Intelligencer & Journal. E. W. HUTTER, EDITOR Lancaster, December 26, 1848. CJ*To enable those in our empioy to suspend labor on Christmas, we have forwarded our mail papers in advance of the usual time. Our city patrons are served on the regular publication day. 117“ Our Carrier will present himself to our city-subscribers, on New Year's morning, with the customary address. He has been punctual in his calling, and deserves to be remembered. Oy We owe thanks to Messrs. Judd & Murray for a very handsome copy of Bacon's Lives if the dpostles" —an acceptable holiday gift. ET We are authorized to announce that THOS- H. BURROWES, Esq. will be a candidate for the Mayoralty of this city—subject to the Democratic nomination. STATE CEWTH4E COMMITTEE, The.members of the Democratic State Central Committee are requested to convene at the house of HENRY BUEHLER, in Harrisburg, on Tuesday, January 2, 1849, at 7 o’clock P. M.. for the purpose of fixing the time and place for the meeting of the next Democratic Stat,e Convention to nominate a candidate for Canal Commissioner. E. W. HU ITER, Chairman. Lancaster, Dec. 25, 1848. HT The nomination of a candidate for Canal Commissioner, to succeed Mr. Power, the present whig incumbent, will be a most important and re sponsible duty. The Democracy- of Pennsylvania have been unexpectedly defeated the present year, and the election of a member of the Canal Board, next October, will afford the first opportunity to retrieve their shattered reputation. Too much pru dence cannot be exercised in the nomination, lie should be a Democrat above reproach, of high per sonal probity, free from faction, and combining, if possible, some of the modern elements of availa bility. We do not advocate the latter, at the ex pense of principle, but when we can find them uni ted, all the better. The time has been in Pennsyl vania, when a Democratic nomination wassynono mous But that time, is not now. It may sound very courageous to say: “ Poh! It is a matter of no consequence, whom we take, for we are so strong that we can elect any body we choose to nominate.” But this Mr. Any-Body, how ever irresistible in his day, is evidently worn out in the service, and in the selection of candidates hereafter we must have an eye to general and sec tional popularity. We have no desire to anticipate events, but, in our opinion, the next candidate for member of the Canal Board should be taken from the North. The East is well represented by that honest and high .toned Democrat, Judge Loxgstheth, and the West by her gallant Painter. On the score of sectional claims, therefore, not to speak of much unrequited, political service, the-‘glorious North" will hold a title that cannot be consistently or safely slighted. Next State Convention. The Pennsylvanian and Pittsburg Post both com mit an error in supposing that the 30th of August Convention had designated Pittsburg as the place for holding the next State Convention. By refer ence to the official reports, we discover that the fol lowing proceedings took place : (i Mr. COX submitted a resolution that hereafter the Democratic State Convention, for the nomina tion of State Officers, Presidential Electors, and other purposes, shall beheld alternated in the East, West, end North, at such places as the State Ventral Committee may designate — the next convention TO BE HELD IN THE WEST. Mr. FRAILEY moved to postpone the wind subject which was disagreed to. “The resolution was thereupon adopted —yea 75, nays 48.” It is. therefore, a mistaken impression, that the city of Pittsburgh was definitely agreed on as the place of meeting. It was only resolved, in general terms, that the next Convention meet “in the West" —and it will hence be competent for the State Central Committee to fix on Greensbtirg, Mercer, Meadville, Beaver, Butler, oj any other of the other respectable towns out there. We think it would present a nice question for casuists, whether any State Convention has the right to bind its uncreated successor, and by a kind of political predestination summon him, nolens volens, before he is born, across the Alleghenies. We question whether a precedent can be found in Pufff.ndorf or Vattkl. But for the sake of peace, we suppose the behest will have to be obeyed. “ The West” is famous for “strikes, and as the mountain has so often come to Moham med, it is perhaps fair that Mohammed should for once go to the mountain, yea, if necessary, across it. The men of “the West" may expect us, therefore. When, they will be told presently. Mr. Bucbanan. The Examiner does not attempt to disprove the “ absurdities and inequalities” of the Tariff of 184-2, but seeks to bolster up the defunct law by the use of great names. We are reminded that James Buchanan voted for the law. So he did. But the Examiner forgets to add, that both he and Silas Wright voted lor it under a protest, as a choice of evils, the bill having been presented to the action of the Senate at the very close of the session, when it was impossible to get up anothei. Mr. Buchanan distinctly declared: “ It is a bill of which I do not approve, and for which 1 ivould not vote, were it not for the present unparalleled condition of the existing law, the treasury and the country." “ I shall accept this now," he said, “ as much the least of tioo evils, and look forward ivilh a hope to better j times for an adjustment of the tariff, on a scale more j consonant with all the great und various interests oj the Union" \ Appointment by the Canal Board. John Mitchell, a former Canal Commissioner, has been appointed Supervisor of the Western Di vision of the Pennsylvania Canal, vice Alexander A Deserved Compliment. The Senate of the U. States, on motion of the gallant Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, ordered of 20,000 extra copies of the report of Secretary Walker. This is a much greater than the usual number. . ID* Thanks to the lady who sent us a present of a mince pie.— Carlisle Volunteer. Enviable Bratton ! A mince-pie and from a lady! We have also frequent presents of pi. but unluckily without any mince. ICrThe Inspector of Butter and Lard for Phila delphia has not yet been appointed. This must be a fat office. ..State Treasurer.— A correspondent of the *Examiner Herald recommends the election of R. Bryan, Esq., of this city, to the office of State Treasurer. ' two locofoco U. S. Senators from Loui siana, it is said will give a liberal support to Gen Taylor’s administration.— Carlisle Herald. So shall we—provided it sustains the measures of the Democratic party. E3* Gen. Tilton paid a visit to a girl's schoo in New Orleans recently, kissed all the pretty girls, and was kissed by them in return. The General is also receiving just now, an unusual share of lip service from the sterner sex, who want offices, not kisses, in return. No Thanksgiving in Virginia.— -One of the Richmond papers, in noticing the fact, says:-_l n this. State, we believe, it is considered unconstitu-, tional to thank God, and certainly not contempla. ted by the resolutions of ’9B and ’99,' Christmas, This time-honored, ancient, and holy Festival greets us once more—and we most heartily wish that it may be, to all our readers, a season of true and -unalloyed enjoyment. The birth-day of Christ has been celebrated, both as a day of merry making and as a religious festival, from an early period, commencing near the Christian era. That 1 it was not celebrated by the earliest disciples is pro bably to be accounted for from the fact that the early Christian usage was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons, rather than their birth. Thus, the death of the first martyr, St. Stephen, and the massacre of the Holy Innocents by Herod, was celebrated long before the festival of Christmas. Among the Christians who earliest observed the festival of the nativity there was a difference of opinion in respect to the day. The Latin Church had always observed the 25th of December, but the Eastern Church, when they began to celebrate the nativity, observed the <’.th of January. In the 4th century, however, the church in the East, and in every part of the world, united in the observance of the 25th of December, which has since universally regarded as the day. It is the event, how ever, and not the time of its happening, which is important to mankind, and it was, therefore, well to drop the controversy as to the precise period in chronology that should be observed. 'I here are, however, various methods of com memorating Christmas. The custom of merry making is vety ancient, and probably originated from the fact that the 25th of December was the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol, called the feast of Yule or Jul, it being the period of the winter solstice. This will appear from the character of the games, sports, and superstitious customs, which were common in the north of Europe in the I sth century, some of which are to this day observed, even in parts uf Scotland and Wales. In some Scotland he who first opens the door on Yule day expects to prosper mor# than any other member of the familt during the futuie year, be cause he “ lets m Vide.' Early in the morning, as soon as any ol the family are up, a new broom is set behind the outer door—a large log, or block of wood, called the “Yule log," or “Christmas log," is laid on the fire on Christmas eve, and, if possible, kept burning - all the following day, or longer. Dining the consumption of the log, the servants are entitled, by custom, to ale at their meals. All these are customs and superstitions dearly of Hea then origin. '1 he other customs oil-" bringing in the boat's head.” following, the "Lord of Misrule, ’ wax candles, adorning the house with ever greens, sending-round the wassail howl, indulgence in.hit turkiefc and mince-pies, playing hunt the slipper or bliiidman's bull; with sundry mysterious visits Irom Santa Claus—all these can be traced back to the rude superstitions of our Anglo Saxon ancestors, if not beyond. The social customs of Christmas are unquestionably fraught with much true hilarity. Ihe simultaneous in-gathering of neighbors and consequent interchange of salutations—the visit of married children-to parents, and not untrequeutly ot grand-children, to sit upon the knee of venerable progenitors, and receive gifts and blessings—the in nocent gambols and recreations of youth, 'ere com merce with the world has turned into tempest the stream of life, which is now spread like a smooth mirror before them—and, to crown it all, the pressing into the delicate and trembling and plight ed hand the elegantly bohnd Annual, with its tales, its poetry, and its engravings—surely here is cause for congratulation. Fortunate for us that the rugged pathways of life are relieved by these appointed seasons of rejoicing, marked as they are by such exquisite humanities as' to drive long in dulged animosities Irom their fastnesses, to make room tor tho>e kindlier passions which preserve people from degeneruling into that kind of selfish individuality, which too often inhitmanizes ifiem imperceptibly. But immeasurably above and beyond these. we must class the joys ol the "peculiar people,” who are wont to greet each recurring anniversary of the nativity as a strictly religious Festival. Such was doubtless its origin, as its name signifies—Clirist mass. -Mass" is a wold ot Latin extraction, from missa, which, at the time the festival of Christmas was established, signified “ Divine Service." Christ mass, therefore, signifies a -scrviic of Prayer and Thanksgiving to Christ . 1 The incarnation and birth of the earth's crucified Redeemer, deserves to be commemor ite.l with gratitude and purposes.of re newed dedication to His service. An eloquent writer remarks: - We cannot too often, nor with too deep sentiments ot adoring wonder, contemplate the amazing love of God in sending His Bcm to seek and save them which were lost. And how deep and heartfelt should be our gratitude to the blessed Son of God, that He consented to empty Himself ol His gloiies, and to forego the receiving, during a pilgrimage of more than thirty years upon our earth, of the accustomed anthem-peal of ecstacy from a million of rich voices, the bowing down of sparkling multitudes, and the flowing homage of immortal hierarchies—that he consent ed to move on a province of His own empire, and yet not to be recognized or confessed by his crea tures—to walk among men, scattering blessings as He trode—whilst the anthem ot praise floated riot around Him, and the air was often loaded with “the curses ami the blasphemy"—and to pass to and fru through the tribes He hud rfftule, and whom He had come down to redeem—-while scarce a solitary voice called Him blessed, scarce a solitary hand was stretched out in friendship, and: scarce a solitary roof proffered Him shelter Surely we have abundant reason for Joy and. Rejoicing, for Thanksgiving and Praise, at the return of another festival ot Tut: Nativity.” 66 GOLD DUST.” The Pulmt.a xu the Gout Fever. —The sub ject of the California gold excitement is beginning to claim the attention of the pulpit.' The Rev. Mr. Putnam of Boston, on Sunday last, preached upon the subject, his text being from Proverbs—“ How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!" The Rev. Dr. Frothingham. of the same city also deliver ed an eloquent discourse from Job xxli, 24 —“Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and The gold of Ophir, as the stones of the brooks.” Take Care of tour Eyes. —A man who has returned from California, being asked what goods were the best investment to be carried to Califor nia, replied, “Green Spectacles, by all means; for they are .needed to protect the eyes of the gold diggers from the brilliancy of the metal.” The Gold Fever in New York. —An adver tisement, in the Sun, calls for two hundred respect able young ladies, immediately to go to California. The jewellers have also formed an association-to emigrate thither. UT* The Editor of the Boston Transaipt wants a specimen of California “gold dust.” -He says he has no idea of emigrating to that unhappy country at present, but would not object to receive speci mens of the precious metal. A Yankee in Luck. —David Carter, a Yankee, who left Monterey, California, Sept. 1, and arrived at Philadelphia, Dec. 8, brought gold to the mint to - the value of $35,000. He obtained it in barter from different individual operators, and realizes a handsome profit. _ , The Crowd at Panama. —The latesL account from Panama reports 0000 persons gathered there awaiting some means ol conveyance to the »o!d region of California. Suicide. —John Lyle, ol Bart township, com. mitted suicide on the7thinst. Pecuniary embar rassment supposed to have been the cause. ID* Theodore- Psjrker, in a late sermon, says 'that grand-fathers of many men, who now-a-days 'are studying heraldry to get-at their patent nobility, had not even a coat to their arms. False Prophets. Hon. James Pollock, the whig member of Con gress from Northumberland county, in this State, declared in his speech on the tariff question, deliv ered in the House of Representatives*June .27, 1840,as follows: “I believe Secretary Walker “will find himself in his premises'and bis “conclusions. Instead of the revenues being tncreo ‘•sed in the manner and to the amount named, they ‘•will be diminished in a greater proportion. I will •‘not undertake to review all his calculations—but “if Secretary Walker, or any of his friends, can “prove that the proposed bill (the tariff of 1846) “will increase the revenue—the duty on Tea and “ Coffee included —five millions, 7am ready to re lnmti& all my own theories and principles, and be * “ come a convert to the Free Trade doctrine.'' —[See ap pendix to Congressional Globe , Ist Session. 29th Con gress, page 720.] Here is a prediction coupled with a promise—a -whig representative, in the face of the world, ven turing to playfProphet, and backing it up yvitb a pledge. Well now what are the facts? Why, in stead of the tariff of 1846 having failed as a revenue measure, its success lias far outstripped theicalcu lations of even its most sanguine supporters.— Without the Tea and Coffee tax, it has yielded more revenue, per annum, than the tariff of 1840, to the amount of over SEVEN MILLIONS ! Well now, as Mr. Pollock solemnly declared, in case the in crease should be only Jive millions, even with a tax on tea and coffee, [which did hot pass,] that he w;ould • n'liotnue all his own theories and principles ami become it tonvert to the Free Trade doctrine now remind him of his Vow and invoke him to its performance. He is still in Congress, and we shall send him a copy ol to-day s Inlelligenicr , that he may not have even the lame excuse of forgetfulness. Although a political opponent, we have ever esteem ed Mi. Pollock as an honest and an upright man, and we take for granted that he will be as good as his word. We shall give him a cordial welcome into our ranks. Tjie condition on which it depen ded having been fulfilled, he is too high minded a gentleman, we know, to “ break the pledge.” Hon. James Blanchard, the whig representative horn the Centre district, was equally unfortunate in his predictions. He said: “1 will now endeavor “to show how Pennsylvania will be affected as a “State by the passage of this bill. She is now up “ wards ol forty millions in debt for her public • woiks, and the debt is as much a lien on our real “property a>. a specific mortgage. It must be paid “by us. or our children must pay it. We are now taxed as high as we can bear to pay this very "debt, and we have? difficulty in paying the interest •‘semi-annually. But we are going on prosperously “under the tariff ol 1842. We have paid off the “I-ebruary interest, and have a fair prospect of pay ing the August instalment. But pass this bill , and we must stop and repudiate from necessity. Onr good “old .honest (Quaker Commonwealth must be dis- “graced by repudiation and breach of faith, which “we earnestly desire to keep sacred, as we have "always done. Yes, public repudiation and private "insolvency must lake place, ij this bill becomes the - hue of the land. —[See Jlppendix to Congressional Glube. Ist Session, 29th Congress, page 1005.] It is important to remark that these predictions were uttered 22, IS-lii. How have they been fulfilled i Why, on the next-coming Ist of August, only about lour weeks aftei wards, the semi-annual instalment ol interest was promptly paid under the administration ol the lamented Francis R. Shuxk, and it has been punctually paid ever since. The tariff' of 1840 was passed, in spite of the lugubrious lamentations ol Mr. Blanchard, and yet the “old Quaker Commonwealth,'' lor which lie expressed such intense solicitude, has not repudiated her debt, and has not failed to pay the interest. W'e cannot discover that Mr. Blanchard “took the pledge,” as did Mr. Pollock, which we regret, for we should delight to hold a lien upon his political Conscience, also, and reclaim both from the error of their ways. Surely they will not now sin against Light and Knowledge. “There’s Joy in London now,” The High Tory presses of Great Britain are giv ing vent to a perfect paroxysm of joy, over the de feat of Geu. Cass as a candidate for the Presidency. The London Tunes and the London News both abound in the most enthusiastic congratulations, and we should not be astonished to learn by the next steamer, that these offices, a la North American, had been illuminated from cellar to garret, with an additional display of Fire Works Irom Tower Hill. Perhaps Queen Victoria herself, forgetting the claims of the nursery, may be induced to make the event the subject of a congratulatory proclama. tion from the throne, and it may also be a meet occasion fora ministerial banquet, and other jube laut exercises of royalty. Who knows, but that the aristocracy in and about Hyde Park may be even provoked, in the plentitude of their rejoicings, to the raising of a “ Taylor Relief Fund' for the benefit of the poor in that great metropolis, of which, as report hath it, there are quite a goodly number. It may be a weakness on our part, but we con fess to uo small annoyance from this spectacle. If any circumstance could increase our regret that Gen. Cass was not elected, it would be these inso lent rejoicings of the British Press. It was natural enojigh that they should dislike the noble Patriot, who defeated their Quintuple treaty, but that the American people have ministered to their hatred is a source of severe mortification. The Time for Argument. Democrats of Pennsylvania, now is the proper time to confront your political opponents in discus sion of the tariff question. With Secretary Wal kers stupendous Report as a text-book, you can meet the entire host of protectionists in the field of argument, und vanquish them with the utmost ease and certainty. Now there is a season of compara tive cairn, and there are no votes to be gained or lost. We suggest to our Democratic cotemporaries, ‘ therefore, to devote themselves henceforward to the noble task of rolling back the tide of prejudice and unbelief, which exists in Pennsylvania on this sub* jert. Too many of us have stood aloof from the tariff "question—have been under the dominion of unworthy fears—whilst our opponents have every where sown the seeds of Error and De lusion. We do not accuse any one, where almost all have been to blame. Indeed, we do not feel ac quitted of censure ourselves.. But let us shirk the question no longer. An ounce of example is worth whole tons of precept, and behold what mighty re sults the tariff of 1840 has accomplished—and mightier are still in store. Commerce is expand ing her proud sails into distant lands, and with it the blessings of Civilization and Christianity are diffused. Cities and towns, swarming with a busy multitude, are springing up, as if by necromancy, in places where recently the Savage chased the deer from his covert. Thousands and tens of thousands, escaping from the oppressions o& the Old World, are flocking to our hospitable shores. Our “ striped bunting once the scoff of a haughty rival, flaps its folds in triumph over land and sea, acknowledg ing no superior. And all this is happening under Democratic auspices, and as the fruits of a policy which our opponents declared would entail “min” upon the country! These facts are worth whole volumes of logic. Let us keep them before the people. North Carolina Senator. Hon. George E. Badger (whig) has been re-elec ted to the U. S. Senate by the Legislature of North Carolina, for the term of six years, commencing March 4th, 1849. This was . one of the doubtful elections. ID* The New York Tribune says that Father Matthew’s long talked ol visit to the United States is again postponed, but that it is the reverend gen tleman’s “positive intention” to come over “early in the spring." $37,472,757!- A'Fact for Farmers to remember! Daring the year ending June; 30th, 1848, which was not the year of the Famine abroad, the export of Brxadstuits and Provisions, under the tariff of 1846, amounted to THIRTY-SEVEN MIL LIONS, FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN DOLLARS. This is much more than double the annual average export under the tariff of 1§42. This immense foreign'market the high tariff party in Pennsylvania are anxious to cut off, with all its attendant advantages to the Commerce and Navigation of the country. Farm, ers of Lancaster county, what thiuk you of such short-sighted policy 1 Are you willing to surrender the foreign market for your products, and then be Taxed four-told more than is necessary in the bar gain! And all this for the benefit of a mere hand ful of manufacturers, who are not content unless they amass a million in a year! $7,007,280 96. This is the average amount of revenue, which has annually accrued to the United States Treasury under the tariff of 1846, over and above the average amount annually received under the much vaunted tariff ol 1842. \ye give the amount in words, as well as in figures, that there may be no mistake about it. It is': SEVEN MILLIONS, SEVEN THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED and EIGHTY DOLLARS and NINETY-SIX CENTS! Remem ber, this is the increase only in a single year. In ten years the increase \yould be over SEVENTY MILLIONS! And this is the tariff Jaw, forsroth, which the Federal politicians in Pennsylvania are anxious-to’repeal! Partisan madness and infatua tion could not go further. Appointing 1 Relatives to Office. The illustrious Jefferson, whose writings will forever constitute an inexhaustible sprifig of politi cal wisdom, uttered the following clear, forcible, and patriotic language on the moral propriety of ap pointing kinsmen to lucrative stations.' We ex tract it from Tucker’s Life ol Jefferson, where, it appears in a letter written to, a friend: “Bringinginto office no desire of making it sub servient to my own private interests, it has been no sacrifice, by postponing them, to strengthen the confidence of my fellow-citizens. But I have not felt equal indifference towards excluding merit from office, merely because it was related to me. How ever, I have thought it my duty to do so. that my constituents may be satisfied, that, in selecting per sons for the management of their affairs, I am in fluenced by neither personal nor family interests— and especially that the field of public office will not be perverted by me into a FAMILY PROPERTY. On this subject, I had the benefit of useful lessons from my predecessors, had I needed them, marking what was to be imitated, and what avoided.” Mr. Jefferson must have frequently heard Gen. Washington highly eulogized for havingjimrbe stowed a public appointment on a relative, and Mr. Adams as often severely censured, for two or three prominent cases, in which he had conferred offices upon members of his own family. Twenty Years Ago! “ Huzza Fon Jackson !’ We have discovered so little of a gratifying na ture in the election results of the present year, that we could not refrain from refreshing ourselves, and we trust our readers, with a re-publication of the vote of Lancaster county for President in IS2S, when the heroic Jackson and the younger Adams Were the opposing candidates. We extract them from the files of the Journal of that year. It -will be seen, that the “Glorious West Ward" on that occasion alone gave 478 Democratic majority, and the East Ward 327—together 81)5 Strasburg, Martic, Leacock, Conestoga ami M-unil ’Joy all gave majorities for Jackson —but how altered now! Official Return of Votes given in the county of Lancaster, for Electors of President and Vice President of the United States, on Friday, Oct. 31, 1828. Districts. Jackson. Adams- C West Ward - 563 85 Eastward - - - - 447 120 bj Lancaster township - - 57 ID £] Manor 55 43 Manheim - SO 69 r* I East Hempfield 39 27 2. Drumore - - - -118 93 3. Elizabethtown - 157 161 4. New Holland ... 170 319 5. Winter’s - - - - 122 113 6. Strasburg - - - - 312 .202 7. Maaheim 8. Salisbury 9. Reamstown 10. Maytown - - - - 142 74 11. Churchtown - - - 210 101 12. Martic .... 115 94 13. Bart 159 63 14. Colerain - 125 28 15. Little Britain - - - 143 175 16. Litiz - - - - - - 152 175 17. Marietta - 143 79 18. Columbia 18? 249 19. Sadsbury 82 79 20. Leacock - 237 151 21. Brecknock - 68 47 22. Mountioy - - - - 138 87 23; Petersburg - - - - 78 123 24. Lampeter - 100 219 25. Conestogo - 154 75 26. Washington ... 153 145 2?rEphrata 5 - - - - 102 106 Total Majority for Jackson, 1467 ! In October of the same year, James Buchanan, Joshua Evans and George G. Lf.ipeii, the regu larly nominated Democratic candidates, were elect ed to Congress, from the 4th district, composed of Lancaster, Chester and Delaware counties, by the following vote: Lanc’r Chester Dela. Total. Jas. Buchanan, dem. 5203 3813 989 10,005 Josh. Evans “ 5169 3783 981 9,933 G. G. Leiper “ 5148 3735 976 9,859 Wm. Heister fed. 3904 3767 1287 8,958 Town. Haines “ 3909 3804 1300 9,013 Sam’! Anderson “ 3915 3893 1319 9,127 Mr. Buchanan’s majority in the Lancaster-city district alone was 1,06%! These were times worth remembering. A Lady in the Editor’s-Chair. —The wife of the editor of the Shawneetown Advocate in the ah" sence of her husband/publishes a card with her proper signature, stating that until his return, she has assumed the editorial duties of the paper. Sympathy for France.. —The result of -the Rev. Mr. Bridel's mission to this country has been very successful. He bears with him to France $7,400 collected in behalf of the Paris Society. $2,000 for the Foreign Evangelical Society, whose principal field is France and missionary operations in France. Total $ll,OOO. Connubial Bliss. —Among other announce ments in the New Orleans papers is the following: Married. —At Baton Rouge, on the sth instant, Col. William Wallace Smith Bliss, of the U. S. Army, to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Major General Zachary Taylor, President elect of the United States. The Man who Robbed the Treasurer’s Office of Bedford county, Pa., in August last, has been ar rested. His name is Samuel Waters, a former steward of the poor house in Bedford. $l5OO of the money has been recovered. Missouri—official. —The total vote in all ex cept two counties is, Taylor 32,071, Cass 40,077. Cass majority 740 G. Charles Polk, cousin of the President, died aj San Augustin, Texas, on the 10th October, aged 89 years. ID" Charles McVean, United States District Attorney Tor the State of New York, died at his residence, on Thursday night. - Indiana. — The- official yote of is as follows: for Case, 74,694; for Taylor, 70,159; for Van Boren, fi>642. Can oyer Taylor, 4,53,5. STEWS BY THE MAILS. ! Slavery in the District—-Meeting in the Senate Chamber. Washington, Dec. 22. The passage in the lower House of Mr. Gott's resolution, instructing the committee on the Dis trict of Columbia to report a bill prohibiting the slave trade in the District, has caused the most in tense excitement here. The Southern members of Congress, of both parties, met in caucus, in the Senate chamber, at halt-past 7 o'clock this evening. Senator Metcalfe presided. Representative Venable acted as Secre tary. A series of resolutions touching the extension of slavery in new territories was offered. Mr. Morse, of Louisiana, led off in a powerful and eloquent speech. Several animated speeches were made. The attendance was very large, and much in terest was manifested in the proceedings. Senator Benton was not present. Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge. » ’ HAnnisnuno, Dec. 00, 1848. The whole of the stone work, contracted for by Holman, Simons & Burk, of the new bridge over the Susquehanna, four miles above this town, now being constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Compahy, was completed this day at o'clock. About one dozen of spans of the bridge are also up. It will be ready for use in GU days. DreadfUl Steamboat Accident. s ‘ Louisville, Dec. 2d. The steamboat American burst her connection and steam pipe, when withm a'few miles of Madi son. on Tuesday night last. Ten persons were se verely scalded. Mr. Rockwell, the first clerk of the boat, in addition to being badly scalded, was se riously injure 1 internally. Mr. Samuel Price, the first engineer, and Mr- T. M. Leeker, the second clerk, are not expected to survive their injuries. A new proposition was offered in the House to day, by Soilers,” for the purpose ot effect ing an organization, which was agreed to by the Democrats. The Whigs were absent, however, amusing themselves around town. It is now clearly settled, that there will be no organization of'the Legislature, if the Whig leaders can prevent it.i The Whigs were more insulting to-day than usual, and in consequence, the excitement is rapidly increasing. The prospect is, that there will be a general political chaos in this State for years. The Rev. Mr. White, a very distinguished divine of this place, committed .suicide to-day. No cause is assigned for the rash act. Short Commons. Washington, Dec. 18, 18-18. We hear, occasionally, in an indirect, yet authen tic way, from Old Zack. He k@eps as circum spect as an old hare in a hollow tree, when the hounds are out? He don't p'-omise any thing to any body, but appears to be quite taken up with the news ot the gold region on the Sacramento, and the chances of Louis Napoleon. We under stand that it is his opinion Napoleon will be elected. Col. Bliss, being of a literary turn of mind, goes for Lamartine. Such is the extent of our informa tion from Gen. Taylor, with regard to his new cabinet. On the score of rotation, the late election is regarded by Old Zack, as a victory of the people; in the consummation of this victory he includes whig* and democrats, and promises to fill vacancies as they may occur by deaths and resig nations. Thjat's a small margin. “ Few die, and none This information certainly justifies the impression that the election of Gen. Taylor will be short commons for the office-seekers. This terrible disease has made its appearance in, this city. There were five deaths yesterday, after an illness ot a few hours. Physicians disagree, however, as to the character; some declaring that it is not the Asiatic. Ihe steamer which sails shortly for Ghagres, will go out crowded with passengers, mostly Government officers, military and civil, bound for Oregon and California—among the num ber. Gen. Smith. 150 201 189 164 Cen. Taylor—Bth of January Ball. The Managers of the grand Bth of January Ball, which is to come off in New Orleans have extended an invitation to Gen Taylor to be present on the festive occasion. In a neat reply to the managers Gen. Taylor accepts the invitation. 239 42 General Taylor gave, whilst in the city, an ex emplification of the meaning of this talismanic phrase, as well a« of the liberality of his political views and feelings, by walking into the splendid tailor establismenl of Ducorneau, a strong Democrat, and ordering a full suit of civilian's clothes. This circumstance quite a stir at Hewltet's corner, and it is thought, that in consequence ol it. •the Bulletin published that leader greatly modifying the revoltingly proscriptive and exclusive views which that learned journal had been'maintaining for some time previous, to the great disgust of all Gen. Taylor's real friends. - 5186 3719 3719 From the N. Orleans Corrc. Advertiser Aug. 24 Wonderful Mathematical CfcnliiN. We were visited yesterday morning by Mr. P. M. Deshong, who, for our gratification, displayed liis remarkable powers of calculation. We commenced by placing for him a column of figures, thirty-four in length, by eight in breadth, and just as we began to wonder how he would do it, it was done. We thenplaced a single column of sixty-threefigures in length, and the sum total was given in a second. We next placed for him a sum in multiplication, with thirty-three figures in the multiplier, and twen ty-seven in the multiplicand, and he gave us the product all in one line instantly—how, we are yet puzzled to conceive. Illimitable numbers in divis ion and fractions, are performed with the like re sult. In the case of division, the dividend was composed of 42 figures, the divisor three, and he commenced by giving' the remainder first, then the quotient. Mr. Deshong has approached so near solving the quadrature of the circle, that after he arrived at tiie 628th figure, the decimal left was only one, which came near putting an end to the endless process. This exceeds by 502, the greatest given by Archimedes. He says this wonderful fac ulty came to him at the age of five years, but, after studying over it for some ten years, he has discov ered a system by which he can impart his secret to others. He will soon depart for Europe, with the design of offering his services to some of the European Astronomers. Mr. Deshong, whose extraordinary powers as a mathematician are so justly commented on in the above article, is now in this city, prepared to im* part instruction in his astonishing art. He can be addressed through the post office. Murder. —Mr. Frederick Foster, of Adams Co. Pa., was murdered a few days since in his own house, which was subsequently robbed. A man has been arrested in Perry county on suspicion of having committed the deed. .JD” The South Carolina Legislature has again refused to pass the bill giving the election of Presidential electors to the people. The vote stood in the Senate, yeas 22, nays 23. H7* A Lilliputian Watch is described by the . New Orleans Picayune as having recently made its appearance in that city. It was .made in Gene. va,‘is about as large as a half dime, only somewhat thicker, and keeps admirable time. JET Joseph Landis, a native of Pennsylvania, but an 1 alderman of New Orleans, and quite a distin guished citizen of that place, died in the Crescent City-last week. He seems to have been popular and much respected. ■ , Ohio Legislature. CoLusnius, Dec. 21 Melancholy Suicide. Wellsiutjig, Va., Dec. 21 New Orleans, Dec. 17, Cholera in New Orleans. From the New Orleans Delta. Not an Ultra Whig.” IL7* The following statement appeared in the | Examiner Herald of last week, in reply to the : renewed attack, of Mr; Linville. We think Messrs. M’llyaine and, Gntvix may safely rest here. They have vindicated their conduct, to the satisfaction of every unprejudiced mind. Thislast statement is especially conclusive, and leaves then accuser without an excuse, either for commencing or continuing his charges: For the Examiner & Herald. Paradise Township, Dec. IS, 184 S, In your lasi paper we discover another lengthy, statement by Mr. Linville in relation to the re jection of his vote at the Paradise election. Al though we incline to the this matter has already been sufficiently discussed in the newspapers, and that our former statement stands wholly unimpeached, we yet feel called upon to correct several material errors in Mr. Linville’s statement. In respect to his removal to New York,-Mr. Linville says we wish to “ imply that he went to that State for the purpose of teaching school.’' All we intended to convey was that he did teach school there—but in regard to his right to vote, we consider that this does not at all affect the main issue. Again he says: <c The only question for the officers to decide was, whether I had forfeited my residence in this State by attending college in another —on this ground, and no other,.my vote was rejected.” The true facts.are simp-y these; his vote was rejected mainly on the ground that he had never acquired citizenship'in Pennsylvania so as to enable him to vote, his father having removed to Ohio whilst he (the* son) was a minor; and the son himself removing from Pa. before he had obtained bis majority or ha-1 established his citizenship, having* removed to t,he State of New York, where he remained nearly three years, returning only a few months before the election. Again Mr. Linville says.: “I did not demand my tax to be refunded and my name erased from the duplicate.” Our statement had refer ence tOgMi:- Linville’s offer to vote at the Octo ber ettpeiftn in Salisbury township, where he offered himself as a voter. That Mr. Linvile did pursue the course stated, iu reference to that" election is fully substantiated by the following affidavits of citizens of that township : Personally came B. F. //ouatonbefore me, Hen ry Dickinson, one of the Justices of the Peace in the County of Lancaster, and upon his oath doth depose and say, that when Mr. Linville's von* was rejected, he demanded that his name should be erased from the Duplicate, which wasdntje ; anil he stated that he would inform hiinselfhelofe the, next election, if he had a right to vote, and if he had, ho would be assessed again. B. F. HOUSTON. .S'worn and subscribed this lfith day of December 1848. HENRY DICKINSON. Personally came, William F. Baker, before me. Henry Dickinson, one of the Justices of the Peace, in and for the county ot Lancaster, and upon his oath, he does depose and say, when Mr. Linville's vote was rejected he demanded his tax to be re funded, (which was done). WILLIAM F. BAKF.R. Sworn ami subscribed this loth day of December, 1848. Henry Dickinson Personally came, Thomas S. Mcllvaine, before me, Henry Dickinson, one of the Justices of the Peace, iu and for the county of Lancaster, and upon his solemn affirmation, doth depose and say, when Mr. Linville's vote was rejected, he demanded his tax to be refunded and his name erased from the duplicate, which was done, and his receipt destroy ed, and then he stated that he would inform himself before the next election if he had a right to vote, and if he had, lie would be assessed over again. THOS. S. M'ILVAINE. Affirmed and subscribed this 15th day of Decem ber, 18-IS. Henhy Dickinson. Having been refused his vote in Salisbury township in October , he offered it in Paradise in November , although meanwhile at his own re quest, bis tax was refunded, and his name eras ed from tiie Salisbury duplicate. Although he then affirmed that he would have his name re assessed ; yet this was not done, and his name has not been assessed in Paradise township. Here we leave thi£ matter. In the worst as pect we could only Jiave committed a mistake in regard to the law applicable to Mr. Linville’s right to vote. But we feel acquitted even of this. We have every reason to believe, that our decision was not contrary, but in strict accord ance with the law of the State. D. GIRVIN, G. D. McILVAIN, A CARD. Jacob H. Linville in an article in the last Lan caster Examiner & Herald impugns my Motives in a certain conversation, which he states I had with W. Baker, Esq., (thereby doing me gross injustice.) So long as Mr. Linville confines his remarks to facts (which he has not done,) I am content: but he has no right to to judge of my tives, nor would any gentleman do it. THOS. S. McILVAINE Salisbury, Dec 16 1348. Tlie State of “ Old Berks.” From the Reading Gazette. The papers of Lancaster and Allegheny counties have been comparing the votes of these Counties at the Presidential election, with those cast by the States of Delaware and Rhode Island, by which they make it appear that each county has a larger pop ulation than either of the •’ breeches-pocket - ’ sover eignties. We think, Therefore, that it is high time for the. ,; State of Berks." who has in her time made considerable noise in the world, to put in her claims to distinction of this kind. So here is the state of the case, as it relates to our county : County of State of State of Berks. Delaware. R. Island 9,486 f>,919 3,610 Taylor, 5,082. 6,440 C'bSO Van Buren, 51 80 711 It thus appears that Berks polled ‘J,I BBvo.es more than little Delaware; and more than Little Rhody! A great county is Berks : she ought to be made a separate and independent State, out of compliment to “Iter Dutch and her Democracy,” tor the rousing majorities she always gives. A CHRISTMAS HYMN, [ Sklkctkii. ] It was the calm and silent night ! Seven hundred years and fifty-three,. Had Rome been growing up to-night; A‘ml now was queen of land and sea. No sound was heard of clashing waia; Peace brooded o'er the hushed domain Apollo, Pallas, Jove, and Mars, Held undisturbed their ancient reien, In the solemn midnight, Centuries ago ! It was the calm and solemn night! The Senator of haughty Rome Impatient urged his chariot's /light, From lordly revel rolling home. Triumphal arches, gleaming, swell His breast with thoughts ofboundle.s.s swav— What recked the Roman, what befel A paltry province far away, In the solemn midnight, Centuries ago ! Within that province far away, Went plodding home a weary boor; A streak of light before him lay, Fallen through a half-shut stable-door, Across his path. He passed, for nought Told what was going on within. How keen the stars, his uniy thought— The air, how calm, and cold, and thin ! In the solemn midnight, Centuries ago! Oh! strange indifference! Low and high, Drowsed over common joys and cares: The earth was still, yet knew not why The world was listening, unawares. How calm a moment may precede One that shall thrill the world forever ! To that still moment none would heed Man’s doom was linked no.more to sever; In the solemn midnight. Centuries ago! It is the calm and solemn night— A thousand bells ring Otif, and throw Their joyous peals abroad, and smite The darkness, charmed and holy now ! That night which erst no shame had worn, To it a happier home is given; For in that stable lay new born, The Peaceful Prince of Earth and Heaven, In the solemn midnight Centuries ago! Ingenious.—The tavern of a very civil man, in Philadelphia, was entered and robbed recently in the following ingenious way:—They tied a small siring to the shutter-bolt while the shutters were open during the day. In the evening the shutters were closed without the string being perceived. The end of it hanging out between the crack of the shutters, they had no difficulty at night in drawing the bolt, hoisting the sash, and getting in From Myers’ Press and Ilepubticln. Water Meeting. f Al a meeting of the citizens of hanrasterdhrld' in the Court House, November 15th, 1848, 'llioni as H. Burrowes, Esq., was called to the Clmirf, and J. Franklin Keigart appointed 'Secretary. | Dr. George B. Kerfoot from the committed, up-' pointed by a city meeting in August last, to rlhnm was referred the proceedings of sau! meeting, aid to ascertain, the best means of procuring and cJntin uing a permanent supply of the Conestoga ft ater by or through the Water Works—made tire flllow- n>i? Report:— 'Hie committee appointed at u public ince|in«'of ilie citizens of the city of Lancaster, hehl in .-Y.igust last, to confer with IheCity Councils nr the AVater t oinmitlee in reference to the best means ofqjrocur tng anti continuing a permanent supply of the Con estoga water hy or through the Water Work! Respedlully Report— [ I hat they have been using their host emt.ivors to accomplish Hie ohject for which they who,ip pomte.l. Ihe lime may appear to have been long, hut It must he remembereil that questions olla veiy grave charadei .■justed, involving the future as well as the present—principles rs well as lads rein iring the testimony ol those who have 1,a,1 eyperiii ce in the management ol similar woiks, upon'the same stream, anil calling for close calculation'of i, .lh a scientific and financial character. - ! The first important question presenting itself to inot only the oommittee) hut the citizens in gene’i' :il, is the water power sufficient l 'This questio the public meeting, in the conference of tile t millees and in the committee of citizens, g'arerise I.) some animated discussions and conflicting opin ions, narrowing itself down, however, to the power being sufficient, except, as some thought, lor iwo or three months in (he year. ! It was alleged in the first inunicipuluupounce meiit to have been the cairn- of the water being stopped. j 1 he Ciiiiunittee ot citizens, the majority of whom knew nothing personally about the mutter, lias e had |to hear atl parties. • ? j i l i pon 1 heir first visit the reservoir j and the works, they examined the condition of the water : above the dam—the condition of the whet I, the | pump with its pistons and its valves—they! n arked ! Its revolutions, ami from every point altejnpled to I obtain the histmy of the moile by which, iij had been ; governed. - ■ 1 lu; wuUt whs some tiilcrn inches Itvwet than tho edge of ilia dam, the wheel not allowed l > per form more than eight (evolutions per minute, iiiul alunit that time ordered to lie stopped, wilt'll it’per formed loss. The testimony of past supetintendents or miller:! was obtained—Mr. I.eaman informed some .>f (he committee that he hud charge of the mill in years, when the .water was lower than il has heeii any time this year, and yet so governed the wnler power as to keep the reservoir full, he knows what he says to ho correct, and considers, the pt wer n good one, because in those years he speaks of, he could keep the wheels going and do some work in the grist mill when the ‘ Demtilh mill coul I only grind at night, and the small mill opposite Demuth’s was compelled to stop, while this year both th** mills at Uemuth’s have been in constant motion. Mr. Peter Kieller corroborates Mr. Leamm and asserts that some years since the water Ws much lower than it lias been this year, and still lie so managed the head as invariably to have from Tour lo six hours good eflcctual pumping in each 24 hours. our committee do. not wish to drew any i nvidi ous distinctions or .to cast any censure, hut m the , solemn performance of a duty imposed upon them * | by their fellow citizens, they hear each side .eason 1 upon fads and give their conclusions, to tho public ' that call upon them. Are those gentlemen then staling facts- if so, why is the reservoir not as full now us formei ly—it may lie said the consumption or waste is so much greater than before—or the whole apparatus after 12 years use may have become faulty or doge:.orate, a piston not well packed, valves that are not true, *or a main pipe to the basin in which there n ay he a thousand hidden leaks draining the water bv un der ground channels from the basin, so tha tby a regurgitation of the water in the pump, or 1.-oking j from the main, there may he much work per! armed ! and nothing gained. Again—the government of a head of wnljr is a something reqmrung great nicety .<>( judgment in - times of scarcity—a given height in thowatei above the dam will impait a corresponding power it one time making a wheel perform 12, and again 8 and even down to 2 revolutions per minute—tl is re quires great care because a wheel performing hut U revolutions per minute, is doing nothing while the force still remaining is being exhausted—the >ed of the river being emptied and nothing passing into the basin. ’ It is said that mills work better alter nigh: than in day time, whether the air or the water is h ;avier —oi whether because millers all think so, and open their llood gates after iiiglit, and thus give by con cert of action an impetus to the stream that it would not otherwise have, we leave the citizens to decide. But if there is anything in the influence * 1 the' night—and if a wheel requires constant watt hing, to be stopped or moved as circumstanced in th ‘con dition ol the water demand, it should at all tin es be closely observed. Y'our cemmiltec then comes to the conclusion tliut the water power is sufficient—provided the government” of the apparatus is proper—an i the whole of the machinery in perfect order and s Kind ness—they would consider it as suicidal for the ci ty of Lancaster to think of any other means, such as steam, to force the water, until there is un oubt ed proof of the incapacity of the present water pow er. Your conrritlee admit the present form of j ower to he the only one dial can he adopted, but would have you to know that in an undershot arr inge ment, there must he a greater waste of water than in any other. If it were possible to establish an overshot or a breast wheel, we would be al le to command a greater amount of power will less force—so that the necessity for close watching and the exercise of mature judgment must supply the natural deficiencies. For the purpof-o of giving to the citizuns suchcal culations, as may lead to a more positive knowledge of how matters are, what the machinery as it i i un der given circumstances, can do and what 3! ould be done for the future, your committee ram arks : That the pump now in use at the city water house is ca pable of forcing into the basin or resorvoir, t>si gal lons uf water per minute, if in good working nder and runs at the speed of 10 revolutions per minute, at a stroke ui fi leet and will fill the reservoir in 100 hours steudy pumping, supposing said bajsint. con* tain 1 ,f)0l),()U0 gallons. The elevation of the water line or surface, in the reservoir being about ISO feel above the bed of the pump, there is n pressure of fillB lbs. agains t the J piston of the pump, it being 8 indies m dia neler , and presenting a surface'of fiO square in dies, the piston at (he above nntned speed will travel 100 b et per minute und the friction of the water passing through the pipe together with fho friction of the water wheel and pump ut their maximum s ecd, will increase the resistance against the pist m to GfiOO lbs. and to move this weight 10(1 feet per in nule will require a power equal to 20 horses. Your committee in view of these fuels, would suggest, that a water wheel similar to the old one now m use, to bo so altered, as to bo IBfeet i.i di ameter, 12 feet face, with buckets arranged tj re ceive the power favorably, will perform the amount of labor imposed by the pump, with a consum lion of water if properly applied, not greater than the quantity now used on the old wheel, the pump ma king 10 revolutions per minute, at a stroke o!4 feet. • Your committee would urge, as a matter of ne cessity, a new main pipe from the gump to the re servoir—it should be 9 or 10 inches in dian eter thus conveying the given quantity of water with much less friction, and with correspending ease the pump. I fWe also urge very respectfully, that the pi e be one inch thick with sockets and chambers 8 ii ches deep'at each end, 4 an inch larger at the be ttom. than at the outer edge, also the end inserted int 0 the* socket to be made in a corresponding shape in orjjer to leave, when the lead is introduced, a dovetjijing arrangement and lessen the liability to a leakage, which must exist extensively at present.' • Your committee have been somewhat detaim J in waiting, until the horizontal or submerged *\hecL . would be in motion, they have had a partial oj por lunity ol witnessing its operation —and while (heyit wish to be careful in not Condemning it, they en tertain serious doubts as to- its answering tlir pur- ' pose, it is true, we hear of sucli a wheel beii -g in successful operation'at Bethlehem, and at Mi Du pont’s powder mill; but as to the labor they have to perforin, we are still not advised. We do kno-v, that such wheels and the j ower known as rotary steam engines, answer well where velocity is desirable, and .little force require. . but where 6500 lbs. weight have to be overcome at each ‘revplution, we do not os yet believe .the arrangement calculated to perform so heavy a task—again ; the general construction of the present machine is en tirely 100 light, and if the jar sustained at each revo lution, as witnessed by us, continues, we dou t.the possibility of the wheel and its gearing, lasting two weeks if in continual m&tionj—Then, an enlarged wheel, a new main, the machinery in perfect t rder, and undfcr scientific and faithful management, is chiefly whot your committee would recomraen 1, so far as filling the reservoir, and keeping it ft 11, is concerned. , In reference to the Consumption of water iu tha city, it would bo but a surmiseJo say, how mi:jh it might be perday or week—-it is perhaps 75 or 100, 000 gallons per day, and may be~on tha increase—.
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