THE! KJCJIKClt 1CII I'LAX.
(j We furnished our raajrrs, last week, m
cotrdet sed foim, tbe substance of lire PrcS'dciit's
Mesai'e, wi h copinue extracts (if the most impor
tint p.rK The Exchequer Dan is the mitt ji-ouii-rem,
anil peihaps the only real iatcieiling topic in
the message A we wily Lid room lo give uur
resders a p.Tiiun of Lit views on this subject lost
week, wo n-vw Iny bef re them ill -he eiiys in rela
i.on o this important matter:
In view ol tbe fict that, in 1CT0, the whole
tank note circulation within the United Stules
byonnted to bul &G1,2'.'3,S9S, according to the
Treasury sturcmcnf, and that en addition had
beon made thereto of the enormous sum of
$-33,000,000 in seven yenrs, (the circulation
on the first January, 1S37, being Hated at U9,
l&.SPJ.) aided by the great facilities afforded
hi obtaining loans from European capitalist.,
w5n were soizr.d wiih the same speculative
mania which prevailed iu the United States
and the large importations of UiihU from a
Lrnud, the result of stock sales and loans no
one can bo surprised ut the apparent, but un
Bubttiuitial state of prosperity which every
where prevailed ever the IuihI ; whila as lit
tie cause of surprise should bu felt at the pre
ent prostration of every thing', and the ruin
which has befallen so many of our fellow citi
zens in the sudden withdrawal from circula
tion of so large mi amount of bank issues, since
1S37 exceeding, as is believed, . tlie amount
added to the paper currency (or a similar pe
riod antecedent to 1537, it ceases to be a mat
ter of astonishment lliat such extensive ship
.wrcck should have been made uf private for
tunes, or that duTieuitiesahouW exist in meeting
their engagements on tlie part of the debtor
Elates. ApartiVotn which, if there bo taken
into account the immense loves suctuined in
the dishonor of numerous banks, it is less a
matter of surprise that insolvency should have
visited many of our fellow citi2ens, than that
j many shotrld have escaped the blighting in
fluence of the times.
In the solemn conviction cf these truths,
find with an ardent desire to meet the pressing
necessities of the country, I felt it to be my
duty to cause to be submitted to you at the
commencement of your late session, the plnn
of an Exchequer, the whole power and duty of
maintaining which, in purity and vigor, was
to be exercised by the Heprescutatives of the
People and the States, and, therefore virtually
by the People themselves. It was proposed to
jiliiceit under the control and tlirection of a
Treasury Board, to consist of three Commis
sioners, whose duty it should be to see that the
Jaw of its creation was faithfully executed, and
thut the great end of supplying a paper medium
cf exchange, at all times convertible into gold
nd silver, thou! J be attained.
The Board thus constituted, was given as
much permanency ns could be imparted to it,
without endangering the proper share of res
ponsibility which should uttach to all public a
gents. la order to incure all the advantages of
a well matured experience, the Commissioners
were to bold their offices for tin- respective pe
riods of two, four and six years, thereby secu
ring at nil times in the management of the Ex
chequer, the services of two men of experience;
and to place them in a condition to exercise
perfect independence of mind and action, 4it
was provided that their removal should only take
ylnce fur actual incapability or infidelity to
the trust, r.nd to be followed by the President
with an exposition of the enures ofsncli remo
val should it occur. It was proposed to cstab
lif.h subordinate boards in each of the States, un
der the same restrict i-jiis and limitations of Uie
power of removal, which, with the central board,
should receive, safely keep, and disburse the
.public moneys ; and in order to furnish a sound
paper medium of exchange, the Exchequer
should retain oft' e reven jvs of the Government
a sum not to exceed $r,0C!O,(H() in specie, to be
eet apart as required by its operations, and to
fw the public credit at his own option, either
in specie or Treasury notes, of denominations
not less than five, not -exceeding one hundred
dollars, which notes should he redeemed at the
several places of issue. ar.d to be receivable at
all times and every where in payment of Gov
ernment dues; with a restraint upon such is
sue of bills tiiatthe amc should not exceed the
maximum of $l.ri,0(l,lH;fl. In order to guard
against all the hazards incident to fluctua
tions in trade, the Secretary of tlie Treasury
vas iu vested with authority to issue $"),(00,0(lG
tf Government stock, siu'M tbe "e at any
time be regarded as necessary, in order to place
beyond hnzard the protvpt ridctiij-tion oi toe
bills which might be thrown into circulation.
Tims in fact making the j.wue of 15,0l)0,(XUI
of Exchequer bills, rest substantially on $-10,-(tOO.OfiO
and keeping in circulation never more
than one and one-half dollars for every dollar in
specie. Whi n to this it is added that the bills
ore not only every where receivable in Govern
ment itself would be bound for Ufjir ultimate re
demption, wo rational doubt can exid that the
paper witu the Exchequer w. :.!d rraMy en-
ter into gamers! circulation, and be maintained
tt all times i or bcve par wjtii gold and si,- I T,. ir UM fulness has been limited by their be
ver ; thereby realiiirg the gnat wtnt of li.el j -,, t.-snsient and temporary; their ceasing to
agoond ftilfillirg the withes ol the jr t.ple. j .r intrrvs-t at given periods, necessarily taus-
lo order to r. imhurw the Gove rnmetit. C.e
fcxpenses of the pb.n, it wns proi)sed to inv. -t
the Exchequer with th': lir.iiied entl.ority to
dial in Ul!if cxchv, unlets prohibited ly
the State ia which an seiicy miyiit betiluattd
haiiug only thiity days to rfcii,! rtttiiigon a
fair and bone Hdt basis.
The Legislative will on th' point will be so
plainly announced es to avoid all pretext for
rartnlitycr fs tfit.r-iji ft am furthermore
proposed to invent this Treasury agent withau
tliority to receive on deposite a limited amount,
the specie funds of individuals, and to jrant
certificates therefor, to tie redeemed on presen
tation, under the idea, w hich is believed to be
well founded, that such certificates would come
in aid of the Exchequer bills in supplying a
safe and ample paper circulation.
Or, if in place of the contemplated dealings
in exchange, tint Kxcbeqtier should be authori
zed not only to exchange its bills for actual de
pa? it es of specto,hut for specie or its equivalent
to sell drafts charging thfrefor a amali bnt rea
sonable premium, I can.iot doubt but that the
benefits of the law would be speedily manifested
to the revival of the credit, trade and business
vf the whole 'Country. Entertaining this opi
nion, it becomes my duty to tirge its adoption
upon Congress, by reference to tlie stronges'
considerations of the public interests, with such
nlterations in its details as Congress may in its
wisdom see fit to make.
1 am well aware that this proposed alteration
and amendment of the luwa establishing the
Treasury Department has etcountered various
objections, bjkJ that among otliers it lies been
proclaimed a Government Bank of fearliil and
dangerous import. It isprnjniKs to Confer up
on it no extraordinary powers. It purports to do
no more than pay the debts of tlie Government,
in which respect it accomplishes precisely wh it
the Treasury docs daily at this time, in issuing
Withe public creditors the Treasury uutes which,
under law, it is authorized to issue.
It has no resemblance to an ordinary Batik, '
as it furnishes no pTofiU to private stockhold- j
ertf, and lends no capital to individuals. If it !
be objected to asa Government Bank, and Ihj
objection be available tlten should all the laws
in relation to the Treasury he repealed, and the
capacity of tlie Government to colhict what is !
due to it, or pay w hat it owes, be abrogated.
This is the chief purpose of the proposed
Exchequer; and surely if, iu the accomplish
ment of a purpose so essential, itafl irds a sound
circulating medium to the country and facili
ties to trade, it should be regarded as no slight
recommendation of it tntlic public eons klerat ion.
Properly guarded by the provisions of law, it
ca,n run into no dangerous evil, nor can any a
buse arise under it but such as the legislature
itself will be answerable for, if it be tolerated ;
since it is but the creature of the law, sjid is
pusceptibleat all times of niodihcation, amend
ment or repeal, at the pleasure of Congress,
I know that it has been ohjocted that the sys
tem should be liable to be abused by the Legis
lature, by whom alone it could be abused, in
the party conflicts of the day. That snch abuse
would manifest itself in a change of the law
which would authorize an excessive issueof pa
per for the purpose of tlie inflating prices and
winning popular favor. To that it may be an
swered, that the ascription of such a motive to
Congress is altogether gratutious and admissa
hie. The theory of our institutions would lead
us to a different conclusion. But a perfect se
curity against a proceeding so reckless, would
be found to exist in the very nature of things.
The political party which should be so bliud
to the true interests of the country as to the
resort to such an experiment, would inevitably
meet with final overthrow in the fact that, the
moment the paper ceased to be convertible into
specie, or otherwise promptly redeemed it
would become worthless, ami would, in the end,
dit-h'rtior the Government, involve tlie people
in ruin, uud such political party in hopeless dis
grace. A t the same time, such a view involves
the utter imosMi ilily-of furnishing any curren
cy oilier than that of the precious metals, for
if the government itsell cannot forego tlie
temptation of excessive paper issues, what re
liance can be placed hi corporations upon whom
the temptation of individual aggraudizement
would most strongly operate ! The people
would have to blame none but themselves tor
any injury that miglrt arise from a course
so reckless, since their agents would be the
wrongdoers, and they the passive spectators.
There can be but three kinds of public cur
rency, let. Gold and Silver 2d. The p:ijer
ofStQte institutions or, JJd. A representative
of the precious metals, provided by the General
Government, or under its authority. The Sub
Tr.aeury System, rejected the last in an form;
and, as it was believed thut no reliance conld
be placil on the tf-nrs of local institutions, for
the purposes of general circulation, it necessa
n'y and uuavoidabjy adopted rpecie as the ex
clusive currency for its own use. And this
luual t-'Vtr b the cilc unless one of the other
r.ijids be !'H'd, The choice, in the present stale
of public sentiment, lite between an exclusive
spu-ie currency on tile one hand, and Govern
(lent iosues of some kind on the other. That
titcse irsues cannot be made by a chartered
ins'.i'.ulitxi, is supposed to be conclusively set
tled. They wurt be made, tlien, directly by Go-
I vrnmiMit agents. I or several years past they
i he ve t- n thus iiiaJc in the lorin of Treasury
: n, t nml have answered u -valuable jirpise.
j " their fp.-edy return, and Ihus rcs';,ctll their
, mi'ri-i.f circulation, aw'., 'ofinj USel only in
j tbn ,"l,'-rsr'rrrits i;f Governmci.t, they cannot
iruri: t!.ov potnts here they are most required.
By rendering thtvir use permanent, tothe mode
rate xlent nl.ieady mentioned, by ollering no
into:,-! tiient for tl.eir return, and by ebeharging
ther.i f.r coin and other values, they will con
stitute, to a certain extent, the general curren
cy . t. e'.ij i.nJedto nioictuin O.e it.ttrnu!
trade of the country. And this It the Exchequer
plan, so far as it may operate in furnishing a
currency.
It his now become obvious to all men that
the Government must look to its own means for
supplying its wants, and H is consoling to know
that these means aro altogether adequate for
tho object. The Excheqnw if adopted, will
greatly aid in bringing abont the result. Upon
what i regard as a well-founded supposition
that its bills would be readily sought for by the
public creditors, and that the issue would in a
short time retch the mnxium of SI 5,000,(100, it
is obvious thut $10,(X0,0XX) would thereby be
added to tbe available roean9 of the Treasury
without cost or charge. Nor can I fuil to urge
tbe great and beneficial effects which would be
produced in aid of all the active pursuits of life.
Its effects upon tlie solvent State banks,
while it would force into liquidation thoe of an
opposite character through its weekly settle
ments, would be highly beneficial ; and with
tlte advantages of a sound currency, tle retor
atinn of confidence Rnd credit wmikl follow,
with a uumerons Ira'n of b'essings. My con
victions are most strong that tiiese bcni fiis
would Cow from the adoption of this measure ;
but if the result should be adverse, there is
thw secwi'y in vontiection with it, that the
law erouteingittnay lie repealed at the pleasure '
of the I..islature. without the iVbusi imnli. i
0 . - - o
Ci'ilionofits good fuith
(J Oi.s. Va has Ttuiril t ihi country
Befo e It'oiit); 1'urt, a tiuuil'i r 4" Aineiican citiien!,
gfivc bim a public dinner. Tlie fnl.'owing e!oqu-nt
rrmnrkii arc un extrart or his speerh on tbe ocra- j
sion, in tiwir to s eumijlimrntarv toast:
"Wr, wIkj have pot the ocean Ivtwcen our
clvis uud our native Und, can in my opinion
t" st aiitirKi.ite the Meetings, which I'rovidei ce has
cotifiTnd Usn our tH'luved coiiiilry. Without
selling to iVny the iiirtriutimm of tbe old world,
or lo i1etcril its condition an worse than it is, no
American can full lo bo tfruiV by tbe immense
superiority in nil elements of human happiness,
which our confederated Republic presents over the
Castern Ilemisplwre. He who leaves our thorc
ftr a residence abroad, and dors nut return n wiser
and a better rKieen, will have lunkcd upon fife with
as little windom as profit. The questions, s.iri;il
and political, w hich agitate these birce and densely
Hrtiled regions, arc iiestkns of ffe and deaib.
Autiigonist tinriples rr in cun'acl buti'e at every
moment to break in-o fien-e sciion, ik! wliirb in
their operation may and prolyl ly will sfTert (lie
wh' le frame of society. Changes may come, which
enn only te rnliiced hy de-pea?e struaeles between
those who tiodand those wbo seek the pnwtr ;
betwenn ih se who buve much i d tho-e who b ivh
no'bing ; ttHvren wsnt and misery stiiving for
existei ce, siid wealih and poster slrma,; for d fence
Happily for u, (his siaie of things is unknown in
our c.iunlry. We are indeed divijed into parlies,
and this, perliapn, is Mie of the con.lilions of the
preservniion of fieedoui. But we luie no orgsnic
distinctions by which cl.nsis are created and
msin'uiiivd ; we have no phy,ical misery nor
politico! oppression to arisy one portion of the com
munity sgninst ano. her, and lo tesch it to seek re
lief in the destruction ofriisiing iiiKtittnions. Our
qut-siinns indcej are debated with a ti l which
prove that all are in earnest and that they result
from honest differences of opinion, respecting per
sons ami principles, and some times, unfortunately,
with a Uttortieca -which calm patriotism may de
plore. But after all, they pass swsy, leaving un
banned the institutions ol'the country, and dilut
ing bul in bokler relief, tke strength af our potiliesl
system, and th wisdom and energy of public o
pininn. And it is good white we see here together
in these otJ realms of lank and ilisimction, to recall
one of the most beaunful traits in our wh. lc sys
tem of GoverniBiiit, of wLkh I am mysilf a prac
tical illustration, and that is the perfect equality
which is the veiy foundation of our Constitution
an equality, which opens all the avenue of ad
vancement to tlie wlwj'e rommuniiy, and leaves
succ ssor f iil u re to the t xeriions of each.
That tins prni ipl.- stonld be Ui r to Die yiHi
will ill obc' tiilieve. lien I till )ou, tlut n i lio
lietwceu forty ai.d lifty ymrs nine I iros-el the
in oumaiiison foot, without pslioimge and w lhwul
powerful futility connexion, a y. ung adrnturer in
lhi legion, then so wild and solitiry, now Iteming
wilh lift) and I beriy. And win ever seivices I
have luen able to rruder and with whatever re
ward th se have In en grestly overpaid, I ow e all
to tl is Ife-giving princ pie ; lo tbu Rreat test and
preservation of republican ir;stitut ons. Still my
fiii mis, there in obviously one want in our country ;
one Icrfon lo be learned, which would do more lo
unite and to lender ushsppy, than sny measure
proposed by any party as a remedy for evils felt or
in ticip i'e.1 ; and that is a just uppreriatiou of our
own condition. A iic,pf-li reihualiMi of the groat
blessings we enjoy ! A conviciion ibat (he sun
never shone upon a Und more favored by Provi
dence, and lliut all those sul jecls of discussion,
which divide u, imKrtant as they are, never can
justify the fieice animosity to which they often
givebiith, but ihst lliey sink into insigmfirence
when placed in ihe balance sgiiot all that Coil
has oone fo as to make us a hippy people. Tbi-
burn ia well learned abroad, ly rampariog r:'.a(
we have I. ft, with whal wa ate ati".iid us, j,ij 1
trust we sliallcirry it wi.b. u as a precious
acquisition, 'ofluencig out conduct and opinions
l life.
P. rmit me to conclude by offering you a senti
ment in which I am suie you will all e d ally
join.
Our Nsiiv.' ('imntry SiHI murer the f.ither
wears i rr (-, d f om il"
Wnoorivn ' i . n . A lea pn t. ful of castor oil
lo a -p otiftil nf in U-sr ; a I, as.sviiifiil of the mix
lore giv.n wl.rneier the eouh is troublesome, will
fford n In fat once, it u a. id, snd in a few days
rtf rt a cure. The ssnin remedy, Il is slso aflir.n
el, nil-vs the C.' j'Jj, bawevcr violent the cttark.
THE AMERICAN.
StawrtMy, Drc. 17, !84S.
Ws hss just rscrhwd sixty tenma of print
ing paper, similar in sice and quality to the he t
upon wliicb this is printed. AIo 36 reami of Mi
ner rtovil 71 by t9 inches, which will be soil at
cost Mid carriage, forcaA.
(Jj We are inJebted to th Hon. lamei Borhan
nan of the Senate, snd tbe linn. John 8nyoVr of
the Hikimi of Reprewntativrt, ouj others, for earljr
copies of tlwi Presidonrs Message.
(j We bad another fall of snow on ToesJay
lnt. lite sleighing is now Pireedinjs'y firm.
(T llie Legislature will mret on Tuesday tbe
3d d iv of Jsnurn-y next. The Tu'-fliy following
the Itlth of Januniy is fixed (h? elec ion of I IT,
S. ftcnalor. The Hun. Jamr Bwhunin will no
doulil be re--1oct"d tu tha stntimi, wtiidi he now so
"",v 1 n" !M:"t' 1 rro"u,fr Wl" ' cl,'c,c, nn
,h ,bird Monday in Jtnuury.the ICth day of the
month.
OTj The Muncy I.iiinirinTy snnminres the im
t Krtnnt fuct, that the loc 1 legistntute of that place
j asemlied a short time since. We hope rror friends
j there wul take (he currency mrrttei into band, and
mend rtist, o fur as Lycoming cunty is concern
ed. Don't let your modesty prevent you atiticiia.
ting our Solon a st Hsrrisburg upon this subject.
rXj' Wm. A. Toiler, T!q.,hns lieen appointed
Sheriir in Philadelphia county. Mr. Poller, who
is a son ol (he Gov., is a young man of excellent
character.
(J The Hon George McPulTis has 1een dec
ted U. S. fVmtor in South Carolina, in pljre of
lire Hon. Wm. C. Preon.
Qj Mr. Calhoun has resigned his seat in tlie U.
8. (Senate, to t At Jaee on the 4(h of Match next.
(J The Postmaster General in bis report, re
commends ihe reduc'ion of postage on letters, and
an aiirittgenient of the frank ng privilege.
fjj The total amount of coj! shipped from the
Schuylkill coal region this season, is 543 8:)0 tons.
i Last veiir (he amount wns5So,J9S tons, llilicieu-
cy (his year, 40.WG2 tons.
Q3" Tbe New Orleans Tropic says, th -t in the
lite ire.ity with Mexico, this district of California
was ceded to tlie United Sate.
(Jj At a large Johnson meeting, held at Tow
andu. Pa., on the Clh int CoL Johnson was nomi
nated for President, and Hon. Levi VnJIury for
Vice Prcshh nt. The meriing pismd a resohrtion
adopting the one term piinciple, a principle
which e think should be uuivers.illy adopted by
the democratic party.
fj' The ''E.iston Scntinef has passed into the
hands of Ja. A. Dunlsp, Esq. In his introducto
ry article, a sensible and well mitten r docUon,
he warinlv advocates a discriminating tsuJT.
Cj A letter wriier from Wa-hington ssyt that
Webb and MsrshsTl will mfl escspe punishment.
Tire authorities of Delaware will make a demand fir
tire persons ofbom these gentlemen, to be tried for
the offence of fighting a duel m that state. This
is perfectly tight. Let no pardon or (he cry of
peroecution arrest the progress of the In in this
case, and the barbarous and -cowardly practice of
duelling will soon be banished from the land.
The Jury in the case of Mihon J. Alexan
der, who was tried fir the murder of Nosh Lougee,
a broker in Philadelphia, brought in a verdict of
voluntary manslaughter. Tbe Ledger says this
verdict hss virtually abolished capital punUhment
in Philadelphia.
rjj Nicholas Biddlc has recently published a
i m in' -er of letters on the finances of the stale. He
proposes the icduction of the pny of members to f 1
I da, the supenst m of the sell kI fund, and le
trenclnnent m many other mutters, amountiiig in
all to f 520,000. Abliougb many think he ought
to pay his own debts before be allempts to lecture
others, yet that does not prevent him from making
some very pood suggestions. We do not, howe
ver, approve of suspending the school appropiia
tioiii ; but we do think the state ought not to Ih1
hS.ldh-d with the expenses of military encampments,
and o her aniUHcmenls of the kind, in such limes as
these. His objections lo pensions and gratuities to
old kliers, and aid to ch.wilab! institutions, come,
however, with a bad grace from one, who, with one
d ish of his pen, gave away f SO, 000 of the money
of widows and orphans, to (be city of Charleston,
and appropriated la himself a iuatiH from the
1 1 ute kouice, of equwl amount, in silver plate.
Tlie editor of tha N. V. Tribune inc!in
tj think that Hpencer is fast supercecVng WeUter
in the auctions of the P'r.ideni. Jf ,h. half of
what his whig f';nds say 0 him is true, he must
be . pcif. ct ,,aiiil in disposition, iu relation to
I (ijt. n,eage ,ha Tiihune says
The Mcssasre. in the main, is fiirly writ
ten, though we think it not difficult to draw
the line between the smooth and specious ar
guiaent of encf r, and the weak, conceited
flounder ini? of Mr. Tyler himself. The Sec-
retaTy of War is evidently Prime Minister lot
all intents and purposes.
(Xj Pr. Suuth, iu his lectures st New Yo'k,
speaking ofihe different races of mankind, places
ihe negro as tbe lowest in the scale i f intelligence.
In regard to tho tenses however, he rcmaiks :
"The senses vary in the opposite direction.
They uto more developed in ihe Atrieen than
in the ('aiiixn.iii race. The negroes' taste is
iMtlur and tar im.re iinttorni alt negroes dis
liking muti(ut tor instanee ; their smell is bet
ter, und o of their ether sen.--."
The rrrscnt Tariff.
The Secretary of (lis Treasury, m bis report, an
nounces the fact that the present tariff does not af
fmd sufficient revenue to defray the expenses of the
government A duty on tea, coffee, and other at.
tides, will therefore be reoerarnended. This affords
a pretty commentary on tho free trade doctrine,
whose advocates denounce the present tariff as a
high tariff, because it was made to afford inciden
ts! protection lo our mnnufactureie and mechanics,
Hie free trade odvecstes ask the imposition of
qual or ad rafurem duties taxing lb poor man's
coflee and tea as much as the rich man's wines and
silks. Now, those in favi of a protective Tariff apk
no higher duties than will be necessary for the ex
penses of government, but they ask that these du
ties be so adjusted, that our mechanics and manu
facturers are saved from lire compeliiion of foreign
pauper labor, while (hey are willing Ibat necessa
ries, such as tea, coffee, Ac, things rtvil we cannot
produce, should pay but a low duty, or come in en
tirely free. We ask what democrst in Pennsylva- I
nia would not approve this doctrine t (t is the I
doctrine advocated by Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, ,
,. , , , ., . .. . . . . .
lien. Jackson and other distinguished democrats, t
, . ti r , ,
A doctrine siiatained by rery tieeand tintrsmns U !
, , , , r i . , .i .
led kuiihJ, Cupable A hiiJers4 jitjiug the subject. j
Xj- The aii(;le. of ihe face 4"ae different races of '
inniAiiid.r.UeJ ibe farud u iJim. .il-.l !
by l)r. tmith :
Caucasian race ia
Asiatic
A mrrk an Indian
Ethiopian
Ourang Outnng
nr.
74
70
f.7
decrees.
fhe dinK-mnons of the Cam ,s;,u. be.nl are :
87 cubic ilichcs
Of the As:atic Hi
The Monogolian and MuUy HI
Tlie Ainer'csri Indian 80
And tbe Ethiopian. 73
JIISCEIUXY.
Kttitvrlnl, Condensssl and Selected.
The average annual amount of coinage in the
world amounts ts f 78.818,000.
Hume ssys.tlie only dUeovery f.sr whk-h we are
indebted lo the Macks, is (he drnm.
Mr. T. 8. Smith, Collector of Philadelphia, is to
muiie way for the Hon. George M. Keim.
Tlie New Orleans Courii r stales that the amount
of specie in the vaults of ten of the UaiAs of that
city onthettith u!t. was f3.H00,02?.
Swiel potatoes are selling at CI cents per peck
in Charleston.
A TiHter was recently fl.igged in Connecticut,
fur crowing on Sunday.
Mr. McDuffte, it is tbought, will lie elec'ed U.
S. Senator fr.su South t'arahna.
There is a man in Buckinchun unty Va
j who has a wife who weighs 373 pounds! Oh t
Thunder.
Ninety-four font of poultry wrre tnken to the
Itoston Miiket from lib d 1-Uinl about thanks
giving time.
A man nunid Daniel Jmith, a native of Scot
land, died in New Voik on Sundiy aged 103
years.
The Fev. Theodr.re Parser siys, " wc are a
grave and very solier people; we have no national
amusement, except banking and the credit system.
f-i'nVnjce roiiiar. As an evidence of Alexan
der's irissnily, it is said be paid a man be was in
debted to, whilst on board tha stramtroat, one hum
died and revenly-five dollais. The New York Au
rora now considers h is insanity unquestionable.
The 8Mamship ColumUa, at Boston, brought
$372 000 in specia !
Fflrsris in Aeto Jrrsty. Tlie Trenton G.irelte
savs: Land commands at this time in this vicinity
a fuir (Nice, notwithstsnding the limes. Farms
have been sold lately a few miles from Trent m
for sume whicli, judges say, are about equal lo their
value.
Mnwjitrnt Subserijitiott. Fifty thousand dol
lars have tieen subscribed for the use of Amherst
College. Mr. J hn Tappan of Hot ton gave 1000,
and others very considerable suma.
A Fire put out hy ixidii n. The house of James
Kellogg, at Cleveland. Ohio, caught tire lately, and
the flame were fuWlned by a riuiiiter of ladies,
wlio exerted iheinselvea in throwing water upon
them, while the men stood idly gating on.
lit Pnirr jireparr fur War. Mr. R. L Stevens I spots ot blood upon (be bands, as well as (he fact
is experimenting at Burlington or. the means of ol the handle of the instrument vibrating in con
constructing and propelling floating batteries for j sequence of the spring being broken, I arrived at
harbor defences.
7Tie Cineiiifurfi Oufragr lias undergone investi
gation by an ecclesiastical tribunal. The ill treat
ment of (he oki lady at the hands of tier children
has l-ecn proven. A report is soon to lie published.
A Urtnt Shut. A Cook, Iq., ol Williamsburg,
L. I., while on a gunning excursion one day Lit
week, shot an esgle us il wsa flying oer, with a
single bull, at the enormous distance of 260 yards.
Tere wers I68,05t lbs., or about 94 tons of
tut'sics, chickens, &e. brought from Rhole Islsnd
to Boston, on the Boston and Piovidence Railroad,
about thanksgiving time. This poultry sold fur
12c;s. per pound, or 1 23,596,37.
Ptxariia Pnsjiovitsio!!. The Indianapolis
Sentinel of ihe 28lh uli. announces tho following
occurrence which Paraon Miller may very poasibly
consider (he 'beginning of the end' :
We are informed by a gentleman who has re.
cently visited tbe place, that a suhterrinran fire hss
been mging in Putnam County for several weeks.
It has extended under a space of some acres of
ground, tbotit one and a half or two miles south of
Manhattan ; snd the timber had eommenet j fail
ing in ev.-ry & r, crion on the inl'eu, d district.'
Where the earth has fallen in, il bus left openings
throiitfb which smoke is-ue con-tant'y. Vatious
ciusea for Ihe hennmsnon are given ; but (he
most reasonahle seems (o be (lists vein of coal,
with which he country abounds hss become ig
nitrd from aom cause, pethips lightning.
rtT MOflTKM KXAMtXATlOX Of J.0.
t COIj'I'.
Toiht Editort nftht N. V. Commtrcini AJvef
liner.
GsirTttMK -Having been ons of the wilnM
es exsmlnnt before ihe coroner's inquest in the case
of John C. Colt, 1 have frequently been appealed
to, and by some of the most respectable of our lei
low chitens, to inform them, if there was any doubt
as ii his death ; and as rumors are In circulation
throughout the country as well as ihe city, as to
his actual demise, I feH myself called upon to fur
nish such facts asc.itne within my own knowledge,
which,! trust, will he quite safRcienl to bsniah all
doubt uptMi (he subject. In tha first place I will
state that I per onaly kirsw tha s ltd Jodn C. Colt,
ami visited him in his cell in the city prison, upon
three several occasions, and conversed wiih him,
alone, for half an hour at a liiaa, both before and
afti r he was sentenced.
In one of these conversations, ha told mr that
he never w.mld be hanged, from which t inferred
thst sooner than submit lo the ignominy of tho gil.
tnwra h 111! n.l.wl iC nmil,!. . ,11. l. Ulm
. ,'..'
hsnd. iJemg invited by the Sh.vitr to lie present
...
at the execution, I visited tbe iirison early on the
' J
niornmg of the ISth, when I learned that the
'
hour bad been nntporid untd 4 o'cl nk, P. M.
'v'" pfofr'"10"'1' engagements, I Ifft tbe prison
a"J returned at half past one, I wss then in-
luced by circumstances to remain within the hall
1 l'r'snni where my rosition afforded me the
opportunity of seeing every person wh i might ei
ther go in orc-ne oat ef thecdl where Colt was
coiifineih
I l"1 ,wo 4"" 11 ,n"ra 10
I .1 1 : Jt . . : ! i . ,.. ,
sin-nn nisi inn prisoner migm possiniy uisips
point him, be diree'ed the deputy sheriff to enter
his cell and see if all was right. The order was
immediately oln-yed, and on returning he reported
that he stvw nothing to awaken th least suspicion.
Tlie prisoner was walkiug up and down his cell,
and wss perfectly calm and collected. Tbe doot
was not agfiin opened until about ten minutes be.
fore 4 o'clock, when the Kcv. Dr. Ambon entered,
followed by the Sheiiff. Ottsrrvirig the reverend
genilomsn to return almost immediately from the
cell, apparently quite overcome. I immediately
conjectured that an important event had takea
plncr. I ran up the stai' and entered the cell,
when I beheld -tohn C. Colt, prevrou'ly known to
me, upon his bed, lying at full length upon his
ba.-k.
He w as dressed as he had !ecn during the day,
iu his dressing gown, pmhtloi, ftc, bul wss
perfectly lifeless. He had destroyed himself with
a danger which he hud himself thrust into his hear.
His head was inclined lo the Lift side, with the
mouth open ; his countenance was natural but
very pa'id ; the left arm touched the lied at the eU
j bow, wiih the hand reposing on the body.
The
J n'-nt "nt lay on the b. d, with the hind resting on
the body a little a'-ove the right hip; his legs were
extended. So (HTfcctly easy wss his attitude, and
so calm his expression of countenance, that at the
first glance one might readily imngine be had for
gotten the awful f te awa ting bim ; and had fallen
into a sweet s'rep; I at the stain of blood upw the
hands, and the h mdlo of the fatal dagger p njectin;
from his bieist, too jifaialy told ih it it was the
sleep of death.
After feeling for the poise at the wrist and find
ing none, I look hold of the haa lie of the instru
ment, which had entered the brea between the
fnuith ami fif h fibs, and found that it was fastened
to a frrm substance which conld be nothing but the
heart itself. I did not distnib ii, as lliejuy was
so soon to be convened lo make such examinati n
as the case required. That the act had been one of
calm dclilieration may he inferred from the fact that
he had, with some sharp instrument, removed a
circular portion, about two inches in diameter, of
his waiscoat and under garments, leaving the
breast immediately beneath perfectly exposed. Not
mire linn stable sp lOiifal of blood had escaped ex
lernslly, as ihe daager occupied the entire wound,
having penetrated lo (he widest part of (he blade,
which was between fiur and five inches in length ;
both bands were marked with several spots of blood
sprinkled upon them, as if from (he first jet of a
small artery (probably the intercostal) the small
est spots were quite dry, tho larg-r were dry at the
margin only ; (lie hands and bikly were wjnn,
but not as warm as ia life.
Taking into cons deration the circumstances of
ihe reduced warmth of the body, of the dried
the follow ing couc'usioua : First, that the deed
tnu-t luve been co omitted at three o'clock, or un
mediately after. Secondly, that the instrument
was thrust in cr pushed by both hinds, and not by
a slab. I am sustained in the belief that both
han'ls wrr ns. J, by (he fac( that no spots of bio, id
Were disco'-eiable upon the dress in the direction
in mhich the hands were found ; besides, the vi
briting hsndle of lb instrument would require both
h inds to steady it and direct it according te the in
tention of the individual. As no other farts could
l observed, all farther investigation was deferreu
by lire coroner, who, causing all to retire, locked
the body up in the cell until a jury eould be con
vened, which was done at 7 o'clock that evening,
when Doctor McComb, (bysician to the city prison
and myself, made a post-mortem examination ia
the hsli ofthe prison, and in the presence of Urs.
Wilkes, Rogers, Vsche, and othets, and at leist a
hundred citizens, We laid open the raviiies of
the chest and abdomen, and removed the heart wiih
the dak'g.r.
j It had entered the cavity of the chet on the left
i ''..le as bef re stated, between the fourth and fifili
ribs, and penetrated the hratt in the centre, trans
fixing tbe It ft ventricle. The heart was firmly con
tracted upon the instrument, and probably never
again dilated after il had been pierced, when death
must hsve immediately followed. The pericardium
or rnvelopeinent of the hrart was filled with clotted
blood, perhaps to (he amount ef a pint snd a half,
which must have escaped by ihe aids of ths blade.