Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 8, Ed. 1, Wednesday, August 7, 1839 Page: 2 of 4
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
From J)rdciUVtt)CPfihe-QiUcn'Ci!y."
PUTTING ABCA$Kl&Gj ONSHORE-
A numerous andpecul2Tace$f-mbdeni'gentl&nen,
, maybe found in the valfey of thTMississippi. A natii-
xal&.'would'probablyidescribethem arthe gemua of bi-
ped9,,gregariou3f amphibious, and migratory. c -They set-
. ?nm trol teniiVw onrl nlnniv' nre eaually at home on
Ma'ana Traten,jmcnflce certain vultures spend most of
u.ji .r ? n7i-j-: -anAs Louisiana: their sum-
mers-in ths-high-latimdes of Kentucky and Ohio. 1 hey
dress Trith taste aodlegance; carry gold chronometers
vin their pockets; and swear with the most genteel precl-
usion! They are supposed.to, entertain an especial abhor;-
enco of the prevailrngtemrtfrance"1 fanaticism, nnd, as a
'matter of conscience,, enter, a .daily protest against it, by
sipping "mint-juleps' befoie.Tjreakfast, 'hailstorms' at din-
ner, and 'old Monongahek'-at night. These gentlemen,
moreover, arestrongadvocates of the race path and coclo
C'tr and, wim)ih"enevblmce which, they hold to be tiue
commqndaHefpamraise honest merit by playing-cAaJci
;Vo id those wealthyyoung men.'who set out oh the pilj
gfimage Df life, Defore they have been fully initiated intc
JlJpleasxires Everywhere throughout the valley, thesj
"mistletoe gentry are called by the original, ifnotaltogeth j
er classic cognomen of 'Black-legs.' The history of thi
eupbohbus epithet, or the reason jof its application to sj
distinguished a "va'pety of humanity, is unknown. Th.
subject 'is one of considerable interest, and worthy th I
early attention of the Historical Society, to which iti
respectfully commended.-
- "It -was the fortune of the steamboat Sea Serpent of Cin
cinnati, commanded by captain Snake,"on her return front
New Orleans jnlheapringof 1837; to number among he j
caVn'passengers, several .highly respectable Black-leg?)
1 One of them, Major Marshal Montgomery, a native ofthM
'Old'Dominion? belonged to the 'Paul Clifford' school: ani
inaeea, naaior some years pasijooraresiiinony, io meiuc
"rit of Bui Wei's romances, by, making 'the hero of one c
tilers liis great prototype.' In statue,' the major was qve
' " sixieeCmuscular and finely proportioned." His state i.
dress, was only "surpassed by jthe courtliness of his man
' ners, and the Teady flow of his conversation. In who I
camuaitrn he had won his laurels that cave hiin his rriilii
. r i , ' " ' . .A.! - .1 i..
tary title, is unknown. It has been.conjectured that tb t
' warlike jrefix to his name, may have resulted from th 1
luxuriant brace of black whiskers, wh'ich garnished hif
-.v.-r-ir.' ' i , ,
. , jOa ascertain day,1aftei dinner, the ladies havingrretirei
,. tojfieit cabin for a a," the gentlemen as usual sat dowi
io" cards, "chess and".back-eammon. The boat had jut
'wooded,' and was nobly breasting the current of the rivi
er, at the rate of eight knots an,hour. Captain Snake, hav
'ing4nothing else to do, was fain, to join in a rubber cl
"whist and it'so happened that he and the major wer)
seated afthe same table. '"This'game at the suggestion cl
Major Montgomery, was.soon changed to 'looj' and, play
ed with varying.success, until at length, a pool of consul'
erable maenitune Jiad accumulated. (The fickle goddesj
1 nJclbsedherrelejjence'J'pr the major by permitting hirj.
ipwmtnq pooountingio.neafLinTee nunureu uou
-lafs,, f Hi3 suMraduced'ani outward sigh of joy: h j
seemed indeedV'aljrnostj sorry, to be compelled to take th i
rgnoney of his friend jand, with much composure of, man!
ner, proposed topontinue the playj makipg,atthe time, j
very poute tender of JuTpune, to apy genUenum at die to'
-ble,whomVb9a"tinm6rary loan, ' ' Wr
la tha.gnmp.of spectators there was a tall, spindle leg.
gedlookingJellow, from the' Western Reserve in Ohio.
T who' had. been to'the Soulhlwith a lot of cheese, for th(
manufacture ;of wnich, that jtnnvmg JNew-JMigiana conici
.ny us becoming quite famous. 1 he cheese-monger ha
b been 'watehinc the came from the beginning, and at las
yxed,bis eyes upon the winning major, and said 'in adov j
- lODc 01 voice, SUireu ly a iiiurcauguuiiuua auujci
' WelL-now, that's Tight down slick, any how.' i
iL The major.ilooked up, found the gaze of the compan
.'turned upon himi J Knitting his 'brow, he said sternly, i.
reply, V . t
" ''Let's have rio" more of your"Tx"ankee impertinence.' ,
'Now, Mister,' continued Jonathan in his. drawlin,!
tone, and with provoHngcoolness of manner, 'you had'ni
ought to let them there little speckled pasteboards plajl
"hide and go seek imyour coat sleeve.'
This remrakaccompanied with 'a knowing wink of th
speaker's eye, instantly transformed the 'major into i
vduncrearthauake.' Spriuginff upon. .his feet as if bmj
upon blood and. carnage, he bawJ out at ihe top of his
voice, 'i - v
'Do-youmeantainsinualciyou Yankee pedlar, youin-
w fernaljvooden!nutmeg, that I have cheated?'
The vounexheese merchant Jeisurelv rollinp- a huge
cud of tobacco ironn one cheek to the.other, and looking1
the majorsteadfastly in the eye,' replied wtth impeturable
gravity x ,.
JWhy, yoaare theheatomest shakes I ever seed who
insinuated that youcheated? I did'nt, no how; butifyoi.
don't behave k little genteeler. I conclude I'll tell as hoiv
I seed youyslipacardiihder your sleeve, when you won
that everlasting big pond of money."
,f 'You aro aliar,' thundered the major, in a perfect
whirlwindat the same time attempting to bring his bam
boo in contact with the shoulders of his antagonist; but J
jonatnan caugni me aescenamg canein ms leu vany; unu
ixi return, planted his dexter fist with considerable im-
pulse, on the lower end of the major's breast bone, re-
marking, '
'I say, Mister, make yourself skerse there, oryou'llrun
against the end of my arm,'
Unfortunately for the reputation of major Montgomery,
"'2-atthis' moment, a card fell from his coat sleeve; and with
it'fell his courageyibrhfl turned suddenly round on the ta-
J vble to secure,thei snarls of victory. The captain,1 ho wev-i
er.had saved him the trouble, having taken up the money
'for the purpose of returning it to those to whom it rightly
belonged. The major finding that his winnings and his
reputation were iota departing, became more highly ex-
' cited, and uttered 'direful .'anathemas againU those who
might dare question his honor.
- It isj'pereaps, generally" known tothe reader, that the
captain of a steamboat on the western waters, is 'of neces-
sity almost as-despotic as the Grand Turk. The safety:
of his boat, and the comfort of his passengers, in performi
inga long and.-perilous trip, requite,-indeed that such
oti"dvtBThrcBe. Between port and .port, he is sdme-
. times.called to' act the tripjexapacity of legislator, judge
and executioner,! It .is rumored, perhaps, without any
foundation, that in cases of great emergency, more than
one of theses-commanders, having seriously threatened a
Tesort tothesalutary influence of the 'second section.' Be
this as it may, travellers on our western boats will. consuH
their comfort and safety, by deporting themselves.accoril-
-in g to the gentlemanly principle. We throw out thi)
" hint for the public generally; andintbe fullness ofou.j
- benevolencp.'ommand it to the special notice of tourist
- from the "fastanchored Isle.'
ra jj.Captain'8nake made no reply to the imprecations of th j
"-major, riavingnfarioomuchrespectforhisofEcialstationi
" ' to permit himself to be drawn into a personal.conflict wit"
:"' .one'of bis passengers. Stepping to theabin door, hi
clear shrill voice was heard above the din of the major')
volcanic bupst of. passion, and the loud whiz ofihe Sel
-" "" "8eTp?nt""' Instantlyithe tingle of thepilot's bell respondi
-"& to'the orderof hirxommander, jnd the boat lay-to nea j
-"?thelce5hore-. Againthe captains voice was heard, ,
u -"Jackfrnariifie yawl; major Montgomery wishes to gl
f onshore.' j , . '
'Aye, ayosir.'
The majorlootedaround in utter astonishment. Tl '
captain again called out,
'Steward! put major Montgomery's itrunkja the yawl;
he'wishesto goashorel'
Aye, aye, sir.'
The major turaedjtowards the captain with a face indy
eating a mingled feeling of anger and dismay. He hnj
seen too much of lifein the west, not to understand th i
fate that awaited him. Before ho could make up his mir
as totHe best mode of warding off the impending catastm
phy, Jack bawled out, 'the yawl is ready, sir,' and tl i
' steward cried, 'the trunk is on board, sir.'
Captain Snake bowed formally, and with a courteous
but singularly emphatic manner, said:
. 'Major Montgomery, the yawl wails.'
L - i ijijjg major, however, retained his position near the car.j.
table, andbegan to remonstrate against such Yery.excejt
tiona'ble treatment of a Virginia gentleman, whose charai-
tsrhadncvorheEnquettionediHa concluded by a broad
intimation, that' on their .arrival' at Cincinnat he should
khold the ciiptain personally responsible nnder the laws of
honbrr "in replyfthe Captain of the Sea Serpent bowed
-again, most-profoundly, andturning towards the door of
the cabin, said calmly,
'Steward! call the fireman to assist major Montgomery
into the yawl, he wishes to go on shore.'
The redoubtable major in the vain hope that the passen-
gers would sustain thu contest, no iv threw himself on his
reserved rights, run up the flag of nullification, and fero-
ciously brandished his Bowie knife; at this moment the
fireman made his appearance. He was a full grown
Kintuckian, boin on the cedar nobs of the Blue Licks,
and raised on sulphur water, pone and 'possom fat Like
many of his countrymen, he was an aspiring fellow, for he
stood six feet four in his moccasins, and exhibited corres-
ponding dovelopements of bone and muscle. Hatless and
coatless, with naked arms, and face blackenrd with smoke
and ashes, he might have passed for one of Vulcan's jour-
neymen, who had been forging thunderbolts for Jupiter,
in some regio-inftrnalis. Hestalked carelessly upto the
bellicious major, and before the latter was aware of it,
seized the hand which held the upraised knife, and renc li-
ed it'from him. The next instant the major found him-
self fairly in the brawny arms of his antagonist He
struggled stoutly to extricate his elegant person from
such an embrace, but in vain. Tho fireman, displeased
with the restless disposition of bis captive, gave hi.n one
of those warm fraternal hugs, which an old bear is wont
to bestow upon an unmannerly dog, that may venture to
annoy his retreat from a farmer's hog pen. This loving
squeeze so completely molified the rebellious feeling of
tno Major, that he sunerea nunseii to De passiveiy iea
into the yawl.' The Captain's shrill voice was again
, heard,
'Pull away, my boys, major Montgomery wishes to go
-on shore.' ' -'
. The oars dippedunto the water, and the yawl quickly
glided to the beach. ' The afternoon was cloudy and dark.
a drizzling rain was falling; the cotton wood trees wore a
,'funeral aspect; no vestage of a human habitation could be
seen upon either shore, and the turbid waters of the Mis-
sissippi were hastening onwards, as if to escape from such
a gloomy place.
Many of the passengers supposed that after the major
had been disgraced' by being set on shore, he would be
permitted'to returnj'but those who entertained this opinion
knew very little of the character of captain Snake. That
major Montgomery should be a black-leg, was in his esti-
mation no very heinous affair; for he held that iuthis repub-
lican country, and this democratic age, every man has a
natural and inalienable right to choose his own occupa-
tion. But after having been permitted to play 'loo with
the captain of the fast running Sea Serpent, that the major
jjhnnlrt slin n card, and then, l'lbberlv rascal, bis
caught at it this was too bad absolutely unpardonable
There was something so vulgar, so very unprofessional
in such conduct, that it was not be tolerated.
"The yawl touched the shore and was hastily disburs-
ed of its trunkY' The major, however, after rising on his
feet,' look"edwishfully baek'upon the Sea Serpent, and
manifested no disposition tb take refuge in the canebreak;,
whereupon, the captain becoming impatient, cried out,
'Fireman, lend a hand to 'assist majorMontgomery on
shore.1
The huge entuckianrnow began to approach the ma-
jor, who having no particular relish for another fraternal
hug, sprung to the beach, and sunk to his knees in mud.
Thinking foibearance no longer a virtu re, he poured out
on the captain a torrent of abuse; and with wrathful oaths,
threatened to pubjshhim .and his ugly snail-crei-ping
steamer, from Orleans point to the Alligater swamps of
the Balize. The captain made uo reply, but the fireman,
roused by hearing the apromous terms appiieo, io uis oe-
loved Sea Serpent, called out in a voice that was echoed
from shore to shore, , ' ...
I say, Mr. Jack-of-knaves, it looks rather woly in these
parts.'
'Shut your black mouth, you scoundrel!' retorted the
major, boiling over with rage.
'I say, -stranger,' continued the fireman with provoking
good humor'would you swap them buffalo robes on your
cheeks for a pair of 'coon skins.'
The major stooped down for a stone to hurl at his an-
noying foe, but alas, he stood in a bed of mortar and had
no resource but that of firing another volley ol curses.
'Hallo! my hearty,' rejoined the iirnun, 'ivhtn you
want to be rowed up 'salt river' ag.in just tip im-th.
wink; and remember, Mr. King-of-Clubs dont hollar
till you get out of the woods, or you will frighten all the
varmints.
During this colloquy, the young cheese-merchant
stood on the guards of the boat a silent spectator, but at
length, as if suddenly shocked by the dreadful profanity of
the major, he raised his voice and bawled out,
'I say, Mister, if you was away down East, I guess
squire Daggett would fine you ever so much for swearing.
n widfpd that's the how.'
The pilot's bell tingled, the wheels resumed their gy-j
rations, and again the majestic oeaoerpem
"Walked Hie waters, like a thing of Jile.J'
Jonathan, with a'look in which the solemn and comic
were curiously blended, turned his eyes nrst lowarasine
captain, then upon the major, and exclaimed
'Well now, the way these ere steam captains do thine s,
is nothing to nobody, no how.'
And thus terminated one of those little episodes in the
drama of life, not uncommon on the western waters.
., From the Galpeston Civilian.
"We are told that his in contemplation to establish one
,pr two more presses in this city. Of course we cannot
object Every man has the right to embark in whatever
lawful enterprize he may wish,and the public canpatropize
whatever they think proper. We cannot, however, foi-,
bear a remark on the subject Forty-nine out of fifty pa-
persin the United States are lingering along upon jui
business enough to induce their proprietors to hope thu
they may hecome profitable; and forty-nine out ot fifty
publishers retire from the business, if not wholly ruined,
so discouraged arid, crippled.tbat few of ,them afterwards
recover froprthe effects of havinghus trifled away their
labor andVresources. To'the uninitiated, nothing is more
auspicious than the commeacemerit of a newspaper. Peo-
ple are fond of novelty, and they are eye.r ready to extend
to a new publication as many smiles and fair promises a3
its conductor can desire. These, however, are the most
that he can calculate' on receiving. They emanate more
from a disposition to be complaisant, or from motives of
self-interest,' than from any intentipn to extend substantial
support to the enterprize".
"Newspaper publishing is almost universally overdone.
Villages which .cannot afford a good school, must have
their printing-press, and ckies which might support two
or three good papers, fritter away their patronage, upon
twenty or thirty imbecile and corrupt sheets, which lend
themselves to the purposes of that taction whichpavs best,
without the slightest regard to the ultimate effects of their
course upon society. Ig a'Hsing town, u1 not unfrequent-
ly happens that public spirited men, wjtb a view to keep-
ing np more presses than brie, divide their patronage, a.ijd
thus, instead pf gaining" their object, weaken or destroy
both."
Anient simplicity Paulding in his life of Washing,
ton, gives the following little anecdote of the mother of this
great man: She was once present and occupied the seat of
honnr at a ball given lo Washington, at Fredericksburg,
while in the full measure of his well earmd glory; and
when nine o'clock came, she said to him with great sim-
plicity, "Dome, Ueojge, it is time for us to go home."
Marklin's advice to his son I have often told you that
every mm must be the maker or the destroyer ol hisown
fortune. I rapeat the doctrine. He who depend upon
his own unremitting industry, integrity and frugality, de-
pends upon patrons and most exalted kind; these are the
builders of fortune and fame, tho founders of families, and
can nt ver desert or disappoint you. They control all hu-
man dealings, and turn even vicissitudes of any unfortu-
nate tendency, to a contrary niture. You have a genius,
you have learning, you have industry at .times, but you
want perseverance. I bid you bear this motto in mind
constantly PERSEVERE.
. FpTthi Telegraph.
TVfr. Editor But few subjects'ha'vfc been so much dis-
cussed and agitated and yet lemuin so little undosiood, as
the one upon which your servant has taken up His pt n to
address you. IJiavebsejvedwith feelings of regret, the
unthoughtful and careless suggesstions"ofTomVto estab-
lish in our republic a National Bank; and it is too prema-
ture for the subject to be debated by candidates for con-
gress befoie assemblies of the people of the countiywho
are, in this critcal crisis of our affairs, too easily li d to
make its introduction a most dangerous' political question
in its general tendency. Questions ol such moment
should never be introduced and agitated on public occa
sions of excitement, when coolness and calm di liberation
are superceded byjihc turbulent feelings of aroustd senti-
ment. If it be granted that we are destined to becmic a com
mercial and agricultural people, the necessity of establish-
ing a national banking sjstem is tacitly acknowledged;
since the facilities essential to the prosperity of a national
trade and commerce, cannot be adequately afforded with-
out some such a system properlyj organized. Gold
and silver can he, legitimattly and justly, our only lawful
tender; but its faithful representative, with the guarantee
ol the people to secure the receiver, can be adopted as a
tender of convenience and accommodation. Grant tiiat
the interest of Texas will necessarily be closely identified
with the commercial world the United States, Enjjlan I,
Russia and France and it is nt once conceded that if she j
has no circulating medium of her own, which can be re-
garded as a logal substitute for a coin currency, she must
be dependant upon and subject to the daily fluctuations snd
unavoidable changes of the unsound currency of othir
countries. Though "possessing the groundwork hereon
to found a fiscal faith and to build the solid basis of a
solvent currency of her own, accredited abroad by every
surety of a vigorous and prosperous nation, she is debarr-
ed from security any benefit therefrom; but he means
are eked out Jo foreign nations, advancing their wealth
and aggrandisement, apd serving tp give credit and es-
tablish faith in that very currency received in exchange
for the produce of "our valuable lands the only pledge for
a national representative of gold and siher.
The various plans which have been proposed for a
banking system in Texas, are as aristocratical in the prin-
ciples of their origination as the arguments are hackney-
ed which have been used lo convince the people of their
propriety. They are systems havingno pretentions to
originality nor modification, drawn out of other systems,
and breathing the full blooded spirit of per centage, dis
count, liberal exchange, regular dividend and speculation,
alj of which are calculated to enrich the few, who may
have the control, and peculate the mass of the people w ho
are condoled, apd sadly too. We uant a bank entirely
different from any other that ever existed, or that has
now a being, and unless such a bank can br divined, hea-
ven forbid that our untramelled country should be fellere
w ith the manacles pf any.
You will prpbably not think it unnecessary if I digress
to notice briefly the history of banks, and when the prin-
cipal ones-was established. A bank originally was a 'com-
mon depository, w'Jiere many persons agreed to keep their
money, that it might always be in safety subj'ect'to their
call or direction. A hank of deposit receives money to
keep for the depositor, until it was drawn out, and from
ths .sprang tajiks of discojint, founded upon promissory
notes and bills of exchange, or loaning money upon se-
curity. As the business of banks of deposit and discount
increased, it became necessary to amalgamate thcs two
banks with a bank of circulation, which issued bills or
notes of its own, intended to be the circulating medium ofj
exchanges, instead of gold and silver. All public banks
now combine the three, and exist and do business as banks
of deposit, discount and circulation. Private banks of 1
circulation, in a limited degree, have also been established
in some parts ol the commercial world; but it is w il
known that in some of the states and in our on it public
they are prohibited by law.
The convenience of these institutions in facilitating
commercial transactions, has caused their eslablishmmt
in almost every city in Europe and ihe'Unitid States
Their establishment was the onspnngot necessity and
their progress a natural cons' quence from the extension
of commeicial intercourse. The following. &s near as niv
recollection of history serves me, is a correct catalogue-of
tiie principle banks that have been established, with the
datepf their establishment
The bank of Venice, established
1157.
1345.
1609.
1619.
1635.
1094.
1C95.
1716.
The bank pf Genoa,
The bank of Amsterdam, "
The bank of Hamburgh, "
The bank of Rotterdam, "
The bank of England,
The bank of Scotland, "
The bank of France, u
The bank of the United States was incorpora
ted in
Charter expired in
1791.
1811.
Tho new United j3fa.tes Bank, at Philadelphia,
with a capital of 835,000,000 was charter-
din 1816.
The fluctuation pi flounce, have been as ruinous to hu-
man circumstances as the revolutions of empires hae
I been destructive Jo nations. Thos-banks hae nspect-
lvely seen their jyears of barikrupu-y for their days of mag-
nificence; and Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Eng-
land, Scotland, France and the United States, have each,
in their turn, been obliged to submit to the pernicious and
direful effects of kover-banking and banking privileges
The merchants of Venice, having for nearly two centuries
enriched themselves by the monopolied operations of its
banking institution, established at Genoa a similar one for
ihe purpose of extending the sphere of their monied influ
ence. Anueciaro, tian.nurgana .iioiitranm, navmg ex-
tensive commercial transactions with those two marts, be-
came aware of the incalculable advantages derived bv the
mercantile community from the banking system estab-
ed there, and they were not slow w following an exam-
ple so long befoie thim. All Europe was infatuated
with the brilliancy of their success, and in the samo cen-
tury England and Scotland had similar institutions estab-
lished and in successful operation. France and the Uni-
ted States were not long in following. A view of the
progress of the banking .system in those commercial
countries, awakens the most melancholy and discoureg
iug reflections.
The objection to be urged against the systems of bank-
ing in Europe, is that the privilegts aie secured to tin
few; and the grand objection lo the same systems modified
m the United states, th it the people have been too
much debarred from thecontiol of that in which they
are so deeply interested. In republican gov ernmints the
vokeof the people is acknowled to be power, and no in-
stitution of a public nature, which concerns the peor.lc.
can exist, consistently to such a form of government, which
is not subject to the decision ol tliatsovtreicnivotce
.fc.vt.ry country must have its aristocracj, luttj all nuans
separate the power ol the circulating medium from the
influence pfthe aristocracy. Any system of banking is
a privilege arrogated by the few of furnishing tho many
wjth a representative of sound currency, the extent of
whose operations and the amount at whose privileges,
should he subject to being prescribed and limited by the
people. An institution whose bills of issue or promissory
notes are the assumed currency of the country, in which,
if there is any depreciation, it is the loss of thu people,
and which are receivtd as money in exchange for the
people's property, should be subject to the government of
the people; and it such an institution cannot be so ar-
ranged as to be subject to such management and control as
the people may think best, it cannot with justice exist; be-
sid(s it is unworthy the people's confidence, and anv pto-
pje who will support it iirr sure to be gulled and deceived
1 have heard the individual say, wno wouiu enncn-Him-self
dishonestly at the expense of his country, that the
people were too capricious lo have the control of a mo-
nied institution. Andrew Jackson, when he placed his
veto upon the United States bank, done it in the face of
the people, vv hen his election was pending The bank sup-
porters felt sure that he had ruined himself, and that the
capricious minded people wouiu piaco nis opponent, in la
vor of the bank, in the chair. But Gen Jackson told
them the ti nth, laid honestly before them his reasons for
doing so, and their capriciousness was turned to consis-
tency! Much more could be written upon ibis subject, but hav-
ing already written moro than, I injonded, I will defer pre-
senting you with a plan w hich I have formed'for a'barik"
until youinext number. In the meantime I remain, sir,
with sentiments of esteem, your obedient and humble ser-
vant, D. L. W.
AiyrzwT 27,-l 839.-r -' - - - - -
Sddden.Effect of the Mind upon the Body
Plato used to fay that all the diseases of the body proceed-
el f.uui the soui. Says Mr. Webb in his famous report
The expn ssion of tne countenance is mind visible. Bap
news weakons the action of the heart, destroys theappeti-
t , oppresses the ljngs, stops digestion, and particularly
suspends all the functions of the system- An emotion of
shame flushes the face, fear blam'hes it, joy illuminates it;
an instant thrill electrifies a million of nerves. Surprise'
spurs the pulso into a gallop. Delirium infuses giant en
ergy, volition commanis, and hundreds of muscles spring
to execute Powerful emotion often kills the body at a
single stroke. The news of a defeat killed Phillip y.
One of tho Popes died of an emotion on seeing his pet
monkey robed in pontificals and occupying the chair of
State. Muley Moloch was carried upon the field of bat-
tle, in the last stages of an incurable disease upon seeing
his army give way, he leaped from the litter, rallied his
panic-stricken troops, rolled back the tide of battle, shout-
ed victory, and died. The door keeper of Congress of
the United States, expired upon hearing of the surrender
of Carnwallis. Emmont public speakers haye often died
either in the midat of an impassioned burst of i loquence,
or wh.-n tha di;ep emotion to produce it had suddenly sub-
sided. The recent case of Hills, in this city, fs fresh in
the memory of all. He was apprehended on the charge
of stealing goods from his employer, and'takeq" before the
police, and though in perfect health, mental agony forced
the blood from his nostrils he was carried out and died.
N'. Y. Star.
From the Gretnsboro-jgh Republican.
COTTON LICE.
ilfr. Editor: Sir: The amjly of insects known by
the above appellation, devastating, as they npw are, tp an
unprecedented extent, one of the most valuable plants cul-
tivated by man, merit a portion ol public investigation
which as yet they have not received. Their multiplica-
tion within a few yeais, and especially witfu'p the present,
becomes not only appalling but alarmingto all concerned
in the culture of cutton, in most of the south-western Sta-
tes. All agree in their ruinous results to the cotton crop
but in almost every thing else respecting them, universal
dissonance of sentiment prevails.
Tnesojnsects belong to one of the most numerous fa
milies of animated beings; and according to the mostjearn-
ed naturalists, they would soon desolate the vegetable
kingdom but for Providential restrictions. The loftiest
trees and tenderest vegetable are alike theirpreypond
they prevail in all climates productive of vegetation
Their generation and instinative economy are phrihome-
na. ineyare viparous ana viviparous; a single one in a
few days becomes an immense family.. They are winged
and unw'inged, preying alike upon the roots, stems and
leaves' of'plants' and Jtrees. Some, seventy or a hundred
speci.s"have htm 'classed; and each species is particular-
ly attached to one' kind of vegetable only. Our cotton
and oabbaijes, are, unfortun itely their favorites These
plant Lice, in common language-m the language of the
learned, Aphides abound with a sweet and grateful
moisture; hence they attract many insects, some friendly,
as the Ant and Bei; but others, fortunately for man, their
peadly enemies, among whom the latter, the Coccinella,
or L-idy B ig; i sm-ll, sjender, black-fly; called the Ich-
ntwmon; the Aphidivora, another small fly; as also Ear-
wigs and small birds devour them... Strange as it may
seem, the Honey Dew, so called, pure liquid sugar, is the
excrement of these insects. Tne Bee gathers 'it when
gathe
flo ive-rs are scarce, but the Ant is a constant attendant: It
is stated on high authority, that the Ants not only ciress
these insects, hut occasionnally press them with their man-
dibles, as the human being does the cow,to procure this
sachiine- supply, lne lady bird or bug, and aphidivora,
lay their eggs on the same surface with the aphides; and
devour tli m so soon as they hatch. The lady bird is
first a leil. n colbnd grub or worm, with orange spots,
gem rllt-y in motion, and is the greatest enemy of the ap-
hides. The Ichnewmon deposites its eggs, after making an in-'
cis'on in the body of the aphis, which in a few days hatch-
es and devour the aphis, finally eating its way out, leav-
ing the dry skin of the aphis on the leaf, sometimes dry and
inflUed, resembling a small pearl. - '
The above statement? are Irom Lennaeus, Goffrys,
Giuelin, Curtis, and Richardson, They further state,
that these insects ihiough the spring and summer, are fe
males entire; but that the last crop generally, in Septem-
ber, are mixed; and after sexual CQnuecion, the funales
aeposite eggsior tne ensuing year; ana mai,an irregular
spring may not occasion a premature hatching, followed
by freezes, which greatly reduce iheir quantity. That
tae Aphis or Cotton Louse is greatly oa the increise in
the soa'hwest. all will admit Is it berausc no freezes
occur in our climates stiflicient to destioy the'm, after tliey
hatch in tho spring? The late spring was uniformly
mild; their ravagts have been entirely abovi grounJ, and
th-ir increase immense ; the plant is stripl of its leaves.'but
its roots whie not killed, is fair and healthful. The
spring prior was coll, their ravages were below ground,
much of the time, and on the root of the plant : hence the
plant of the last season often showed a good leaf but a few-
hours before it whithered away. The root was black
and shrivelled.
When cold these insects take shelter under ground, and
suck the root: when warm, they ascend to the leaf and
stem; hence, swarms seem to appear and disappear, as if
hy magic. Trets and shrubs will survive a lreeze that
kills the Aphidts. and profit by it hut a freeze which des-
troys them must extend several inches into the earth, and
of course, destroy the cotton wih them. The drill worm
or shape blight, the finished ruin of the cotton crop, has
mils its appcarancealmosttwamojiths earlier than usual.
This insect probably originates from some of the many
tribes that are attracted by the honey dew, so called, which
is in great abundence this season, from the immense quan-
tity of cotton lice which make it, and the drouth which
prevents its removal by rain. If the worms continue and
increase as usual, the crops of bolls for the next two
months, which in former years was a chief dependence,
will bs dest'oyed This is a summary of facts. Islhere
any remrdy. exct pt the tptal abandonment of the Cotton
crop for sev eral'yeais? AGRICOLA
Time to Finish There is nothing more'important-in
this li'e than for a man to, know when ho has finished
Hundreds of schemis originally calculated to benefit not1
only the worlJ, but ihe origin ttors of them, have failed
because the projectors did not discover when thi y had
dons enough. When a merchant lus become advised of-
an improvement in the market, or a rise in some.particu-
lar article, his natural tendi ncy as well as his duty
prompts him to engage in operations copnected with it
Iti nine cases o-it ol ten he will succeed in reaping great
advantages tioni his ibiesight or some peculiar circum-
stances by which he is surrounded if he ga not too far in
other v0rd3 if he know "when he is through." It is an
old saying of sailors when a captain is shipwrecked after,
many voyages, and loses all his property il not his life,
that "he took one voyage too much." The merchants
who have weathered many storms, and saved the commer-
ciil parque from many a lee shore, often times get strand-
ed at last by a speculation too. much, or onn carried top
far. Let them eversnidy to know, ' when they gel through,"
and ill will biwell.
This remark has infinite application; it refers to all
cl issos of citiz 11s and stations m life. It affects women
as well as in 11; the professional gentleman a well as the
industrious arlizan
Many a scholar after years of hard toil at his books has
lost his health; undermined his spirits; and rendered him-
slelf incapable of us1-fulness in tho world, because hedidn'
know "when he teas through" because hi: stopped not to
consider tint the system must be relaxed som timrsj that
grasping after loo much learning is as rumens to the
bo lily system, as too much anxiety for gold to the- moral
conrormation becanse he did not perceive ip his wisdom
that nature abhors all avarice, ns she do s all vacuum.
How many lawyers after most, eloquent, efforts at the
ar; a deep and intricate investigation of attruss princi-
plee; a thorough collation of fact; an erudlto elucidation
of testimoriyTand sill these joined to popular manners and
u sound reputation,,have lost caste before the jury, and a
cause in cointrbacause'they kept on longer than the na-
ture of the case required, or the patience t)f the judges
could support? because they didn't know-when iheyhad
got through.''' - Minisjersjre, amenableto-th same
charge. Many a subduedand'heart slfFredpenitent has
hid his reason hardened; hTs conviction staggered; His
tears dried and his perceptionsT6lunted,T)8causthapfeach-
er didn't know when "Ae was through." Loyers'top after
years of constancy and sighing; thousands obiHrisjloux,
and innumerable efforts to please, have lost-all because
they wished to make the matter too snre because- they
didn't know "when they were through!' ' .Merchants then
by holding on one day too long to a favorite article of
merchandize; Scholars by one book to' muchf lawyers by
the advancement of an extra principle; Ministers by an
over exhortation or a prayer too manv: lovers bv loo
much sighing have failed in their efforts a thousand
times. Oh that men would learn to know "when they
are Ihroujrh." -
THE TELEGRAPH.
ISotiston, Wedncsilasj, Jlugiist 7, VI 839
The Mail from the United Slates came up from the Isl-
and this morning. There is not much of interest in the
way of News. The intelligence from Mexico is indefin-
ite and contradictory The idea of another invasion of this
country seems to have agaimbecome lost in The dissentTons
of their various political leaders. The extracts below
are the most recent and important from that country. "
The Mississippi and Louisiana papersale fiHeer with
accounts of detected counterfeit bank notes of a great
number of banks. Many ofthem are railed TromTsmaffto
large denominations. Those of our citizens who are in
the habit ofpurcjjasing ''states funds'' would do Well to be
on the alert
Our Schooner of War, San Jacinto, Lieut,Lothrop, had
arrived at New Orleans on'tho lstinst from Galveston.
The Asp, another new Schooner of War built for our
government, is now on her way from Baltimore to Galves-
ton, She is now commanded by Capt Kane', and is-rep-resented
as beipg a beautiful specimen: of Naval architec-
ture and highly creditable to the builders ' ' ,
The Rev. Dr. Braekenridge, who was for some time a
resident of this country, is delivering lectures on the state
of society, the history and the agricultural resources, &c,
of Texas at Clinton Hall TT- Y. He was numerously
attended. , , - j 4
In the Commercial Tiotice of the'iVJ 0,-Bulletin, we
see two notices from " "Lloyd's List,"i jiondop,j'5thJJulyi
the vessel"Mohovich" wasjip'for th'atcity'onJ 'Texas.
Also, on the 3d Julyi ihe, vessel 'iTautilusJ'up 'jof,N.
Orleans and 'Texa, " 1 e
- From the New-Orleans.Bulletin.
' FROM .MEXICO.-; " j
"By the schooner Eclipse, Capt Delaville, which arriv-
ed here yesterdayrhehaveTtceived ourfilesof papers, and
letters from 'the city of Mexico to the '8th, and from "Vera
Cruz to the" 43th instant inclusive. Sajita Anna was still
tfie President ad interim, and though in a precariouss'tate
of health, exercisingthe functions ol his office 'with increas-
ing applause and success'' A't the date pfour correspond-
ent's letter, Bustaraente wasraraWarily exp'ecteefirrthe
capital. The expeditiorUo-Tampicabeing frowned with
such entjrts success, his return was every where greeted
with the most'enthtisiastic'demonstratlon of arTection'-'and
Tegard. According to the Diario del Goofera?.7 Santa
Anns and he are to enectthe most salutary reform in the
constitution, to do away with thecauseofthe late disas-
trous disaffection, conciliate all panics, and to crown the
whole with reconquering the "ungrateful colony." For
accomplishing this great' undertaking, the -executive is to
be empowered to raise the necessary means. '
, Alhhe federalists who gave themselves up to the" dis-'
posal of the government, are to retire to their farmsvand
never to reside in acity, or near a fortification, under pain
of death.
Urrea was sentenced by Santa Anna to be banished
for sy years, but a perverse man'' of," French descent,"
who had him ia charge-, allowing him too muchTof his
parole of honor, the quondam generalissimo, while on his
way loYera Cruz for embarkation, made bis escape at
Perote on the 30th ult, and has not been heard of since
Lemus was chased nut of Monterrey by Canalizo; he
and his brother fled to Monclova. According to the pa-
pers in our possession, the career of this general is of late
marked by muchbarkarity. .
In several slates in the interior, the small poxjs raging
with great virulence v -
Throughout the whole republic, the censorship of the
press is maintained with the. greatest. rigor;but the for-
eign merchants res'dent in Vera Cruz have been allowed,
and are abotit establishing a splendid exchange or reading
room in that city; on the European plan.
We learn by .the Pcpsacula Gazette, that when the.
U S, ship Erie sailed from Tampico, generaLBusta.
mtnte had left that place for Mexico, in order 'to resume
the presidency. The Mexican congress .had refused to
concurwith Santa Anna in his hostile measures towards
Texas, recommended by him ; and the latter had retired
lo his country seat This intelligence-solves the prob.
lem of Santa Anna's sudden flit of disiqterested,patriotism
of which we yesterday made mention. The Mexican
CQTrtss have more wisdom and penetration than we
imagined. They appear to have understood Santa Anna'a
motives pretty thoroughly. N, O.J3ce,,July 31.
Latest trom South America, -Bloody fiaftle
Twa"thousand men killed. Recent accounts from Buenoa
Ayr'es, received at Boston, gve the, particulars of a tre-
mendous battle fought on the-31st- ofTVIarch, at a place
called Pagp Largo, between the arpiybf Corrientea (one .
of the provinces of thd. republic, of jRioj de Ja Plata) and
the troops of Entre Rios; (another of said provinces,)
which the Corripntians, in conjunction "with the "Oriental
republic, (of which MontcTYide6r1sihe'capital,) were
attempting to revolutionise The Corrfgntinos were en-
tirely defeated, and left on the field of battle 1960 killed,
includmg84ofrkeisf asalsq'Qfpafo Beron deAstrada,
governor and' captain-general of the province of Com'en-
lcs and commandeV-in-chie of its army. Four hundred
and fifty prisoners, 500 muskets, 1500 lances, 300 car-
bines a nearly equal number of swords, 6 wagons of am-
munition, more than 4000 hor?es, the baggage and cor-
cnnrrt,.irp fcll info the hands of the captors.
The loss of the other party was trifling in comparison,
amounting to 5 officers and 50 soldiers killed, 8 officera
and 96 men wounded y.
Trom the N. O. Bulletin.
Propose? Acknowledgment or TexiajT Inde-
pendence by FRANCE.--The Jourpal.des Dcbats, the
leading ministerial journal of the French capital, dis-.
tinctly 'recommends the acknowledgmenf'ot Texian inde-
pendence. - 3 ,rVj!
"To-day," says the-Debats, "Ihe circumstances which
might have" justified the resolution of France a few years
since, are completely altered; we are'not obliged to oh
serve the same discretion, apd nobody would conceive
that France should hesitate any longer to yield to the
wishes of Texas. It would be a repe tition of the mistake
committed under the Restoratii.n in respecfof the new re-
publics of Spanish America, who then offered France, In
return for the recognition of their political existence,
treaties which they subsequently refused to conclude.
Not only is the independence of Texas now free from all
danger, but its population and prosperity are increasing
with a prodigious rapidity. Amidst' all tho erabarrass-
mmts of a new government, in towns of a Tecent founda-
tion, with all the olemtnts of disorder inherent in its for-
mation, Texas his orsan;z?d itself without any civii'war,
as the North American Union had done siity years be- -fore,
differing in that respect from the former Spanish
colonies, which have been a prey to domestic commotions
ever since their emancipation. Thcipstitutions which
-TJ
l-
23
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 8, Ed. 1, Wednesday, August 7, 1839, newspaper, August 7, 1839; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48065/m1/2/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.