National Intelligencer. (Washington [D.C.]), Vol. 48, No. 6922, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 8, 1847 Page: 1 of 4
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Vol. XLVIII
WASHINGTON: SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1847.
PUBLISHED BY GALES & SEATON.
THRICE A WEEK.
SIX DOLLARS A YEAR-PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1847.
The following brief article, from a sagacious
New Jersey Journal, shows how rapidly the War
in which the country is now engaged is assuming
the character, first foreshadowed to us by the Ex-
President of Texas in his toast at the Houston din-
ner, of a War of Races :
“The feelings and position of the people of
* Mexico towards the United States it is now be-
* yond a doubt have been studiously misrepresent-
‘ ed, especially by the papers in the pay of the
‘ Government. It has been all along said that al-
‘ most the whole of New Mexico, California, and
‘ several other departments were so favorable to the
‘ views of the United States that it was only neces-
* sary to assure them of our protection from their
‘ own Government to bring them at once peaceably
‘ under ours. Whereas it now is known that not
* one foot of territory, overrun by our troops, can
‘ be held but by superior present military force ;
‘ that the moment an opportunity offers for even a
‘ temporary victory the inhabitants rise en masse,
‘ indulging in the most implacable revenge and in-
‘ human butcheries. There seem to be no bounds
‘ to their abhorrence of us, and they seem to think
* that the rules of civilized war are not applicable
* to us. Witness their ferocious and savage mas-
* sacres of our people in Santa Fe and its neigh-
‘ borhood; and witness the bold alacrity and deter-
‘ mination with which they proceeded in the mo-
* mentary withdrawal of our forces to reconquer
‘ California. And they met with no small success
‘ too for awhile. Seeing, then, that these people
‘ hate us with a perfect hatred ; that they are almost
‘ totally unlike us, except that they are of the hu-
‘ man species; that they have neither desire nor
‘ fitness for republican government as it is enjoyed
‘ by us, nor for that enlightened freedom which dis-
‘ tinguishes our institutions, laws, and religion ;
‘ that there is scarcely a point upon which we
‘ could at the outset agree with them ; and, consid-
‘ ering above all and before all, that we have no right
* nor interest to force them into political association
‘ with us, and that we neither want them, nor their
‘ territory, nor their opinions, manners, customs,
1 religions, nor influences among us—seeing all these
‘ things, and many more, how, in the name of all
‘ that is good and just and wise, can we persist in
‘ pursuing them to the death to force them into
‘ union with us?—New Jersey Fredonian.
VIRGINIA.
The Richmond papers concede the election of
R. A. Thompson (Item.) in the Kanawha district.
Supposing Mr. Fulton to be elected in the Wash
ington district, the Congressional delegation from
the State is now composed of six Whigs and eight
Democrats, leaving the Brunswick district vacant.
GEN. TAYLOR ON THE BATTLE-FIELD.
Lieut. Corwine writes to the Cincinnati Chroni-
cle, and gives the following interesting sketch of
Gen. Taylor on the battle-field of Buena Vista :
“By way of illustrating an important characteristic of
Gen. Taylor, to wit, determination, I will briefly relate a
scene that occurred on the battle-ground of Buena Vista, du-
ring the action of the 23d. At a time when the fortunes of
the day seemed extremely problematical—when many on our
side even despaired of success—old Rough and Ready, as he
is not inaptly styled, whom you must know, by the by, is
short, fat, and dumpy in person, with remarkably short legs,
took his position on a commanding height, overlooking the
two armies. This was about three or perhaps four o’clock in
the afternoon. The enemy, who had succeeded in gaining
an advantageous position, made a fierce charge upon our co-
lumn, and fought with a desperati n that seemed for a time
to ensure success to their arms. The struggle lasted for some
time. All the while Gen. Taylor was a silent spectator, his
countenance exhibiting the most anxious solicitude, alternating
between hope and despondency. His staff, perceiving his
perilous situation—for he was exposed to the fire of the ene-
my—approached him and implored him to retire. He heeded
them not. His thoughts were intent upon victory or defeat.
He knew not at this moment what the result would be. He
felt that that engagement was to decide his fate. He had
given all his orders and selected his position. If the day
went against him he was irretrievably lost; if for him, he
could rejoice, in common with his countrymen, at the tri-
umphant success of our arms.
“Such seemed to be his thoughts, his determination ; and
when he saw the enemy give way and retreat in the utmost
confusion, he gave free vent to his pent up feelings. His
right leg was quickly disengaged from the pummel of the
saddle, where it had remained during the whole of the fierce
encounter; his arms, which were calmly folded over his
breast, relaxed their hold, his feet fairly danced in the stir-
rups, and his whole body was in motion. It was a moment
of the most exciting and intense interest. His face was suf-
fused with tears. The day was won, the victory complete,
his little army saved from the disgrace of a defeat, and he
could not refrain from weeping for joy at what had seemed
to so many, but a moment before, as an impossible result.
Long may the noble and kind-hearted old hero live to enjoy
the honors of his numerous brilliant victories, and many
other honors that a gratetul country will ere long bestow
upon him !”
REPORTED NE WS FROM MEXICO.
We copy from the Baltimore Patriot of last even-
ing the following Telegraphic despatch from Frede-
ricksburg, (Va.)
“ The Southern mail from New Orleans of the 28th ulti-
mo, which ought to have arrived yesterday, came to hand to-
day, but that regularly due did not arrive, there having been
no connexion formed at Weldon, North Carolina, from be-
yond which point we have not the papers due to-day.
“ There had been a later arrival at New Orleans with later
news from Mexico.
“ It is now announced that there are to be no more pitched
battles—no regular field actions. The contest is henceforth
to be carried on by Santa Anna by guerilla skirmishes.”
No. 6922.
LATE FROM EUROPE.
A Telegraphic despatch announces the arrival at
Boston, yesterday morning, of the steamer Caledo-
nia, which sailed from Liverpool on the 19th ultimo.
We have only her commercial news, which men-
tions that the prices of breadstuff's had recovered
somewhat from the depression they experienced
previous to the sailing of the last steamer.
American Flour is now quoted at B8s. to 39s. 6d.
The quotations of Indian corn and wheat both show
an advance of 6s. per quarter of 480 lbs. during the
week prior to the Caledonia’s departure. An active
business was doing in all kinds of breadstuff’s, the
stocks of which had become nearly exhausted, with
an increasing demand.
Cotton was in active request and prices had ad-
vanced about half a penny per pound. For fair
Georgia 7| a 7\d. ; Mobile 7| a 7kd.; New Or-
leans a 8 d. S
Corn Market.—In London throughout the last fort-
night. a hp.flvy Lncinefsa wng done, both ;.1 wheat flour and in
Indian corn, and the depression which has prevailed in the
latter end of March has given way to more activity and
buoyancy. The operations in foreign wheat were moderate
on the 4th, but the transactions effeqted were on advancing
terms. Indian corn was held firmly in consequence of the
more encouraging reports from provincial markets, and in town
made flour scarcely any thing was done. American was in
decidedly improved request, being saleable at 37s. to 38s.
During the week ending on the 12th April, the transactions
in all these articles were to a moderate extent, and rising prices
generally paid, holders feeling reluctant to accept the previous
rates. On the 12th wheat advanced 2s. to 3s.
The bullion of the Bank of England was fast
disappearing, and creating some alarm. Business
in the manufacturing districts was improving. The
packet ship Rochester was totally lost on the 18th
ultimo between Dublin and Wexford; all on board
saved. The United States ship Jamestown arriv-
ed safely.
The proceedings of Parliament are said to pos-
sess but little interest. A prorogation was expect-
ed to take place in June or July. Portugal is
still in difficulty, and England is asked for aid. The
contemplated extension of free trade in France has
been abandoned. The distress in Ireland was in
some degree subsidiug.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM ENGLAND.
The New York Chamber of Commerce met
on Tuesday and elected the following officers for
the ensuing year :
J. G. King, President.
M. H. Grinnell, First Vice President.
W. H. Macy, Second Vice President.
John J. Palmer, Treasurer.
P. M. Wetmore, Secretary.
Death of a Distinguished Mechanic.—The death of
Mr. N. P. Ames, probably the most distinguished and widely
known mechanic in the United States, is a matter of general
and public interest, but by each and all of the citizens of Ca-
botville (Mass.) it is felt as a personal loss. He was a man
ot eminently social disposition ; he took a friendly interest in
the happiness of all around him, and was ever ready to speak
and act for the public good Hospitable at home, he was no
less kind and courteous to those who visited him at his work-
shops. There was never an instance of that churlish incivili-
ty with which many very poiite gentlemen at home think it
for their interest to treat those who visit them at their places
of business. An attention and courtesy prevailed there which
could not be excelled by any private hospitality. All who
knew Mr. Ames esteemed and loved him. He cannot soon
be forgotten, and those who cherish his memory can but be
prompted to imitate his example, by doing good to all, as they
have opportunity.—Springfield Republican.
THE INDIANA TROOPS AT BUENA VISTA.
A day or two ago we had it in our power to let a member
of the Arkansas Volunteers speak of the conduct of his com-
rades at the battle of Buena Vista. We now accord the same
privilege to a member of the Second Indiana Regiment, by
copying a part of his letter, as it appears in the Evansville
(Indiana) Journal ofthe27th ultimo, it beingthefirst letterwe
have seen, since the battle, from the Indiana section of the army.
Taken in connexion with that from the Arkansas Regiment, we
think it ought to settle the question that there was a more sub-
stantial reason for charging a portion of these troops with de-
linquency than the ridiculous one set up by Some of the Lo-
cofoco papers, that they were disparaged only on account of
their having been commanded by “ Democrats.” Be it un-
derstood, however, that we do not copy these letters to give
currency to any unjust censure, but simply to vindicate the
truth of the official and other authentic reports of the battle
which we have deemed it our duty to place upon record, as a
part of the history of this war.
The “Journal” says that the writer of the letter, from
which the following extract is made, is an officer of rank :
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE EVANSVILLE JOURNAL.
Buena Vista, March 13, 1847.
I wrote you a short account of the battle we fought at this
place on the 22d and 23d of February, but did not give you
all the particulars. I wish now to give the people of Indiana
a few facts connected with it, in order to vindicate the 2d re-
giment of Indiana Volunteers fiom unmerited disgrace. They
commenced the battle on the morning of the 23d in as fine a
style as any body of troops on earth could, and fought as
bravely until 11 o’clock, when they retreated in confusion,
and a part of them could not be afterwards rallied. They
mustered on the field much less than 400 men, and were op-
posed, at the time they gave way, to at least 4,000 Mexican
troops, and exposed to the fire ot one of the enemy’s batteries
at the same time. This state of things would not have justi-
fied them in retreating, nor was it the reason why they did
so. They were manfully maintaining their ground against
ail the immense odds, and Brig. Gen. Lane had ordered a
battery on their right to take an advanced position with a view
of bringing the regiment closer to the enemy that their fire
might be more effective. Before his aid-de-camp had time to
return from delivering the order to advance to the battery, and
while he was still waiting his return in order to give the ne
cessary orders for advancing the troops, they gave way on the
right, and in a few minutes the whole line was in full retreat.
This unfortunate circumstance was very near losing us the
victory, and costing the lives of the whole army—for it has
since been ascertained that Santa Anna had given orders to
take no prisoners—and it has covered the Regiment and the
State with disgrace. This odium must be removed, and the
establishment of one fact is sufficient to do it. They were
ordered to retreat by their Colonel. * * * *
[The letter then proceeds to speak of the Colonel of the
Regiment in a disparaging manner that is not warranted by
the official and other reports, and therefore we do not deem it
consistent with justice to copy that part of it.]
Sentence of Lieut. Hunter.—It is generally known
that, on the arrival of Commodore Perry before Alvarado,
finding the place already captured by Lieut. C. G. Hunter,
whom he had ordered only to blockade, the Commodore or-
dered that officer into arrest, for trial by court-martial. We
learn, from an authentic source, that the trial has been had,
that Lieut. Hunter has been found guilty, (of disobeying or-
ders, we presume,) and sentenced to be reprimanded and dis-
missed from the squadron : the reprimand to be read on the
quarter-deck of every ship in the squadron.
AFRAID OF THE “BILERS !”
During the height of the opposition between the two steam-
boat lines running from Kennebec to Boston, last summer, and
just as the rival boats were making ready to start, a wagon
hove in sight, in which was an old lady, with an accompani-
ment of band-boxes and bundles, evidently equipped fora jour-
ney. T. he respective agents ot the two lines sprang towards
her. “ Take the Marshall, marm ?—fine boat. ” “ Try the
Penobscot, new boat, built last summer, commanded by the
favorite of every body, Cant.-&c. The boys and loafers
around echoed the claims of their favorites in concert. “ Hur-
rah for the Penobscot. ” “ Go the John Marshall. ” The old
lady, who had probably never seen a steamboat before, and
whose chief notion of the varmits was connected with their
boiler-bursting propensities, was almost beside herself with
terror at the hubbub.
“ O, Lordy ! I wish I’d never stirred a step ; if I’d a known
there was to be such an awful time as this, I’m sure I would’nt.
The pesky bilers, I know they’ll burst; every body’s looking
after- me, and no body’s attending to ’em. There, go right
away, all of you, I’m going straight back. I could’t rest a
wink for fear of them pesky bilers. ”
“ You need give yourself no anxiety on account ofthe boilers
in the Marshall,” said the agent of the M., “they are new
and sound, and couldn’t be made to burst.”
“Are you sure of it ?” said the old lady, evincing symptoms
of a favorable disposition towards the Marshall; you arn’t a
tryin’ to practice on the credulity of a poor lone woman, I
hope ?”
“No lear of me ; sound as a teakettle,” was the reply.
The old lady was about descending from the wagon to em-
bark in the Marshall, when No. 2 stepped up.
“ Madam,” said he, in a serious tone, “ No doubt {heMar-
shall’s boilers are sound enough, but the best boilers are dan-
gerous things. We knew that a great many people had been
killed by them—espscially of late—and took the boilers out
of our boat three weeks ago /”
“ You did,” said she ; “ that’s the boat for me, then. Jemes !
(to the boy in the wagon,) pass out the basket, and the bonnet-
box, and the umbrella, and the parasol; and don’t forget the
new shoes, and the doughnuts under the seat. Tell Sally I
went in the boat without any bilers, and she need have no fears
of me. ”
London, March 24, 1847.
Some new ideas on Population have been broach-
ed by Mr. Doubleday, in a publication lately made
by him, entitled “ The True Law of Population.”
This law of population, he endeavors to show, is
connected with and depends upon the nature of the
food of the people. Mr. Doubleday says “ his
theory is based on the admissions of all medical
and physiological authorities of modern times, and
supported by many of ancient times, and is corro-
borated by an appeal to living generations.” He
affirms that “ populations are uniformly found thin
‘ in pastoral countries, where the food is animal
‘ food chiefly ; denser, where it is mixed partially
‘ Avith vegetable element; denser still, where it is
‘ vegetable only, but with plenty ; and densest of
‘ oil, Avhere it is vegetable, but with scarcity su-
‘ peradded.”
The examples which the author quotes from the
history and condition of the world go far towards
estiblishing his theory. If he be correct, the true
remedy for excessive numbers is not emigration,
but plentiful and nutritious food. He divides so-
ciety into three classes—“ the worst dieted, the mo-
derately dieted, and the luxuriously dieted;” and
observes “ that it is upon the numerical proportion
‘ which these three states bear to each other in any
‘ society, that increase or decrease on the whole de
‘ pends.” Mr. Doubleday’s argument derives con-
siderable support from the decay of opulent fami-
lies, and their rapid extinction. We have abundant
evidence of this at various epochs, and in different
countries. Tacitus gives us one instance in the
reign of the Emperor Claudius. If we turn to
England, we shall find that, but for comparatively
new creations, both the Peerage and Baronet-
age of England Avould have been extinct. The
number of English peers in 1837 was 350, of which
247 had been created since 1760. The decay of
the baronets had been more remarkable still. So
that if no new peers had been created since 1760,
the present number would have been only 103, and
but for perpetual new creations there would scarce
ly have been a baronet left. Mr. Malthus noticed
a similar decay in the higher and wealthier families
of Berne, in Switzerland; and Mr. Sadler cited
Addison’s authority to prove the extraordinary de-
crease of the Venetian nobility.
II Mr. Doubleday’s theory be true, and it be a
law of Nature that the worst dieted people shall
become the most numerous, then pauper relief to
Ireland, in the shape of poor food, will only aggra-
vate the evil. The effectual remedy is, to give the
Irish people a sufficiency of animal food; Irish
produce must be consumed in Ireland instead of
being exported. The standard of living must be
raised ; but it will not be raised by the introduction
of the poor laws, and feeding the hungry crowds
with poorhouse food. This will only aggravate the
evil through each successive generation. Mr. D.’s
book is deserving the serious consideration of politi-
cal economists and statesmen.
The Wellington Statue is to be forthwith re-
moved from Buckingham Gateway, and erected in
Waterloo place.
The “ Examiner” says that at the late sale of the
Library of John Wilkes, Esq. in London, the “ Bi-
hlia Sacra Latina,” being the first edition of the
Holy Scriptures, in three volumes, without name of
primer, place, or date, but attributed to the press of
Guttenberg, at Mentz, between the years 1450 and
1455, “ was knocked down for J2500 to Messrs.
‘ Wiley & Putnam, the American Booksellers, its
‘ destination being the American Museum at Wash-
‘ ington.” The Atheneum says the book is in two
volumes, and that the first offer was 200 guineas.
A copy of the same book was sold at the Duke of
Sussex’s Library, a few years back, for 190 guineas!
I suppose, by the “American Museum at Wash-
ington” is meant the Library of the Smithsonian
Institute. If so, the Regents are determined to rank
high among Bibliomaniacs, by commencing their
labors with the purchase ot one of the dearest
books ever sold ; and which, whatever may be its
intrinsic value to a few Biblical critics, is not very
particularly calculated to carry out Mr. Smithson’s
desire, “ to increase and diffuse knowledge among
men.”
The only new publication this month which has
excited much attention is Mr. D’lsraeli’s “ Tancred,
or The New Crusade.” The Atheneum pro-
nounces it to be “ a brilliant book, abounding in
* entertainment and adventure, rich in descriptions,
‘ and lively touches of chai acter. * Tancred’ has
entertained us more than either ‘ Coningsby’ or
‘ ‘ Sybil,’ and we think may stand higher in public
favor.” The ‘ Examiner’ says, “ But for the lofty
‘ and ludicrous pretensions of the story-book before
‘ us, we should have welcomed it as an extremely
‘ pleasant, curious, and lively picture of certain
phases of life in the East.” “We advise the rea-
der to look for himself into its sketches of Eastern
scenes and characters. They are infinitely hu-
morous and clever.” “ In short, if the book is
read with the proper degree of contempt for its
‘ philosophy, and disbelief in its sincerity, it is a
‘ very amusing book, and will richly repay the
‘ reading. It is a brilliant and entertaining extrava-
ganza.” Douglas Jerrold says, “ Tancred is
‘ neither so personal as ‘ Coningsby nor so political
‘as ‘Sybil.’” This work, will, no doubt, be re-
printed in a cheap form in the United States nearly
as soon as you receive this communication ; so that
it would be useless filling my paper with a detailed
account of its plot; the work is printed here in three
handsome volumes, and sold for^l 11 6, or seven
dollars; I suppose it will be published with you
for 25 or 37| cents. “Tancred” may in some de-
gree be regarded as a continuation of “ Coningsby”
and “Sybil.” The same characters are introduced,
particularly Sidonia, and the present novel is per-
fectly resultless, as respects the fortunes of the
parties. Nothing is ended, and there is evidently'
a necessity for three more volumes to come.
“ However, all will read, and all (except the mere
‘ reader for a story) will be fascinated, and, in some
‘ degree, informed by this stimulating work.”
March 31.—With respect to theatricals, there
is not much novelty; some dissatisfaction has been
expressed with the company at the Opera House.
Fraschini’s voice is pronounced defective, and the
manager is blamed for placing much reliance on
such a principal tenor. Signor Gardoni’s voice is
called “ delicate,” and one which “ must be spared.”
The “ fillings up” of the company are said to be
“ inferior,” and Dr. Mendelsohn will not produce
his promised new opera, the “ Tempest,” this
year; both he and Mr. Lumley are accused of
having tampered with the public in having pro-
mised it. Jenny Lind is said to be certainly
engaged to appear at this house after Easter. Co-
vent Garden is rapidly advancing with its prepara-
tions for a splendid and powerful commencement
early next month. The rumor that legal disabilities
would prevent the performance of operas at this
house was founded on misrepresentation or mistake,
and London will soon have the novelty of two
opera houses opened at the same time : which is to
succeed—for only one can-—is the question to be
determined. Mr. Bunn re-opens Drury Lane on
gregate saving of 29,800,000 lbs. weight of animal
food in the quantity of animals at present conveyed
by railroad, which is not more than half the entire
amount which is sent to London annually. The
cattle imported into England in 1846 was fourfold
that imported in 1845, and the animal food twice
the amount. The deficiency in the potato crop of
last year is estimated at 8,142,599 tons ; to supply
this deficiency would take, as an equivalent.
1,438,324 tons of Indian corn, which, at Id. perlb.
would amount to £ 13,424,357. The quantity oi
sugar imported into England last year from British
possessions was 500,000 cwt. less than in 1845 ;
the entire amount consumed 350,000 cwt. more ;
and the consumption under the new tariff for five
months, ending 5th January last, compared with the
live months of the year before, 503,375 cwt. more.
The revenue on sugar in 1846 was at least J2400,-
000 more than that of 1845. The entry of tea for
home consumption, in 1846, increased 2,532,887
lbs. over that of 1845; and that of coffe 2,463,296
lbs. Notwithstanding the exertions of the tempe-
rance societies, tfie consumption of brandy in 1846
was 500,000 gallons more than in 1845. The duty
upon foreign spirits was reduced 7s. 6d. per gallon,
or about Is. 3d. in 1846 ; and, although the low
duties have been in operation only eight months,
yet the increased consumption of brandy and gene-
va has, during that period, been such as to make the
revenue from its importation greater than that of
1845.* The aggregate amount of exportations of
cotton, linen, and woollen manufactures from Great
Britain for 1846 was less by J22,419,485 than those
of 1845. * *
It- •
Gallons.
Consumption of rum has increased since 1842.. .585,226
do.......432,865
do....... 25,677
do..... 5,264,807
Do
brandy
do
do
Do
Geneva
do
do
Do
British made spirits
do.
Being a total increase in four years of.....6,308,575
T. PEARCE’S
Ever Prize-selling Office.
ALEXANDRIA LOTTERY,
Class No. 22, for 1847.
To be drawn at Alexandria on Saturday, May 15, 1847.
magnificent scheme.
Easter Monday with a brilliant spectacle called
“ The Entrance of the Prince of Persia,” and a
mammoth procession of elephants, camels, triumph-
ant cars, dragons, &c., to be employed therein, has
been paraded through Fleet street and some other
parts of the city, much to the annoyance of pedes-
trians, cabmen and omnibus drivers—for the ele-
phants did not appear to be well acquainted with
the rule of the road, and did not always keep on
the proper side of the street. A new piece has
been produced at the Adelphi, which has become a
decided favorite ; it is written by Mr. Buckstone,
and named “ The Flowers of the Forest.” Madame
Celeste, Mrs. Fi zvvilliam, and other performers
known in the United States, have been much ap-
plauded for the parts they have sustained in this
piece.
The plans pursued in the United States for the
repression of crime have lately excited much atten-
tion in England. The different positions of the two
countries may render it difficult to carry out here
the methods in practice with you, though no one
can doubt the effect they would have upon the fu-
ture generation of criminals, and certainly no proper
reason can be given why the experiment should not
be made. Some parts of the American system have
already been adopted in the Children’s prison at
Parkhurst, in this country. Our public journals are
discussing the relative merits of the “ Separate”
and the “ Congregate Systems” of Imprisonment
as adopted in Pennsylvania and New York. A
great alteration has lately been made in the British
Convict System. Transportation to New South
Wales ceased in 1840, and to Van Diemen’s land
in 1846, except females. Male convicts are still
sent to Gibraltar and the Bermudas, to be employed
in public works. All transports are now sent in
the first instance to Milbank Prison, where they
undergo a limited period of separate confinement,
and receive instruction: they then are subjected to
a term of penal labor, depending, as to duration and
severity, upon their behavior; the more incorrigible
only are sent out of the country. A regular account
is kept of the earnings of each, a portion of which
is applied at the termination of their sentence in aid
of their emigration, or reserved to defray the ex-
penses of sending out their families. Emigration,
in all cases, to be individually, not collectively.
A very valuable series of papers on “ Education
in America” is now publishing in the “Econo-
mist,” and much praise is paid to the American
public for the attention which it pays to that all-
important subject. Much of the mind of England
is turned to the consideration of American modes of
acting, particularly to their social, local, and muni-
cipal institutions, and I do not think, if it were not
for the interminable subject of slavery, wonderment
and ridicule at the war with Mexico, with occa-
sional allusions to repudiation—these last, however,
fast dying out—that there would ever be any thing
said here, even by the most ignorant and illiberal,
but what would be acceptable to the most sensitive
citizen of the United States. This era of good
feeling is a delightful circumstance to one whose
feelings and attachments are so nearly balanced be-
tween the two countries. That mistakes respect
ing the habits and modes of acting in the United
States should exist here is not to be wondered at,
and the generally very well-informed editor of the
* Economist ” fell into a ludicrous one the other
day when Tie said : “ In the United States, from ap-
‘ prehension of the people, a rich man dare not
‘ keep his carriage. A more rigid control is there
‘ exercised over all the actions of individuals by the
‘ public than is known in Europe.” The latter as-
sertion is no doubt correct; but, when he attributes
this exercise of public opinion to the “ meddling
policy ” which, he says, the first colonists carried
with them from the mother country, “ both in sec-
ular and ecclesiastical affairs,” he evidently shows
that he knows very little about the matter.
Among the advantages derived from railroads may
be enumerated the carriage of fat sheep and cattle
from the country to the London market. The sup-
ply of these markets is annually 150,000 beeves
and 1,500,000 sheep, and the saving of loss of
weight by carriage, instead of driving, is calculated
at being 40 lbs. for each bullock, 8 lbs. for each
sheep, and 20 lbs. for each swine—making an ag
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.
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100 do .......
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are $100,000
.100,000
. 62,000
&c. &c. &c.
78 numbers—13 drawn ballots.
Tickets $20—Halves $10—Quarters $5—Eighths $2 50.
To be had atThomas Pearce’s Lucky Office on Pennsylvania
avenue, near street. All orders -will be thankfully receiv-
ed and promptly attended to, if addressed to
ap 28—eo8tcp THOS. PEARCE, Washington.
General Literary Intelligence.—Since our
last general notices ot Publications abroad, enough
has been produced or announced to afford us mat-
ter for a copious—though it must be a somewhat
rambling—bulletin, into which (by reason of the
variety of scattered advertisements" from which we
very hastily make it up) we can introduce very lit-
tle arrangement, beyond an alphabetical one for
each month.
The French and Germans seem to be every day
multiplying their Year-books, their Annuals : not
of the sort that Madame Blessington edits, and
poets and painters of the Boudoir adorn, the picture
and the page being such as very ill atone for each
other ; but useful repositories for the coming year,
in Astronomy, Agriculture, Chemistry, Medicine,
Politics, Political Economy, Statistics, and, in fine,
nearly all the practical pursuits. Of some of the
French, it may be well to furnish to the reader the
titles :
“Almanaeti et Annuaire des Batimens, des Tra-
vaux publics, et de 1’industrie ;” “Almanaeh gene-
ral de la Medicine;” “Annuaire de l’Economie
publique et de la Statisque;” “Annuaire de Medi-
cine et de Chirurgie pratiques ;” “Annuaire de The-
rapeutique, de Matiere Medicale, de Pharmacologie
et de Toxicologie ;” “Annuaire de la Typographic
Parisienne et departementale ;” “Annuaire des Pos-
tes,pour 1847, ou le manuel du service de la Poste-
aux-lettres ;” “Annuaire presente ou Roi par le Bu-
reau des Longitudes ;” “Annuaire de la pairie et de
la noblesse de France, des maisons souveraines de
I’Europe, etde la diplomatic.” But these make only
a part.
A Mons. Appert has produced “ Dix ans a la
cour du roi Louis Philippe, et souvenirs de l’empire
et de la restauration,” which makes two volumes
octavo.
Batilliat has added to the volumes on Wines
another, “ Traite sur les vins de France,” 8vo.
The subject is one on which it might be supposed
easy to write agreeably and festively—the Muses
and Bacchus having always, according to the my-
ihologists, kept up a close league, offensive and de-
fensive ; yet we really know, in prose, only two
pleasant books on the subject—those of Henderson
(History of ancient and modern wines) and of ho-
nest Cyrus Redding (History and description of
modern Wines.)
Bazin has reproduced, with additions, his “ His-
toire de France sous Louis XIII. et sous le minis-
ter du Cardinal Mazarin,” in 4 vols. The period
is curious, and would yield to skilful investigation
much important matter.
Caesar, (one Augustus, whose name had, by a pri-
vate bill for his benefit, been changed from Octa-
vius,) a Roman gentleman who, through the verse
and prose of Horace, Virgil, Ovid, and others,
made some figure in his day, has found a scholar
intent on pushing the said Augustus (who, by the
by, is the person after whom the month of August
and the Augustan Age are reputed to be called) to
the fame of not merely a great patron in Letters, but
an author. Weichert, a German critic, has lately
published the first volume of a quarto edition ofthe
Remains of the Emperor Augustus Csesar, [Augusti
Csesaris imperatoris Reliquiae.) As there is nothing
but scattered fragments, of course, to make such a
bulk, there must come attendant, upon each word
of the imperial text, a pompous retinue of notes.
Royal phrase is apt, however, to be a little ambi
guous, either through the sovereign’s having too
many meanings or too few : witness the enormous
difficulties into which the learned Congressional
commentators were thrown, last year, by our Pre-
sident’s lucid exposition of the Oregon question of
“ the whole or none.” As to Augustus, however,
we must not leave our lazier readers to suppose that
he is now, for the first time, placed by publication
in the rank of those who, as joining the sceptre or
the coronet with the pen, might figure among Wal-
pole’s “ Royal and Noble Authors,” and shine,
with the addition of truer honors than those oi
Heraldry, among them whom Cowley calls “ the
lords spiritual of Fame:” Rutgers collected and
Fabricius edited, as far back as 1724, the fragments
of the Emperor’s works. These were quite diver-
sified, and, as to the composition at least, of great
merit; for his style was excellently pure, and it
was his exact and nice critical discrimination which
made so serviceable to Letters his liberality to au-
thors. He is known to have left, like his uncle, the
great Julius, commentaries, and they were valuable ;
he wrote a long geographical poem on Sicily; a num-
ber of Epigrams, (which it was his usual diversion
to compose while in the bath ;) and Ajax, a tragedy,
with which, not being satisfied, he refused to publish.
It is a little curious, by the by, to consider how
much, among nations, the epoch of their best litera-
ture has answered to that of their loss of freedom.
States while free sesm to value Letters little—per-
haps because they have something better, and are
happy enough without them ; but, when liberty is
lost, they take to Letters, by way of consolation,
just as Croesus advised Cyrus to secure the subju-
gation ot the Lydians, by making them wear long
garments and learn to play the lute ; or as the Ita-
lians have sought in the Opera and the Ballet com-
pensations for tyranny, domestic or tramontane.
Countries cannot, apparently, fiddle and be free
both at once : it is more than the indulgence of
Providence can permit to our mortal state. Is it
not time, therefore, that we should address ourselves
earnestly to the second of these great national de-
lights, since we are so much forfeiting the first ?
Men who are too corrupt or sottish to hinder even
weak rulers from overturning all law, should learn
to dance, to warble, to dress, to cook; or, at least,
they should cultivate a little learning, if for no other
purpose, in order that their slavery may not be too
illiterate or too dull for even the composition of
panegyrics on such masters. No: Greek Letters
first arose in Athens with the democratic tyranny
of the Peisistratidae, in Corinth with that of Perian-
der, in Samos with that of Polycrates. The second
great era of Attic genius was that when Pericles
was, in effect, Dictator. In Rome, we need not
repeat how the Augustan age meets our theory.
While the Arabs were free they were illiterate, but
under the Caliphs they burst out into a period of
very brilliant learning and science. In Spain, un-
der their divided thrones, there was much liberty and
no literature ; but no sooner had Ferdinand and Isa-
bella united the crowns, and brought about a despotic
monarchy, than Cervantes flourished and Spaniards
had, for the first time, a fine literature. In Eng-
land, kingly power was carried to its height by
Henry VIII. and Elizabeth ; and the Elizabethan
Age is that of England’s highest literary greatness.
In Italy, the Medici put out the light of freedom
with one hand and kindled that of Letters with the
other. Arbitrary sway was created first in France
under Louis XIV, and his again is the great epoch
of French literature. Politic despots, in a word,
have always found their account in sweetening with
the delights of the mind the bitter draught of des-
potism : they soothe men's spirits to submission by
cultivating courtliness, wit, luxury, and every thing
that can charm either mind or body into voluptu-
ousness. Now, all this is skilful and humane; for
it is certainly as little as a ruler can do, in taking
away a nation’s first happiness, its free laws and
principles, to give it, in their place, something plea-
sant enough to enable men to forget them—a school
of poets or romancers, dramatists to whose pieces
every body may run, painters to bewitch one’s eyes,
or at least dancers and fiddlers that can minister in
their several ways to still more captivating sen-
sations.
Aime Champollion-Figeac has edited, from the
Government press of France, a collection of secret
archives, in illustration of the captivity of Francis I,
by Charles V, and a second collection of the poems
of the first-named monarch, those of Louisa of Sa-
voy, his mother, of Margaret of Navarre, his sister,
(the author of the Heplameron,) and the private
correspondence of Francis with Diana of Poictiers
and other ladies of the Court. The immediate
family of the King, besides their patronage of Let-
ters, made in themselves quite a literary cycle, it
should be recollected ; for, besides his mother, his
sister, and himself, his daughter, Margaret of Savoy,
composed (as Brantome tells us) tales almost as
charming as those of her aunt of Navarre, but sup-
pressed them as inferior when she saw these. It
gives one, however, a strange idea of the manners
of that age, to reflect that one of the most virtuous
of queens should have published tales like those of
the Heptameron, which, if they almost rival the
grace of Boccacio, exceed him in the profligacy of
their subjects.
Under the auspices, likewise, of the French Go-
vernment has begun to appear the following, in
large folio, by parts, to make 405 plates and 200
pages of descriptive text: “ Monument de Ninive,
decouvert et decrit par P. E. Botta, mesure et
dessine par E. Flandin: (Monument of Nineveh,
discovered and described by P, E. Botta, measured
and drawn by E. Flandin.) The work is proba-
bly, from its size, to be executed in the same
princely style of publication in which the JEgyp-
tiaca and other like labors in Oriental antiquities
have been, so much to the Frenchman’s credit, given
to the world.
There is, it seems, a French Historical Society,
(La Societe de l’Histoirede France,) which is illus-
trating, by its publications, the obscurer parts of the
national annals. We remark two works as pro-
ceeding from this body : the first, four volumes, of
documents elucidating the trial of Joan of Arc; the
second, a life of St. Louis, by Le Sain de Tillernont,
the learned ecclesiastical historian. It is from a
manuscript which appears to have lain neglected in
the King’s Library ever since de Tillemont’s time.
De Tocqueville has also turned his pen to the
elucidation of an important part of French history,
by a lately published “ Histoire Philosophique du
regne de Louis XV,” (Philosophic History of the
reign of Louis XV,) 2 vols. 8vo. It is probably
directed to an examination of the causes which pro-
duced that downfall of society in France, which is
usually called the French Revolution; a subject
which Montesquieu, with all his abilities, could
have but inadequately investigated, because he had
never seen but in books any thing worthy to be
called a Government. As to Voltaire, whose main
performance relates to that period, the gentleman
was, after all, a good deal more witty than wise,
and wanted the first qualities of the great historian,
an honest heart, a solid judgment,, a candid mind.
De Tocqueville’s abilities are high, and enlightened
not only by all the learning of speculative politics,
but that practical acquaintance with governments
and institutions which can alone deal competently
with a period so difficult. His fault will probably
be the now-prevailing one of the French school—
too great a love of system.
In Spanish history we remark several books of
interest; as, for instance, the following :
Navarrete : “ Colleccion de documentos ineditos
para la historia de Espana,” (Collection of unpub-
lished documents elucidative of Spanish History.)
Madrazo: “ Historia militar y politica de Zu-
malacarregui, y de los sucesos de la guerra de las
provincias del Norte, enlazados a su epoca y a su
nombre,” (Military and political history of Zumala-
careguy and of the events of the war of the north-
ern provinces, connected with his times and name.)
8vo. 364 pp.
Miraflores (El Marques de:) “ Memoiras para
escribir la historia contemporanea de los siete pri-
meros afios del Reinado de Isabel II,” (Memoirs
for writing the history of the first seven years of
the reign of Isabella II.) 2 vols. 8vo.
Pacheco, (J. F.:) “ Historia de la regencia de la
reina Christina,” (History of the regency of Queen
Christina.) 8vo. vol. 1st, pp. 312.
Moron, (F. G.:) “ Curso de Historia de la civil-
izacion de Espana : Lecciones pronunciadas en el
liceo de Valencia y en el ateneo de Madrid,”
(Course of history of Civilization in Spain: being
a series of lectures delivered in the Lyceum of Va-
lencia and the Athenaeum of Madrid.) 5 vols. 8vo.
Sanchez, (J. M.:) “ Historia legal de Espana,
desde la dominacion Goda hasta nuestros dias,”
(Legal history of Spain, from the domination of the
Goths to our own days.) 2 vols. 8vo.
Reverting to these in their order, we need hard-
ly remind the reader that the name of Navarrete
has (through the father, we suppose, of the present
one) been already signalized in Spanish historical
research. The Marquis of Miraflores and Senor
Pacheco have figured or are figuring in Ministries
of the reigns concerning which they write.
In Philosophy, two remarkable authors repub-
lished ask our attention: a new edition, claiming
to be the first complete one, of the works of Galilei
Galileo, has appeared at Florence, in five volumes,
royal 8vo.; and Bruder has issued at Leipsic a new
edition of all the (Latin) works of Spinoza, in three
pocket volumes—no doubt for the laudable end of
making atheism as portable and as cheap as possi-
ble. As for the great Tuscan, the real father of
Experimental Philosophy, (for Bacon, after all, is
but the putative, and only gave a method for that
which had been already done,) one hails with fre&t^
admiration and sympathy every new appearance ol
his works, monuments at once of early and noble
scientific discovery and of unmerited suffering. One
cannot think without a sigh of him so nobly com-
memorated in that touching line of Milton,
“The starry Galileo and his woes,”
and so repeatedly referred to elsewhere, (Paradise
Lost, book I, line 288, book V, line 262, and again
in the Areopagitica,) as if the great poet delighted
to make occasion to mention with honor a genius
so like his own, great and uniortunate.
Among all that we have further room at present
to notice, we know nothing more likely, from their
topics, to be useful, than the following books on
Agricultural matters :
Jaubert de Passa: Recherches sur les arrosages
chez les peuples anciens, (Researches into Irriga-
tion among the ancient nations:) 8vo. These are the 3d
and 4th parts, comprising the irrigation of the Chinese, of
Syria, Arabia, and Egypt.
Memoires d’Agriculture, d’economic rurale et domestique,
publies par la Societe Royale et cemrale d’Agriculture.
Mourner: De i’Agriculture en France, d’apres les docu-
ments officiels, avec des retnarques, par Rubichon, 2 vols. 8vo.
Polonceau: Traite pratique des Eaux, relativement a
1’Agriculture, 12mo.
We must here stop as to the Continent.
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National Intelligencer. (Washington [D.C.]), Vol. 48, No. 6922, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 8, 1847, newspaper, May 8, 1847; Washington, District of Columbia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1007884/m1/1/?q=Lamar+University: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .