majority, the other inter
ests have really no voice at all. These gentlemen
who have keen eyes to what will- be popular,
seem to us sometimes to commit very obvious mis
takes of policy. In this instance, the true po
pular privilege is involved in the principle sus
tained by the House. The protection of weak in
terests against strong interests lies at' the founda
tion of free institutions.]
tilot LAWS.
-Ur. Kobmson made an enort to restore pilotage
above Hampton Roads, but failed.
The House ordered the bill (part 2d of the Re
port) to be engrossed, and Mr. R. deeming himself
badly treated, upon the question of passage, called
for the reading of the whole bill, a volume of 539
pages! The Speaker thought this out of all ques
tion, and Mr. R. withdrew his motion, and the bill
was passed.
THIRD BILT..
The House took up bill 3d, title, Slaws aiul Free
Negroes.
A motion to go into committee of the whole was
rejected, 40 to 56.
SLAVES.
Mr. Worthington proposed an amendment, which
Es modified by Mr. Scott and presented by him,
king the following provision read thus:
‘Any person may emancipate any of his slaves by
t will in writing, or by deed, recorded in the
court of his county or corporation, or, when the owner
is not a resident of the State, then in the court of the
county or corporation in which the slave is.”
Mr. Rives moved as a substitute that: “It shall
not be lawful for any person to emancipate a slave
within the limits of the State.”
Mr. Pannill mooted the proposition to deport all
the free negroes by force, but was voted down.
Mr. Rives’ motion, changed to a single mot ion to
strike out the section giving authority to emancipate
slaves, was rejected.
Mr. Mayo moved to prevent, by a penalty, a slave
from hiring himself out under any circumstances,
for the benefit of any one. Carried.
On Mr. Goff’s motion the reward for apprehend
ing a runaway slave within 50 miles was increased
from $10 to .$25.
Mr. Thomas moved to amend the 4th section as to
“how court is to act on petition lor leave to sue for
freedom,” so as to restore the old law on the subject,
viz : to impose a penalty on any one aiding or abet
ting any slave in a suit for freedom, who shall fail to
establish his claim to freedom.
A debate sprang up on the necessity and jus
tice of this provision, and after being modified, al
Mr. Yerby’s instance, so as to be confined to non
residents only, it was rejected, 41 to 43.
Mr. Hart moved to amend section 7 of chapter
104, so ns to impose a penalty of j|20 on a master
or other person for giving written permission to
a slave to obtain, or furnishing him with intoxi
cating liquor, with the intern that he shall sell or
trade the same.
Tuesday, July 3d.
SENATE.
The 1st bill was passed. The determination of
the Sennte to take no subjects foreign to th r bode
ivas thought to he tested by n vote to adjburn
pending’a motion to take up a bill for the ex
tension of the Beverly and Fairmount road.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Mr. Laidley obtained leave of absence on a xxount
of cholera in Kanawha.
MARRIED WOMEN.
Mr. laidley offered a resolution instruct ing the
Revision Committee to enquire into the expediency
of providing more effectually for the security of the
separate estate of married women.
After some debate,a motion to postpone the reso
lution indefinitely was lost, 50 to 53; and a motion
to lay on the table was lost, 44 to 49.
Mr. Laidley’s was modified so as to appoint a se
lect committee, and was carried.
Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Moore, after
that venerable gentleman had made a gallant stand
for the rights of wives.
FREE NEGROES.
Upon a point made by Mr. Watson, it was agreed
that the bill follows the present law, in allowing the
children of emancipated slaves, permitted to re
main in the State, to remain without farther permis
sion.
Mr. Irving proposed to allow free negroes enjoy
ing such permission from one county court to re
main anywhere in the State; but the House voted no,
by a large majority.
The Revisors’ bill requires all the justices to be
summoned and a majority to be present and concur
ring, in order to pemii' an emancipated negro to re
main in the State. The reported bill only requires all
to be summoned. Mr. Pannill moved to restore the
Revisors’ provision, in order to throw every obsta
cle in the way of allowing free negroes to reside in
the State. Air. Harrison, of P. W., agreed, how
ever, that it was better with that object to facilitate
the hearing before the county courts rather than the
legislature. The motion was lost.
Mr. Rives moved to prohibit all free negroes from
removing from one county to another without the
permission ofthe court ot the latter. Mr. Moncureex
plained that this was already sufficiently provided for
as to all negroes emancipated since 1806 and their
descendants. Motion lost. Mr. R, then moved to
authorize justices of the peace to apprehend regis
tered free negroes coming into a conuty, and if
they have no honest employment, to treat them as
vagrants, '.('lie vagrant laws applying fully to free
negroes, this motion was lost, 23 to 60.
MARRIAGE LICENSES.
Mr. Ferguson moved to amend, so as to require
a license for marriage to be issued by the clerk of
the county, drc., where the marriage is to be cele
brated, instead of “in which the female usually re
sides.” Lost, after some joking about the love af
fairs of members.
DIVORCES.
Mr. Moncure of S., explained the action of the
committee of Revision on this subject, which he
thought wise and judicious—the Rovisors thought
differently. The committee had declared all mar
riages within the degrees of consanguinity to bo
null and void—this had been done in England and
some of the States. The report of tlte Revisors
would be in the hands of the House in a few days
—until then he thought the subject should be passed
by
The chapters on Divorces, Marriage, Dower and
Jointure were passed by, after amendments had been
suggested, by Mr. Lnidley, providing that a divorce
shall not be granted if it appear that the parties vo
luntarily cohabited after knowledge of the fact of
adultery, or that it occurred more than five years be
fore the institution of the suit, if within that period
the parties have lived together, &e.; by Mr. Fergu
son, making habitual drunkenness a cause of divorce
a mrnsa et thorn; any) by M> Perrow, (which tfas
carried) striking out a sectio: p, ,g that if a fe
male between 12 and 1-1 years ot age marry without
the consent of her father and guardian, or if she
have none, of her mother, her next of kin may enter
upon and take possession of all her real estate—but
after the determination of the coverture, the real es
tate shall immediately revert in the woman and her
heirs, other than her husband.
SURVEYORS—4th OF JULY.
The House got through the chapter on Surveyors,
their appointments and duties, when Mr. Cook
moved to adjourn over to Thursday, the 5th; Mr.
Strother saying that the 4th was a national sabbath :
blit the motion was rejected.
Wednesday, July 4th.
SENATE.
I lie Senate passed a hill for removing the court
house of Wayne county, and adjourned.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
MARRIED WOMEN.
I'he House met at 9, and the Speaker announced
the following as the special committee on the rights
of married women, [the ladies may desire to see their
names:] Messrs. Faulkner, Ferguson, Sheffey,
Harvey, Lacy, Burwell, Strother, Worthington,
Kilby, Watson, Irving of Cumberland, Irvine of
Campbell, and Wood.
SUITS FOR FREEDOM.
Mr. Perrow offered an amendment, which he had
before offered and withdrawn, providing that the pe
titioner in a suit for freedom, may be hired out un
til the judgment—the hire to he received by the pe
titioner, if he be judged to be free, and by the mas
ter if he be judged not to be free. The amendment
was adopted, being mollified so as to say that “the
petitioner may in the mean time be hired out, if the
court so order, and the hire shall be disposed of as
tlie court may direct.”
A motion to adjourn (to keep the national sabbath)
was here lost, 27 to 67.
LAND ORANTS.
Section 39 of the reported bill, prohibits the re
gister ot the land office from issuing any grant for
land, upon surveys, made hereafter, unless there
be endorsed on the survey, the oath of the applicant
that the land “has not been previously appropriated,
or that it was at the time of the entry thereof liable
to entry.”
Mr. Price moved to amend by confining all
grants to exclusive surveys. Carried.
The motion excited a debate on the policy of
the section, in which Messrs. Moore, Ferguson
and (Joodson spoke warmly against the obstruc
tions enforced against actual settlers, and Mr.
Stovall denounced those characters as “pilferers.”
The chapter on Escheats was agreed to.
TRANSFER OF FORFEITED i.AND^.
Amendments were adopted so as not to requin
the name of the party forfeiting land, u- the far:
of forfeiture, to be staled in the new entry oi
grant.
WAYNE COURT HOUSE.
'I’he House passed the bill concerning Wayne
(hurt 1 louse as it came from the Sent e.
THE FOURTH.
A motion to adjourn was again lost, Bn to 52;
then a third time, 28 to 50; soon after, a fourth
time, 44 to 44.
SURVEYORS.
Mr Price moved to exempt surveyors fre m penal
ties for not making surveys, unless bond and secu
rity are given that their fees will be paid. Lost.
A new motion to adjourn was lost.
The House now took up Title 33, the most impor
tant in the Code, on “Estates: hate conveyed nr
willed, and trim take in case of intestancy; also of
hems by writing." Chap. 115, “of the capacity of
*1 lens and Indians to take and dispose of property,”
was agreed to.
GIFTS—EVIDENCE OF POSSESSION.
(•hap. Ilf, prescribes “general rules as to the
creation and limitation of estates; and their quali
ties.' Section 1 reads:
No conveyance of any estate of inheritance or
freehold, or for a term of more than five years, in
hinds, shall he valid, unless by deed or will; and no
gut of a slave, or of any goods or chattels shall be
valid, unless by deed or will, unless actual posses
sion of such slave, goods or chattels he hrma fide de
livered to the donee.”
Mr. Irving moved to strike out the last clause,
because it would invalidate a gift where the donor
and donee reside together at the time of the gift.
Mr. Moncure explained that the object was to pre
vent pretended gifts. Mr. Townes approved that
object, but disliked this provision. Air. Watson
moved to confine it to gifts of slaves only. With
out acting on the matter, the House adjourned.
Thursday, July 5th
SENATE.
The Senate got a little way into the 2d hill.
NEW COUNTIES.
Mr. Stringer endeavoured to reverse the House deci
fion’ '*lat tlle v°tes of all the counties out of which a new
county is proposed to be formed shall be allowed to vote on
the question, and to coniine that privilege to the voters
within the precincts of the new county. The motion was
rejected.
On motion oi' Mr. Stanard, Indian com was made lia
ble to be levied on alter the 15th of October.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
GIFTS— EVIDENCE OF POSSESSION.
1 he House resumed the subject pending when it ad
journed, viz. Mr. Watson's motion to coniine the require
ment, that gifts of persona] property shall be by deed or
will, unless actual possession is delivered, to slaves alone.
Mr. Moncure and Mr. Ferguson approved this amend
ment. Mr. lownes and Mr. living opposed therequire
ntent altogether. Mr. Watson’s motion was lost 40 to
48.
Mr. living s motion to strike out the requirement was
lost, after some debate, 22 to 57. Mr. Scott expressed the
opinion that the “social possession” ought to lie condemn
ed only so long as the donor anti donee reside together.—
Mr. Moncure thought the section bore this construction.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
On motion of Mr. Ferguson the House determined to go
again into committee of the whole, by a vote of 55 to 40.
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
Mr. Watson moved to strike out of the section on “the
estate of Joint Tenants,” these words: “And if hereafter
an estate of inheritance be conveyed or devised to a hus
band arid his wife, one moiety of such estate shall, on the
death of either, descend to his or her heirs, subject to
debts, courtesy or dower, as the case may be.”
The present law is held to be, that the husband or wife
surviving takes the whole estate granted jointly to both,
like an ordinary joint tenant surviving, before the old law
of survivorship was changed. Mr. Watson withdrew bis
motion for the present.
LAND GRANTS.
Mr. Ferguson moved to strike out section 39of chap. 112,
concerning Land Grants,before cited. The section pro
hibits the Register from issuing any grant unless the sur
vey is endorsed with an affidavit of the party applying that
he believes the land has not been previously appropriated,
or that it was at the time ot entry liable to entry.
Upon this motion, a long debate ensued concerning the
land laws ot the State, and the policy of discouraging ac
tual settlers. Messrs. Ferguson, Goodson, Dorman, Goff,
Moore and Collins earnestly advocated the motion; and
Mr. Lane, ol Lee, and Mr. Price sustained the section.—
The motion to strike out was lost, 41 to 43.
ELECTRICITY AND CHOLERA.
Dr. Audrand, of Paris, has communicated to the Acade
my of Sciences the following interesting letter upon the
connection bet ween the Cholera and Electricity :
, , Paris, June 10, 1849.
1 hreugbout the varying cove.-, of tb . ravages of the
cholera r. Paris, tarn is to say during the oast three months
nearly, l have stiyffijd the aitfon o' the -A
daily, in derm sfttW" myself whelk there isuoi’STfixed
Connecticut between the intensity of that Scourge and the
absence of the electric fluid unusually different throughout
the atmosphere. ^ *
The machine which has been the object of my daily ob
servations is a powerful one—at ordinary times, it throws
off after two or three turns of the wheels,detonating sparks
from 2 to 2i inches in length. I at first observed that from
the commencement of theepidemic.it was impossible for
me to produce this result once. During the months of April
and May, the sparks obtained with great difficulty, never
exceeded seven tenths of an inch, ami their variations
agreed very closely with the irregularities of the cholera.
1 his supplied at once a strong ground of bcliei that 1 was
close upon the important fact that I sought to establish
yet I was not quite convinced, since the variable moisture
of the atmosphere might have caused the in-regularities of
the machine.
I awaited, therefore, with impatience, the coming fine
weather and heat, to continue my observations with more
certainty, lleat and fine weather at length came, and to
my amazement, the machine, though often referred to, fur
from denoting, as should have been the case, an increase
of electricity, only gave more and more feeble indications
ol it, to such a degree, that during the days of the 4th,
5th and 6th of June, it was impossible to obtain anything
more than slight crackings, without sparks, and at length'’,
on the 7th, tho machine remained entirely silent. This’
new decrease of the electric fluid coincided perfectly, as is
well known, with the violence of the cholera. For my
part, l fell appalled, rattier than surprised; my conviction
was fixed, and T saw in it but the result of a clearly estab
lished fact.
II may oe imagined witli wliat anxiety,in those critical
instants, I consulted the machine, the sad and truthfiil wit
ness to a great calamity. At length, on the morning of
the 8th, leeble sparks re-appeared, then intensity increased
trom hour to hour, and 1 perceived with jov that the lil'e
f ving fluid was returning'into the atmospheric void.—
owards evening a storm announced to Paris that elec
tricity had re-entered its domain; in my view the cholera
was vanishing with the cause that produces it. The next
day, Saturday, the 9th, my experiments were continued,
and everything had then returned to its proper condition,
the machine, at the slightest touch, threw out brilliant
sparks with ease, and, it might almost be said, with de
light, as if’ aware of the good tidings it was bringing.
1 |iave thought it my duty, Mr. President, to communi
cate these tacts immediately to the academy. The ques
tion riowjippeavs tomeentirely solved. Nature has infus
ed into the atmosphere a mass of electricity, contributing to
the service and support of Jitc. II’, by any cause, thismass
of electricity is diminished, and sometimes decreased even
to exhaustion, what follows! Every one suffers; those
who carry within a suflicient supply of electricity,’ with
stand it; those who can live only by borrowing electricity
from th“ common mass, perish witli the exhaustion of that
mass. This is u clear and perfectly rational explanation,
not only of the cholera, but perhaps of all other epidemics
that at intervals afflict humanity. If the great fact in
question were recognized and admitted as a principle, 1
think it would be easy tor medical science, professing, as it
does, countless ways of producing and restraining electrici
ty, to provide for a successful resistance, upon its reappear
ance, ot a plague which I regard at present as, at least,
arrested in its course, if it has not wholly vanished.
Accept, Mr. President, the assurance of my respectful
regard. _ AUDRAND.
The Tomb of Washington.—The proposition that
Congress should purchase the Mount Vernon estate, so
that tlie tomb of Washington should be included within
national ground, was very generally acceptable to the pub
lic, when made; but for some reason or other, we know
not what, it failed of success. A correspondent ol' the
boston Atlas, who recently visited Mount Vernon, says
that the present proprietor would be williug to seil the
mansion, with several hundred acres of the land, to the
National Government, although he would not part with a
toot ot it[to any stranger. The correspondent adds:
■ \Ve do not believe that any person ever visited thishal"
lowed spot without going away with the conviction that
the purchase ol it should be made by Congress. Let the na
tion own it, and lit it up in a manner worthy of the Re
public and of the illustrious dead, whose name is our rich
est inheritance, and whose life was one uninterrupted flow
ot the highest and purest action that ever marked the fam
ily of man. It is disreputable that it should longer remain
in its present state, ft’ we had MountVernon in old Mas
sachusetts; il Washington had been her son, and his body
was laid within her mould, how the spot would he treas
ured in our hearts, and beautified by our hands. The peo
ple ot our commonwealth would count it as their richest
treasure, and our maidens would keep the tomb dressed
with flowers in perennial freshness."—Baltimore Ameri
flut NiAGKAk a i,is Suspension Bridge has been again
thrown open to the public, having been impassible for some
time in consequence ol improvements intended to increase
its capacity, beveralnew cables have been added—a new
floor has been laid, and tho structure is now a thorough
tare perfectly sale tor all business purposes, and is capable
oisustaining two hundred and fifty tons.
PROGRESS OR THE CHOLERA.
JVetc Canes.
Now York, July 12.116_
Philadelphia
Brooklyn,
Albany,
Montreal,
Columbus, O..
Nashville, '
Cincinnati, '
St. Louis,
Aurora, Ind., 1
Lexington, Ky.‘
Maysville,
Camden,N..(..‘
Boston,
Wilmington,
Buffalo,
Lowell,
Pittsburg,
Chicago,
Rochester,
Cleveland,
Madison, Ind., ‘
Louisville,
Shelby, Ky
12.
11.
9.
9.
C.
3.
.80
.11.
.10.
.00.
. 3.
3.
Deaths.
.. .30
-20
11.no report.
11, ..no report.
2ut3.no report.
1,2&3... .no report.
4&5.
9_
.. 0
,.7fi
.150
..14
..19
9.10&11. .
8.
3..
6..
6..
5..
no report. 3
... 4. 1
. no report.7
... G. 4
.. .15.3
. no report. 1
■ • 8.2
■ no report.5
• ■ • 2.0
• ■ ■ 1. 0
no report. 3
3 to 6.no report.7
6.no report.•• 2
Nf.w-York City.—The report of interments in New
York City shows a much larger number of deaths from
cholera, than is reported by the Board of Health. Thus,
last week, the interments of cholera wore 317, and the
deaths reported by the Board only 186.
The following table will compare the number of inter
ments during the first seven weeks of the prevalence of
the epidemic in 1832,1834 and 1849 .
1832. 1834.
Deaths. By cho. D'ths. By cho.
1st weeli
2d do
3d
4th
5th
6th
7th
do
do
do
do
do
191
510
887
879
580
467
444
56
336
716
689
383
281
222
221
289
367
448
399
404
286
8
53
134
193
149
197
93
1849.
D’ths. By cho.
291
270
409
425
473
734
702
13
29
121
145
152
286
317
Total-3953 ‘3683 2414 827 3307 1063
Population, about 225,000 265,000 425,000
The deaths during the seven weeks ending July 7th,
were, in 1847,1806; in 1849,3307; increase 1501.
The Victims of Cholera in New York.—The “Sun”
publishes a list of the names and places of nativity of per
sons who died of cholera in that city during the last week.
The recapitulation shows that there were natives—
Of New York.73 Of England. 10
Massachusetts.2 Ireland .133
Rhode Island. 1 Scotland. 5
Connecticut. 4 Wales. 3
New Jersey.12 Fiance . 8
Pennsylvania.2 Germany. 28
Delaware. 1 Poland. 1
Virginia . 1 Denmark. 1
Georgia . 1 Portugal. 2
Ohio. 1 Nativity unknown .. 17
Total natives U. States. .98 Whole total.311
At Cincinnati, the disease appears at last to be on the
decline, ns will be seen by the following table of inter
ments for several day's past:
Cholera Other diseases. Total.
Sunday, July 1.99 23 122
Monday, “ 2.... 134 43 177
Tuesday, “ 3... . 129 29 168
Wedn’day," 4. ...130 53 183
Thursday. “ 5. ...137 38 175
Friday, “ 6.91 57 148
Saturday, “ 7.'. ...85 43 128
Sunday, “ 8 .74 30 104
Total 8 days..879 326 1205
The Cincinnati Gazette thus analyses the bill of mor
tality tor the week ending the 2d inst. After stating the
whole number of interments at 940, it proceeds to show,
iron! the records ot the several cemeteries, that far the
greater proportion of these deaths is among the foreign po
pulation, as follows:
Whole number of deaths... .697
In foreign born population.. .495
.Strangers (Potter's Field.54
In American population... .148
Other Dis. Total.
243 940
170 665
13 67
60 208
The Gazette says that the great disparity between the
mortality of the native population and that of the foreign
population may be tracable to imprudence in diet. The
foreign population eat vegetables and fruit without lei or
kindrance, hence the mortality.
St. Loots.—The St. Louis Republican of the 1st inst
says—
The cholera is prevailing with very considerable mor
tality at Collinsville, 111., a village which is usually one
a mong the most healthy in the country. The number of
deaths average five per day.
It is also increaceing at Belleville, where a large number
ot cases are reported as daily occurring.
A statement of the weekly interments in the burial
grounds of St. Louis, from the 1st of May to the 25th of
June, is published in the St. Louis Union of 30th ult The
faariul aggregate is shown as follows—
For the week ending May 7
Do
Do
Do
<>..
Do
Do
Do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do 14
do 21
to 28
June 4
Jdo 11
do 18
do 25
275
19S
18£
144
28i
51C
761
from the 25th to the last ol June, the Union states th
deaths tit an average of 130 per day, and then says: “Ta
king this estimate and the actual number reported above
and we have the frightful list of three thousand, one hun
tired and thirty-six deaths in St. Louis during the month
oi Vlay and June.”
In consequence of the alarming number of deaths in St
Louts, the church bells in that citv have been kept in mo
noil Irom morning till night for the past few weeks
1 hts incessant mourning lor the dead has been silencei
by the authorities. The People’s Organ says: “Th
church and tire hells will not ring out their tell tale note
in future ior deaths, in the present state of things.”
Sanitary regulations have been adopted in St. Louis tlm
: are well worthy of imitation by other cities:
On the 25th ultimo, a large meeting was held, at whicl
i a resolution, charging the authorities with “criminal apa
thy ’ in respect to the sanitary condition oi (he city, wa
proposed and debated with much acrimony. This wa
’ laid upon the tabic. Other resolutions were adopted, re
| questing the Mayor and Councilslo appoint a suitable per
; son us an inspector for each inhabited block in the eitv
i whose especial duty it should be to cause the removal of al
| tilth irom about the streets, to visit infected houses, and n
. cause them to be properly cleansed. Other measures ol' ■
I similar character were suggested, and a largo deputation o
influential citizens were selected to lay these proceeding
before the proper officers of the city government. Thi
idea ol the appointment of a .judicious person as voluntan
inspector of each square, or of a given number of squares
strikes us as a good one, and worthy of adoption in even
I city afflicted with the pestilence,
j Business in St. Louis.—The Republican of June »
! says:
I here is, at this time, an almost entire suspension of bu
I sinessm our city, and especially on the Levee. What is
none is at a minous expense. Sales are but seldom effect
ed on the wharf or from the boats, and from the frequent
showers, almost everything has to go into store. Drayage
i on hogshead of tobacco is fifty cents, on a bale of hemp
ten cents, and other things in proportion; and even at these
prices, it is difficult to obtain laborers.
; The Savannah Republican of Monday, contradicts the
statement in the Charleston papers that cholera had ap
peared on the Savannah river, at the plantations of Drs.
I Seriye.n and Daniel. There has been more or less diarrhoea
: on the above named plantations, but no such disease as
Asiatic cholera has made its appearance.
; NKW ORLEANS MARKET, HEAVY DEFAL
CATION, &o.
Corresiiondence. of the Charleston Courier.
Nkw-Orleans, July 7—7.57, A. M.
'I he Cotton market yesterday was very quiet owing to
! the prevalence, of rain. Sales JOG bales. The receipts
I here thus tar this season show a decrease of 81,IKK) bales.
1 Cotton freights to Liverpool 2d.
Jackson Duplesie, formerly Teller, but recently elect
j ed Cashier ot the Mechanics’ and Traders’ Bank, is a de
j laulter as Teller in the amount of $18,000. A warrant has
i been issued for his arrest, llis bond as 'Feller—$20,000—
j is a solvent security.
m i imii [ntIllSce. ~
FORT OF UICHMONI).
HIUll WATER THIS PAY AT 9i o’CI.0CK, A, it.
CLEARED,
iMhip Massachusetts, Sampson, Bordeaux, tobacco and
staves.
Barque Abagum, Burgess, Cowes, tobacco
SAILED,
Barq. Cyane, Loveland, City Point, to complete load
ing, Antwerp.
Schr. Charles L. 1 Iul.se, Turner, New York.
Sehr. S R Painter, Neul, Albany.
NORFOLK, .Inly 11—Arrived, Scln Francis Ann,
Keen, Richmond.
NEW YORK, July 11—Cleared, ship Lady Arabella,
Clover, City Point.
BOSTON, July 10—Cleared, ship Buena Vista, Mus
tan, Richmond.
tw The monthly meeting of the Union Temperance
Society will beheld on Friday evening, at 81 o’clock, at
the first Baptist Church, (Mr Jeter’s.) The meeting will
be addressed by the President, Capt. Dimtnock, andThos
J Evans, Esq. 1 here will be good singing on. the occa
sion.
CITY AFFAIRS.
BOARD OF HEALTH
Richmond, 6 o'clock, P.M., July lath
John Caskie (President,) J. 6. Wing
Pahner^aiid 1L w'.^Fiy. ^ K™s* Wi™""’ U >”
The Board have to report 11 cases of cholera as
occurrinK in the city during the last 24 hours, *nd seven
which occurred previously, but were not before made
known to the Board Of these, five have terminated fo
ment are conva,escent*!lnd 'co are still under treat
Of the cases previously reported, three have since died
Frifla Board adjourned to meet again at 5 o'clock, P IVf.,
« naay, 13th inst. * *
P. CLAIBORNE GOOCH, IV). D.,
Secrefary B H
T,,r Mayor’s Court again yesterday furnished no mu
tcnel lor the Reporters. Crime,like trade, is at a low
ebb in the city, the present week.
John Kelley was brought before his Honor, charged
with being drunk and disorderly near the Old Market
Mouse \\ ednesday evening. It is a trite, but true saying,
that when “wine’sin wit’s out,’’ and it held good in the
present instance, for Kelly had, without provocation, as
saulted a man named Vaughan, though he inflicted no in
jury Oil him—officer Page arrested Kelley, however, and
provided lodgings lor him in the cage. As this waa Kel
ly’s fust appearance before his Honor, he dismissed him
with the assurance that if he attended another of his morn
ing levees, he would be sent to the Valley.
1 he Pestilence—Prudence.—The pestilence, as will
he seen from the daily reports of the Board of Health,
though shorn of much of its virulence, still lingers in the
city, and is likely to remain here as long as people perais'
in eating and drinking imprudently. Experience, as well
as the history ot the epidemic, teaches us, that the only im
munity from its deadly touch, is to be found in prudence
The medical faculty ol the city have, time and again, as
sured us, that the daily use of green vegetables would prove
highly injurious during the existence of cholera. This im
portant fact has been proclaimed throughout the city—every
man, woman and child in the community has been made
acquainted with it—but still there are found persons here,
who Will indulge their appetites for vegetables, despite
every admonition. That such persons should tall victims to
the epidemic, whilst it may cause n^vet, cannot excite
surprise. Market baskets are daily carried tfom the New
Market House, (we know from observation,) tilled with
green, indigestible, and, therefore, poisonous vegetables.—
Even cucumbersohe most exceptionable of all vegetables,
are daily consunW in the city, but not with impunity, as
the records of mortality will abundantly show. Two in
stances, during the present week, have been brought to our
own knowledge, wherein the use of this unwholesome vege
table has produced cholera and death! The markets are
glutted with vegetables in consequence of the abstemioua
ness of the prudent, and their consequent cheapness, tempts
the inconsiderate to purchase, to eat and die. We venture
the assertion, that not a single ease of cholera, having a
fatal termination, has occurred within the limits of the
city the present week, which cannot be traced to impru.
deuce, either in eating or drinking. Of die fifty-seven
deaths from cholera last week, forty-six were colored
subjects, and this constituting the class mostly addicted to
the use of vegetables, conclusively establishes the truth of
the postulate, that the epidemic continues to exist in the city
only in consequence ol' the imprudence of the inhabitants
The authorities of St. Louis, the reader has perceived, have
been compelled to prohibit, under severe penalties, the sale
in that city, of” all fruits, vegetables, lish,sausage meat and
fresh pork;” and it becomes a matter worthy of considera
tion, whether a similar prohibition should not be enacted by
ouv own City Council. True, all descriptions of fresh
iisli have been excluded from the city, but tile Council will
have to advance a step farther, and prohibit the sale, at lea3t
of those vegetables and fruits which experience teaches
us to be dangerous to the health of the city. Till this be
done, we cannot hope for entire exemption from the epi
demic. The trade of the city has been nearly prostrated,
and will remain so till the surrounding country shall be
convinced that cholera has ceased to exist here. We re
iterate the assertion, that the crisis of the malady has been
passed, and a proper observance of sanatory regulations
and individual precautions, will cause the epidemic to dis
appear from amongst ns at an early day. Trade and
commerce will again become animated, and our city will
once more wear its animated and bustling aspect.
JQF' The Members of the Bar are requested to meet
at the State Courthouse, in the Room of the Court of
Chancery, to-day, at 12 o’clock, to take such measures ao
they may deem proper, to express their respect for the me
mory ol Chapman Johnson, Esq.
COBlittEBCIAL RECORD.
' RICHMOND MARKBTS, July. —f—
TOBACfiT).—Inspections the past week lull, with
more animation perceptible in the market. We quote
Lugs at $2,25 to $3,50, Common Leaf $3,25 to $4,50,
Gooi^md Fine $6 a 8,50 ; fine Manufacturing $7 to $17.
FLOUR.—The last sales of Seottsville were at $5 pei
bbl, blit holders ask higher to-day. Indeed, the stock in
first hands is extremely limited. Richmond country would
command $5 per barrel. The transactions in Flour the
past week have been quite heavy, with limited arrivals
CORN—We quote 55 cents per bushel as the ruling
price this week.
i u°??o¥nEAItrT6() cta' per bu5:liel' K,ln dlieJ meal h
held at $2,50 per bbl.
OATS.—Not much doing. We quote 30 cents per
bushel as the nominal price.
WHEAT.—None arriving. Sufficient engagements
for the new crop have not yet been entered into to estab
lish a quotation.
WHEAT OFFAL.—Bran 10 cents, Shorts 12£cents.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS - During the
past week, a rather better demand lias existed foe Groce
ries, 1 revisions, &.C., though we do not notice any mate
rial difference front the quotations of last week. Our mer
chants are making preparations to visit the Northern mar
kets, and with the lair prospect of a good business this
hall, will doubtless purchase desirable stocks.
hOREIUN FREIGHTS.—Since last report, the brig
Athens lias been taken up lor Lundou at 27s 6d per hhd.i
brig James Gray tor Liverpool at 25s perhhd., and barque
Tarquin for the North of Europe on private terms. Se
veral vessels of from 400 to 650 hhde capacity might
now procure freights here. We have no change to note
in coastwise freights.
CHARLESTON MARKETS, July 9.
Cotton.-—The transactions on Friday and Saturdi
amounted to 1062 bales—90b on the former and 156 bai
on the latter day. The sales were at extremes rangii
irom t>t to Od. rncea continue to tend upward
. UII1D,
On Sunday forenoon, the 8th July, in the 47th year of
her age, Mrs. Elizabeth S., consort of Daniel Trueheart
hsq.,oi tins city, alter years of much bodily ■ nftering and
a piotiacted and very painful Hnal illness of many months
duration.
As daughter, sister, wile and mother, she was tenderly
affectionate, and m discharging the duties incumbent on
her in these several relations, most faithful and exemplary
A devoted and humble disciple of the Prince of Peace it
was her constant desire, as well as her earnest and habi
tual endeavor, to fulfil conscientiously every Christian ob
iigation: and by happy experience, she found that “in keen
ing Cod s commands, there is great reward "
J'he SrT a,ld lonS'c°nfiiiuea, and often agonizing pains
to which she \yas subjected by force ol her disease, (rheu
matLsi",) wote borne with remarkable patience and reeig
nanom-and by the grace of God, having become perfect,
iy willing to cave tins world, her gentle and purified spirit
was at length gently taken into that better world, where
tUere is no sin, no sickness, no pain.
mere**1 WBS l° emP^ia^ca^ lhe angel ol release and
At life residence in this city, on yesterday (Thursday)
morning, (Jimkhan Johnson, in the 71st year oi his age
Ills mends and acquaintances generally, and those of Ins
tamily are requested to attend his funeral from the Monu
notic ■ ^' u,reh’ lh|s evening, at 41 o’clock, without further
On yesterday morning, Richard, infant son of John and
Bridget beagers. The friends ol the family are requested
to attend Ins funeral from the Catholic Church, this morn
mg, the 13th inm., at 9 o’clock.
In this city, on yesterday, Mrs. Catharine R. Wooddv.
Pbe mends and acquaintances of the family, and those ol
.vir. G. \) . 11. 1)'lor,arc invited to attend her funeral from
Ihe residence ot her husband. Mr. John Wooddy, thr.
morning, at 9 o’clock, without further notice.
On lhe 13th inst., Seth Haywood. Ilis friends and ac
quaintances are invited to attend Ills funeral this morning,
at 10 o’clock, from his late residence on Valley street
without further notice.
On Wednesday morning last, in this city, at 4 o’clock,
Edwin Neal, son ol Edwin A. and Mary E Smith
aged 3 years.
RANGE OE THE THERMOMETER, at J. W
Randolph ts Vo.'s Bookstore, July nth.
8 o’clock... .80 | 12 o’clock.... 1 5 o’clock_88