3ntelliiencer & lournal E. W..HDTTER, EDITOR Lancaster, Febrnary 20, 1849. • • ITT Thanks to the gentlemanly editors of The `Columbia Spy. We value their 'good opinions Irr " A TAT-PATER." has been received—but as his arguments had been anticipated by "Howard, - whose article was previously in type, its insertion would seem superfluous. The writer is equally decided in his approval of theconduct of the County Commissioners. 117' We commented in c ur last, in such terms as we thought the provocation deserved, on the letter of "Lcuconiunt," published' in the Phila!delphia Spirit of the Times.. The writer complained that he could discover no Pub 4 Library in this City, and quoted this fact in proof of our lamentable want of "love of literature and sound knowledge." Since writii.g our reply, a correspondent has directed our attention to the remarkable fact that the rely build ing in which "Leuconiuni" proposed to deliver his lectures on*.fiengland, but which nobody came to hear, contains a public library of between 2 and 3000 volumes, belonging to the Mechanic's Socie and founded for the especial benetit.of its mem• bers and of the Apprentices of this city. This CUILISTOPHETt . CoLvmpus . of the literary world had hence not very far to travel in his voyage of discov. eries, to 'have .stumbled on what he was seeking. and would have found, almost under his nose, more "literature and sound- knowledge " thanulo could well have swallowed or digested in the next ten years.. In addition to the above, there is also an extensive library connected with the Lyceum, and another is being founded at Franklin College. We state these facts merely to convey to distant readers an idea of the grossness of" Leticonitenis •' slanders. Next State Legislature The election of AUG USTUS DRUM (Dem.) to the State Senate, as the successor of Governor Jouics- ToN, tenders it almost certain that at the next ses sion that body will be again Democratic. Parties now stand: Democrats 13, Whigs 20. We con sider it quite certain, if no unforeseen accidents occur, that the following Whig Senators, whose terms of service expire with the present session, will; be succeeded by Democrats 1. GEORGE RICHARDS of Montgomery 2. JOSIAH RICH of Bucks. 3. JACOB D. Bois of Lehigh 4. WILLIAM HARRIS of Lycoming 5. PHILIP SmrsEit of York . These were•all "unexpectOlycalled upon' dur ing the memorable Tariff storm of 1846, and will each o-btain "leave of absence," without the for mality of a motion. Well now, add 3to 13, and it increases the Democratic strength to Is, and .substracted from the Whigs reduces them to 1 It, is not probable that any present Democratic Senator will be succeeded by a Whig. unless another Whig and Native combination defeats 'he gallant Captain &natl. of Philadelphia. Allowing for this contingency, parties will stand: Democrats Whigs and Natives IC—and then look out for another nicely balanced contest for Speaker. So much for the prospect in the Senate. It will require a queer state of things to produce a Whig majority another year in the House. With judi cious nominations, and harmonious action, the Democrats cannot fail to win back both branches of the State Legislature—and then, barren enough will be Jialahis sceptre. Triumphant Whiggery, with all its vain and empty gasconade, will have simply the Governor--and he. alas, bound by his pledges to sign all the bills which the Legislature may see fit to pass! It is no wonder That the Fede ral BELMiZZARS, in the midst of their rejoicings, have become so suddenly scared. They plainly see the ominous hand-writing on the wall. The rielir Prison We had no idea that the communication publish ed in our last, signed " Lancaster County,' on the subject of the new County Prison, would provoke a protracted newspaper discussion. If we had an ticipated this, we should certainly not have opened our columns to the subject. But having printed the views of one correspondent, common fairness demands that we extend the same courtesy to ono ' ther, on the opposite side. We accordingly give "Howard a place to day. But here we are desirous that the . discussion shall here stop. It can subserve no good purpose. as the Commissioners have already executed their contract with Mr. HAVILAND, and the location has been irrevocably fixed. To continue the discussion now is as when counsel persist in the argument of a point of law, after the Court hare decided it. We repeat what we said from the beginning, that in our opinion, the County Commissioners have ac ted wisely and well. and that their proceedings will be cordially ratified by an enlightened public pinion. To ameliorate the condition of suffering humanity, in all its various hues and grades, is the noblest work in which the Philanthropist can en gage, and dollars and cents sink into comparative insignificance, contrasted with the blessed results which well regulated public institutions are capa ble of producing Ea" Some of the quiet Philadelphians are decla- ring their disgust with the appointment of 011 CANDY ikrcLAIN, a noted fighter, as an Aid to the Gov ernor,- with the rank of Lieutenant , Colonel They should remember that the Governor is himself somewhat of a pqgilist, having successfully boxed the political compass. Smalt`Ns—Stnall Potatoes. olte _ By a curious coin idence, the bill reported in the House of Represen atives at Harrisburg, in favor of Small Notes, has emanated from Mr. Latle.— There is a Mr. Lehri - n the House, a whig, who will be sure to render despite to his name, and sup. port the measure. Our friend Long of Bucks, how ever, is a true and good Democrat, and will firmly oppose it. The most remarkable of all will be, should the bill come before the Senate, to hear the intrepid Small of Philadelphia thunder against it, as he did against the Santa Annaians in Mexico. We have not examined the provisions of the bill, but we hope that it does not authorise the issue of notes of a lesser denomination than six and a quar ter cents. TO' Tuumn has left the State. Clerk to Col. English It gratifies us to learn that Cuant.Ls C. liiumo, F,sq., of i:9ais city, has been appointed, with the concurrence pf the Canal Board, Clerk to Col. Wm. ENGLISH, Superintendent of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railway. Mr. Ihling is one of our most active and efficient young Democrats, and has the benefit of long experience in the business operations of the road. We congratAte the new Superinten• dent on his judicious selection, and hope he may prove equally fortunate in his remaining appoint ments. King of the Roosters Gen. Bowxan of the Bedford Gazette, who never does things by halves, chronicles the election ON Democratic Senatorin Gov. JOHNSTON'S district, by -the parade of a crowing cock as large as life, and occupying the entire inside of his paper! Well, it is a victory worth crowing over, for it secures a Democratic majority in the Senate next year. CITY Comccris.—On Tuesday last our City Councils met in Convention and elected the follow ing officers for the ensuing year. Treasurer:—John Zimmerman. Soficiter:—Amos Slaymaker, Esq. iliscesor:—Michael Bundel. Collector of City Tax:—William Lowry. Supervisor =Jacob Stormfels. Messenger :=—George Albright. Railroad -Appointments. The Canal Commissioners met at Congress Hall, in Philadelphia, on Saturday last, and made a num ber of appointments for the ensuing year. Among the number, we find the hollowing for this meredian: J. J. Kacr.sa, Colleclor, Lancaster. JOHN DUNLAP, :Weighmaster, Lancaster. A. W. DEVISON, Weighmaster, Columbia. STATE AosirrsHJames A. Cunningham, Mifflin; John Rank, York; Charles Beidleman and John Burk, Philadelphia; Isaac S. Waterbury, Dauphin ; Charles Brady, Philadelphia; James Hunter, Ches ter ; Thomas MMichael. Berlo. CARGO iNSPECTOR.—SamueI J. Smith of Cum berlan at Columbia. WILLIAM W. DOWNING of Chester, Assistant Supervisor of the Columbia Railway—EDWlN JEFFRIES, Manager of Parksburg Shops—SAmum. W. DA r , Inspector o f Wood—Jun: Love, Despatch er at Columbia. Post Office Advertising. The Postmaster of Pittsburgh has had a suit in stituted against him by the publisher of the Pitts burgh Dispatch, for not advertising the list of letters in that paper, he claiming to have the largest circu lation of any pappr in that city. Judge Lowniz decided that the Postmaster had incurred no legal responsibility; that though the act made it the duty of the Postmaster to publish the list in the newspaper having the largest circulation, yet that was for the public benefit, and not for the benefit of publishers. their benefit arose only incidentally from the act. The right of action was claimed to arise from the statute by implication, but there can be no implication of a right of action on a statute in person where there is no implication of a benefit intended by the statute. The Postniaster was left under the law to decide the question which paper had the largest circulation, and to receive the evi dente if necessary. In the performance of that duty he is not responsible to . State authority. His official - superiors only can compel him to perform his duty if he should , fail to do so ; and until the Postmaster General does decide, the right to the Post Office advertising exists in no one. Bedford County One of the largest and most enthusiastic Demo cratic meetings ever held in the county, convened in the court-house at Bedford, on the evening of the sth instant. Gen. JAMES Bowirs presided, assisted by numerous Vice Presidents and ‘ Secretaries, and eloquent speeches were delivered by Joshua F. Cox, Maj. Samuel H. Tate, George-W. Bowman and John Cessna, Esqes—and a series of. able resolutions were reported by William P. Sehell, Esq. Join. CESSNA and S. H. TATE were appointed representa tire delegates to the 4th of July Convention. The Democracy of Bedford seem nothing daunted by the political reverses of last year.. They are ready, as ever, to battle for their imperishable principles. Hungering after the Fleshpots! As the 4th of March approaches, the Whigs are giving the country a practical exemplification of their idea of no-partyism. Before the election the people were told that the elevation of Gen. Taylor would heal all our political differences and restore the era of good feeling. There was to be no more party machinery, and Proscription should be utterly proscribed and driven from among us. But now the , eene is changed. In every quarter we see that they who assisted in elevating Gen. Taylor are eager for their reward, lit New Orleans, where the plans and purposes of the President elect must Le best understood: the expectants are numerous; there being (according to the Deka) 147 applicants for the ten most important offices! For positions in the next cabinet there are many applicants. not in person, but by friends. Sixty Whig members of the Pennsylvania Legislature have recommended Hon. Josiah Randall as Attor ney General. lion. Abbott Lawrence is pressed fm Secretary of the Treasury, and his friends are reproducing the fact that he offered and conrributed slifu,Niii to prevent the nomination of Mr. (lay, and to effect that of Gen. Taylor! The Governateni Finances The WaShington Union, in reply to the charges of those who assert that there will be a deficiency in the National Treasury. on the Ist July, 15.19, says that the receipts will equal, if not exceed, the Secretary's estimates. The receipts from the Cus toms from Ist July to 13th February have been not less than slS,ooo,uvO, and that, at this average the increase of the year will be upward of $33,000. La.hi, instead of S:32,000.000- On the 9th of Feb ruary the Treasury contained $.4,944,099, subject to the drafts of the Treasurer. after deducting out standing drafts; and, in addition to this, two and three-quarter millions of the New Loan are yet available Special Election The iollowing is the official result of the vecial election for memberof State Senate in place of Governor JoussToN DRUM ..101,1NSTON 131)7 1210 130; 1756 1123 971 229 174 AI tustrutl2. Indiana Cambria Clearfield. Total 4517 4311 Majority for Mr. Daum, 206. Another Editor rewarded! Governor Joirssi ON has appointed Jon A. BA KER, Esq editor of the Perry Freeman, to the of fice of Associate Judge of. Perry county, vice George Blattenberger, whose Commission has ex pired. AND VIA: ANOTHER. — AIbert G, Williams, Esq. editor of the Farmer of this city, to be an Aid-de camp to the Governor, with the rank of Lieuten ant Colonel. U GEonur M Er.nor, Esq., of this city, de, livered a lecture on Thursday a week before the Lyceum, at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, on Capi tal Punishment.—The speaker defended the Death Penalty. and the Tamaqua Legion says : " The Lecture was replete with strong and convincing argument. On the same evening, the Wilmot Pro-, visa was discussed by S. Bilow.Nr.w ELL, Esq., in the affirmative, and Mr. G. W. M'Ecnov, Esq., in the negative. After the disputants had each spoken twice, the sense of the meeting was taken, and the decision rendered in favor of the neg,7tilY. Prices of Iron An organized effort is making to show that the Tariff of 1846 is gradually closing all the furnaces and forges in the land. Just at this moment, how ever. says the Pennsylvanian, as ill luck would have it, the steamship Canada brings net.Vs from Great Britain that the demand for and the prices of for eign iron have both increased. As the governments of the old world become established, improvements are begun, trade is resumed, and general alacrity takes the place of general discontent. Iron is one of the elements in the progress of manufactures, and in the arts and sciences, all over the world.— In the system of rail roads, which is comparative ly in its infancy in the old countries, it is an indis pensable disideratum. Its advance in the foreign market is therefore its advance in the domestic ; and the probabilities are numerous, that it will con tinue to secure the best pricesabroad. If so, what becomes of the panic -making and class legislation of this country THE LAIIGF.STLinswry.--The Senate of Indiana, on the Ilth ult., adopted a resolution instructing tl-e Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expedien• cy of so altering the civil and ecclesiastical laws of the State, as to render the marriage covenant void at the option of the parties, and the man and wife may abandon each other at pleasure. The mover of this resolution was Mr. Evans, of Henry county. Wood's OrnaMental Iroat Works: We have on our table a, Port-Folio of Original Designs of Iron Railings;Vecandahs, Settees, Chairs, Tables, and other architectural Iron-Works, manu factured at the steam establishment of RODERT WOOD, on the Ridge Road, above Buttonwood st- Philadelphia. These are unquestionably the most extensive Works of this character in the IT. States, and turn out specimens of ornamental iron-work that cannot possibly be surpassed. As two new Cemeteries have been founded in this city, we advise all who intend to purchase iron railing for burial lots, to call and examine. the beautiful illustrations ,on our table. Mr. Wood is eminently deserving the public patronage. and we trust he may be fa vored with many orders from the citizens of Lan caster. Counting the Votes. On Wednesday last, both branches of Congress met in the Hall of the House of Representatives, and counted the Electoral votes of the respective states for President and Vice President di the U. States. The following was the declared result:— For Taylor and Fillmore t t 33, Cass & Butler 127- A joint committee, of which JEFFERSON Davis of Mississippi is the Chairman. was appointed to in form the successful candidates of their election. Horrible casualty The Brooklyn (N. Y.) papers give the horrible details of a sad casualty attending a fire at the farm-house of Jonathan Miller, near the village of Hempstead, on Wednesday night. Mr. Miller, it seems, started for Btooklyn two hours previous, with a load of hay, leaving his family perfectly safe. Hearing an alarm of fire, he returned, only to find his homestead a heap of ruins, and his wife and three children perished in the flames. His feelings, under these painful circumstances, may be easier imagined than described. The poor man is now a maniac. EU - Air. SEWALL BRINTNALL, a clerk in the War Department at Washington, was knocked down in the street while on his way home on Tuesday night last, and robbed of his purse containing one hundred dollars. Mr. Brintnall was lelt senseless upon the ground by the robber. The blow upon the head was so severe that doubts are entertained of his recovery. Such occurrences are not unfre quent in Washington, and the authorities should take more efficient measures to bring the offenders to justice. Interesting Law Suit The Louisville Courier mentions an interesting suit at lan, which is shortly to come Mt before Justice &Ark of that city, between a man named Bowman and one named Lewis, for the over whelm ingsum of thirty cent's. The facts of the case ap pear to be. that the wife of one of the parties pur chased a pair of gloves, on credit. at the store of the other for which her husband now refuses to pay, giving as a reason, that it was an understood bargain between his wife and that of the plaintiff; that if said plaintiff's wile's next child (which was daily looked for) were a boy, she should pay for the gloves herself The young one did prove to be a Masculine and now the defendant claims his right to an acquittance from the debt. We do not wish the defendant any harm, but we warn him that this kind of bargain looks a little like betting, or gambling. He appears to be sanguine of tory, however, and announces that Inc will have twenty witnesses to support his claim. Anecdote of Mr. Fegel3 Parties in the Pennsylvania House of Represen tatives are tied—that is, the Democrats have fifty, and the Whigs and Natives tifty. Every Democratic vote was therefore important, and much alarm was telt lest Ir. Fegely, of Berks county, would not attend from sickness. He was there, however, and his friends tell the following anecdote, which shows a spirit of fidelity to his friends and party worthy of the noblest cause. Some friends remonstrated with him upon leaving home, stating that he en dangered his life by starting at an inclement season, in his state of health. liis reply was, " I may as well go as stay: if I go I may die, but if I stay the Democrats will be defeated, and that would rertainly be the death of me. - -Ex. paper. 117" The Inauguration Ball at Washington is de signed to be the most magnificent entertainment ever given in the U. S. Ample accommodations fiir both Ladies and Gentlemen. The walls of the Assembly and Supper-Rooms are to be richly deco rated for the occasion. The cost of the entertain ment is estimated at over $7OOO. and the Commit tee calculate upon the sale of tickets at $lO each, having resolved to give whatever surplus may be left to the two Orphans' Aiylums. Gunes hand is to attend in consideration of the subsequent use of the Pavillion, and their expenses, which will be $550. The Philadelphia Germania band is also engaged. The (lancing pavillicni measures 150 feet by 50, and the _promenade saloon 100 by 50. The following items have been ordered for the tables A pyramid of crystalized fruits, Cs feet high ; 'pyramids (3 feet) of cream; 50 gallons of cream 50 gallons o( Roman Punch . 50 gallons of lemon ade , 50 moulds of jelly ; 50 moulds of blanc-mange, 9000 small (tea) cake ; 120 pounds of pound cake; Co pounds of fruit cake ; 30 boned turkeys ; 20 jelly hams; 40 Charlotte Russe ; 12 rounds alamode, 50 chicken salads; 160 terrapins, fricassee, frican• dise and in soup, and oysters without end, raw and in every variety of dressing. Thiscontract ($•2200) for the supper, is exclusive of all wines and liquors, except the Roman punch. The wines and mixed liquors will, it is estimated, cost 1500—one item of the list being 75 baskets of champagne. President Polk The Washington Union. alluding to the arrival of Gen. TAY LOR, remarks "Mr. POLR and his family will remain until after the inauguration. But we understand his purpose is to leave Washington on the flth of March, with his family and several of his friends, pass through Richmond, and take the Southern route to New Orleans, and then to Nash ville. This is a portion of the country which he has never visited.- MODEST-VERY.-" John, my son," said a deaf ing lather, who was about taking his son into busi ness, " what shall be the style of the new firm ?" " Well, Governor." said the one-and-twenty youth, looking into the heavens to tind an answer, "Idon't know—but suppose we have it John H. Samplin & Father." The old gentleman was struck with the originality of the idea, but couldn't adopt it. 1)J Gen. SHIELDS was shot through the breast at,Cerro Gold°, and reported mortally wounded," yet recovercd, and now takes the place of Judge Breese in the United States Senate. This has given rise to the following good thing by a Sucker wag: " Some men have lost their heads' and' lived, But stranger far than these, The shot that passed through Shield's breast, Instead of him killed Breese," DEATS OF HON. JAMES McSicsitny.—The Fred eric (Md.) Cilizeit announces the death of the Hon. James McSherry, of Pennsylvania, at his residence in Littlestown, on the 3d inst. For twenty odd years he served in the Legislature of his native State ; he was also one of the delegates to reform her Constitution, and was once a member of Con. gress. ID— Hon. JOHN NULEAS, present Judge of the Supreme court has been nominated by the -caucus of the whig members of the Ohio Legislature, for the U. S. Senate. The day of election has not yet been determined. tEr Colonel Brass was in Washington on the 12th, and paid his respects to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, hnd other public functionariek. The Geld of Ophir. Major Noah, of the Sunday 'limes, thus interest ingly discourses on the probability of California being King Solomon's "player," from whence he drew his his immense supply of gold. it is quife speculative; but the article will notwithitinding be read with interest: ' - . We have seen it suggested that Califorpia ftorn the abundance of gold found in 64 - country, might possibly 'be the Ophir of Scripture, from whence King .Solomon obtained the vast amount of gold erpended on the erection of the Temple; and the question is worthy of examination. Where Ophir is situated, has always been a subject of investiga tion among the learned, and always one of great doubt and obscurity. That the Phcenicians were navigators long before the days of Solomon—that they discovered Central America and Mexico, and established colonies there, the ruins of Palenque, :the Pyramids, Temples, and other splendid remains in those countries prove, as well as that the build ers of Tyre, Babylon and Carthage were there,,fer there are ,the evidences of their architecture. That the old Hebrews v,•ere'merchants and navigators, we may learn front the prediction of Moses, (par ticularly of the tribe of Zebulon,) from Deuterono my, chap. xxxiii., verse 19, that they should "suck of the abundance of the sea, and of treasures hid in sand,Timplying, beyond doubt, trading in mer chandise and exploring for gold It was supposed that oplair was situated on the eastern coast of Africa, a little beyond the Straits of Babel-mandel. Others supposed that it was the ancient Trapobona, now known to the Island of Ceylon. Eusebius, in referring as King Davii, says " that he built ships at Elath, a city of Arabia, and from thence Bent metal-men to the Island of Orphia (Ophir), in the Red Sea, which was fruitful in yielding abundance of gold, and the metal-men brought it from thence to Judea." Now, we can only ascertain the situation of Ophir by distances, and there is no such Island in the Red Sea. The ships that sailed from Elath, on the borders of the Red Sea, to Tarshish, made it a voyage of three years; whereas the whole Red Sea, from its coin tnencement to the Indian Ocean, can be navigated . in twenty days. The merchandize brought from Tarshish was gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks. These are the productions of Africa. That from Ophir was gold, almug trees, and precious stones; and the largest quantity of gold imported by King Solomon came from Ophir, and it was supposed that Ophir was situated somewhere in tlie southern part of Arabia. It is known that Solomon, in con junction with King Hiram; Of Tyre, sent a fleet from Ezion-Gebr, at the head of •the Red Sea, to Ophir, which returned with four hundred talents of gold, with large quantities of the almug-tree, (our sandal wood,) and precious stones. The fleets of Tarshish and Ophir sailed in different directions.— Tarshish was what we call the coast of Guinea, producing gold, ivory, apes, and peacocks ; and the fleets sallied from the head of the Mediterranean, passed out at the Gut of Gibraltar, and sailed around the southern coast of Africa. The ships bound to Tarshish are spoken of in Scriptures as strong and heavy ships. If we believe that Ophir was in Arabia, and w as a depot for the Pheenecians, then they imported the vast quantity of gold found at Ophir, from some other place. Looking, therefore, at the enterprise of the Plumnecians, making Arabia their head-quar ters, what prevented their ships sailing around to California by the north-eastern passage, and bring ing back large cargoes of gold, precious stones and sandal wood from Ophir 1 By the ordinary sailing in these times, supposing Oplzir to be near the mouth of the Red Sea, the voyage could be made in sixty days, whereas it required three years. By making, Ophir the mercantile depot in Arabia for all the adventurer of the Plzmnicians there, gold might have been procured from Guinea to the south, and California to the northeast; and as the Temple cost four hundred and, fifty millions of pounds sterling, we can readily imagine what a vast amount of gold was expended in its erection. However, much is left to conjecture. This we know, and have ever been convinced of, from all that we can gather from the best au thorities, that the American continent was known to the ancients, and was visited by them—conse quently its mineral riches could not have been hid from an enterprising, searching people, remarkable fur their love of discovery and colonizing. Election Of Judges A government that takes from the Ireemen of this or any other country the right to choose thro' the ballot box, their legislators and their ministers of the law, strikes directly at the right of selfgov ernment, and is a direct reflection on their capacity for self-government. There is much truth and force in the annexed sentiments of George Lippard, published in his Quaker City. on the election of Judges : A word to the people of Pennsylvania. Elect your Judges as you now elect your Governor. If you are fit to elect a Governor who holds the power of Life and Death, you are fit to elect a Judge who can deliver a sentence of death.. The example of New York is before you. They elect their Judges Your Judiciary system is an ulcer. It is ar libel upon the State planted by Penn. It is a piece of gum elastic which wealthy fraud may stretch to suit its own purposes, but which is neither strong enough, nor long enough for ragged Honesty.— Elect your own Judges. Then if the ghost of the infamous Jeffery creeps from his felon grave, and crawls up into the body of one of your Judges, and impels him to deeds of reckless outrage—why then you have the power to hurl the unjust Judge from the Altar of Justice which his every word pollutes. Elect your Judges. It is the only word that can save you from the Blot City Law—elect your Judges." Fatal Railroad Accident. Hianisevno, Feb. 12 The body of a man named Din MILLER, was found upon the railroad, near the depot, this morn, ing. having been run over by the train from the city, and competely severed in tin). The deceased is supposed to have been intoxicated. Gums Nor.—The New Orleans Courier says.— "The President elect, on the very day when he left Baton Rouge, assured some of his old military friends in whom he places implicit confidence. that he would dismiss no man from office except for cause, and that he saw no reason why he should not renew the commissions of individuals whose conduct in office was not liable to censure. if - President Zachariah carries out this doctrine, great will be the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth of the great Whig party, 117 - Hon. WILLIAM BEATTY of Butler declines the use of his name for the office of Canal Corn missioner, on the ground that the West has now two members of the• board, and has no claim to another. This is alike patriotic and sensible. Th,e next Canal Commissioner should for obvious ref.- sons be selected from the North. WILL OF PETER MILLER.—Peter Miller, of Eas ton, Pa., died, leaving about $300,000 worth of prop erty, which by will he directe,d to be loaned to me chanics and farmers, and as it accumulated interest this too should be loaned out. No part of the prop erty was. ever to be sold, but the loaning was to be continued perpetually. If there should be no per sons to loan, an asylum was to be built with the unemployed money. Last week the Court of Nor thampton decided against the validity of the will, and a nephew of the deceased falls heir to the prop erty; as his nearest surviving relative. Jonx VAs Bunxx's Lear.—The N. V. Express sends out the following:—John Van Buren met Mr. Fillmore at the time of his last visit to Albany. " What are you going to do for us, ,Mr. Fillmore, now that you are in office," said the hopeful heir of honor. "Do for you ?" said the Vice President elect, good humoredly, "we shall do nothing—we don't know you." , "Gen. Taylor will certainly re deem his pledge to us," said John. " Pledge! what pledge?" "The one he gave at Buena Vista, not to leave his wounded behind him." Ili It is generally believed at 'Washington, that JOHN M. CLAYTON of Delaware will be appointed by President Taylor Secretary of State. The Few Colinty Prison. For,tbe is? hussy& Jamul, Ma. Hurrza : In Zhe last number of the intelli genier .5- Journal, there is an article under the cap tion of "The County Jatl, 2 " , signed Lancaster County, finding fault - with the undertaking, the coat, and particularly the location, of the new prlaim, 'recent ly put under contract by our County Commissioners. As your valuable patir has an extensive circula tion 'throughout the County, many of our citizens' Would see and read this article, which is calculated to prejudice the public mind against 'our worthy Commissioners, for doing that which justly entitles them to the lasting respect and gratitude of the community. An impartial review of the article will place the important subject of which it treats, fairly before yOur readers. For the last twenty years, almost every Grand Jury, selected and coming as they do, from all parts of the County, and representing the body of the county, have condemned in no unmeasured terms the present jail, as altogether unsuited to prison purposes, and strongly recommending the erection of a new one. It has, indeed, been a matter of surprise, that the old, ill-contrived, and barbarous edifice, should have been permitted for so long a time, to disgrace the character of our great county, and a blot upon the humanity of the age in which we live. In this matter the Commissioners have not only acted with the greatest caution, but ac tually put off the erection of a new prison so long, ' that public opinion began to find fault with them. The Commissioners are the exchecquer (if I may use the term) of the county ; their powers are gen , eral, to do all things connected with, and relating , td the management of the county affairs; the levy ' ing and collecting of taxes, the building of bridges, and all public buildings, required for the use of the county. Their official acts are irrevocably binding upon their constituents. It is altogether idle to suppose the Commissioners personally liable for their official acts done in good faith. The Board of Auditors have no power to reject any payment made by their order. The business of the Auditors is to examine and see that the accounts' are correct ly kept, that all payments are placed to their proper accounts, and that no errors or mistakes have been made. Thay have 110 supervision over the official acts of the Commissirmers. They are vested with no such authority. The Commissioners have entered into a contract for the erection of a new prison for solitary confine ment with labor, tbr $ 102,000—a sum comparatively small for the great county of Lancaster. This sum embraces and covers the entire cost, except for the ground, and not as your correspondent has it, with grounds, adjuncts and extras, to upwards of $200,- 000. This sweeping assertion, in the very face of an express contract, appears with an ill grace, is calculated to excite prejudices, is unjust, improper and unwarranted. After the new prison is comple ted, and the convicts put to 'labor and made to sup port themselves, the county will be relieved from the payment of several thousand dollars annually. At present the penitentiary and jail expenses exceed 05000, which will be annually saved, by making the prison support itself, which certainly can be done in Lancaster county quite as well as in those counties where new prisons with solitary contine ment and labor are already established. The location of the new prison, which seems to occasion your correspondent so much uneasiness, was made by the Commissioners and the architect, the very persons whose duty it was t and who above all others, were the mast competent to make the best selection. After examining with great care various parts of the city for the purpose fixed on the scite was selected. .The architect, the most celebrated now living, a resident of Philadelphia, and the Commissioners, all from different parts of the county, could not possibly be influenced by prejudice or favor, and therefore made the location, with the view to the best interests and character of the county ; and, if the opinions of our best informed citizens are to be credited, it is decidedly the very best and most suitable location that could possibly tie had in the whole city. It is less than half a mile from the Court House, - bounded on all sides by broad and well-regulated streets. Prisoners confined for trial can be more safely and quite as speedily brought to the Court as they now can be from the old prisoii. Whenever a prisoner confined for trial is sent for, the rest of the prisoners crowd into the gangway or passage, frequently requiring the Sheriff'■ whole force to prevent their escape, and always occasion ing, considerable delay. This will not be the case in the new prison. The Sheriff goes straight to the cell (they being all numbered) of the prisoner sent for, and without a moment's detention, takes out and proceeds with his charge to the Court in less time than it now takes ; thus removing all ob jections to the location, on account of the increased. distance from the Court House. Your correspondent has not yet emerged from the last age. The idea of potting a prison in the heart of mealy is antiquated. It belongs to by gone times. The sentiments of the present are against it. The old prison, and the other grounds spoken of as suitable localities, are well known to all persons familiar with our city, to be entirety too small, and being near the centre of the city are, list with much greater force, subject to the very objections made by your correspondent to the scite on which the new prison is to be built. Much has been said about the advantages of the public sewer that pass es the old jail, into which the filth kern the prison is conveyed and carried off. Had your correspon dent informed himself of the nature of the contract fir the new prison, he would have seen that it in reludes a long sewer, commencing inside of the prison and extending south under the turnpike and county grounds to the ravine leading to the Cones toga with every facility and convenience to carry off the filth, and preserve the cleanliness and purity of the yards and cells and the health of the priso ners, that could be desired. Had the Commissioners been ignorant of the j tenure upon which the old prison ground is held by the county, they might have felt themselves indeb ted for the information in regard to it, but they .twere perfectly familiar with the !mature of the title by which it is held, and feel no concern :n regard to its security. Should the interests of the county require it to be kept for county purposes, it will be retained, and if not, measures will no doubt, in due time, be taken. to dispose of it. The 'Commissioners scarcely expected the new prison to lie built without hearing some grumbling. This was, indeed, looked for, while there are al ways to be found in every community, and ours it appears is not exempt from them, some peevish and illnatured persons, who are continually finding fault with every thing and affecting to despise, whatever is excellent and meritorious, unless it emanates from themselves. The opinions of such persons mean nothing. From lllf ipl ml Union In the location and construction of the new prison, the Commissioners have shown themselves the faithful representatives of their constituents. The building will be in character of the age and creditable to the enlightened policy of our county. Similar improvements, in Chester, Dauphin, and Berks counties are greatly commended. In the two first named counties, where the system of sol itary confinement with labor has been fairly tried, its advantages over the old system is apparent— the labor of the convicts defraying the expense of their keeping, besides in many instances leading to the reformation of the convict; the most important object of prison discipline. When our new prison is completed and in operation, all good men will commend and approve of it. And long after our worthy and excellent Commissioners, shall be called from the scene of their usefulness, the names of JOHN LANDES, JOHN WITMER, and HENRY MUSSEL MAN, will be cherished with grateful remembrance by the citizens of Lancaster county, for their public spirit and enterprise, in the erection of the new prison,.and removing the old one, that had so long disgraced it. HOWARD. A DAT AFTER THE FAIR.—Gen Arista, Mexican Secretary of War, has issued a circular, directing the most unremitting and careful pursuit of Paredes and his associates in the last revolt. According to the Mexican papers, this is all sham, as Arista is aware that Paredes is out of the country. WlLsrox Pnovrso ra low.s.—Before the adjourn ment of the lowa Legislature, the Senate passed the Wilmot Proviso resolutions, 11 to 5. The House did not act upon the resolutions. WO have received from the Minister of•the public of Mexico to the United States a lettex on a subject of no little interest at this moment to the Public of this country, of which we have caused as exact a transiation as possible to be made for the information of our readers: LETTER FROM THE MEXICAN MINISTER Washington, January 29,1849 GENTECILEN : A great • number of persons pro posing to themselves to go to Upper 'California, have written to me from different parts of the Uni ted States, to ask whether they would find any ob stacle to their passage across Mexico in going from Vera Cruz or from Tampico to San Bias, or to Mazatlan, or from Vera Cruz to Mexico, and thence to Acapulco. They wish also to know whether they will be able to travel armed and in large parties. Every foreigner, of what nation soever, not et war with Mexico, can pass across the territory of the Republic, in no ma:ter what direction, without any let or hindrance by the authorities, providcd always that he carries his proper passports, or, if he be an alien resident in Mexico, his letter of pro tection. As to carrying the arms necessary for his defence, every traveller has that right, but in some of the States, as a measure of police, it is provided that the political authority may give or way with hold the licenie of going armed ; and he that does so without such license either heroines suspected, oh is exposed to having his weapon seized by the police. I r.eed not speak of the case of the politi cal authorities refusing a license; for it is never refused except to persons suspected of being rob bers or capable of committing disorders. These are the provisions existing for ordinary cases. But that now presenting itself is, for Mex ico, one altogether extraordinary and novel; a very numerous migration of foreigners, and foreign ers but lately at war with her, which is about to pass across her territories, and wishes to do so in large parties of armed men. It is, then, probable that the authorities of my country will adopt, or lave already adopted, measures new and extraor Jittery, with a view to guarding against any dis turbances which these emigrants might commit any contest that might arise between them and other wayfarers,'or the quiet country folks, or the people of the villages and hamlets through which they may pass. lam sure that there is in Mexi co no ill-disposition towards foreigners, nor even towards citizens of the 17nited States. lam equal, ly confident that the greater part of the ernitrants about to traverse the Mexican territories are hon orable and peaceful men : but among those same emigrants there may well be some disorderly men, 1 capable of committing excesses and acts of vio lence which will compromit not only them but their companions. It is to provide against such disorders that I suppose special measures of police will have been already taken in Mexico. What they are, I do not and cannot yet knoW, except that, in general, they must he such as the foreign. ers passing through the Mexican Republic to Up per California will do well to respect and submit to. Indeed, the emigrants, let them be of what nation they may, will find in the laws and autho rities of Mexico a complete guarantee for their lives, for their goods, and for every thing that can, according to the laws of Mexico, be considered property. It is probable that one of those measures of po lice which Mexico has adopted, or will adopt, will he that of forbidding emigrants shall pass across her territories in parties more numer ous than,•in the judgment of her authorities, shall be necessary for their security. I consider it cer tain, also, that it will not be permitted that. the parties of emigrants should assume a military or ganization, nor acknowledge, among themselves, the command, rule, or superiority of one or more of their numt-er over the rest. To allow this would be much the same as allowing foreign troops to pass across the Mexican territory; and this, under the Constitution, the Government cannot permit, unless with the assent of the Congress. Consuls and vice-consuls of the Mexican Repub lic are authorized to furnish passports to all for eigners going into Mexico. If foreigners about to do so take their departure from a port where there is no Mexican consulate, then they may take out passports from a consul or vice-consul of ally na tion in amity with Mexico. Some persons have also inquired of me what route through Mexico to California I would re commend as the most advantageous. To go from Tampico to the port of San Bias the emigrants will have to pass through regions little peopled, ill supplied with food, at some points al most destitute of water, so that they would have severe privations to encounter. By the way from the city of Mexico to Acapulco, in order to embark thence for their destination, they would have to pass through the populations of the south of Mex ico ; and I regard it as almost inevitable that quar rels and strife should spring up between the emi grants and the country people of those districts.— In my opinion, the most advantageous route that emigrants can take is from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, through the States of Vera Cruz and Puebla; then through the Federal district, (the State of Mexico,) and the States of Queretaro, of Guanajuato, and of Jalisco, to Guadalajara, the capital of the last; and thence to San Blas. It might seem preferable, the distance being shorter, to go to Guadalajara through the State of Michio acan ; but this track, though nearer, offers few conveniences to the traveller. These are, gentlemen, the only explanations which I can return to the many inquiries every day addressed to me from various parts of the United States by persons desiring to migrate to Upper California But I must remark, that as I have 110 instructions from my Government upon these matters, all that I have said is nothing but the expression of my individual opinions, and has, in no sort, an official character. . I pray you, Messrs. Editors, to give publicity, through yoUr journal, to these explanations ; and have the honor to be, your very humble servant, LUIS DE LA ROSA. Gen. Taylor at Cincinnati. Om:lN:v.lT'. Feb. DI Our city still continues in a high state of excite ment owing to the unexpected prolonged stay of Gen. Taylor. He in literally worn down by the at tentions lie receives from men, women and children. He reached the city in the steamer Telegraph, at lU:o'clock yestesday morning, escorted by fire steamers, crowded with passengers. The appear ance of this fleet of steamers, with flags and music playing, was imposing in the extreme. The whole river front of the city was literally alive with human beings. notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The General was conducted in a splendid open carriage to the Masonic Hall, where the ceremony of reception took place. He was welcomed to Cincinnati by the Mayor of the city in a set speech. The General was so completely fatigued by the ex citements through which he has recently passed, that he was unable to reply: He dined at the Pearl street House, and leaves to-night for Pittsburg, it the steamboat succeeds in making her way thrones the ice. Gen. Taylor is feeble in consequence of a WI at Madison, occasioned by a rush of the populace to grasp the old hero by the hand. The anxiety to see him is unprecedented. Portions of the city were brilliantly illuminated last evening in honor of his presence among us. AWFUL AND AFFLICTING EVENT.-TIIC business of the House of Delegates of Virginia was brought to a close on Thursday by an awful event, which overwhelmed the members with brief. Col. John W. Thompson, of Botetoutt, was on the 'floor advo cating a bill for the establishment of a branch bank at Fincastle. Suddenly, after speaking a few minutes, he sunk in his chair, with his head on his desk. and called for water. This was instantly brought, and, after an ineffectual effort by Dr. Yerby to bleed him, he fell back and died. TO RE:HOVE MOTES FROM THE Errs.—A very simple, but an immediate way to remove motes from the eye, without doing the eye the least in jury, is to wet the corner of a silk handkerchief hi cold water, and roll it over the head of a pin; then carefully work it under the corner of the eye-lid next to the nose, and wipe it quick across the ball ; and you will remove whatever is in the eye, no matter how small. I have done it often myself, as well as recommended it to others, who have tried it, and never knew it to fail. No one need fear to try it, for it not only gives immediate relief, but makes the eye feel comfortable and good afterward. ILJ The Richmond Whig, speaking of John Randolph, says : "It was worth a ride of twenty miles to bear him say 'Mr. President; when he opened one of his speeches." Late from California. The New York Herald and Tribune gives copi ous items, of California news brought by Mr. Ro bert Atherton who left San Francisco on the 10th of-December, and made the journey via Mazatlan • and the city of Mexico Mr. Atherton has brought with him a number of letters for people in New - York, and a file of the Californian newspaper, published at San Fransciscia to the 18th of Navember last. He arrived at San Franscisco on the 20th of December last, in the brig Laura Ann, Captain Blanchard. which vessel left San Francisco on the 10th of that month. This news is, therefore nearly four weeks later than any intelligence which we have received from the fa mous gold regions of California. Mr. Atherton brings with him the bills of lading of gold to the value of i',200;000 shipped on Eng lish account, on which he proposes to effect an in surance here. He also fully confirms the account of the gold on board the U. S. ship Lexington. Mr. Atherton states, that the Lexington has on board sso o ,iluo worth of the genuine metal. She was about to sail when iMlr.•Atherton left for the. United States. The extent of the gold region, as far as it has been exploded, is thr4 hundred miles in width, by one thousand in length, and new discoveries are made train day to day. To time when Mr. Ath erton left, there were never more than fifteen hun ton left, there wet° never more than fifteen hund red persons engaged in digging at any oni time, the average result of whose abor was about' three ounces per day to each digger. This gold is found in flakes or scales in what is termed the wet dig gings, and in lumps and in the crevices of rocks in the dry diggings. Various reports were in circula tion as to the size and weight of those luinps— some persons asserting that they have been found to the weight of twenty-three pounds. These are, however, only rumors; but Mr. Atherton himself saw a piece which weighed seven pounds •and which was initial by one of the adventurers. !'here has not been as much sickness at the the placer as we were led to suppose; neither is the state of society there as bad as has been inti sat d. Fever aud. ague prevails there to a cer tamextent, and attacks those who are careless in regard to their health, but, with ordinary prudence persons can get along without any sickness.. About a dozen persons._ have died, among whom are Mr. 11. P. Richardson, of Boston, who was taken sick at the placer, but removed to San Fran cisco:Mr. William McDowell, of the West, and a Mr, Dickman, of Philadelphia. About a dozen have died at the gold diggings, principally from want of prudence and exposure. When Mr. Atherton left San Francisco, the Uni ted States store ship Lexington had not sailed, but was to do to in a day Or two. She had on board gold dust to the value of half a million of dollars, which was destined for New York, and consigned to several houses here. The Lexington will take Messrs. Wells and Dewitt as passengers., They were attached to the New York regiment. The ship of the line Ohio, .Com. Jones, was also in the harbor 01 San Fransciscr. One of the greatest features of the news is the discovery of a gold mine, of great exeent, in Oregon. This discovery was attracting the attention of the people of that territory; who were flocking thither iu great numbers, in preference to going to Cali fornia. The whole value of gold which has been gather ed in California is estimated, by' those acquainted with the matter, at three millions of dollars, two of which left there in various ways, and the remaind er is on its way to the United States. It must not be supposed, however, that every one gets rich there on the moment; for the work of getting the gold dust and washing it is very arduous. Capt. Daily, of San Franscisco, organizing, and were absent three weeks'; but they did not gather enough to cover expenses, and were disbanded.„ The precious metal exists there, however, in ex traordinary abundance, as is pro\'ed by the fact that the captain of the French brig Perseverance, with one half of his crew, gathered ten thousand dollars . worth in three weeks, as well as by the large prices for which inerchandize of every kind is sold. Real Estate, too, was selling at enormous prices, lots 25 yards square are selling for $lO,OOO. Pro visions were abundant - at San Francisco and the diggings. Flour poured in in great quantities from Chili and Oregon, and•conie down in price from ti2s per bbl. to $l5, at San Francisco. The prob ability is, that that article has fallen still farther— perhaps to $lO per bbl. Board in San Francisco was $lO per week. Great as the discoveries of gold are, they are equalled by those of quicksilver. That metal is found iii various parts of California, and the quan tity- is as abundant as it is in the mines of Spain. Mr. Forbes, the proprietor of the mines, had thitty thousand dollars worth of the article on hand at Tepee, ready for market. It is found even within three miles of San Francisco. About two thousand emigrants had arrived in California from Oregon, the Sandwich Islands, and different parts of South America and Mexico. hi fact, the gold lever rages as fiercely in Mexico as it does in the United States, and there as well as here, expeditions are formed. Mr. Atherton says that it is not advisable for large armed parties to take the overland route through Mexico, as the authorities will be likely to interfere with them and prevent their passage. Small parties can go with security. There were about a dozen vessels of various kinds at San Francisco when Mr. Atherton left. The ship Rhone, Capt. Hill, of Baltimore, was to sail soon for Panama. A Horrible Execution.. The execution of A. F. Tyler, took place on the ult., in Bryan, Williams county, Ohio. The scene that took place is shocking Tyler hail at all times insisted that he should be executed without any slack of Ale: The Sheriff gave him at first only about one foot slack. The instant the drop was sprung, the prisoner slightly croucned his body ; by this meansthe noose slipped around, bringing the knot immediately under his chin, in such a position .that with his short fall it did not tighten at all, consequently he was merely suspended by the neck. Probably his first slight fall suspended sensation and respiration temporarily for he hung quietly for a time; but this suspension was only temporary, and it is certain that nothing like strangulation was produced. He soon recover ed his breath and commenced groaning and strug gling as if suffering excruciating torture. 'llie spectacle at this moment was too revolting TO witness ; we noticed many who had thought and said that they could look on his expiring agonies with a hearty good will, who turned away from the sight with blanched cheeks and looks of commis seration. The Sheriff, learning the situation of the prisoner, promptly ordered the scaffold raised, and no sooner was this done than he was upon it, and taking Tyler by the hand, directed him tostand on his feet, which he was able to do withoutassistance. Aided by Gen. Gilson, the Sheriff then proceeded to lengthen the rope, giving it about four feet addition. al slack. Tyler still leniently begged them to shor ten instead of lengthen it, but he was told that his wishes could no longer be regarded. During this time Ex-Sheriff Cunningham passed up the stairs, and taking Tyler's hand, inquired if he still assert ed his innocence. He replied, "I am innocent"— Flavin. , adjusted the noose, and all others having left the scaffold, the Sheriff took his hand, and again bade him farewell. His last words to the Sheriff were—" For God's sake shorten the rope." Again the drop was sprung, and Andrew F. Tyler was launched into eternity. California Quiz. Some quizzical genius, who evidently does not believe- in the ivonders of California Gold-door, yes terday erected a tent in Jacob street, and set up a store ain California. Wares were displayed at-the tent door, and offered for sale at prices to suit the market. An old seive was labelled $75 an an cient grate pan was offered at $l5O ; a venerable scoop at $5O; a piece of sole leather, a foot in diam eter cut round and hammered into a concave form, was marked $4O; an axe at $l5. To cap the cli max, was a wonderfully significant coil of cord, with a noose at the end marked "cure for disap pointed diggers." The tent was hung about with small signs and placards, announcing the readiness of the owner to buy good gold for $7 per ounce ; to sell bills on New York and to accommodate cus tomers in various other ways, for a consideration. wo' American flags, and a pair of gold scales placed in a prominent position, sufficiently indicated that the owner of the ' tent was a merchant. The whole thing, viewed as a burleNue, was a capital affair, and attracted many persons to witness it. _young lady down east reprimanded her shoemaker for not following her directions respect ing a pair of shoes she had ordered, and, among other things, insisted that they were not fellows. Crispin replied that he purposely made them so, in order to oblige her, well knowing the chastity 01 her disposition, and that she was not fond of/dims. MEXICAN Fironrrism.—The Mexican adminis tration has incurred the - denunciation of the entire press of that country, for exhibiting favoritism to one. Senor Rubico, in allowing him to import raw cotton free of duty. Rubico 'says ha obtained the permit to do so before the war.
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