llsarlem having now the prooi o.
riirhfs celebrated, in the summer of ISMJ
the fourth jubilee of Roster's invention. U
, . j. aii tk members of the
was B solemn on, n
Society, and thousands of citizens and stran-
-m first to the Cathedral, where a
discourse was delivered by one of the most
elequent professor of Leyden University i
after that the Society, with Kenninjz in their
midst, marched in procession thronch the
jureets, towards the same spot where Laurens
Koster, four hundred years ago, had cut me
first letter. At the arrival of the tmin, a
Wge linen cover was taken down, and a sim
ple, but solid and well executed monument
to the honor of Laurens Janszoon Koster, as
the inventor of the art of bonk printing, pre.
snnted itself to the eyes of thousands and
thousand, shouting for Koster, for Haarlemi
and for Koninjj.
As soon as the dissertation of Koninir was
published i! was translated into French, for
,nke of foreicn countries. The city of Hanr
tern has in possesion many of the original
copies of L. Koster's printing: and numerous
other oroofs which testify the very truth of
all which is above related ; which treasure is
secured in the city hall, and is preserved as
n bulwark against any attack upon the right
( Koter's invention in 1423. Besides all
this, the church register is now also there,
wherein can be found, "that L. Jz. Koster
died in 1439.'! Is there any nation who can
show any book printed before that year 1
1 hope to receive a copy of the French
iranslation of the above mentioned work of
Jacobus Koning in trio course of this year,
and intend to present it to the Library of the
Second Municipality. Every one who will
road this precious book will be satisfied and
bay, "this must be the truth." S. D. V.
THE WOIU.D'S FAIR.
Preparations, at London, for the great exhi
bilion, in 1S51, of the industry of the world,
are progressing, and on a scale of the great
est magnificence. The building to be erecled
lor this Fair in Hyde l'ark will, at the lowest
estimate, cost a half a million of dollars. The
edifice is to cover IS acres, is to be 100 feet
in height, and is to contain 8 miles of tables.
TV amount already oblained by subscription
is over $300,000. It is estimated that at least
half a million of people will visit the Exhibi
Hons, in the course of the six months it is to
continue, ami the receipts from this source,
at the probable admission price of one shil
ling, or twenty-four cents, per head, will give
$120,000, But the funds derived from every
source will fall short of the enormous ex
penses to be incurred, ami the deficiency will,
in the end, probably have to be made up by
Parliament. More space in the bazaar has
been allotted to the United Stales than to any
other nation excepting Fiance J but, though
l on nnn f..... ll.,.. I
we have 80,000 square feet allotted to us, we
shall probably have to ask lor more room
The Americrn agent, Mr. Thompson, writes
that the Slate of New York alone would, if
allowed, fill the entire space assigned to the
rnnntrv. The nrizes to successful! comnoli-
tors will amount loat least S 100.000, and will
be awarded without distinction of country, by
as perfectly impartial a jury as can be obtain.
ed. The design of bringing together the arti
sans of the ditferent nations and their noblest
works, is a magnificent conception, and must
be fraught with incalculable good. It will
bring into honorable competition the skill.and
'ndostry of every people in the civilized
world, and will be the best of schools for mu"
tual instruction and improvement.
NEWS BY THE ATLANTIC,
The American mail steamer Atlantic arri
vedatNew York, on the 1st inst
The news brought by this arrival is com
mercially important as regards cotton and
corn ; but politically it possesses litlle interest
It is stated that, upon leaving Liverpool,
the excitement to see Jenny Lind was so
.rreat. thai it was with difficulty she could
reach the Dock. On the voyage she made
'
herself quilo popular by her engaging man-
liers, and seemed lo enjoy herself greatly,
dancing almojt every night, and pariicipa-
ting freely in all the amusements. She al.so
gave a concert for the benefit of the sailorsi
which realized 70 sterling. A large croud
was waiting at the wharf to receive her on
the steamer at New York, and she was loud
ly cheered. The crowd followed her car
riage to the Irving House, wheie they con.
linued their demonstrations of enthusiasm, in
acknowledgment of which she appeared seve'
ral times at the hotel window.
THE RESI'LT IN MISSOURI.
The final result in Missouri is thus sum
med up by the Tribune, and contains the
matter in a lew lines
Col. Benton is beaten, but his zreat ner-
eonal strength in Missouri is shown in his
last battle quite as emphatically as in any
thBfirht..nrlpr.l.lvanlnrM. Th last I j.
gislature had virtually denounced and stig-
matized him; he had to defeat a majority
of its members or be himself defeated. His
colleague was his bitter enemy ; so were
most of the Missouri Delegation in the
House. Green and Hall were open and
fierce against him; Bowlin and Bay less
frank in their hostility, but not therefore
less efficient. Phelps alone stood by him
heavy odds ! Yet the only Member of
ffii&l?t
uuu ma ority, anu coi. tsemon nas carried
five-eighths of the "Democratic" members presenting his "gallant brother in arms" I is about 70 foet high. This impetuous tor
of the new Legislature, so that he would I with a chin like a mill hopper. rent swept every thing before it, and it
Sllll oe re-eiecieu u ins auversarieg would
conform to "the usages of the party," bv
going into caucus; nominating a candidate
tor U. s. Senator, and all voting for him
NEW COUNTERFEITS.
A 20 note on the West Branch Bank,
Wi1H?P0T!,Pa;, VT8 "PP6"3'1" ing road, he continued sending the Just as we were going to press we re
recentlv. It n described as bearing a bus- I "... ... ... ... . . .. ?.. o,uj' '
pension Bridge on the left end, and Nep-
tune and the Sea Nymphs on the right.
Engraved by Rawdon, Wright and Hatch,
v igneiie oi ine counterfeit 3 notes
on the York Bank, York, Pa., it a female iu
sitting posture.
Extreme Debilitt. A rentleman savs
he has become so week from dissipation
that he u nowuWe to raise a Jivt dollrr
THE AMERICA!!.
SUNBURY.
MATUIIDAY, SEPTEMBER T, l
If.
D. MASSF.H, Editor and Proprietor.
t .wnT...The circulation of the Sunliiiry
Am.,',.. nmon Hie different tavern on the Susquehanna
not exceeded if equalled liy any P"P luinnea in norm
em rennyivnin.
...... .an. j-it t L"i"rrna nutilinlied in tills winer.
llll'. I.IK1 -. ----- . .
in nr-cnrdnnce with the low requiring them to be published
in the pnp" hnving the tnrput circulation.
Democratic State Nominations.
For Canal Commissioner :
WILLIAM T. M0RIS0N,
Of Montgomery County.
For Auditor General :
EPHRAIM BANKS,
Of Mifflin County.
For Surveyor General:
J. POUTER BRAWLEY,
Of Crawford Countv.
Democratic County Nominations.
For Congress :
WILLIAM I DEWAUT,
Of Nortliumlierlnnd County.
For Assemhhf :
JOHN 13. PACKER,
Of Suiilniry.
For Commissioner :
CHRISTIAN ALBERT,
Of iower Mulionoy.
For Prosecuting Attorney :
CHARLES A. KUTZ,
OfMiltim. '
For Deputy Surveyor :
SAMUEL YOUNG,
Of Inwer Miilmnny.
For Auditor:
REUBEN W. ZARTMAN,
Of Jockwm.
VCr" Poetry. On our first page will be
found a rather long but entertaining poem
by Lover.
KF" The heavy rains of Sunday and
Monday last have again -o swollen the
streams that some danger was anticipated
from the flood. The Susquehanna rose
very rapidly, and was nearly bank full on
Monday evening. The creek too and
smaller streams have been very high. This
fresn w;ji no have a beneficial effect
b ciear)s;n(r arlfi gweeping off deposites
I J & ' 0
and decomposed vegetable matter, left by
the flood in July.
THE MAILS.
We have been without mails from Phi-
ladelphia ' from last Saturday,
on ac-
count of the great freshet on the Schuylkill.
We have it is true a daily mail, via : Har-
rishurg, but that only reaches us semi-oo
casionally. According to contract the
mail should be delivered here before it
reaches Northumberland, to whence it is
taken first, and twenty-four hours after it is
delivered here. This it is true, is not, in
rapidity, quite equal to lightning or steam,
but considering that the distance is 3,4.32
yards, or in round numbers about two miles,
it is not as bad as it might be, or at least
better than getting no mail at all. But
some of our citizens, keeping pace with
th rrnnrr.ci VP cnirir nf till ntrp. nrp Rrt lin-
" , ., , ,. . ,
rvnsnnnlilt! as to crumble even af this extra-
,. . , ...l , .. ..:.,
' ' , , c ,
,or rllrlJ ",.... u. u.u., ouuu., u.
1 . . .... .1 t !
Vest. constitute memseives a special ex
press, and bring over the letters, news, tec,
in their coat pockets, "in advance of the
regular mail." This has actually been the
case for the past ten days, and should it
continue much longer, it may bring into
discredit the "mail service" for speed and
regularity. Under these circumstances,
should the Post Master General any lon.
ger neglect his duty, we shall be under the
necessity of complaining to our friend Col.
Amos E. Kapp, who rules the mail service
in this quarter, and who we are confident
will no longer permit him to violate his
engagements with impunity.
E7 On Tuesday during the freshet in
the Susqnehanna, a small stable came float-
1112 down the stream. It was brouzht to
Khnr u rinP nrr,OP nnn w:,h mH-
0 several UaiierS, Bna an OVefCOai, CHICK-
ens
ttJ" Col. Tate, in his last paper, has,
what he calls a portrait of "Gen. Taylor
as a Civilian." Publishing such a carica-
ture of the old General, may be a civil act,
but not a very gallant one. Had the Colo-
nel been familiar with the mild and be-
nevolent features of the old hero's face, his
"d the rtdUt0rP
" .c-
D" The Post Master at Philadelphia
pays but little attention to the interests or
convenience of the people on the Susque-
hanna. Knowing as he. did that all com-
munication was cut off bv wav of the Read-
r"4"" u,r'"'n. nne mey couiu nave
con,e u WttJ ol a'sourg wunoui any
difficulty. The only city paper we saw
from Sunday to Thursday, was a Ledger
that had accidentally arrived at the Nor-
thumberland P. O. on Thursday.
n-MT i-jt-
ujt nx ,....,.. . JU m. wne ana
,our children in the flood. She bid htm
farewell irom me window.
SUNBU11Y AMEmCAN AND 'SHAM0K1N
CLAIMS OF LYCOMING.
Under this head the Lycoming Gazette
join issue with one of its correspondents,
from this county, over the signature of
"Justice," who urges the claim of Northum
berland county to the next member of Con
gress. Tho Gazette, In our opinion, rather
evades the true issue, and fails to meet the
arguments of its correspondent. The edi
tor thinks the interest end principles of the
party are superior to its usuages. If we
were disposed to engage in a metaphysical
disquisition on this subject, we might pro
bably show that the interests and principles
of the party were, or at least ousht to be. so
a
nseparably connected that they should be
., .
.uiiiuci eu sy nonimous lerms,
We admit
with the Gazette, that there may be occa
sions when expediency should overrule
these considerations, and when the contest
is close a strong man should be selected in
preference to a weak one. But then it is
sometimes extremely difficult to decide who
is strong until he is tried, and we cannot
agree that there are no strong men out of
the limits ot Lycoming county. Because
Northumberland county has had two whig
Congressmen, for a number of years, is pro
bably more the fault of the democracy of
Lycoming than any other county in the dis
trict, and should not most certainly, be used,
as an argument against the ckis of Nor
thumberland in the present contest. The
Gazette quaintly adds, "Docs it signify any
thing that these members were whiffs?
They were as much the representatives, in
a legal sense, of the district as though they
had been democrats." We might answer
this argument, by saying that Lycoming
has now a candidate in the person of James
Armstrong, Esq., and in the language of the
Gazette, we might ask, "Does it signify
any thing that Mr. Armstrong is a whig?
We have no desire to "choke" our Lycom
ing friends with "empty honors" or refuse
to allow them a full share of the "turkies,"
as well as the "buzzards." But they should
certainly be content with the fare they sen
vpd UP our Union county friends, as our
democracy cannot consent that thev shall
ed devour turkies, buzzards and all.
In the language of Hudibrass
They would mtherdefy
That which they love most tenderly,
Qunrrel with minced pies, and disparage
Their bent and dearest friend, plumporridge ;
Fat pig and goose itself oppose,
And liUispheme rurtard thro' their nose.
TREMENDOUS FLOOD
AND GREAT DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND
PROPERTY.
The year 1850 has been a remarkable
year for floods and will long be remem
bered. The heavy rains of Sundav and
Monday raised the Schuylkill, Lehigh, and
some of the tributaries of the Susquehanna
higher than they have ever knon to be
before. The catastrophe on the Nescopec
at foundry ville, opposite Berwick, has
been awful. The water commenced risin
early on Monday morning, and by 9 o'
clock it was higher than it had been in 45
years. JMr. Westler's i orge was consider
ably damaged, and a sawmill, and a num
ber of other buildings were swept away,
but what is more painfnl, twenty one per
sons were swept from time to eternity, by
the rushing torrent. Cattle, sheep, furnL
ture and almost every thing was hurried
down the stream. A number of persons
were taken from the upper stories, and seve.
11 '
ral were rescued while floating down the
stream.
We learn by passengers from Pottsville,
that all communication between that place
and Philadelphia has been suspended, from
Monday until this time. The Schuylkill
has been higher than ever it was known
before. The dams and bridges between
Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven are all
carried away. The locks and dams of the
Navigation company are entirely destroyed
The Reading Rail road has been seriously
injured by the destruction of bridges, and
will require three weeks to repair for hea
vy trains. The Canal is used up for this
year, and probably for sometime to come.
The damages extended all along the river.
At Reading the water inundated a part of
the town, and a number of persons were
drowned, irom Mohrsville to Phrrntx
v'"e ter or twelve bridges were carried
away. At Philadelphia the water works
..... fmr
near being washed oway. From Tamaqua,
on the Little Schuylkill, we have various
rumors, though it is pretty certain that
thirty or forty houses have been carried
Bway y the flood, and from 50 to 100 per-
sns were missing and drowned. The Rail
road from that place to Port Clinton, has
sustained an immense injury. The devas-
tating effects of the flood on the Schuylkill,
commenced by the breaking of the Tumb-
vu.. .-., j . . im.u
was with difficulty, that some who saw it
coming, were enable to escape with their
lives, to the mountain side. A large stone
house below Ml. Carbon, was so completely
swept off that nothin scarcely was left but
the foundation.
ceiveci me mtsville Emporium, from
whicn we extract the following :
I About nine o'clock the Dam oo Tumb-
I ng Km directly opposite ML Carbon,
w hica for& immense feeder for the
Canal, gave way, producing a scene of con.
sternation and dismay which beggars all
. description
Th " wafer. roli.j dllwn j , ...
parently twenty feet high, sweeping across
the Railroad, Canal and river, thus filling
the entire valley and rushing down with ir- j
resistible force, involving Boats, Buildings,
Bridges, and every thing in its course, in
one common ruin. Among these were the
Turnpike Bridge, a powerful structure
across the Schuylkill, at the Reading Rail
road Depot; the heavy iron Railroad
Bridgp, below, which was carried down the
current at least two miles; nine dwelling
houses owned or occupied respectively bv
Andrew McWilliams, William McClain,
Harney Mcllvain, John O'Neil, John Mc
Govern, Michael Connaughty, Samuel Ris
er, Alichael Cassady and James Mcuovern,
together with the Stone Lock House, No. 5,
directly above the Turnpike Bridge.
I'iissi.ng downward, this immense torrent
carried with it every thing that came in its
way. The substantial stone building own
ed and occupied bv Geo. Campbell, on tho
new 1 urnpike, a short distance above the
Toll gale, one mile below Mount Carbon,
was nearly demolished; the stone house at
the Toll gate, shared a similar fate, and the
arge stone building lust below the gate,
owned and occcupied by Benjamiu Kline,
was utterly obliterated, hardly a stone being
left to mark the spot where but yesterday
stood the "Fraileysville Hotel."
A mile or so below, the house, a large
new barn, and substantial Saw-mill, of Mrs.
Mary Minnich were all swept away, leav
ing not a vestige behind. In the house of
Mrs. Minnich, and the three previously
named, the inmates had barely time to es
cape with their lives, without saving a sin
gle article of furniture, their money or any
thing else of value Such was the conster
nation and dismay of Mrs. Minnich and her
daughier, that they fled to the garret of the
house, and there remained until her brother
Mr. Abraham Pott, and her son Mr. Wil
liam Minnich, brought them down by force
and conveyed them to the high ground
about 100 yards distant, which they reach
ed at the very moment the house was hurl
ed to destruction.
The Railroad Bridge and Canal Dam, a
short distance below Schuylkill Haven, were
carried away, and one or more of the Rail
road Bridges below I.andingsville.
At Port Clinton, and along the Little Schuyl
kill as far up as Tamaqua, the flood was fear
fully destructive. The Railroad Bridge across
tho Schuylkill at the former place, and which
connects the Litlle Schuylkill witli the Rea
ding Railroad, was destroyed. .
At Scholl's Iron Works just above Port
Clinton, the Forge, Grist Mill, large Brick
Mansion House and a number of smaller hou
ses were carried away, and some fifteen or
sixteen lives iost. Mich:iel Harlman, the
Miller, with his wife und eight childien, nil
found watery graves ! The Forgeman, named
Breisch, with his wife and two or Ihree chil
dren, met a similar fate! All the houses on
the low ground from the Forge lo the mouth
of Ihe Litlle Schuylkill in ihe lower part of
Port Clinton, were carried away, and we ate
intormed a considerable numberof lives were
lost. The Turnpike Bridge across the Little
Schuylkill, above Port Clinton, was also de
stroyed, and from that to Tamaqua, a distance
of twenty miles, we learn that not a single
biidge was left standing.
At Ileckla Forge, on the Little Schuylkill)
the Dam, Race and fonr tenant houses were
swept away and the following persons were
drowned: Samuel Haiiuug, wile and Step
daughter; T. Clemens, son of Jacob Clemens j
Wm. Wingerl's infant child, (the family hav
ing been saved on the wreck of the house
which lodsed against a tree;) Elizabeth
Freed, Lydia Freed, Catharine Freed. Han
nah Freed and Henry Freed ; Elizabeth Co
verly, (wife of Joseph Coverly, and daughier
of Isaac Bensiuger, of Pottsville,) and her
daughter Margaret ! None of the bodies had
been found ! Three children, daughters of
Joseph Coveley, who had floated down the
stream on some portion of ihe building, nnd
lodged against a treo about two miles below
the Forge, were rescued on Monday night
about 12 o'clock. It is well worthy of re
mark that the eldest of these giils, with en
ergy and presence of mind truly astonishing,
clung lo her little sisters during the tedious
and perilous hours they remained on the tree,
and thus saved them, although their mother
perished before their eyes ! On Tuesday
morning another little girl was taken from a
tree neur the same place, on which she had
been perched for about 24 hours!
At Tamaqua, the destruction of life and
property, so far as we can learn, was even
more fearful and heart-rending than at any
other point we have named. Almost the en
tire towu was submerged, and in some instan
ces to the second stories and even to the
roofs of the houses. At Huughawout's Hotel
the water was several feet deep an the Bar
room floor. The stableu attached to this Ho
tel, lo that of Samuel Beard, and also lo John
Jones' were swept away. The accounts vary
as to the number of lives lost, from forty to
seventy-five! We are informed that Ihe
house of Mr. FosTr.a, Blacksmith, with his
entire family, (except himself) numbering in
all sixteen persons, was carried down the
current bodily, nnd every soul perished ! !
Tho Rev. Mr. Overfeldt, German Lutheran
Clergyman, was drowned in attempting lo
save a family whose house was swept away
and a'l perished ! ! The new brick dwelling
house erected the present season by Wm.
Taggart, Esq. near the Hotel of Petei Mead(
was entirely demolished, though his family,
we are happy to learn, were all saved. Wilh
Mr. Beard's staple a pair of valuable horses
and wagon, belonging to Mr. Jackson, Rope.
maker, of Reading were last.
Tim Blus Mountain Dam. above Hamburg,
save way, causing a most itestruciing ueiuae
below, Bint sweeping every Brume across ihe
Schuylkill from that place to Philadelphia.
At Reading we learn from Mr. Charles Reif,
direct from there that the river rose lo such
a height as to cover the lower part of Ihe city
up as far as 3d street, h was estimated that
over 300 houses were destroyed, aud from
40 to 60 persons lost their lives.
The Schuylkill Haven Map says:
Another woman was seen passing with Ihe
current with her head .-.bore water but fast
between two logs. And another with babe
in her arms clinging to a bundle of hay.
The frail support however was sulticient un
til she came to the dam at this place, where
she sank beneath the waves. Another pass
ed so near the shore that a ten foot pole
would have saved her, but she was not Jteea
until light upon us and it were worse than
madness to spring in the river with the hope
to save her. Other are reported to have
floated by, but these we have thought were
the be6l authenticated. i
JOURNAL.
GREAT FLOOD LOSS OF PROPERTY.
Schutlkill Haven, Sept. 2d, 1850.
Durimr the henvv rninn nf last night the
Schuylkill was raised to an equal height with
me lasi nooci, at halt past nine some oi i
dams between this place and Pottsville, sup-
posed to De at Ait. Carbon, gave way, anu mo
consequences were most disastrous. Several
Houses, boats, scows, barns, offices, shops,
shanties, haystacks, beds, chests, chairs, bar
rels, tubs, trees, logs, wheel-barrows, cradles,
wagons &o.. &o., &c, were carried away.
The Railroad bridge at the landing has
been swept away, the railroad bridge below
town is expected lo go every moment as il is
lo much injured lo allow cars to pass over.
The railroad nnd canal business are entirely
slopped. Spring Garden and Ihe flats are com
pletely inundated. Horses, cows hogs, geese
chickens, ducks, and other live stock have
gone with Ihe current. The loss cannot be
estimated at present.
LOSS OF LIFE.
Several persons, both men, woman and
children, have been drowned iu their houses.
Any quantity came down on logs, iu houses,
boats, &,c, from and around Pottsville.
Schuylkill Map.
EXECUTION OF
PROF. JOHN WHITE WEBSTER
Boston, Aug. 30, 1850
This morning, Professor John White Web.
ster sufTered the extreme penally of the law,
for the murder of Dr. George Parkmau in the
Boston Medical College, on the 23d of No
vember, 1849.
The execution took placo in the yard of the
Leverett Street Jail, in presence of about
three hundred persons, who were invited to
attend by Sheriff Eveleih
Long before the time fixed for ihe execu
tion, the streets in ihe vicinity exhibited an
extraordinary excitement, and thousands con
gregating on the roofs and in the windows
of all the buildings in the vicinity, in the
hope of getting a view of the prisoner, either
as ho stood upon the scaffold, or as he passed
through the yard to il. Premiums were free
ly offered and given for choice places where
the scaffold might be viewed.
Strangers poured into the city by thou
sands, and vied w ith the citizens in exertions
to get a good view of the last sad scene. A
large awning was erected over tho scaffold,
which lo a considerable extent obstructed the
view. It was announced that the execution
would take placo at nine o'clock, though the
persons admitted were nolilied to bo present
at eight o'clock.
Among those admitted to Ihe iail vard were
several reporters for tho press of this and
other cities.
Tho prisoner was attended in his cell,
before his execution, by Rev. Dr. Putnam
and a few others, and appropiate and deeply
aflectiug religious services were held.
Considerable timo was consnmed by these
and other causes of detention. The prisoner
was at length conducted from the jail through
the yard to the scaffold, walking lirmly and
conducting himself with the composure that
he has all along exhibited.
He ascended the scaffold, the rope was ad
justed by Sherilf Eveleih, and at precisely
twenty minutes before ten o'clock, the drop
fell, and he was swung into eternity.
He died without a struggle, and after being
suspended for some time, the body was taken
down and carried into tho prison again.
Professor Webster's bearing up to the time
of tho execution was firm as ever. He ex
pressed the deepest penitence for his crime,
and his senso of the full justice of his sen.
tence aud execution.
No new confession was made as was re
ported would be the case, and no new state,
ments have come to light as yet, yet, since
the execution. The report Hint he left any
olher statement, to be opened after his death,
is not believed.
SECOND DESPATCH.
Boston, Aug. 30 P. M
Tho execution look place ut a qunrter be-
fore ten o'clock
. '
esterday, at two o clock, Mrs. Webster
and the daughters paid their last visit to the
unhappy man. They remained until nearly
seven in the evening. A grest crowd of per"
sons were in front of the prison, and there
was great difficulty in getting a passage for
ihe family to tho carriage at their departure.
No one uppiehended that Webster would
commit suicide, but officer Leighlon, the jail
clerk, and constable Jones were elected to
watch ihe prisoner during Ihe night, J he pre
caution of keeping a watch being thought ad
visable. Jones was the officer who attended tho pri.
soner throughout the protracted scene, and
he, as well as Leighlon, were very kind and
attentive to Ihe unfortunate prisoner. Last
night Dr. Putnam remained more than two
hours with Dr. Webster, engaged in devo
tional exercises.
When Putnam left, Webster continued his
devotion at intervals, and conversed with
considerable freedom with the officers, and
being fully conscious of his doom, repeatedly
said he had a great dread and horror at (he
thought of being hung, but was now indifler
ent to it.
He said he had no fear, was perfectly and
entirely prepared to meet his fate. His ap
pearance through the night confirmed his
statement ot being reconciled and resigned.
His health remained good and his spirits
calm.
He slept from 12 o'clock until half past 4.
When he awoke he was us calm as usual, and
ale a tolerably hearty breakfast. He bad ap
parently not lost flesh during his imprison
ment, but probably gained in lhat respect.
The erection of the gallows was commen
ced after daylight and completed before 8 o'.
clock. Upon the requisition of High Sheriff
Eveleih, a force of one hundred aud twenty
five men, consisting of 100 police and watch
man, and 25 constables were detailed for
guard, of whom 25 constables and 25 police
men were stationed within the jard, and 75
without.
The witnesses invited by the High Sheriff,
and by the Slate authority, were admitted
numbering 125, at ten minutes before 9.
The High Sheriff called the names of the
!ist of witnesses to the execution. He stated
that they had assembled by his invitation as
lawful witnesses of the execution of John
White Webster. He requested them to keep
order during the solemn ceremonies.
A oompany then formed in column of two
and two, and visited the prisoner's cell, where
the Rev. Dr. Putnnm ofTured on prayer ; the
hall leading to the cell was full of stillness,
spot
and solemnity prevailed.
i no witnesses then returned to me jru.
At twenty minutes before ten, High Sheriff
fc,veleth, attended by deputies Coburn, r ree
man, and others, among whom was Dr. Put
nam, were at the scaffold.
The last duty of tho Sheriff was then per
formed. Prof. Webster died firmly and penitently,
and wun naraiy a struggle. iiuucun.
THIRD DESPATCH.
Boston, Aug. 30
Prof. Webster, after his family left him
last night, as he confidentially alleged, in per
fect unconsciousness of his coming fate, was
searched, und placed in a new cell, in order
lo prevent any anempi ni ruicme. u. i i-
nam loll mm at o uiock, anu irom un
till 12, he passed the lime in devotional exer
cises. At 12 he fell into b sort of doze, but
did not sleep heavily, awaking at times and
conversing. He spoke of his impending fate
with lortiiode and resignation, ami seemeu
unite grateful that the time of his death had
been kept trom his family. At ine various
noises ol the dawning of a new day he seem
ed to be somewhat agitated, but soon regain
ed his composure, by advice.
He breakfasted upon tea and coffee with
bread, inviting officers to partake with him,
and furnishing them with bread. He made
Ihe preparations for ascending the scaffold
with firmness, nnd about 300 were admitted
lo the jail yard, and the house lops aud win
dows adjoining the jail were crowded wilh
people, including many ladies. The streets
near Ihe jail were also crowded. At 9 o'
clock the last religions services were com
menced by Dr Putnam consisting of a fer
vent prayer. He invoked the presence of
the spirit and grace of God for, him so soon
to die, he prayed that tho prisoners repen
tance mighl be accepted and that he might be
prepared lo meet his doom.
Ho prayed for ihe prisoner's familv, that
the consolation of God's presence and grace
might be theirs, that when their time of death
should have come they might meet ihe pri
soner in Heaven, where there would be no
severing of the ties of affection. Also for the
family of the murdered man.
He prayed for the Sheriff, his assistants
generally, and for iIip oflicers of ihe law gen
erally, and for the witnesses, and for the per
sons. About twenty minutes past nine, tho
prisoner was brought out lo die. Alter the
praver the prisoner's arms were pinioned,
and with a lirm step he marched lo the gal
lows by Dr. Putnam.
His face was as fleshy, as when he was ar
rested, though of a deathly palor. Ilis look
was that of one who hail committed deadly
sin. ami was about to pay for il wilh life.
While the Sheriff was reading the death
warrant, Webster was conversing with Mr.
Putnam apparently with usual earnestness ;
at tho conclusion, his legs were then pin
ioned and the rope placed about his neck
which caused his face to blush.
There werp evident signs of suppressed
powerful feeling. The black cap was then
placed on his head ; the Sheritr proclaimed
wilh a loud voice that ho was about to do
execution on the body of John W. Webster,
for ihe murder of Dr. G. Parkmnn. This
commencement of the approach of death cau
sed a movement of the body of ihe prisoner,
whose face was hid from view. The spring
was touched, nnd with a fall of nearly eight
feet, the murderer of Dr. Parkman was
launched into eternity. He died apparently
without scarcely a struggle. The body, after
remaining suspended lor half nu hour, was
taken down and examined ; lile was found
lo be extinct, and it was placed in a jail cof
fin, for transmission to Cambridge.
From the )ostin TianiTiit.
I'ROI KSSOIl WEBKTKR.
FURTHER FACTS AT THE EXECUTION,
The countenance of Professor Webster iu
death was serene und even pleasant iu its ex
pression : exhibiting no discoloration or sign
of distortion. The genial, beaming smile,
with which ho was wont to encounter a f riend,
seemed lo have just passed over it, and left
its trace.
Soon after ihe body was cut down, Dr Put
nam repaired to Cambridge lo communicate
intelligence of tho execution lo tho bereaved
family. For some days, through the vaguo
communication of a friend, they had been
anticipating, that each interview wilh the
prisoner might be the last; although ihey
left Ihe cell anil the jail on Thursday, not sup
posing lhat the execution would take place
the nexl day. As they enltred their car
riage, however, thev noticed a bustle about
'"".J"1'. nld ihe assembling of a crowd, from
which uiey (new ureaiiu auguries ol Hie im-
I inineuce of the fatal evenl ; nnd w hen the
visit of Dr. Putnam was announced yesterday
I morning, they at once knew that all was
We drop the curtain over the scene of do
mestic anguish lhat ensued. It was not un
relieved by hopes, that the father and hus
band had deeply and sincerely repented of
his crime ; ant! lhat the bitterness of death
was alleviated by sincere religious prepara
tion and prayer lo the Most High.
Dr. Putnam having inquired of tho prisoner
yesterday morning, before the religious exer
cises in the cell, w hether the were any points
he would like lo have touched upon in the
prayer1 Piot'essor Webster replied that there
were two, which it would be agreeable lo his
feelings to have introduced ; one was, lhat
the hearts of his fellow men might be soften
ed towards him, after he was gone ; Ihe
other that every consolation from heaven for
the suffering he had inflicted might bo
vouchsafed lo the family und relatives of the
late Dr. Parkman.
In the interview before the prayer, Profes
sor Webster alluded lo his hope of meeting
in the woild lo which he was about to pass
in-spirit, a tenderly belov.-d child, who died
some years since. He couveised wilh per
fect composure, on various subjects, mostly
of religious nature.
During the walk to the gallows, the conver
sation was maintained mostly by Dr. Putnam,
whose object it was lo keep the prisoner's
thoughts so occupied wilh sacred things that
the appalling spectacle around him should
not cause him to quail. But the prisoner was
firm to Ihe last. Not a nerve shivered. To
Dr. Putnam's remaik "do not regard any
thing about you do not look" as they en
tered ihe area, and approached Ihe gallows, he
replied : "I do not. My thoughts are else
where." All the while the death-warranl was being
read, Dr. Putnam kept up a cheering conver
sation with him, and tho prisoner responded
calmly and appropriately. It would have
been difficulty iu prescribe a demeanor more
becoming under Ihe circumstances, than that
which he exhibited, or lo have invented
words more suitable than those which he ut
tered Dr. Putnam plied him wilh remarks
to keep his thoughts in the right direction,
and lo prevent any pause, during which he
mighl quail. The prisoner gratefully secon
ihese humane efforts, bul without any flury of
spirits or nervous agitation. Dr. Putnam
continued near, conversing with him, while
the olficeis lied ihe prisoner's arms and legs
while Ihe noose was adjusted round his
neck and while Ihe black cap was pul on
nor did he retire from his immediate vioinily
till just as the fatal drop was about to de
scend. The flushed appearance of the prisoner's
face and the effusion of tears were produoed
apparently by the prematuie and momen
tary tightening of the rope, aud not, as soma
supposed, by agitation.
1 he last audiable words of Professor Web
ster, as the cap was drawn over his faoe,
were i "Father, into thy hands 1 commeud
my spirit !' , ,
Dnn nf nnr contemporaries states that th
selected for the gallows was that wherr
... . : . .1 u..ll.
ii would Do mosi conspicuous io ma multi
tude. Direcily the contrary of this is the
irom. It was the ooteci oi ivir. Anurews iu-
place it where it would be as little conspio'
uons as possible.
witn regard to the statement tnai ine pris
oner had a right to claim till 11 o'clock yes
terday, we have learned that there was no
special right on Ihe prisoner's part-after 8 o'f
clock, the first hour mentioned in the death
warrant.
The wish of the prisoner, as expressed,
the evening before, both lo Sheriff Eveletlv
and Dr. Putnam, was that the execution?
mighl be as prompt as possible. He said lhat
he would be ready at any moment after 8 o'--clock.
This request the Sheriff observed sr'
far as the convenience and decorum of the"
occasion would allow.
For some days before his death Professor'
Webster's favorite reading, next to the Bi--ble,
was in Channing's Works. He als'
found much lo soothe him and gratify hi
religions ami liteiarv taste in Bowri-ia't-
,!Matins and Vespers,' and in Lor.gfelfow's-
Collection ol hymns. He made presents oi
the last named works, wilh nppropiale passa-
grs marked in them, to various friends.
J he body was laken lo the house of Mrs..
Webster in Cambridge last night. The fu
neral will take placo early to-morrow morn--ing,
Ihe services being performed by the'
Rev. Dr. Walker.
The imposti-res of mesmerism and clair
voyance have become so serious a nuisance
in Paris thnt the police recently made a sei
zure of a great number of their practilioners.
Most of ihem confessed that the whole thing
was an imposition.
MARRIED,
On ihe 24th ult.. by John Huff, Esq,, Mr..
.Trssk Mills, to Miss Mary Ross, both of
Shamokiu township.
hum
DID I.
In Upper Augusta township, on the 24thi
nit., Mis. CHARITY MORGAN, nged about
55 years.
In the same township, on Ihe 30th ult., Mr..
WILLIAM ECKMAN, aged about 24 years.
Iu Little Mahonoy township, on the 21st
ult., Mr. HENRY WAGNER, aged 22 years
aud 2 mouths.
In Upper Augusta township, on Thursday
last, Mi. PETEll CULP, aged about 35 years..
At Northumberland, on Friday the 6thi
inst., Mr. CHRISTIAN REICH, aged abonti
32 years.
Coal Hxabt.
SiMiLRY, Sept. 4, 1850.
Whole amount of coal brought over tho
Danville and Pottsville Railroad, lo Suubnryr
from the Shamokiu mines, during ihe present
Benson, up lo September 1st, 1850, is
Tons.
106311,07
For the week ending, 153,17
Total,
10784.04
ATTENTION,
AKTiMj:;uM!!r
T
MI E members of the new Ar
tillery company are hereby re-
ijiifstnl la meet at (Siiiiluny, on
Saturday, the 14th inst.
at 2 o'clock, P. M., for Ilic puriM
el wr:uliiur uml luivinir their inm
vurcii taken, in order to complete
the iirraimnnuiiU fur procuring
their uiiifurmi.
J-"l" Persons desirous of joining
ho company, are respectfully invi
ted lo uttrnd on saitt day.
Sunliury, Sept. 7, 1850
To the Voters of Northumberland County.
Fkllow Citizkxs:
EiH-ouratred by niuny of my frirnds, I herewirit
offer myself to your consideration as a Candidate
for the office of
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
at the rominif election. Should I be elected lo
mid oliice, I shall endeavor to discharge the duties
thereof to the best of mv ability.
CilKI.sflAN ALBERT.
Lower Mahonoy, Sept. 7, 1M50,
NOTICE TO HEIRS.
TVOTICE is hereby given to the heirs of An
drew Geint, dee'd, late of Upper Mahonoy, to
appear at an Orphuns' Court, to be held at Sun
bury, in and for the county of Northumberland,
on the first Monday of Xovemlier next, then ami
there to accept or refuse the real esuite of the said
dee'd., at the valuution fixed upon the said real
estate by an Inquest duly awarded and confirmed
by the said court, or shew caune wliv the same
should not be sold, &c
JAMES CO VrRT.Sh'ff.
piirnn i mice, Punlmrv
Sept. 7, 1850 61.
NOTICE TO HEIRS.
V OTIC'E is hereby given piven to the heirs of
Henry Keller, dee'd., late of Upper Maho
noy, to appeiir at an Orphans' court, to be held at
Sunbury, in and for the county of Northumlier
land, on the lirtrt Monday of November next,
then aud there to accept or refuse Ihe real enlatw
ol the smd dee'd., at the valuation fixed upon the
said real estate by an Inquest duly awarded and
confirmed by the said court, or shew cause why
the same should not be old, &c
Cl n. . . ......
uiiciiu a vi nice, ouniniry
b, bunhiiry )
50 6t. I
bent.
7, 1S50.
ATTENTION,
DEWAUT GUARDS!!
YOU are commanded lo met in Ma
x ket Square, Sunbury, on
SATURDAY, th. 7th inst,
at 3 o'clock, P. M.. fully equipped for
drill. By order of the Capt
GEO. OLIPHANT. O.8.
WANTED
TO liorrow, immrdiatoly, $500, on intsreat, for
which good Iteal Estate security will be given.
Any person ha vine the above amount lo loan foe
a given ieriod, will lind this a good opportunity.
For particulars apply at the oliice of the "Sunbury
American."
Sept. 4, 1850 3t
NOTICE.
'piIE Pamphlet Law. for 1850 have beeo re
- ceived and are ready for distribution, by
J. FA R.N S W OKTH, ProuVy .
Sept 7, 1850. -3t
To the Voters of Northumberland County,
FaiiMua ixi FsLlow Cmausi
Encouraged by a number of my friends in lbs
ditlerenl sections of the county, I offer iayaelf as a
candidate for the oliice of
COUNTY COJIMISSIOHEH
at the coming election, ahoufd I receive a majority
of your Votes, I pledge myself to perform the du
ties of said otlice fiulUfully and to tho best of any
ability.
GEORGE T. TRAUTMAN.
Jackson Up, Aug, 31. 150. lE.
BLANK Pakcbmsht Prsa Disss just prin
led and for sale at this oliice.
w
1 1