' 4r ""
Virabforot&evorter.
Towanda, Wednesday, Dee. 30, 1816.
Democratic Comity Nominations.
lII=I
FRANCIS R. SHUNK.
muNeei to the deela:on of the Democratic State tonveat,on.]
1211=1
FRANCIS SMITH, of Troy Borough.
rr. fin , I,....< , .n.yocens'nneal try the dent),
E6q.—aille Any of election ya-t to 1,. &pi:in:grail
_--
itlaab nab Grain, tUantcb at this Offirr,
On Accounts six ye ms
Towssurr ELECTIO7IS.--1t should be borne in
mind, that the Legislature, at its last session, chang
ed the time of holding township elections from the
first Friday in February, to the Third Frub'y en Ja
nuary. The township elections will, consequently,
this year be upon the 15th of Janbary next_
The Var.
We resume our remarks upon the subject of the
war with Mexico. By a reference to the extracts
the Angus contained in our former article, it will be
seen that the unpardonable sin of "aggression, - so
strenuously urged against the President, was Gen.
Taylor's occupancy of the country upon the gio
Grande under the President's directions, it being
alleged that this was in Let Mexican territory, and
that the United States had not " a shadow of claim
or title to it." And it is further alleged, that had
Our troops remained at Corpus Christi, we should
have had no war. Why ? Because, " during the
whole period our army occupied this position, no
hostile demonstration whatever took place on the
part of Mexico." At least this is the opinion of the
Argus writer. There is no doubt then, but that this
change of Gen. Taylor's position was fraught with
mighty consequences, and if the writer on the sub
ject under consideration, is to be believed, it was
a most wicked and unjust act, and one would be
really led to believe, that this act was the only cause
of dispute between the two nations. But if it should
turn out at last that there were othercauses besides
this that the war could be fairly referred to,- and
that this was in fact an untrue representation of the
matter, the Argus writer might have spared slime
of the anathemas he has poured out against President
Polk and his advisers. But before we go further
in the examination of the right to occupy the terri
tory in question ; it may be well in order to give the
reader a proper understanding of the subject, and
to show that the President has not pursued our rights
whatever they may be, in an improper manner, to
refer to the means lie has used to settle the matters
in dispute amicably. This will, we think, not on
ly show that the President is jus:ified in the course
he has taken with Mexico, but will also give us
some idea of what the claims of Mexico are ; and
this view will perhaps be somewhat different from
what is handed out to us by the alders and abettors
of Mexico that reside among us. We will refer,
then, first to the correspondence between our go
vernment and that of Mexico. Fromthis it appears
that on the 17th of September, 1845, a communi
cation was made by Hon. James Buchanan, to Mr.
Black, the U. S. Consul, residing at the city of Mexi
co, to ascertain whether the Mexican government
were willing to settle the several que-tions pending
between that government and this amicably, and
if so, whether they would receive an envoy from
the United States, "instructed with full powers to
adjust all the questions in dispute between the two
governments." This communication was answer
ed in the affirmative, and on the loth of November
following, Mr. Slidell, of Louisiana, was commis
sioned by the President with full powers to settle
all the questions in dispute between the two coun
tries and on the 30th instant, in pursuance of the
authority thus vested in him, he landed at Vera
Cruz and proceeded to make the necessary arrange
ment for fulfilling the duties of his mission. But it
appears, that although the Mexican government
had agreed to receive an envoy, yet when he came
among them, they were astonished, and wished
him to stay at Vera Cruz, and for what l Because
the government of Mexico did not expect an envoy
from the United States until Janaarv, and were not
prepared to receive him, " will desired if possible,
he would not come to the capitol, nor even disem
bark at this time, as his appearance in the capitol
at that time might prove distructive to the govern
ment, and thus defeat the whole affair; for those in
opposition to the government were calling its mem
bers traitors fur having entered into such an arrange
ment.
After dallying for some time, the government of
Herrera, then the President, finally refused to re
ceive the Envoy thus sent th them under their ex
press agreement to receive him. But this step was
taken probably with the hope of conciliating those
opposed to the measure; it however, failed to effect
the object, and so high did the revolutionary spirit
run, that General Herrera, on the 29th of December,
was obliged to resign the Presidency, and the or
post ion came into power, and established a sort of
military government. Had President Polk been so
much bent upon acquiring foreign territory, as he
is represented to be, he would undoubtedly have
seized 'upon the ejectment of our minister under
such circumstances, and the causes that previously
existed, and made those the pretext for immediate
war; without waiting frir anything more to trans
pire. But instead of talitig this course ; he directed
our Minister to make a still further effort to settle
the difficulties, by making an application to the new
government, recently instituted, to be accredited as
such minister. This application was accordingly
made, and rejected. Thus they utterly refused to
accredit our envoy, simply because, as they allege,
m ho had nos much power. He was authorized to
aide all difficulties between the two countries, and
they did not wish to treat upon anythingbut the sub
jee-of the annexation of Texas.
In the communication made to Mr. Slidell, upon
Cis subject, they state distinctly what they under
stand to be the situation of the,tWo countries, unless
a settlement should take place. We will therefore
give their statement, and see how it agrees with
the view presented among us. They say that the
annexation of Texas is theground of complaint, and
that it was an act of usurpation on our part, or to
Vive it in the lammage of the communication re
ferred to—"yo acr.thlc art nct of mogp la n created an
imperious necessity that Mexico for her own honor
ehronkl repel it with proper firmness and dignity."—
The aupreme government (of Mexico) had before
hand declared that it would lot& upon such an act
as a casts helli, (cause of war) and, -as a conse
quence of this declaration, negotiation was, by its
very nature, at an end, and war was the only re.
course of the Mexican government. If then, war
was the only recourse, it was perfectly immaterial
what portion 2f Texas we occupied. If negotiation
had failed, " arms and arms alone," could decide
the question. And this in truth, was the real situ
ation of the matter. Mexico, or her military• lead
ers. were not disposed to treat upon the subject of
Texas. unless they could do it upon their own terms.
There was no complaint particularly about boun
daries, but they were anxious to re-acquire the pos
session of the whole of Texas, dud all of their ef
forts were directed to that end. It was Texas itself
they were talking about—and when they found that
the United States were in earnest about the matter,
and were not disposed to admit any right whatever
that they had to claim Texas ; they then went into a
dispute about boundaries.
In our next article, we will examine that sub
ect, and others connected with it.
(*— We publish, hi another column, an " Ad
dress on the sale of Ardent Spirits," from the Com
mittee appointed at the last meeting of the Bradford
County Temperance Society. As the question of
the Sale of Liquors is to be decided, in thiscounty,
within a few weeks, it becomes the duty of voters
to carefully examine the subject, that they may act
understandingly.
VOTES! VOTES !—We are requested to state, that
a sufficient quantity of Votes having been procured
for the whole county, t- - .4-anist the site of Liquors, -
persons l from the various towns can procure them
for the mere trouble of calling at the store of MON
TANTE & Fox, in this borough. As there is but lit
tle time for their distribution, it is desirable that
Temperance men throughout the county, should at
tend to the matter.
-
Ana Address on the Sale of Ardent Spirits
To the people of Brulfird County
FELLOW CITIZENS:-By a reference to the
minutes of the fast
,quarterly meeting of the
Temperance Society of this County, you will
perceive that the undersigned were appointed
a committee to address you on the subject of
the law concerning the sale of spirituous
liquors.
We enter upon this important duty with
more pleasure, when we consider the progress
of this free and happy community, in all the
departments of civil, social and moral r'eform.
It is verily a source of the most profound
congratulation, to every person who regards
human elevation and happiness, that the moral
sentiments of this community are improving
with the progress of our civil and scientific in
stitutions, and the diffusion of general intelli
gence through a thousand channels. We con
tinue to discover in our system of self-govern
ment, new and imposing responsibilities. It
has beeu said •• Man is the architect of his own
fortune." This is more emphatically true in
governments like our own, in which the poli
tical interests of the people, as well as all oth
ers, are committed to their own hands. Here
no despotism sways an iron sceptre over you,
inflicting horrid wrongs and outrages ; unless
it be a tyrranny of your own creation, and one
which will vanish when smitten with the wand
of popular condemnation. You are the real
and practical governors of thentommunity; and
therefore, while the rewards and blessings of
good institutions will accrue to your comfort
and happiness, so also will the evils, sufferings
and wrongs of bad enactments accrue to your
injury and damage.
"With these considerations, we come to you
to submit a question big with, human destiny ;
and we do so with a lull conviction that you
will act with a full sense of the results of your
action on the present state of society, and the
fate of all posterity.
The question whether the sale of alcoholic
liquors shall be continued in the several bo
roughs and townships in this county, or pro
hibited, will be submitted for your decision on
the 15th of January next.
The prime object of this address is to per
suade y ou to abolish a trade that is unnecessa
ry, and at the same time productive of the
most fearful evils.
The discussion of this question may be con
ducted under two divisions.
First. Your right to abolish the traffic.
Second. The motives to exercise that right.
Your right to abolish the traffic according to
the provisions of the act of our Legislature last
winter, appears from the character of our go
vernment. Our Fundamental Laws recognises
all just laws as originating with the people ;
and no representative or delegated government
in this nation, will assume that its prergative
is superior to that of the people! But3why,
it may be asked, were representative powers
established? They were instituted as a mere
convenience in the mode of expressing the
popular will, and not as the original cyi highest
source of powers. Again—are not all these
powers constituted by the people directly or
indirectly? Yes. Then does it not legiti
mately follow, that the people have, in justice
and in. law. the highest right to decide any
question in which their own private and do
mestic interests are so deeply involved, as in
the question now before us ? But let us in
quire fur a moment into the consequences of
denying this right.
The " Declaration " declares, " that the just
powers of government are derived from the
consent of the governed ;" that whenever
any form of government becomes destructive
of these ends, it is the right of the people to
alter or abolish it." Now the people either
have the right to abolish the sale of ardent
spirits,-on some other power has a right to con
tinue the sale without Their consent. which de
nies our fundamental law ; and hence the so.
ptriority or consent of -the popular will is a
mere sham and no fact.
If the people have no right to abolish this
system of wrong, it follows, that by en act of
the Legislature, all manner of wrongs, insults
and outrages, as well as the whole catalogue of
crimes. with their endless train
.of expenses to
government. and ruin to social and domestic
happiness may be thrust upon us without our
consent. Hence we are exposed to• the worst
of tyranny. But, it may be said, we are guard
ed by law against these abuses. That. we an
sa er, is impossible. It has long been a mat
ter of most painful experience. that no law can
prevent the outrages of intemperance, and its
evil effects on society. It is equally regardless
of every opposing influence. With the same
propriety might we attempt to check the
ravages of time, or the order of nature : be
sides, the worst wrongs, the mos: bilge and
lasting effects of intemperance, are such that
no human law can reach, and if it could, it
would be utterly inadequate as a remedy ; and
therefore,'Could neither diminish nor mitigate
the evil. To contend, therefore, that the peo
ple have no right to control this, is to contend
that they have no rights whatsoever; for this
traffic in ardent spirits is the source of more
injury to our private - and social interests than
any oilier ; and consequently. if. we have no
right to restrict or-abolish such a cause of inis
chief. then we repeat, we can have no rights
whatever. It would seem, therefore, that -no
one could doubt the right, unless lie is quite
ignorant of the great principles of Dembcracy.
or interested in overthrowing all the great and
good objects of society. The latter constitute
a very dangerous class of citizens.
The motives to exercise this - right are very
many. and exceedingly imperative. We do'
not wish to excite any unnatural feelings on
this subject, in order to induce action—which
will be a source of subsequent regret. We
shall therefore use no measureeto excite such
action ; and we counsel all our friends through
out the county, not to encourage any enthusi
asm from party opposition. If there are not
motives of high and undoubted fact, sufficient
to carry this noble attempt at human improve
ment, we wish not that it may be carried by
strife and party feeling. We believe you have
experienced already enough of the effects of the .
system, to rejoice that an opportunity has at
last arrived, when you may escape the utter
desolations of so mighty an evil. Among the
many notives for your action, is that of the
county expenses.
From a calculation, made from the actualex
penditures of Bradford county for the year
1846, and the estimated expenditures for 1847,
it appears that about one fourth of the whole
expense results from the sale and use of in
toxicating liquors. The whole amount for
which the people of this county are taxed, is
ahout twelve thousand dollars. Of this sum,
about four thousand dollars are expended in the
criminal courts—three fourths of which, or
three thousand dollars, are paid to liquidate the
costs of suits occasioned by the sale and use of
ardent spirits. The most of this is for suits
charged as felony, the expenses of which the
county cannot avoid. In addition to this, about
six thousand dollars are paid by prosecutors
and defendants in crimes of less grades—such
as assaults and batteries, riots &c. To all this
is to be added the costs of pauperism, chiefly
from the same cause, which must be immense;
a id we regret that we have not sufficient data
on which to base an estimate. In connection
with this, come the interminable evils to com
munity, from loss of time, lass of property, loss
of health, loss of friends, loss of character, loss
of employment, loss of happiness, and in short,
foss of every thing. In return for all this, we
receive from the license system, into the State
Treasury, not to exceed nine hundred dollars.
Now we candidly ask you to strike the bar
lance. In order to get $OOO into your State
Treasury, you entail upon your own county
and citizens, an actual tax of nine thousand
dollars, with the costs of pauperism, and a i
endless train of other evils of more awful mag
nitude ! Who; we ask, can remain undecided
in view of these facts, and have any love for
his county or the human race?
The condition of the"inebriate. Many of
that unfortunate class of men would rejoice be
yor,d measure, could they be assured that al
cohol would be placed forever beyond their
reach ; and all of them would be bound to you
by eternal gratitude after the experiment.—
When you see the instrument of death in the
hand of the suicide, you consider it your im
perative duly to wrest it from him, even at
your own peril ; Why not, then, when alcohol
is that instrument Your relations and duty
to the inebriate, demand your decided action.
All who are affiliated with drunkard, espe
cially his owns family and friends, present one
of the most impressive motives to this enter
prise.
To arrest the husband and lather from
the ruin of his wife and children; to convert
the sources of misery and death, into those of
life an( felicity ; to change the prospects of
poverty; degradation and wo, for those of com
petence, respectability and honor, fin thousands
of the rising generation, are no mean motives.
We appeal to your consciences.
Not among the least of our motives, is the
peculiar situation of the sober portions ol com
munity. While intemperance continues, no
one is safe. The ranks of the inebriate, as
they rapidly fall away and are forgotten, must
be replenished from the sober and industrious
citizens . : this is a stubborn fact which no one
can deny. Now let us pause and inquire.—
Who of us are willing to take the place of
those who have fallen 1 Fathers and mothers,
what sons have you ready for the slaughter 1—
Some must go. What daughters have you to
sacrifice to drunken husbands f Some of them
must be the victims ;—yea, there are thousands
even now making the terrible sacrifice, while
they know it not. But in the end it biteth
like a serpent and stingeth like'an adder."—
Look at the situation of your children ! from
day to day exposed to the influence of intem
perance ; and how much soever this may grieve
you and excite your fears, you must bear it
without complaint, and continue to witness
these invasions upon your dearest rights—
these direct attacks upon your highest and
holiest privileges, and the most sacred of all
human societies, the domestic circle. If here
is not motive for action, then we must confess
we know not what can move the human mind.
Your posterity to all coming ages, demand
of you while it is now in your power to de
liver them from an inheritance so terrible.—
How would your conducl appear to them,
when it shall be said that in the year 1847, this
terrible foe of man was placed within your
power and you bid him live? How would it
appear to them, if in this hour of trial, you
shall be found withholding your assistance, or
exerting it against the dearr-ingests of your
race 1 May your conduct escape this painful
review.
The political interests of our nation ask yoe
in the most urgent language to do your utmost
to save the talent and pride of the nation from
the doom of inebriation. Many of her ablest
and most promising eons, in spite of talent.
fame, or honor. fall victims to the tyrant long
before they attain the manhood of their intel
lectu'il powers. From these stations of honor
the example becomes tenfold more effectual and
fatal to society.
We have merely hinted at a few of the mo
tives that should sway your minds in the ap
proaching contest, but you have experienced
too much of the effects of the system, to de
mand any attempt on our part to multiply ar
• uritents. We merely ask you, to candilly
weigh the facts as they exist within your own
mind, and then act in view of your own inte
rests, and those of the world and posterity.
Finally, we would recommends few queries
f rthosewhnoppose this reform. What are their
reasons? be sure you have their real objet•
lions: ncipretences. What kind of men• era
most active in ibis opposition t Are they the
best and most useful citizens 2 Are they not
interested ? and would they not be templed to
sacrificepub/ic for private interests ? Such are
dangerous couucelars, not to be trusted in such
a cause. Fellow•citizens the question is now
before you ; you understand its nature. We
beseech you assume your•rights and meet your
responsibilities as freemen, and as you shall
answer to the. great cause of human weal, for
all coming time.
We appeal to you in behalf of .the victims
and their outraged families, pining widows and
starving orphans, yourselves, your wives, your
eons and daughters ; in the name of your rising
families and domestic altars, in the name of
the sober and industrious who bear the burdens
of the vicious, hil t abuses and taxation. ; in the
name of the highs and noble who have fallen in
an unguarded hour; in the name of friendless
poverty and haggard wretchedness, of blasted
hopes and broken hearts ; in view of the dark
dens of infamy and crime on the one hand, and
the high and happy condition of society on the
other, to acquit yourselves like men who are
resolved to vindicate to rights of man, and be
queath a high and God-like example to poste
rity
J. C. VANDERCOOK,
G. SANDERSON.
HENRY BOOTH,
W. C. BOGART,
E. HULBURT.
Very Late and Important from Mexico.
[From the New York Sun, Dec. 24th 1846.]
The Packet Ship Adelaide, Capt. Ellis, from
Havana, 10th instant, arrived here yesterday,
bringing Mexican letters and Spanish papers
to the New York Sun. Our advices were
conveyesl tb Havana by the British Steamer
Clyde, Capt, Simmons. which arrived at Ha
vana on the 7th instant, four days from Vera
Cruz, having touched at 'l'ampico. The dates
are Vera Cruz, 2 Dec. ; Mexico, 27 Nov. ;
Tampico 25 Nov., Chihdahua, 20th Oct.
The war engrosses public attention, and in
recording the efforts making to strengthen San
ta Anna's army, the editors and newspaper
correspondents generally agree that the last
struggle is to be made at San Luis Potosi.—
No effort is apparent to prepare the public
mind for negotiatiou, except such as casual
:11 nylons to the apprZhching session of Congress
and the deliberations of that body upon the
melancholy. condition of the Republic. The
new government works satisfactorily. Arrange
ments for restoring the State Governments to
their former positions under the constitution of
1824, have been 'completed in all the late de
partments, with great satisfaction to the peo
ple. The Legislature of Yucatan, hitherto
the last to hold out against revolutions, met
and promptly ratified the re-annexation, and
the restoration of the Constitution of 1824.
Next in importance to the meeting of Congress,
was the election of President. Santa Anna
positively declines the .office, although some
of the States have petitioned government in fa
vor of giving him dictatorial powers. All he
asks, or professes to ask, is the title " benefac
tor of his country." Another change has oc
curred in the Cabinet, owing to the conflictiig
views of the men in power : Don Antonio Ha
roy Tamariz, Secretary of State, has been su
perseded by Don Juan N. Almcnte. The
popular candidate for the President is Almcnte.
He unites the masses in his favor. Gen. Ca
nalizo is reported to have arrived at Vera Cruz
in the steamer from England. Great enthusi
asm is said to exist among the people in favor
of the army and the war. The Church has
been pressed into the service of the country,
government having exacted contributions upon
the property of " the secular and regular cler
gy of both sexes," to the amount of two Mil
lions of dollars, for which drafts have been is
sued as follows : on the Archbishop $1,000,-
000 ; on the Bishop of Puebla, $400,000 ; on
the Bishop of Guadalaxara, $200,000 ; on the
Bishop of Michoacan, 8170,000 ; on the Bish
op of Oajaca, $lOO,OOO ; on the Bishop.of Du.
rango $BO,OOO. Popular opinion waiin favor
of this exaction, as the Church had recently
shown itself too officious in the cause of the
monarchists. While these contributions are
being levied throughout the country, large
amounts of specie are being exported. The
steamer Clyde, alone took $1,000,000 in spe
cie to England,on the 2d.inst. from Vera Cruz.
Despatches from Santa Anna were received at
the Capitol on the 23d ult. dated at San Luis
Potosi. He had made arrangements to post
his troops at certain quarters not made public.
He presses the Government for more resour
-tee. Accounts from San Luie praise the dis
cipline and valor of the army. There were
twenty-five thousandmen; with fifty-two pie
ces of artillery. Five thousand additional
troops were expected daily. The magazines
of powder and the stores of balls and other
missiles are said to exceed belief. Every
piece of iron that can be found is converted in
to picks or other deadly weapons. In one
store house alone there are two hundred me
chanics working day and night, mounting guns
or manufacturing munitions of war. There
are five hundred more at work in the fortifica
tions, which are being strengthened in every
possible manner. One thousand women, fil
ed with enthusiasm in the national cause, had
come down to the camp from San Diego and
Tlascala, to aid in making articles for the sol
diers. Santa Anna had a grand review of the
whole army on the 13th November. It is des
cribed as - a magnificent pagant. So overpow.
ered was he by the boundless enthusiasm
which greeted him as he passed along the
lines, that his feelings. overcame him, and the
tears rolled down his swarthy cheeks, amid
the prolongeff hnzzas of the various regiments,
and cries of " victory or death !" " God and
Liberty 1" " Long live Santa Anna !" " We
will heat the Yankees this time !" &c., &c.—
Provisidna were pouring into the camp, in im
mense quantities. Language is said to fail in
attempting a description of the formidable pre
parations making at San Luis. There, was to
be the last great struggle. There, say the
newspapers, will the fate of Mexico be decid
ed, and farther rogistance it is said will be use
less. Fears were. entertained, however, that
even there the fortunes of war would be against
them, and accordingly we find preparations
going on to defend the road to the capital.—
Forts were being erected at various points, and
the passes were being strengthened, but these
works do not seem to progress very rapidly.
Santa Anna'S evacuation tif Tampico is defend
ed. on the ground of his inability to resist the
vessels of war ; and that port being one in which
the y ellow
. fever rages fiercely eight months in
the year, the editors predict that it will become
a grave for thousands of Americans, as it was
for the invading Spaniards. The burning of an
American Steamer at "jampice, the wreck of as
many U. S. vessels ou the coast, and die loss
of prizes taken at Tabasco, are matters which
the Mexican editori record with joyous ex
clamations. The U. S. frigate Potomac was
in a sinking Conlittion off Anton Lizardo.—
Four sailors • were taken prisoners from an
American vessel wrecked at Sotto Yenta.—
Various accounts are given of the burning of the
Mexican vessel of war Creole, under the walls
of San Juan d'Ulloa. The battlement of San
Miguel saw the U. S. boat approach the fort,
but mistook it for a boat from the British steamer,
and made no alarm. Others allege that an alarm
was giYen, but the officers of the tort would not
fire, fur fear of killing their own people. Other
versions are given of the affair. The fort begins
to be an object of suspicion among the Vera,
Cruzanos. who seem to think it less formidable
to the Americans than they did formerly.—
Accounts from Chihuahua to the 20th October
confirm the arrest of the American traders, six
le all, whose property was confiscated. James
McGoflln, Henry Connelly and Mr. Francisco
were the principal victims, and lose large for
tunes. Mr. Connelly had been an old resident.
Several caravans of Mexican traders ca toe down
about the same time from New Mexico, who
reported Gen. Kearney's depature for Califur
nia, and Doniphan's movement upon Chihuahua.
Five hundred men were equipped tc resist the
latter at El Passci del Node, where there is a
fort which they were to occupy. Indian dep.
re4etions continue in the central and north
western departments. The e. Yankees" were
charged with being,in league with the savages.
Gen. Armijo had been defeated by the Indians,
losing thirty men before he retreated. Porto
Paz,. hi 'Lower California, was blockaded in
October by an U. S. corvette, which made
prizes of two Mexican schooners. the Ramona
and Julia ; She then proceeded] to Gummas
(Guayaymas ?), and ordered the commander to
deliver two gun boats, which was refused, and
on the 7th October the U. S. commander bom
barded the city. We find no farther accounts
of the rumored insurrection at the city of Angels,
in which 150 Americans were said to have
been massacred. We have various rumors of
Santa Anna's movements, apparently intended
to conceal his real designs. One announces
his retreat to Queretaro, another puts him on the
road to Mexico, a third sends him to Sallillo,
&c. &c. Two large forts are going up to de
fend the road to the capital, one at Tlascala and
the other at Santiago.
Our advice', by this arrival lead to only one
conclusion—a desperate battle is to be fought
at or near San Luis Potosi. Mexico will have
thirty thousand of her hest troops in that con
flict, and the U. S. will probably have at least
half that number. %You'd to heaven that we
could avert this awful carnage ! But what can
we do to secure peace ? We have offered it
to Mexico. We have shown our readiness to
negotiate, The government of Mexico appeals
to their Congress, and upon that distinguished
body now rests the responsibility of accepting
or rejecting a negotiation for peace. Why not
deignate San Luis Potosi as the place for the
meeting of the Peace Commissioners
ELECTION 'OF OFFICERS FOR THE PENNSYL
VANIA REGIMENT OF VOLUNTEERS —The Pitts
burg papers of Saturday, received by the ‘Ves
tern mail, give the following as the result or
the election of officers of the Pennsylvania Re•
giment of Volunteers :
For Colonel.—F. M. Wynkoop, 310
Win. F. Small, 206
A. L. Rouinforti 253
E. Fray'lle. 10
For Lieu!. Col.—Samuel F. Black, 452
IL G. Scott, 282
T. G. Morehead, 134
For ilajor.—F. L. Bowman, 491
J. C. Brown, 334
G. C. McClelland, 23
John C. Gilchrist, 20
Alex. W. Foster.
The officers elert are Colonel F. M. %Vyn
koop, of the Pottsville company : Lieut. Col.
Samuel F. Black, of Pittsburg, and Major
Bowman - of the Wyoming Company.
There was a great deal of feeling manifest
ed, and some fighting took place among the
volunteers, a Pheladelphian was badly beaten.
TOE SECOND REGIMENT OF VOLUNTEERS.-
The Governor has accepted the following com
panies to compose the Second Regiment
Columbia Guards. Danville, Columbia
county, Capt. J. S. Wilson ;Cambria Guards,
Edensburg, Cambria county,. Capt. J. Murry ;
Westmoreland Guards, Greensburg. Capt.
John W. Johnson ; Fayette County Volun
teers, Uniontown, Capt. E. F. Roberts ; Ger
man Grays. Pittsburg. Capt. V. Gutzwiler ;
Cameron GOards, Harrisburg, Capt. E.
; American Highlanders, Cambria coun
ty, Capt. J. W. Geary ; Reading Artillery,
Reading. Captain 'l'. S. Leesser ; National
Rangers, Philadelphia, Captain C. Naylor.—
One company in the interior has been accepted,
but has not yet answered. It will probably
march." Tl'ese companies offered their ser
vices when the first regiment was wanted, and
the Governor\gave them the preference on the
second requisition.
PES:NSYLYAN!A ALWAYS READY.-Our Wash
ington correspondent sent us last evening, by
mail, the following postscript to his letter, which
shows how ready Pennsylvania is to render
her services MI the war.
P. S. Vice President Dallas received, in the
course of to-day, an important despatch from
his Excellency,. the Governor of Pennsylvania,
now in Philadelphia, stating that the Second
Pennsylvania Regiment was ready and that a
third was anxious to start if the President re
quired their services. The Vice President in
stantly offered the services of the third Regi
ment, but the President regretted he could not,
in justice to New Jersey, accept them, as the
latter State had claimed het right to furnish her
quotum.
SOUTH CsnoLlNs.=The Legislature of this
State adjourned on the 18th inst. Among its
acts was the abolition of the Geological Survey
of the State. The law to secure to married
women their rights of personal property was
defeated, as was also 'the proposition to give
the election of Presidential Electors to the peo
ple. The system of lottery gambling in Charles
ton has been abolished. The resolution 6t{itte
subject of slavery,passed by the Legislature of
New Hampshire, occasioned .an exciting de
bate in'the Senate. and a vote was finally pass
ed to return the. resolutiont to the Executive of
New Hampshire.
WrscoNsw.—The Constitutional Convention
has nearly completed the formation of a State
Constitution. Judicial officers are to be elected
by the people at a seperate election. The an
nual election for political officers will be held
on the first Monday in September. The hank
article has been modified so as not absolutely to
prohibit banking in the State. Being concern
ed in a duel is a bar to holding office under the
State thereafter. The State is to be divided in
to two Congressional districts,
•
Vroceedings of the XX.IXth
-
WASHINGTON, 6 P. M., Dec. 21. N .
SEAATIE. eesrs ,Brigh t, Rusk and 11outi4,
who was
appeared in:their heats, Mr. Calhou n p tt , ez.
e credent ials lified.Ai of r. Butler, ofSouth Canal*
qua
• Mr. Barrow offered a resolution calling i ll
President to inform the Senate whether eo
agent had, been sent by him to Havana, in 411. '
li on to the return of Santa Anba from Ment.,,
and calling for all the correspondence in rtlatit
thereto. Laid over.
M r. Dickinson introduced a bill to amend
th
act of 1813, regulating, the laws in relation',
seamen. Mr. Semple introduced a bill to IN
model the Consular System. Mr. S amir
brought forward a bill to provide for the Ism,
of the mouth of Red river. Mr. Semple rat,
mined a resolution calling on the-President j
information relative to the claims of Ammer'
citizens on the Republic of Columbia7-adripied,
Mr. Archison presented a bill for the relie s (
the heirs of John Paul Jones.
A bill was reported from the Library c oir ,
mittee for the relief of the widow of Alexander
Ham il ton. Adjourned.
•
House..—Mr. Gentry made a personal er.
planation. Mr. Brodhead moved a euspe n i c ,
of the rules, in_order to introduce a mulattos
requiring the Secretary of the' Treasury t o
form the House on what articles the duties
posed by the act of 1846 cam' be enhance' :
what extent, and what additional revenue would
accure there from. The yeas and nays wer e
demanded upon the motion to suspend, Isi a h
was lost, 69 to 97.
Bills were introduced to reduce and endur e
the sales. of , public lands ; to provide for
ascertainment and satisfactions ; improvein es
of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkata s
rivers ; for the erection of a Custom House s
Savannah ; were all read twice and referred.
Mr: Rathbun offered a resoluttoneallin r sp a
the Secretary of the Treasury to state %Attle e
agents had been employed and paid tootd
the preparation for the going into effect of 11 4
Tariff of 1896. and whether guages, dr ., u n ,
the Tariff of 184?, had not been cominutd tot
der the new Tariff. Adopted.
Mr, Thomason presented a resolution,
a long preamble, declaring that the arquisilla
of territory oy conquest, when not absolutely
necessary for self-protection, was repugnant to
the genius of republican institutions; and that
to require trona conquered the payment
of the war, was unjust ; that when Mexico
makes reparation for acknowledged indebted.
ness, and establishes the Rio Grande as boonda.
ry line, then conquered territory- should
restored. The House refused to suspend aft
rules in order to consider the prupwitiuu, by
vote 33 to 128.
The special order of the day being the bill o
provide for the admission of lowa into the
Union, it was taken up and passed. The bill
.granting a pension to Kelley. Kinggold's mutt.
bated teamster, was also passed. The !louts
then went into committee of the whole on te.
li•rrtng the President's Message. Mi:-Seabon
Jones made a speech of an hour, after which the
committee rose.
Communications were received from the Sri
retary of the Treasury and Poatmaster General,
Adjourned.
Wastaszommto, 6 P. M., Dec. 22, 1846.
SENATE..---Memorials and pentium wen
presented,
On Mr. Semple's motioq, , the committee ot
Roads and Canals were imitucted to sequin
into the expediency of constructing a Rai*
front Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia.
On Mr. Rusk's motion, the Military com
mittee were instructed to enquire into the pro
priety of the rifle being adopted more meagre
ly In the army.
The Post Office committee were invtrueted to
inquire into the propriety of providing be lie
for the transportation of the malls to variant
posts occupied by the army in Mexico.
The committee on Public Lands reports/
bills establishing a general pre-emption prete;
for the sale of mineral lands in Michigan mil
Wiscunsin ; and for granting public lands
Michigan in aid works of internal improvement
Mr. Semple introduced a resolution foamed
the constitution so as to take away from the
Supreme Court the power to dclare any us
passed by Congress or the State Legislature
unconstitutional,-
Mr. Barrow's resolution to enquire into de
circumstances attending the return of' SOD
4a
Anna into: Mexico. came up for console lion.—
Mr. Sevier moved to lay it over i nler 0
give time for consideration. Mr. a ow had
no objection, provided it was understood thus
should not be called up until after the-holiday'
The resolution was accordingly postponed un
til Tuesday.
The Senate then went into executive session.
and subsequently adjourned.
ilousie.—Mr. Martin, of Kentucky. owed
a suspension of the rules, in order to eUle
him introduce a joint resolution providing thu
letters and papers for the army should be het
of postage. The resolution to suspend teasing.
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the reference of the President's 31ee
sage. Messrs. Morse, of Louisiana, and Nlartm.
of Tennessee, defended the course of the ad.
ministration. Garret Davis replied after whic h
the committee rose, on motion of Mr Gordon.
A message was read from the President, is
reply to Garret Davis's resolution, with the
documents upon the subject, front the War 221
Navy Department. containing all the orders and
instructions emanating from those Departments
'!'he Message declares that no instructions he/
been given which were not clearly. authorized
by the law of nations. Some acts had bon'
committed by Gen Kearney in New Mesita
which were not approved, but official informs•
ann. in relation to them, was not in the poste:
ion of the President at the time the annual r l3 h
sage was submitted. lithe authority gi Ten hid •
been exceeded, it could be rectified without hants.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, 6 P. M.. Dee. ' 3
.SENATE.--\lr. Breese, on leave being gifo"
introduced a bill for the organization of a umP
lonia! government for Oregon.
Mr. Dickinson brought forward. a bill in rit;
lotion to the United States District Coati ° I .
New Yink.
The Committee on Roads and Canals it
ported a bill to relinquish the Cornial lll4
road to the States through which ti paws.
The Committee on Naval Aff,itrii eel
strueted to inquire into the pr'actieability nf ";
ing iron as a material for the c onstrocual l .
vessels of 'war, and the expediency of Pl' l %,
ing that repairs to Government vessels m'g'
be done by contract.
The Committee on Printing rcrtej
"Pima tho printing
of the memorial of &SP
etety of Friends in New England. praying L b !
the war with Mexico should be broogl lll °'
speedy close.
Mr. Davis opposed the report, and moved°