National Intelligencer. (Washington [D.C.]), Vol. 48, No. 6972, Ed. 1 Saturday, September 4, 1847 Page: 1 of 4
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Vol. XLVIII
WASHINGTON: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1847.
No. 6972.
PUBLISHED BY GALES & SEATON.
THRICE A WEEK.
SIX DOLLARS A YEAR-PAYABLE Ilf ADVANCE.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1847.
RHODE ISLAND ELECTION. '
In all the elections for Representatives to the
next Congress that took place previous to Tuesday
last, extending through twenty-six States, our poli-
tical opponents had gained but a single Member_
in a strong Whig district of Kentucky, where there
existed among the Whigs irreconcileable differences
of opinion as to their own candidate'—while in the
other States our friends have made a nett gain of
something like forty Members. It now seems,
however, that we must give the Democrats credit
for the gain of another Member—and this one, too,
in a State and District where lukewarmness or de-
fection on the part of the Whigs was not to have
been expected. The following paragraph, from the
Boston Atlas of Wednesday, tells the story, so far
as we yet know it:
“We have returns of the special election held
yesterday in the Western District of Rhode Island,
from all the towns but two, which sum up as fol-
lows: For Benjamin B. Thurston (L. F.) 2,308;
for Wilkins Updike (Whig) 2,249; for Lauriston
Hall (Abol.) 60. There is no doubt of Thurston’s
election: the Providence Journal gives it up.”
At the first trial, in April last, Mr. Updike receiv-
ed 2,035 votes ; Mr. Thurston 1,928 ; Mr. Arnold
(Independent Whig) 451 ; Mr. Hall 172 ; and there
were 20 scattering.
Immigrants.—The New York Courier and En-
quirer gives the following statement of the number
of steerage passengers who arrived at that port in
vessels from the various countries of the old world,
in 1847, as compared with those in the twelve
months from the 1st August, 1845, to 31st July,
1846 :
Twelve months ending 31sf July.
British ports...........
1846.
64. 226
1847.
French ports..........
Hansetowns, (Bremen and Hamburg).
Belgium.................
. 15,632
. 12,887
4 303
26,779
15,525
Holland.............
2 430
A Uj A ^0
5,076
2,021
Sweden and Norway.......
Prussia............
. 1,133
118
Spain..............
Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia.........
All other ports........
204
334
114
465
91,280
152,116
On "'Tuesday next the State of Vermont holds
its annual election for State officers. The present
excellent officers are in nomination by the Whigs,
and we hear that Gov. Eaton has won golden
opinions by his discharge of the duties of his sta-
tion. All that is needed is a full vote.
We learn that Gen. Taylor is not to advance on
San Luis, but has been ordered to detach two regi-
ments of his troops without delay to Vera Cruz,
for the purpose of reinforcing Gen. Scott.
[A. O. Commercial Bulletin.
We are pleased to learn that the Whigs of Ma-
ryland are becoming alive to the importance of the
ensuing election in their State, and that the proba-
bility now is they will show their strength in the
various counties. This is all that is wanting to
ensure success. The Whigs have the numbers in
Maryland, and are sure to triumph whenever they
come up to the polls. We trust that nothing fair
and honorable will be left undone to bring out the
full Whig vote.—Alex. Gazette.
John Ross was elected Chief of the Cherokees
at the late election in their nation. He has held the
office of Chief without intermission since the fall
of 1828.
THE SUBTREASURY.
FROM THE NEW YORK JOURNAL OF COMMERCE.
Action of the Subtreasury.—The Union has
a column ol extracts from other papers and com-
ments ol its own on the transfer of two millions of
dollars from New York to New Orleans. The re-
marks of the Union in favor of the Subtreasury
are just such as we have been accustomed to make
against it. The machine has been found exceedingly
embarrassing to the Secretary of the Treasury. In
fact it is not merely difficult but well nigh impos-
sible to carry on the Government in the true spirit
of the law. Me approve of the Union’s interpre-
tation of the word “transfer.” This interpreta-
tion, together with the other rule of “ much more
safe and convenient,” if well applied to the Sub-
treasury, will grease its wheels essentially. We
should add a long list of matters to this head of
“ much more safe and convenient,” which it will
be necessary for the Government to add before the
Subtreasury will be any thing but a vanity and
vexation of spirit to the Secretary of the Treasury.
It has bothered the men who made it more than all
the world besides, for thus far it has had little ef-
fect upon individual business. The time will come,
however, “sooner or later,” when the Democratic
party will feel the Subtreasury a heavier burden
than it has ever been yet, however much they may
ease its frictions and lubricate its joints.
Important Mote in the Government of the Cana-
das.—A document emanating from the office of the Secreta-
ry of the English Colonies has lately come to light. It is
dated as far back as December last, and appears in a late
number of the Montreal Herald. The English Secretary of
State indicates in this document a design to incorporate the
whole of the British North American colonies, as an ultimate
measure ; in the mean time taking the first steps to that con-
summation by giving the several governments a common cus-
tom-house and a common post office. The Montreal Herald,
viewing the despatch favorably, adds that it is plain that th
great railway from Halifax to Toronto forms a portion of the
plan which the Secretary contemplates.
'I he extension of the Louisa Railroad from its present ter-
minus at Gordonsville to the eastern base of the Blue Ridge,
is engaging the earnest attention of the people of that part of
Virginia lying within the range of its influence. Albemarle
has made liberal subscriptions in aid of the project, and a
meeting in furtherance of it was held a few days since at
Staunton. The point at which the contemplated extension
will strike the Blue Ridge will probably be the Rockfish Gap,
through which it will penetrate the Valley to Staunton.
1 he complete triumph of modern improvements in Dry
Docks may now be seen in practical refutation of naval theo-
ries, in the docking of the immense steamer Washington, th'
largest vessel in the world, (excepting the steamship Great
Britain,) now undergoing repairs on the Sectional Floating
Dock in New York.
OFFICIAL.
Fact being important (says the New York Express) to meet
the theories of the anti-hanging-for-murder philosophers of thi
day, we note what the “Cleveland Daily Herald” says
upon the case of Boyington, who, it is reiterated, an innocent
man, has been hung in Alabama. The Herald says :
“Young Boyington was a printer, and served most of his
apprenticeship in New Haven. He was a dashing youth,
but of good mind ; and many of his productions in prose and
verse are said to have been creditable to one of his age. When
in Mobile he decoyed a young man, a native of Portland,
Maine, into a burial ground, a secluded place, where be stab-
bed him to the heart with a dagger, after which he robbed his
victim of his watch and about ninety dollars in money, and
made his escape. He was pursued, overtaken, and brought
back to Mobile for trial. The watch belonging to the murder-
ed man he threw overboard from the steamboat when he was
arrested, but it was recovered, and was produced in evidence
against him.
“ After his conviction, when he found his doom sealed, all
fortitude forsook him, and the craven spirit of a coward and a
villain was perfectly apparent, and, although he protested his
innocence to the last, no one acquainted with the evidence on
which he was convicted doubted for a moment that he was
guilty of the crime of murder. We have the authority of those
who were conversant with the facts at the time for saying
that the pretended confession of the landlord has no founda-
tion whatever.”
The Death of Mr. Wright.—The Ogdens-
ourg Republican gives the particulars of the death
of Mr. Wright, as follows :
Mr. Wright called at the post office, apparently in his
usual health. While seated in a chair at the post office,
reading a letter, the young man, the only clerk in the office,
perceived that he dropped the letter, and appeared as if seized
by sudden pain. He was alarmed, and inquired of Mr.
Wright what was the matter ? Mr. Wright, putting his
hand to his heart, replied that he was suffering extreme pain
in the chest; that he had twice before within the week felt
similar pain, and that upon sitting down it passed away. But
this was more severe—he felt it passing into his left arm and
to his neck. He rose and went to the door to go home, but
returned to his seat and desired the young man to go or send
for Doctor Clark. The young man sent for Doctor Clark,
who soon came into the office and gave Mr. Wright some
medicine, which seemed to relieve him, and Mr. Wright, ac-
companied by the Doctor, walked home, a few rods from
the office.
“ The Doctor remained with Mr. Wright at his house some
time, and left him lying upon his bed in a gentle perspiration,
supposing him to be better. Very soon after he had left him
a message reached Doctor Clark that Mr. Wright was dying,
and before the Doctor reached the house he was dead.”
The following statement is made in the Philadel-
phia American of Tuesday:
Management of the Public Works.—The statement
of the new Collector on the public works, located at Pittsburg,
shows that, although the number of boats passed from the
opening of navigation to the 1st of August, this year, is 755
less than last year up to the same period, the tonnage is
3,692,306 lbs. more, and the tolls near ten thousand dollars
more than they were during the whole of last year ! What
is the unavoidable inference from these facts ? What but
that the State has been plundered systematically of from a
quarter to a half million of dollars a year !
The State of Pennsylvania has witnessed strange sights of
late years in the management of the public works. We have
seen men go into the public employ penniless, at small sala-
ries, and in the course of a year or two become the owners of
large farms or the possessors of funds to enter largely into
speculative business. We have seen employees whose wages
were set down at $1.50 to $2 per day, voluntarily leave their
situations, and live subsequently on their means like very
nabobs. J
Among the deaths of valuable men, the name of Dr. J. A.
Washington, of New York, is announced. He occupied a
high place among physicians and Christian philanthropists.
Di. W. had recently returned from Europe, and was arrested
by death in the midst of a bright prospect of higher usefulness
than ever before. He was a native of North Carolina, but
for seventeen years a resident of New York.
The Philadelphia City Council is completing the organiza-
tion of the Girard College. An ordinance is under consi-
deration that provides for its opening as soon as completed,
which will be this fall.
Naval—The United States frigate Brandywine, at Nor-
folk, took her crew on board on Monday last, and is preparing
for sea with all possible dispatch.
The Boston Courier of Monday last says: “Money has been
comparatively easy of access within a few days past, in con-
sequence of a sensible relief to the New York banks, arising
from a favorable arrangement with the Government in regard
to specie balances. This favorable change in the finances is
thought by some to be only temporary : the immediate effect,
however, has been to relieve the money market and reduce
the rates of discount in both cities.”
The French Steamers.—Passengers who went out in
the “ Union” from New York do not appear to have been
pleased. A correspondent of the Journal du Havre gives a
rather dismal catalogue of the disagreeables which he suffered
on board. He says :
“ On the day of the departure of the steamer, as the passen-
gers were sitting down to their dinner, the captain rose to
apologize for the absence of one of the necessaries of life in the
vessel, viz. the article of sugar, and he asked the passengers
whether they wished him to return to New York and get some
or proceed without any! This, however, is not all. The
dinner, though good, was always insufficient, and none of the
delicacies which are to be obtained on such steamers generally
were to be had. There were no refreshments to be had on
board. The waiting was bad, and instead of a steward, that
indispensable director of all, the Union possesses an old gen-
tleman decorated with the cross of the Legion of Honor, a per-
son, no doubt, of the greatest respectability, but whose attri-
butes are evidently ill-defined. This gentleman, and the other
authorities on board, had the best rooms in the vessel; they
occupied the best seats in the centre of the table, whilst the
passengers were placed at the extremities. They got the first
helps without any regard for their neighbors; they spoke ex-
ceedingly loud, and were wanting in that decorum which is so
essentially required. On deck the service was scarcely better
performed.”
I he correspondent of the Journal du Havre concludes by
saying :
“ I think that in general the officers of the French merchant
service attach an exaggerated importance to the theory of their
profession, and are too apt to neglect its practice. This is the
difference between them and the Americans. I prefer the
American method.’’—New York Express.
A curious story has lately been circulated respecting the
King of Bavaria, who is said to have dreamed that he saw
three rats, one of which was very fat, another very lean, and
the last stone blind. The King sought an explanation of his
dream, and was informed by a gipsy that the fat rat repre-
sented his favorite, Lola Montes, the lean one his People, and
the blind one Himself.
The Pearl street house, in the city of New York, was sold
at auction on Tuesday last for $100,800.
We hope to see the monopoly of the Telegraph broken up.
The Government ought to have purchased it at first. In the
hands of private individuals it is subject to great and very
serious abuses.—Richmond Whig.
Baggage Car Destroyed by Fire.—The baggage car
attached to the passenger train which left Syracuse on Mon-
day morning was discovered to be on fire when about six miles
east of that place. Before the train could be stopped the
flames had made such progress that it was impossible to save
the car or any portion of its contents, which numbered about
twenty packages and trunks, belonging to the passengers.
The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark thrown
from the smoke-pipe of the locomotive.
Melancholy Casualty.—The children of the Catholic
School in James street went on an excursion to New Rochelle
yesterday, accompanied by several ladies connected with the
church. While there, a number of the boys left the main
party and went in bathing at some distance from it, when
several of them were drowned. Among the lost were Michael
McGowan and John Mullin of (j9 Bayard street.
FROM THE “ union” OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
LANDING OF PAREDES.
A New Orleans paper makes some complaint of
the want of vigilance in our agents in Europe, and
of the commanding officer at Vera Cruz, in relation
to Gen. Paredes. It might be imprudent at this
time to divulge all the facts connected with this
subject, but they would clear our agents abroad of
any shadow of complaint. Col. Wilson, at Vera
Cruz, has not been asleep upon his post. It is
difficult to detect every spy who may land on the
coast; but we have lately been informed by the
New Orleans papers that very lately he has forbid-
den a suspicious character to land, and sent him off.
As to the landing of Paredes, the following ex-
tracts of Col. Wilson's letter to the Secretary of
War (the last which has been received from him)
relieve him from any imputation of remissness, and
lay the censure upon others :
Extract of a letter from Col. Wilson to the Secretary of War.
“ Headquarters Department of Vera Cruz,
“ August 15.
“ I have the honor to report that on the 14th instant the
British steamer Teviot, Captain May, arrived here from Eng-
land and the Havana, having General Paredes on board, un-
der the assumed name of M. Martinez ; who, in consequence
of the tardiness of the boarding officer, (Capt. Clark,) landed
at between 6 and 7 A. M., incognito, from a four-oared boat,
apparently prepared for the occasion. In his transit through
the gate of the mole he wras recognised by an inspector, who
took no notice of him. Therefore, I immediately ordered the
discharge of both him and Captain Clark—the former for hav-
ing lost sight of the main object, notwithstanding my office is
but a few yards from the mole. * * * *
“ The General, having arrived at the house of a Mr. Jose
G. Zamora, a native merchant, he presented a letter of intro-
duction from Paris, and requested that horses might be directly
furnished for himself and servant—a request immediately
complied with ; and but ten minutes after his landing he
passed through one of the gates of the city on his way to the
interior, without myself or any of my officers being able to
avoid it, from the circumstance of his arrival and presence
here being unknown, and the letters from the United States
Consul at the Havana, giving notice of his having left, not
being delivered to me until after the General’s departure,
owing to their being in possession of a lady passenger on
board.”
terday published, and we wish to express our deference and
our desire to co-operate, at any time that he may call upon
us, to aid our neighbor.
Forgotten forever are all those ideas which could divide us.
Our interests and our passions are second to our country.
Her triumph is our glory and our honor. She demands our
union, and that suffices to cause us to cordially offer it. Union
and liberty is our motto ! Eternal opprobrium to him who
would promote and assist dissensions and conquests.
F. FERRERA,
SANTOS GUARDIOLA.
Comayagua, June 2, 1847.
MEXICO.
FROM THE SAME PAPER, OF SAME DATE.
MAJOR LALLY.
Some solicitude is felt about the fate of the detachment
which this officer commands, on its route to Gen. Scott’s
camp. The “Patria,” the Spanish paper of New Orleans,
publishes a report that the train had been surrounded, and
Major Lally compelled to surrender. We attach no great
importance to the statements of a journal which is Mexican
in spirit, and has recently circulated more than one extrava-
gant misrepresentation upon the war. The train, however,
is one of the smallest which has gone up ; and we shall await
its fate with some anxiety.
We have seen the last letter from Major Lally, written
from the bridge twenty-four miles from Vera Cruz, near Paso
Ovejas, on the 11th of August. He states that they were
attacked on the day before by the Mexicans, who were post-
ed on a hill covering the road ; and our troops carried it at
once, by charging up with voltigeurs. They continued to
fire upon our troops from the chapparal, attacking along the
whole train ; but they were repulsed, after a fight which last-
ed about an hour. He had two officers (Captains J. H.
Calwell, of the voltigeurs, and Arthur C. Cummings, of the
11th) wounded severely, though hopes are entertained of
their recovery. One man was mortally wounded, and eight
others wounded, most of them severely. The Major had
sent back to Col. Wilson, to request him to send up three
ambulances, with an escort to take them back. He also re-
quested reinforcements to be sent him, which he hoped would
overtake him at the national bridge.
The attack of the guerrillas was made on the front, the cen-
tre, and rear ; but our troops were prepared at all points, our
force in rear being nearly as large as in front, a guard in the
centre of the wagons, of two companies, and flankers all
along the train. Our train of 70 wagons was kept compact.
Great credit is given to Capt. Alvord, who, as usual, was
distinguished for his courage and judgment; to Capt. Hutter,
who commanded the right wing ; and to Lieut. Ridgely, who
was under his command. The artillery, commanded by Lt.
H. B. Sears, 2d artillery, was well served, and did good
execution.
FROM THE NEW ORLEANS COMMERCIAL TIMES OF AUGUST 25.
At a late hour last night our kind friends of the Patria
gave us a proof of the following interesting letter, lately re-
ceived by them from a correspondent at Tampico. Aware of
the intense anxiety pervading all ranks of the American popu_
lation at this critical juncture of the history of the war with
Mexico, in which the destiny of the capital of that country
lies trembling in the balance, we give it to our readers, as the
reported freshest news from the headquarters of the command-
er-in-chief of the enemy. The account of the council of war,
held by order of Santa Anna, seems authentic. For the spec-
ulations which the letter contains, on the conduct of Santa
Anna and his collusion with General Scott and Mr. Trist, we
reproduce them with extreme doubt of their correctness. Our
readers, however, will take them for what they are woith ; or,
in other words, will give them that construction which their
knowledge of the man and the events of the war may warrant:
Correspondence of the Patria.
Tampico, August 16, 1847.
My Friends : Our intelligence from the capital reaches to
the beginning of the present month, of which the following
is a summary :
rI he Council ot Generals, convoked by Santa Anna, were
of opinion that General Scott should be attacked in his posi-
tions ; but Santa Anna said that it would be better to dispatch
a division, composed of ten thousand men, to take post be-
tween Perote and Puebla, for the purpose of intercepting the
trains and convoys that were marching toward the latter place,
and thus to get possession of the resources which the Americans
expected ; and, further, he advised that another division of
equal strength (ten thousand men) take up a position be-
tween Puebla and the city of Mexico, the remainder of their
forces to remain and cover the capital. Santa Anna’s plan
was adopted. At the present moment (the beginning of Au-
gust) there is in the city of Mexico a force of 35,000 men,
and as that under General Scott does not exceed 12,000, of
whom a certain number are invalids through ill health, it, is
improbable, from the rumors which are in circulation, that
the latter will quit Puebla until he has received considerable
reinforcements. “This,” says the Patria's correspondent,
“is the current belief in the capital, although here it is an-
nounced that General Scott took up his line of march on the
7th instant.”
“ There is a general opinion at the capital that Santa Anna
is in connivance with the Cabinet at Washington, and that
he is disposed to make peace on any pretext whatever ; but
to the present time nothing positive thereon is known, and it
is very probable that at the latest moment in this case there
will be a reaction, since the majority, as it is asserted, are dis-
posed to lose all rather than agree to a pacific arrangement in
the present circumstances. It is almost taken for granted that
Gen. Scott and Mr. Trist have a mutual understanding secret-
ly with Santa Anna.
“ I have heard said that it has been represented to the Uni-
ted States Government that it is highly necessary to reinforce
this point, since it is feared, and not without reason, that one
fine day, when such an event is least thought of, there will be
a general rising, and the whole of the Americans here will be
butchered. In Vera Cruz as well they are not without simi-
lar fears.
FOREIGN MISCELLANY.
The following, though it does not reach us through
an official channel, is no doubt authentic, and is
important as showing the sympathy which is ex-
cited in other Governments on this Western Con-
tinent by the invasion of Mexico by the United
States:
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Address of the President of Honduras, calling on
the States of Central America to Aid the Mexi-
cans in their Contest with the United States.
FROM THE NEW ORLEANS DELTA OF AUGUST 25.
We are indebted to our obliging contemporary of
La Patria for a copy of this important document,
which we translate for the benefit of our readers :
proclamation.
The President of the State of Honduras to the Central
Americans.
Compatriots ! Fortune now rules the destinies of Mexico,
and menaces her sons with desolation and extermination.
The North Americans have destroyed the interesting popula-
tion of Vera Cruz ; have possessed themselves of their effects,
and are now marching upon the capital. We cannot yet
know what other calamities will afflict that nation.
They are our brethren; their dangers are ours, and their
fate awaits us. We should not maintain neutrality, if we can
in any manner aid them in their honorable struggle.
The entire world should know that the Hondurenos are
ready to fulfil their duties, of whatever nature they may be.
I will sustain in the State an honorable peace, at all hazards ;
but I will not do it with the sacrifice of Hondurenian honor ;
for a disgraced people are fit but to bear chains, and to suffer
with humility the threats and the injuries which the stronger
impose.
I address myself to-day to the Governments of the Re-
public, making these observations in order that, if it shall be
deemed expedient, we may, if it is possible, afford aid, or, at
least, manifest our favorable disposition to their cause and to
liberty.
Divisions and internal feuds have ruined our Mexican bro-
thers. Eight millions of inhabitants, of whom that nation is
composed, have been unable to defend themselves against a
handful of men, who have seized upon their territory and
their property, and annulled their rights. What may be the
fate of the Central Americans, if we continue divided ?
The Honduranians always appear extraordinarily great;
they adopted the most effectual means to secure their inde-
pendence ; but nothing has been sufficient to estrange them ;
respect to the Government and submission to law they con-
sider as their power, their glory, and their honor.
What happiness does he experience who rules the destinies
of a people adorned by these virtues !
JUAN LINDO.
Comayagua, June 1, 1847.
The Undersigned, Generals of Division, to the Army of
Honduras.
Companions ! Notorious is the anguish of Mexico, and
evident is our obligation to co-operate in the defence of that
country. Her sons are our brothers, and the cause which
they sustain is also ours, that of liberty against conquest.
In compliance with a sacred duty, the proclamation ad-
dressed by the President to the Central Americans was yes-
Iiolland. — 1 he annual budget of expenses for 1848 amount
to 71,530,835 florins, and for 1849 to 71,135,067 florins.
1 o this sum must be added, for each of the two years, 500,000
florins destined to cover unforeseen expenses.
Thus, a population of about three million souls, already
with a monstrous debt, amounting to 1,228,942,511 florins,
the annual interest payable on which amounts to a sum of
36,294,000 florins, will have to pay to the State annually
the sum of 71,679,514 florins, which is at the rate of almost
forty-eight florins per head, when paupers and children (say
one-third) are deducted.
The New Belgian Ministry.—The following are the
members of the new Belgian Ministry, formed by Mr. R. Ro-
gier, who assumes the Home Department: Veydt, Finance ,
D’Hoffschmidt, Foreign Affairs ; De Hausey, Justice; Frere-
Orban, Public Works ; General Charal, War.
A New German Port.—Late advices from Germany
communicate a fact of some interest to the mercantile world.
It announces to the mercantile and shipping interests the im-
portant fact of the rights and privileges of a free port having
been accorded to a district on the Weser, where the small
stream the Geeste runs into the river. This place is very near
Bremerhaven, where all vessels of heavy burden bound to
Bremen are obliged to bring up. The Hanoverian Govern-
ment is deepening the water at and in the approaches to Har-
bourg, it is believed with the intention of making Harbourg
also a free port.
Colonial and Consular Appointments.—Since our
last publication of the 4th instant Earl Dalhousie has been ap-
pointed Governor General of India, and Sir Henry Pottinger
Governor of Madras. Sir Henry Smith succeeds Sir Henry
Pottinger as Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Sir H. E.
F. Young will, it is reported, shortly assume the office of
Lieutenant Governor of Australia ; and Sir Robert Wilson,
now Governor of Gibraltar, is likely to relieve Lord Seaton in
the administration of the Ionian Islands.
The Steamship Great Britain.—We think it not im-
probable that in our next publication we shall have the satis-
faction of announcing that this magnificent ship is again afloat,
and possibly in one of our spacious graving docks.
Railways.—By a parliamentary return, just printed, it
appears that, to the 21st ultimo, £35,773,789 was paid, and
£11,830,761 remained to be paid, by the several railway com-
panies having had purchase, sale, lease, or amalgamation bills
before Parliament in the late session.
Cholera in Russia.—The Paris Constitutionnel states that
the cholera is raging with intense severity amongst the Rus-
sian army in the Caucasus. It has already carried off the
General Kowalewski and Col. Prince Orbelain. The malady
has diminished in some detachments of the army and increas-
ed in others. It is added that the cholera has appeared in
some of the mountain districts not under the dominion of
Russia.
^ Royal Compliment to the Poet Tennyson.—Alfred
4 ennyson, the poet, has been sojourning at Esher, in bad
health. No one thought it worth his while to call on him or
to solicit his acquaintance. The Queen and Prince, hearing
of it, paid their respects to him without delay.
The Railroad Journal has published an interesting article
showing the comparative marketable value of the principal
railroad shares in France on the 22d September, 1845, and
on the 31st July, 1847. The loss varies from 122f. per share
to 482f. In twenty-one undertakings the total loss on the
marketable value has been no less than 488,307,500 francs,
or £19,532,300. Thus, within twenty-two months, the
French market has lost £19,532,300 on 2,491,000 shares,
forming an aggregate capital of 1,232,900,000 francs, or
’ ’ ’■ t>
Capture of a Slaver.—A correspondent at St. Helena,
in a letter dated June 16, informs us that Capt. Birch, of the
Waterwich, of ten guns, had just captured a fine brigantine,
with 510 slaves on board. She was apparently an American
built vessel, but had, when captured, neither papers nor co-
lors on board.
Executions on Capital Convictions.—By an official
document, printed by order of the British House of Commons,
it is shown that in five years, to 1826, there were 5,286 per
sons convicted on capital charges, and 307 executed ; in the
next five years, 7,077 persons were convicted and 304 execu-
ted ; in the next, 3,877, out of which 175 were executed ; in
the next, 767, out of which 44 were executed.
Siiakspeare’s Birthplace.—We are gratified to announce
that Prince Albert has contributed the sum of £250, the
Queen Dowager has also added £100, and the Corporation of
Stratford another £100, towards purchasing the birthplace of
the Bard of Avon.
There has lately been discovered near Sceaux, in the Loiret,
a lar^ stone jar, of rude workmanship, containing six hun-
dred Roman coins. The jar is about sixteen inches in height
and eight inches in diameter. It was found in a species of
chamber about two yards square, the walls of which were
coated with a cement of extraordinary polish. It was at the
s®meJ11?e enpl°se(I in a niche, which had only one opening
of sufficient size to admit a man’s hand to drop in the coin.
“ MORTALITY AMONG CHILDREN IN ST. LOUIS.”
From the Missouri Medical and Surgical Journal, for July.
With the foregoing heading, we observe a notice going the
rounds of some of the Eastern papers, purporting to have come
from “a St. Louis correspondent of the National Intelligen-
cer,” stating “that fifty per cent, of the deaths in St. Louis
are children under five years of age.” The same writer like-
wise attributes this great mortality “ to the unenlightened
and unsuccessful treatment by St. Louis physicians,” and in-
vites “some able medical man in this line of practice,” from
the East, to settle in St. Louis.
Now, our object in noticing this newspaper correspondence
is not so much with the view of correcting such misstatements
as to enumerate some of the peculiarly prominent causes of
the excessive mortality in St. Louis. It is a subject of noto-
riety that the bills of mortality in St. Louis are proportionably
larger than any city in the Union, especially among children.
This impression is true only as regards children, and there
are abundant local causes to account why it is so, without
casting imputation upon our physicians. There is an opinion
abroad that the physicians of the West generally are unskilful
and unscientific ; but this is a base slander upon the profession
of this great valley. We have many burning lights scattered
over the Mississippi valley, besides many talented, enterprising
young men, who will soon take rank with the brightest or-
naments of the medical profession in this or any other land.
It is true, quackery abounds with us, and it is probably to this
cause that such erroneous views have circulated as to the cha-
racter of our profession in the West.
By reference to the bills of mortality for the last twelve
weeks—from April 5th to June 28th, (embracing a period of
the year which is as fatal among children as that of any other,
except the months of July and August,) we discover the num-
ber of deaths of five years and under to be forty-four and a
fraction. We will not, however, go into a comparative esti-
mate of the mortality of other cities, but will at once proceed
to an enumeration of the causes which are peculiarly operative
in St. Louis.
I. The character of the population stands most prominent.
We have a population of at least 50,000, and, according to
actual estimates, more than one-third are made up of foreign
emigrants, with very moderate means, and in many cases ex-
tremely poor. The most of these, though good citizens,
such is their rigid economy that they huddle together
in large families into one small room, which, some-
thing like the cobbler’s stall, serves them “for parlor, and
bedroom, and kitchen, and all.” Besides, there is a large
amount of American population who live in extreme poverty,
making altogether fully one-half of our population, who are
crowded together in contracted and poorly ventilated apart-
ments, on scanty, not to say unwholesome food, and often
too without regard to cleanliness. Moreover, this class of our
community furnish much the largest proportion of children,
and if there was a register of births it could be statistically
shown. It is, however, palpable enough, in the weekly re-
ports of each mortuary register, that these classes furnish the
largest number of deaths.
Nor is this all. Such is the peculiar love of money with
people of the West, that all classes, both the rich as well as
the poor, defer sending fora physician until the disease is far
advanced, and frequently beyond the influence of medicine.
Many indeed prefer to administer some nostrum ox patent
medicine throughout the entire course of disease, never calling
in a regular practitioner.
Owing, too, to the frequent variableness of the climate, and the
extreme vicissitudes from heat to cold, and from dryness to
moisture, the diseases most generally partake of an acute and
inflammatory character, and unless medical aid is speedily af-
forded, dissolution soon follows. This I believe to be the ob-
servation of every enlightened physician of the West. It
is a common remark among our physicians that they have not
had a fair opportunity in treating their cases. Moreover, even
physicians in the fullest practice often express their astonish-
ment at the large bills of mortality, showing clearly that many
die without proper medical aid.
II. The depressing influence of the climate has an impor-
tant bearing upon the mortality among children in St. Louis.
It is not my object to speak of the foul air, made so by arti-
ficial causes, which are so abundant in our streets and lanes,
but to confine my remarks to the malarious or pestilential
state of atmosphere. Without undertaking to say what this
condition of atmosphere is, nevertheless we know there are
powerful influences operating through the air, which not only
produce diseases, but tend to keep patients prostiated, even
after the removal of disease, and the patient actually conva-
lescent. This remark will apply to adults as well as children.
Indeed relapses are much more common in the West than in
the East. Hence, every j udicious W estern practitioner knows
the importance of assisting nature to build up the system, by
the free use of quinine, brandy, wine, and other tonics, in
order to ward off the influence from without, and thus restore
the patient to health ; for, if the ease were left to nature when
convalescence sets in, it would linger, and often terminate
fatally. The fact is, the Southern and Western practitioners
understand the proper use of quinine and other stimulants
better than any class of physicians in the world; and I
believe, furthermore, from my few years’ residence in the West,
they will rank among the most skilful practitioners. C.
Fire and Loss of Life.—Another destructive fire occur-
red in New York on yesterday morning, which entirely de-
stroyed the extensive Packing Box Factory of Mr. Bloomer,
situate in Gold street; the loss is estimated at $20,000. This
is the sixth time that the above establishment has been de-
stroyed by fire. A colored man, name not stated, was unfor-
tunately burnt to death in the flames.
We learn from the officers of the steamer Lynx that the
bilious fever prevails to an alarming extent at the village of
the Crow Indians, on the Mississippi, below St. Peters, and
that forty of their number have died within a short peiiod.
[&h Louis Republican.
DICKINSON COLLEGE.
nr^HK Fall Session will commence on the 15th of Septem-
ber. The Board of Instruction is ample, the libraries
and apparatus large and increasing. Tuition fees, per annum,
$33 ; boarding $1 to $1 75 per week.
Carlisle, August 21, 1847. aug 26—cp3t
OKIIjIi, Nos. 8 and 10, Clinton Place, New
JLU will reopen her School on Wednesday, the first
of September.
aug 30—cptOctl
PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT OF THE CO-
LUMBIAN COLLEGE, D. C.
Commences on Wednesday, the 10th of September.
TN this School pupils are fitted for admission to the College
X classes or for other objects.
Mr. JOHN PICKETT, a gentleman who is amply qua-
lified, having passed through a collegiate course, and been
engaged for several years in the business of instruction, will
have charge of the School. His whole time and energiei
will be devoted to its interests, and it is hoped it will thus be
rendered worthy of extensive patronage.
This School will be under the constant superintendence
the Faculty of the College.
CHARGES PER QUARTER.
Reading, Writing, and Elementary Arithmetic........$4. C6
Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, Geography
of the Heavens, Ancient and Modern Histojry....... 5 00
Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Algebra, Geometry,
Surveying, Book-keeping, and Composition.........8 00
Latin and Greek Classics.............................. oo
Pupils who board and have a room in the College
building will be charged for library, room, bed, and
furniture........................................ 5 00
Table, lights, and servant, per week.................. 2 25
A good side-walk has been completed from the city to the
College.
College Hill, August, 1847. aug 25—2aw3w
THE COLLEGE OF ST. JAMES,
Near Hagerstown, Md.
f 11 HIS Institution is the Diocesan College of the Protestant
X Episcopal Church in Maryland ; but its classes, collegiate
and preparatory, are open to students from any State. It has
by its charter the usual rank and privileges of colleges. The
corps of professors in every department is complete, and the
course of instruction full and thorough. All the students
board in the College, and come under the constant supervision
ot the faculty and other officers, most of whom reside with
the students The Grammar School and the college have all
the regular classes organized. The next session’ opens on
Monday, October 4th. For further information or for the ad-
mission of students, apply to the Rev. JOHN B. KERFOOT
Reetor. aug 10—2aw8w
P. S. A Boarding-House for the accommodation of parents
and others visiting the College will be opened on October 1,
immediately adjoining the College grounds.
lyrOTICE. I he undersigned, having been appointed sole
JL Y agents for vending Gatchell’s Improved Hydraulic Water
Ram, are prepared to offer them to the public at the patentee’s
prices, and to give instructions or send a suitable person to put
them in operation and furnish the pipe tor the same. Farmers
and others having a stream of water greatly below the level of
their improvements can have it forced up to their doors at a
comparatively small expense. A diagram with explanations
to be had with the ram on application at our hardware store in
Georgetown.
aug 28—3taw3wcp D. ENGLISH & SON.
LATER FROM ENGLAND.
The British mail steamer Caledonia arrived at
Boston early yesterday morning, with accounts from
Liverpool to the 19th ultimo.
Her commercial advices alone have been trans-
mitted to us through the Telegraph, by which it
appears that there has been a further slight decline
in Breadstuff’s, and that the prospect is such as to
render a yet greater reduction inevitable. We an-
nex a full report of the markets at the latest date.
The London money market continued in a state
of excitement and alarm. The aggregate failures
are reported at two million pounds sterling.
In France political affairs are represented as
wearing quite a threatening aspect, and there is
even a rumor of the assassination of Louis Philippe.
Of course, we cannot give any credence to these
reports until the receipt of our letters and papers
shall further enlighten us in regard to them.
Liverpool Flour and Grain Market, August 19.—
Best Western Canal flour, 26s. to 26s. 6d. per barrel; Balti-
more and Philadelphia, 24s. to 25s. ; Richmond and Alexan-
dria, 25s. to 25s. 6d. ; New Orleans and Ohio, 22s. to 23s. ;
United States wheat, white and mixed, per seventy pounds,
7s. 9d. to 8s. 6d., red 6s. 9d. to 7s. 6d. ; Indian corn 25s.
to 30s. per quarter ; corn meal, per barrel, 12s. to 13s. 6d.
A serious downward tendency has taken place in the grain
market since the departure of the steamer of the 4th, which
has been only occasionally arrested by the broken weather.
This, however, has failed to give a firmer tone to the market,
though at our market yesterday the above quotations were
freely realized, and greater confidence was manifested among
the buyers. The certainty of a bountiful harvest at home,
coupled with the continued large imports of foreign breadstuffis,
forced upon our market by the necessities of holders, must ex-
ercise a still stronger depressing influence upon the trade; and
it may be fairly inferred that the markets have not as yet re-
trograded to any thing like the point to which they appear
destined to fall. In the London market also a simiiai languor
has taken place ; which, accelerated by the alarming failures
that have occurred in that city, almost precludes the possibility
of reaction.
Liverpool Cotton Market, August 19.—The market
continues dull at prices rather in favor of buyers. Bowed
Georgia may be quoted for ordinary to middling 6-£ to 6f d.
per pound ; fair to good fair 7\ to 7^d. ; fine 7-Jd. ; Mobile
ordinary to middling 6f to 6§d. ; for good fair 7-j- to 7§d. ;
fine 7£ to 8d. ; Alabama and Tennessee ordinary to mid-
dling 6^ to 6j}d. ; New Orleans ordinary to middling 6§ to
6$d. ; good fair 7| to 8d. ? fine 85 to 9d. ; Sea Island ordi-
nary to middling 10 to 13d.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
qnHE next annual session of the University will commence
X on the 1st of October, and continue without interruption
until the 29th June. The Faculty is composed as follows :
Gessner Harrison, M.D., Professor of Ancient Languages.
M. Schele deVere, LL.D., Professor of Modern Lan-
guages.
Edward H. Courtenay, LL.D., Professor of Mathema-
tics.
Mr. William B. Rogers, Professor of Natural Philosophy.
Robert E. Rogers, M.D., Professor of Chemistry and Ma-
teria Medica.
James L. Cabell, M.D., Professor of Anatomy and Surgery.
Henry Howard, M.D., Professor of Medicine.
Wm. H. McGuffey, D.D. and LL.D., Professor of Moral
Philosophy.
Mr. John B. Minor, Professor of Law.
To be admitted into the University the student must be six-
teen years of age ; but the Faculty are authorized to dispense
with this requisition in the case of application for admission by
two brothers, one of whom may be under the age of sixteen.
If the applicant for admission has been a student at any other
incorporated seminary, he cannot be received into the Univer-
sity unless he produces a certificate from such seminary, or
other satisfactory evidence, to the Faculty with respect to his
general good conduct.
The whole necessary expenses, exclusive of clothes, books4
and pocket money, are estimated as follows :
Board, including furniture and attendance, for nine
months......................................... $100
Fees, if a single professor be attended, $50; if two,
$30 each ; it three or more, $25 each ; say......... 75
Fuel and candles, to be furnished by the Proctor at cost
and 5 per cent, commission—estimated, if only one
student in the dormitory, at $30; if two in the same
room at......................................... 15
Rent of an entire dormitory $16 ; for halt, if occupied
by two students................................. 8
Use of library and public rooms..................... 15
$215
Good washing maybe had at from $8 to $10 for the session.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
In the Medical Department, the session is of the same length
as the Academic session, (nine months,) which enables the
students to complete a curriculum of studies as extensive as
that of any other Medical Institution in the Union by attend-
ing only two lectures a day. They have, moreover, the ad-
vantage of daily rigid examinations on the subjects discussed in
the daily lectures.
The expenses of the Medical students are the same as those
of other students, with the addition of a dissecting fee of $5.
WM.*S. KEMPER,
Proctor and Patron, University of Virginia,
july 27—2aw2mcp
WINCHESTER MEDICAL COLLEGE,
SECOND SESSION.
T I \HE LECTURES of the second session of the Winchester
I Medical College will commence on Monday, the 4th of
October, and continue until the 1st of June next, under the
following arrangement of the chairs :
Hugh H. McGuire, M.D., Professor of Principles and
Practice of Surgery.
Daniel Conrad, M.D., Professor of Anatomy and Phy-
siology.
J. Philip Smith, M.D., Professor of Theory and Practice
of Medicine.
John J. H. Straith, M.D., Professor ot Obstetrics, Dis-
eases of Women and Children, and Medical Jurisprudence.
Wm. A. Bradford, M.D., Professor of Materia Medica
and Chemistry.
Fees.—The fee to each Professor is $20 ; Matriculation fee
(paid once only) $5 ; Dissecting ticket $10 : the whole amount-
ing to $115 ; the Graduation fee $20.
Excellent Boarding and Lodging will be furnished at either
the hotels or private boarding-houses at $2 to $3 per week.
The necessary expenses of a student for the eight months
may be estimated at less than $2.50.
The Faculty are building a splendid edifice, which will be
ready for the reception of the next class, by means of an ap-
propriation granted for that purpose by the last Legislature of
Virginia. DANIEL CONRAD, M.D.
Winchester, Va. Dean of the Faculty.
Washington Union please publish the above tri-weekly
till 15th October next, and forward bill to the Dean for pay-
ment. july 21—3tawtl5thOc
THE LEESBURG ACADEMY
'VYTILL COMMENCE its regular Annual Session on the
W first Monday in September next, under favorable au-
spices, and with enlarged capabilities for usefulness.
Boarders will be associated with their Teachers in a private
family, where they will enjoy every social and domestic com-
fort, in addition to the more important advantages resulting
from regular morning and evening instruction.
The regulations are adapted to young men of high and hon-
orable purposes, who may be presumed to yield a prompt and
cheerful compliance with every requisition which their own
highest interests may demand. Affectionate advice and ad-
monition, earnest appeals to the moral sense, and to those
high motives which should govern the enlightened understand-
ing, will constitute the means on which we chiefly rely for se-
curing diligence in study and propriety in conduct. Habitual
inattention to study or intentional violations of the rules of the
Institution, or the principles of honor or morality, will inevi-
tably dissolve all connexion with the School.
An extensive Philosophical and Chemical Apparatus, of
superior quality, will render the regular Lectures particularly
valuable to the pupils.
Board, including fuel, light, and washing, per session of five
months, payable quarterly in advance.............$61 OO
Tuition in the Classic and Mathematical Deparment. .16 66
Do English do.......10 00
Do Introductory do....... 6 00
No additional charge will be made for instruction in the
French and Spanish languages.
W. B. BENEDICT, A.M., Principal.
aug 17—law4w
YITHEREAS the Postmaster, Edward D. Boon, has
YY been removed from the Post Office at Beantown,
Charles county, Maryland, and without cause or complaint, I
hereby request all persons who may correspond with me in
any way, (by letters, documents, or o herwise,) to please di-
rect them to Bryamto-wn post office, Charles county, Md.
aug 17—4w GEORGE GARDINER.
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National Intelligencer. (Washington [D.C.]), Vol. 48, No. 6972, Ed. 1 Saturday, September 4, 1847, newspaper, September 4, 1847; Washington, District of Columbia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1007658/m1/1/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .