Our Prospects.
Our country great a it in in comparison
with almost any on earth, is yet in iiti infancy.
Its resources, instead of being developed, are
scarctdy yet imagined by the majority, and dim
ly foreseen by the far-seeing few. With great
er capacity for sustaining human life in comfort
than all Europe, it is yet comparatively a wil
derness Europe contains about two hundred
and fitly millions or people the United States
about twenty millions of all kinds, and about
fifteen millions of free white population. Vet
are the United States, from the Northern boun
dary to the Gulf of Mexico, and frimthe At
lantic to the Pacific Ocean, capable of feeding,
clothing and sheltering more people than all
Europe. I low mighty are the destinies of our
country ! Its mission has hardly begun ! This
mission will be a mission ot peace and civiliza
tion, through the instruments of agricnluire,
commerce and manufactures. We shall feed
and clothe millions in regions where the Amer
ican name is now scarcely known.
However great ore the resources of the U
nited States for commerce and manuftictures,
the foundation ot all their prosperity, all their
greatness, is agriculture ; and however richly
freighted American ships are and will bo wilh
the produce of manufacturing industry, yet the
produce of the soil isand always will be the prin
cipal foundation of American national wealth.
The flour, beef, pork, butter and cheese of the
United Slates will find markets, and speedily
too, among the millions to whom the American
name is yet unknown, and among whom the
light of civilization has not yet shoue. Some
political economists regard our commerce with
England as more important than that wi'h nil
the rest of the world, especially to our agricul
ture. They are indeed obliged to admit that,
with the exception of cotton, England has taken
little from our soil for the last irjirty year. But
they add that as wiser counsels are beginning
to prevail in the British Government, the Eng
ligh and Scottish manufactures will soon be fed
with the produce of our soil, and will therefore
receive it in great quantities. Admitting all
this for the sake of argumt nt, though we do not
believe it will become an extensive reality, we
still say that as a market for our provisions,
England will sink into significance in compari
Hon wi'.h some other that time will furnish.
The agriculture ot the British Isles will not
fall below its present standard, while British
manuf ic'ures and commerce maintain their pre
sent rank. If the corn laws be abolished, and
British ports be opened to foreign produce, the
English landholder must reduce his rents ; and
that is all the change in English agriculture
which such change of policy will produce. It
will not diminish English cultivation or produc
tion ;and hence whatever immediate advantage
such change of polxy will confer on American
agriculture, will not be of long duration. There
fore whoever regards the British Isles as a per
manent market for our agriculture, will be dis
appointed. The rest of Europe will never be
fed from our fields.
Where, then, shall we find permanent mar
kets 1 The answer is, in Asia and A'rica. In
India, China, and the western regions of Africa
In regions which, however tertile in sugar,
coffee, rice, indigo, tea, and other produce of
warm regions, will not furnish flour and salted
provisions. The time will come when the
flour, and heef'and pork of the Middle and
Western Slates will be transported to Africa
to feed the civilized millions employed in culti
voting sugar and coffee. And the time will
also come, and soon, when tho Hindoo and the
Chinese, occupied in cultivating cotton, rice,
indigo, surrar, coffee and tea, will consume A
merican flour, beef, pork, lard and tubacco. In
this view of the case, while. African civiliza
tion is highly important to us the occupation of
Oregon is still more so. When American set
tlements clinll extend from the Mississippi to
the Pacific, as they will, and a great city shall
rise ut the mouth of the Columbia, our steam
ship will leuvo that port laden wilh agricultu
ral produce for India and China. Thetlmdoo
and Chinese consume rice because their lands
do not produce wheut. But whenever they can
exchange their own produce for our flour, as
they will, the cultivation of rice will decline or
tease. Our tobacco w ill bj substituted for o
pium, our flour and other provisions for rice,
uud the rich productions of Asia and Africa will
yet be exchanged for the agriculture of the U
nited States. I'iila. Ledger.
Progress of the Wear.
We are surprised that our statesmen and sta
tisticians, have not of late years, paid more at
tention to tht riipiillj increasing progress in
wealth and populationof the ridi and mighty
west. The census, properly analyzed, would
tell the story in a clear and distinct manner. It
is indeed quite plain that in the course ofa few
year, the we-t will possess in its own hands
the controlling power of the whole country.
Emigrants by thousand') and tens of thousands,
continue to pour into that portion of the Union,
not only from the Old World, but from the Old
States ; while the moment that the Oregon is
formally taken possession of by the nation, a
new impulse will be given to the lido of emi
gration new and daring enterprises will be
formed, and hundreds of adventurous fumilies
will move off for what will be regarded for a
time as a new hind of promise. We shall then
have agitation as to the removal of the seat of
Government; which cannot, as it seems to us,
much longer remain at Washington. And yet
our short-sighted politicians are going on wi'.h
new buildings, &c. in that city, as if the Union
were stationary in its population, prospects and
character, and ns if the representatives from the
far west, would consent to travel thousand of
miles for the pmpose of arriving at a point by
no means central.
Yre perceive that the New York Mirror has
commenced a scries of articles on this subject.
In one of them, it is stated that at the next
census, two-th'rds of the population of the U
nited Stales will be found West of the meridian
of Washington, and that, from that period, the
controlling political power of the country will
be even West of the Mountains.
In another, it is affiimed that more than
one Hunt ot the Middle Mates, and all the
Southern, except a comparative inconsiderable
fnction,are West of the meridian ot the Na
tional Capital. In 1840, these regions compri
sed five-eighths of our seventeen millions of
people ; w hich proportion will he raised to two
thirds in 1850, by the certain laws of the com
parative increase ot the WeL
It is clear therefore, that the West must
soon possess the controlling power of the coun
try. The subject is an interesting one, and de
serves lobe reflected upon. Iiivk. Rep.
THE AMERICAN. .
Saturday, ftb. I, 1845.
t. U. I'.l 171 Kit, Eiq., mt hit Heal Km
taU and Coal Office, ,U 69 I fit Street, Vht
latlrtphla, U author! trd la act as Jlfent, ard
receipt tor all monies due thit fftrf, for tub
tcrtptlnn or advert lain g.
Jttmt. at hit OfTtct JVo. I GO .Vwmoh Street
.Mw IV.
CCTTho editor is still absent from his post, at
Harrisburg. In the next column our reader
will find a letter from him, giving an account of
some of the proceedings at the Capitol.
ET" On our first p:ige we have placed a com
munication of considerable length, from ".
coming," purporting to give a history of the dif
ficulties thtit have for the last ten years distracted
the democratic purty of Lycoming county, and,
as one of the consequences, the late defeat of
Gen. Pctrikin for Congress. Without exprcs
sing any opinion of our own, in regard to the
correctness of the views of the writer, we have
only to say that the communication is from a
highly respectable source, and is therefore enti
tled to a place in our columns. We shall, of
course, accord to Gen. Petrikin, er his friends,
the same privilege. Personally, we know no
thing of these difficulties, or to whom we should
attribute our lute disastrous defeat in the thir
teenth congressional district. Certain it is, that
Lycoming county did not perform what we had
a right to expect from her ; but whose the fault,
or what were the causes, is not for us to settle.
Dollars ano Cints. When shall we have
an American currency ! It is more than sixty-
eight years since we declared our independence
ofa foreign power, and fifty-eight years since
Federal money was established by Concress.
We are yet, however, subject to the evils of a
mixed currency, partly foreign, and pnrt'y do
mestic, which, for its variety of values given to
particular mimes, is even more embiirraising in
commercial transactions than the uniform cur
rency of England. It is time that a national
pride, as well as sound sense, had banished from
our stores and counting-rooms such foreign arid.
to us, antiquated terms, as pounds, shillings, and
pence, and that our simplo republican nomen
cloture were submitted in their place. Mer
chants can effect this change. Let me appeal
to them to begin this patriotic this national
work. When asked the price of their goods,
let them give the price in dollars and cents, and
not oblige their customers to translate their
shillings and pence into something they can un
derstand. And the difficulty is increased in pissing
tromone Mate to another. Let a .Aew lor Her
travel into Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or
Georgia, and he might as well lie in the Ger
man States almost, fur the shilling has a differ
ent value in each of these Slates. In New
York, North Carolina, and Ohm, there are eight
shillings in a dollar, but in the New England
States, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee,
there are but six. In the former a shilling is
equivalent to twelve and a half cents, in the
latter to sixteen and two-t birds. Each contains
also a fractional number. Go into Pennsylva
nia, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, and
you find that seven shillings and six pence make
a dollar, while in Georgia, and South Carolina,
the dollar, our money ur.it, has the representa
tive value ot four sh llings and eight pence.
When shall the evils of r-ur colonial legirlation
cease 1 The people c:ill for a reform. E' t
mercantile practice and legis-lalion, if need be,
unite in eflorts to accomplish this work, and let
the press agitule and agitate until we obtain a
uniform and purely American currency through
out the m hole Union. .V. Y. Tribune.
Tiik Two KoenituN Comet. The new
comet seen in thu Gulph of Mexico, and the
Mauvaia' second comet, were both observeJ on
Sunday night last, by Professor Kcndalf and
his assistants, at the High School Observatory.
The new cunet is about 10 deg. South of the
constellation of the hue. 11 is now moving
about :) deg. E. N. E. It is visible to the naked
eye after twilight in the evening as a faint I
white clmid, in the S 8. W., about fifteen de
grees high. It differs from all other comets on
record, except that ot 123, in having two tails,
one reaching from the comet towards the sun,
and the other in an opposite direction. They
m-iy be seen in a good seaman's night glass
Philu. Ledger.
E7On .Wednesday, the Message of Gov. Shunk
in relation to the payment of the interest, was
sent to the Legislature. It was immediately read.
The Governor, after giving the details of our re
ceipts and expenditures, comes to the conclusion
that if the interest that falls due to-day be paid
now, there will not be enough to meet the inte
rest due in August, and although he does not say
so, he seems to think the permanent payment of
interest cannot yet be resumed.
D3The "Luzerne Democrat," is the title of
a new paper, publishedat Wilkesbarre, by Levi
1 ate, J-.sq. .'Mr. J ate will, Irom his ejepenence
in conducting a paper, make the "Democrat"
valuable sheet.
Canal Commission. The last Harris
burg Argus contains a communication recom
mending Howard Y. Brioiit, Esq., as a candi
date for the office of Canal Commissioner. Mr.
Bright has great experience in the construction
and management ofonr public improvements,
and his experience and ability, joined to his in
defatigable industry and perseverance, admirably
fit him for the office. We are not aware when
or how the nomination of a candidate for this
office will be made, but when it is made, North
ern Pennsylvania will claim to be represented
in the P,oard of Canal Commissioners, and she
cannot put forward a candidate more experienced
and better qualified than Mr. Bright.
KStav Law. We observe that a bill has
been reported in the Senate for the reprnl of the
law of ISO, relative to executions, commonly
called "the stay law." We are glad to see this
move, for the law in question has produced more
mischief, tl an the t iri oniry evil that it was in
tended to remedy. Gov. Miunk, in his Inaugural
Address, remarks that "that paiticular mischief
should be corrected by general, rather than by
special laws." This is a maxim, as true in fact
as it is sound in political economy, and we hope
our Legislature will in future be guided by it,
for,' we verily believe, that no State in the Uni
on is more injured by special legislation than
Pennsylvania. This everlasting legislating for
particular classes, instead of the State at large,
is selfish, narrow-minded and short-sighted. This
law making for a part icular cad, or for the ben-
fit of one class of our citizens, very often at the
xpense of another, has induced the people to
think "the world is governed too much," and very
geneially eventuate in irremediable mischief
and injustice. All kinds of quacks area nui
sance, but none of them do so much mischief as
quack Legislators, for their nostrums operate up
on a whole community.
Thin Shoes ard Consumption. Noticing
an article w ith this title, the Bridgetoii, N. J.
Chronicle says, "Let parents look well to this
matter ; let them see that their daughters wear
god thick shoes and stockings, during Cold and
damp weather. Let them compare their own
thick boots, with the low, thin shoes of their
daughters, and they will more fully realize the
insufficiency of the latter. And let the ladies
not suppose that a sensible man is more pleased
with a pale and feeble woman, than with one
blooming with health, vigor and beauty with
a small foot than a Lood judgment. For the one
who is over anxious about llin former, must ccr
tainly have an insufficiency of tho latter."
A IUr "lirad fur a DurafWr- won
eterday shown, mya a Philadelphia paper, the
tamest rat I'm I wo ever did see ! it measured
iw.it el trout end of noe to tip of tail, nine,
meli.'a arn'iml the body, ami was caught by G
W. Myers, at Cha. 1Higstreib'a Paper Stain
ing Factory, I.a Grange Place. Printers have
a decided aversion to rut, but the one men
tioned above is at least respocluble in size, and
deserves a passing uoticc.
The Iondoii Medical Gazette contains a long
article from the pens ot I)i. Hastings and Mr
It. Sti rks, sureeons, descriptive ofa remarks'
ble operation for the cure of consumption, by
tho perforation of tho cavity of the lung
through the walls of the chest. The cure is
described lis being cnnpletc.
Tall L.riRi A New York paper says that
tall ladies invariably prefer short men. An ex
change thinks this an error, and observe that no
woman objects to Hy-min
Extract of a Lcttrr from the Editor, dated 1
Harrisd'jro, Jan. 38.
The great course of strangers brought together
here by the Inauguration, has thinned down to
the ordinary number of spectators, borers, and
office hunters, whose claims have not yet been
acted on. On Saturday last, the nomination of
Judge Burnsidc to the Supreme Bench was act
ed on in the Senate. Mr. Champneys, of Lancas
ter, and Mr. Sterigere, of Montgomery, indirectly
opposed the confirmation, by recommending the
passage of an act to reduce the number ef Judges
to three. Some of the friends of the Judge re
commended as another important measure of re
form, the abolition of the District Court of Lan
caster. This seemed to reconcile these gentle
men, in some degree, to the appointment, and the
nomination was confirmed by a vote ot 31 to 1.
Mr. Cornman (Native) voting against the Judge,
because he was not a native of the soil. Judge
Burnsidc is of Irish birth, and came to this coun
try when about 10 years of age. He has the re
putation of being an able Judge and an honest
man.
The bill to suspend the payment of the princi
pal of the domestic creditors, for the purpose of
paying the interest on the State debt, passed
both houses and has become a law. There was
a considerable flare up in the Senate on Monday,
in consequence of the appointment of Dr. Seth
Salisbury, as State Librarian, by the joint com
mittee, on Saturday last. The appointment was
received with some surprise, and has given but
little satisfaction. In the Senate a motion was
made, on Monday, to elect the Librarian for 3
years. One of the Senators also stated that when
the Doctor was removed from the office of Li
brarian, a f?w years since, he retained violent
possession of the keys, and refused to give them
up until a bonus ot $.100 was voted him by the
legislature.
There was great excitement in consequence of
the arrest of a negro, in this place, on Friday
night last, by two men, who attempted to carry
him to Maryland. He has resided here dining
the last six or seven years past, and was a kind
of preacher among them. He was caught near
the Capitol about dark, dragged to a livery stable
and gagged. They were about starting with him
when some people of color gave the alarm. A
crowd soon collected and he was put to jail, on
the charge of being a slave as well as on a charge
of larceny, for stealing a horse and gig in Mary
land. The jail was besieged all n -xt day. But
on a hearing, the negro was discharged.
That interminable question of the removal of
the seat of Justice from Danville to Bloomsburg,
brought down, on Saturdry, a delegation from
Danville. The war will soon commence. Our
Danville friends think that the justice of their
cause will again enable them to triumph.
The Canal Commissioners have made nearly
all their appointments. The greatest case of
difficulty before them was the apxintment of
Supervisor ol the West Branch Division and Col
lector at Williamsport. The two divisions of
the democratic party of Lycoming, had a hear
ing before the Canal Board, on Friday the 2tth
inst. The room was crowded and three speeches
on each side were made. The history of the poli
tical quarrels of the county, for the lust ten
years was gone into, and on Tuesday last, the
old incumbents, Tims. Iicnnet and John B. Beck,
were re-appointed.
We are pleased to hear of the re-appointment
of our friend, Mr. John Youngnian, as Collector
at Northumberland. Not the least of Mr. Young
man's recommendations was his obliging disposi-
tion, and the faithful discharge of his duties. Mr. I
Warner, the present Weigh Master, w as also re
appninted without opposition. An evidence that
the people are well satisfied with him.
The question of our next Canal Commissioner
is already being agitated. There seems to be
a general disposition to select, as our next candi
date, a gentleman of acknowledged integrity of
character and confirmed business habits, and
from what I can learn from all quarters, the o
pinion is almost unanimous in favor of Col. Henry
C. Fyer, the present Senator from Union, Juni
uta and Perry.
In the Senate, to-day, theie was an animated
debate upon the question of resuming the Beaver
division of the Hrie extension canal. The legis
lature of 18 13, very unwisely granted a charter
to the Erie Canal Company, and gave opto the
Company unfinished works that had cost the
State upwards of four millions, when it would
require less than half a million to finish the
Canal.
The weather on Monday and Tuesday last was
asmild and pleasant as the palmiest daysof Sep
tember or October.
C7" Milton Brown's Bill roa rttz Annex
ation or Texas Passed oi Satirdai nr the
House. The following bill for annexing Texas
to the U nion, passed the House of Congress on
Saturday last, by a small majority. What action
the Senate will take on it, is not yet known. It
is as follows :
Joint Resolution declaring the term on which
Congrent will admit Texan into the
Union a a Stale.
Sec. 1 Resolved, by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United Statas of America,
in Congress assembled, That Congress doth con
sent that tho territory properly included within,
and rightfully belonging to the republic of Tex
as, may be erected into a new State, to be called
the State of Texas, with a republican form of
government, to be adopted by the people of said
republic, by deputies in convention assembled,
with the consent of the existing government, in
order that the same may be admitted as one of
the States of this Union.
Sec. 2. And bo it further resolved, That the
foregoing consent of Congress is given upon the
following conditions, and with the following
guarantees, to wit :
First. Said State to be formed, subject to the
adjustment by this government of all questions
of boundary that may arise with other govern
ments; and the constitution thereof, with the
proper evidence of its adoption by the people of
said republic of Texas, shall be transmitted to
the President of the United States, to be laid be
fore Congress for its final action, on or before
the first day of January, one thousand eight hun
dred and forty-six.
Second. Said State, when admitted into the U
nion, after ceding to the U. States all mins,
minerals, salt lakes and springs, and also all pub
lic edifices, fortifications, barracks, ports ami
harbors, navy and navy yards, docks, magazines.
arms armaments, and all other property and
means pertaining to the public defence, belong
ing to said republic of Texas, shall retain all tho
public funds, debts, taxes, and dues of every kind
which may belong to, or be due and owing said
republic; and shall also retain all the vat ant ami
unappropriated lands lying within its limits, to
be applied to the payment of the debts and lia
bilities of said republic of Texas; ami the
residue of said lands, alter discharging said
debts and liabilities, to be disposed of as said
State may direct; but in no event are said debts
and liabilities tobecome a charge upon the go
vernment of the U. States.
Third. New States, of convenient size, and
having sufficient population, may hereafter, by
the consent of said State.be formed out of the
territory theieof, which sball be entitled to ad
mission under the provisions of the federal con
stitution. And such States as maybe formed
out of that portion of territory lying south of 3fi
degrees 30 minutes north latitude, commonly
known as the Missouri compromise line, shall
be admitted into the Union, with or without
slavery, as the people of each State asking may
desire.
Thi Texas Qcmtioh has assumed a shape
by tho recent vote for annexation, which ren
dera a tittle speculation as to the probable result
not inopportune. The question is now will
Texas herself come in! Her assent has not
been expressed formally to that effect pending
the incipient measure of annexation by Con
gress. But we think she will come into the
confederacy, if the final assent depends upon
her. Gen. Almonte, the Mexican Minister,
when it was officially declared that there would
be no war with Mexico if Texas were annexed,
left New York, (to which place he has with
drawn since the mpditated set of annexation,)
and proceeded to Washington, to state that there
would be war if the measure were consumma
ted. According to him, Mexico will positively
declare war against the United States if Texas
be brought into the Union. We doubt it, how
ever. Mexico cannot afford to po to war with
he United States. It is, in our view, a vain
hope for her to expect an alliance with England
or France. Each of those countries knows too
well her own interest to declare hostilities a
gainst the United States for the sike and inter
ests of a foreign State like Mexico. The lat
ter country wou'd hive to contest single hand
ed wilh the United States, and the re-suit would
probably he the landing at Vera Cruz ofa largo
American force, (which could bo Pasily raised,)
and a descent thence to the city of Mexico. We
have no particular fears of a war with Mexico,
and if there should be any, it must, in the na
ture of events, btj brought to a speedy termina
tion. Ledger.
Rrwon IX Texts. The Clarkesville (Tex
as,) Northern Siand.ird, of the 20' h n't., says :
"We have seen a letter, dated the 11th inst..
from the Hon. Wm. II. Bourland, in which he
s'tttes that propositions! are before Congress,
from the Governments of France and England
to have our independence immediately ac
kuowledi'ed by Mex;co, if we will withdraw
our application for annexation to the Unite;
States, and pledge ourselves not to renew it."
The Texas Qu estion. The vote in the House,
on Saturday, on the Texas question, gives, we
see, the following result, viz : 8 northern states,
a majority of 31 ngninit the measure; S middle
states, a majority of 3 m furor of it ; 5 southern
states, a majority of 30 in favor, and f western
states, a majority of 10 in fivnr of it. The whole
then stands thus : 11S for Texas, OS against it,
and A members absent. Only the north is oppos
ed to annexation, or rather, only Maine, Ver
mont, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire
and Massachusetts, tix Suites out of the twenty
Arrest or Bcrolars in Pottsvillk. Two
uirgtars, one an old prison bird, were arrested
ast week at Pottsville, in an abandoned coal
drift, where they had taken up quarters and de
posited the fruits of their depiadutions.
A Convent at Poi savillf.. The Anthracite
Gazette says it is rumored, upon positive anil se
cure foundation, that the Uomun Catholic Church
at that place has been endeavoring to establish
a Convent there.
Hari.v Commencement of Farmino Opera-
tions In Lancaster the farmers have com
menced ploughing their corn ground, the wea
ther having all the mildness of the opening spring.
Pennsylvania LsuisLATrsit. There are 48
farmers in our State Legislature, 21 attorneys,
8 merchants, 0 mechanics, A physicians, 3 teach
ers. Thu remainder are of various professions.
In the House, composed as it is of one hundred
persona, there is the extraordinary number ef
twenty-two bachelors, the greater poition of
whom are gray headed.
A National Focnpry at Rkapino. The
Phila. Ledger says a public meeting was held at
Reading, Berks county, last week, to adopt mea
sures for urging upon the immediate attention
of Congress the decided advantages which Read
ing possesse as a site lor tne locaiion oi a na
tional Foundry. Congress has determined upon
the establishment of two National Foundries, one
in the South and another in the Noitr?,and the
Committee appointed for the purpose has alrea
dy reported in favor of F.astou as the place for
locating the latter. A committee was appoint
ed at the meeting to go to Washington and show
the superior advantages that Reading possesses
for the location of such an establishment.
Brinoino oct the Bio Gpks. One hundred
guns were to be fired on the 27th ult., in the
Park, New York, in honor of the passage of the
annexation resolution by the House.
Statistics of tiik Schclkill Coal Region.
The Miners' Journal furnishes some interest
ing facts in connection with the coal operations
in that county. It says, few persons out of that
region are acquainted with the necessity which
exists in many instances, for mining below the
water level, and the consequently enormous out
lays for steam engines and machinery, and the
heavy expenses constantly accruing for raising
the coal aad draining the Mines. There are al
ready 02 Collieries below the water level, and
41 engines employed in pumping, ra'sing and
breaking coal, with an aggregate horse power of
1278. A horse power is calculated as equivalent
to the strength of eight able-bodied men a man
ordinarily labors but 10 hours in the 21 ; but the
engines can, and some of them do, inn day and
night; consequently they can perform, for each
horse power, an amount of work equal to the la
bor of lGmen, and an aggregate of work equal to
the labor of 20,448 men every 24 hours. The
cost of these engines, pumps, and the necessary
mrchineiy will not fall much short of 1250,000,
and the consumption of coal will amount to 40,-
000 tons per annum. 1 he whole consumption or
coal in this region, during the last year, is esti
mated at 100,000 tons.
Boston Post-office The new Royal Mail
Steamship Cambria arrived at Boston on Friday
morning, about 7 "clock, and her mails were re
ceived at the post-office twenty minutes past nine.
She brought despatches lrom the secretary oi
Legation, 35,000 letters, and 125 bushels of
newspapers, being the largest English mail ever
received, excepting by the Acadia in 1810. This
vast amount of mail matter was assorted, distri
buted, remailed, and delivered in the shsrt time
of three hours and a half.
Illinois. The legislature af Illinois has beer
a good deal disturbed by petition, praying tha'
the blacks may be denied the right of voting, an'
ol intermarriate with whites. A committe re
ported in favor of such a petition, and the Hou
of Representatives approved of it, wilhor.ly fou
dissentients. These four the next day repentei
and asked to change their votes. In ord t to ai
them a resolution was introduced, as follows :
'Resolved, That we think the laws probibi'
ing the intermarriage of whites and blacks ougii
not to be repealed, and that free negroes ought
not to be allowed to vote."
Upon the adoption of this resolution the yea
and nays were demanded, and every member pre
sent, including the four who had voted contiary
recorded his vote in favor of its passage.
Interest of tiik State Debt of Illinois
In the Illinois Legislature the Committee on Fi
nance have made a report, and introduced bill
for the purpose of paying the interest on th
State debt. The present State tax is 15 cents o
every hundred dollars worth of property, an
the committee propose to double that tax imme
itiately, and gradually to increase it every yea
till it becomes ten times as gr 'at as it now ii
Rkfi seo ins Petition. The Rhode Tslar
I.esiislatnre have refused to trant the petition (
Sullivan Dorr, for leave to visit his son. Tl,
report of the committee to which the petitio
was referred was accompanied by leMers froi
the Warden and Physician of the Prison, contr:
dieting the old gentlemen's statement as to b.
son's health.
An.ioi rneii. The General Assembly of Rhor
Island adjourned last Satuiday, after a s-ssion o
three weeks. A committee was appointed I
prepare a full and accurate history of the lato re
volution, and to report to the General Assembly
Changing- her Name. In the Missouri Legis
lature a petition was presented from certain pa
rents in St. Louis to change the name of thei
daughter from Georgians Frelinghuyseii to Mar
tha Jane Dallas.
Mr, Ci.ingman, who fought Mr. Yancey, i
expected to have plenty of that kind of busines
on hand probably will have to fight the whoh
"Empire Club," at least so Washington letter
writers in some of the papers say. One pape
says Mr C left Washington city on Saturda'
for Baltimore to fulfil one engagement of tr'
kiil.
Tn Cabinet. A correspondent ol the
Charleston Courier disposes of the Cabinet as
follows; Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State;
Mr. Ellmore, of South Carolina, Secretary of the
Treasury ; Mr. Saunders, of North Carolina,
Tostmaster General ; Mr. Walker, his choice to
anything left. A New Yorker and a New Eng
landman to have the other Secretaryships.
That Coach. The coach that was built to
carry Henry Clay to the White House, ha had
its name changed to the "President," and is on
its way to take Mr Polk to that estabHshment
Si ah Palters. The Boston Mercanti
Journal states that, according to the returns cc
lected and digested by Mr. Palfrey, the Secretar
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ol th
6,01.0 State paupers for the year ending 1st Ntf
vember, lb 14, 2.R0S are foreigners.
Gambling It seems strange, says the Ledger,
after the exposure of the tricks and devices of
gamblers for winning the money of theii dopes,
that so many persons will allow themselves to
be seduced into play. A late number of the Li
verpool Mercury says that in the gaming-houses
in that town, recently broken into by the police,
false dice were found among the gaming imple
ments seized, and the brass divisions of the rou
lette tables were found to be so contrived as to
obstruct the ball at the will of the manager. It
has been repeatedly shown that the cards are so
maiked that a professed gambler can tell them
at a glance.
Pkookeks or Tkmi'Eance. There are, at tht
present time, one hundred and twenty towns in
Massachusetts destitute of a grog $k"p. The in
habitants have probably discovered that there i
nothing they can so well dispense with as such
establishments.
Bishop Onderdonk, ssys the Times, has
published a long statement in defence of him
self, against the charges ypon which he war
tried before the convention of Bishopf. We
have read it over, but with all our kindly feel
ing towards him, we are compelled to confess
it an impotent paper. It is vague and unsatis
factory, though it certainly places the matter
in a different light. He reliea upon the proof
that his accusers remained upon friendly terms
with him, after the commission of the alleged
improprieties, to shew the improbability
that such things ever occurred. Still, the
Bishop maybe innocent- The book of the tri
al will determine the public judgment.