which had, indeed, been advanced at the extra ses-treasury note system: not on constitutional grounds, | borrow on the best terms she could get; but those sion, but which had been instantly repelled in strains for he had not examined the constitutional question; terms never could be better than her credit was. of manly eloquence, whose tones of thunder had not but he abhorred it on every account, on national Surely it was not in the contemplation of gentlemen even yet ceased to vibrate the air. Nor could he grounds; and, also, he would frankly avow it, on par- to cheat the public creditor to the extent of the failure comprehend why the sensibilities of gentlemen seem-ty grounds. How did we stand? The bank bill had of government credit in the market; that never could ed now to be awakened into so much vivacity; he heen vetoed, the bankrupt law was gone, he suppos- be seriously intended. could not really understand it. And if gentlemen ed the distribution law was in little better condition, Unless, therefore, he obtained more light on a subcarried it much further, his suspicions would begin the loan had failed, and now they were to be thrown ject which he did not profess to understand as well as to be aroused. Much as Mr. M. must deprecate and on the treasury note system. Heaven and earth! some gentlemen in that house, he must still profess deplore the course the executive had deemed it his What had become of the fruit that was to result from himself in favor of the old plan the whig plan, he duty to pursue, in regard to a great financial mea- the extra session? [A laugh from a portion of the would call it-of giving the bond of the government sure which had been submitted for his approval at house]. on time. He would rather give the seven per cent. the extra session, and which, had it become a law, Then, with all personal respect, and with the un- and get the money by loan than attempt this most would have saved the government from being driven derstanding that, after he had obtained from the ho- detestable of all modes of raising money; a mode to on a course of measures like that now proposed, yet norable chairman of the committee of ways and which he never could be brought to give his consent, his deportment had ever been highly respectful to- means the information he desired, he should be at li- unless in the most extreme circumstances of necessiward that person as the chief magistrate of the re-berty to resume the floor and to comment upon it, he ty. If these notes were forced on the public credipublic. Nor could he but think that gentlemen who would again ask for the personal information which tor, the government CHEATED him; it dishonored itself undertook to defend him in the strain in which the had been obtained by the indefatigable and persever- by an act of open bankruptcy; and then there should gentleman from Indiana had just addressed the ing exertious of the honorable gentleman, apart from be inserted a clause in the bankrupt bill to include house, but little consulted the dignity of the presi- any facts contained in the official letters or report of the government of the United States. [A laugh.] the secretary of the treasury as to the power of the What! talk of public credit? What could so effectu[Here Mr. Proffit interposed, and made some re-government to obtain, in the domestic market, the ally strike a dagger through the very heart of the mark. amount needed by the treasury on loan. public credit as this? What! this government to turn broker? and bankrupt broker to boot? To SHAVE on its own paper? The political school in which he had studied never recognised such policy as that. might, to be sure, be a neat financial operation; but it involved a question of the national honor. If you paid your creditors, pay them in something that was worth their debt. If you could not get the money in, in all conscience add the amount of discount, and pay the whole. dent. Mr. M. resumed. Did any thing he had said Mr. Fillmore stated, in reply, that, in addition to amount to a charge against the president? Could the official statement of the secretary, he had been nothing be said which seemed in any degree directed permitted to see the original correspondence of that towards that officer, but up must pop the gentleman officer with our commercial cities on that subject, from Indiana, and it was "we" and "we" quite in and he was of opinion that it went fully to sustain the royal style. [Much laughter]. And when a gentle-statements made by the secretary to the committee. man, in reply, answered the gentleman that he had He had also taken pains to acquaint himself with the not so much as been thinking of him, the gentleman facts from those who were well acquainted with the threatened that he would "make them think of him!" state of the money market; and all he had learned he would batter himself into their brains, nolens vo-confirmed him in the same belief. It was, indeed, a lens. [Laughter]. thing undoubted with him that there existed no probability, even if there were a possibility, of obtaining the money needed by government on the loan already authorised-no, not even should the time be extended to twelve years-without an application to European capitalists. a In addition, he begged leave to say that a friend and colleague of his, doubting that such could be the fact, he had for his conviction obtained evidence of the appalling state of the public credit at the present moment. He here sent to the clerk's table a letter from Prime, Ward & King, of New York, addressed to himself, [declaring it as their opinion that no amount could be obtained on the United States loan, even should the time be extended to twelve years, inasmuch as the United States six per cent. stock had been offered in the market at from three to five per cent., and was without buyers. They further stated that the government would have to allow seven per cent. interest, in which case the sum wanted might be obtained. They advise that bonds be given to run seven years for four millions, and that for five millions more treasury notes be issued bearing above seven per cent., since the notes bearing six per cent. were at one per cent. discount. The letter closed with some very melancholy reflections on the present state of the government credit, and gloomy forebodings as to its future depression to a still lower point, unless speedy and efficient measures should be adopted for its restoration.] Mr. F. stated, in conclusion, that a similar statement had been made to him from Boston, by the honorable Abbot Lawrence, late a representative from that state. It It might be a very unpleasant and very alarming thing to tell the creditors that the credit of the government was at seven per cent. below par; but he would tell them so; and, though his constituents should hurl him from his seat, he would rather vote for direct taxes than be driven to such a system. There could be no difference in expense between a loan and these notes, unless it was intended to cheat the public creditor to the extent of the diffe rence. a Mr. M. had a question to put to the gentleman from Indiana. That gentleman knew the personal respect Mr. M. cherished towards him; none knew it better; but really the gentleman's course on this occasion had been such as to awaken some suspicion. This was a question between the congress of the U. States and the executive department. The house had no quarrel with "the guard," and, last and least of all, had the house of representatives a question Mr. M. had no desire to impeach this administrawith the gentleman from Indiana. If that gentleman tion, or any other; that was not the question nowwas indeed the accredited organ of the president on this was no time to criminate and recriminate, to cry that floor, then the president must be held responsiover spilt milk, or to go back to the causes which ble for what the gentleman said, and then Mr. M. had induced the present state of the country and the understood that "WE," alias the president and "the government; otherwise a long train of causation might guard," would not appeal to that house, but would be traced up by the eye of the philosophic statesman. make our appeal to the people of the United States There never was an effect without a cause: and the for the correctness of our course. Now, was he to cause might be pursued, step by step, back, and back, understand from this that the president meant to be till it was shown how, from the most palmy state of candidate in the next presidental canvass? If so, let prosperity, and the very highest condition of public the honorable gentleman, as his organ and represencredit ever enjoyed by any nation on this earth-by tative here, make that declaration, then they should an erroneous policy obstinately clung to, and still perknow what to rely on. But to return to his subject. sisted in by what was called a whig administrationwe had been reduced to our present state of public Mr. M. said he was opposed to the policy of the shame. But he dared not go into that investigation. bill. His repugnance to it was unutterable and inIt was not a great while ago when we had a surplus vincible. Would any gentleman tell him that the revenue of thirty-four millions per annum in the treagovernment of this union, representing twenty-six sury, when we had the best currency under the sun; great, populous, powerful and independent states, currency such as the great governments of Europe being in want of money for the public service, and never did or could possess, because none of them, going into the market with its bond having twelve extending of the same wide-spread space, ever had a years to run, at an interest of six per cent. could not central power whose fiscal arm reached over the obtain it an assertion which amounted to little whole. Russia, France, Germany, never had such short of a declaration of bankruptcy. If that were a glorious six-and-twenty states with a government true, then, terrible as it was, the nation ought to Mr. Marshall resumed the floor. From the letter whose hand controlled them all, and whose heart was know it. This country had been, with an empty now read, he understood it to be stated, on the au- strong enough to propel the vital blood through their treasury, on the eve of a war with Great Britain-a thority of Prime, Ward & King, of New York, that remotest extremities. More than that. This governpower possessing five hundred and thirty-five ships the requisite amount could be obtained in the domes- ment was the only one, in all the history of modern of war, while we had sixty-eight-a power whose tic market, if government would pay an interest of times, which had ever paid off its national debt. No fleets, extending themselves along a line of two thou- per cent. and make its bond run twelve years; and government was on record since the days of the Rosand five hundred miles, were able to girdle our en-that it could not be had for less. That was the pre- man Empire which had achieved such a thing. But tire seaboard, and might at their pleasure select any sent state of the credit of the United States govern- the American government had paid her's-paid it point of attack they deemed the most vulnerable-a ment; and on that basis it was insisted that the go- all to the last dollar, and that in good hard genuine power who, had she actually gone to war with us, vernment must return to the system of treasury notes. coin; ay, and had besides an instrument by which it would have found no greater fleet than that to resist Why? Would our credit be any better on treasury could throw its currency to all the ends of the world her; and who, had she made a descent upon the land, notes than on the bond of government? They could by the mere scrape of a pen. And all this after would have encountered no army but the free and not compel the public creditor to take them in pay-passing through a war in which all the odds were hardy yeomanry of the land. An experiment, in- ment of his debt; and, if not, would the public credit against her, with all the untamed energy of a young deed, she would never again make, but would wisely be any better on notes than on bond? If Mr. M. giant. And where was this once glorious government confine herself to the ocean. There would have been should go to a man to borrow a sum he had need of, Now? Her credit in the dust; openly disgraced; asking the field of combat; for and the man would not let him have the money on for twelve millions, and could not get it! WHO DID his bond under 7 per cent. interest, would he let him IT? have it at any less interest on his promissory note? But he would not touch on that theme; he alluded Then we must have fought, cost what it might. And If he would, he must be a loser somewhere. If, then, to it only to show the effects of this miserable, condid he understand gentlemen as asserting that we these treasury notes were to go at an interest of 6 temptible, huckstering scheme of temporary expedicould not, even in that emergency, have raised per cent. it must be by force-either by the force of ents. A system which had brought his country's twelve millions of dollars on the bond of the govern- necessity laid on the public creditor by law, or by honor so low, he must "repudiate" (since that was ment? So help him heaven he did not believe a word actual stronghanded despotism, such despotism as now the word) as a fit policy for such an empire as of it. So far was it from being true, that, had the prevailed in ancient times; for no form of modern this. Bad as our credit now was, treasury notes never necessity existed, the government could have got despotism would ever attempt such a thing. The would make it any better, but much worse, from the from this great people a hundred or two hundred mil-state of the public credit was now correctly known, damning acknowledgment it involved that the governlions on its simple scrip. and it certainly could not be made any better by ment could not get money anywhere else. treasury notes. In this argument Mr. M. reasoned Mr. Underwood obtained the floor, and moved for fairly and sincerely, not from any party bias. He the rising of the committee. did not wish, for party sake, to see the government The motion prevailing, the committee rose; and of his country degraded. He was ready to let her thereupon the house adjourned. "Her march was on the mountain wave, "Her home was on the deep." But they were told there was a necessity for this emission of treasury notes. Mr. M. had denied it in committee, and he denied here. If the money must be had, he preferred a loan. He abhorred the whole 7 CHRONICLE. BANKRUPT LAW. Preparations are making by the judicial authorities of the United States for conveying the provisions of the bankrupt law into effect within their respective districts. CAPTAIN BOLTON. The court martial which tried Capt. Bolton, rendered the following sentence: "The court having found captain William Compton Bolton guilty of disobedience of orders,' in parting from the Ohio, on the coast of Spain, on or about the 4th day of April, 1841, in violation of a verbal order conveyed to him through passed midshipman Cadwallader; but, in consideration of the manner in which the order was given, the court only adjudge him, the said Capt. Wm. Compton Bolton, to be privately reprimanded by the hon. secretary of the navy. the St. Johns and the Atlantic, as far north as Palicier's Company K, 2d infantry, under lieut. Alburtis, is in Tampa, Dec. 20, 1841. Colonel Worth has recently returned from an excursion into the everglades. His search for Indians was fruitless. No recent sign was found, to direct to their place of retreat. A force of about 1,300 men from the army and navy is still scattered over the southern portion of the peninsula, which is actively engaged, and is likely to afford them little secu rity in their hiding places for any length of time. LAKE TONNAGE. According to the secretary of the treasury's report, the enrolled and licensed tonnage in "The court is further of opinion, that the said cap-1841, at the various districts on the lakes is, at tain William Compton Bolton, in the exercise of his command, was fully prepared and at all times anxious to sustain the honor and reputation of the American flag." The letter of the secretary of the navy, conveying the sentence and reprimand to Capt. B. was as follows: Navy department, Jan. 4, 1842. SIR: I enclose a copy of the finding and sentence of the naval general court martial in your case, recently tried at the navy yard, Philadelphia, which has been approved. To a person of your high sense of personal and profeɛsional honor, this sentence is sufficiently executed by simply announcing it. You are elieved from arrest, and will consider your self as awaiting orders. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. P. UPSHUR. Capt. W. C. BOLTON, United States navy, Philadelphia. THE CHARLESTOWN AND FRESH POND RAIL ROAD, length about 8 miles, was opened the 6th January. It is designed as a substitule for waggoning the ice from the pond, 3,000,000 tons of which are said to have been exported from there last season. all. Sackett's Harbor, Buffalo, Total, Tons. 3,663 8,346 4,196 9,514 2,643 11,433 41,184 The district of Detroit excels any other. Cleveland KENTUCKY. From a statement of the revenue for the year 1841, from the various sources of taxation is $399.356 18. The revenue of the last year was $275,353 46-being a difference in favor of the present year of $124,002 72 cents-which difference results from the additional tax of five cents imposed by the last legislature. The decrease in the estimated value of the taxable property in Kentucky during the same period has been only $8,401,218. The total value last year was $272,250,027. The total value for 1841 is $263,845,749, Kentucky is now ranked among the most solvent states in the union, and there is no danger that she will forfeit the distinction. She holds to the doctrine of the binding force of contracts, whether the same be individual, state or national, and she will keep her faith inviolate. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. The senate on the 5th, [Frankfort Commonwealth. chose John Strohn, (whig) of Lancaster, its presiding officer. Petitions for the repudiation of the state deb accordingly, and the house unanimously adopted their were referred on the 5th by the house to a committee with instructions to report against it. They reported resolution. On the 6th, the senate without a dissenting voice confirmed it. It is in the following words. violate. THE COMMERCE OF BOSTON. During the year 1841, THE FINANCES. According to the report of the treasuthere were 6,317 arrivals at Boston; of which 239 were rer of Maryland, the receipts into the treasury from all Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives, ships, 283 barques, 1,227 brigs, 4,341 schooners, 177 sources, in the year ending Dec. 1, 1841, were $935,970 That the faith and credit of Pennsylvania, pledged for sloops. 1,743 were foreign arrivals and 4,574 coastwise. 36-the disbursements $594,492 03-leaving a balance the security of her loans, shall be kept sacred and in. The clearances during the period were 4,410, of which of $91,478 33, which is subject to unexpended approIndividuals may be found who shrink from 1,569 were foreign and 2,841 coastwise. There appears prations for $194,953 26, showing a deficiency of reve- their accustomed integrity of character when embarrassto be about 1,700 more coastwise arrivals than clear-nue of $104,474 92: to which is to be added the cost of ment overtakes them; but the free sons of Pennsylvania ances, which is caused by many vessels sailing under a The charge from all sources, on the treasury next year, tors and to the world, that her faith and credit shallie the present session of the legislature,estimated at $55,000. authorise us, their representives, to declare to her credicoasting license that never clear at the custom house at is estimated at $1,215,483 07, which is to be supplied by preserved inviolate in emergency; and that the doctrine the tax, the ordinary revenue, and the interest and divi- of repudiation of a debt contracted under law, whether dends received from internal improvement companies.-judiciously or injudiciously expended, shall never, until The result is, that the tax will be chargeable with the the last moral and political tie of her government is sunpayment of $600,000 a year. dered, be visited upon her honest and confiding crediMAINE. The legislature of this state convened at Autors, of this and other countries. V1 gusta on the 5th instant, and was organized by the elec- U. S. BANK OFFICERS ARRESTED. The Philadelphia U. ion of Samuel H. Blake as president of the senate, and S. Gazette states that on the 6th Mr. Austin Montgome Charles Andrews as president of the house of represen-ry appeared before recorder Vaux and made oath against Nicholas Biddle, Jos. Cowperthwaite, Samuel them with a conspiracy to defraud the stockholders of Jaudon, John Andrews, and Thomas Dunlap, charging the Bank of the United States. Mr. Vaux had the process awarded. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon Nicholas with their counsel, and gave bail in ten thousand dol Biddle, Samuel Jaudon, and Thomas Dunlap, appeared lars each to appear on Thursday next, at 4 o'clock, be fore the recorder, who will sit for a further hearing, Messrs. Andrews and Copperthwaite did not appear. EXPLORING EXPEDITION. By way of Mazatlan and Vera Cruz, the Journal of Commerce has received a file of the Sandwich Islands Polynesian to the 31st July. June 26-The United States exploring expedition, though fitted out as a peaceful expedition, and with small armaments, has done more fighting and been engaged in more contests, than probably the remainder of the navy for the last ten years. At the Feejees from 70 to 100 men were killed on the part of the natives, at the King's Mill group, from twelve to twenty-and at the Somoa, several villages were burnt. Besides these, inany petty attacks have been repulsed without any known loss of life. tatives. the votes for governor reported-whole number of votes Many individuals in the United States may be inclined tance respecting the northeastern boundary. The state's The governor's message has nothing new or of imporfrom ignorance of the character of savages, to condemn land agent Mr. Hamlin has made a report and advises these acts as cruel and unnecessary, but those acquaintnegotiation for a line, by which the St. Johns shall form ed with all the circumstances, will consider them proper- the eastern limit and the northern angle shall be ceded and called for by the treacherous disposition of the natives themselves to England. The British brig Wave arrived at Honolulu, July 20th from Columbia river, (date of leaving not mentioned.) When she left, "the U. s. ship Vincennes and brig Por. poise still remained at Pugett's Sound, Captain Wilkes had returned overland from Fort Vancouver to the vessels; he had been for a month anxiously looking for the Peacock and Flying Fish, which have probably arrived at the river before this. The agent of the Hudson's Bay Company had extended to the officers every hospitality within his power. THE FIRE AT BATON ROUGE. The occurrence of a destructive fire at Baton Rouge, (La.) is confirmed. It broke out about two o'clock on the morning of the 23d ultimo, in the dwelling house of Mr. Batin. Thirty houses, kitchens, outbuildings, &c. fell a prey to the flames. The loss of property is estimated as high as one hundred thousand dollars; besides much suffering and distress which the calamity has occasioned to the poor, many of whose families have been reduced to a state of painful destitution. Militia. The number is forty-five thousand, three hundred and fifty-five, viz: 7 general staff, 45 divison staff, 61 brigade staff, 1,655 cavalry, 2,217 artillery, 34,322 in fantry, 4,841 light infantry, 2,174 riflemen. The whole number of companies is six hundred and ninety nine. REPUDIATION. This doctrine has been formally condemned by resolutions in the legislatures of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania. A resu lution has passed the house of repr sentatives of Alaba ma prohibiting members from smoking in its hall. In the house, for playing marbles was remitted. Virginia the fine imposed upon one of their members by tions, there are 31,000,000 sheep in the union. This THE TREASURY OF MASSACHUSETTs. The report of the treasurer of Massachusetts shows that the receipts of the year have been $401,313 18. The expenditures $399,928 57. The balance at this time in the treasury gislature at its late session was one to prevent emanci SOUTH CAROLINA. Among the acts passed by the la is $7,546. pation of slaves. Any will or bequest, &c. to that ef The collector, we are informed, is of opinion that the MEXICAN ARMED SCHOONERS seized at New York-fect will hereafter be null and void. case of these schooners does not present a violation of the act of congress of 20th April, 1818, which it is believed does not interdict a commercial operation such as building, fitting out and arming vessels by citizens of the United States, for the purpose of selling them elsewhere to a foreign power. That in order to come within the statute, there must be an intent on the part of those who build, fit out, and arm vessels, to employ them, while their property, in cruising against a friendly power under a commission from some foreign power. The vessels in question will probably be allowed to sail in a few days. [Cour, and Enq. MASSACHUSETTS. On Wednesday, Jan. 5, the two FLORIDA. A correspondent of the Savannah Georgi-branches of the legislature convened. Thomas Kinnian under date of Dec. 29, says: The news from the cut was chosen speaker of the house on the first baleverglade expedition is of a discouraging nature. Col. lot by a vote of 180 out of 323. In the senate Josiah Riley's expedition, which left Palatka on the 24th ultimo, Quincy was chosen president. has returned, after one of the most harassing and fatigu ing scouts that has ever taken place in Florida. He went as far south as Fort Pierce on Indian river, crossing on his way the southern outlet of the famous swamp Alpatiokas. In his return he scouted the country between FIRE AT DETROIT. The Advertiser extra of January 2 announces the destruction of property to the amount of $150.000 by a conflagration which broke out at 10 o'clock and consumed the most valuable square in the city. on the 11th and organised with John Cassady as vice Aggregate amount invested in sheep husbandry in the $65,000.000 132,000,000 NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER. FIFTH SERIES.-No. 21.-VOL. XI.] BALTIMORE, JANUARY 22, 1842. THE PAST THE PRESENT--FOR THE FUTURE. [VOL. LXI-WHOLE NO. 1,582. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY, BY JEREMIAH HUGHES, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. CONTENTS OF NO. 21, VOL. 11. sickness it would not be able to go further. It was arrived on Saturday, from Kingston (Jamaica) for FOREIGN ARTICLES-Great Britain, Niger expedition; intended, however, if possible, that the Albert should papers to the 31st ult. China, Jamaica, Mexico; further information of the Tex-go up the Niger and the Wilberforce up the Chadda. The principal item of news, is the occurrence of an prisoners. The natives were friendly enough, and the kings re- disturbances among the negro population during the ceived the presents offered them very graciously. A Christmas week, which made it necessary to call out tract of land had been purchased in the Attah coun- the military in aid of the police-and to fire on the try, where a settlement was to be formed. rioters, by which a number have been killed. As Paris, December 5. Every thing remains perfectly common, in such cases, the origin of the disturbances quiet in this city at present. An extensive secret conspiracy to blow up the residence of the Royal family has been detected and suppressed. From the tone of the ministerial Journal, it is evident they are backing out of the interference in the affairs of Spain. diation. NATIONAL-Appointments, Northeastern boundary. The president of the senate on Monday announced the following gentlemen as members of the select committee ordered on the fiscal agency ques tion: CHINA. The Swedish brig Albion has brought advices to New York from China to the 16th September, being 20 days later than the previous accounts which were Messrs. Tallmadge, (chairman), Preston, Bates, Wal- to August 27. ker, Evans, Merrick, Young, White and Rives. a The Albion touched at Batavia on the 21st October, and there learned that the British fleet had taken the blacks. was trifling: some negro children made an unseemly and noisy exhibition, which the police attempted to stop, when the negroes gathered in such numbers as to be bold enough to attack the police, and were driven off with difficulty. The crowds continued to increase nightly, and the ordinary police being found insufficient, the governor sent a special message to the assembly, requiring the aid of the militia. Quiet had not been restored when the Jos. Porter sailed. The negroes were still tumultuous, and the troops were gathering in strong force in the city to reduce them. The discontent of the negroes sprang out of the THE BANKRUPT ACT. It will be seen by the possession of the island of Amoy. This island is prohibition by the authorities, of their annual mas proceedings of the house of representatives, that situated on the eastern coast of China, in the pro-querading sports at Christmas. These are described bill to repeal the bankrupt law, enacted during the vince of Fokien, about 15 miles in circumference, as very indecent exhibitions, but very popular among with an excellent harbor. A strong Chinese garrison has usually been maintained upon the island. The report heretofore brought to the United States, Extract of a letter dated, Macao, September 15. that the inhabitants of Kingston had objected to re We are here left in a very uncertain position. The ceiving the Creole negroes, is, as we suspected, inMandarins are unable to offer the least resistance to correct. They were all welcomed as heroes, and the foreign enemy, and their feebleness emboldens sent into various parts of the island for better securisomewhat critical, while active hostilities are being laws cover the Bahama waters; and that entry into the populace, and renders our situation in Canton ty. A novel notion is broached that the British carried on along the coast, and the people along the them by American coasting vessels coming into banks of the river are so much exasperated that they the Gulf, ipso facto frees every slave that may be on have sunk blocks of granite and put other obstruc- board. tions in a branch of it used by the men-of-war and steamers. Owing to this and some other movements, the commanding officer here went up the river three days ago with his small force, and the result may be the destruction of Canton, a blockade and much bloodshed. extra session, and which if not repealed was to go Among the passengers in the Mediator is Mr. Giddon, our consul to Egypt. The overland mail had arrrived in London on the 5th of December. It appears that the Burmese had caused some uneasiness to the government, but that ample repressive measures were taken at Calcutta. Nothing later from China. We have been favored with a file of Mexican pa pers brought by the barque Eugenia, recently arrived of the exploring expedition, was lost off the mouth From another letter, dated Macao, 8; P. M. 15th September. I have already written to you several letters by this conveyance, which I now confirm, and have just heard, I hope in time for this vessel, of Captain Nias, (the commanding officer), having is-ters: The young heir to the English throne had been sued a proclamation in Chinese, and commenced hoscreated prince of Wales by patent. tilities by attacking the villages on the banks of the Beaumont Smith, connected with the exchequer river near where the obstructions were sunk, and by frauds, had been convicted and sentenced to trans-blowing up and utterly destroying Wang Tung and trans the fortifications at Cow Loon. There is a rumor of portation for life. London money market, Dec. 6. Consols for the ac- his intention to surround Canton, and I should not be count closed 88 to ex dividend; exchequer bills, much surprised to hear of the city being burnt be10's to 12's premium; bank stock, 164 to 165 fore I get away from here. Thus it appears, as conthree per cents. Reduced, 98; long annuities (ex-jectured and stated to you yesterday, that the least piring January 5, 1860) 12 7-16 to; and India bonds, 2 premium. Austrian funds Vienna, Nov. 27. Five per cents. 1051; four per cents. 99; three per cents. 75; bank shares, 1,609. [Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 1. Trade is still dull; the money and cotton markets are without any material change. To add to the general distress, there have been numerous devasating floods all over the country. The first stone of the new Royal Exchange buildng is to be laid by Prince Albert on the 19th of Ja uary. provocation is now made the excuse for great vio- The Chinese say that Amoy was captured by the Ignacio Trigures was appointed secretary of the treasury in place of Mr. Garcia. The provisional president had, by proclamation, convoked the constituent assembly for the 1st of June next. The Diario del Gobierno of the 16th of October contains an official letter, dated Atonelisco, 22d of September, from general Manuel Armijo, the commandant general of New Mexico, giving an account of the capture of the vanguard of the Texan expedition to Santa Fe. The Niger expedition. Portsmouth, Dec. 9. The Horatio transport, lieutenant Chapman, arrived here We have heard it was the intention of Capt. Nias a Friday from St. Helena and the coast of Africa, to garrison the forts on the island of Wantung, and nd has brought home some of the officers who have to effect this purpose he applied to brigadier Burrell een invalided belonging to the Niger expedition, and for troops; but the brigadier replied that he could Tho had come down the river in the Soudan steam- not spare any; it is rumored that Captain Nias will r. The accounts they bring home are up to the 1st consequently, destroy the fortifications; such are the f October, and are most deplorable. The mortali- strict orders of Admiral sir W. Parker; eiiher to gar-dred dragoons under Col. Cook surrendered at discre and sickness among the officers and men compos-rison or destroy the forts at Wantung, should any g the expedition were great in the extreme, 26 proceedings on the part of the provincial governad already died, and almost all were ill and unablement render such measures necessary. do duty. The expedition had reached the confluJAMAICA. Ice of the Niger and the Chadda, about 270 miles up The Mobile Register of the 10th says: We are ine former, but it was feared that on account of the debted to Capt. Wilson, of the ship Jos. Porter, which VOL. XI-S16. 21. The general states that intelligence of the approach of the Texans was communicated to him by an Italian and a New Mexican, who were with the expedition, but who fled from it in advance for that purpose, That on the 17th of September the party of one huntion, and were deprived of their arms and clothing, which Gen. Armijo distributed among his own companions in arms. That the interpreter had been set at liberty on account of his good behavior, but that the other prisoners were on their way towards Mexico under an escort. and glorious to the American arms the fearful and We regret to learn that, owing to unforseen diffi- bloody campaign of that year. He remained in the culties upon the meridian line, and the fact that the army from that time till his death without reproach, boundary claimed by the two nations is much longer and with character and conduct alike uuimpeached than could have been inferred from any existing map, and unimpeachable. He was an honest, unassuming the entire survey of the disputed territory has not man; a kind hearted and mild gentleman; an humble been completed. The lines undertaken by Messrs. and pious Christian, and a brave and patriotic solRenwick and Talcott were estimated, by the best dier." authorities extant at four hundred and twenty miles. We understand that their joint surveys already amount to six hundred miles upon the line of highlands, in addition to the surveys necessary to connect their work with known geographical points. In spite of their having performed much more than had been anticipated, parts of the boundaries claimed by both governments had not been reached at the time when all farther operations were interrupted by the setting in of winter. THE NAVY. The same paper of the 18th of October publishes | land from the Kennebec road to the termination of duous and well fought battles that made memorable President Lamar's proclamation to the citizens of the exploring meridian line." Santa Fe, one of the papers found upon the Texan prisoners. The proclamation is accompanied by a commentary from the editor of the paper. Subsequent numbers of the same journal contain the other documents found upon the Texans. The number for the 24th of October states that president Santa Ana had directed a cross of personal distinction to be prepared at the public, expense for general Armijo, with the following inscription: "He saved in New Mexico the integrity of the national territory." To the chiefs, officers, and troops who partook in the capture of the Texan vanguard was also awarded the privilege of wearing upon their left arm a shield, in which, on a green ground, was to be seen a national eagle with out-stretched wings, bound with gold cord for the chiefs and officers, and with yellow silk for the other troops, the following inscription appearing on the ground of the shields of both: "Intrepidity and valor in defence of the Mexican territory." It will therefore be a matter of serious consideration with the administration, and congress, when the reports of their proceedings shall have been handed An official letter to the secretary of war from in, whether the facts obtained by the commission are Francisco G. Conde, commandant general of the de-sufficient to refute the unfounded claims of Great partment of Chihuahua, dated at that place on the Britain in the eye of foreign nations, or whether the 26th of October, announces the arrival of 90 Texan demarcation of the meridian line must be completed, prisoners there the day before, and that, for want of and the gaps in the line of highlands filled up by the means to support them, they would rest there only work of another season. two days, when they would be conducted to the border of the department of Durango. Another letter to the same from the same person, dated the 5th of November, gives an account of the capture of the rest of the Texan expedition at Lake Colorado by Lieut. Col. Don Juan Andres Archuleta, at the head of 230 men. A report of the secretary of war, dated the 11th of November, is published, recommending a formal campaign against Texas, and stating the quotas of troops which the several departments were to contribute for the purpose of recruiting the army.-Nat. Intel. We are informed by a friend who has letters from the city of Mexico to the 16th of December, that at that time general Santa Ana, the provisional president of the Republic, was dangerously ill of dysentery. The Texian prisoners of war were on their march to the capitol. Three of them tired on the road just beyond Chihuahua, and could proceed no further; when the captain of the guard who escorted them, as soon as the fact was reported to him, had them shot. This cold blooded act of barbarism, it is represented, had excited the indignation of all classes of the community, even in Mexico. A constitueut congress of the nation had been called by Santa Ana, to assemble in the city of Mexico on the 1st of June, of the present year, for the formation of a new constitution; in which congress all the departments (including Texas), were to be represented in the ratio of one deputy to every 70,000 inhabitants. The population of each department is stated in the decree of the president, based upon an estimate of the national institute of geography and statistics, and is made to amount, in the aggregate, to 7,044,140. The population of Texas is stated at 27,800.-Richmond Compiler. NATIONAL AFFAIRS. APPOINTMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT. cans, Mr. MacRae arrived in Charleston on the 11th instant, in the steam packet Gov. Dudley, and left on the rail road on the next day, for New Orleans, where he will embark on board one of the revenue cutters for Mexico. [New York American. We regret to learn that the presentation even of the materials necessary for the decision of this question may be delayed for the want of the necessary funds, in consequence of the appropriation having been exhausted by the increased difficulties and extent of surveys of which we have spoken.-N. Y. Com. Adv. THE ARMY. Major Richard A. Zantzinger, of the U. S. army, died on the evening of Tuesday, the 4th inst. at the Planters' house, in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he was in attendance as a member of a court martial. He had been indisposed some days before his death. WESTERN ARMORY. A committee of the Tennessee legislature have reported the following points as eligible sites for a national armory within the limits of that state, viz: 1 Cloud's Shoals, in Hawking county; 2 Stone Fort, in Coffee county; 3 Falls of Caney Fork, Warren county; 4 terminus of Central rail road on Tennessee river, in Hardin county; 5 Brownsport, on Tennessee river, Perry county; 6 city of Memphis, Shelby county. FLORIDA. The St. Augustine News of Jan. 8, says: The steamer Cincinnati arrived here on Wednesday last from Pilatka, with a detachment of troops under the command of lieut. colonel B. Riley, accompanied by several other officers. The colonel and his command again left here in the steamer on Tuesday morning for New Smyrna, where they are to land, and scouring the country between that place and the St. Johns, cooperate with a force under Maor Pympton, which proceeded up that river to Volusia, from whence they are to enter upon an active and thorough search of the country in pursuit of the Indians. EXPLORING EXPEDITION. The New York Journal of Commerce announces the loss of the Peacock, in Columbia river, Oregon Territory. No lives lostnothing saved except the instruments. Extract of a letter from lieutenant J. T. McLaughlin, commanding the Florida expedition, to the secretary of the navy, dated "Key Biscayno, December 23, 1841. "I am happy to say the health of the command is improving. The sick list has decreased very much, although we have had five deaths within the month; and among them we have been called upon to lament Midshipman Niles, a most promising young officer whose ripening talent was developing the promise of great future usefulness. He died and was buried with military honors at Fort Simmons on the Carloosahatchie, having received from the officers at that post every comfort and attention which the kindest feelings could suggest." STATES OF THE UNION. PENNSYLVANIA. REPUDIATION. Resolutions have passed unanimoustrine of repudiation. ly both houses of the legislature condemning the doc The resolutions adopted in the senate were as follows: repudiating the state debts, as unconstitutional, immo"Resolved, That the senate reject the doctrine of ral, and subversive of the fundamental principles of our republican system of government; and that they will maintain the credit of the state unsullied, by making adequate provision to meet all her engagements with promptness and punctuality. "Resolved, That we entertain the fullest confidence in the citizens of this commonwealth, that they will faithfully and honestly discharge all the liabilities of the government, and that they will preserve the credit of the state inviolate and inviolable. lows: "Resolved, That the state stock issued by virtue of the laws of this commonwealth is constitutionally correct; and that the citizens of the state are legally and morally bound to pay and redeem the same. remain as heretofore unbroken, and that the property "Resolved, That the faith and credit of the state do of the citizens is legitimately the subject of taxation for the full and entire payment of all the just demands on the treasury thereof. "Resolved, That the doctrine of repudiation of the liabilities of this commonwealth is obnoxious in its tendencies, and calculated to be destructive of the free principles on which the government is based, and that every good citizen is bound by all moral as well as legal considerations, to cheerfully contribute his share towards the liquidation of the state debt:" Intelligence, which can be relied on, has been received, through a letter from an officer at or near the army head quarters, stating that there were, at the date of the letter, (30th of December), 350 Indians in at Tampa ready for emigration, and that 100 more had been seen and talked with, who, tired of the war, were daily expected there. Major D. Wilcox, of the 5th regiment U. S. infan- GOVERNOR. On the 18th David R. Porter delivertry, died at Pilatka, East Florida, on the morning of ed his inaugural address on entering upon his second the 3d inst. His remains were brought round to this and last constitutional term as governor of the state. city on Wednesday last in the steamer Cincinnati, and deposited in the military burying ground with military and masonic honors. STATE TREASURER. The members of both houses met on the 17th, and proceeded to ballot for state treasurer. On the second ballot, Job Man, of Bedford county, received 77 votes. William B. Anderson, of Perry county 48. Scattering 4. Job Man was then declared duly elected. DUNCAN K. MACRAE, esq. of Fayetteville, N. C. has been appointed bearer of despatches from the goMajor Wilcox had long been afflicted with a pulvernment to the United States minister, at Mexico, monary complaint, which a vigorous physical constion the subject, as it is said, of the Santa Fe expeditution, aided by a placid and most happy mental temtion, which was captured and butchered by the Mexi- perament, had for years enabled him to resist; and, He is likewise bearer of despatches from the indeed, till recently, had given hopes to his friendsBritish minister at Washington. and all who knew him were his friends-that he might finally overcome this most fatal and insidious malady. Bnt, alas! his has been but another melanTHE SLAVEHOLDERS CONVENTION, which assembled choly instance of its too surely destructive nature. at Annapolis on Wednesday the 12th, adjourned sine Major Wilcox was about fifty years of age, and a die on Friday evening the 14th, and have recommendnative of Connecticut. He entered the army from ed to the legislature the following regulations in rethat state early in 1812, at the commencement of the spect to the colored population. NORTHEAST BOUNDARY.-We learn that three years war with Great Britain. Though of re the commissioners for exploring and surveying the putable family, he was without patronage or support, northeast boundary held a meeting in this city last save such as in the army, by his own personal merit, week. Their operations during the past season have he won for himself. But he soon fought his way to consisted in an accurate demarcation of the meridian distinction, and was promoted on the field for his inline, from the place near Houlton, at which the ope- trepid and brave conduct at the hard-fought battle of rations of major Graham were suspended last win- Bridgewater, where, in the charge upon the enemy's ter in a survey of the line claimed by Messrs. Feath- park of artillery, which was captured, he was seerstonhaugh and Mudge on the part of Great Bri- verely wounded. He participated in 1813 on the tain; and in an accurate examination of the height of Niagara frontier, with uniform credit, in all the ar し Proposition 1st. A law to prevent all manumissions by last will. Also by deed, to take effect in futuro. Prop. 2d. To prevent manumissions except upen condition of instant transportation to some place out of the United States, and that, at the expense of the manumitter, Prop. 3d. To prevent any free negro leaving the state, ever to return to it unless he leaves as a servant of a white resident of the state and returns with him and such resident shall first file a declaration in the county clerk's office of his intention to take such servant with him; or unless he shall leave the state for the purpose of visiting some one or other of the American colonies on the coast of Africa. Prop. 4th. To prevent all free negroes from coming into the state, except as servants of persons travelling in or through the state. Prop. 5th. To prevent the transportation of any free negro by rail roads, steam boats or other common carriers out of the state unless vouched for as free by some person known to the conductor of the rail road, or captain of the steam boat, and no rail road or steam boat company shall be liable for refusing to transport any free negro unless he be vouched for as above; and any person falsely vouching for the freedom of a slave, to be liable to punishment. The company still to be liable for conveying away a slave as heretofore. Prop. 6th. To offer a high reward, to be paid by the state, for the arrest and conviction of any person who aids a slave to run away, or induces, or attempts to induce a slave to run away. Prop. 7th. That the owner of a runaway slave shall pay a reward for the apprehension of such slave; to be graduated by the distance from home where he may be caught. Prop. 8th. That it be recommended to the general assembly that they pass a law directing the courts of justice of this state, that whenever any free black shall be convicted of any offence, the punishment of which by the law as it now stands would be confinement in the penitentiary, that it shall be the duty of the court to order the convicted party to be sold out of the state for the period that they in their discretion might confine him in the penitentiary; and that if any free person or persons of color be convicted of any misdemeanor or misdemeanors, other than those which subject the party convicted to confinement in the penitentiary, that then the convicted party shall be punished by sale or banishment, in the discretion of the court, out of the state of Maryland, for a period not less than six months nor more than with a provision, that after the period of banishment or sale has expired, the said negroes shall not be permitted to return to this state, and that in case of doing so, such negroes shall be liable to be sold as slaves for life beyond the limits of the state. Prop. 17th. An act to render penal the omission 2. Resolved, That the desperate expedient of throwof sheriffs, magistrates and constables to enforce all laws respecting free negroes and slaves, and every constable before he proceeds to act shall take an oath well and faithfully to execute all the laws of the state. Prop. 18th. Free negroes with real estate to have it sold at their death and the proceeds to be distributed to their legal representatives and hereafter no free negro to be allowed to hold real estate or leasehold interest which shall have longer than a year to run. Prop. 19th. That all free negroes who have been bound out within the last two years shall be free, whenever they shall determine to leave the state, by paying to the master, such sum as the orphans court shall adjudge, and that it shall be the duty of the orphans court of the several counties in the state and city of Baltimore, from and after the first of January, 1844, to bind out at the age of 8 years, the children of all free negroes then in the state, to serve until they arrive at the age of 21 years for males, and 18 for females. The master shall give security to be approved by the orphans court to pay to the child when it arrives at the ages of 21 and 18 the sum of $75 for males, and $25 for females, provided, the said child shall leave the state or if previous to the child's arriving at the age of 21 or 18 as the case may be, it shall leave the state, or the parents shall remove out of the state, then the master shall give up such child, and if it has served more than 8 years the master shall pay to the child or its parents, such sum as the orphans court shall determine. Prop. 20th. That no meeting of negroes for any purpose shall be permited after sunset, and all laws inconsistent with [this] provision to be repealed. may Prop. 21st. That if any free negro who have Prop. 9th. So much of the act of 1831 as allows a manumitted negro (with a certificate) to remain in the state, to be repealed. Prop. 23d. To repeal the provisions of the act of 1825, ch. 15, as far as inconsistent with this provision. Any person or persons who shall persuade or enProp. 10th. No free negro to have in his posses- tice, aid or assist, a slave to runaway from his massion a gun, pistol, sword or other offensive weapon. ter, owner or employer, and any person or persons Prop. 11th. That the judges of the county courts who shall harbor or conceal a slave or slaves knowand city court of Baltimore, appoint baliffs monthly ing him or them to be runaways, and the fact of his to attend the arrival and departure of every rail road or their being on the premises owned, rented or occar, and steamboat or other public vehicle of trans-cupied by a free negro or negroes, shall be prima portation to carry these laws into effect, and to com- facie evidence of such knowledge, shall be liable to pensate them by a portion of the penalty imposed. be indicted and upon conviction, shall, if white, unProp. 12th. That all free negroes shall be obliged dergo a confinement in the penitentiary for a period to register themselves on or before the 15th of July not less than years, and if such person shall next, and every twelve months thereafter, in the office be a free negro and convicted of this offence he of the clerk of the county, when they shall surrender shall be sold out of the state, and the whole of the their old certificates and the clerk upon request and proceeds of such sale to go to the informer, who being satified that any free negro thus registered de- shall be a competent witness in an action against sires to remove from the country, either temporarily such negro or negroes, and if such negro be a slave or permanently, shall furnish him or her with a cer- for life or a term of years, he shall upon conviction tificate of his registration, and if said negro shall re-be sold out of the state, and his full value be paid to move permanently he shall file said certificate within the owner. ten days after his arrival in the county to which he Prop. 24th. To repeal that part of the second may remove and if his absence shall be temporary section of the act of 1833, ch. 224, "entitled an act he shall return said certificate to the clerk from whom relating to persons of color who are to be free after received within five days after his return, and no cer- a term of years" which says "that the party applytificate of freedom of an older date shall be good, and ing for such grant has distinctly and particularly nothe clerk shall annually publish a list of those regis-tified such servants of the existence and effect of tered in some convenient newspaper and send a printed copy to the secretary of state. Prop. 13th. That the state pay the expense of any case which may arise in any state where the state law may conflict with the act of congress of 1793, to test the constitutionality of such law. Prop. 14th. To avoid all sales or gifts hereafter to be made of slaves to free negroes and mulattoes, the slave so sold or given, to be liable to be sold ont of the state, and the master so selling, punishable by fine in the discretion of the court. Prop. 15th. That an additional provision be made to the act of 1835 ch. 325, to make it prima facie evidence of circulating such papers as are mentioned this law, and that this information has failed to cor- Prop. 25th. That each and every hawker and ped- Resolved, That a committee of five members of the convention be appointed by the chair, to prepare a memorial to the legislature in the foregoing propo sitions. Whereupon the chair appointed the following gen- ing off state obligations in any case, by failing to provide, as far as possible, for the prompt payment of public debts and liabilities, contracted under the authority of law, is abhorrent both to the government and the people of this commonwealth, and can never directly or indirectly, receive the countenance of either; that such conduct would be unworthy the enlightened age in which we live, shocking to the sense of Christendom, a lasting reproach to republican government and a stain on the American name. 3. Resolved, That copies of the foregoing pream ble and resolutions be transmitted by the governor to the president of the U. States, the executives of the several states, and our senators and representatives in congress." Of the officers and crew of the American brig Creole, bound from Richmond to New Orleans, whose cargo of slaves mutinied on the 7th of Nov. 1842, off the Hole in the Wall-murdered a passenger, wounded the captain and others, and put into Nassau, N. P., where the authorities confined nineteen of the mutineers, and forcibly liberated nearly all the slaves. By this public instrument of protest be it known that, on this second day of December, eighteen hun dred and forty-one, before me William Young Lewis, notary public in and for the city of New Orleans, duly commissioned and sworn: Personally came and appeared Zephaniah C. Gifford, acting master of the American brig called the Creole, of Richmond, who declared that the said vessel sailed from the port of Norfolk in the state of Virginia, on the thirtieth day of October last past, ladened with manufactured tobacco in boxes, and slaves, then under the command of captain Robert Ensor, bound for the port of New Orleans ia the state of Louisiana. That when about 130 miles to the north north east of the Hole in the Wall, the slaves, or a part thereof on board of said vessel, rose on the officers, crew and passengers; killed one passenger, severely wounded the captain, this appearer, and part of the crew; compelled said appearer, then first mate, to navigate said vessel to Nassau in the island of New Providence, where she arrived, and a portion of the ringleaders of said insurrection were confined in prison, and the remainder of said slaves liberated by the British authorities of said island; and required me notary to make record of the same, intending more at leisure to detail particulars: And this day again appeared the said acting master, together with Lucius Stevens, acting mate; William Devereux, cook and steward, Henry Speck, John Silvey, Jacques Lecompte, Francis Foxwell, and Blair Curtiss, seamen-all of, and belonging to said vessel, who being severally sworn according to law, to declare the truth, did depose and say— That when said vessel started as aforesaid, she was tight and strong, well manned, and provided in every respect and equipped for carrying slaves: That said vessel left Richmond on the 25th day of October, 1841, with about 102 slaves on board; That about 90 of said slaves were shipped on board on the 20th of said month, of which 41 were shipped by Robert Lumpkin, about 39 by John R. Hewell, 9 by Nathaniel Matthews, and one by W. Robinson; put on board by John R. Hewell, until the said 25th day of October, so as to make the number 102. in the act of 1835, ch. 325, that the same have been Palmer, Tench Tilghman and P. F. Thomas, esqr's. that from that time about one or two per day were found in the possession of any one within the state. Prop. 16th. That every free negro shall give responsible security annually for his or her good behavior. If such security be not given such negro so failing, to be brought before some justice of the peace by a constable or any other person who shall cause him to be hired out, and out of his accruing wages pay the constable or person $10, and in case said negro thus hired out shall abscond from service, upon his apprehension he shall be sold out of the state. KENTUCKY. The senate of Kentucky have unanimously adopted the following resolutions: The brig then proceeded to Hampton Roads and lay there one day, when about eight were put on 1. Resolved by the general assembly of the common-board by Mr. W, W. Hall for Mr. Hatcher, 2 by Mr. wealth of Kentucky, That it is the high and sacred C. H. Shield, and 23 for Mr. Johnson, making the duty of a sovereign state to observe the obligations whole in number of 135 slaves, The men and women slaves were divided. The of good faith in all her engagements, not only with her own citizens, but equally and alike with those of men were all placed in the forward hold of the brig, except old Lewis and servant of Mr. Thomas MeCar other states and countries. |