[Krim the Luzerne Uuio.r.]
Bra*udi Or.al Eteeting.
A meeting of the. " meitso* Tazerre county
was 5| !•: < a Vv'ciii-•• .•/, me 18th <l--T ol
April 185:), at the Cocrt L a? , iiiilie Borough
f W.lkcsban , iii or<". rt) *\pr t* public
r •'tiiiif.-nt on the invent < . tl;-* completion oi
t l .- North Branch (Am .1.
Cul C EOJU;E M. 1 lol.i 1 " i:.' was unuui-
TTiv.nViy ci eted President f the me. tirtjr.
Tlu" followim: named gentlemen AY re ap
pointed Vice l'resideul? :
John T. Eierimrt, Ziba Bennett, Isaac S. |
CLterhout. IV. Thomas W. Minor, AtiJnnv T. |
M'Cliutock, Sharp I). Lewis, Jameson Harvey, i
Washington Lee, Jr. James MT'arlane. |
Ami Stewart Pierce and Warrcg J. Mood-;
ward, were appointed Secretaries.
The object of this meeting was stated by the
President.
Messrs. Goo. W. Woodward. John X. f'on
ynghuni, V. L. Max well. Isaac Wood, J. J.
Slix-iim. A. C. Panning, L. IV Shoemaker, S.
S. Winchester, Onirics Bennett, William I*.
Miner, Joel Bowklcy, Charles I)orranee, < 'alvin
Parsons and C. E. Wright, were appointed a
committee to prepare resolutions for the con
sideration of the meeting.
The committee, through their Chairman, G.
W. Wodward, reported the foillowing resorp
tions which were adopted.
The completion of the North Branch Canal
from Pittston, northward to the boundary line
of the State, is an object of va.d magnitude,
which we, in common with all the citizens of
Northern Pennsylvania, have long anticipated
with unspeakable desire. That it is a work not
merely of local interest, but of State and even
of Natioual importance, will appear to all who
reflect that it is to establish a continuous Hater
communication between tho great lakes of the
North and the Chesapeake Bay—to open up
an easy outlet for the coal and iron ol Penn
sylvania to the markets of North Western
New' York—the Canada?, and all these ample
territories winch are denominated the Great
West : to bring us, and to forward to *bc sea
board the grain, lumber, salt and plaster of
these regions in exchange for our staple? :—to
awaken into existence over a large surface of
our common country, new sources and elements
of trade and commerce :—to augment popula
tion, —to stimulate industry and enterprise—to
widen the basis and multiply the objects of
taxation and thereby improve the public
revenue?, while individual burthens are light
ened. These are some of the consequences,
direct and incidental, which we confidently
anticipate from this great work. And we claim
for these anticipation?, the solid foundation of
recorded history, for no where in our own
country or abroad, since the modern era of
internal improvements commenced, lias a great
thoroughfare of trade, so connected, and so
provided with regular tonnage in coal and iron,
failed to exceed the hopes of its founders in
S'oiitablencss and usefulness. The West
ranch Canal will conform to the general law.
Eminent in its opportunities and facilities for
trade, it will pay faster and do more for the
State and Nation, than its most sanguine
friends have permitted themselves to hope.—
Yet its history has been one of delay and dis
appointment.
Remote from the scat of Government, the
importance of its early completion has not been
at all times duly realized i y Legislators and
those in administration of public utfairs. The
wo;k has been several times suspended and
always tardily prosecuted. Entrusted necessar
ily to local agents, the numerous appropriations
of public money have not been judiciously ap
plied, and now, after years of deferred hopes,
aud expenditures large* enough to have liuished
the work, much remains still to be done to
bring it into navigable condition, a:id more to
maintain it in that condition. It is not our
purpose to enter iuto any discussion of the de
fects of construction or of the delinquencies
of public agents. It seems to us that the part
of wisdom is rather to repair the errors of the
past, than to make them the subject of unavail
ing complaints, and tve come together, not to
lament opportunities lost, but to improve such
as remain.
At one time doubts were entertained as to a
connection between the northern terminus of
work, and the Canals of New York, but by the
prompt construction of the Junction Canal, a
few enterprising citizens have dissipated these
doubts, and given the highest possible expres
sion of their confidence in the practicability
and value of the North Branch Canal. The
JunetiouTCanal is understood to be finished and
ready to introduce ike tonnage of the North
Branch into the Lakes and Canals of New
York. All things are ready. The coal and
iron are ready to l*e sent northward ; the peo
ple there are more than ready—most anxious
to welcome them, and to send ns their produc
tions. The Canals are all ready, save only this
long-desired and too long delayed North Branch
extension ; but when is it to be ready ? Navi
gation may be commenced this season. *ut we
have reason to apprehend that it cannot be
maintained thorough tiic droughts of summer,
without large expenditures for repairs and the
most exact and energetic administration.
The Canal Commissioners, always favorably
disposed towards this work, cannot by reason
of their distance from it, and their numerous
duties aud responsibilities in other parts of the
State, give it that amount and kind of atten
tion which it requires. The circumstances seem
to demand a special agency—a peculiar effort
to complete this work without more delay, and
to exempt the State from these heavy annual
draughts which so exhausted her treasury, and
which are liable to be continued indefinitely if
a radical change be not effected in the adminis
tration of this branch of our public improve
ments.
Entertaining these views, we have been
pleased to observe that a bill has been report
ed and is now pending in the Legislature, the
object of which is, to place this section of our
iuternal improvements in the hands of Wm. R.
Maffet, Esq., for a period of years, ou terms
and conditions which promise the most satis
factory results. We trust that lull, with such
modifications a3 shall effectually guard the
public interests and secure the early completion
and steady maiutuinauce of the North Branch
Canal may become a law ; —and, fur, further
expressions of our views, be it
Resolred: —That in our judgment, the time
has come when all public interests, and espe
cially considerations of truest economy demand
the most vigorous efforts for establishing and
maintaining navigation on the North Branch
Caual, and that the general principles of the
bill, now depending in the Legislature, entitled
" an Act to provide for the repairs and com
pletion of the North Branch Canal from
Pittston northward," seem to us to be adapt
ed to the exigencies of the occasion, and
Justified by the condition and prospects of the
work
■PxUud :—That wc have the fullest confi
fidence in the ability and disposition ol our fel
low citizen, Win. R. Maffet, Esq., to accom
plish the purposes of that bill, and we believe
the State will b e greatly benefitted by placing
this portion of Iter i nblic works in lus hands,
on the teims indicated.
Jlcm lad That while we do not assume to
speak for others, v. e entertain no doubts t Lit
tL.i peoi.!' of ail the counties drained by the
North Branch of the Susquehanna, will hail
the passaar of this bill with joy. us a measure
cniia- at Iy calculated to bring the ('una! speedily
into that productive employment for which they
know it is destined, und which they are im
patient to realize.
Jtc. i Irrd : —That so far from our intending
any reflection upon the canal Commissioners
by our advoeacy of this measure, we record
thus publicly with great satisfaction, ourgrati
tude for the interest manifested bv them and
their predecessor-, ns well as by the late and
former Executives of the Commonwealth, in
this work, and our convictions that they did all
which their public duties permitted, for its com
pletion ; but the fact of so much delay, with
out fault in the administration, proves that a
resort to some new measure is indispensable,
and wo have heard none suggested which com
mends itself to our approbation so strongly as
the above named bill.
Resolved: —That our Senator and Members
of the House of Representatives be instructed
to support that bill, and to use all honorable
means in titer power to procure its enactment
into a law.
R*s<he !t- That the proceedings of this
meeting be printed under the direction of tin*
Secretaries, and forwarded to the Governor,
Canal Commissioners, and the members of the
Senate aud House of R presentatives.
The Abolition of the British Stamp Duty,
Tlte abolition of the British stamp duty, by
the British Parliament, will tend to cheapen the
press of Great Britain, and bring it? advantages
within the reach of the humblest of the popula
tion. There is no such thing known iu Eng
land as newspapers afforded at as lowa cost as
the penny papers of the United States,though
the city of London, by its dense population and
its great business, would now be one of the ve
ry best fields in the world for the establishment
of such a cheap paper. Hitherto the newspa
pers of Greai Britain have been subjected to a
stamp duty of one penny for each number, equal
to nearly two cents of our currency. This tax,
tor the iflere privilege of publishing a newspa
per, put it out of the power of any publisher to
give the masses of England as cheap reading as
the people in our large cities enjoy through the
penny papers. The prices of ? lie English news
paper? being high, the circulation of them has
also been limited, and iu the whole kingdom
there is not as many copies of newspapers pub
lished as in some one of our cities. In return
for the payment of this stamp duty, the news
papers had a free transmission through the
mail. Tiiis duty on one hand and free postage
on the other, have oj>crated altogether to the j
benefit of the London press. A union of mo
neyed power there succeeded in building up!
large establishments, such as the Times news- j
paper, and it enjoyed almost a monopoly of the j
business, for the stamp duty effectually" cut off!
the most formidable competition. It enjoyed '
another advantage, excluding the wholesome
effect of competition, in the duty on advertise
ment?, which m ide advertising so costly that
it was necessarily confined to a single newspa
per, and that the one having the largest circu
lation. This built up a profitable business for
the Times, and, on the abolition of the adver- i
tiscment duty, advertisers still found it the mostj
advantageous to continue their advertising in a ;
newspaper confessedly the greatest in circula
tion and in influence."
The removal of the stamp duty now opens,
for the first t imo, newspaper publishing in Great
Britain to free competition, and the effect will
soon be felt throughout the kingdom. Instead
of having one " Thunderer," reflecting the sen
timent? of only one class of the public, there
will now be started newspapers through which
will be heard the public opinion of the nation,
and particularly that portion of the English
nation which, by its physical industry at home,
contributes so largely to its wealth, "and does
nearly all its hardest fighting abroad, and yet
has but a very limited control of the acts* of
the government, which affect so powerfully the
social and physical condition of the industrial
population. As these masses become more in
telligent, through the teachings of tlm cheap
press, and better informed in regard to the
workings of the Government, ther# will be a
powerful sentiment, not now felt, operating up
on public legislation, and out of free discussion
in the [tress, which English liberty sustains so
proudly and so grandly, there will come many
ameliorations in the political condition of the
nation which will tend to greater equality of
condition among the people, and be the best
security, by the gradual accomplishment of
these changes, of the stability of the govern
ment. The preponderating influence of the
Times is probably lost forever, though its abili
ties will always command their proper respect
andpower. ft is upon these that it must here
after depend, for the protection which it enjoy
ed from the Government is gone, and it finds,
even in its vast business, a restriction under
the law other newspapers are free from. Be
sides losing the benefit of the stamp duty, which
excludes competition, it will be, in effect, sub
jected to double postage, inasmuch as a single
stamp will cover only its regular sheet of read
ing mutter, and its advertising supplement will
require another ; while other newspapers, which
have fio supplements, will l>e subjected to no
corresponding tax. Since the passage of the
uew bill, new daily newspapers are announced
in nearly ali the thickly populated towns, some
at a penny and some at a half-penny.
RIOT AND LOSS or LlFE.— Ckicogo, April 21.
—Quite a riot occurred in this City this morning,
growing *out of the Maine Law license question,
in which one man was killed, and five or six
wounded. It appears that a small procession
of persons of foreign birth, marched to the
Court House square, where quite a crowd col
lect. The police interfering to disperse the
assemblage a general fight ensued, the crowd
becoming greatly augmented, and knives and
i clubs lacing freely used. The principals were
taken into custody, und tlu excitement is now
diminished.
RENCONTRE —Lieutenant BEALE, formerly In
dian Agent at California, whose accounts have
jnst been allowed by the Treasury Department,
inflicted a severe eastigation with his lists, up
on Col. MAVYPENNY, Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, at Willard's Hotel, Washington, on
Friday. Lieutenant BEALE attributes the tem
porary disallowance of his accounts to the per
sonal hostility of the Commissioner—and hence
the assault.
Srabforb ileporter,
E. U. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOW A X I > A :
Sjiinrhat) iilorninn, 28, 1853.
MAY COURT will afford our delinquent sub
scribers an excellent opportunity to "square"
their indebtedness, and avail themselves of the
reduction in price. We tru-t that all knowing
themselves indebted will improve the chance. :
as delays may be dangerous.
FROM THE LEGISLATURE.
Our Legislature has at last thought of ad
journing. On Monday last, a resolution was
adopted i:i the House to adjourn on the Bth of
May, after much confusion and excitement,
caused by amendments to go into the election
of U. S. Senator.
The bill for the sale of the Main Line of the
Public Works passed the House of Represen
tatives Friday, without any material alteration,
except that the minimum price was increased
to eight and a half millions of dollars The
Dill requires the association bidding for this
work to be composed of at least thirteen indi
viduals, who are required to deposit SIOO,OOO
with the Governor, in cash or State bonds, be
fore he is authorized to entertain their propo
' sal.
THE DELAWARE DIVISION. —The Philadelphia
Ledger of Tuesday, says the usual interruptions
chargeable to the bad condition of the Canal,
Lave already begun on the Delaware Division.
On the loth inst. a leak occurred about 12
miles below Iv.iston, which it was then said
would be repaired and boats allowed to pass in
the course of two or three days. But it is now
stated that the slope wall below Elder's lock,
has given way and will require several days for
its repair. The canal will not probably be
navigable before the latter part of the present
week. In the meantime the business of the en
tire Lehigh region is brought to a stand still.
How long will the State persist in her present
policy of neither herself improving and strength
ening the public works, nor of allowing them to
pass into the hands of those who would lose no
time in putting them in a condition in some
degree commensurate with the requirements of
the trade, and t'uc reasonable expectations of
the public ?
AN OLD SETTLER DEPARTED. —On Monday
the 16th inst., Maj. Z. FLOWERS, of Athens,
departed this life in the 90th year of his age.
The deceased was one of the early pioneers
of the Susquehanna valley, and had soon much
hardship, and experienced every vicissitude to
which the soldiers of the revolution were so pe
culiarly exposed. For upwards of 60 years
he had been a resident of Athens.
The funeral sermon was delivered by the Rev.
J. M. PEEBLES, of Eiraira, who feelingly and
eloquently enlarged upon the character of the
deceased, the various phases of his truly event
ful life, and the triumphant evidence offered by
his happy death, iu the ultimate restoration of
universal humanity.
His remains were carried to their lust rest
ing place, accompanied by the M.isonic Frater
nity, and the beautiful ritual of the Order was,
at his request, read over his grave. Major
FLOWERS was the first Mason initiated in the
Lodge at Athens, (in the year 1798,) upwards
of 57 years ago, and there are now but two
persons living who were present on the occa
sion, and they were visiting brethren.
LATER FROM EUROPE. —The steamer Africa
arrived at Halifax, on Tuesday evening last,
with one week later intelligence.
The news is of no great importance.
The latest dates from Sebastopol are to the
6th of April, and although skirmishes were
still constantly taking place, the condition of
affairs bad undergone no change of moment.
The Vienna Conference re-assembled on the
Bth, but with what result had not transpired.
•It was not know n when another meeting would
take place.
Farther complications, in regard to the at
titude of Prussia, are reported.
BRADFORD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. —
A meeting of this Society will be held at the
Court House, in the Boro' of Towauda, on
Monday evening the 7th of May next.
The Board of Managers are requested to
meet at 2 o'clock, P. M., of the same day at
the ofiice of Col. G. F. MASON. Punctual at
tendance is desired, as important business will
be presented to the Board for its actiou.
SUN BURY AND ERIE RAILROAD. —"We learn
from the Suubury American that the contrac
tors are vigorously pushing the work on this
road, on the line between that place and Mil
ton. The grading through Northumberland is
progressing, the earth being brought over the
West Branch bridge, from the hill opposite.—
A number of experimental lines have been run
for the location of the road between Sunbnry
and the bridge.
BREADSTUFFS FOR EUROPE. —The New-York
Post says the export of flour and wheut to En
gland has wholly ceased. Corn has been the
only cereal shipped in large quantity ; and of
this 4,640,000 bushels have been sent forward
against 4,199,000 in the corresponding period
of 1854, namely, Ist September to date.
OA?*BURTON KINGSBURY has just received a
large stock of New Goods, bought for cash,
and which he will sell for " the brads" at the
lowest possible prices.
" Know thyself," is as full of sound J
sense when applied to our knowledge of thchu-;
man system, as when referred to an acquain
tance with our spiritual condition ; though per-1
haps not as important, as the body is not of
as much worth as the immortal spirit. As in |
a spiritual, so in a bodily sense, this important j
command is generally unheeded. How few in j
community know anything of the structure of j
their own frames, the wonderful piece of me-1
chanism that is animated and caused to live
and move by the more noble part of their ex
istence, the mind. While our youth are study
ing about the earth upon which they exist, tlre
laws of matter by which the universe is govern
ed—the far-off worlds by which they are light
ed through this vale of darkness and of woe.
While they dig deep into the hidden depths of
classic lore, ami drink long draughts from the
clear fountains of mathematical science—in
short, while they study everything but them
selves—of themselves, tliev know nothing.
The structure of the human frame, the func
tions of its various organs, the laws bv which
it is governed, and the rules necessary for the
preservation of health, are totally neglected by
the very beings who are to be made comforta
i blc or miserable as they neglect or observe these
; rules. A little French, Spanish, Italian, and
Music, is, in the estimation of many who have
sous and daughters to educate, of more impor
tance to them, and prepares them better for
making a show than does a knowledge of the
frame which (lod has created as the receptacle
| and tenement for the immortal mind.
Wo have called attention to this subject, at
this time, in order to give notice that some time
in the fore part of May, Dr. GI.EASON, of the
city of Philadelphia, will be in the place to
give a course of lectures upon the subject of
animal Physiology. Wherever he has lectured
he has given general satisfaction, anil much
good has been accomplished by awakening pub
lic attention to this much neglected, but highly
important subject. Wc understand the Dr. is
\ well provided with apparatus with which to
make familiar the subjects upon which he treats.
We hope if he comes among us he will be lib
erally sustained. _
NORTH PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD. —The ledg
er, of the 20th inst. says :—" The work on the
North Pennsylvania Railroad is rapidly advanc
ing. Already the permanent track has been
laid to within a short distance of Green lane,
and above the eighth section the road bed is
nearly completed to Gwyuncd. The eighth
section, which is one of the heaviest between
here and the Lehigh, contains the deep cut. —
At present, there are about 300 hands at work
day and night, on this portion of the line, and
in three or four weeks, it is thought, it can be
finished. As soon as this is done, the rails will
l>e laid as far north as Gwynned. 20 miles from
I the city, and passenger and freight trains will
immediately commence rtmuing. Marly next
; week, the fir. t locomotive will lie put on the
| road. The omnibus cars, which now run to
Dauphin street, in the Nineteenth Ward, con
i tinuc to do a much better business thau was
anticipated."
Jka?" Col ILL. KINNEY has published a letter
in the New York papers, in relation to the new
organization, "The Nicaragua Land and ilin-
I ing Company," which he says, has no counex
j ion with "The Central American Company."
: The interests of tho latter being all in the Mus
quito territory, while those of the former are
• in lauds obtained from Mr. Fabens, our present
! Consul at San Juan, who has made large pur
| chases from individuals, and who is concerned
|in the present enterprise. The company, lie
j remarks, is formed for agricultural and mining
1 purposes.
THK NEW-YORK PRHIBITORY LIQUOR LAW.—
The District Attorney of New-York in reply
to the inquiries front the Mayor, states that
from the Ist of May until the Ith of July there
will be no legal prohibition whatever against
the sale of liquor—the new law extingishing
the old license system, with its pains and pen
alties, and providing no fresh ones until the lat
ter date. For the next two months, therefore,
bar-rooms may be opened in every house in
New-York, and liquor may be sold at the cor
ner of every street, without the parties retail
ing it rendering themselves amenable to pun
ishment.
BARCLAY RAILROAD. —The contract for build
ing the Railroad from this place to the BAR
CLAY coal mines, has been allotted to Messrs.
V. E. & J. E. PIOLLET. Their contract in
cludes the completion of the Road, with the
exception of rails, which are furnished by the
Company—the road to be completed by June
Ist, 1856.
MILK AND WHISKEY.—IU consequence of the
probable stoppage of the breweries and distil
leries in New-York, and the present reduction
of work preparatory to that stoppage, the milk
dealers have already raised the price of that
article 25 per cent. The people of Gotham
have, to a certain extent, a prohibitory milk as
well as a prohibitory liquor law.
LACKAWANN A COUNTY. —The bill to erect this
county has passed both branches of the Legis
lature, and will, doubtless, receive the signa
ture of the Governor. The people included
within the boundaries of the new county are to
determine by vote where the seat of justice
shall be. Scranton, probably, will be selected.
SLAVES IN KANSAS. —By the late census in
this Territory, it appeared that there was one
hundred and twenty-seven slaveH in Kansas—a
far greater number than there will be a year
hence, if the people arc allowed to legislate fur
themselves, or through their representatives.
MEDICAL CEXSORS. —A bill is now before the
Legislature of this State, for the establishment
of a Board of Medical Censors, to consist of
three regular physicians, to be appointed by
the Governor, before whom all practitioners of!
medicine in this State, irrespective of age or j
standing in their piofcssion, shall be annually
summoned, in order to undergo an examination, j
not only as to their qualifications, but astotiie
progress they have made as relates to tlie de
velopments and improvements in the science of
medicine ; subjecting them, upon the first ex
amination, to a tax of twenty-five dollars, and
five dollars for every subsequent yearly inquest.
In the event of non-compliance with this act,
the penalty is, "no recourse in law for thecol
lection of their bills for medical services." —
Two of these censors are to constitute a quo
rum, to whose decision in all cases, the third
shall submit.
• "
EMIGRATION. —The New York Times says :
" The number of emigrants to this country seems
likely to be as large, if not larger, the present,
as on any previous summer. We understand
from reliable authority, that ninety-six ships,
1 all of which will bring more or le*s emigrant
passengers, have cleared at different European
ports for this city."
SUXBURY AND ERIE RAILROAD. —On Monday
| week the Councils of the city of Erie, Pa., made
; an additional subscription of $200,000 to the
stock of the Suuhury and Erie Railroad, pro
| vidiiig that it is expended on their end of the
' line, and that the work be commenced within
' a reasonable time.
One Week Later from Europe!
Sanguinary Fights Before Scbastopol.
Adjournment of the Peace Congress.
NEW YORK, April 22.—The steamship Nash
i ville, chartered by the Collins Company, in
place of the Pacific, arrived at 110011 to-day,
I bringing dates from Liverpool and London to
the 7th inst.
Political affairs throughout Europe remain
I unaltered.
i The Vienna Conference had adjourned over
the holidays. The impression is daily becom
| ing stronger that there is nothing left but to
fight it out.
The /'rare Conference. —The Vienna Con
-1 ferenee having adjourned till the 9th to await
j the Russian ultimatum and the arrival of the
French ami Turkish Ministers of Foreign
; Affairs ut Vienna, there is 110 news from that
■ point.
The consideration of the third point would
be the first subject before the Conference.—
Public opinion seems to i>e about equally divided
i as to what will be the final result.
Ali Pasha arrived at Vienna on Friday, and
i would take part iu the future discussions of the
Conference.
: A despatch from Berlin, dated Friday, the
6th states that the Russian party is predomi
nant there, and that Prussia v. ill most likely
throw herself into the arms of the Czar in
case of an unfavorable result of the Confer
ence.
From the Crimea. —The Russians, as well as
1 the allies, are both strengthening their positions,
preparatory to the opening of the spring cani
i paign.
I At a council of war, held by the officers of
the allied armies, on the 12th of March, Omcr
Pasha desired assistance from the allies, which
could not be granted, and the Turks are, con
sequently, only expected to hold their position
at Eupatoria.
Siege of Sebastrpol.— Continued fighting for
Possession of the. Hi fie pits—l! rent Sacrifice of
Life. —Since the date of previous advices there
: has been a series of sorties and assaults, bc
■ tween the Russians and French, for possession
• of the rifle ambuscades in front of the French
position and under the Malakoff tower. These
rifle pits, which have led to so considerable a
sacrifice of life, are placed in front and fo the
right and left of the tower and about 600 yards
from the Allied works. They are merely
excavations in the ground, faced round with
saud-bags and banked with earth, loop-holed
for rifles. They are six iu number, and each
contains ten men—6o iu all. Gen. Bosquet
considers it a point of honor to take and hold,
or destroy these ambuscades. lie has several
times, by night assaults, driven out the Rus
sians, but as the pits are covered by the fire of
the city batteries, the French have hitherto
found it impossible either to destroy or hold
them. The importance of this position to both
besiegers and besieged is very great.
The Mulakoif round tower is regarded as the
key of the defences, and hence the energy of
the Russians is strengthing it considerably in
advance of the tower is the elevated mound, or
hill now called the "Mamelon," on which the
besieged are erecting a battery of great
strength. A little further iu advance is the
eminence recently feized so skillfully by the
Russians, and fortified with earthworks ;* it is
now crowned by a square redoubt, with 16 guns
visible on its three outward sides, but they
hive i.ot yet opened lire. Out.-ide of th -so
defences are the rifle pits. The Russian bat
teries at Inkerman, their forts on the other side
of the Tcheruaya and the works of Malakoff
cover this redoubt, and converge on the ajv
proaches in front of it. This explanation will
convey an idea of the strength of the position
which the French nightly contest. Dates of
the encounters are as follows :
During the night of March 14th there was
a fieice affair. Ihe Russians had advanced
some riflemen in front of the French lines, who
caused considerable annoyance. When night
fell a denii-brigade of French went' down and
drove them out. All the city batteries along
the front immediately o)>ene(i and continued ii
furious cannonade tor half an hour, during
which a stronger force of the enemy advanced
on the h rench and compelled them to retire,
with a loss of 65 men ; the Russian loss being
probably more severe. The Russians reoecn
pied the pits.
hi the night of the 15th, the French renew
ed the attack and succeeded, with comparativelv
little loss, in driving out the enemy's' riflemen,
and occupying the pits with their own. The
French continued to hold those on the right,
under a heavy fire, over the 16th and 17th
March.
Night of the 17th, yet another encounter
took place: At half-past 6iu the evening, the
French who had retired before the fire from
the batteric, marched down to re-oeenpv the
ambuscade, but found the Russians had antici
pated them. A fierce conflict immediately
commenced, but it was evident the Russians
were in a strong force, and the French were
again and again borne back by the weight of
fire. For four hours and a half they persever
ed in their attempts, and all that time a con
tinuous roll of musketry rang out, broken only
by brief pauses in the advance. In these lulh
the 1 iriti-!i could distinctly hear the voices of
the French officers cheering on their men—-
I "En art, at, mes r.n fans !" " En evanf Zomrcs n
—and the tramp of feet and the rush of men
j followed ; then a roll of musketry was heard'
diminishing in volume to rapid file lightning
Then a Russian cheer—then more inusketrv
—a few dropping shots, and the voices of the
officers once more.
The Zouaves bore the brunt of the fight
and the action was somewhat peculiar, as
artillery took no part in it. The British 2d
Bd, 4th and light divisions were told off fur
action, and the entire British camp remained
under arms until the Freneh desisted from their
attack ; but as the gallant French make it a
point of honor to take those pits without aid,
no assistance was offered. The French were
about 5000 strong, and they state their loss at
150 killed and wounded, besides a few pris
oners.
I On the 18th a reinforcement of 15,000 men
| entered Scbastopol. None of the Russians
I continue to throw up defences from the ravines
of I nkcrman to the sea-side south of the lb-llck.
i To day another body of Russians, apparently
about 15,000 strong, was observed to march
! towards Mackenzie's farm, and were reported
j to have crossed the Tcheruaya and advanced
; upon Baiday.
| At 4 I'. M. of the 13th Gen. C'anrobert,
with a small escort, passed dowu the Woron
sow Road by the British right attack, ami
carefully examined "the pits." At nightfall
a strong force of French with six field-pieces,
was moved down on the left of their extreme
right, and another unsuccessful attempt was
: made to take the pits from the Russians.
After some hour's heavy firing of artillery
; and small arms, both parties withdrew. Three
j unsuccessful attacks were made by the French
I ere morning. Their loss was about 180. The
i British batteries, on the ISth, continued to
j throw shot and shell into the mamelonanJ new
; redoubt.
The Russians succeeded in holding the pits.
, and are engaged in constructing a formidable
j work on the mamelon, though frequently inter
rupted bv the French and English batterie-
The French persevere in working forward.
Reinforcements were reported to be on their
way from Russia, and the 9th Russian division
had reached the vicinity of Eupatoria. Tin*
Russian position on the Tcheruaya remains!
unaltered, l'rince Gortsehukoff had arrive!
at Bakscbi Serai, and had taken command of
the army. Prince Menschikoff, it was report
ed, had died on his way to Moscow.
A Xv.wsi'ArKß OFFICE SACKED. — St. Tsnaj,
j April 21, 1855.—0n Saturday last, two hun
i dred citizens of Platte county assembled at
' Parksvillc and attacked the office of the Lux:-
1 nary, charged with free soil proclivities, m
| stroyed the fixtures, and threw the pr--s into
the Missouri river. The editor would have
I been tarred and feathered, had he not been for
: innately absent.
Resolutions were passed declaring the Li < •
any a nuisance, and its editors traitor-, A.,
i and au intention to throw them into the riv.-r
, if found in the place within weeks, and
to follow them and hang them if they went to
i Kansas. Free soilers were denounced, and
was decided by the meeting that noMothoJU:
preacher should preach in the county, on pair.
| of being tarred and feathered for the first of
fer ■ e and hanged i"r the second.
Gov. 11EEM-:R arr.. A here yesterday on his
wa v to the East.
i
j FEARFUL STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION— TEN Mrs
' KILLED ANU SIX OTHERS WOUNDED.— Detnit,
April 20.—The propeller Oregon, of Cleve
land, exploded her boiler, this morning, when I
about four miles above this place. Ten men j
were killed among whom were W. J. Chapman. I
the first engineer of the boat ; Thomas f
Donnelly, the second engineer; lvlware
J Mcßride and William Rcid. The names of
; the others are unknown.
! Captain Stewart had one of his legs brolwa
! and five or six others were morebr less ivounti
ed.
FIRE AT EASTOX.— Eastern, Fa., April ii -
A destructive fire occurred here last night, th;
: work of an incendiary. About ton bnildi:;e
: were destroyed on Rioe alley, between Fro::
, and Second streets. The loss is estimated s:
; $20,000.
Howard A Co.'s Express stable was le-"' tj
ed, together with five horses and sevn|.
wagons. The Methodist Church on Sc-1 ]
st. was wholly destroyed, and the l'arsonar
adjoining barely escaped. Among the otl' |
sufferers are Messrs. E & W. Kellet, carpenter- I
G. Allen, baker; Kipple & LIIIOP, luruKr- i -
men.
The freshets in the Lehigh and Dchiwrl
rivers are subsiding.
—Persons wishing to niak* 1 pi f
-L i menta to the subscriber, can <1 so at nvy
through Messrs. LATOUTK. MAOV i Co., wh m-p : •
statement of payment, will bo eutirelv t r v
. .. _ MICHAEL MEVLERT, Laud
April 26. 1555.
/"TVUTlOX.—Whereas my wife Dra*'- i j
V,' ha left my bed and lioard without ju-r ;
vocation, I therefore forbid all persona liar -rip- ' .1
iatr her on my account, as I will not be re^pon-;- - * I
a IV debts that she may contract. !|
Uurliugton, April 8," 1855. J VCOR T.d--, M
BOOKS AND STATIONERY.
I OSEPH KINGSBERY sfill continue
•I BOOK A- STATIONERY business, where p- >* :
nwy lind all the latest School ami Mi-cclUnc ■ i>-" 'i
reduced prices. The following School Hook.- 1
ed in the catalogue, viz :
Bullion's Greek and Latin Reader ami Grammar.
do. Cer, do. Salln-t, do.
Donegan's Greek and English Loxi.-.vi.
Sncnccr's Latin Lessons ; Cooper's Vi'C'l. .. .. ;|
OlendorfT s, IjebrfthouV, Barintuiu's 3
Levizaek's French Works. ~ ,
I'arkcr's, Comstock's, Phelps', Smiley's and 0- 31 "' s"3
Philosophy.
Day's, Thompson's and Davie's Works.
Cutter's, Goat's and Gomstock's piiy.-e ' - .
Saunder s, Porter's, Bontley's and < ohb'- Wart- , J
Bancroft's 11'urtorv, Parley's, WorcesterV. •- : ; m
Butt as, Ac. Ac.
Wclister's Unabridged Dictionary,
do University edition, do.
do Common School, do. , , <•; I
Worcester's, Cooper's, Harper's, Johnson -•
stock's works ; Lincoln's Botany. Sweet - Li 1 1 ; r ;; I
Thompson's series of Arithmetic, primary w
School.
Adams', Davie's, Smith's and Cobb's, dm. , I
Brown's, Kirkhain s, Smith's and Mor-i * ' -
nnd Atlas ; and all the various Primary Geogrvj I '.
in use. > i -'M
Spelling books of all kinds, and miscellanem" "
great variety. y.*
Also— Dry Goods, Groceries, Croektry, Beot< ■ ,>■
Hat a and Cam, Ac., Ac. „
New and desirable styles of Goods nil! j , s*
monthly, and sold at the low-c-t ( a-"u PiD'.i -
Towanda, April, .'l, 1855.