The Present State of the Doctrine of
Squatter Sovereignty.
Not very long slaoe we published some ex
hortations addressed by southern journals to
the slaveholders, instigating them to spend
money freely in carrying the elections in the
territory of Kansas. The advice seems to have
been taken. An army of voters went over the
frouticr'of Kansas, distributed itself in detach
ments among the different districts, obtained
the victory, elected Ihe pro-slavery candidates
to the legislature, and came home again in
triumph.
A paragraph in another part of this sheet
describes the return of a portion of the merce
naries in this service to their own state. They
come back like a conquering army to old Rome ;
their return to the town of Independence was
.a triumphal entry.
There are two things to be inferred from the
result of the Kansas election achieved by such
means. One is the profound respect which the
friends of the Nebraska act eutertaiu for the
doctrine of popular sovereignty. While it was
yet under discussion, the doctrine of its friends
was that the inhabitants of the territory ought,
even while the settlement was yet in its most
incomplete and rudimcntal state, to determine
for themselves what institutions they would
tolerate, and whether they would allow the
existence of slavery or not. Not even Con
gress, it was contended, ought to interfere in
any question of legislation for the territory.—
This doctrine it was asserted in speeches on
the floor of Congress, presented by the uews
pajicrs in every form of argument, proclaimed
at public meetings, and embodied in resolutions
adopted by committees. The instant the bill
was passed, these very men resolved that the
inhabitants of the territory should not settle
the question of slavery for themselves, nor even
elect their own territorial officers. They
swarmed over the boundary of Kansas, elected
a delegate to congress from the territory, and •
then returned to Missouri. A second election}
took place a few days since; tiie friends oft
slavery made a second incursion into the terri- j
tory, won another triumph, and returned (o
celebrate it in Missouri. Never did any party |
make more scandalous haste to convict itself of
hypocrisy and given the lie to pretences which
it had just uttered and the echo of which had
scarcely yet died away. The pretext of popular
sovereignty was only used toget rid of the pro
hibition of slavery in the territory ; as soon as
it has served its purpose, it is discarded and
sent after the prohibition.
The second inference from these proceedings
is. that the friends of the Nebraska bill, even
while supporting it by the argument that it
could never possibly carry slavery iuto any part
of the territories, cherished the design of
making Kansas perforce a slave state. The
passage of the bill was the signal for an orga
nized attempt to seize upon the territory for
slavery. Their pioneers were first on the ground;
the first public meetings held in Kansas passed
pro-slavery resolutions. The execution of their
scheme has never been allowed a moment's
pause. They have their journals established in
the territory ; their mercenaries, recruited in
Missouri, went over and carried the first elec
tion in their favor, and have now carried the
second against the wishes and feelings of the
actual and permanent inhabitants. Every
circumstance in the history of Kansas, since it
became a territory, points clearly to an original
intention, on the part, of those who brought
forward and supported the Nebraska bill, to
make it eventually a slave state. Kansas, New
Mexico and the new state which they designed
to erect out of south California, were to form
a barrier of slave states, completing the belt
across our continent, to tlic south of which
slavery was to propagate itself in security to
wards the isthmus of Central America.—Even
ing Post.
♦
THE KANSAS SWINDLE. —The Missouri com
patriots iu Kansas of Douglas and Atchison
thus telegraph to The St. Louis Republican the
result of their labors :
" INDEPENDENCE, (MO.) March3l, 9P. M
Several hundred returning emigrants from
Kansas have just entered our city. They were
preceded by the Westport and Independence
Brass Bauds. They came in at the west side
of the public square, and proceeded entirely
around it, the bands cheering us with fine
music, and the emigrants with good news.—
Immediately following the band were about
two hundred horsemen, in regular order ; follow
ing these were one hundred and fifty wagons,
carriages, Ac. They gave repeated cheers for
Kansas aud Missouri. They report that not
an Anti-Slaverv man will be in the Legislature
of Kansas. We have made a clean sweep."
The election in Kansas took place on the
30th, and on the 31st "several hundred return
ing "emigrants from Kansas " marched into
the Missouri frontier city of Independence, and
similar cohorts of course, into other Missouri
town on the Kansas frontier. They were " re
turning " emigrants ," you see, on the 31st of
March—-just the season when most emigrants
are hastening to their future home ; but these
were returning from their pretended homes in
Kansas to their real homes in Missouri. And
the following dispatch gives the fruits of their
labors at the ballot-boxes of apart of the new
Territory :
" KANSAS, March 31, 9 P. M.—Pro-slavery
ticket triumped as far as heard from.—
Total vote : Lawrence, ITS to 255 ; Tocmnseli,
220 to 31 ; Douglas, 330 to 0 ; Doniphan,
320 to 25 ; Shawnee Mission, 40 to 1(5 ; Leav
enworth, 899 to 60 ; Hickory Point, 233 to G.
Election passed oIT quietly, aud with very little
disturbance."
Here are 3,212 votes polled at only seven
precincts—more than there were legal voters
in the entire Territory, as ascertained by an
official census four weeks previous. And the
" voters" parade Missouri ojieuly next morning
in triumphal, procession, with bands of music,
banners and cheering on their return to their
homes ill that Slave State.
A ROMAN CATHOLIC ROW.—A MO -t disgrace
ful riot occurred at Oxford. X. V. on Sunday
morning last. It appears that a Roman
Catholic, one who had previously been married
by a Protestant clergyman, ami who, in con
sequence, was excommunicated, entered the
Catholic Church during service, whereupon the
jwiest, Father Calton, ordered him to be "put
out," which order was faithfully executed.
At the door a light commenced, in which
the priest is said to be implicated. Tiie exer
cises in the clmivh were suspended, and the
crowd adjourned to the nearest hotel, where a
more general fight ensued between the Catholics
and Protestants—the farmer coming off second
best. The priest was arrested, aud is now in
c ustody, as are 'several more of the rioters.
Many persons were badly injured but no lives
were lust
[Froui the Presbyterian fluuuer.J
Susquehanna Collegiate Institute.
Tiie Committee appointed by the Presbytery
of j'.ieiiunna, at their meeting in January
last, to attend the first annual examination in
the'Susquelmna Collegiate Institute, at To
wanda, respectfully report:
That they attended to the duties of that
appointment. The examination commenced on
Monday, 19th of March, aud closed on Thurs
day following. The whole number of scholars',
who have attended since the school opened in
September last, is 170. The number during
the last term was lis. Of these, 93 were
males and 65 females.
The faculty of the Institution lias consisted
of three males and three female teachers, with
some assistance in teaching, from two of the
scholars. The services of a gentleman have
been secured as professor of modern languages,
music and drawing, who will take his place in
tlic Institute, at the beginning of the Spring
term, on the 4thof April.
Tiie members of the committee present were
unanimous in their opinions of the high credit
due to the teachers, both in the male and fe
male departments of the school, for the flatter
ing success which has thus far attended their
labors ; and should their health and strength
hereafter prove adequate to the severe labor
they have performed, during the past two
terms, the institution cannot fail to receive the
patronage of those who are able to appreciate
the advantages of a thorough system of in
struction. The ordinary daily exercises are so
arranged as to avoid confusion and loss of time,
as much as possible, iu dismissing one set of
classes and calling another. Much is obviously
gained by subjecting the exercises to a well di
gested system.
The examination was conducted in away to
exhibit the real progress which has been made
in the several branches of study, without any
attempt to make a show in branches that were
not understood. The committee were highly
gratified with the thoroughness of the instruc
tion given iu the school, as well as with the i
progress which the students generally have !
made. Most of the students seem to have '
mastered the subjects studied, as far as they
have advanced, and the advancement of many i
seems to have been quite rapid. It was no
part of your plan, in founding your Institute,
to make superficial scholars, and send them out
into the world with the name of having been
educated. The faculty of the school do not
wish to act upon such a plan. Classes were j
examined in all the studies usually pursued in '
the higher schools in this country—and should !
the youth in those classes go on to still higher j
advancement, they will, without doubt, (ind j
what many have already found, that the ease, |
and rapidity, and pleasure of their future pro- i
gross, especially in matheinafies, ancient lan-!
guages, chemistry and natural philosophy, and
indeed in every other study, will be an ample !
reward for all the toil and discouragement and 1
hindrance it costs to cultivate a thorough ac- ■
quaintanee with the elementary principles at >
tlm outset.
As the experiment of starting a school, of a j
higher order, among us. has been so successfully '
made, it is extremely desirable that the plan !
on which it was founded, and which its founders j
have never lost sight of should be carried more ;
fully iuto effect, as soon as possible. Other •
buildings, and more apparatus, are much need
ed. Appeals to the generosity of its friends i
and public generally, have not been in vain ;
and if that generosity lias been somewhat large- ;
ly taxed, it has been taxed in a good cause.— !
Generosity loves to be appealed to in a good j
cause ; and it will not refuse to respond to I
appeals, while it lias means to give and objects !
upon which its means can be worthily bestowed. !
If we look upon those persons as doing a good
work for the public, who construct canals and
railroads, certainly we may regard those as aim
ing at a higher object, who invest funds in well j
conducted schools of learning, which are to act
upon the minds and hearts of many, for succes
sive generations, for time and eternity. He
who has a mind and heart educated as they
should be, has done a far more noble work than
lie who takes a city or wins a kingdom. The
value of a well endowed and well conducted
school cannot be over estimated.
As the school is yet in its infancy, and as
much depends upon the wisdom of its manage
ment at the first, it is to be hoped that so far
as it is found uecessary to have positive regula
tions for the school, and for the conduct of the
scholars iu and about the buildings out of
school hours, such regulations may be adhered
to both by the scholars aud teachers ; and no
law allowed to become a dead letter.
(Signed) In behalf of the Committee,
CHARLES C. COKSS,
Chairman.
At the close of the exercises alluded to
above, one of the part runs of the school offer
ed the following resolution :
Resolved, That we hereby express our grati
fication at the ability with which the school
has been conducted, in both the male and fe
male departments ; at the proficiency of the
student iu their several studies ; and the thor
oughness with which instruction has been com
municated ; the institute thus giving early
promise that the hopes of its friends shall not
be disappointed. ;
The resolution was adopted unanimously.
It was then on motion Resolved, The said
resolution be published in the County papers.
Tiie Rev. A. H. Winfield of Paramus X. J.
then moved that the same resolution be publish
ed also in papers in the cities of New York,
and Philadelphia, which motion was also un
animously passed.
DID HENRY CLAY SWEAR ?—A Now York
correspondent of the Cliarlestown Mercury,
speaking of Harper's Magazine for April says :
I note in the Editor's Drawer, among a
variety of interesting anecdotes, one of a
passage between Mr. Clay and Calhoun, in
which a little verbal inaccuracy occurs, which
somewhat lessens the effect of the lattor's re
tort. When Mr. Clay said, " The gentleman
lias gone over to the enemy." he continued,
"and i leave it to time fa disclose his motive,"
the answer of Mr. Calhoun, us we remember
it, was : " Unfortunately for the senator of
Kentucky, when he went over to the enemv,
he did not leave it to time to disclose his mo
tives."
The impulsive speech of Mr. Clay, on receiv
ing this retort, has been omitted by the editor.
He said, sot to rr.ee, but sufficiently loud for
those immediately about him, striking
bosom at the same time, " A clear hit, by !"
It was, indeed one of the most exquisite of
retorts —the more happy, as so prompt, so clean,
so entirely within the parliamentary proprieties
—nothing coarse, rude, vulgar—but a graceful
thrust of his polished rapier, casting off the
enemy's foil, and following up the advantage by
a direct thrust into the bosom.
llraWortr importer.
E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOWANDA :
Saturhan XUorninp, Skpril,, l r 4, 1855.
DEMOCRATIC corx-
TY CONVENTION—The
Democratic Standing Committee for Bradford Comity,
hereby call a Convention to be composed of two Delegates
from each election district in said county, to be lmldenat
Towanda <m Tuesday evening, May 8, 1855, for the pur
pose of electing delegates to the Democratic State Con
vention, aud have appointed the following Committees of
Vigilance for the several districts of said county :
COMMITTEES OK VIGILANCE.
Albany —Benjamin Wilcox, John Brown.
Armenia —l.ysander Shepard, lloliert Mason.
Asylum —Edmund Horton, Daniel Wilson.
Athens Boro' —Moses Sawyer, D. B. Cotton.
Athens tp. —David Gardner, Ralph To/.er.
Burlington Boro'— Addison M'Kean, Benjamin Ross.
" twp C. F. Nichols. Wni. M'Kean.
Canton —lrani Wilsou, Samuel Owens.
Columbia —Horace Ballard, John Morgan.
Durell —-1). O. Hollon, Edward Hornet.
Franklin —Jonathan Harmon, Wm. Blake.
Granville —Luman Putnam, C. 1). Ross.
Derrick —Geo. W. Eiliett, John Anderson.
Eeßoy —Aaron Knapp. Nelson Revnolds.
IMchfuld —T. B. Merrill, A. V. D.'Teed.
Monroe —Geo. Smith. James W. Irvine.
OrweU —Geo. C. Frisbie, Heber Wilson.
Overton— Jacob llotteiistein, Wm. Waltmau.
Pike —S. B. Stevens, Ira H. Smith.
Rome —Hugh Hicks, John I). Coe.
Ridgbery- ('harlcs French. C. T. Covell.
Shesliequin —C. W. Bullis, Charles Chaffee.
Sytvamn Bnro' —L. F. Goetehius, Scth I'cck.
Smith field —S. R. Crane, C. O. Hnntington.
Springfield —John Barrett, R. J. Bentley.
South Creek —lra Crane, John Thompson.
Standing Stone —A lanson Taylor, Asa Stevens.
Towanda Boro' —Win. H. Perkins, P. D. Morrow.
" tp. —H. L. Scott, Dennis Magill.
Toiranda JVorth—*. B. Foster, W. \V. Easterbrooks.
Troy Boro'' —Asa l/indon, Delos C. Herrick.
'• tp. —Furinan Porter, Alonzo Clifton.
Tnscarora —Hiram Shuniway. E. C. Wells.
Ulster —M. S. Warner. D. O. I'bilhbuck.
I Veil* —John Brownell, John Rowlee.
Windham — Wm. Sibley W. B. Dunham.
IVarren —l.vman Arnold. R. C. Buflington.
irVmo.' -Charles White, George Eberly, Jr.
J Vyalusing— S. W. Biles, Justus Ackley.
IVysor —S. Strickland, J. Myer Reed.
The committees will cali meetings on Saturday, May 5 th,
between the hours of 3 and li, P. M.
Bv order of Stauding Committee.
E. rt. GOODRICH, Chairman.
Several errors made last week, in puis
lishing the Committees of Vigilance, are cor
rected in this issue.
BUSINESS NOTICE.
We have already announced, that at the
close of tin* present volume, we should strike
from our 1 >ooks the name of every subscriber,
who had not complied with our new terms.—
We now repeat that announcement, and also
that no discrimination will be made, but the pa
per will be positively stopped in every ease, ex
cept where it is paid for in advance. To car
ry out this arrangement, and to give every sub
scriber notice and fair warning that we shall
proceed to collect whatever amount is due us,
we noweonnnence forwarding bills to those iu
arrears, with the amount of their indebtedness.
We trust that before the close of the present
volume, which will be with the issue dated
June 9th, that every subscriber in arrears will
adjust his account, and pay in advance. We
have upon our books the names of some who
have not paid us a cent in years—if they suj>-
pose that they contribute to the prosperity of
an establishment, they are very mnch mistaken.
We have waited upon such for a long time, in
patience—and if we must wait upon them again
it will he by proxy.
The accounts which we shall send,will be made
to the end of the volume, at the rate of $2.50
per year—if paid by the 9th of June we will
deduct at the rate of $1 per year—but after
that time, the full amount to which we are
lawfully entitled will be expected.
If any errors should be made, they will be
cheerfully corrected.
The low price at which the Reporter is now
furnished imperatively demands advance pay
ments. It would be ruinous on any other
terms. We shall be obliged to confine our
selves very strictly to the rule. In commenc
ing this plan, we expect to part with many of
our old customers who have paid us regularly,
but not in advance, hut we trust that in time
they will be satisfied that the arrangement is
better for both, and also that it is impossible
for us to discriminate in particular instances—
but necessary that we should strike off every
subscriber's name, when the subscription ex
pires.
It there are any of our subscribers who know
they arc in arrears, but flatter themselves that
their names will not be erased, we assure them
that they will be mistaken. It is the careless
and negligent who are the greatest draw
backs to the country printers. Men who are
aware of their indebtedness, and the necessity
which exists for their promptness, and yet who
delay for years. We shall revise our list,
" without fear, favor .or affection."
In this connection, we might say, that we
have already received unmistakable evidence of
the general satisfaction which the adoption of
advance payments gives to our patrons, and to
all who wish to take a County paper. Very
many have already complied with our terms,
and have expressed their appreciation of a mea
sure which is better for both patron and pub
lisher.
gig?" I u 1 tali a collision has occurred in
Salt Lake city between the IT. S. troops
stationed there under Col. Steptoe and the
Mormons, growing out of the soldiers expressing
j their opinion that Young and Kimball are rakish
I old reprobates. Some of the sons of those
worthies being present, a grand fight ensued,
in which the boys fought with fists and clubs,
and the soldiers used their guns. After much
trouble, the military and civil officers succeed
ed in stopping the riot. A portion of the mi
litia were called out and placed in the streets
on guard.
ANOTHER EDITOR PROMOTED.—A. J. TROUT,
Esq., editor of the Sullivan Conuty Democrat,
has beeu appointed by Gov. Pollock Aid-de-
Cantp with the rank of Lieut. Colonel.
LOCAL NEWS.
CAPTTRE OF A BEAR.—Oa a recent surveying
expedition on the waters of the Scbrader
branch, in this County, the County Surveyor,
Mr. J. A. PAINE, discovered directly in his
path, a huge she bear, with a litter of cubs.
•Leaving two of his assistants to watch the
motions of the animals, he repaired to the near
est settlement, some two miles, to procure a
gun. Having obtained an excellent ritle, he
returned, and approaching within twenty feet
of the ferocious auimal, (his attendants about
as far in the rear,) succeeded by a very judi
cious shot, in disabling licr so as to prevent
any unpleasant consequences. The first
shot took effect through her heart aud
vitals ; and a second shot through licr brain,
rendered it safe to knock her in the head, with
an axe, and so tenacious of life was the huge
auimal, that she still attempted to rise. After
finally despatching the old bear, which measur
ed 7 feet from the end of the nose to the tip
of the tail, the party succeeded in capturing
three line young cubs, the offspring of the old
one, aud conveying them safely to Monroeton.
BARCLAY RAIL ROAD & COAL Co. —The mo
ney article of the Iwalgcr has the following in
formation in regard to the prospects of this
Company : "We have often referred to the
mineral deposits of Pennsylvania as the great
source of wealth to her enterprising and rapid
lv increasing population. The early comple
tion of the North Branch Canal has turned
the attention of some of our enterprising caj>-
italists and business men to a coal and iron ore
region in Bradford county, Pa., heretofore but
little known beyond its immediate locality.—-
During the past year the Barclay Railroad
and Coal Company was organized for the de
velopment of this region It was chartered bv
Legislature at the last session, and has an au
thorized capital of $1,400,000, with power to
eoustruct railroads, Ac., for all purposes prc-
to its business.' Its property consists
of 2000 acres of land, in which, we are inform
cd, a six feet vein of semi-bituminous coal has
been proved to the extent of 11 50 acres with
in the outcrops, and a vein of iron-ore from
from three to eight feet thick, underlayiug
1 f>oo acres within the outcrops ; also large de
posits of fire clay of a good quality. The Com
pany own a large basin for bra ding boats, at
the pool of the State dam at Towanda, and
24 acres of land in and contiguous to the boro'
limits. From this jwint to their mines the
company are now about makiug their railroad,
which, when completed, will be the avenue of
transit to the North Branch Canal of all the
coal, iron-ore, lumber, Ac., in that region—em
bracing a coal area of over 5000 acres within
the outcrops ; an iron-ore area of over 10,000
acres within the outcrops, and 50.000 acres of
the best timber land. The proj>erty of the
Company is said to be free from debt of any
kind. Of its authorized capital it has issued
s<>oo,ooo of stock, reserving the remainder,
SSOO,OOO. fur the use of the Company. Of
the SOOO,OOO sold, SIOO,OOO was given for its
real estate, and $200,000 sold for cash, at par
and appropriated to building their railroad and
other improvements. The property of this
Company lying in the most Northeastern ex
tension of the bituminous coal field of the
State, about 30 miles South of the New York
State line, and 275 miles from tide-water at
New York city, it is believed, must prove to
the owners of its stock a profitable investment,
and add largely to the tonnage of the North
Branch State Canal."
TOWANDA FEMALE SEMINARY. —The next term
of the Misses HANSON'S school will commence
on the 30th inst. By a reference to the ad
vertisement, it will be seen that arrangements
have been made to give to the scholars advan
tages of the highest order. Indeed the facili
ties for imparting to young ladies a perfect ed
ucation are not equalled at any similar institu
tion. It is the design of the teachers to make
this school a jK-rmanent institution—the num
ber of pupils being limited—in which a scholar
may commence with the elementary branches,
and continue until a geuteel and useful education
is acquired. The Misses HANSON are in every
respect qualified for the duties which they as
sume, and bestow a care upon the mental and
moral training of their pupils, which should
commend them to the confidence and eucourage
uiout of the public.
fiaT" During the last week, a fine rise in the
Itiver, has enabled our lumbermen to forward
to market, a large quantity of lumber. From
above, an unusual amount has floated past here,
on its way to the lower country. We have as
yet, no report as to the state of the markets.
Lumbermen, generally, are confident, notwith
standing the large quantity which will be of
fered, that fair prices will be obtained.
BatT The Letting of the Barclay R. 11., ad
vertised for to-day has brought quite a number
contractors to this place and the bidding is
quite spirited. The allotments, we understand,
will bo made in a few days, and the work is to
be immediately commenced.
SNOW STORM. —A snow squall commenced on
Tuesday night, and continued through Wednes
day, giving a wintry aspect to the budding
Spring. The snow, which was some inches in
depth, was too uuwelcome a visitor long to re
main.
NF.W YORK MARKET. —The Tribune of
W eduesday last says breadstuffs continue to
rise with small stocks and good demand.—
Good Flour is now worth $9 50 a $lO, Wheat
$2 50 a275 ; Corn $1 07 a $1 08. Fork
and Beef are firm at high prices. Cottoii con
tinues steady but is not active.
Letter from Harrisburg.
HAKRifIBrKO, April 9, 1855.
The course of the members from Bradford,
in regard to multiplying Bank charters is es
pecially worthy of commcudatiou. Though in
the minority, they are uniformly found voting
against the reckless schemes which are now
almost daily being rushed through the House.
On Thursday, the House voted to take up the
bill to extend the charter of the Southwark
Bank, Philadelphia. Iu Committee Mr. La
porte moved to add a proviso to the first sec- j
tion, requiring said bank to pay into the State j
Treasury a 1 Minus of two per cent, on its c&pi- j
tal stock, in consideration of the renewal of the
charter thoreof; which was not agreed to.
The bill was then taken up on second read
ing, when Mr. Laporte renewed the amend
ment offered by him in committee.
Mr. Laporte said, the Houesdale Bank had
been chartered, subject to this restriction, and
he was informed the Erie Bank also. If this
restriction had not been imposed on other in
stitutions passed this winter, it should have
been, audit was time its imposition should lie
commenced, and the people, to that extent re
lieved. His constituents were opposed to the
increase of banking capital in the Common
wealth, and lie intended voting in accordance
with their wishes. He hoped their district
would be found the " star" district of the State
on this subject in this House.
Mr. Holcomb followed in favor of the amend
ment, as due to the tax-payers, whose burth
ens were most heavy. He would offer this pro
vision hereafter to all bank bills,
The amendment was negatived, and the bill
passed finally.
On the same day the bill to incorporate the
Lock Ilavcn Bank passed the House finally.
During the discussion, Mr. JjAroirrfi said,
over $.'1,000,000 of new banking capital
were authorized by bills which have already
passed the Hourc. He was opposed to the
increase of banking capital, and did not believe
the people would sustain the men or party who
undertook to make this increase. He spoke at
some length on this subject.
The bill relative to estates, held for corpor
ate, religious and charitable uses, the sixth sec
tion of which alters the manner of hold church
property in the Catholic church, was under
consideration io the Senate, and the section so
obnoxious to the ecclesiastics of the Catholic
church was adopted, with but one negative
vote. This strong expression of sentiment
shows that the Senate does not consider that
any flagrant injustice can be done to the Cath
olic church by repealing the act of 1844, which
permitted church property to be held in perpe
tuity by the Catholic Bishops,
Iu the House of Representatives, on Thurs
day, a letter was presented from Col. JohnH.
Brant, Postmaster at this place, stating that
he had been directed by the Postmaster Gen- j
cral to say that, the State having provided by ;
legislative euactments for the payment of the
postage upon all mail matter sent to or from
the Executive, the Departments, or members
of the Legislature, aud these facts being known
to the Department, all letters addressed to said
parties, without the jiostage being paid at the
mailing office, should not be classed as unpaid
letters, but must be rated with a proper amount
of postage to be paid at Harrisburg, where
provision for such payment has been made.
The House of Representatives passed a bill
to repeal the charter of the Erie and North
East Railroad Company, and to provide for the
disposal of the same, yesterday, after discuss
ing it nearly the whole day. This bill has
been pending since the commencement of the
session, and has been earnestly advocated by
the Representatives from county, who
were elected with special reference to this ques
tion, until this successful result was obtained.
The majority on the final passage of the bill
was large, much larger than any vote in its
previous stages. It is now iu the Senate, where
a majority are supposed to be iu favor of its
passage. But appearances, in these railroad
matters, where there is a great foreign interest
which will be brought to bear with alt the en
ergy and persuasion that has been so success
ful on former occasions, and exceeding decep
tive. At this late period of the session, a bill
of the interest involved in this, which will ex
cite a great deal of discussion, may be obstruct
ed aud ameudod, aud a final vote be prevented
until the days of the session terminate.
The bill repealing tavern licenses passed the
Senate to-day by 15 to 14. It prohibits the
granting of lineenaes after the first of July, but
does not interfere with the existing licenses.—
It has to be returned to the House, in cousc
quence of amendments.
"THE MISSING BRIDE."'—T. B. Peterson,
102 Chestnut st., Philadelphia, has now in
press, and will shortly publish a book with the
above title, by Mrs. Sorriiwoß-rn. This cele
brated authoress has taken apositiou in the'very
front rank of American writers, her works hav
ing been universally admired by their readers.
For engrossing the interest of readers, the work
of Mrs. S. are not excelled—while there is a
chasteness and purity in all she writes, which
have a peculiar charm. Her pictures of life
are virid and truthful. Altogether her works
are the most readable of any published.
The work will be sent by mail, postage free,
bound in cloth for $1 25—in paper sl.
MILITARY COMMISSION. —The X. U. Tribute
states that the Department at Washington has
detached Col. Richard Delafield, of the Engi
neers, Major Alfred Mordeeai, of the Ordnance,
and Capt. George 11. McClelland, of the Cav
alry, on special duty, to proceed to Scbastopol,
to inspect the works there and view the, oper
ations of the war. They are ordered to depart
as soon as possible. • *
ITEMS OF NEWS.
—Report says that Hon. Abbott Lawrence
of BOH ton, IN going to erect a College at Lawrence City,
Kansas, in the spring.
—On Monday, 3,100 applications for boun
ty land were received at the pension office in Washington.
—Governor Ilarstow, of Wisconsin, lias ve
toed the Prohibitory Liquor I .aw recently passed by the
Legislature of that State.
—The quantity of land required to satisfy
the claimants under the late Bonnty I .and Act passed by
i Congress at its late session, is estimated at seventy-five
I million of acies.
i
j —Telegraph wires have been extended cn
j tirely arross the peninsula of Hindostan, from Calcutta to
i Bombay, a distance of 1200 miles.
—The first cargo of Pictou, Nova Scotia,
coal since the proclamation of the reciprocity treaty, a r
rived at Xew \ ork on the 22*1 ult., consisting of 200 tons.
It on sale, afloat, free of duty.
—Lola Moutez is about retnrnining to the
stage, in her doable capacity of actress and danseuse
She has made an engagement with Mrs. Sinclair, and after
a brief tour of California, will return to " the States."
—lt is proposed to start a penny subscrip
tion among the Aids of Governor Pollock, for the purpose
j of purchasing a magnificent sword, tola? presented to bim
i at a convenient season.
—The bankers of Sacramento, California,
1 have determined not to receive cheeks on each other in
i payment or acceptance?, nor will they certify to checks
due each other.
—The San Francisco Mint, during the six
days preceding the 2.7 th ultimo, coined $345,009, which is
at the rate of nearly $00,00(1 a day. The coinage for the
month of February would reach about $2.2.10,000.
—The colt Morgan, from the original Black
Hawk, owned by David Hill, Bridgeport.- Vermont, five
years old, was sold in New York, by James M. Hill to Mr.
B. E. Fields, of California, for $4,000.
—There are employed on tlie canals of New-
York state, during the season of navigation, about 21.000
boatmen and 6,000 boys.
—A boy in Terre Haute, la., has recovered
i SIOO damages from a liqnor dealer who sold his father a
i glass of liquor on the day he was drowned.
j —The health of Martin Van Buren, jr., who
i is now in Paris with his father, (ex-President Van Buren.)
; is in so precarious a state from confirmed consumption
j that but little hopes are felt that his life will be much long
j er preserved.
—lt is stated that the Thorwahlsen group
t of the Twelve Apostles, on exhibition at the Crystal I'al-
I ace, has been purchased for the Catholic Cathedral now
\ in progress of erection at Philadelphia.
—A sleigh, rigged tip with sails, made a run
! from Glen Haven to Skaneatelas (X. Y.) on the ice, in less
thau an hour, with a party of five persons. The distance
! is about sixteen miles.
—The Ericsson experiment—propelling ves
' sels bv caloric—is at an end. The invention is conceded
!
to be a failure, and poor F*rie*6on Is a ruined man*
j —The Green Bay Advocate, speaking of the
; cold weather, cays an Indian was found dead, froui Wbis
! key freezing in his stomach.
—Mr. Mitchell, brother to John Mitchell,
has invented a machine for setting ty)e. and with its aid
' he has just finished setting up an octavo volume by Ban-
I croft, the Historian.
—Col. Kinney, has, it is said, sold his fine
: ranch at Corpus Christi, Texas, to a French Company, for
$150,000 —cash down SIOO,OOO.
—Joseph Keemnn died in the Washington
' county (Md.) almsicsiso last week,iu the 107 th year of his
: age.
—Nearly all the wine on the Mosellee lias
j been purcha-ed hv the French Government, to be sent to
| the army in the Crimea.
| —The Indians are dying of starvation in the
; country round Wcy'montacbinqwe, a trading post of the
j Hudson's Bay Company.
—A Mulatto woman in St. Louis, named
I Margaret Sullivan, recently gave birth to four living chil
! dreu —two boys and two girls.
—Navigation on the lake at Buffalo, is not
j expect to be resumed till the Ist of May. Tlw ice in the
j lake extends from the American to the Canadian shore.
—Pinto, who was recently executed at Ha
vana, had a private fortune of $200,000. He was the fa-'
; thcr of six of seven children, some of very tender years.
I —Mr. Eli Cookson, a respectable citizen of
Warrington township. York county, I'a.. sold a lond of
grain at Y'ork on the 9th ult., and on the 11th left a
! friend's house for home, since which he h is not been seen,
j His family entertain fears that he has been murdered.
i —E. J. Bay, formerly a colored barber, of
! Terrehautc, Indiana, but now of Liberia, Africa, lias been
I Speaker of the House of Representatives of that Republic,
; was a candidate for the Presidency, aud is now editing
! paper in that country.
—R illis Hester, who had been previously
convicted of Xegro stealing in Chatham, X. C„ was last
week sentenced to be hanged on Friday, 4th of Ma v. It
i is said that the citizens arc getting up a petition for bis
j reprieve.
—Hon. Ralph Metealf, Governor elect of
New Hampshire, is seriously ill at his residence, in Xew
j port.
—The celebrated race horse Lexington won
the $20,000 race against time, at New Orleans, on Monday
last. He ran lour miles in seven minutes and nineteen
seconds, being the quickest time ever made by any " land
animal," except a " Locomotive."
W HAT is A TON W EIGHT ?—lite Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania recently decided, that
according to the laws of this State a toil
weight consisted of 2000 lbs., and that a greater
number of pouuds could not be legally exacted
in purchasing a ton of coal, notwithstanding
the custom of giving 2,240 in one part of the
. State, and 2,268 in another. The United
| States District Court at Philadelphia lately
decided in a suit in admiralty, that the legal
weight of a ton of coal is 2,240 lbs., ami thai
the coal dealers have no more right to give
less, than grocers would have to give less than
sixteen ounces to the pound. As the CVusti
j tution of the United States gives to Coagrfc*
the power to " fix the standard of weights and
measures," we suppose that the act of 1834.
passed by the Assembly iu Pennsylvania, must
: yield to the higher authority, aud all the laws
of this State prescribing the siac of the yard
measure, the cubic contents of a bushel nutlet
a gallon, are null and void where they differ
from the United States standard. If this be
: j the case, the Sealer of Weights and Measures
1 j aud other analogous offices iu the Uouuueie
j wealth are entirely useless and illegal. " R '
State laws will doubtless be made to confer" 1
to the United States laws iu those points where
, they now differ. The importance of ha (in?
■ but one staudard will be perceived from the
- suits at law to which various standards ?' vC
i rise.