Speech, Free Men!
Preedano for . Pres Terirgrerl•
E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
,
OtOlbr the information of art jauleit4d,
'''dipatetait to ;Tam' t tide' aile,,* - 4rizer fiufe d ; Oaf ,
r 6 - itska'si4is vii a uthartzkh AO ii4l4B'
- fdieritzt rt- pelitins dctate po .. Ate) `
of our'mei? the:fetst,
1.
•••••rf • • •
....,..illtnianarlegisiation on the subject of the relation
of debtor and creditor, has generally kept pacerwith
thapta of veferm it the pond lade; and to
-41ether they lone a good -standard by-whin!' to in rat
.--af the inteiltenw and eldightenedloatanityof eat
age• •
;Time has been when the famished.wretch who
- stpkreiglneenvence worth of bread toliatisfrthe
enwings of nature, was hanged on the tarns gal.
lows-with him who moldered .his own father; and
. 'fine has been when the body of au insolvent -deis
m! was quartered, and placed at die disposal of his
creditors, in parts-proportioned to their several de-
Mande. And when the death penalty for theft was
abolished, there were not wanting men who pro.
'violated with mach clamor that a I protection of the
rights of property was at in end. So too, when the
laws which gave the creditor power of life and
-death over his debtor, were abrogatetk the monied
dosses pronounced it an infringernernt of their tights
—ran impairing of the obligaticarof contracts; and
asserted that no security remained for the payment
• of their demands, since the law had interposed its
bulwark between the life of the debtor itt:d their
unrelenting cruelty. And evens few years since ;
in this Comnsonareahh, when the law which gave
the creditor power to drag his debtor from the too-
sons an dependent lintily, tnd irons bins with
in the walls of a prison, was repealed, grasping
avarice again muttered folk its resentment at the
the escape of its victims.
There is a certain class of men in the communi
ty—and ever has been, rime Mammon was cast
ant of heaven—who think that the great end of ex.
istenca is to make money, and who look at every
thing terrestial with an eye single to this one object.
Whatever their professions may be, they in reality
acknowledge no claims, and hold no rights sacred,
save those of property. In their estimation, 14s.
Wiwi Wanders from its legitimate objects, eNeepf
when employe!) in providing security for the wealth
which they have already wenn:rule ed, and. furnish.
ingfacilities for the acquisition of more. They have,
in sober froth, hide idea that anything else deserves
the protection of law, except the right of property.
In their view, security seems specially constituted
for this one purpose. Nothing else seems of ranch
importance to them. The; see everything-through
a golden medium. The earth is valuable in their
estimation ; but it is chiefly because it contains pre
cious metals, and can be parcelled oat and spread
over with title•Oapers, so that they cah say to other
men—" Stand back! this is mine—l am Lord of
the soil l'' They Value the sea i but chiefly for the
reason that Wean be n;ivigitsil by Ships, and com•
merce liripas wealth 16 :their coffers. They value
Men also ; ,ut it'i;'Or the recap "i
that the true basis
of Al real Wealth is labor—and they know that it is
by the:wear orhumaa bones, muscles and sinew*
Aar t ie wealth w ni i hey worship is created.
•e•, , _ . .
Now if this be true, that the rights of property are
.of all things most dear and valuable, and that the
' , wet:Anti:dation of !Wealth 'is the end of man's best
aims and hopes here on earth, then the elating
l;ws are just and proper, by virtue of which The
bearlh stone ; arartrid . which the dependent 'widoiv
with difficulty rears her orphaned family, as well
as the soil which contains the consecrated ashes of
their- father, may be taken and sold in execution.
But if the rights of property are pf secondary chit-
Jacter, and ought to be
.regarded as subsidiary to
caber and dearer interests, Then it itt,p matter of se
rious Mtviry whether the present, laws which reg
vitals 44 relation ef.debtor and,creditor should not
receive lithe; alteration. , •
Unihis point we "shall take the :idiedy to revert
to first principles ; Although, we
.may thereby incur
of charm of radicsdistn.
_Vic venture this propo-
Anion, whicit, deem WI-evident.; ,that there is
in r ,tha,couninnionlif things, or in'the, aim
idea of jostice,amongmea,,which makes it ne
rrW 14t-oiMinaivid_ 0*L14 41
140...tte born rich and
-19 0 # 3 0 11 MT Oh* by t h e , mere rloicksloot of birth:
. cam Romeo should be,. entitled a, monopoly :of
.Ivhat.ever is,most .desirable for _bodily and mental
-oolnkrgly and .that another should be doomed thro'
life to stru g gle' with animal wants and privations,
with scarce opportunity to reflect whether he has a
-moral torture , or 'sok Minaret nererintended, no
inanet "tat Woe ing,: overbearing" ',ankh may say,
, that eheild starve, or 10w-dwarfed in his
ineraluns wed an physical Akrvelopurent, in order
-thatanotheritnay filtrlthreoffiMl withlocre. Mir
- jnovisiorariteabandarttandsefficientlor.all. • The
imounne doniaMs °Hight, air and eriMtr r ailto has
rplaardequelly wishiiklbirenitiyinetdof everyliving
.ileatnroomndintatthinehreinarly iodinated herin
.tention tine olbobbnidtpasbeipatiointbe enjoyment
of those othtirelenientsidispesdoetionsof thenath,
which arc indispensable to the comfort of man and
the fulfilment ofthetanliiiif-his:existesco. 4 %dare
tenni Windt Alee4ltiolvntA4mittifieettf-4etihe
'hairy zeintl ontßiltep ibein'inbeneto Nitwit
Atrticeetititienalthieciffs lathes*
pfttnitoneeri'niters 4.,rarian and nidiad.
liatthe poor, iti.betsisffer Winn theevils ofinottepo
iy, and , drag'cont I Inisiotitblwelistence, in , canoe-
InoWee'br be'uiriikeltldba Fornt.eir share of Nl
t itothibbilMy,'haie-sto diritliwg conviction. of Their
tout! by long
• y eare, wietclusdnesentariforwele. Milintibe rich
W °ll "re superfluities
...I;rl;talrY i 44 ": i ta Aiken
1 :q9 11-1,54 IP c 3 : w6il;
"Thre'ls,6iiiii; es to ream% st, • idepie,jl;asv, ur
human affairs,-end..)Thel,
Aare am verde& in ihosesvietrsotnlckdkoilmne
volenijitMOtiolkOlNinare lQlrMis alibet oitiOren,
is it *loin* province of-legislation to aid o irkeitny..ll
raretiat - That intention, or to ihwan it t By means
of their soperkpr ability, opportooities and store in.
. -
,
"
011 ': • 4
,
" '
check 1 Eery table' sentiment of man'o heat te
- • 7-•• ,
tef object of human enflame. They
are, only base, earth-bout souls that can so mistake
the means for the end. Nature herself forbids the
idea r ,.: She has scareefy fitmished material enough
to make one man ikatiliert !teallitlYPCSll l li .
has provided ewe*, to insure a competence to all,
teeml aritiorial dereelopmeet 'of their heollits,f
ottenebseonsiusthelegitintate deign of theft-be,
ing. To maintain that onn man e it e md.be pe r mit.
led to glafterwithin his - tilted* so ember the ma
terial comfons of - life, ow to leave ortnothing
'lie therneceasities bible fellows, is *goes 'That
isoperlitarshicfr the rich loan doss not seed, bat
which he rasestrith the inatiiwts of 'avarice, has
boiev!acCoveitialtai , by abstracting from the little
comforts orthepoory and has rubbed them of their
neceaaarrosiexort.
Ars. Jaiiiea Cooper.
We 'Weil, last week, cnrrdetermatien to award
fall anriimpirrtial credit to ati those whO had stood
up matittilly for the interests of the 'Not*. The
retirement of the Ron: JsmcsiCoosza from our State
Legislature to the councils of the Nation, affords a
proper opportunity to speak of his court*, in refer
ence to the North Branch, without the impotat.on
of partisan or sinister moires.
When public men by their virtues, and magnan
imous, self-sacrificing exertionyhtow off the tram
sets of party, aid stand out as the servants of the
People, to advance the curse of mankind, the press,
!speaking in behalf of the public, owe that man
some taken of distinction. Such is now the poet.
tion of Hon. James Cooper, before this community.
Though strong in his attachment to the policy of
the Whig party, yet with just conceptions of patriot
-ism, and pi:westing, talent of a very high order,
combined witioan ardent temperament and amiable
disposition—qualities so essential to a great stater
man—he will, we apprehend, never be found stao
ding between the pillars of the temple, choosing
rather that the erlifize should be demolished, and
his country prostrated, than that be should be shorn
ot-his strength. We wish there were more dutch
rren in both parties, Mr. Cooper is the United
S ales Senator, of this Commonwealth, from the
4th of March last ; to doubt that he will adorn that
station, and rank among the first of the patriots and
statesmen in that body, wovid be to question the
manifest evidence of the past. Perhaps there
may be no important public act of his, in the
Senate, in which we shall concur; we differ as
to the policy and measures best calculated to sub
serve the greatest good of the country; but he is
not tbeiess a statesman and patriot, who will never
perionit his errantry fo Uedisgraced, to serve his party.
The genefous; open and firm stand he has taken
in tavor of the completion of the North Branch ca
nal, contrasts highly to his credit, with the shuffling
demig,opeism of certain other sycophants for pub
lic tarot at Harrisburg, whose mouths were full of
promises before the election, but now quail at the
lash threatened by party leaders. It may be said,
what has he done, that his enemies should 'praise
him ! We have no praises for his whigr,ery-4ut
we have confidence in his integrity, and from the
past are justified in believing, that on every great
occasion, his coarse will be directed, not by politi
cal tricksters, but by what is for the:public good. It
this it that has.,distinguished his devotion
to the great interest of Northern Pennsylvania; for
which be dewy*, as he will receive, the gratitude
of the North. A moiety of his integrity and patriot
ism in some statesman that have made larger pro
mises, and the' cciropretien or die 'North Branch
would now be placed beyond doubt.
Per Cild'Viral* I
Our borough Mt week sent another emigrant to
join the multitude who are hurrying to the golden
regions, is the person of Mr. Timm* B. Ovairnm,
who leaves behind him.. troop of friends endeared
to him by the many stetting pantie% be possesses,
and his enlarged and generous heart. Ile will be
jorned in New York, by Hmcare'. OVIRTON a son
of Edward Overton Esq., also of this borcamh, with
whtantis many friends parted Wit' regret,: and
with a Wish for his futuretwelfare. They proceed,
we believe, via. the Isthmus to San Eremite°.
Mr. SAMUEL KLI.LOX 2J., an enterprising and
subritantial farmer of Duren township, 4efl some
weeks ego, for the El Dorado, and most be now
some distance on his journey.
Cuaterfett lhasigiebanaa Ca. Jimier.
Tee Philadelphia Spirit of the Times, of the-Ist
itist...says that anew counterfeit fere dollar note per
pottugf to been ~ i sstsed by the Susquehanna
County Bank, at iitnetrose, Pennsylvania, am pass
ed last evening at the store of Joseph Neall, corner
olEight and Poplar streets, it is made of flimsy
paper; the word " nvs” is printed across the right
• =4404 twy bastsnrid, the figure "5" on the left
end. It *eery different from the genuine issfte pl
this Bank. Thos- man who pared the note was
shortly after arrested by Caostable et the
comeralSisth and 'Parrish streets, and taken be
fore Alderman Courow, Be delivered the..change
to Mr. Neidl, from whom be had received it; re
lated to answer any qualiina because he had. fel
legyer, statues Sually,lockal tip, sod will bees*
belalrAe.... PQM** Mu* ei the mad *Ow Al.
dem:tots office r ite.dre.w, - 040094 fieSsiostable,
,b d the tampon, welomespakfrom lits-by a Owl
ufAmr. akar- - . . •
Cienres,Cutlett Boot, Iftw 'kettpit oft
lLerhi~li et ; 4hinit itilititeeptisikiattalier
hali-gaßin4 ittiler"Thlit iiimliett Wren* is Med
ulyefitterlainint loritilti the
embellishments are superb. • MrtaFiart onto
Jitemture, in this couturiipresants straw claims
npatohe patronage of thq publie. •
D'acerattsxrrrtak—Peteiminr:Sreall it Cuttie,g, is
*Oat steel:9y the ititiettiatinent, are *Oared its
• take the cenntenaneeiet
.p11140.-Miklpin i theitiactnre. verphighly*ok
imi,olvaP4 wvati , r,icsnowohlkscAlgon!
-A.tajt delarklikesialges-4,o”HavficAS:finol
A Fooltown—Ariii!liiiitiiiiittiiit Astir
-moatuoklat%749o44Tutil Ike Poic
ICibotwouse or l AY. i llisitiaalaq.ioNirthoutagkosi
ElYeasstlgy v.guing4oo4 44xna
finpair, : wuk Piney. *Ng It 44***1
"needless to Pay that the-little arum r aas taken iv &
and eartal for in a proper manner.
Sad likeeeslittleo MktMk Vompees. I
seaman i - -
gt -
,„ 1 , ..
• -1! .. _ h :d: hut
.-,7itc. t i,...
•y.
ss confused, that
. - -...
re rel .
.___z . w, _ . bte
ess was - .. ~: ‘..,_,
7T-I'f: - mimes of the proecedi. . .., te r.`
Senate, the bill passed for the coinage of Gold Dol.
lierietalDeilifflheritelket--01adioaseest
amendment to confine the. appointment of gamy
ors of the Line between the Thalbsd`Stsiles pia Mex
ico to the Topographical corps.; the passage of a
bilt-hut,lo69d. by M.,Bceese, pnrodlim,fiF itic i
triiiishiloi.voipithriciantornieSpoe'llitial
' . • sit califixia. ineffect stAbeAva : . •
;may i pawing , the potowt bill prov . idiNfor taking
the nexiCensui . ffiepiess;ge sif theitOox4 Depart.
meet A *TA very animated (iiscuMion, by 31
:to 2.5; th in ' . lei!sio!litirs itn.CbeianterklMent
to thi Civn`hilll, the killing of the bi;isch inlet in
New York ; the-panne of the General Appropria
tion bill, kftera long oonteet to fix and finally, tak
ing back . Mr. Walker's ainendnieol; skid finally,
at about i o'clock. Sunday morning, the Sen ate_
ad
journed.
At two o'clock, Sortday morning, iir. torcips
rose to a point of Order, during a discussion in
which it was contended that Congress had legally
expired, when Mr. Hangman Pane walked up to
him, shook his fist in his face, and struck him.—
They were parted by Senator Fitzgerald and others
111 the House, the New-York Mint, bill was pas
sed to no purpose, however; the Naval Appropria•
lion bill went throught slightly amended ; the
amendment to fix the 10th of March for the day of
offect of the Minesota-bill was receled from and
the appointment of all officers under the bill placed
at Mr. Polk's'discretion by a vote of 105 the 60;
the District Slave tide was shoved-by with scarce
a recognition; the Walker Amendment to the
General Appropriation bill disagreed to, - 10 to 104 ;
concurring with - Senate to establish a Board _for
Mexican Claims ; Extra Compensation to Clerks,
be. went throne. with a rash; a hundred conflic
ting motions were made and finally, at 61 Sunday
morning, the XXXth Congress came to a stormy
end.
At 101 o'clock, Saturday night, Mr. Groutaci
walked over to Mr. MEADE'S seat, and struck him
slightly. The pugilistic display etas then stopped,
until about 2 o'clock Sunday morning, the House
was withnt a quomm. Several resolutions', private.
bills, &c. were disposed of, when Mr. JOHNSON of
Ark. reached at Mr. Flame of 111., knocked hini,
down, and drew blood. A rush was made to part
them. The speaker called to order. There was
tremendous excitement, but the conflict was over
in a minute. No bonesbroken. There was plenty
of the ardent in the capitol, and in the midst - of the
whole Mr. FICELIN was taken from the Hall.
The cause of these disgraceful proceedings, we
do nut learn—but will give bur readers full particu
lars, next week.
Correopoubaus from suTisbarp,.
The Noels Braila Canal—Antatehmerats -mud post.
ponement—Positioo of Ike State Adneatistratioss—
.afr. , _ Cooper- 7 Ekdionofludges—Estouion of Sla,
tury—Hannoniat teitiggay.
, thassesvao, Feb. 2s, 1849.
Ma. Eerroa:—you have already . been apprizid,
that the Bill for the Completion of the North
Branch Canal, was lost in the House of Representa
tives on Thursday last, by a small majority. A
rent on was immediately made for its reconsidera.
lion, which was agreed to, and on the wit day the
Bill was placed upon its feet again by a majority
about equal is that by which it was voted down on
the day before. It has stood in that position omit
to day,. when it was again called up and as amend
ment offered by Mr Little, to strike out the entire
bill and insert another, as follows:
The Ongioral Bill, presented by Mr. FIGLLE i I, Jan. M. iddo,
entitled An Ant to provide Mr tbe completion of the Nort h
Bancosien of the Presoylvantsmissmi."
Baer. I. Be it enact.di &c, That the Governor
bi and is hereby authorized to negotiate a loan, by
hieing certificates of stock, for a sum sufficient to
ebmplete the North Branch canal: $500;060 of said
lean to be paid into the Treasery in the year 1849;
5500.000 its the yeu 1850 ; asdduring the year 1851
such a sum, if slims the canal commissioners shall
deem necessary for the final completion of the work
estimate of which they are hereby directed to
tarnish in their annual ;report; which loan shall
bear interest at a rate not exceeding six per cent.
per annum, payable half yearly at the bank of Pen n
srlvinia, in the city of Philadelphia, and for the re
imbursement of the said loan, at the expiration of
twelve 3 ears, and the payment of the interest accru
ing thereon, the tolls hereafter accruing on the North
Branch Division of the Pennsylvania canal are here
by specifically pledged.
ifirev, 2. The Governor is -hereby authorized to
cause to be executed certificates of stock, bearing
interest at a rate not exceeding 6 per cent., signed
by the State Treasurer, for the sinus borrowed in
pursuance of this set, and reimbursable as afore
said ; which stock shall be transferable upon the
books of the Auditor General, or at- the Bank of
Pennsylvania. by the owner thereat or by his, her
or their attorney, end new certificates of the same
shall be issued to the holder or holders thereof, by
the officers aforesaid.
Elser. 3. The money autherized to be borrowed
by ibis set. shall be applied to the completion of the
North Branch Division of the Pennsylvania canal.
and the revenues seeming on the said canal from
and after the passage of this act shall be. and they
are,tereby set apart and arpmprited as a fond for the
payment of the accruinglnterest. and for the re=im
bursement of the loam aforesaid; as an additional
guarantee for the payment of the principal and fate
'rest thereof; the faith of the state IS hereby pledged..
lan 4 Whew at least 01100,000ofsaid loan shall
bare bees taken. the Goveruor shall notify the Ca
nal COmmisahmers of this Commonwealth. who are
directed as soon'as practicable thereafter. to put so
ankh of the anflairlsed part of tisto North Branch ca
nal coder contract by public Intim- as tbey may
deem peacticatie with a prudes' and.speedy prose
clill9,ll of the work commencing at the'southern ter
'miens of theunadisbed -
awe. S Wtten the said canal shall beirompleted
to the NawNnelr.state lbw the anis* As( anthracite
coal going north, shall be chargeable.* the rate of
one cent per ton per mile, antil a sum is realized
inek.iett foriberepaintime - dfdie`priteipal and in
retest of the mosey impended in the completion of
the eame,,, • • .
lOsoz. 6. The Canal CommissMners. ire hereby
iathcirized to employ i t competent civil engineer to
take charge of the location constriction of the
-work authorized. by this act. wbe shall have *who
vffilk She aPPT:PlinOi'll o lo .,bnard to, appoint
'lnch 'asst:hatits as may Ire'dierned necessary. Pro
lific/1, That the shiiry attic prineipil engineer shall
-sot exceed the sant of P.M per•aeouto. and the
Pal gaie-,asia*lanlksbaknolAicsM l $ 3 per day.
The Acneaihompegesed4,lllr.grp" Feb." tem
That fur tlie . purpose of completing the *pith
M o
ath **tenns df -the Penitsyliaaiircinal how
dun ennuldi3Or tbe Lackawassamstherlecis York stale
Jine.Alie:fkiittepor,isliereby. intl,stiscd.auul mak
ei.39llilloi Wei loan list eaciieihns 1077,500, for
tifikiek skill be kilned
aria initaaer, bearing
-4 1 R inlenst itailiOtreetsta mourns& payable in specie piakatougall.p at th e Bask* Penasylvaioiai
and the principal fit tiienly years
fioni lit erVieß repritetlikly,
loan or asp pration.abereo4Altallfbe - meinitiated..:-,
And the said loaa shall be nem; iated and paid into
the treasury it sack amorists and at such times as
the board of Canal Commissioners may 'deem se
ry ' di9illiiikns , er =stained.
the' . tipares4:, - ",.erf the welk, not
1 . ' x+i *,; l • onlis '
et r; „Y11 1 \; sad
to r
sae sa • nations and
41.* eo. - VP ''''' l iiit anti hey arapagyeby
till i as •App p • a a Ifeltd firms pay
iiitt orkacing Wad* atd.theire-indsluseuse=
of the loan, is - addition to the faith of the State,
which is hereby pledged.: Presided, That no pro-
Tamdrforilleirtlessfdalli heleasedesmitthelisr
vernor sha I be satisfied, upon a certificate given to
that erect ; in writing,* the Auditor General and
htete Treasurer, that the revenues of the Common
wealth will be adequatelo meet air current expen
ses of the government , and continue the punctual
Palutali f tif thwintereil on tlif Otaiiilitst.(natieling
the lola hereby akihriiiiid: did Voitifik! . d” fuither,
1 .-notAgefsinkAsiosuk_-A._• 11 ,-M JiGlg * 18 404.0* - -lhf
work on the Mined put under contract. t he board of
Cram" tins missirwers shall be satisfied the the same
cm Awcompleted for a sum not exceeding the am-
ounk of such loan; and. satisfied, Mao. that such
means shat been st l ted, as wi
d ll secure a
proper conneedon ofthe No Branch line etail
st its northers terminus wi ththe Obemang canal
at Simi's. in the state of York. cotempoesue
newly with the completion if the said North Branch
line in Pennsylvania, rod' fire the purpose of met
ing the necessary preliminerreurveys or examina
tion, they shall be author=4, iF they deem it exped
ient so to do, to appoint for this temporary purpose
an engineer, at a salary not exceeding the rate of
seventeen hundred andillty dollars pertionome
&we. L That when three hundred thousand' dol
lars of said loan shall be.negotiated. the board of
canal commissioners shall proceed agreeably go er--
iating laws. to pot so much of said canal under con
tracts, as they may deem proper, baying a doe re
gard to its completion at as early a period as may
be consistent with the interest of the cognaionwealth.
and sound economy in the construction of the work.
See?. 3. That when said canal shall be com
pleted to the New York stale line. the article of an
thracite coal going northwardly shall be chargeable
with a rate of toll not less than one cent per ton
per mile, until a sum is realized sufficient for the re
payment of the principal and interest of the mosey
expended in completion of the same. as hereinbefore
authorized, Provided, That the loan bereinbefog au
thorized, shall be exempted from taxation for any
purpose, during the time it has taxon.
litccx.4. That the canal commissioners are here
by authorized to employ a competent civil engineer,
to take charge of the location and construction 'of
the work authorized by this act, who shall have au
thority, with the approbation of the board, to ap
point such assistants as may be deemed necessary.
Provided, That the salary of the principal engineer
shall no: exceed the sum of one thousand seven hun
dred and filly dollars per annum, and That the pay
of the assistants shall not• exceed $3 per day.
This amendment has been prepared by the friends
of the bill, with a view to obviate the objections
which were known to be entertained by Governor
Johnston, and it was hoped that, if he had the leash
friendship for the measure his friends would . with
draw their opposition, and allow the bill to "pass,
but it seems they are determined not be co'ttent
with anything short of the control of the entire man
agement of the work, allotment of contracts, &c,
appointment of engineers, and disbursement Of the
funds on the, line, for this purpose Mr. Finlia,"an
intimate friend of the Governor, moved an amend
ment, providing that the Governor should appoint
the engineer who have exclusive control of die work
and the disbursement of all monies to be paid out
on the line. The whole question was then post
poned to Thursday the Sib March, when it is to be
the special order aide day. I cannot pred;ict the
result, as every etkni is made by certain wise ones
professing to be acting for the administration, to
throw obstacles in the way of its passage. Not
withstanding all Gov. Johnston stump speeches in
favor of the north branch, while on his electioneer
ing tour last fall, and in face and eyes of his mes
sage—it is evident to everybody here that he is
now not only withholding his aid from the 'project,
but is silently and trickishly throwing cold water on
the efforts of its friends. His secretary is openly
opposed, and nearly all of that wing of the whig
party, which hovers around the throne, are opera
ting Vans* it.
The pretense is that, if we complete the canal
we most necessarily increare the debt, and that
would embarrass and reader the administration un
popular. Thus would they sacrifice the interest of
the mate, to the narrow policy el fearing responsi•
bility.
The North Branch has no enemies here, every
body is impressed with the importance °fits speedy
completion. The only question to be overcome is
to provide the means, and it seems to be a sine
qua non with the Governor's friends, that the means
must be raised in snch manner as to relieve him
from all responsibility. In making this statement ;
I do not include all the whig members of the Legis
lature. for there are many high minded, nobleheart
ed Whigs, who have lent their powerful aid to the
interest of the north. Among these I may mention
Mr. Cooper the chairman of the consminee of ways
add means, who took an early and decided stand,
in favor of the North: Branch Canal. I am sorry
that we cannot command - his services any longer.
He will probably resign his seat in the Legislature
in a day or two, preparatory to entering the U: S.
Senate, on Monday next.
The Senate to day passed a resolution recom
mending an alteration in the constitution so as to
provide for the election of Judges. It met with
warm opposition though it did not assume a party
shape. Mr. Drum, the Democratic senator in place
of Gov. Johnston, made an able and powerful
speech against the passage of the resolution. It
was the maiden speech of the new senator, and was
listened to with great attention, and evidently took
well withthe andience, - ahhoogh it was on the wrong
side of the question. The gallant Small took the
affirmative side, and in the coarse of his remarks
administered a mail withering rebuke to his Mon.
Judge Patton, kw' the language - held forth in his
charge to the Jety in *elms. of the commonwealth
against the Factory girls—showing in glowing lam
gage the power of wealth, money and influence,
over destitute orphan girls who were forced by ne
cessity towel* in a -cotton fainiity. The voter on
the passage Oldie 'resolution was 21 to le showing
a sironfeelhig in the Serrate at least in favored' al
tering the constitution in this particular: • •
A vote was taken in the Senate on Monday last,
on the resolutions instrocting our Representatives in
Congress to cote against all further eitensiona of
Slavery into new Territories, and resnited,in a unani
mous vote frith the exception of tiro Senators, in
favor of the resolutron. They will probably innw
the house alai by a vote nearly as unanimous.
ton will have seen by the newspapers that Sere
isstmng .. feelinirs of animosity existing between
PRT. Joh nson and Mr. Cooper, the U. S. Senator,
elected. 'Tltcyhave both been_ on, to Washington
meet ,
and it is 'said Cooper fi rst
,goulte ear of the president, and the'Oaiernor was
ti°l!"l,7o ajtpa in his ear'
, .
*gin." nf memtepi of.thq ‘ll9.
Chtifeh in`fitio . tlititett Stateill 721,071 ;' bap.
iisectliveneryear, 39,829 ;_ beamed' ministers,. 136? ;
ordainest 5874 chureheov,loi26l;,sesc-1
ciatious, 579.
REMARKS OF MR. WILMOT,
• -retasseLvsets, - ....
vox-
, , ci fkormwt, F 1 , *9.
,_-.. 4 . - .„.„.- . :_ 1 !...„ ra,
''' . • pi . . = l t s foe tea c.c . sd.. la timartiAtios ltsiai., ,
eeerhaeradia= -1 I 4 , .... ki .
' fl r. 1 ,4,
O.
‘ r'l9 0 requested that is flitiqnd liqm
liikslaiim .116016Levaintil trottWitieWlbeilalw
anti
to enable him to make a.brief statement, which he.
fell,Le#,Pdtkii . . ft)f.i..MOIA.AFJA #11..,-filltok-1 114 1,1
'Felines!. beint ititideNliport 'ten - Ilion - :that It fiiir
moments only should be occupied—
Mr. WILMOT proceeded o say :
That while listening to au interestingdebate in -
the Senate, he had been inkormed - that a gentleman .
from Georgitif [Mr. firmswils;lin the course of his
tentaike to his eommitteei' Bad referred to him, in
connection with certain ettresitiontkmdeclarottißps,_
irlierrielittliori - a r Ahii - Vnit4 - 19 - atie'Prei- regret-'
ted that the gentleman from -Germ* had • mailer
any reference or allusiow-io the eobject whatever,
becausee, he was satisfied - that no . good could result
' from it.. He batibad no Coniersafion With themon.
denten from Georgia, during the premiere session.
He was not aware that a - word bad passed between
them, and therefrom there could have been no con
cert in giving publicity to the matter abut which
he desired to speak.
During the second session of the preceding
Cenral', 1 had a conversation with the President
upon the subject of the proviso which 1 bad offered
at the previous session m connection with an ap
, propriation which he desired should be made to
I enable him to conclude a peace with Mexico. It
'was previous to the introduction of the three million
bill, but in anticipation of such a measure, which
he'sras extremely aoxionsahould pass. The Presi
dent either sent for me, or I had called . upon him,
and he expressed' a desire that I should call again,
naming thelitne; when he'conld have ad opportu
nity of conversing with me without interruption. I
called in pursuance of his revest...-it was in the
evening. The President said that the proviso was
giving him great trotible . and embarrassment, and
if insisted upon at an amendinent to'an appropria.
tion bill would present a serious obstacle in the
way of consummating a peace. - He' said that he
bad no doubt of his ability to. negotiate an early
peace, and named a day not distant, Within which
he could bring about such a result, provided he
could obtain from Congress the necessary money
appropriation, unrestricted and unclogged with any
conditions. 1 presumed to question the efficacy of
such an appropriation in bringing alxiut so -desire
able a reach; and expressed my apprehension,
that an appropriation of the character he desired,
would excite the jealousy of the Mexican people,
and cause them to distrust the integrity of their own
rulers. He answered toe very properly, by saying
that he was much better informed as to the state of
affairs in Mexico than I possibly could be: spoke
of having confidential agents in Mexico, who kept
him fully informed as to the movements and tem
per of the Government there. I assured the Pres
ident that I hail no wish to embtirrass his Admin,
Lion In any respect, much less a matter so impor
tant as the making of an early peace ; that . so hr as
l'was coucemed ? I would be just as well satis fi ed
with the expression of Congress in any other form
as with the proviso; that all I desired was to ob
tain the expression of Congress, in an authoritative
and legislative form, to the effect that s'avery should
forever be excluded from all territory that we might
acquire from Mexico; and I , doubted not that
such was the feeling of'others who had avored
the Movement. I suggested, in tho course of the
conversation, the introduction of a joint- resolution
declaring this principle. and said that I should be
satisfied with it in that form. The President said,
substantially, and I think almost literally, "Mr.
Wilmot, bring it forward in that term; I assure you
such a declaration would not be unpopular in Mis
sissippi." I noted particularly -that he did rot
name his own State, but supposed, and made
no doubt bat such was his intention that he pur
peaty presented an example in which the slave
interest was stronger than in Tennessee. He
further said, " that he had been brought up sur
-rounded with this institution, (slavery :) that all his
habits and associations were connected with it ;
but," said.he, and with a good deal of earnest
ness of manner, "I do not desire to see it extend
ed one foot beyond its present limits ; that he was
conscious that it could not-be done, without endan
gering the peace and safety of the Union."
On my, return to my lodgings, I draughted a rims;
lotion in accordance with the suggesti on I had
.made; but upon conedkattion with frien ds of more
legislative experience than myself, (never before
having been a member of a legislative body,) the
came fully satisfied that any attempt to get through
Congress such a resolution would be idle and there.
fore abandoned it: -
I informed the gentleman from South Carolina,
immediately in front of me, [Mr. WOODWARD ) ] of
this conversation a few days -after it occurred. He
spoke of it as a matter of interest and importance
to his constituents and asked me if 1 had any ob
jection to its being made public. 1 underst'Ood him
to wish in some way to make public thedeclaratioo
of the President to me respecting the extension of
slavery. I expressed a wish that . it -should not be
Made public—not that the conversation was con
fidential, further then the nature of it, and. the cir
cumstances attending it, would imply confidence
—but I did not wish that my conversation with the
President should be made the topic of public dig.
ettosion, either here or through the press of the
country.
Some time during
the last session of Congress
in conversation with the gentleman from Georgia,
[Mr. STsetices,) or with others in his presence, I
narrated substantially what I have here said. The
gentleman has thought proper to refer to it on this
door. I repeat.my reset that, be has done so, be
cause I can see no possible good that can result
from it; but in so far as any responsibility, may at
tach to me in this matter, I have no regrets: Before
God I have stated, staxerintially the declarations of
the President tome without however, entering in.
to afidetaile of the conversation.
Oen. Tayliief Cabinet.
General Zachary Taylor, is now, in all probabili
ty, the President of the United last Monday being
the day for hill inauguration. His address will be
given to our readers next week. A thousand con
jectures are afloat in regard to his Cabinet. From
what we can learn. we should judge tha:. the follow
ing would be somewhat near the mark :
J. M. CLAYTON; of Delaware—State.
W. M. Mean:lns, of Pennsylvania, Treasury.
Caawroan„ of Gensgia—War.
Asian L4warsca, of Mass.—Navy.
Tues. EWING, of Ohio—Netrnaater General.
Patorron, of Virginia—Attorney Senna&
i bo
NARROW ESC.APM......A fcmun ro
empe occurred to
the party in company with h . Overton, on Satur
day. last. In the Narrows ve Ulster, at the
most dangerous and exPoted part, one of the horses
slipped and tell,.bringi.g lioWp the other, and the
sleigh, horses, and passengers were precipitated
lcwn the precipice. Wonderfully no serious dan
ger was done, and the party gathering up the team,
baggage and themselves, proceeded on their way.
COL. FREMONT'IS EVPLORINGI PARTY,—We find
in the St. Lonis-Union, a letter from Ptiebla, New
Mexico, dated •on the 28th November, stating-that
Col. Fremont. and party hadvommeneed, on the
26th, the ;agent of the fiat range of mountains
near Puebla, and were pursuing their toilsome
march, throrigh Snow's, toward the PaCific Ocean.
The arrow wasubont two feet deep, and the- patty
were within.five mileii•of j the top of the first range
of nttllairol, It , was i the jatention uf:',Col. F, to go
an entire new route,soulh ofall his
former raider, anion the continent. His present
eavverwiltht of moehintereit -
Tux- IlrusPerko's* Tun &Mer tins been
diiehatedelfter^a full .- eirtiiitiatioi or the tte4inoa
elhaiing reirtdire&ttis Owe' There
was otika otevidence disclosed &attended
to prodike the reasy suspicion oaiuit hitu. •
Prowllhigs - of the - IX:EA Congm l .
fd,i
- ' 1 Wastunanot, Feb. 27, 1849.
/ ' Sir
~ birJeffessoirDavis,froliithe commiiiee
iitpoin to notify-Genend Taylor and Mr, pil l :
*lore o s 't - election si President and Vice. p m .
Vfent of libp United States, reported that they had die.'"
citaniedabet duty.
Mr. Dai* also submitted a resolution fo r o re
appoiatraent Of:,a committee to make arrange me i n ,
Witiefferief etinifirllWhillaenfind ride l i en in
the Senate Cbambeiron the sth of March nett --
The resolution - was adVigh4Xbell_ther chair app s i n.
ted Reverdy Johnson, Jefferson Davis, and J o h n
Davis, as the said committee. • -
The bill giving authority to the Commissione r o f
relents to renew patents within three years afi e ,
their expiration, was discussed and laid upo n t h e
iiew0,....&...4e55,15-...„-;,,,,,,,,,0,,,,,,-...,,,,
The . senate ' k ern _ to ot up the bill to regul ate
pensions to oificlers,, , isoliierst surd seamen disabl e d
in the public service r whin' h alter - discussion, tea ,
Puied• -
Houss,--Sundry lend end other bills larere
Neifly t a bill. n;-:
among-them Mr. Greeley's . il,
farm 4,k . ..lf:toted 4tetilei. if was adv ted brill
ly by Mr. Greeley , and tite% on motion, laid on th t
table.
The noose thew, went into Committee of t h e
Whole, Mr. Vinton in the Chair, and took op the
California ME.
_
Mr. Sawyer tittered an amendment striking out
the Wilmot proviso, ill the twelfth section of th e
bill. He spoke his five minutes, and concluded
that it should be left to the people of California and
New Mexico to decide Whether or not slavery
,hould exist-there.
Various amendments were offered by M ee " .
McGlemand, Murphy, 'Meade, Ashman, Bi rd .
sail, Greely and others, each beind limited to fi ne
m inute speeches.
Mr. Preston'ssubstitute for the bill was ru e d
Mr. Gayle only voting affirmatively.
No essential amendment was agreed to whe n
the committee rose and reported the bill, which wen
ordered to be engroised.
Mr. Meade moved tolay the bill upontthe table
and the question being taken it was negatived br
a vote of yeas 86. nays 127.
The bill. was then put upon its final pale
when it carried in the affirmanve, the vote stand.
isg—yeas 326, nays 86.
The motion was laid aside, and the Horne whe n
into Committee of the Whole, Mr. Cranston in tt in
chais r and took up the Territorial. Bill of New Alex.
ico.
Mr. Vinton , offered an amendment giving the
settlement of the boundary , to the Supreme Coo,
and advocated its passage.
Mr Greeley opposed it on the Rround that the
majority of the - Court were slaveholderes. H e - a d,
vacated the passage of the bill without this amend.
ment.
Mr. Toombs opposed the bill vehemently. aul '
replied to the remarks of Messrs. Vinton, ant Gree. r` .
ley with severity.
Mr. Schenck followed in an earcest speech,—
Be denied that Texas had any claim upon New •.i
Mexico, and denounced the entire acquisition of
the new Territory. He also opposed Mr. Virpoo's
amendment.
When he had em eluded, the Committee race
and the House adjourned.
WAsattqc - ros, March. 2 !;r 1
• 1
SENATE.—The Senate convened at 11 o'clock to.
day, according to resolution previously adopted.
After attending to a few preliminaries of n o $ .
cial interest, Mr.. Butler reported a bill relati
holding the Circuit Courts in the State of Kent Iv
The bill was considered by unanimous c <e and
passed.
On motion of Mr. Hunter, the Senate then took
up the bill from the House, in favor of remitting the
duties on goods destroyed by the great fire in New.
York in the Spring of 1845.
Mr. Houston moved to substi'mte the Senate Ell
on the same subject, which differs from that of lie
pause, by excluding insurers from _the benefit of
the bill.
The subject elicited an interesting debate be.
tween Messrs. Hunter, Webster, Phelps, Calhoun
and others.. •
A motion to tay the subject on the table was re.
jetted_
Mr. Phelps moved to einem! the substitute so as
to embrace insurers, which_ was also rejected.
After more discussion, the motion to lay the whole
subject on the table, renewed by Mr. Wester wis
agreed to, and the subject was so disposed of
At one o'clock the Vice President, George N.
Dallas arose and delivered an impressive ralailic•
tort', and in conformity with the announcement giv•
en. yesterday, vacated the Chair and retired from,
the seat. -
On motion of Mr. Benton Mr. Atchison. of Mo.
was iminiimonsly chosen his successor. Mr. Atrh
inson then took the Chair, and in a brief and ap.•
propriate. manner returned his thanks for the honor
which had been conferred upon him.
Mr. Webc-ter oßered a Resolution tendering the
thanks of the Senate to Mr. Dallas for the able and
impartial manner in which he haj discharged his
official ditties: The Resolution was unammOusly
adopted.
Mr. Pearcit of Md. reported a joint resolution in
favorof purchasing 1.000 copies of Gayle's Helms
o(the Proceedings of the Second., Third and Fourth
Consress's which was considered by unanimous
zonsent , and agreed to.
The Senate then pent considerable time in the
consideration of private bills, and the transaction of
various other matters of business, of no special in
terest.
Mr. Berrien presented the credentials . of his col.
league, Wm. C. Dawson,. elected for the term, of
six years from the 4th cf March next to fill the
-place of H. V. Johnson, -whose term expires. .
Horsz.—The House convened at 11 o'clock and
organized with the customary formalities. ,4
~01:/n motion of Mr. Smith of Conn. the rules wen'
suspended, and the Senate bill providing for the
liquidation of the claims of American, citizens
against Mexico, agreeably to Treaty stipulations.
was taken out of the Committee of the 'Whole .ter
action on the pinto( the House. •
Mr. Smith offered au amendment in Iffe shape 0 1
a substitute, - which he advocated in a strenunts
manner. li any member called ktr the reasons for.
his opposition to the bill from the Senate asit stood,
he was prepared to give them .he observed.
- Mr. Staten of Tenn. followeti, and advocated the
payment of these claims without delay. The Gov.
, emment hid gone to war because of them, and had
obtained an ample equivalent for them. He gala
a history. of the case in support of his argument.
Collarnei of Vt wastbe next speaker—He
coincided entirely with the remarks of the gentleman
from Tennessee, and opposed the aniendrilent here
tofore offered to the bill by Mr. Ingersoll. • •
Mt. Evans - of Md. followed on the same side of
the question. He was ready to par promptly all
the-just claims of oar citizens against Mexico-, Ist
he was, not willing to pay Me ten thousand spo-•
one claims which bad been drummed up for poliik,
purposes.
Mr Joseph R. Ingersoll spoke in favor of the
proposition, and explained the nature orthe claims
embraced in his amendment. -
The cmestion was iheri taken and decided in the
negative by Yerisl43, Nays 152. ''
The bill wax then amended by the adoption of
Mr. Smith's aubmittge,and is this form, after some
discussion. passed. '
' Mr. Harrabson of dm. moved to suspend the rules
in order to take up the bill providing for payment
for horses lost daring the late War.
The question being taken by .Yes k and Nary
was decided in the negative, by Yeas 93. Nays tot.
On motion the House then resolved itself into 3
Committee of the Whole, on the mate of the Unto,
Mr. Stepheas of Ga' officiating as Chairman, and
proceedecl4osthe consideration of the amendments
made.by the Senate to the Civil and Diplomatic
Appropriation bill.
Mr. Vinton lorOlno, moved to -amend the Sen
ate's amendment respecting The Territories of Cafe
liwnia, and New• Mexico by ateselting to A the 'cibb'
stance of the Wilmot, rrov'ou. .