IE I =I
CIM:V.O: - P3DIADivviiMIA OA
After a period of six years, employed in a series
of experiments, conducted • upon the most philoso
phical principles ' and continued with indefatigable
perseverance,
,Mr. Henry M. Paine, of Worcerter,
has completeiLhis "Magneto-electric Decomposer,"
—an ingenious apparatus for evolving hydrogen and
oxygen gases from water, by the agency of electri
city, generated by mechanical means. The gases
thus obtained may be used for light, heat and motive
power, and have tylready been practically tested for
the first two named purposes on a considerable scale;
with wonderful efresi.
At his residence. on Tuesday evening, April 23],
Mr. Paine exhibited the operation of his invention
to a number of gentlemen of Boston and Worcester,
some of whom have had considerable experience in'
the gass business, and others have taken great inter
est in plans and projects, having in view the produc
tion of artificial light at cheaper rates than it can be
furnished by the means hitherto employed by gas
manufacturers. Mr. Paine had his house brilliant
-Iv lighted up, ulthcmgh he used only one small burner
for etch room. Tne light was exceedingly strong
end white; and so pure that the most delicate shades
of blue and green in some colored prints could be
ifristantly distinguished at a distance of several feet
from the burner (a common gas-burner), which was
supplied with gas from a pipe, whose diameter did
not exceed one quarter of an inch.-
At thename time that the lights was being ex
hibited, the mode of using the gas for heating was
also shown. A saladl jet ofpure hydrogen, between
two circular plates of iron, raised a few inches from
the floor, teas lighted, and in ci few minutes an equaT,
and genial heat was diffused thronghoutxthe aQarts
ment. Thus the astonished party had the light-arid=
heattogether, supplied from_the same source below,
and their expressions of admiration were unbounded;
nor were they abated when they were led down into
the cellar to examine the exceedingly small machine
by which the gas was made. The box containing
it was about 18 inches square and eight in dept h.—
We cannot give the details of the interior of the ma
chine, but will simply state that, as its name indi
cates, it evolves magneto-elecricity by purely me
chanical action. Prom the above mentioned box
there ran flat copper wire into the decomposing jar,
which was nbout two feet in height and six or eight
inches in diameter, and partly filled with water; in
this jar, by the action of the e;ectricity just spoken
of, pure hydrogen gas alone was formed from the
water, whence it passed into two gasometersor res
ervoirs, about the size of a barrel each. The pole,
at which oxygen gas is liberated, on this occasion
passed into the ground, so that hydrogen only was
enveloped by the' action of the machine. The
prdtess of carbonising the hydrogen for illumi
nation is exceedingly simple, and was open to view;
it is yery cheap, so much so that Mr. Paine says
that the cost of carbonising, the gas he has burned
'in his house in three burners every evening for a
week has not yet amounted to one cent. The,hydro
, gen is used for•the general puriioses of light and
heat, and the oxygen can-also be secured in a second
jar, and may be used with the hydrogen to produce
the "calcium light" for fight-housed.
• Mr. Paine has also disc, ivered a principle by which
he can regulate the quantity of electricity to be dis
charged into the composinzjar. A large machine
has recently been perfected by Mr. Paine, of suffici
ent power to supply three thousand burners with
ga4; it is set up in the Worcester Exchange, and
on'y occupies a space of three feet square by six in
height.
One foot of water will make 2109 (caul gas, end '
it weight of 67Ibs falling• nine feet in on hour will
make from this larger machine 1000 feet of gas.
Theaapperattis can be applied to gas works of any
kind, and be used with any of the gas fixtures at
present in firshiort.—Bosion Post.
'CitimAN . ltcyclit.ie.—Balie Peyton. U. S. mini,-
ter plenipotentiary to Chili, was nine:ally received
by President B sloes :it Santiago, no the UPI) Feb.,
and made a very pretty address. in which he com
pared Gen. Bullies with Gen. Taylv-ri but the•Clii
lian hero did riot respond to this compliment in his
reply. Ile was shorter than Mr. Peyton, and not
so flower/. The New Orleans l'ica yune recapitu
lates interesting facts in the history - of this line
country:
"Gen. Bullies, the present, President of Chili, al
!bough connected with the leading men of the repub•
lic, spent many years of his life in the .riny, on' the
frontiers, overawing and keeping in subjection the
Indians. 110 commanded the Gillian army which
invaded Peru, nccu pied ma its capital, persued Gen.
Santa Cruz, the commander of the combined Peru
vian and Bolivian armies, came' up with him in the
interior of Peru, and en the 20th of January, 1839,
gained over him a complete victory, at a place call
ed Yungay. This victory, which is celebrated as
an anniversary in Chili, overthrew Gen. Santa Cruz,
protector pf Peru and Bolivia, and put an end to his
svtem, which was looked upon as dangerous to the
nelghboring republics.
Upon the return of Gen.l3,llnes from this sticcess
fq campaign he was elected, in 1841, president of
they:keyublic of Chili, succeeding his uncle, Gen.
Pieto, whose second term was about to expire. Gen.
Ilulnes was reelected, and his second term of office is
near its expiration, when he will retire to his farm
rind devote himself to his favorite pursuit of raising
wheat and cattle. The duration of a term of the
presidential office in Chili is five years, so that the
nines has Ipen in the stone family for-twenty years,
during which time Chin has prospered and advanced
to a degree almost without.a
February is the midsummer .mouth in Chili, and
the people !here were enjoying tho ripest and most
hiscinus of melons, plums, peaches, grapes,
roasting ears, ke."
Eurtopu.tx A umttomns ItIiSPIWTINU- A 3tHRICA.--••
Dr. Cooke Tayl,r, the author of the History of the
House of New Orleans (an
_admirable work which
ought to be re-published in this country) says that
Louis Philippe was in America when IVashington
retired from the Presidency, and witnessed the in
auguration of his successor, John Quincy Adams.
In a list of the American Presidents,_published in
Mr. Tupper's Anglo-Saxon, No. 1, lilliant Henry
Jackson is put doWn as the successor of Martin Van
lln ren.
In a letter recently published in the Dublin Mee ;
chantile Advertiser, dated Paris, Feb. 18, the folloW
ing novel information is communicated. The wri
ter appears to have thought with Bulwer, thnt the
President made and altered tarittit—"The:Sonthern
States particularly Ohio, Massachusetts, and Vir
ginia, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, are the
most active in influencing President Taylor and Mr.
Meredith to lay on high protective duties."
A young Pennsylvanian who was in Ireland two
or three years ago, on informing a lady, that he liv
ed on the river Delaware, was asked if he was not
"surrounded by the warlike tribe of that name?"
Mrs. Cushing, in her excellent hook of Travels in
in France and Spain, (privately printed) states that
on two occasions in France,, persons expressed their
surprise to her, at finding her a white woman; 'they
-thought the inhabitants of the United States' wore
all Degrees! -
NRW YORK CATTLR TILAPR.—The Cattle-Trade
of this city, intmense as it now is. is only just begin
ning. IVithin five years, cattle will be put on board
Railcars in the heart of Indiana rind Illinois and set
down near the drove-yards in opi City within three
daya, at a cost below the shrinkage of the present
toilsome and *lions lirocess of driving, to say no
thing of its inevitable destruction of the tenderness
-I )ndjuicettees of the mast.. And when the system
Is fully perfected, the conveyance of cattle alone from
the Westward of the Alieganies to ; our City would
give good employment to one single track railroad.
But the Western breeders and drovers protest, as
they well may, against the expense and delay of
bringing all their Cattle,across the Hudson, when
many of them are driven back again to feed the cit
ies and villages of New Jersey, and they insist that
the grand depot and market should be on the Vest
side of the River. So it ought. Our citizens, too,
protest against the prosecution of Slaughtering, with
its inevitable pollutions, stenches and vermin, in the
heart of our city. ' hey demand its removal, but
the Butchers aro prP 'diced against it, and will hold
od. 31re doubt wh her there is a city so large as
New York in the world which permits Butchering
to be carried on its midst.—New York Tribune.
IMPORTANT QUESTION3.—S om ebody says that a
,young lady should always as the four following
questions- before accepting the hand of a young
man;
Is he honorable?
is he kind of heart?
Can lie support me comfortably?
Due, lie take a Ai terpaper and pas in advance?
Another Steamboat Disaster—Thirty-eight Lives
Lost ! !
On - Sunday night, we regret to learn, the steamer
Dispatch, as she was off Grand River, unfortunately
ran into the steamer C, ommerce, by which "thirty
eight men, out of a detachment of three hundred and
fifty British troops were list.
There werefint twenty•four soldiers ef, the 231
Regiment, an engineer, and the remainder of the
thirty-eight are women and children, it appears
that the, Commerce had but one light, and that at
her mast-head, and was at first mistaken for a schoon
er. According to present accounts, the blame lies
altogether with the Commerce, as she persevered in
crossing the t pourse of the Dispatch while making
the light house, the latter stopping her engine, but
unhappily, too late to prevent the collision. The
Commerce received the shock on the starboard bow,
and nothing could equal the instant confusion and
terror, the cries of men and shrieks of women and
children. Tho Dispatch is lying at the Sandusky
dock, in our harb.ir, having received no injury.
-We learn from Capt. F. W. BILLOIO3, Harbor
MaSter, that the Dispatch had her helm hard down,
i n the hope of avoiding this calamity. The Com
merce was not carrying lights as known to our laws
and navigators. If the Dispatch could have slop
ped her engine when the Captain rang his bell, the
result might have been different. But the Dispatch
is clear of all, blame or censure.—Berslo Courier.
N's:w Selmer. LAw.—The bill regulating. Com
pton Schools, as it pasted the House of Representa
tives ftist week, repeals the 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
and 29th sections of the act of 1849 relative to Pub
tic Schools, and reenacts, the 6th and 7th sections
of the act of 1838 relative to the same subject. The
Beard of Directors of any School District have pow
er, if they see fit, to allot the collection of school
taxes to the lowest and best bidder, under such terms
us they may by their regulations preitribe: Provi
ded, that security shall in no case be taken in a sum
less than double the amount of tax assessed in said
district. The compensation to a collector is not
to exceed five per cent, on the amount of money col
lected and paid over by such c illector on hid dupli
cate. The School Directors of every district in the
State shall annually, on or before the first Monday
of May, and by the votes of not less than four mem
bers of toe Board, levy such tan amount of tax on
their district as shall, together with such additional
sums as the districts may receive tout of the State
Treasury, nod from other non es, be sufficient to
keep the schools open according to the terms of
this.act, and shall establish a sufficient number of
schools to educate every individual of the age of
five years and upwards, residing in the district.—
The School Directors are to determine the length of
time during which the schools shall be kept in ope
ration: Provided, that in no district shall they be
kept open less than three mon tits, and that the amount
of tax levied shall nut exceed five mills on each dol
lar of valuation for any, one year. ' ,This law , shall
continue in force during the next current school
year, ending on the first Monday of June, 1851: af
ter which no change shall be made, unless requested
by a majority of the taxable inhabitants of 'any
school district votiag on the question.
HON. JEREMIAH CLIS3Inss.---ytre copy the follow
ing paragraph lu relation "to this gm/ties/um from
the Boston Post:
The H n. J. Clemons, United States senator
from Alabama. writes to a friend in Vermont, under
date of April 1 4 5, as follows:
"It is my purpose to visit New England this
spring or summer. I wish to show your New Eng
land girls that I am neither a bear nor a tigr, as,
,indging from the letters they sometimes write are, I
fancy they' think I am. I wish also to take by the
hand as many of the officers and soh iers of 'the
Ninth' as I can meet. I promise myself great pleas
ure from the trip."
We are very glad Mr. Clemens has resolved to
visit New England. We have no &mit the visit
will be mutually agreeable to himself and to the
"New England girls"—eepecially to those who
have been writing him such sharp letters. Know
ing them both, we are confident they will find them
selves mutually mistaken with regard to each other's
characters: and we should not wonder if, before his
return,- he should pass a resolution in his own mind
"to cement the bonds of the Union," by uniting him
self to one olthe fair daughters hf the -North who
have been corresponding with him. ‘Vo know, from
our own experience, that they are not implacable
ene m ies. On the contrary, Mr Clemens will find
his pardon granted and signed by,lhese young la
dies before he reaches New Ettgland.—Union
- Mimic At. Discevitar.—it has been ascertained
that the true source of scorbutic disease, as it shows
itself in our ships and prisons, is the want. of potash
in the blood; that salted meat contains little more
than half the potash in fresh meats; and that, while
an ounce of rico contains five grains of potash, an
ounce of potato contains 1,875 grains, which ac
counts for the great increase of the disease since
the scarcity of the potato. In patients under this
disease, t t blood is found to be dificient in potash;'
and it has b n ascertained by repeated experiments,
that. whateve be the diet, such ..patients speedily
recover if is few grains (from twelve to twenty) of
some-stilt of potash be given-daily. Lime juice is
regulaidy - ordered in the navy, 'as a specific for the
disease, and - the reason of efficacy is 1101 the acid,
but the amount of potash, being 886 grains in an
ounce. On these facts, .it - seremi possible to found
a slight, ism very salutary improvement in the na
vy. Let a portion of tartrate of potash be ordered
regularly to be mixed with the lime juice that Is
given tar. for use; and let arrangements. be - adopted
for boiling the salt meat in steam. A large portion
of the salt would thus be eliminated, and the food
made more'wholsome. A similar course might be
'adopted in workhouses and prisons. If so simple a
remedy is I r our hands, it is criminal to neglect it.
Art SCTIVO INCIDSNT.—Tha Sandusky Mirror
gives the following incident in connection with the
account of the explosidn of the steamer Wayne;
The case at r. Archer Brackoey is of thrilling
interest. lie was on his way from Lafayette, la..
to Philadelphia, with
_the remains of his wife and
child, recently deceased. Both the corpses were en
closed in ono box. When the explosion took place,
ho succeeded in dragging his two living children
from their rooms and with them plunged into the
water. ' After 'swimming around for a short time,
he Caine ) in contact with the liar, containing his toile
and child. Upon this he succeeded' fur some time in
keeping himself and children from drowning, although
every wave would roll his frail support. and •plunge
them in the water, until, at last, his little boy, two
years old, was drowned in his arms. After becom
ing satisfied that the boy was dead, ho reluctantly
parted with the body, and turned his attention to
the rescue of the remaining child, who was cling
ing around his neck, crying 4 .Papa! we shall drown!"
Ve finally succeeded in gaining the floating part of
the wreck, with his little daughter, and both were
saved.
GtiLD PENS, AND PEN-A raiEs.—Albert G. Bagley,
the celebrated gold pen manufacturer, was tried last
week in New York, for the seduction .of Miss Car
oline Rimnet, a young girl who was ,in his employ.
The jury rendened a verdict against him, and award
ed $l,BOO damages to the 'father °Pie girl, in whose
name the suit was brought. '
FARMING IN CALTFOR . NIA.—Morgan Bates, Esq.,
formerly editor of the Detroit Advertiser, has gone
to farming in Calfornia. His location is only a
mile and a half from San Francisco. The Detroit
Tribune learns that Bates has some 20 acres fenced
and under cultivation—has a henery feet long
and 13 feet wide, in the centre of an enclosed acre.
Ile is into the poultry trade on a large scale. Eggs
bring 91 to 95 the dozen and chickens $5 a pair.—
Ills original stock he imported from the Sand
wich Islands. He has a vegetable garden of four
acres.
GOLD IN COLUMBIA COONTi.—We are informed
that a lump of mixture of stone and gold, weighing
50 pounds, was found a few days since in this coun
ty. by Mr., George Maus, and that it was Very prob.
able there was a large quantity more of it to be
found at the same place. Our Informant did ,not
show us a specimen of the "precious metal,", ner in
form us where the golden spot
.was, conseqUently
we cermet vouch for the truth of the statement.—
Danville
PLANK Rostis.—lt is but thrce or four years since
these roads, 'were first constructed and 'more than
fitly are now operating pififitably in western "New
York.
News 1) ,. Telegraph to Buffalo.
From Dispatches to the Bahia papers.
NEw Yana; May 7-7 . P. M
We have had thretkarrivals froinAhagros to-dai. first
the Empirq City. 2d•the Georgia, and 3d the Cherokee
Tho Georgia brought the, mails, while the Cherokee
brought the largest amount of gold dust, estimated at
from 1,900,000 to 2.000,000. Tho Georgia also brought
specie and gold dust estimated at about 800,000. The
steamship Sarah Sands and propellor Caroline had left
Panama filled With passongers. The rainy ,. season had
not sot in. and Panama with Chagrei rema ined healthy.
Au expedition had returned from a tour of exploration to
Trinity Lake into which Trinity river empties. btit noth
ing important had resultod beyond the rescue of a
schooner's company left on the coast. The day previ
ous to the sailing of the California, the. Collector of Cus
toms at San Francisc'o was notified that the monies col.
lectod for duties must bo paid 'over to the State govern.
meat, in accordance with a resolution passed by the Leg.
ialature, and steps were being taken to form an indepou.
dent government. Commodore Jones it is said is'about
to take active measures to provont it. A law has passed
the legislature imposing a tairof $25 a month on every
foreigner who works in the mines. The Georgia had a
very quick passage, she sailed from Cl:ogres on the 27th
ult., and run to Hartwig 3 days 12 !Ours. left Havana
on the 30th and , ian - to Now York in 3 days and 20
hours, whole running tinlo:7 days and 8 hours.
Tho Pacific Nows - has thio following: Since our last
issue for the steamer many changes have occurred show
ing the rapid onward course of California. Tho rains
havo ceased and every thing tokens a revival of thp ac
costotnod activity in the business circles. Tho emigration
from the States is beginning to pour in on our shores
in ono unbroken current, and tho steamers plying on our
streams aro crowded to their utmost in conveying pas
sengers and freight to the various cities and hiwns in the
gr . eat interior vallies and to the different mines.
Our accounts from the mines are relinbio and all concur
is stating tho inoxhaustiblo quantity of tho precious me
tal. In fact it is tho opinion of the oldest miners. those
who halo spent the past winter in the mountains. that
the same ground worked over last year will be found
more productive this. While at the same time addition=
al and extonsivo districts are being opened which will give
profitable omploymont for hundreds of thousands for a
generation to canto.
Tho public have boon cautioned against the circuln
ion of spurious gold metal supposed to bo introduced
rom Mexican ports.
CALIFORNIA Lataistavonc.--As the session approaches
a close the proceedings of the legislature becomes more
and more interesting. The duties of the Stato officers
have been defined, the courts organized, the sloe has been
districted and divided into counties. The seats of Jus
tice established, and a civil and criminal' code framed,
but as yet not perfected, as nearly suited as possible to
tho immediate exigencies of the people.
Dk:TROIT, May 7 1850.
The elrtion in Detroit for delegates to the Constitution
al Conention, hat resulted in a Democratic majority of
about 300. As far as hoard from, the Democrats have
eleeted 43, and the. Whigs, 7. There is uo doubt of a
large Democratic majority, as usual.
Wasimidro.v.•Friday Eve. May 3
.The Doorkeeper Investigating Committee will report
as soon as the Member from New Jersey returns ; They
will report against- Horner, and recommend his
dismis
sal.
The Omnibus Committee (on Slavery-, California, the
Territories, &c.,) will report next we ek. They will in
clude the admission of California, the thou:Wary of Tex
as-and Territorial Governments -for Now Mexico and
Utah without mentioning Slavery, all in ono bill. Tho
general opinion hero is that this bill will pass , both /lOU.
tic!.
There is an appearance of increasing coolness between
the Whig Members of Congress and the present Cabinet.
The Compromise Committee will decide to-morrow.
The only questions yet to determine. era the Boundary
between Texas and Now Mexico, and the'compensation'
that shall be pnid to Texas. These will be determined
at that time. The Other questions are all disposed of.
Niel S. Brown, Minister to Russia was confirmed yes
terday.
The barque 'lsab e lla Hayiro" arrived at this port.yes
terday from Rio, whence she sailed on March 25th. She
brings deplorable accounts of Yellow or Coast Fever at
Rio. Several Americans had fallen victims. There
had been, however. a mitigation of its fatality. It raged
the most umong the shipping and lower classes. Many
of the natives had died of fright. Several of the foreign
mercantile houses had closed, owing to the universal
sickness among the inmates; but the American firm s
had been more fortunate. Many members of both llou.
ses of tho'pegislature had fallen victims to the disease.
The United States sloop of war "Marion" sailed from
Rio on the 18th March;having lost ono midshipman and
several of her crow with the fever.
_ The U. States ship .Lexingtou" had sixty cams on
her sick list, seventeen being of tho provailing foyer.—
Lieut. VanderMust, of tho U. S. li,„ died on tho 17th of
March:
Tho epidemic was pronounced by medical men of ex
perience as not boiog Yellow Fever. but the kind that
usually orvails on the coast of Africa; whence the con
tagion probably came.
Business generally was very dull at Rio.
Emsins. N. Y.. May 21 18.50,
Tho Chemung river bridgo and a store each side. ivore
consumed by fire last evening. Loss about $50,000.
It was thought to ho th 6 work of an incendiary. as cam
phine was found poured across the bridge.
SPRINOII.I6I.D, 0., May 1.
Aboll 12 o'clock lost night. the distillery and mill Of
James Itobinson, known as the Peru mills, situated
about 2 miles west of this place. on Mad River were dis
covered to be on fire, and soon the wholo roof of tho dis
tillery was enveloped in flames. No efliciont means
being at hand to check tho progress of tho,firo, the entire
valuablo property. with a large lot of grain, were con
sumed. A high Wind prevailed, which assisted Consider
ably In the spread of the fire. Nothing was saved ex
cept Mr. Robinson's books. The loss is estimated at
near $lO,OOO on which there was no insurance.
Our borough was thrown into great excitement this
afternoon, by tho cry of -.Tire." The Exchange. or
Masonic Hall, in Walnut street, next to Prince's Hotel,
was discovered to be ou fire. The fireman were soon oh
the spot, and in the course of an hour. succeeded in sub
duing tho flames. ,
A man. named Wm. Paxson. was killod this morning
on the Railroad. Middletown. in attempting to detateh a
car. while the train was in motion. Ho fell between tho
cars, and the train passed over his body, killing him in
stantly. '
ARREST TOR MURDER ♦ND Roam:ay.—Four persons
have been arrested for the murder and robbery. about six
years ago, of Mr. Parker, Tax-Collector of Manchester.
N.ll. Their names aro. the brothers. Wentworth of
Saco, Me.. and a man named Clark, a trader in Nashua.
Two,of the %Ventwortha have been hereto arrested, but
discharged for the want of sufficient evidence. D r .
Smith. now in confinement at Saco for murder, is repor
ted to have given information, which is said lb bo very
strong.
WRECK or Tllll WATNR.—The exploded frag
ments of this ill-fated steamer, after floating about
for sevetal days, driven backwards and forwards by
the winds, at length attempted 4 landing on Tues.
day morning last, nine miles east of this city. The
floating mass had kept very closely together, and
the wind changing to the south-west, and after
blowing off land for two days, began to deposit the •
'elution shore, when suddenly it veered round and
sent the floating mass off into the lake. • A coffin,
one chest, and several mattrassee' were , picked up
by the citizens of Euclid. We shall probably hear
from this rubbish again farther down the lake.—
Cleveland Plerindeakr. •
Tho present number completes the 20th• volume - of the
Erie Mercer. To-day this paper is of ago. When,' next
it moots your eye it will boar upon its brow the-signifi
cant figures of "21," indicative that it is its own master—
free todo as it pleases. so - that It treads the beaten paths.
of that great party; for the success-of which it has strug
gled with unswerving devotion duringltho_ entire period
of its existence- Wo,liavo no promises to make for the
futuro—indood it is net ospected of ono,when ho becomes
° r ag e, to bo colinually making promises as to his fu
ture goad behatior—that is the province of youngsters!
As with men, wo wish our future to ho judged by our
past. What the Observer hav boon fur tho
. last seven
years under our mauagement,lt will continue lobo, with
tho exception of such improvements as wo shall from
time to tiwo doom oursolf able to mako. The extent 'of
these improvements will correspond with the patronage
extoudod. Givo us a generous patroungo, not only in
,
name, but iu fact—froo us from the embarrassment of
debts contracted in its publication heretofore, and wo will
promise (although wo have said wo would make no prom
ises,) that. thci Observer shall not bo excelled, in ovary
point that constitutes a newspaper, by any othor publica
tion, either in city or country. But we will gossip no
morn—we aro fteenty-ona to-day—of age—and entitled
to a holliday and a freedom suit, but wo will neither in
indulge in the one nor tho other; for perchance, if we
should claim the first, wo Might' get on a spree, and thus
Ilisgraco our ago and standing; and as to tho other, we
are not out at the elbows enough to be anxious about it.
Wo shall have the pleasure in our next of laying beforo
our readers, the second and concluding speech of Judge
Thompson. upon the Census bill. It is certainly ono of
the most ablo and happy efforts upon that subject in Con
gress. The correspondent of t h e l'ennsylvanitn, a gen
tleman whoso sympathies are in opposition to Judge T.
on this point, says of it:—
"Thank the Lord, the debate on the Census bill, which
had become a tiore, was stopped to-day, at 2 P. M.„ and
the Committoo of tho Whole on the State of the Union,
went onto vote. on various - amendments. proposed to it.
Previous to commencing this work. however, wo wore
treated to the two Lest speeches delivered in the courso of
the debate—from Stephens, of Ga., and Thompson, of
Pa. The offort of S. was a very able argument against
the constitutionality of what the hill proposes to do—to
obtain extensivo industrial statistics in taking the Census.
Mr. S., though usually any thing but a 'strict construc
tionist,' made a speech which, taken by itself, would fair
ly entitle him to demand to be classed at the bond of that
honored band in the House. Though I agree with his
positions on this bill, ono and all. I can but do justice to
the ability—the perspicacity, force, learning and ready
wit, which distinguished the closing argument of Judge
Thompson. who, its course of his lung Congressional ser
vice, never acquitted himself more to the satisfaction of
those sympathizing with him on tho matter in hand. His
opeoch, and that of his colleague, Mr. Strong, are the only
two arguments made in favor of the bill, worthy of boing
dignified with the titlo of argumcnt—There can bo uo
doubt of its onactment by a largo ma;ority."
SAN JOSE, Mardi 27
By the by, we see that the Gazette, as Usual, is dispos
ed to find fault with the Judge for being so "remarkably
quiet the present Session." It "hopes," however, "ho
has made up for it in working efficiency." In this in
stance the Gazette's "hopes" aro gratified. As chairman
of die Judiciary Committee, one of the most important
committees in the !louse, his labors have been most un
remitting and severe, and that he has acqultted himself
throughout with signal ability, is acknowledied by both
sides of tho House. Since ho reported the Census bill,
instead of being "so remarkably quiet." we find him al
most constantly on the floor explaining its various pro
visions and defending its constitutionality from tho attacks
of tho over strict constructionists in the ranks of both
parties. In short, the records show him as ono of the
most industrious and able members of tho present Con
gross.
New YORK - , May
HALRpIIIBURO. May 1.
BOSTON, May 3—P. M.
brie tklttlitti 01)0trutt.
ERIE, PA.
SATURDAY MORNING. MAY 11.4859.
bid of Volume XX.
Judge Thompson's Speech.
7 , " Auditor General—Murray Whallon, Fn.
A correspondent, in our last, recommended the gentle
man whose name head; this article to the Doinocracy of
Pennsylvania for the office of Audittor General. Since
then, as,will be seen by the procoediuds of our county
convention, his name has boon formally brought before
the people, and our delegates to the State Convention
instructed to support him for that office. It is needless
to say that we most heartily coincide with the views of
our correspondent last week. It is no disparagement to
any of the gentlemen named-in connection with this pos
ition to say that not ono of thorn would make a more ett 7
cient or better officer lean this gentleman. Many would
make as good, hat none better! As Collector of this Port,
under the Admidistration of Mr. Polk, he won the con
fidence of all who had business to transact with him
whether political friends or foes. As a Democrat of tho
strictest sect, lie stands unimpoachod. Ili; Democracy,
too, is not of that character which deems its duty to its
party:finished by a simple vote. Believing the success
of the principles and measures of his party essential to
tho welfare of the masses, ho is unremitting in his efforts
to promote their success. Ile is therefore a workig Dem
ocrat:and as such eminently worthy the confidence and
support of the entire party, and should he be nominated
would undoubtedly receive it, and bo elected by au over
whohning majority.
The Drama.
Slitikspeare's master-piece, HAstr.r.v, was performed
oq Wednesday evening to a tolerable house, though not
es full as we wished, or expected. We. in common with
many, distrusted the ability of Mr. Powell's Compaur-;-
though and excellent one—to dojusti co to so heavy and
intricate a piece. but all who had the pleasure of etten
ding'were more than happily disappointed. The entire
piece was sustained with an ofrect that delighted and as
tonished us. Mr. Powell, a c ted the part of Hamlet, and
acquitted bitiaself in a manner that made ;a more favor
able impression as to his ability as an factor than any
character ho bas heretofore undertaken before au
Erie audience. Mrs. P. as the gentle and beautiful
Opholia won the admiration of all. Mr. Brink as the ghost
took admirably. Perhaps his voice was a little too strong,
indicating a better state of bodily health than ono natu
rally ascociatee with wandering gentlemen of the invisi
ble world, but taken as a whole he made a most prepos
sessing ghost. Mr. Churchill, as Claudius, King of Den
mark, showed that lie had the true metal of a good actor
in him, whier only requires study and u opportunity to
develop°. But what shall we say of Tom Morris—the
laughter provoking and lido-spliting Tom—ho was per- ,
reedy "at home" in both the characters of Poloniue and
the Grave Digger. But not to farther particularize, the
whole company excelled the most.sanguine expectations
and fixed the attention of the audience, as the frequent
and rapturous bursts of applause, fully tested.
Tho samo picco will again bo performed on Monday
night, and wo doubt not greeted with jon overflowing
House'.
This evening Knowles' cebrated play of "Tho Wife."
will ho presented. It is a bountiful production, full of
moral and thrilling incident.
Connecticut all Right
The Dorrukcrata'have elected their Speaker in both
branches of the Logislatiue of Connecticut, and the gal
lant Szvisoun, and the other Democratic State officers.
hay been elected t? the places, for which they had re
spectively the largist number of votes at the last election.
It seems to be pretty well established, Wit there will be
little or no difficulty in electing a Democritio United
States' Senator, though the Free Sellers have, as usual
formed n 'operate erganizatiton.
in* Hon. Daniel Webster paid a visit to Boston on
Monday. and was received with public demonstration and
respect. In compliance with the general desire. ho spoke
at some length from the portico of the Revere House,
to the crowd assembled, in reference'io the state of our
public affairs and the slaVery question.—There was quite
a large tur&ont to greet him, and at tho close of his
speech; the ladies testified their approbation by shower
ing bouquets upon him.
. , Rail Roads and Plank Roads:
Tito advauco .of a community in wealth. refinement.
end indeed civilisation. is now, nod has ever been in a
corresponding ratio with the moans and facilities afforded.
either by , nature or art, to a rapid, easy and cheap inter
communlcation with our Atlantic and other commercial
marts. This is so self-evident that a word of illustration
is hardly necessary, What, however, would hero boon
the condition of Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, St Lou
is, chicage; and the hundreds ofiother cities and toiins
scattered along tho banks of tho mighty lakes and rivers
of the west, if those rivers and lakes had novet existed.
Whore wealth now holds her court, and where the busy
hammer of prosperous industry and enterprise resounds
from tho "rising of tho sun to the going down thereof,"
a few years back naught but the low of the Buffalo, or the
war-song of the Indian, disturbed the primeval solitude.
But for the facilities afforded for the easy, cheap and rap
id transit of the emigrant, his goods and tho products of
his industry, by the vast rivers of the west, all that re
gion drained by them would still be, in all human proba
bility, a trackless wildorness—they are 6 tho high-ways Of
nature's own manufacture. The Railroad over which
the locomotive, in another form, carries civilization and
wealth into tho wilderness, causing the desert to blossom
liko the rose, and the "solitary places vocal with
hymns of praise and gladness." Likeunhi these natural
highways, Railroads and tho Plank rolds, penetra
ting tho country in every direction, carry with thorn al:
the moans of luxur y and enjoyment, and promoto-enter
prise and industry. They help develop° the recources of
the country through which they pass, and under their,
stimulous, all dila arts of life flourish more widely; while
commerce derives from this source a greater stimulus to
enterprise, a more enlarged sphere of operations, and
pours' back agaitpthtotigh the Various channels of indus
try by a returning tLtle the resources and the wealth that
had flowed to her borders from within. Thus, every link
in the great chain is strengthened; now relations spring
up, interests are greatly ramified; now regions of produc
, tivoness aro explored, sectional jealousies disapp'ear, and
1 political ties form a closer bond of union. Such is the
-effect of a public high-way whether it be a Lake, a Riv
er, a Canal, a Railroad, or 0 Plank road. But these aro
not the only advantages. They stimulate travel and ob
' servation, and thus beCotne the efficient practical aids to
a system of educatiOn. It is in tho intercourse with
the world that wo can usefully apply the lessons we have
learned at schools; it is amidst our fellow men that our
faculties aro best_ developed and our ellaractors are best
formed. It is there by a wholsomo experience we or
bust enabled to guard against the errors, and to stru g e
with tho di ffi culties of life. And all this is greatly pro
moted by roads. But this intercourse does i ore —it
uproots prejudice, expands benevolence of fo ling, en
larges the principlo of patriotism, and imprples the so
cial condition. In proportion as you strike with such works
of Internal Improvement our lakes ansliivers, our fertile
districts, our'deserted yallios that 17110 in vain beneath
a genial sun, yoti wake into life pencil , portion of earth,
you call new treasures from its z teeming soil, you arm the
sinews Of successfulindustry; and rear in the midst of
solitary wastes tho peacefUl cot. If, then, we would
grow rapidly in population and reconroos, if we would
open new and important avenues to our commerce,
give lifo and spirit to our manufacturers, ' enhance the
value of real estate; give higher rewards to labor,: and
raise the dignity atol importance of our city and con aty..
lot there bo no apathy as to those great instruments of
prosperity and advance vent. Our Railroad enterprises
have reached a point which promise a speedy fruition of
all our most sanguine hopes in that quarter. They re
quire, as it were no more of our energy and care. Not
so, however, with the projected Plank roads. These en
terprises are in their infancy, and all our energies should
now be bent to their speedy completion. Let the me
chanic, the manufacturer, and the agriculturist, all tako
a part in this great work. Let them lay aside a proper
, Lion of their gains to accelerate their progress. It will re
turn to them tenfold. Thoro will be a corresponding ac
tivity, enterprise and accumulation of gain—there will
be comparatively no stagnation in trade, no calamitous
reverses, no-suddeu and violent reactions.
1M
"Nothing te Do."
The Editor oldie Lycotning Gazette very pertinently
and truthfully remarks that "there is no harder work
than doing nothing." The etupifying, languid, unsatis
fying dullness, which always succeeds entire relaxation,
is far more wearying to body and brain than wielding a
blacksmith's sledge, or standingat the tail of a plaw. Ask
the victim of leisure if it is not so. Pleasure palls upon
his hands—life becomes a kind of dreamy vacuity in
which he has no end or aim. Tho energies of manhood
ore numbed—the best impulses of the heart chocked and
chilled—the sweet rewards of successful toil unfelt—the
voice of nature itself affects him not—the springs of life
and volition aro stagnant and the place in the world which
should have boon filled by a man is a void. No excuse
will servo for being entirely idle, for a man may at all
times employ himself soradtato in on honorable way. If
ho has no fdlow feeling for himself, lie should.do some
thing for his friend's sake. Doing nothing a year, will
spoil any man, woman or child, oven as rust will corrode
all iron. Sleeting a man constable would niatirifore=effe - cy
pally enervate Itim,,in a good Booth, wo would as lief see
a woman parlorized and furnished with "Eugene Sue,
complete in two volumes." as to seo her ado-nothing.
Young and old, alike, should be as chary of idle hours as
gin-slings; aye, shun thorn as you would a hot poker or
a cholera patient. You never can keep too much untra
veled country between yourself and them.
Lectures on Antiquity.
Professor atvre, of Buffalo, delivered a lecture upon
the above subject:last evening, at the Presbyterian session
room on Peach street, preparatory to a course on the
same subject, provided sufficient encuragement be/then,
to commence on Monday evening next. Mr. Davis
is highly spoken of in the places where he has jtered.
~..li vu
The following beautiful extract is fro% a " - re , lately
delivered by him in the city of BettV Tii4Aitrican
Antiquities,” and refers to-the Webalteli oliOnent.
- ,
"Why is it that we love to linger aronriAlaanimate
things? It is their connection with mind.thatgives them
such a mastery over mind. Midis old Carthage to us,
but as it brings to our recollection the deeds of a Hanni
bal? And what will your splendiaffionumont bo to our
posterity, but as it will call to their atnembranco the pa
triotism of the Father of his Country? Yet, after the sun
of centuries shall have bathed in:light:that grand statue,
will not the deeds of Washington shine forth from the
pages of history? My hearers are from the South,l
am from the North; yet will not all join in the hope int
its brightest page will be that where we•oro exorted to
avoid 'Uoographical Di stinctions ?' For tho observance
of such advice only can secure to us unimpaired the glo
rious fabric of tho American UNION."
A Rogue of Taste
The New Orleans Picayune gives an account of a
rogue in that city, who, after robbing a gentleman and
his wife, while sleeping. of a gold watch, and a lot of
jewelry, all of which was snugly hid under their pillow,
finWhOd up his nights adventure by helping himself to a
kiss from the cheek of the Jslecping beauty. And the
Delta contains a poom founded on the fact, in which the
wife is rOprasonted as complimenting the husband, when
awaking in the morning. upon the extreme ardor of his
affection, which had eaused'him to embrace her tenderly
in his sloop. After this, they discover that the jewelry
has bean taken by a thief, and the wifo says. "Then the
fellow must hare !Wen that kiss." Ha was an enterpri
sing rogue, any how, besides having an excellent taste
for good things. '
. In Boston tho other day. a man who arse prosecuted
for beating his wife declared that he loved her dearly—
better than anything except rum! Tho woman. too.
avowed that her husband was usually kind, and, as she
was in good health, and able to endure an occasional
drubbing. she hoped the juatico would forgive him and
lot him go free.
Virginia Election.
The returns of die election' recently hold in the old
Commonwealth; indicate tho choice of a large majority
of Demdrata to the legislature: The Democrats hare
: gained so far 0 members of tho Assembly, and the whigs
4. The Legislature will be etromgly Democratic.
Love and Rum.
DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CON vista:lON.
Pursuant to a call of the Central Committee, delegates
from the several Wards, Boroughs and Township s , o f
Erie county. assembled at Brown's Hotel, in Erie, on
Monday the 6th of May.
The Convention was organized on motion of George
11. Gutter, Esq. by calling Hon. JOHN GALRRAITH,
of Erie, to the Chair, and appointing S. F. Wertsza. of
Springfield. and CizzerEss - 13carcx. of Mil!creek, Vie *
Presidents. and A. P. Main, of Erie. Secretary.
Tho object of the convention having been elated by the
Chair, the following gentlemen wore nominated and elect
ed delegates to the State Conirention at Williamsport on
the 29th inst., viz: Hon. John Galbraith, Senatorial, and
llon. James Thempsou and George H. Cutler. Esq.,
Representative Delegates.
To the Congressional convention at NVarron in August
tho following delegates were nominated and elected, viz:
It. S. Brawicy, B. F. Sloan, and Isaac It. Taylor.
On motion a committee of five, consisting of George
11. Cutler, P. F. I. Brown, Fred'k. Zimmerman, Ifum e
It. Taylor, and Gen. James Fleming, was appointed to
draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the conven
tion.
After a short absence the committee returned, and
through their -chairman reported the following, which
were read and unanimously adopted:
Resotred, Thai the Do:Doer:ley of Erielcounty still are,
as they over have been, firm and unwavering in their at
tachment to the Anierican Union s and indignantly frown
upon any attempt, from whatever source it mayemanate,
or under whatever motive it may be designed, to weaken
or rend assunder thoco sacred ties that bind 03 together
its ono people under ono common system of government.
•
Resolced, That they regard the Constitution of the
United States as the noblest production of the wise vat
riots and sages of our own glorious revolution—forming
by its nicely adjusted checks and balances the most per
fect and unexceptionable system of government, and the
clearest charts of the rights of man, ever devised by hu.
man wisdom; and to its salutary and equal provisions
they jdeolare thews Ives ready andwilling to yield a cer.
dial, 'hearty and Oiling support.
Resolced, T i liiit they cannot fail, to regard with sense-,
tions of profolind regret and alarm the undue and uncal
led for altition of any question which is, even in the
most re tote degree, calculated to endanger the Union,
or w} ken the attachment of any portion of their fellow
/
cit'zlins to the confederacy of States; and they look upon
forced adherence, or a peaceable disruption fifth° gov
ernment, as alike disastrous and subveisive of the funda
mental principles upon which it was founded;—lt having
its origin in mutual concession and compromise—the
band which alone can sustain it and secure its perPetuity,
being those of mutual good will and mutual interests.
Ecsoiced, That we regard the agitation of the subject
of slavery, beyond the states in which it exists, as calcu
lated to estrange one section of the Union from the other,
and to engender sectional jealousies. That, while es
Pennsylvanians wo regard the institution of Slavery as a
groat political and moral evd, yet, having abolished it
ourselves, and our power over the institution having
ceased, so. also, has our responsibility. .
Resolved, That, believing that slavery does .not and
cannot exist in the territories acquired from Mesieolvith
out a positive law establishing it. we are in favor of the
formation of Governments for'ihe territories without any
allusion to the subject of slavery. . .
Resolced, That wo era in favor of the admission of
California and the abolition of the slave trade in the 130%.
trict of Columbia.
&soloed. That the eourse of Judge Thompson, our
able representative in the' r National Congress, meets with
our unqualified approbation.
On motion it Was Resared, That the delegates elected
to the State Convention be instructed to support Gen.
SETH Ccovr.n as the nominee of that Convention for the
office of Canal Commissioner. and MURRAY Wut.t.os Esq.
for Auditor General—and that the delegates to the War.
ren convention he instructed to support the Hon. Janes
Tuossrsos for Congress.
Rcsolccd, That in case of the inability of any ono of
the delegates to attend at either of the Conventions. the
remaining delegates to that convention may appoint
substitute to supply the vacancy.
Re:golfed, That the proceedings of this meeting Le
signed by the officers and published in Democratic pa
pers in tluzi District and at Harrisbuurg.
JOHN GALBRAITH, Pres't,
STEPHEN F. ,V {RcLR,
+i V. Freels,
CLEMENS BUSICX,
A. P. Durk:, Sec 7.
Spoken like a Man.
_The following from the Buffalo Courier, in reference to
the arrangemena between the Erie and North East, and
the New York and Erie Railroads, by which Erie be
comes the virtual terminus of the latter, is spoken out
like a man. It is a generous tribute to the foresight and
energy of the managers of an enterprise which cannot
fait to become a formidable Competitor for the great and,
growing trade and travel of the lakes, the monopoly of
which Buffalo has so long and profitably enjoyed. Al
though snore •deeply interested than any other, point in
the connection of the State Line road with this place.
Thcresii of Buffalo, unlike some of their cotemporarics
along the liner of that road, have not thought it worth
while to whine about the arrangement / between the Erie
and North East road and the New York and Erie road
being "contrary to all implied faith with tho Buffalo and
State Line Company." They know very well that it
was to the interest of the Erie and North East Company,
as well afithat of our city. to make the arrangement,they
did, and they aro willing to give us credit for so capital a
move. But to the article from the Courier.
"ERIE AND THE N. Y. - AND ERIE R. R.—The directors
of the N. Y. and Erie Railroad have consummated an
arrangement with the directors of the road from Erie to
North East by which the former road is to be connected
with the latter, and the whole completed and in working
order by the Ist of May, 1851. The operation is highly
creditable to the enterprise and forecast of our Erie neigh
bors, and cannot fail to exercise an important and benefi
cial influence upon the business' of that place. They
hove appreciated, far more than our own citizens, the
importance of an early connection with the great South
ern thoroughfare, and have acted open it with prompti
tude and effect.
Glances at Congress.
Tho gossiping sketches upon our •outside, tinder this
head, will be road with interest.- They are written in
Forney's usual racy and sparkling style, and for impar -
iality and truthfulness of delineation, so for AB our knowl
edge extends, are unsurpassed by any thing we have ever
read.
Honors to the Fallen Brave.
"The Texas Alonutnental Committee," is the title of
a company chartered by the last Legislature of Texas for
tho purpose of erecting a historic monument on the
Colorado, uoar Lagrange. over the decimated remains
of the Mier prisoners, and of those who fell at Goliad,
Alamo, and San Jacinto—to which place of common in
terment the remains of - all aro to be gathered.
Very Improbable.
The Lowell Courier says Dr. Webster is desirous that
an early day u possible a hould be assipied for his exe
cution. We rather sloubt it. While' time is life, there
is hope, and it is not impossible, though hardly probable
that his sentence will bo commuted.
Cdok's Eagle Saloon.
This establishment, under the management of the pro•
sent Superintendant, Mr. Halms. is fast gaining a char
acter for every• thing that is good to eat or drink. For
a forenoon or an afternoon Lunch. it is unsurpassed;
while the great variety or catibles and drinkablee spread
out in profusion in the window, look so tempting that
even the Ladies cannot withstand tho invitation, - for we
■ee from our window ono now and then venturing down
end making their purchases from the tempting stock of
fruits, eze... offered for sale.
07 Tho Conneaut Reporter has got anew dress. Dit•
to the Mayville Sentinel. •
0""Am dis a dagger dnll sees beforo me!" A Pitts•
binglepaper brags of a "gammen ob color" in that city
named Jones, who reads Shakspeare. Wonder if it's
he samo Junes that tho Buffalo Courier tendered immor •
tal.