Raftsman's journal. (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, February 27, 1856, Image 3

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Raftsman's Jmmral.
S. B. ROW, Editor asd Pboprietor.
CLEARFIELD, PA., FEBRUARY 27, 1856.
THE BAFTING BUSINESS.
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Daily
JVmu, writing from Williainsport under date of
February 15th, says:
'An additional boom has very recently been
completed on the river opposite this place, at
an expense of several thousand dollars. I am
fearful that the raftsmen, whose property may
be destined for tho lower markets, will be much
annoyed the coming season. There is another
boom about completed at Northumberland.
Jt is said that a bill is now before the Legisla
te authorizing another boom at Jersey Shore.
Should all the contemplated booms be con
etructed, the owners of lands of timber in the
counties above us must suffer a great inconve
nience to get their lumber or timber to market
the fact is the navigation of our beautiful
river will be entirely obstructed."
The erection of these booms is a matter in
which the tizens of this county are directly
interested, and should engage their immediate
attention. Some action should be taken with
out delay to prevent any hindrance to the free
and safa navigation of the river by our rafts
men, and the most direct way would be to lay
the matter before the Legislature in such a
form as will fully enlighten all the members of
that body, a portion of whom, residing in sec
tions where the timber business is not follow
ed, are not expected to be fully aware of the
great Injury that may be inflicted upon the
easiness interests of a large and bardworking
class of community, by legislation authorizing
the construction of these booms.
Mohk EvrDEjrcE. The Warren Mail, of the
16th inst., after copying a paragraph of ours
following an article from the Pittsburgh Ga
zette, regarding the position of Hon. D. Bar
clay, the member to Congress from this Dis
trict, says : fl"e arc not disposed to censure
Mr. Barclay very severely till we see more of
his official conduct, or misconduct, than the
troublesome contest for Speaker exhibited.
It is, however, fair to add, that his position in
this county during the canvass of 1554, was
the same as in Clearfield as given above. We
do not recall his precise language as to the
restoration, of the Missouri Compromise, nor is
It material. But we never heard an Anti-Nc-bra&ka
speech more strongly Anti-Nebraska
than Mr. Barclay's. All that pledges could do
to secure the Anti-Nebraska vote of Warren
County he did, and with success. We heard
him say nothing on the subject of American
ism, bnt, as we stated after the election, ho
satisfied others that he was one of that order,
and we know that he was supported as an A
merican and Anti-Nebraska man generally
IIow far thoso pledges and assurances will be
honorably redeemed, we may perhaps tell by
and by, if not now."
PrBLic Schools of Pexxstlvasia. We are
indebted to Hon. A. G. Curtin for a copy of
the Report of the Superintendent of Common
Schools. From it we learn that during the
past year the whole number of districts was
1,632; of schools 10,169 ; number of Bchools
yet required, 6-39 ; average number of months
taught, 5J ; number of male teachers, S,003 ;
of female teachers, 4,140 ; average salaries of
male teachers per month, $22,29, and of fe
male $14,89; whole number of male schcITi,"
295,889; wholo nnmber of female Scholar?,
233,120 ; number of scholars learning German,
10,015; average cost of teaching for one schol
ar per month, 58 cents ; whole amount of tax
levied for school purposes, $1,22,223 70;
amount of tax levied for building purposes,
$159,076 45; total amount of tax levied for
the system, $1,354,937.04 ; amount received
from the State appropriation $159,554.17; a
mount received from collectors, $1,137,992.61;
cost of construction, $1,041,571.96; cost of
fuel and contingencies, $110,383.19; cost of
school houses, purchasing, building, renting,
repairing, &c, $2C6,198.76. These totals do
not include the Philadelphia public schools,
which are organized under an independent sys
tem, and make no report to the Superintendent.
Destructive Feesuet. Cincinnati,Feb.24.
A freshet commenced yesterday in the Lick
ing river, and the ice breaking up, unusual
quantities of it wero thrown into the Ohio riv
er, breaking up the ice oppoosite the city, and
causing grest destruction among the steam
boats along the levee. Seven steamboats were
sunk. They were all stern wheel boats, and
will probably be totally lost. There is, in ad
dition, a number of other boats injured, and a
considerable nnmber of flat boats and barges
sunk. The total loss so far is estimated at
$200,000. The Ohio river has risen 8 feet in
the last 12 hours, and as the waters are still in
creasing further damago is anticipated.
Thk Licesse Box of Mr. Brown, the sut-
stance of which we gave in an article last
week, passed the Senate finally, by a vote of
20 to 11, on last Thursday. The Ilarrisburgh
Telegraph is of opinion that in its present
shape it can hardly pass the House, but that
some snch bill seems likely to pass before tho
close of the session.
i National Repxtblicax Cosvejitios. This
body assembled at Pittsburgh, on the 22d inst,
We have not, as yet, learned the result of its
, deliberations. Measures were being adopted
to effect a complete organization of the party,
V- and to place im nomination a candidate for Pre-atdnt.
THE FSIENDS OF P0FEEY.
We recently published an article, giving tho
action of the House of Representatives of this
State on a bill to protect Protestant citizens of
the United States in the right of worship and
of conscience while in Catholic countries, and
to secure them the right f Christian burial.
The bill, in fact, was nothing more than a mere
resolution of request and instruction to our
Senators and Representatives in Congress to
use their efforts and vote for any measure that
would accomplish the object contemplated.
The Democratic Solons of the lower House,
however, 6aw in it a taint of Americanism,
and so voted it down,. But more recently they
have made a better display of their attachment
to the Pope's interests, by passing a bill for
the incorporation of a Catholic Monastery of
the Franciscan Brothers of Cambria County.
0n its final passage in the nousc, the bill re
ceived the vote of every Locofoco member
present," excepting Mr. Fry, f Lehigh, who
voted against it because be thought the power
to incorporate was vested in the Courts. Here
is an instance of the servility of the Democra
cy to Catholicism too palpable to be allowed
to pass by without directing attention to it,
and to the institution which they are authori
zing to be reared among the towering hills of
our own State. The members of this order, if
we mistake not, are bound by secret oaths to
implicit obedience to their superior at Rome,
who in all things governs aud directs them.
Their sole object is the spread and perpetuity
of the Papal power, and for this end, schools
are opened t which Protestant youths are ad
mitted, and the most persevering and insidious
wiles made use of to pervert their minds and
induce them to embrace Catholicism. It was
against institutions of this character that the
Reformers of the sixteenth century rose and
contended, until the light of Troth broke iu
upon the moral gloom which enshrouded the
people of Europe, and exposed to the world
the licentiousness, degradation and crime
which pervadjd these establishments. And
now, when the sovereigns of the old world,
awakened to the evil tendencies of monaster
ies, are arraying themselves against them, the
effort is made by Democratic legislators to rear
them in tho very heart of Pennsylvania.
Ma. Emroa : It is now evident, every re
flecting American citizen, that there are but
two principles that govern the present Admin
istration of this great Republic. The advance
ment of political Romanism, and the exten
sion of human Slavery, either of which, when
in the hands of the majority, will greatly en
danger, if not entirely overthrow our illustri
ous Union. But when we find their influenco,
their strength, and their capital, united against
the best interests of our government, may we
not fear, and tremble, for the welfare of our
country, especially when all the powers of
these two withering despotisms are combined,
and led by the President of the United States,
against the chief interest of the American peo
ple. As a citizen of our common country ,and
having the right, with others, to express my
opinion upon matters of public, as well as pri
vate interest, I therefore charge the People's
servant, the President of our Republic, with
gross and dangerous perversions, and neglect,
in the administration of the government.
1st. I charge him with violating the public
faith, by breaking up a solemn contract, be
tween the two great sections of our country,
which will greatly endanger, if not entirebr
dissolve our Union.
2d. 1 charge him with perverting the govern
ment, by using his official authority to extend
human slavery over territory now free.
3d. I charge him with official kishonesty, in
removing competent and honorable men, and
promoting armed ruffians, favorable to slavery
to office.
4th. I charge him with neglect of official du
ty, in not aiding the lawful citizejns$fKan
in the protection of their persons and their
property, againf the attacks of lawless mobs,
-Tfrjm a neighboring State.
6th. I charge him with cruelty, in aiding
and abetting, by his recent messages to Con
gress, and otherwise, the riots, robberies, and
murders committed by the border ruffians of
Missouri against the citizens of Kansas.
6th. I charge him with despotism, in using
his official influence to extend the system of
Slavery, to the great injury of all the poor
whites of the South, as well as to all classes of
tha North.
7th. I charge him with tyranny, in taking up
and appointing to one among the highest ofii
ces in the government, a man whom the peo
ple had repudiated by their votes.
8th. I charge him with anti-republicanism,
by appointing or having appointed Roman
Catholics to offices of profit and trust, over all
others thereby aiding the Pontiff to establish
political Romanism iu this couutry.
. 9th. I charge him with being untrue to his
country, in appointing all kinds of foreigners
to offices, over competent and honest native
born American citizens.
10th. I charge him with contempt for the
American people, in suffering without rebuke,
foreign nations to flood our shores with their
paupers and felons, until our country is over
run with numbers sufficient not only to fill our
prisons and penitentiaries, and to corrupt the
morals of our people, but to rule the ballot-box.
If then these charges are true and no can
did citizen dare deny them, for they are a
matter of history then is it not highly ne
cessary, that the people begin to understand
and prepare themselves for the approaching
contest, at the ballot-box, that they may be
fully able to overthrow, and hurl from power
this double headed despotism, of Political hu
man Slavery, and Foreign Political Roman
ism. But the problem that now presents itself
for solution is, how shall this triumph be ac
complished ? The answer is easy. Let all the
parties opposed to the present National Ad
ministration, unito their forces, and come up
in one nnbroken column,' and they will make
as clear a sweep as Washington made ot the
foreigners at Trenton. C. J.
Clearfield County, Feb. 19, 156.
AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL. .
The American National Council met at Phi
ladelphia on the 18th inst. Delegates appear
ed from every State but Alabama, Mississippi,
Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Ver
mont. For two days reporters were refused
seats, but on the 20th they were admitted.
The Platform adopted in June last, was re
scinded, and tho following substituted :
1st. An humble acknowledgment to the Su
premo Being for His protecting care vouch
safed to our fathers in their successful Revo
lutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to
us, their descendants, in the preservation of
the liberties, the independence and the union
of these States.
2J. The perpetuation of the Federal Union
and Constitution, as the palladium of our civ
il and religious liberties, and the only sure
bulwark of American Independence.
3d. Americans must rule America, and to
this end, native boru citizens should bo selec
ted for all State, Federal and Municipal offices
or government employment, in preference to
all others.
4th. Persons born of American parents resi
ding temporarily abroad, should bo entitled to
all the rights of native born citizens.
5th. No person should bo selected for poli
tical station (whether of native or foreign
birth) who recognises any allegiance or obli
gation, of any description, to any foreign
prince, potentate or power, who refuses to
recognise the Federal and State Constitutions
(each within its sphere) as paramount to all
other laws as rules of political action.
6th. The unqualified recognition and main
tenance of the reserving rights of tho several
States, ard the cultivation of harmony and
fraternal good-will between the citizens of the
several States, and to this end, non-interference
by Congress with questions appertaining
solely to the individual States, and non-intervention
by each State with the affairs of any
other State.
7th. The recognition of the right of the na
tive born and the naturalized citizens of the
United States, permanently residing in any
Territory thereof, to frame their Constitution
and laws, and to regulate their domestic and
social affairs in their own mode, suljoct only
to the provisions of the Federal Constitution,
with the privilege of admission into the Union-whenever-
they have the requisite population
for one Representative in Congress ; Provided
always, That none but thoso who are citizens
of the United States, under the Constitution
and laws thereof, and who have a fixed resi
dence in any such Territory, ought to partici
pate in the formation of the Constitution, or in
the enactment of laws for said Territory or
State.
8th. An enforcement of tho principlo that
no State or Territory ought to admit others
than citizens of the United States to the right
of suffrage, or of holding political office.
0th. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making a continued residence of twenty -onu
years, of all not heretofore provided for, an in
dispensable requisite for citizenship hero af
ter, and excluding all paupers, and persons
convicted of crime, from landing upon our
shores; but no interference with the vested
rights of foreigners.
10th. Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with
religious faith or worship, and no test-oaths
for office.
11th. Free and thorough investigation into
any and all alledged abuses of public func
tionaries, and a strict ecqnomy in public ex
penditures. 32th. Tho maintenance and enforcement of
all laws constitutionally enacted, until said laws
shall be repealed or shail be declared null and
void by competent judicial authority.
13th. Opposition to the recklass and unwise
policj of the present Administration in tho
general management of ouf national affairs,
and more especially as shown in removing
"Americans" (by designation) and conserva
tives in principle, from office, and placing for
eigners and ultraists in their places; as shown
in a truckling subserviency to the stronger,
and an insolent and cowardly bravado towards
the weaker powers ; as shown in rc-opening
sectional agitation, by the repeal of the Mis
souri Compromise; as shown in granting to
unnaturalized foreigners the right of suffrage
in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its va
cillating course on the Kansas and Nebraska
question ; as shown in the corruptions which
pervado some- of the departments of the gov
ernment; as shown in disgracing meritorious
naval officers through prejudice or caprico ;
and as shown in tho blundering mismanage
ment of our foreign relations.
14th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils,
and prevent the disastrous consequences oth
erwise resulting therefrom, wo would buildup
the "American party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated.
15th. That each State Council shall have
authority to amend their several Constitu
tions, so as to abolish the several degrees, and
institute a pledge of honor, instead of other
obligations for fellowship and admission into
the party.
16th. A free and opon discussion of all po
litical principles embraced in our platform.
President Pierce has done all in his power
to win the South to his standard, but the Co
lumbia, S.C., Times, a Democratic paper
which desires his nomination, thinks that tho
Southern politicians will sacrifice him to some
candidate who will be more available at the
North. In proof of this it cites the guarded
expression of opinion put forth by the Georgia
Democratic State Convention, and au editorial
extract from the Augusta,Ga.,Co?wri7ttttoiuz7j.
The Germans of Cincinnati held a meeting
on the 21st inst, at which strong resolutions
condemnatory of the Kansas Nebraska act
were passed. Upwards of one thousand per
sona were present, and the greatest harmony
prevailed.
The boot and shoe trade of Cincinnati
said to be over $4,000,000 annually.
is
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION-
This Convention met on Saturday last, at
Sansom Street Hall. Tha body was called to
order by the President, at 10 o'clock. Rev.
Mr. Campbell offered an apppropriate prayer.
The Chair stated that this was a nominating
Convention, and that it had not met to discuss
the distracting questions of the day. The time
for such discussions had gone by. Applause.
It was rnnounced that Mr. Hazelhurst of Pa.,
had retired, and that his alternate, Mr. Martin,
would take his place. Mr. E. Small, of Penn.
announced that he had a paper which he would
offer as a compromise on the slavery question.
After some discussion, the resolutions of
Mr. Small were read they were as follows:
Resolved, That we repudiate all platforms
adopted by tho National Councils.
Resolved, That this Convention put forth as
a simple platform of the American Party Tuk
Bible and the Coxstitction and upon that
rear the following five points of fellowship :
1. American Institutions should be controll
ed only by America's men.
2. American labor should be protected from
foreign competition.
3. American resources should be adopted by
every legal means.
4. American compromise?, made in good
faith, should be observed in spirit at least as a
guaranty of American integrity and loyalty.
o. American citizens abroad should be pro
tected in their rights of conscience, of religi
ous worship and honorable burial.
The chair said he had already stated that
the object of the meeting was to make a nom
ination, and not to discuss distracting ques
tions. Various motions were made, some of
which were entertained by the President, and
he became so befogged and bewildered that it
was impossible to understand the position of
affairs so inextricably were they confused.
Gov. Call, of Florida, finally had the floor.
accorded him for the purpose cf speaking up
on the resolutions. He spoke of the lowering
aspect of affairs. lie proclaimed himself a
Union man. A dozen or more delegates took
advantage of a pause, to claim tho floor. Gov.
Call said he had not ended. Laughter.
Mr. Small obtained permission and said that
lie would accord with the views of Gov. Call,
for the sake of harmony, aud would, if the lat
ter would abide by it, strike out all in his res
olutions after the words "Bible and the Con
stitution." Applause.
Gov. Call did not seem to relish this ar
rangement, and again stated his determina
tion to retire. He had come to battle against
the innovations of the foreign party in the U.
States, and the influence of theJFope of Rome.
Gov. Call now said "Farewell." Voices
"New York is with you !" "Pennsylvania is
wiih you !" Applause and hisses.
The wildest kind-of an excitement here fol
lowed. Twenty delegates endeavored to obtain
the floor, which was accorded to Mr. Bartlett,
of Ky., who made an earnest appeal to Gov.
Call, and others, not to leave and desert their
friends in the Convention. lie would say to
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania that wc have
had enough of platform making. He iraplored
Mr. Small towithdrawhisresolution. Mr. Bart
lett feelingly appealed" to the delegates cot to
destroy the hopes of the American party. The
speaker was earnest and eloquent in his appeal
for harmony, and tears coursed down his
cheeks while speaking. In onclusion, Mr.
Bartlett moved that this Convention do now
adjourn to tho 3d of July next.
Cries of "No" "Yes" "Second the mo
tion" "Vote it down."
Mr. Bartlett accepted an amendment fixing
Louisville, Ky., as the place of meeting.
The President decided that the motion was
not in order under the peculiar circumstances.
Tho decision was appealed from. A motion
was made to lay the appeal upon the table.
The amendment fixing the place of meeting
was withdrawn. The business before the Con
vention was on motion laid on the table.
The motion to f djourn until the 3d of July
was then renewed.
Great cxcitementfollowed crios for 'Walk
er,' call "the aye3 and nays" and all sorts of
confusion. A motion was made to lay the
motion to adjourn on the table.
The question was taken on the motion to Iay
on the table, and the motion was voted down.
A delegate "All Philadelphia is voting out
there."
The ayes and nays were demanded and ta
ken on the motion to lay upon the table. Sev
eral delegates gave their views when their
names were called. There was so much eon
fusion that the President pretested that he
would be compelled to stop the proceedings,
if better order was not preserved.
The Convention rc-asscmbled on Monday.
Much excitement prevailed, and after consid
erable talk, the motion to lay Mr. Small's res
olutions on the table was negatived by a vote
of 141 to 60. The previous question was then
ordered, after which a resolution, declaring
that the Convention forthwith proceed to nom
inate candidates for President and Vice Pres
ident, was carried by a vote of 151 to 61. The
Convention then proceeded to nominate. Mr.
Stewart nominated Millard Fillmore for Pres
ident, and Mr. Sly, W. R. Smith, of Alabama,
for Vice President. At this juncture, the
Connecticut delegation withdrew. It is sup
posed that New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Io
wa, and in part Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachu
setts and Illinois will bolt
The West Chester, (Pa.) Examiner says
"Wo published, a Tew days ago, an article rel
ative to a young woman, about 19 years of ago,
in Warwick township, Chester county, who
had fifteen needles extracted from her foot
Marvelous as the circumstance was regarded at
the time, the truth has not all been told
Since the first needles were removed, twenty
five more have been extracted f rom tho same
foot, and one surgeon who operated informs us
that he thinks there are some ten or fifteen
more yet imbedded in the foot. Dr. Heckel
informs us that the needles lie in and about the
instep, and that the points having worked to
the surface, they are easily extracted by for
ceps. In some instances an incision was made,
and the needles removed. The limb docs not
appear very sensible to pain. The young wo
man alleges that some ten years ago she jump
ed or stepptd on a needle cushion, and that
the needles entered her foot, and have since
remained there, causing no pain until recently.
Foreign News bt thb Casada. The town
of Kara has been occupied by two Russian bat
tallions, while a third occupies Gen. Mouravi
cfl's former camp. The captured guns and
stores have been removed to Alexandrcpol.
Letters from Erzeroum predict an approaching
scarcity of Lreadstuffs. It is reported that
Turkey is about to mediate between Persia
and England. Queen Victoria opened the
British Parliament on the 31st of January. In
the House of Lords, Earl Gosford moved an
address in response to the Queen's speech.
The Earl cf Derby characterized the speech as
very bare, cold and meagre thought it ought
to have referred to the affairs with America, In
dia and the Colonies, as well as in relation to
the fall of Kars. He asserted that the Govern
ment had violated the laws of the United Sta
tes, in enlisting men, and owed our govern
ment an apology. Lord Clarendon replied,
and in the course of his speech, stated he had
offered to refer the difficulty with the United
States, in reference to the Clayton-Bulwer trea
ty, to tho arbitration of a third party, but the
proposition had been declined. He had re
newed it, however, and it was now under con
sideration. He stated that tho government
sustained the conduct of Mr. Crampton, but
thought the whole difficulty susceptible of an
easy solution. In tho House of Commons,
immediately upon taking his seat, Admiral
Napier moved a call for the papers in relation
to the expedition to the Baltic, under Lis com
mand. In France, peace is anticipated as cer
tain. The Moniieur publishes a decree fixim
the import duty on raw cotton brought from
the entrepots by French vessels, at 25 francs
per 100 killogrammes, being a reduction of
five francs on the rates fixed by tho tariff of
1815 Tim rmnii-.,. A.. -:. - - -
respect for his illustrious ally, and in respect
to Queen Victoria, has pardoned Col. Turr.
Bombay dates to January 2d, state that the
Santal insurrection had been suppressed, and
that quiet reigned In India. Great Biitain is
about to extinguish the native government of
Oude. Lato intelligence from Canton states
that Messrs. Aspinwall, McKcnzie & Co. had
suspended payments, with liabilities amount
ing to S750,000. Threats had been made to
stop the trade-in tea and silks, from the 7th of
December. A private despatch has been re
ceived from Halifax to the effect that the stea
mer Pacific was safe, and that having been dis
abled, she had put back into the river Shan
non. This news rests upon the authority of a
letter from a young man named James Camp
bell, who went to England in the steamer Can
ada, on her last trip, and writes from Liver
pool to Messrs. Murdock & Co., at Halifax,
that in consequonce of severe weather, the
Pacific was obliged to put into the Shannon
river on her way out of the Channel.
Toe Kansas Qcestiox is Conc&es3. The
Washington correspondent of the Harrisburgh
Telegraph, writing under date of the 19th inst.,
says: "Tho Kansas question was upon tho ta
pii to-day in both ends of the capitol. In the
Senate Mr. Wilson spoke upon the President's
Kansas message, and in spito of the feeling
entertained towards him by the Southern and
the Northern Nebraska Senators, they could
not refrain from listening to him while he de
picted the lawless and ruffianly state of things
in Kansas. He spoke of tho visit of Gov.
Reeder to this city just after the elections had
been held there for members of the Legisla
ture, and tho representations he had mado to
the President. He referred to the speech
made by Gov. R. at Easton, in which he de
clared that Kansas had been conquered. But
notwithstanding these representations and pub
lic declarations, no steps were then taken, not
a finger moved by the President to protect the
citizens against the lawless and brutal violence
of the "border ruffians." An 1 why was this
not done ? For the very reason that the Mis
souri Compromise was repealed that a large
territory consecrated to freedom should be
spread over with Slavery. In the House Mr.
Hickman, of Pa., submitted a resolution cal
ling for information iu regard to the election
of delegates and authorizing the committee
wn elections to send for persons and papers.
This at once roused the Nebraska men, and it
was opposed by Mr. Phelps, of Missouri, Mr.
Stephens, of Ga., and advocated by Mr. Hick
man and Mr. Washburn, of Maine.
Mr. Hickman on this occasion took the
House by surprise, evincing a clearness of
mind, an acumen, a force of logic, and a skill
in debate which were quite unlocked for, aud
which baffled the sharp and practical debater
Stephens. Mr. II. exhibited so rafleh skill,
ability, presence of mind and thorough know
ledge of tho subject, as to win the confidence
of the House,, and enable him hereafter at all
times to command its attention.
Mr. Stephens, of Ga., moved to recommit
the resolution to the Committee on Elections,
with instructions to report the grounds upon
which they ask the power to send for persons
and papers, which motion failed by the casting
vote of the Speaker being given to make a tie.
The vote, a very small one 68 to 67 was
nearly a division, Mr. Dunn, of Indiana, being
the only anti-Nebraska member who voted
with the Nebraska members on this occasion.
Beforo the vote upon the resolution was taken,
the Houso adjourned. Should the resolution
pass, the Sergeant-at-Arms will have a large
and verv profitable undertaking.
A Demonstration or the Leap-Year. A
rather singular and amusing occurrence took
place near Cochranville, Chester county, Pa.,
a few weeks since. A Mr. Bachtell, from Me
dina, Ohio,was introduced to a Miss Duquet,
of Chatham, Cbestercounty, about four o'clock
in the afternoon of tho 16th ult., and married
her within three hours afterwards. Both are
said to bo worthy and respectable persons, but
vrr livelv. They were jesting upon the sub
ject of matrimony, when she, jestingly, "pop.
ped the question,' to wnicu ne acceeaea.
One reply brought on another until they went
to th parson's and had the ceremony performed.
LATEST TTrtnttr
Tho steamship Atlantic, with Llrerri
dates to Feb. 6th, and the Asia, with da. to
Feb. 9th, arrived at New York on Sunday
Tha Atlantic was detained three dvs jn lA,
fields of ice. Neither steamer brings aa
of the missing steamer Pacific. The A'
brings presents from the British government
consiting of plate, medals, &c, for the officu
and crew of the Arctic expedition, under Dr.
Kane. The two subjects of especial ictere.t
In our forefgn files aro the Peace NegoUi
tions; and a fresh alarm in Enzland about .
war with the United States.
Peace Negotiations .Vienna. Feb i
The French and British Ministers yesterday r.
ceived instructions to sign the so-often men-
uonea protocol. Immediately after the re
ceipt of their despatches, Sir H. Seymour anf
. v vurueney communicated their con
tents to the Austrian Minister for Foreign Af.
fairs and to the Turkish Embassy. In Ue"
course of the evening it was settled that th
representatives of England, France, Turkey
and Russia, should meet at the Foreign -otfic
at 12 to-day, and then and there sign tho im
portant document in question. At the ap
pointed hour the four foreign diplomatists had
assembled, and they and Count Buel attached
their signatures to the subjoined protocol :
"In consequence of the acceptance bv their
respective Courts of the five propositions con
tained in the document hereunto annexed, un
der the title of 'Draft of Preliminaries' the
undersigned, after having paragraphed it, con
formably to the authorization received to that
effect, have agreed that their Gavernments
shall each nominate Plenipotentiaries, who,
furnished with the full powers necessary for
proceeding to the signature of formal prelimi
naries of peace, shall conclude an armistice
and a definitive treaty of peace. The said
Plenipotentiaries will have to assemble at
Paris within the term of three weeks. daMnr
from this day, or sooner if it can be done."
"Done at lenna, this 1st day of February,
1S5G." (The Five Signatures.)
England. In the beginning of the weak
there was considerable excitement in Eng
land, owing to a rumor that the dispatc with
the ITnitcd States had reached a crisis, nnd
thai Mr. Buchanan had demanded his pagg
ports. The latest reports, however, do not
confirm this. On the contrary, it is stated by
the Londod Advertiser that Sir Henry Bulwer
the negotiator ot the Clayton-Bnlwer treaty,
ha3 oflered to servo as a sort of mediator be
tween the two governments, and that, in con
cert with a member of Parliament of great
diplomatic experience, he is endeavoring to
arrive at a solution of the difficulty which may
be more acceptable to both parties than th
plan of arbitration. This movement is said
to be at Lord Palmerson's instigation. The
Advertiser is tho only paper that refers to it.
The following story appears in the Paris
"Constitutionnel :" -The He du Roi, a pari ot
the domain of Neuilly, was yesterday tho the
atre of a mysterious event. At about 10 o'
clock in the morning, a boatman, In a state of
great excitement, presented himself to th
Commissary of Police and made the following
deposition : "About an hour ago, as I wu
standi ng oil tho bank of the river near my
boat, a carriage drove up from which thero
alighted 6 gentlemen, remarkably well dressed,
of whom three wore the decoration of tho Le
gion of Honor. They appeared very gy.
My friend,' said one of them to me, w:llyou
ro- us over to the island ?' 'Certainly ?aid
I, and ten T unutes after thy all landed there.
They then began to look more serious. ' I
wanted to retire, but they desired me to slay,
and, while two of them remained behind to
watch me, the ethers walked on to a groJi cS'
trees, on the other sfd-a of which they rtcj.pe.
I then found they had corns to Cfht a a.I. I
saw the swords, and heard ILn cli: i cf lbe.r.
one against the other while tis f:gbt laste-I,
which was but a very short titue. Press r.;Iy
the dead body of one of the persons was bro't
down to my boat. He had received a sword
thrust right through his breast, and was cov
ered with blood. According to the little I
could gather from the conversation I heard,
the duel arose out of a quarrel which occurred
at the last masquerade ball at the Opera. The
seconds had the appearance of military men
executing their orders. I took them back a
cross tho Seine. They placed the corpse in
their carriage and drove off to Paris." The
Commissary of Police immediately instituted
an inquiry, but hitherto his investigations hare
been without success. That Is the way things
are done up in France.
The Cotton Mastf atchks or thb U. S.
The Report of the Socretary of tha Treasury
contains some useful memoranda in relation
to the Cotton manufactures of the U- States,
as furnished by tho non. Philip Allen. Mr.A.
estimates tho amount of cotton consumed in
the U. States, during the year ending August
31, '55, at 673,584 bales, of which 80,000 bab?s
were consumed in Virginia and the States
south of it. It is estimated that 704,465,734
pounds of yarn wero spun from cotton in Eng
land during tho year ending January, 1855, of
which 440,168,431 wre exported, and the bal
anco retained for home consumption. Tho
quantity of yarn produced in the U. States is
stated at 230,78C,000 lbs. The average valu
of a pound of cotton manufactured is 28 cents,
making a total for last year's manufacture of
$61,406,080. Tho value of cotton manufac
tures exported was $4,857,181. The imports
of cotton manufactures retained for consump
tion wero valued at S 18.385,327. The total
supply of cotton goods for domestic consump
tion was $77,134,226. ;- -
E. H. Jansen, lato State Treasurer of Wis
consin, is reported to be a defaulter in tho
sum of $39,000. .
Some one in the Cleveland Herald ssys, "it
is so cold that the cows have to bo driven into
the house to thaw their bags beforo milting.'
The mercury must get considerably 'below
frtttt 'out West.' '
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