A CONGRESSIONAL APPORTION
MENT BILL PASSED.
After every possible variety of legislative
manoeuvring on all udet, a majority fit at
length been found in both branches to agree
to a Congressional apportionment bill. We
innet the distriett as constructed by the bill
reported in the Senate by Judge Wilcox,
which is now in the hands of the Governor
and which he will doubtless sign.
DistrUls, Population.
I. Soulhwark, Moyamensing
Fassyunk, (county of Phila.)
and Cedar and New Market
AVanls in citv, 63,239
II. City oY Philadelphia, ex
cept Cedar and New Matket
Wards. 74,141
III. Northern Liberties and
Spring Gardtn, county of Phil
fedelnhixt 62,323
IV. Kensington, North and
South Penn, Roxberough, Ger
mantovn, Bristol unincorpora
ted, Northern Liberties, Oxford
Lower Dublin, Bybcrry, More
land, Blockley, West Philadel-
fhia and Kirnessing, county of
biladelphia, 55,068
"V. Delaware and Monlgome
ty 67,032
VI. Bucks and Lehigh 73,894
VII: Chester 57,515
"VIII. Lancaster 84,203
JX. Berks, 64,569
X. Northampton, Monroe,
Pike and Wayne, 66,555
XI. ' Columbia, Luzerne and
IVyomtng, . 68,273
XII. Bradford, Susquehanna
and Tioga 69,462
XIII. Lycoming, Northum
berland, Union and Clinton -73,086
XIV. Dauphin, Lebanon fc
Schuylkill, 31,043
. ,XV. Adams and York 70,054
XVI, Cumberland,Petry and
Franklin 85.842
XVII. Huntingdon, Centre,
Juniata and Mifflin: 80,148
XVHI. Greene, Somerset St
Teyette 72,371
XIX. WestmoitUnd, Bedford
end Cambria 63,290
XX. Beaver and Washing
ton 70.647
XXI' Allegheny, 81,23
XXIJ. Venango, Crawford
and Mercer 82,407
XXIII. Erie, Warren, M'
Kesn, Clarion, Potter and Jef ,
ierson 69,221
Indiana Clearfield 74,409
From the National Intelligence.
Abstract of Appropriations, made at the
last session of Congress for the half calen
dar year ending June 30, 1843,, and the
fiscal year ending June 30, 184C that is,
for eighteen months.
Civil and diplomatic, 6
months ending June 30,
1844, $1,896,068 00
Civil and liplomatir,year,
ending June 30..1844. 3.691.951 00
Military establishment, 4,733,130 00
Fortifications. R08.500 00
Naval establishment 9,139,784 00
Indian Department, ' 2,104,205 00
Pensions, invalid revolu
tionary, and widows.' 1,117.490 00
Pensions, naval, 46,000 00
To give effect to the treaty
with Great Britain 532,728 00
dmprovement of the naviga
tion of the 'Mississippi,
Missouri, Ohio, and Ar
kansas rivers, 150,000 00
Construction of harbors on
Lake Michigan 80,000 00
Payments to Georgia Milttta 19,400 00
To establish telegraphs, 30,000 00
For survey of harbor of
Memphis, Tenn: 3.000 00
Private claims, amount not
ascertained, but which mar
oe estimated at above, 50,000 00
Various public objecls.such
as extra pay to officers of
the Exploring Expedition,
f ay of Michigan militia cat
ed out to maintain neutrali
ty on the Canadian froo
tiei aid others which are
directed to be settlsd.thi
mount not known, but
when ascertained, to ba
paid at the Treasury esti
mated at, 100,000 00
4)24.409.255 00
Tin arriving at these suras, fractions of
-dollars were not taken into the additions.
The appropriations for the Post Office
Department, which are paid exclusively
out of the revenues of that Departmental
uierciore are no charge on tli t reasury
amount io ,voo uuu.j
THE INSANE.
Ins ninety-first annual? report of the
Pennsylvania Hospital far the Insane eon
tains many facts highly interesting, relative
io me treatment oi the mnnially diseased
1 he Hospital contains 118 patients, and
lias from its opening DO years ago, admitted
40,000 patient, of whom 4336 were insane
1439 lestoied to good health, and 813
discharged Impioved. The balance in
-eurtbltf.
From the Pknnsjlunlan.
Comet or no C'omet,A there appears
to be some difference of opinion as to wheth
er the luminous appearance now visiible in
the western sky, be a comet in fact or only
what is known as the 'Zodiacal Light,'
we subjoin a description in a late Buffalo
Advertiser) by R. W. Haskins, author of a
recent work on astronomy :
Vom the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
Zodiacal Light. The annual exhibi
tion, in our western evening sky, of this
unexplained astronomical phenomenon, has
again returned. The light in appearance;
somewhat resembles the tale of a comet; its
form !e that of a cone, its base resting upon
the horixon sbove the sun, from which
body it is never found separated, and pro
jecting upwards,some what obliquely .among
the zodiacal stars. Its apex is at present,
in the constellation Aries. It is visible ev
ery clear evening, and will so continue for
ome months to come, when not obscured
by the presence of the moon. It is best
viewed at the close of twilight, or at pres.
ent, about half past six, from which period
it decreases in height, owing to the rotary
motion of the earth, so as soon to fall
wholly below the western horizon in com
mon with that portion of the heavens which
it occupies.
This light, as already observed, is of a
conical form, it is muoli the strongest in the
centre.and iades away bo gradually, towards
the borders, that its exact outline cannot be
perfectly traced. It varies in intensity, in
different years, but without the observance
of any known law; and although it has en
gaged much ot the attention or Astrono
mers, yet it has not frequently attracted the
ttention of others. It has sometimes been
mistaken, when seen, for the light of some
distant conflagration; and at Others it has
passed for the Aurora borealis. Astronom
ical classes in tehools, private students, and
II persons m short, by continued andeaie-
ful observation, fur some time to come,
may now so lar familiarize themselves with
the position and appearance of this pheuom-
non as io avoid all subsequent mistakes in
egard to it.
Tire cause ofthe Zodiacal Light is un
known, -that it permanently pertain to the
celestial mechanism is pro"ed by its con-
tancy, both in tune and in position. Domi
nique Cassini, a French astronomer, first
noticed this light in 1668, but more partic
ularly in 1682; & in his researches respeot-
ng tt, he found it mentioned, as something
remarkable, in a Natural Historv of Eng
land by Childrey, written about the year
1659. From 1683 to the present time As
tronomers have sought in vain a solution
of iffe phenomenon in question. They have
companies the sun, appearing in certain
months before that luminary, in the east,
and in others after it in the west; and that
it always has the same form, though it dif
fers somewhat, as before observed, in its
intensity.
H. W. HASKINS.
liuffalo Jan. 5, 1343.
It is admitted that the 'Zodiac! Light'
has been visible in the western hoiizon ev
ery clear evening, for some time past. It
is therefore left to the astronomers also to
decide whether there is a comet likewise.
i'he eastern papers say that there is, and
that it has been apparent in broad daylight.
JUDGE KENT'S OPINION.
A complaint having been prefered against
Capt.Mackenziefor raurderbefore the Grand
Jury of the United States District Cuutt of
New York, Judge Kent has given an op
inion, in which he says:
'I consider the sounder opinion to be,
that the jurisdiction of the Naval Courts
Martial is in the case stated exclusive,
and that the Courts of the United States of
civil jurisdiction, have no lawful cognizance
ot the case. IS or ought they to have upon
principles of public policy, nor would they
have without fatally impairing the authority
character and decipltne of the American
Navy. Courts Martial act under a distinct
and peculiar code, and which Zord Mans
field termed 'a sea military code, which
the wisdom of the wisdom of ages had foi
med.' The act of Congress of 23d April
1800 had digested and adopted that code,
It specified particular punishments for par
ticular crimes, and declared further, that all
crimes committed by persons belonging
(he Wavy, and not there in specified, should
L 1 I . ,! . Vl .
oe pumsueu -according io uie laws anu
customs in such cases at sea' This
is
what Lord Mansfield had also declared
when he observed that 'when a man
is
chaiged with an offence against the articles
or when the arurles are silent against the
usages of the Navy, he could only be tried
by a Court Martial.' In the naval public
service, commander, 'must act upon del
icate suspicions, upon the evidence of thei
own eyes, I hey must give desperate coin
mauds they must require inslaneousobedi
ence.' A naval tribune only is capable
o
appreciating all these circumstances, and
without that stern discipline and perfect
commance that the naval code requires,
American man of war wodld soon become
to use again an expression of Lord Mans
field, 'a rabble, danperoua only to the
friends, and harmless to (he enemy.'
The Albany pipeis a'.lude to a slave
resident of that Slate who has taught him
self English Giammar and Geography, and
also Greek and Lilin,
Another "Diciiion.yrMag and mark
ing rfewspspers, and -the abitrary decisions
f the' Post Master .General, sustained In
relation to so doing.
From the Baltimore American-
U.S District CourtT-March Term, 1843.
United States vs Elder. -This was a
suit to recover the Penalty Imposed by the
Post Office Law of 1825, for violation of
the 30lh section of that law, by writing or
putting a memorandum on the in a rem of
newspaper or pamphlet sent by mail.
In this case it was, in proof that the de
fendant, Mr. Elder, of the firm of Elder,
Gelston, and Co. wrote on the back of a
printed paper or pamphlet containing a
Tariff of duties or Price Current, these
words; 'From Elder, Gelston and Co. Bal
timore,' and sent the pamphlet" to a corres
pondent at Louisville, who refused to pay
letter postage thereon.
Incompliance with the requirements of
aw it was returned here, and placed in the
ands of the U. S. Attorney for the re
covery of the penalty. For the U. S.
was contended that such writing came
within the prohibition of the 30th section of
the Act of 1825, and subject to its penalty
The opposite ground was taken by the de
fence, and, afier argument upon the con
struction of the law, the Court decided that
wasa violation of the law to place on a
paper or pamphlet sent by mail, these or
ny other words other than tho name ol the
arty to whom the paper was sent. 1 he
jury accordingly rendered a verdict for the
United stales.
Dr. Alcolt. This gentleman, whose
agaries we noticed two or three weeks ago,
is out with another astonishing theory
tested however bypractice (.before publica
tion. If any of our readers wish to try
something new, we give the lesult of the
Doctoi's attempt to reach perfection as set
forth in the Boston Medical Journal, as a
guide for it.
We have a communication fiom Dr.
William A. Alcoti, in which he states that
e drank nothing during the whole of (he
ear 1842, and in fact that he had not yet
returned to the use of drink. With one
exception he suffered less than formerly
from thirst. The exception was in July:
when, in order to make a fair experiment,
e worked hard at haying. The first day
r two it being very hot weather, he fell a
return of ihirsu which he allayed by gurg-
ins his throat with cold water, .and eating
bread crumbled. in water. After two days
e felt no more thirst, though he worked
IihiiI, The otiject of the experiment was
to prove, for the benefit of the friends of
temperance, if that our food is simple and
plain, we nerd but very little drink. His
diet wai bread, truits, and succulent vege
bles.
WONDERS OF SCIENCE.
An extract of a letter (mm F. B. Ogden,
Esq. U. S. Consul at Bristol,
England, was read before the National
Institute, at Washington, on Monday even
ing, winch gave an accnuvt ol some recent
mprovements in the Daguerieoiype process
t aopears that at the observatory at Koine,
they have succeeded so well in co'iioining
the powers of llie Telescope and the Da.
gurrreolype.an to produce a perfect map of
the heavens. 1 he nebulous clouds are trans
erred to a sheet of paper, and every star
composing Ihem and every shadow as dis
tinct as seen through the best instruments,
the precise position of Jupiter and his moon
given at any moment of time, and all the
phases of the other planets, with the greatest
accuracy. 1 he pictures a-e on a scale that
would require a globe of the size nf the
cupola of St. Paul's to place them in pro
per proportion.
FREE M. C.
On dit, that a member of Congress, sen!
home to the West a Durham cow, under
frank, but the postmaster refused lo deliver
the package, as the member forgot to saw
off the horns. He however falls in the
shade before the glory of a Western M. C.
who having entered a pre-emption claim,
undertood to frank the trir.t to some friends
at the East, to ascettain if they would like
to come out and settle on it.
Sad Calamity. Tho Monroe Democrat
states that on the night of the 7lh inst. the
dwelling of n German Peler Biell at Strouds
burg, Pa., was consumed.- It was of wood
and filled in with straw, hayT 4"c so that
almost at the moment it took fire the whole
was enveloped in flames. A son of Mr.
Brell, aged about 10 years, a Mrs, Bouck
and her infant child, and a young man aged
about 23, whose name was not known
were burned to death. 1 he other inmates
of the house escaped with great difficulty
with no other clothing but their night dres
ses. and at a distance of several miles from
any house.
The Cslumbia South Carolinian of the
18th ult, states thai a fill of snow three
inches deep, took pUec there on the Tues
day ptevieui.
LD3 aWS5VgC3DCaa2CtCP
tbcth -without rxx '
8.1TVHVJ1T, JUanCU 35, 1848.
FOR rilESlDENT,
JAMES BUCHAtfAff.
(Subject to the decision, of a Kationa
Uvnventton.)
BLOOMSBURG LYCEUM.
The members of the Blootmburg Lyce
um aie- requested to meet at Mr. J, Cham
berlin'a on this evening, (Saturday 25th
on lausiness of importance relating to the
Library, Every member should attend.'
1 '
"Werash not Mercy but Justice Will"
the editor of the Columbia Demqerat, do
the senior editor of the Berwick Sentinel,-
the lean justice, to inform his readers, that
we never asked for or desired 'a cerlam
Post Office It has ever beer our deter
mination to have nothing to do wrtrr that
concern, we-are not aware that u could
be had, rror weuld we aceepf it, if it were
vailauie."
In publishing the above-, we take the op
portunity of informing the 'senior editor' of
the 'Berwick Sentinelthat our information
was obtainrA from a particular Jriencf of
the 'junior editor.'who said he had received
it from him, that the communications recom
mending Tyler as the next Presidential
candidate which appeared in the 'Berwick
Sentinel' were written- by the 'setgnor ed.
tor1 for the express purpose of obtaining
the post office at Berwick. Therefore if
not true, he must thank his friends tor its
circulation. The 'seignor editor' says:
It has ever been our determination to have
nothing to do with that concern.' Was
there an offer made T This looks like It,
or else why determine not to touch the 'un
clean thing.'
THE WEATHER
Still continues extremely cold, and we
are now, to all appearance; rn the miust or
winter. At no lime during the season, has
the sleighing been better than now. the late
snow storm was very extensive, doing
considerable damage to tho shipping on
our coast, especially to the eastward, several
distressing shipwrecks having been report
ed. Ir. Washington City, the snow fell
about a foot deep, and from accounts re'
ccived, it has been the deepest snow that
has been sxperiencsd 0,1 the Bea-board for
years, rendering the roads and rail roads
from Massachusetts to Virginia for a time
impassible.
Several democratic meetings have been
held in Luzerne approving of the bill which
passrd the house, authorizing the election
of the Canal Commissioners by the people.
Lei Columbia county speak upon this sub
ject. They always go for democratic
measures.
The Columbia Spy, edited by a collector,
says the Lewistown Republican, edited by
another collector, speaks the sentiments of
the north and west, when ho opposes the
Canal Commissioners bill. What nonsense.
The democrary of the notth and west are
not governed by those whose principles go
no farther than their pockets. It will not
do no how you can fix it.
J. alt from Matamoras. An arrival at
New Orleans or, the 1st from Matamoras
reports a rumor that the prisoners captured
with Col. Fisher had risen upon their
guard at Sillillo, overpowered them after a
short struggle, and started in hot hasle for
Texas. In confirmation, it is reported
that Col. Kinney, who was about taking
passage for th United States, had been
airested afie theEmpress left Mataraoras.on
suspicion of having some hand in aaisting
the Texan prisoners to escape.
A bill has passed the House of Delegates
of Maryland, providing for the sale of the
interest held by that Slate, in the Chesa
pcake and Ohio Canal Company. The
consideration is to be seven millions of
dollars, payable in tho bonds of the State,
issued for the use of the Canal Company,
and in the evidences of the debt of that
Company.
The population' of St. Lonis, according
to a. Census just taken by the City, Is 28,-
452 viz: Whites 25,408 Slaves 2,231
Free Bleks'680.
Mr. Kiddfrfrora the Commlti nti f,.,i
re
ipbfted.in the senate a fetfdays since, a
act
relating to the bankeVof which w m.t,
th
following svrionif.i; Tt Confafn m.J
w
noiesome provisions, which fcarr edlm.
effect, would tend'ronch" To testore eW
dence in these institutions.
Section 1. Their returns la set forth t!i
aetoal value of their assets awf the amour,
looses sustained.
2. Ko.dividendY to be made until a!(tjtj
are made up. ,
es
9. No Bank to purchase Block' of aijl
th
lier ;ncorporatirr,nor lake stock in pledg
r loans or debts doe the banks. TV
for
rectors made liable (ot a breach of thi
section.
4. When the capital does not exceed onJ
hundred thousand dollars, to director n
nicer to receive discount above two ne
cent, of stich capital. Over one hundrci
thousand dollars not to exceed one pe
ee
nt.
5. No stockholder to vefe by proxy.
s-.it.Tn i-. .
o. rxo wans io go into operation uut
th
e whole- of its capitot stock is paid io
specie or specie funds.
7. No Banks. to rssue notes except navi
ble on demand.
8. Any embezzling, or appropriating th
property of the bank to his own use, by ail
pfljeer. punishable by from one to fivd
years m the penitentiary.
9. Make it the duty of the Audito
eneraf, upon application of any fin
tockholdcrs to institute and enquiry inli
the situation-of any bank, and publish tin
result.
10. Provides for the winding up of th
concerns of a bank, should it be found no
to have been managed according law; or ill
failing circumstances.
11. Authorizes the Auditor General t J
provide counsel to carry into effect the pro
isions of the loth section.
12. Makes tho stockholders liable i
their individual capacity, to the amount c
their capitol stock, held by them at the lim
an assignment may be made by the bank
for the purpose of winding up its con
cerns.
13, 14, 15, Makes provisions for thi
winding up of any insolvent institution
THE LEGISLATURE.
On Friday, the 17th, Ihs senate reced
cd from their amendments to the house a'fl
portionment bill by a vole of 17 to 16, an:
it is now in the hands of the Governor.-I
The bill will be found fn another column.
On Monday, the state apportionment bi
for members of (he senate and house of rtl
presentatives rame up in the house, an
after a lengthy debate and some ameri
ments, it was passed by a vote of 52 to 30
-
and was sent to the senate for concurrence.
This give Columbia county one represfnii
live, and unites us with Luzerne for senator
On the same day, the bill to provide fr
the election of the Canal Commissioners b
the people; and to reduee their expense!
passed the senate by a vote of 20 to 10; :i
follows :
Yeas Messrs. Brower: Champneyt
Cochran; Crabb; Craig; Darsie; Dintocl
Uorgas; Hiester; Hill; Huddleson; ivlint;
Mathers; M Lanahan; Mullin; Pennimat
Spackman; Stewart; Sullivan; Crispin
Speaker 20.
Navs Messrs. Bailey, Bigler; Fariell,
Fegely; Gihons; Headley; Horlon; Kidded
Smith; Wilcox 10.
It is expected that the governor will vet:
it, if he does-it will pass both houses by i
constitutional majority.
On Tursday, the senate passed tho bill
erecting a new county out of parts of L
zerne and Columbia by the following volt
Nays Messrs. Baily; Blick; Broweil
Oorltran; Urabh; Craig; Farrelly; Heailiej
mil; HortontHuddleson, Mathers McUultf
Spackman; Crispin; Speaker 15.
Afluj Messrs. Chamnneys: Dimocl
Fegely; Gorgas; Hiester; Kidder; Klin'
1 fl a mo n . r . L
oi i.anuiian; Aiuiiin; 1'entiiman;
Stewart, Sullivan 13.
SmM
The house has been principally engsg'
for several days past upon the teform-J)
without coming to any specifio vote,
The election of Newhampshire for go
ernoi, members of Congress and of '
Slate Legislature, have resulted in thert
election of Gov. Hubbaid, the democrat!
govemor, by several hundied votes over in
three opposing candidates of the whi
Tyler, and Abolition parties. The Df"
ocralic candidates for Congress were elect"
as well as a large majority of bolt brar.cM
of the Stale Legislature,