It will be seen by reference to a part of the report of Mr. Gen, that the French .. vernment is anxious to make a treaty with the United States for an interchange of mail service by the agency of packet and steamships of the two countries. You will remember, this subject was brought to your attention by the minister of France during the last session of congress, it was submitted by you to congress, as one worthy of their consideration, and requiring specific legislation, if, in the opinion of that body, such an arrangement would prove advantageous to the United States. The committee on foreign relations made a report favorable to the measure, and the house of representatives adopted the following resolution: "That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be prepared and reported to this house, by the secretaries of state and of the navy, at the commencement of the next session of congress, a plan for the establishment, in concert with the government of France, of a line of weekly steamers between the ports of Havre and New York, together with estimates of the expense which may be required to carry said plan into effect." That portion of Mr. Green's report, and the accompanying documents are submitted under the belief that it may be serviceable to place before congress the outlines of the plan contemplated by the French government. In the month of August last, I caused to be established and put into operation a city despatch post for the city of New York, confined to the delivery, through the post office of that city, of the correspondence within its limits. I am gratified to know that its operations have proved highly satisfactory to the community, giving to the citizens a prompt and cheap medium of communication, the income of which will not only maintain the expenses of the establishment, but, in the course of time, promises a considerable addition to the revenue of the department The report of the postmaster of New York upon this subject is submitted, in order that its details may be more generally known; and, when under stood, I have little doubt that the other large cities of the Union will call for a similar establishment. Its usefulness has been fully tested in New York, by the saving of a heavy daily expense of money and time to the business community in their city correspondence. to rescind the expunging resolution of January 16, The senate then adjourned till Monday next. The President announced the committees as follows: On Finance-Messrs. Evans, Graham, Woodbury, DECEMBER 14. The president presented a letter from the president of the United States, covering a communication from the secretary of the navy, accompanied by a letter from commodore Morgan, showing that the information transmitted to the department in relation to the settlement of our differences with the emperor of Morocco, was premature. Mr. Graham presented a bill for the relief of the claimants to indemnities recovered from the British government for loss of slaves from on board the brigs Comet and Encomium, at Nassau, Bahamas. Mr. Linn presented a bill to indemnify major gen. Andrew Jackson for damages sustained in the discharge of his official duty. On motion of Mr. L. it was made the order of the day for this day week. Mr. Benton's resolution calling for information in On Manufactures-Messrs. Simmons, Archer, Mil-reference to the African squadron was taken up ler, Buchanan, and Morehead. and adopted. On Commerce-Messrs. Huntington; Woodbridge, On Agriculture-Messrs. Linn, Bates, Crafts, Smith, On Military Affairs-Messrs. Crittenden, Merrick, The bill for the repeal of the bankrupt law, offered by Mr. Benton was taken up. Mr. Berrien moved its reference to the judiciary committee and his motion was carried by yeas 17, nays 13, and the On Militia-Messrs. Barrow, Fulton, Smith, of In-senate adjourned. diana, Williams, and McRoberts. On Naval Affairs-Messrs. Bayard, Choate, Wil- On Public Lands-Messrs. Smith, of Indiana, Tall- On Indian Affairs-Messrs. White, Morehead, Se- On Claims-Messrs. Graham, Wright, Woodbury, On Revolutionary Claims-Messrs. Phelps, Clayton, On Post Office and Post Roads-Messrs. Merrick, On Pensions-Messrs. Bates, Phelps, Allen, Bagby, On the District of Columbia-Messrs. Miller, Ba- On Patents and the Patent Office-Messrs. Kerr, The amount of expenditure for the current fiscal On Public Buildings-Messrs. Dayton, and Evans, Any estimates of the income from postage during the present year, must, of course, be altogether conjectural, founded upon the amounts received for the year, ending in June, 1842. The amount received, the quarter ending 30th September last, is less than the amount of the corresponding quarter of 1941; and I therefore conclude the income of the department for the current year will fall considerably short of that for the year ending 30th June. It is, however, my intention to put these routes in operation by the time specified in the And as there is no discretion vested in the department by the act, if I find its means will not be otherwise equal to the additional expense, it will become my unpleasant duty to curtail the expense upon routes already in existence equal to the costs of the new ones peremptorily ordered by congress. act. There are other matters more of detail, requiring, in my judgment, the legislation of congress, which I forbear to obtrude upon your attention, but will seek the opportunity to submit to the committees to whom the affairs of the department may be referred. I have the honour to be, with great respect, your excellency's obedient servant. C. A. WICKLIFFE. TWENTY SEVENTH CONGRESS OF THE DECEMBER 8. The senate proceeded to the election of chaplain. The rev. Mr. Tuston received 26 votes, scattering 2. On Printing-Messrs. Clayton, Williams, and On the Library of Congress-Messrs Woodbridge, On Enrolled Bills-Messrs. Sprague and Williams. Mr. Benton gave notice of a substitute which he should offer for Mr. Bayard's resolution for rescinding the expunging resolution when it should be taken up. Mr. Benton submitted a resolution calling for information from the president, of various matters as to the annual cost, number of men, &c. which the African squadron under the British treety, will require, and The senate adjourned. DECEMBER 13. Mr. Choate, of Massachusetts, and Mr. Woodbury presented a communication from Mr. Wright presented a memorial from the chamber of commerce of New York praying the establishment of the warehousing system. Mr. Bayard submitted a resolution to authorise the secretary of the senate to employ a corps of five reporters or less, to report the proceedings of the sennte. Mr. Tallmadge's resolution respecting the bankrupt law was modified to read as follows: Resolved, That the secretary of state communicate with all possible despatch with the judicial officers of the United States who have had the execution of the bankrupt law, and ascertain from them the num ber of applications under the act both voluntary and Mr. Berrien agreeably to notice asked and obtain-involuntary, the number of discharges, the opinions ed leave to introduce a bill to repeal the bankrupt law, which was read and ordered to be printed. Mr. Tallmadge submitted a resolution in respect to information on the operation of the bankrupt law. Mr. Bayard introduced a resolution, in pursuance to his notice before adjournment at the last session, of the judges as to any amendments or modifications HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY, DEC. 8. The following additional members answered to their names: John Maynard, of N. York; Romulus M. Saunders, of North Carolina; Jas. A. Merriwether, of Georgia; and John Moore, of Louisiana. The resolution offered by Mr. Adams for repeal of the 21st rule was taken up, and the question being "shall the main question be now taken? Mr. Jones, of Virginia, moved to lay the whole subject on the table; decided yeas 92, nays 95, in the negative.— The question then recurred, shall the main question be now taken, and was decided, yeas 95, nays 100, in the negative. Mr. W. C. Johnson offered a resolution to rescind the one hour rule. He did not think that space of time would be sufficient for him to present his views in relation to the assumption of state debts. Mr. McKennan moved to lay the resolution on the table and by yeas 116, nays 70, his motion was carried. The house adjourned till Monday next. MONDAY, DEC. 12. The following members, in addition to those heretofore noticed, appeared this day and took their seats, viz: Seth M. Gates and John Young, of New York; Isaac D. Jones and Augustus R. Sollers, of Maryland; George B. Cary, of Virginia; Thos. D. Sumter and John Campbell, of South Carolina; Edward J. Black, of Georgia; Landaff W. Andrews and T. F. Marshall, of Kentucky; Thomas D. Arnold, Milton Brown, W. B. Campbell, Robert L. Caruthers, Meredith P. Gentry, and Christopher H. Williams, of Tennessee, Wm. Doan, of Ohio; James H. Cravens, Andrew Kennedy, Henry S. Lane, and David Wallace, of Indiana; Jacob Thompson, of Miss. The speaker announced the following committees: Elections-Messrs. Halstead, Blair, Barton, Borden, Cravens, Gamble, Turney, Houston, and Reynolds. Ways and means-Messrs. Fillmore, Botts, Samson Mason, Wallace, Thomas F. Marshall, Joseph R. Ingersoll, John W. Jones, Atherton, and Pickens. Claims-Messrs. Giddings, Cowen, Osborne, Tomlinson, Warren, Hubard, Arnold, Burke, and Medill. Commerce-Messrs. John P. Kennedy, Winthrop, Toland, Childs, Rayner, Benjamin Randall, Sherlock J. Andrews, Thomas W. Williams, and Ferris. Public lands-Messrs. Morrow, Casey, Truman Smith, Gentry, Bronson, Howard, Brewster, Chapman, and Jacob Thompson. Post office and post roads-Messrs. Briggs, Joseph L. Williams, William Russell, Brockway, Owsley, Hopkins, Andrew Kennedy, John G. Floyd, and Plumer. District of Columbia-Messrs. Underwood, Summers, Alexander Randall, Powell, Rich. W. Thomp son, John Campbell, Hunter, McKeon, and Dawson. Judiciary-Messrs. Barnard, Trumbull, Pearce, Maxwell, Milton Brown, Garret Davix, Charles J. Ingersoll, Roosevelt, and Saunders. Revolutionary claims-Messrs. Hall, Patrick G. Goode, Triplett, Thomas J. Campbell, Maynard, Washington, James, Parmenter, an William O. Goode. Public expenditures-Messrs. Linn, Hudson, Morgan, Van Rensselaer, James W. Russell, Mitchell, Mark A. Cooper, Clinton, and Littlefield. Private land claims-Messrs. Moore, John Young, Wm. Cost Johnson, Cave Johnson, Birdseye, Payne, Rich. D. Davis, Cross, and Harris. Manufactures-Messrs. Saltonstall, Tillinghast, Randolph, Slade, Hunt, Henry, Allen, Gilmer, and Patrick C. Caldwell. Agriculture-Messrs. Deberry, Ridgaway, Simonton, Gustine, Doig, Shaw, John Edwards, Patridge, and Hastings. he would promise not to dismiss any member of his vote, had already agreed to terminate the session by then cabinet. This Mr. B. denounced as a vile ca- adjournment at two o'clock on that day; that is to lumny on the majority of the members of the house. say, within three quarters of an hour from the time Indian affairs-Messrs. James Cooper, Chittenden, After some discussion Mr. B. reduced his proposi- the bill was placed in my hands. It was a bill conButler, Rencher, Joseph L. White, Watterson, Wel-tion to writing in the shape of a resolution, demand-taining twenty-seven sections, and, I need not say, of ler, John C. Edwards, and Gwin. ing the appointment of a committee to enquire into an important nature. the truth of the allegation. Military affairs-Messrs. Stanly, Pendleton, Gog- Naval affairs-Messrs. Wise, Calhoun, John C. and Wood. Foreign affairs-Messrs. Adams, Cushing, Everett, Granger, Shepperd, Alexander H. H. Stuart, Caruthers, Meriwether, and Holmes. Territories-Messrs. Pope, Christopher H. Wil Hays, Dean, Charles A. Floyd, and Black. Mr. Wise contended that no question of privilege was involved. Mr. Fessenden moved to lay the whole matter on the table. Negatived, yeas 86, nays 99. On its presentment to me, its reading was immediately commenced, but was interrupted by so many communications from the senate, and so many other causes operating at the last hour of the session, that it was impossible to read the bill understandingly, and with proper deliberation, before the hour fixed for the adjournment of the two houses; and this, I presume, is a sufficient reason for neither signing the bill nor returning it with my objections. The question was then, "will the house receive the resolution as a privileged question?" Negatived, yeas 85, nays 106. So the matter was not entertained as one of the privileges, but Mr. Botts said he considered the house as repelling the charge, by thus The 17th joint rule of the two houses of congress declares that "no bill or resolution that shall have refusing to entertain it. Mr. Underwood said he had voted against the re-shall be presented to the president of the United passed the house of representatives and the senate liams, Gates, Isaac D. Jones, Green W. Caldwell.ception of the resolution of Mr. Botts, as a question States for his approbation on the last day of the sesof privilege, but he desired the resolution might be sion." entertained in another aspect. If any member had been guilty of attempting to tamper with an officer of government, he for one, desired it might be known. He therefore moved a suspension of the rules, in order that the resolution, asking a committee, might be entertained. The motion to suspend failed, yeas 109, nays 78-not two-thirds. Mr. Underwood moved a suspension of the rules to enable Mr. Everett to introduce a bill for the repeal of the bankrupt law. The motion prevailed and the bill was introduced, read twice, and made the speCranston,cial order for Tuesday next. Revolutionary pensions-Messrs. Taliaferro, Rodney, Staley N. Clarke, Mathiot, Landaff W. Andrews, Babcock, Mathews, Fornance, and William Smith. Invalid pensions-Messrs. Morris, Aycrigg, Baker, Gordon, Stratton, Read, Doan, Sanford, and Augustus Young. Roads and canals-Messrs. McKennan, Lane, John Steenrod, Daniel, and Riggs. Public buildings and grounds-Messrs. Boardman, Revisal and unfinished business-Messrs. Eastman, The six standing committees on expenditures, which here follow, were heretofore appointed, and, by the rules of the house, remain through the congress, viz: Expenditures in the state department-Messrs. Van Buren, Hudson, Oliver, Brockway, and one vacancy. Expenditures in the war department-Messrs. Mc- Green. Expenditures in the post office department—Messrs. Lowell, Morgan, Washington, Boyd, and Lane. Expenditures on the public buildings-Messrs. Cave Johnson, Gates, Bidlack, Stokely, and Houck. SELECT COMMITTEES. Committee on the library of congress on the part of the [It is in the following terms, and the action of both A bill to repeal the bankrupt act. Be it enacted, This rule was evidently designed to give to the president a reasonable opportunity of perusing important acts of congress, and giving them some degree of consideration, before signing or returning the same. It is true that the two houses have been in the habit sion, in relation to particular bills; and it appears by of suspending this rule, towards the close of the sesthe printed journal, that, by concurrent votes of the two houses, passed on the last day of the session, the rule was agreed to be suspended so far as the same should relate to all such bills as should have been passed by the two houses at one o'clock on that day. It is exceedingly to be regretted that a necessity should ever exist for such suspension, in the case of bills of great importance, and therefore demanding careful consideration. As the bill has failed under the provisions of the constitution to become a law, I abstain from expressing any opinions upon its several provisions, keeping myself wholly uncommitted as to my ultimate action on any similar measure, should the house think proper to originate it de novo, except so far as my opinion itself upon the election returns and qualifications of of the unqualified power of each house to decide for its own members, has been expressed by me in a paper lodged in the department of state at the time of signing an act entitled "an act for the apportionment of representatives among the several states according to the sixth census, approved June the twenty-second, eighteen hundred and forty-two," a copy of which is possession of the house.4. JOHN TYLER. The message having been read Mr. Fillmore, on leave given, reported from the Mr. Tiffany, Episcopalian, was nominated by Mr. The motion of Mr. Adams to rescind the 21st rule was taken up. Mr. W. C. Johnson moved to lay the whole subject on the table. Decided in the affirmative; ayes 106, noes 102. The house proceeded to vote viva voce, and on the On the suggestion of Mr. Fillmore, the speaker laid The first of these was a bill entitled An act to re peal the proviso of the sixth section of the act enti- Mr. Fillmore submitted a resolution referring the various snbjects of the President's message to appropriate committees. Mr. Cushing made an ineffectual effort (100 yeas to 105 nays,) to have so much Two bills were presented to me at the last session thereof as related to the exchequer, to be referred of congress, which originated in the house of repreto the committee of the whole. Mr. Fillmore's reso-sentatives, neither of which was signed by me, and lution was then adopted, and the house adjourned. both having been presented within ten days of the TUESDAY, DEC. 13. Mr. Betts rose to a privileged close of the session, neither has become a law. question. He said he held in his hand a copy of the Albany Argus, of October 25th, which contained a letter signed by the hon. J. C. Spencer, a distinguished member of another branch of the government, viz. the secretary of war. This letter was, he believed, furnished mainly as a general defence of the administration, but particularly as a justification of the somersets he, the secretary, had recently turned, and which had gained him an envious distinction among the harlequins of the political stage. Mr. B. referred to the paragraphs of the letter to which he desired to call the attention of the house. It was in substance an allegation that after the veto of the first bank bill at the extra session, the whig majority of the house proposed to the president that they would consent to postpone the consideration of the second bank bill till the next session, provided Mr. Fillmore rose and said that, as he presumed the message did not require commitment, he would move that it be laid on the table and printed. Which motion was agreed to. Mr. Briggs moved that the house proceed to the consideration of the resolution heretofore submitted by him to amend the joint rule of the two houses by striking out the word "spirituous" and insert the word "intoxicating." The rule as it now stands is in the following words: "19. No spirituous liquors shall be offered for sale, or exhibited within the capitol, or on the public grounds adjacent thereto. Mr. Weller objected. Mr. Briggs moved that the rules of the house be suspended for the purpose of considering the said resolution, and the yeas and nays being taken, were yeas 125, nays 52. So two thirds voting in the affirmative, the rules were suspended. And the resolution of Mr. Briggs, being now before the house Mr. Ayerigg moved to amend it by adding thereto the words "and that the restaurateurs be forthwith removed from the capitol." The amendment was assented to, and the resolution as amended, after some consideration was adopted. Mr. Triplett offered a resolution which was adopted in the following form: Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to this house, as soon as conveniently may be if not incompatible with the public interest, the communications to him from our ministers at Berlin and Vienna, subsequent to the last communication sent to this house, on the subject of the trade and commerce between their respective countries and the United States. This bill was presented to me on Tuesday, the 30th August, at twenty-four minutes after four o'clock in the afternoon. For my opinions relative to the pro- Various private petitions were presented. visions contained in this bill, it is only necessary that | On motion of Mr. Cushing, submitted on leave, a I should refer to previous communications made by resolution of Mr. Kennedy, of Maryland, providing me to the house of representatives. for the appointment of a select committee on the subThe other bill was entitled "An act regulating theject of international copyright, was so modified as to taking of testimony in cases of contested elections, extend the jurisdiction of the committee to an inqui and for other purposes." This bill was presented to ry into the propriety of amendments generally to me at a quarter past one o'clock on Wednesday, the the existing law of copyright. 31st day of August. The two houses, by concurrent | The house adjourned. CHRONICLE. ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAYS. Sa raty engines at a dstance of about three miles apart, there is reason to believe, by means of a line of pipe placed upon the frame work which supports the iron rails, may be made by atmospheric pressure to communicate adequate power to propel cars, so as to substitute the present steam locomo tives. Clogg and Samunda, the inventors, have had a model of such a construction in operation, publicly exhibited at Wormwood Shrubs, West London rail way, for eighteen months past, and so satisfactory has been the result that it is beginning to attract serious attention. An able article written by Mr. Pim, treasurer of the Dublin and Kingston railway, addressed to the board of trade, was on motion of the earl of Ripon, referred to lieutenant colonel Smith, of the royal engineers, and Professor Barlow, who proceeded to examine and report thereon.They declare that they consider "the principle of atmos pheric propulsion as established: the economy of working increases with the length and diameter of the tube."The expense of construction will be little less-but stationary engines much greater than the present methodthe expense of working will be less than with locomotives where many trains are to be moved, but more, if but few trains. For safety they will be preferable. Any desirable speed seems attainable by this means. According to our notion, this method may be applied with great advantage instead of horses, for passing cars through cities, where locomotives are not admitted. A main tube of eighteen inches internal diameter will receive a piston of two hundred and forty-four super ficial inches area. It is proposed to produce an atmospheric pressure equal to eight pound per square inch 2,032 pounds tractive force--capable of propelling a train weighing forty-five tons at a rate of thirty miles an hour, up an acclivity of one in one hundred, or fifty-three feet per mile. Suppose a common pencil case to be the tube-the apparatus which slides up and down to move the penel represents the operation by which the cars are propelled; valves of course are used. BANKRUPTS. The number of bankrupts in Illinois as given in the Law Reporter of December, is 1,077. COTTON. The crops in the Washita district, Arkansas, are said to be of excellent quality. 66 Blank impressions, (Journal) Mr. Watson was a native of Massachusetts, and is widely | DUEL CASE. It appears that the indictments against Marshall and Webb, have been ignored by the grand juries of both Delaware county, Pa, and Newcastle co. Del., neither jury being able to decide that the duel was fought in "said" county-it having been fought across the line. SACS AND FOXES. A deputation from those tribes of Indians have reached Washington. SCATTERATION PARTY. The Massachusetts people_falk of forming a third party, in hopes of electing Mr. Scattering, Governor. In one of the towns at their late elec⚫ tions, the vote stood whig 10; Van Buren 10; Scattering 15. STEAM BOAT ITEMS. The dangers of the deep broad sea, as fearfully illustrated in accounts whereby we have had of recent shipwrecks and distress, have parallel ELECTIONS. Writs of election have been issued by the disasters in our inland navigation. Every week furnGovernor of Maryland to take place on the 2d January,ishes its melancholy list of steamboats lost in various to supply the vacancy in congress occasioned by the ways. The following casualties have been ascertained death of S. WILLIAMS, esq. of Harford county. since our last The Boston municipal electron came off on the 12th The legislature of North Carolina, at the last dates Ist 2d 31 55 55 56 The steamboat Saratoga was sunk in the Mississippi last week. Passengers and baggage saved-boat and cargo lost. The Patrick Henry bound up with a cargo of sugar, struck a snag on the 24th ult. six miles above Memphis; she made shoal water, and her hull will probably be sav ed-cargo ruined. The Iris, from Nashville, sunk at Eddyville, on the Cumberland river. The hull a total loss. The Tioga, on her passage down from St. Louis struck a snag, and had all pumps going when last heard of. The Fame in a similar plight reached Cape Girardeau, and landed her passengers and cargo. The Boston struck two snags on her route from Cineinnati to St. Louis, with partial injury, but the third one, and sunk in twenty-five feet water. three miles above Cape Girardeau, was fatal. She filled No lives lost. The Scioto Belle snagged and much injured. tle Rock, and sunk. Boat lost, and cargo much damThe Rialto was snagged about thirty miles from Litaged. STOCKS. On the 10th instant $490,000 Massachusetts state fives sold at auction at from 813 to 87. Bedford Brown, (V. B) R. M. Saunders, (Calhoun,) 36 W. A. Graham, (whig) EXPRESSES. The progressive velocity acquired in transportation in this country, is annually tested by timeing the transmission of the president's message. The last message was 1b.2 n. in passing from the capitol to Baltimore; 2h. 27m to Havre de Grace; 3h. 50. to Wilmington; 4h. 57m. to Philadelphia; 7h. 57m. to N. Brunswick, 8h. 57m. to Jersey City, and 9h. 12m. to the N. York post office. It reached Boston on Thursday night. New York state sevens 103; city fives, 105; state Going westward, it passed on the rail road to Curn-sixes 961; Kentucky bonds 75; Ohio sixes 75; Illinois berland, 210 miles from Washington, in 6h. 27m. or, sixes 19; Indiana bonds 20; United States bank of Pennfrom the Relay House to Harper's Ferry in 2h 47m. and sylvania 1}. thence to Cumberland in 3h. 3n., including 24 minutes at the final stopping places,-reducing the running time to 5h. 26m. being an average of about one minute and 53 seconds per mile. From Cumberland it went on to Wheeling by an express from Stockton's mail line, reaching Wheeling in 23h. 15m. from Washington. mounted to 11,545 bbls. and 949 half bbls. THE MASSACHUSETTS WESTERN RAIL ROAD, have advertised for sale £100,000 of Massachusetts state stocks, bearing five per cent interest, payable semi-annually, and redeemable in London in 1871. The certificates are in the form of bonds, coupons attached. The western rail road has cost $7,500,000 already, of which $3,000,000 was individual subscriptions, and $4,500,000 the proceeds of state stocks, similar to that now offered for sale, which forms the balance of the whole loan of $5,000,000 of state credit, and will raise the cost of the rail road to $5,000,000. a-equally apply at present-beter descriptions of MaryTOBACCO. Our last remarks and quotations would land are in request at fair prices; other qualities dullThe inspections of last week in Baltimore consisted of 320 hhd. Maryland, and 46 of Ohio. CONFLAGRATION IN ARKANSAS. On the 14th ult. there was a great fire of rags in Little Rock, Arkansas. The From Wheeling it reached Cincinnati in 29 hours. amount destroyed was as follows: FLOUR, in consequence of the close of the canals, Redeemed bills, Columbia branch real estate bank had advanced in the city of N. York, caught as it was of Arkansas, $133 835 supposed without an adequate supply to $4 75. In PhiHelena, 40 150 ladelphia it got up to $4 50,-and in Baltimore to Principal bank, 16,235 84 37; has somewhat subsided since, though not deci- | 2,296,380 sively. The inspections of last week in Baltimore $2,486,600 A CONVENTION of merchants, ship owners, ship builders, and others, in New England, interested in American mercantile navigation, will be held in Boston on the 27th of December, to take into consideration the prospects of mercantile navigation, with especial reference to the commercial trea y between this and foreign governments. All persons in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, interested in American mercantile navigation, are invited to attend. GENERAL CASS, is warmly greeted by his countrymen. A large number of the citizens of N. York, waited upon him on the 14th inst. at the governor's room, politely ten. dered to him for the occasion. On entering the apart ment he was received with three hearty cheers. An in vitation to meet his fellow citizens of Boston, at Fanueil hall was tendered, but courteously declined as he had made arrangements precluding delay. HENRY CLAY is on his way to visit some of his personal friends in Louisiana. Every demonstration of respect is accorded to him on his route. At Natchez, for instance, he was received and welcomed by the whole community without respect to party. FIRES. Mooresville, Indiana, having 50 houses and a population of 600, was almost destroyed by fire on the night of the 29. ult. Twenty or thirty hogsheads of Missouri tobacco, quite a new article in the Baltimore market, is quoted at $5 50 a $6 50. It is possible that considerable quantities will take this direction in future; via, the Baltimore and Ohio rail road, instead of going to New Orleans. It is deGo-scribed as a dark heavy, fat tobacco, precisely like Va. tobacco and weighing 1,500 pounds to the hogshead. INDIANA. The legislature assembled on the 12th inst. T. D. Walpole, was elected president of the senate, by a majority of 6 votes; and T. Z. Henry (V. B.) speaker of the house by a majority of 9 votes. vernor Bigger in his message scouts the idea of repudia Dallas, Alabama, has been fined 3500 for having issued NO GOVERNMENT AND WOMAN'S RIGHTS PARTY.-A Resolved, That the assumption of authority by man over man, in the form of human governments, is a usurpa tion of the prerogative of our creator, and a gross imposition upon the human family, which far transcends in wickedness any of the acts of violence and wrong which such governments are instituted to punish. Resolved. That the use of the elective franchise, under the constitution of the United States, involves the sacrifice of our common humanity, and the rejection of the gospel of peace. THANKSGIVING IN MASSACHUSETTS. This day was a two hundred mariages took place between sunrise and great day in Massachusetts. It is estimated that at least sunset. In the single town of Ware, nine weddings came ofl. There were 188,052 lbs.. or about 94 tons of turkies, chickens, &c. brought from Rhode Island to Boston, on the Boston and Providence Railroad, about thanks giving time This poultry sold for 12 cents per pound, or $23,596,37. TRANSPORTATION. Steerage passengers in the packets from New York to New Orleans, are carried for three dollars-distance 1600 miles. THE YELLOW FEVER was prevailing severely in se veral of the West Indies Islands at the latest dates from were suffering from this scourge. thence. Barbadoes, Trinidad, St. Lucia, and Antigua WHEAT felt the influence of the advance of flour of course. In the Baltimore market good Maryland red Some 3,200 bushels of Pennsylva went off at 85 to 92. nia red brought 93. DE LA PUISSANCE AMERICAINE. Major Poussin, we are told by the Parts correspondent of the National In telligencer, has two octavo volumes of 8 or 900 pages each, with the above title in press, "treating, in detail, of Resolved, That the constitution of the United States, the origin, institutions, political spirits, resources-agricultural, commercial, industrial, and military, of the and the constitution of every state in the Union, accordAmerican Union. He has provided a rich fund of facting to the democratic theory of government, and the deand reflection for Europe." claration of American Independence, are based on usurpation, inasmuch as they proscribe one half of the people DEATHS during the last week in N. York 123, of which on account of their sex from the exercise and enjoyment statement that the commissioners appointed to select a WESTERN ARMORY. The western papers contain a 33 were under 1 year of age, and 23 died of consump. of what are called civil and political rights; and, conse-site for a Western Armory have reported in favor of old tion. In Philadelphia, 89, of whom 18 were under gently, that whoever votes to sustain those instruments, Fort Massac, on the Ohio river, in Lilinois. year of age-and 10 died of consumption. In Balti- votes to uphold and perpetua e an atrocious despotism. more 37, of which 12 were under 1 year, 11 were fee PRICES. Between abundance on one hand, and scarcolored, 2 slaves. In Washington, D. C., twenty-one deaths only are re-city of money on the other, prices of produce in the west are at low ebb. In Cachocton co., Ohio, corn is ported for the month of November. selling at 12, oats 10, and wheat 40 cents per bushel. Hogs and beef one cent per pound. 1 The Arkansas Intelligencer of the 11th ultimo, mentions the death of ex-governor Montfort Stokes, of N. Carolina. He died at Fort Gibson, Arkansas, on the 4th ultimo, in the 82d year of his age. He had filled many important offices, and at the time of his death was Indian agent for the Cherokees. A Cincinnati pork is selling at $1 50 to $1 75 and beef at one cent per pound. In the Baltimore market pork brings $3 75a84 00. PHILADELPHIA IMPROVEMENTS. The number of build Lieut. John W. Core, of the U. S. navy, died in Phi-ings erected from the 21st February to 1st December, ladelphia last week and was buried on Friday with mi- 1842, amounts to 275. litary honors. Elkanah Watson, Esq. died on Monday, the 7th at his residence in Port Kent, Essex Co., N. Y. aged 86. PHILADELPHIA. Sheriff. Governor Porter has appointed his son Wm. A. Porter, sheriff of the city, in place of H. Morris, esq., deceased. This place is situated on the Ohio river, on the Illinois side, fifty miles above the mouth, and nine miles below the mouth of the Tennessee. Massac was selected by the French, at a very early period. as a place for a fortification, and was occupied as such until the capture of Kaskaskia by Gen. George Rogers Clarke. Afterwards, a new and larger fort was erected by the United States, which was occupied until some time after the late war. It has ever been deemed a most eligible and commanding point. As early as 1795, congress passed an act (still in force, making it a port of delivery for the whole Wabash and Mississippi country. Massac is as healthy, we believe, as any point on the ri ver. It is accessible at all times, and is situated immedi ately at the foot of the iron ore regions of Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois. FIFTH SERIES.No. 17.-VOL. XIII.] BALTIMORE, DECEMBER 24, 1842. [VOL. LXIII-WHOLE NO. 1,630. THE PAST-THE PRESENT--FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY, BY JEREMIAH Hughes, Editor AND PROPRIEtor, at five dOLLARS PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. CONTENTS OF NO. 17, VOL. 13. NATIONAL AFFAIRS. STATES OF THE UNION-Pennsylvania, Virginia, South U STATES BRIG SOMERS. Chicago; and that wheat, flour, pork, &c. of Ohio, AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE-correspondence of Sec'y of pers to the 9th August are received, being 12 days state and naval officers on. ANDREW JACKSON'S LETTER ON BANKING. RAIL ROADS AND CANALS. INVENTIONS, &c. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF NAVY. THE CIVIL APPROPRIATION BILL, for the half year ending 30th June next, after being modified by striking out the clause which made an appropriation for the coast survey, finally passed the house of representatives, and was the same day referred by the senate to their financial committee. The bankrupt repealing bill was debated warmly on Thursday, and the debate will no doubt be resumed next week. It is generally supposed that the bill will pass both houses. FOREIGN ARTICLES. THE PUBLIC REVENUE AND FINANCES. We have been disappointed in the expectation of obtaining a copy of the treasurer's annual report in time for insertion in this number. The report of the secretary of the navy is inserted. By the ship Cincinnati, at New York, Canton pa- The condition of the finances as given in the abstracts from the report which have been published, later than our previous intelligence. Canton was and which we inserted the substance of in our last, more tranquil than at any period since May 1841. is truly gratifying. Instead of the deplorable defiTranslations from an imperial edict, Pekin, 4th ciencies which the opponents of the tariff bill had moon, 17th, evinces that the celestial chief is in great so confidently predicted,-instead of having to reconsternation. The following are extracts from it: sort to further loans and additional taxes upon such "Yoking and his colleagues have reported con- articles as tea, coffee, &c.-we have now it seems, cerning the imminent danger of the provincial city of the official report from the government, stating, that, the province of Chekean (Hangchowfoo) and the for the present, and for the eighteen months ensuing city of Keahing; and on reading the report, my grief from the first of January next, the estimated reand indignation are extreme. According to the receipts into the treasury under existing laws, will be port, Chapoo is already lost; and the barbarians are adequate to meet the authorised expenses of the goapproaching the provincial capital; the domain of the vernment within an inconsiderable fraction, which city is very extensive, and the rebellious barbarians fraction the balance in the treasury will more than have built small vessels which enter every where cover. among the shallows. "The two Heen districts of Pingloo and Haeshang, in the Foo department of Keahing, are in the most imminent danger. One thousand men have been sent from the provinces of Shense and Kansuh, and are ordered to maintain those places; when the troops arrive from the provinces of Honan and Kwangse, POSTSCRIPT. Late and important news. The they will be detailed for the defence of those dis-limited, and only predicated upon present demands. tricts; and so forth. "This important and pressing despatch has been brought at the rate of 600 le a day. Now the said general and his colleagues have consulted and determined that one of their number shall remain to keep Tapoukeang, while all the rest of the troops should minister and his colleagues must turn their thoughts be sent to protect the other places. The said great -dismiss their fears-to ensure peace, and so tranquilize the people's minds; and they should sternly and strictly order the officers and soldiers to exert their utmost strength in defending the country. "As to the adjutant-general, Ahlakeihno, who has been wounded, how is he at present? Let a clear examination be made into all these matters, and a duly prepared report sent up. Respect this." On the 17th day of the 6th moon, (July 24,) a despatch arrived at Canton from the privy council, which when opened by the general, was found to contain the following imperial edict: The Chinese are to pay $21,000,000 in the course of this and the three next years. The ports of Canton, Amoy, Foo-chow foo, Ningpo, and Shanghai, are to be "An individual has reported that the rebellious opened to the British merchants-consuls to reside and barbarians have usurped possession of the dependentarif established in them-the Island of Hong Kong is cy of the Heen district of Kwangtung, Heangkeang ceded to Britain--correspondence to be conducted on (Hongkong-the "fragrant streams,") and have built perfect terms of equality hereafter-the British to retire houses, &c., with intention of retaining constant posfrom Naukin on receiving the first instalment-6 mil-session; why has not this affair been clearly looked lions. FROM INDIA the news is scarcely less decisive. The British obtained possession of Cabul again, released their long imprisoned officers--and completely beat the Affghanistans. The official announcement of the victory, dated 30th September, is accompanied with the announcement also, that the British forces will abandon the whole of that inhospitable region, and return to their former possessions in India-finding nothing worth the expense of maintaining possession of Affghanistan. Humanity is consoled by the restoration of peace. CANADA. PUBLIC WORKS. A gentleman, who is at this time contractor on the Erie enlargement, has returned rom a visit to Canada, where he went for the purpose of making a proposition for some of the public works at this time being put under contract. He states hat the canal and locks at the Long Sault on the St. Lawrence are completed, and that the water had een let in. These locks are 40 feet wide, 220 feet ong, and sufficiently deep for sea vessels. The remainder of the work necessary to complete the free Communication with Lake Ontario, consisting of cks at Les Cedres and Coteau du Lac Rapids; and canal 220 feet wide at top, and 80 feet at bottom, ith 10 feet water, will be put under contract the resent season, to be completed in two years; by hich time it is also expected that the Welland canal largement will be finished. It is therefore to be ticipated that in the fall of the year 1844, or at ost in the spring of 1845, vessels clearing from verpool, Bristol, and London, will discharge their rgoes at the wharves of Cleveland, Detroit, and VolXIII-Sig. 17. into and taken care of?" kin is one. LATER. The Helena, arrived at New York, brings Macao dates to the 6th September. The Canton Register says, the United States squadron had left the coast of China. The British had for a fortnight current reports of the capture of Nankin, which alarmed the Chinese exceedingly, as they have great religious reverence for particular places, of which NanArrivals from Chusan with dates as late as the 9th August, however, prove that the reported capture was at least premature. It seems that there had been some severe fighting. At an engagement near Nankin seven British officers, including one colonel and near 200 privates, were killed, besides many wounded. The Chinese fought and maintained their ground in a manner that astonished their oppoat the same moment. Besides meeting with opposinents, heretofore accustomed to meet and vanquish tion from the Chinese, the troops have encountered either side of the Yangtsi Kiang. Some seven huna terrible enemy in the low and marshy grounds on dred were reported as on the sick list. NATIONAL AFFAIRS. APPOINTMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT. Nicholas R. Smith, receiver at Springfield, Mo. This, it will be remembered includes the very worst and most unproductive period of the operation of the tariff for the treasury, according to every view of the subject. The law is yet new to those engaged in commerce, and their operations have been for that cause, as well as in the hopes, widely entertained, of a speedy repeal of the tariff, very For another and more prevailing cause, the general want of confidence and the unusual scarcity of money, trading operations have been, since the enactment of the tariff, and will remain for some time yet, very limited. If under those disadvantageous circumstances, the revenue derived from the customs ment, we may reasonably expect that when the sysare adequate to meet the expenses of the governtem shall have been recognized as the settled policy of the country,-when operations shall grow from mere adventures into regular dimensions, and when a wholesome condition of credit and currency shall have been resumed over the country, and a consequent regular trade-a day we fervently hope, now not very distant,-when this wholesome condition of circumstances returns, no one we think can rea sonably doubt of the sufficiency of the existing tariff with our other sources of revenue to meet an economical and honest administration of government expenditures. Not only have the receipts exceeded what was anticipated, but it seems that after the report was prepared and before sending it to congress, the secretary had ascertained that the favorable effect of the retrenchments directed by the laws of the last session would leave a still larger balance in the treasury than he had set down in his estimates. This looks well. It will be remembered that congress had but very partially effected these retrenchments, which it is admitted on all hands, ought to be carried into almost every department of expenditures, and it is from thence, that the people have a right to look for yet immense diminutions of charges upon them.Strict accountability and a tight rein is wanting. Governments should never be trusted with much more revenue than their emergency requires. We had rather see the tariff producing only enough, than too much. Extravagance inevitably grows out of abundance. THE TARIFF. The following is an extract of cotton in Manchester, dated Nov. 16th, 1842. letter from one of the largest spinners of Sea Island "Fine yarns and goods remain as low in price as Our distress has been increased by the unwise, unever, and as producers we have a miserable trade. generous and self-robbing tariff of the United States, and which, though professing to be passed for revenue and protection, is really passed for manufacturing plunder, in contradistinction to our own agricul tural plunder. We hope that common sense and justice may prevail in your, as well as in our legislature." To this we reply, that our legislature for many, many years, sustained the course which the writer of the above would desire them to return to, undergoing during the whole period the "plunder" which he admits that the laws of England were inflicting upon us. Finding that we were becoming miserably impoverished by an endurance of such wrongs, it be came the part of common sense and prudence to pro- of almost all sorts reduced in value, and the credit of New York from carrying slaves out of this comtect ourselves as we could. Should the method we of the state and people nearly annihilated. monwealth, and to prevent the escape of persons have adopted be effectual in bringing back the first "If we look abroad for a solution of our condi- charged with the commission of any crime," went offenders to such a share of "common sense and justion, we can find nothing in the history of the past, into operation on the first of May, 1842, in consetice" as the writer of the above prays for, we shall from which we can draw the least aid. Look to quence of the failure on the part of the constituted expect to see it demonstrated in their legislative England, to which, perhaps, we have accustomed authorities of New York to comply with our reasonenactments-by allowing us a reciprocity of "free ourselves to look too much already, and what do we able demands. This law, so far, I doubt not, has trade"-admission for our products in their ports on see? A nation, with mineral and agricultural re-been productive of good, as I have not heard of the reasonable terms, and then we shall be disposed to sources, hardly exceeding Virginia, with a public slightest suspicion being entertained by any one, that reciprocate. Till then we hold on to what we have.debt almost twenty times as large as the debts of the a slave has been carried away by a northern vessel, federal and state governments altogether, borrowing since it went into operation. I regret much the nemoney of any of the nations of the world without cessity for this law or any similar one, but it was difficulty, at from two to three per cent. interest-forced on us as the only peaceable means of protectwhilst our federal government finds great difficultying our property against the depredations of the foolin borrowing small sums at six per cent., and the ish and mad abolitionists. Unless something speedistate governments cannot even borrow on as goodly be done by the great body of our northern bretheren to arrest the mischievous designs of these fanatics, it will become a question for the whole south to consider, whether they will longer continue in union with a people who are resorting to every art and device they can to rob them of their property." November. THE NAVY. THE BRAZILIAN SQUADRON. The Robin Hood, arrived at Boston, brings Rio de Janeiro dates to 1st The U. S. ships of the line Delaware, com. Mor-terms as those." ris; Columbia, capt. Shubrick and schooner Enterprise, capt. Wilson, were in port. The Enterprise was to sail in two days for Buenos Ayres; the Delaware and Columbia would soon follow. The share of Virginia of the proceeds of the public lands, $37,000 48, the governor has declined to receive, leaving the whole matter to the action of the legislature. The rest of the message is devoted $2,600,000 to matters of mere local interest. 770,000 Gov. JAMES MCDOWELL., of Rockbridge, has been 1,400,000 elected governor of the state. The Virginia state debt he estimates at $7,650,000, of which, there is due to individuals of the state about, After intimating broadly that the cause of this is owing to political parties, he proceeds to account for it particularly by referring to the internal improve. ment fever, leading the authorities to authorizing The Columbia had a passage of 98 days from the loans without making adequate provision for payU. States, touching at Fraya, S. Jago, for water.ment of principal or interest. From thence she had a passage of four weeks to Rio. Fears had been entertrined for her safety, being out so long. An officer writes that they had been on short allowance for some time before getting in. Since departing from New York she has lost the following men, viz: Thomas Cook, drowned 9th Oct.; Geo. Baker, of Raymond, Cumberland co. marine, died 11th Sept.; John Homan, of Bos-To citizens of other states and districts, ton, a German by birth, died 3d Oct. Due to foreigners in G. Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, about The U. S. brig Oregon, lieut. L. M. Powell, commander, sailed from New York on the 9th, for the survey of the Gulf of Mexico, via Charleston. where she arrived on the 15th. To bank of the state, $4,770.000 SOUTH CAROLINA. 610,000 GOVERNOR RICHARDSON retired from the executive duties, and Gov. Hammond was inaugurated on the 2,300,000 12th inst. both of them making appropriate remarks upon the occasion. Isaac Dunham Witherspoon was $7,680,000 elected lieutenant governor. The aggregate of items exceeds his estimate by a fraction of $30,000. We presume this occurred by speaking in round numbers. Of the resources of the state, he says: the state Congressional districts. The joint committee of the two houses met on the 9th. The project of Albert Rhett for districting the state was by a decisive vote, approved by the house committee. The senate comMr. Higgins' project for the other three. FAST INDIA SQUADRON. U. S. ship Boston, June 25th, 1842, Macao Roads. During the last twenty. five days we have been lying at Macao, waiting im-owns bank and other stocks to the amount of $12,-mittee approved of four of the districts, but adopted patiently for the negotiation of our bills on England, which are still in the market, which has not been affected for the better by the last news, March 19th. I have failed to get the letter I expected, and I now fear that we shall not remain here until another mail arrives. Last letters are dated Dec. 12th, 1841, per Lowell. Since the above was written, we have had nearly one hundred cases on the sick list at once, and the frigate as many as one hundred and fifty, but they were colds and fevers of transient duration, and our sick list will soon be reduced to its usual limits, without a single fatal case. The best offer we have had for our bills is 5s. 6d. sterlingrather a heavy discount. STATES OF THE UNION. PENNSYLVANIA. PREVIOUS PARDONS. The Miners' Journal complains of repeated exercises of this questionable power by Governor Porter. The fac's in one case, are stated by the Huntingdon Journal, as follows: In November, 1841, it seems that the grand jury of Huntingdon county presented three men named Couts, Leas and McVitty, for conspiring to influence electors to vote for John Shaver, candidate for she U. S. SENATOR. Col. Hunt, on the 9th, moved a message to the senate proposing to go into the election of U. S. Senator, to succeed Mr. Calhoun, on the 12th inst: Mr. Walker, of Charleston, and Mr. Frost opposed it, and proposed deferring the election until November next, in order to consult their constituents: a motion for an indefinite postponement was negatived, ayes 30, poes 83. The message was then adopted and sent to the senate. That body, however, postponed the subject. 500,000. The internal improvement debt has been Col. Hunt from the committee of federal relations, reported a bill favorable to the petition to place the line packets from Georgetown to N. York on the same footing with the lines from Charleston to New York. UNITED STATES SENATORS. We heretofore noti In order to pay off the debts of the state, I would ced the election of Mr. McDuffie, to fill the vacancy riff. The bill was sent up and the parties indicted. recommend that the dividends, to be received from occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Preston. all stocks, be first appropriated to the payment of the The resignation of J. C. Calhoun, esq. to take effect The trial was put off from time to time, on various four hundred thousand dollars, which may be bor- from the 4th of March next, being accepted, the legrounds, until the 15th ult. when the accused were rowed to supply the present deficiency in the reve-gislature proceeded on the 15th insi. to the election brought up for trial. They appeared; but instead of submitting the case to a jury, they produced a fullnue, and then set apart as a sinking fund, by which, of a senator in his place. Mr. Huger was elected and unconditional pardon from governor Porter, in without any greatly increased burden upon the peo- on the third ballot. The following shows the result 1st ballot. 2d ballot. 3d ballot. the bar of the indictment. They were at once dis-le, the debt of the state, as it falls due, can be paid of each ballet: off. I deem it a matter of paramount importance D. E. Huger, charged. for the state to show her determination to fulfil all Another case is mentioned in the Erie Chronicle, her engagements-by doing so she will regain credit and is that of two men, Moody and Quiggle, who and confidence, which will, at once inure to the bewere tried and convicted of having passed counter-nefit of the people." feit money, knowing it to be such. The evidence was As the sum of $350,000 is due on the 15th of De- VIRGINIA. The legislature of this state assembled at Richmond on the 5th inst. Mr. HUNTER was elected speaker of the senate without opposition. In the house JOEL HOLLMAN, was elected speaker, and Mr. Mumford, clerk. R. B. Rhett, 82 71 "What benefit can result to a community from a stay law? None, literally none; unless it be purchased at the sacrifice of justice. If a stay law be passed merely to defer the payment of debts, it can do no good; on the contrary, I think it would be productive of harm. If the payment of debts be deferred, the amount will most certainly be increased by The LEGISLATURE met on the 5th inst. Thomas The message of the acting Gov. J. M. GREGORY, interest, and probably costs, also. I hold that there D. Walpole was elected president of the senate, was communicated the same day. Much of it is oc- is not more than one man in fifty engaged in busi-over J. Collins, whig. In the house, Thomas J. Hencupied in relation to the condition of the finances,-ness, who can afford to pay six per cent. interest for ley was elected speaker, on the first ballot, over Dr. of which he remarks: money, and hence it seems to me, that the sure effect Bradley, whig. of such a law would be the ruin of the debtor class. The majority in the house, by giving a contested Of the "Right of Search" law, passed by the le-seat to a Van Buren claimant, have thereby balanced gislature of 1841, he observes: the whig majority in the senate, on joint ballot. This may prevent the choice of a United States senator during the session. |