VOL. VIII, No. 5.] PUBLISMID lIT THEODORE H, CHEM ER, TMRIZEI. The "JOURNAL" will be published every Wednesday morning, at two dollars a year, paid IN ADVANCE, and if not paid within six months, two dollars and a half. No subscription receive:l for a shorter per riod than six months, nor any paper discon tinued till all arrearages are paid. Advertisements not exceeding one square, will be inserted three times for nne dollar, and for every subsequent insertion twenty five cents. If no definite orders are given as t o the time an advertisement is to lie continu ed, it will be kept in till ordered out, and c harged accordingly. lIICICELLAIIMOV33. From the Licking Valley (Ky.) Register. Burr and Blanncrhasset. Much has been said and written on the conspiracy of Aaron Burr, and a deversi ty of opinion still exists, as to the extent, of his designs. The elegant retirement of Blannerhasset, previous to his association with Burr, has also been a theme of elo quence, and a subject of admiration. ks 1 lived near the centre of Burr's opera tions, and was intimate with the family of Blannerhasset, many acts came under my observation which perhaps are not generally knowo. ,I therefore comply with your request, by.detailing circum stances which were familiar to the at that period. NVith reference to Burr's conspiracy, I have never doubted the fact, that his first object was a separation of the States, and the establishment of "an energetic government" including our northwest and southern territories. This intention was clearly manifested by aseries of pub lications over the signature of "Quanise in the "Ohio Gazatte," a paper then prin ted at Marietta by one Fairlamb. Those numbers - • held forth all the ar guments that could be urged, to induce the withdrawal of the west and south from the old zitates. Burr furnished the lead ing points. Blannerhasset wrote them out, and attended to their publication. The Arial number was read to the printer by Blannerhasset at my father's house, and in presence of several of the family. M ter the printer had retired, my father made a strong appeal to Mr. B. on the fully and danger of such an enterprise ; reminding him of his narrow escape lemn the troubles of Ireland, of the happy for of government he then enjoyed, and of his delightful situation at the Island, surroun ded by all the sources of earthly bliss.— Mr. B. was disconcerted ; he acknowl edged his obligations for my father's friendly motives, but attributed their different views to the different age. My father indignantly replied that he had fought for the government under which he had lived, that he loved it as the apple of his eye, and that treason against it could not be concerted under his roof. Mr. B. politely withdrew, took up his quarters at a public house, and never made his home wills us afterwards. But number after number of the "QuitatsT" came before the people, holding lorth the possession of the public lands, with all their mineral productions—the great agricultural pi os peels of the west—the vast navigable waters—the occupation of New Orleans as a commercial empornium, and various other arguments in favor of a separate Government. A day was also appointed to hold a convention at the Island. But the plans of Burr were not confin ed to a separation of the btates ; lie knew his ptrject might fail, and the establish ment of an empire in the Mexican coun try, was his alternative. A number of lutteaux or row-gallies were prepared on the Muskingum river, and probably at some other points, with which he intended a rapid descent on New Orleans, or to ascend the Red river tooat d Mexico, as circumstances migl.t require. Numbers of restless and desperate spirits were en listed in his visionary schemes, from Pitts burg to New Orleans, but the mass of the western people were attached to their gov ernment, and their connexions east of the mountains. if the convention hail assem bled at the Island, the inhabitants of the neighborhood were prepared to disperse them with force and arias. The conven tion failed; and when a party attempted to escape with boats, they were prevented by the Matilda, under a special law of Ohio, passed for the occasion, with closed doors. But there were traitors in that Legislature—in Congress—and in the army of the United States. Burr met in council with a fragment of his followers, on an Island in the Missis sippi, where his scheme was abandoned. He fled in disguise but was arrested, tried at the city of Richmond, and acquitted by a quirk of the law. Blannerhasset and other associates were discharged. Ills family, servants and furniture having ile• scended the liver to Natchez, he located himself on a cotton farm .in that vicinity. The embargo and the war which (Wowed, defeated his expectations; he became em• barrassed ; his fortune having been impair- t ~,,,,,_.- : 14 f, i ; . ..„,L. ~.., „...,.., _, ~...4. .... .1,...,11 le „,--. 4.3„: A :A ~.,_ ~ , . JOUR _ , - - EIUNTINGDON, PKNAISYLVANIA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1843. ed by his liabilities for Burr. Under the prospect of a civil appointment of Lower Canada, he removed to Montreal, but his friend, the Governor, being removed, he was again disappointed, and retired at last to the Island of Jersey, in the British channel, where his maiden sister resided, a lady of fortune. There he died, the victim of a romantic and visionary mind. Blannerhasset was an Irish nobleman, a man of science, and a polished gentleman. He excelled in the composition and per formance of music, his instruments were the violin and the bass-viol, both of which he used in the manner of the bass. His spacious hall was constructed in musical proportions, where the tones of his viol vibrated with thrilling effect. His library was elegant and extensive, his laboratory was provided with abundant apparatus for chemical and philosophical experiments, and his house and grounds were furnished with various means of winter and summer amusements. The mansion with its cor ridor and wings formed half an ellipsis, and the finish and furniture of its apart ments were adapted to the use for which they were intended. The hall was a spacious lofty room, its walls painted a sombre color, and its furniture rich, heavy and grand. The drawing room was in perfect contrast, and its decorations light us a Fairy's wing. In short, the whole • establishment was noble and genteel, with out the glare of tinsel finery, or the ins consistency of bad taste. His style of living sas in unison with his house and furniture, always elegant, easy and com fortable. The arrangement of the ground was equally complete, the famous shrub bery was a mimic wilderness, with laby rinth walks bordered with flowers ; and interspersed with arhors and grottos. The extensive pasture in front with its flocks, and herbs, was separated from the lawn by an invisible fence; and the view up the Ohio was unobstructed for several miles. But the whole scene requires the pen of a poet. The description of Wirt is nearer the reality than is generally be !levet!, and his sketch of Mrs. Manner basset is equally true to figure. She was a beautiful and accomplished lady, of dignified appearance and manners; affa ble, friendly, tind without the least affec tation, yet with allier elegance she was a notable house-wife, and devoted to her needle, not in the production of flowers and flounces, but of garments fur her children and servants. The miserable slanders which have heen reported of her, are without the lest foundation Burr did not seduce Blannerhasset, through the medium of his wife, as has often been sta. ' ted, his only visit to the Island did not ex ceed three days, and no wo►tan of Mrs. B.'s mind and character, could he corrup ted on so brief an acquaintance. Blan nerhasset was an open and unregarded man, easily imposed upon, and entlitisi - . astic in all his impulse•. Burr approach ed his► in the uut,t antiot ;Ind iii,dious manner. Desceodui,; the inter id a bat• t e , x , he landed :ta a ita,siog stranger merely to •cc and admire the far-famed Island. Mr. Blannerhasset hearingi that stranger was 011 his lawn, sent a servant to invite him to the house; the wily ser pent sent his card with an apology, but• Mr. B. with his usual hospitality, walked out and ins!sted on his remaining a day or two. Burr very quietly acquiesced, anti during that unfortunate interview, int used the poison of ambition into the un wary mind of his visionary host. Mrs. B. endeavored to disseade her husband from the enterprise, but finding his soul (mils tea in it, her sense of duty compellA her to acquiesce in his views, which resulted in the ruin of his family. Years have gone by, and the tale at last, Is told as a sorrowful scene long past." The steamboat passenger looks on the deserted Island for some vesiage of its former embellishment ; but he looks in vain. The mansion was destroyed by fire, its beautiful appendages are oblitcr•' ated, its hospitality, the soul of music, and the refinement of taste and intellect, have all departed. On my lust visit to the scene of many happy hours, the only me mento of my early associations 1 could find, was U. W'. 1805," carved on the bark of an old beach tree. " I felt like one who treads along, Some banquet ball deserted, Whose lights are fled, whose garland's gone, And all but he departed." Frightfal Snake Story. The following incident was related to me the other day, by one whose veracity is unquestioned, and who was almost an eye witness to the fact. It is more ap palling than any we recollect to have ev• er re ad in the history of these terrible reptiles. . . . . . Some time last summer, the inhabitants of Manchester, Mississippi, gave a bathe - cue, which was attended by the beauty and fashion of the town and surrounding CULlntry. It happened that among the guests there was a young lady, Miss M., recently !emu one of the eastern cities, "ONE COUNTRY, ONE CONSTITUTION. ONE DESTINY." who was on a visit to her relations in the neighborhood of the town. Miss M. was a gay and exceedingly fashionable young lady, and withal possessed of an uncom mon share of spirit and courage except in • the matter of snakes—and of these she ! had so great a dread,that she scarcely dar ed to walk any where except in the most frequented places, for fear of encounter ing them. Every effort was used, but without avail, to rid bar of her childish fears. They haunted her continually, until at last it became the settled convic tion of her mind that she was destined to full a victim to the fangs of a rattle snake.l The sequel will soon show her terrible presentment was fulfilled. Towards the close of the (lay, while scores of fairy feet were keeping time in the dance to the merry music, and the whole company were in the full tide (gen joyment, a scream was heard from Miss M. followed by the most agonizing cries fur help. The crowd gathered around her instantly, the perfect image of ilispair, with here hands grasping . a portion of her dress with the tenacity of a vice. ft was some time before she could be rendered sufficiently calm to tell the cause of her Harm, and then they gathered from her broken exclamations, that she was hold ing the head of a snake among the folds of her dress, and dreaded to let go her hold for fear of receiving the fatal blow! This intelligence caused many to shrink from her, but most of the ladies, to their honor be it spoken, remained with her, determin ed not to leave her in her direful extremi ty. They besought her not to relax her hold, as her safety depended on it, until some one could be found is ho had the cou• rage to seize and remove the terrible ani mal. There were none of the ladies, how ever, who had the courage to perform the act, and the condition of Miss M. was be coming more and more critical. every mo• ment. It was evident that her strength was failing very fast, and that she co uld not maintain her hold many minutes longer. . . . A hasty consultation among the calmest of the ladies was held, when it was deter• mined that Dr. Tisan, who was present, should be called to their assistance. lle was quickly on the spot, and being a man ot uncommon courage, he was nut many minutes within the circle of weeping and half fainting letnales, until he caught the tale of the snake, and wound it firmly round his hand to make sure ot his hold. He then told Miss M. that she must let go the moment he jerked it away and to make the act as instantaneous as possible, lie told her lie would pronounce the words one, two, three, and that, at the moment he pronounced the last word she must let go her hold, and he doubted not he could withdraw tire snake, before it could make the strike. All stood in breathless horror, awaiting the act of life and death and at the moment the word three was pronoun ced, the Hector pulled out the most dia bolical looking KT BUSTL 4:0 that ever was seen in Mississippi: The whole affair was at once explained. The fastenings of the machine had become loose during the (lancing, and it had shift , ed its position in such a way that it dan gled about the lady's legs, and induced the belief that it was a snake with an enor mous head '1•1n. Ductor fell right down in his tracks and tainted• -he did.--Han. Jour. Let ter of lion. James Cooper. Relative to lion. W. COST JOHN SON'S plan in aid of the States. NN ASIIINTON January 11, 1843. Diun Sin :—The present embarrassed condition of the country almost necessari ly induces every body to look round for a remedy for the evils of the times. The people, suffering all the embarrassments which result from the great indebtedness of the Stales, as well as the evil of a bad, at the same time, restricted circulating medium, begin to manifest dissatisfaction that some measure is not adopted fin• their relief. They Lind it difficult to believe that a country enjoying profound peace, abounding in all the elements of wealth, prosperity and greatness. should be hope lessly prostrate, without power in the gov ernment to provide a remedy. A rage for internal improvement, similar to that which involved Pennsylvania so deeply in debt, has been experienced by other States both in its influences and conse quences. The embarrassment and die• tress of the people, resulting from the enormous debts of the States, and the vi tiated condition and scarcity of the cur rency, have hardly a parallel in the past' history of the country. The load of tax es, imposed on the people to pay the in terest on the immense debt contracted by the States, is not only embarrassing, but threatens us with a worse misfortune in the loss of the national limns. 'rise pay ment of heavy taxes in times like the pres ent, when money was scarce and all l tura! productions of the country great ly depreciated in price, is so difficult and oppressive, that it is to be feared, a rein, , dy will alter a while be sought for the evils endured by the people,in repudiation by the States.* This is the dangerous tendency of the spirit of the times and should be resisted by the adoption of such measures as will remove the cause of the apprehended evil. The infamy will at. tack to us as a nation, if any of the States should refuse to pay their debts; will be esteemed by every patriotic citizen as the heaviest mislortune which can befal us.— To relieve the people, and thereby pre vent,the occurrence of such deep national disgrace as will follow the refusal of the States to pay their debts, should be the anxious care of all those who occupy posi- Lions which may enable them to contri bute to an object so desirable. But how is this relief to be afforded 1 is the ques• tion which is naturally suggested. ' By the act of Congress, passed the 4th day of September 1841, the proceeds of ! the sales of the public lands were to be !distributed among the several States, in proportion to their representation in the House of Representatives. This act con templated a semi-annual distribution of the proceeds of the public lands—but in the embarrassed condition of the country, the quantity of land sold was small, and the s , uount for distribution so inconsider• able as to afford but little relief to the States in their pressing exigencies, even hilftthe act remained in torce, An exten ion, however, of the principle of this act would afford immediate and effectual re lief—and a measure having this object in view was brought before Congress at its last S,.•ssion by Mr. W. Cost Johnson of Maryland ; a somewhat similar one har ing been proposed by Mr. Meredith P. Gentry, of Tennessee, as early as 1840. The measure proposed by Mr. John Son, contemplates an issue of stock by the national government to the amount of 8200,000,000, to be distributed among the States, indebted and non indebted in pro• portion to their representation in Congress; and ii. provides that the proceeds of the sales of the public lands shall go into the treasury of the United States and consti tute a fund for the redemption of the stock proposed to be created. It will be per soireslliat this is but an extension of the principle of the late act, which pi °vide a the a semi-annual distribution of the pro reedy of the sales of the public lands among the states. This measure propos• es, that in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of such sales, the national guy eminent shall give to the States, presently, in the form of stock, what they would only have received under the late law in a long series of years, and in consideration of this, the states are to relinquish to the general government, the proceeds of the public lands until the stock issued by it shall have been redeemed. The exigency of the times is pressing. Something must be dune for the restoration of the prosper. ity of the people and the preservation of the faith and credit of the States. This measure promi:es to effect these objects, both of which are so desirable; and in the present conjuncture of affairs there is no other, in my judgment which can be relied on, to afford such extensive, ellec• tual relief as the country requires. This measure does not contemplate, as is generally supposed. an unqualified as• sumption of the debts of the Stages by the general government, but only that the latter shall lend to the former the benefit of its credit for a full equivalent. But if an assumption of the debts of the States were intended, there would be found both precedent and authority of great names to vindicate it. In 1790 Congress did as sume the debts of the States —and Mr. Jefferson, as 1 ant informed, was in favor of the measure. In claiming the aid of the ger.eal goy- I erment, the States are not seeking a gra tuity. They demand but an equivalent for what they have done for the nation— an equivalent which will cost the nation nothing out the loan 4it its credit until the proceeds of the public lands shall have redeemed the stock proposed to be issued. The work., the cost of which has so deeply involved the States, have all contributed to that common good, the wealth and , power of the whole country. Every spade lull of earth which has been dug from our canals; every foot of railroad which has been constructed, has gone to swell the general prosperity of the U.S. by opening up ways to its inexhaustible resources and facilities of communication between its diflorent sections. What would the coun try have been, in comparison to what it is, were it not fur the improvements construc ted by the States? It is the canals and railroads, and other improvements tie- * This, to some extent, has already been the case with the States of Miaisissippi In diana and Illinois ; but it is to be hoped, for credit of these States, and the honor of the country of which they form a part, that their refusal to pay their debts was rather the re.ult of in abilityto pay them, than of a fr: oululent determination to cheat their cre ditors . It this charitable construction be correct, the measure which is the subject of this let ti.r, will enable them to redeem their char acter as far as that is now possible. signed and completed by the States outs of their own means, which constitute the glory of the country in peace, and which will prove its strength and security in war, should it ever be visited by such a calam• ity. And when the States have crippled themselves and embarrassed their citizens by works of common utility, shall the na tion deny them its aid, when such aid may be furnished without detriment of the gen eral welfare 1 Nay, the aid which they ask is such as will be advantageous to the general government in restoring its credit, as it will be to the States and the people in relievin i; them from their embarrass ments. Ihe national credit has received a severe shock, abroad, from the failure of several of the States to pay the interest on their foreign loans. Being but imper fectly acquainted in Europe, with the pe culiar form of our Government, the default ofthe States in meeting their engagements, have effected the• credit of the United States to such an extent that we are look ed upon as but little better than a commu nity of swindlers among whom obligations of good faith are unknown. This opinion so derogatory to our national character prevails so far, that those European horses who have been the guaranteers of our State credit have been in danger of being destroyed by mobs and riots. This mea sure promises not only to afford relief to the people, but will serve materially, to re-establish our credit in Europe, and save the nation from indellible disgrace which will surely follow repudiation on the part of the States; a disgrace which, if once attached, will cleave to the character of ' the whole country forever. If this mea sure does nothing more than save us from • the stain of bail faith, which twenty cen turies have not washed from the name of Carthage—it should be supported by every man who feels a proper regard for the character of his country and its insti tution. But, let us enquire, what is to be objec ted to in this measure? It will hardly be alledged by those who were the advocates of the late Distribution law, that Congress, dues not possess the power to afford the aid contemplated by this measure, and so imp•r:tivety required by the condition of the States. This measure but proposes to extend the principles of that law with. out changing it. But in addition to this, it has already been shown that Congress, by the direct assumption of the Stste Debt in 1790, exercised a power involving all that is required in the adoption of the present measure. _ _ The argument urged against this mea sure with the greatest effect, is the expe diency of involving the General Govern• ment in a large debt for the benefit of the States. This argument is not well consid ercd, inasmuch as it pre-supposes that time people of tile U. States are not the same; If it be conceded that this measure will benefit the people of the States, enough is conceded, not only to justify, but to re quire its adoption. The object of all governments is, or at least should be, the weltiire of the people. But the adoption of this measure will not materially in• crease the debt of the country ; it proposes rather to change the manner, and vary the means of paying the existing debt, than to create a neeme ; and in this change of minuer and variation of weans, consists the benefit of the measure. If the existing debts are to be paid by the States. the money to pay them must be drawn from the pockets of the people by direct taxa tion. But if the General Government should undertake to pay them, the means may be raised by the imposition of duties upon foreign goods; and these duties, in stead of being oppressive to ;he people, by judicious discrimination in levying them, may be rendered instrumental in its pros perity. Indeed it is no slight reason for the adoption of this measure, that its ten dency will be to render the Tariff perma nent, by withdrawing the fluctuating amount of the proceeds of the sales of the Public Lands from the objects to which it is now applied—leaving the ordinary ex penses of the Government to be paid out of its ordinary revenue. I have staled that the argument most frequently urged against this treasure, is the inexpediency ol involving the General Govermnenilin embarrassments. Those, however, who are acquainted with the past financial history of the country, will not feel any apprehension on this score. In 1815, when the population was less than eiehi millions, the public dept exceeded $123,500,000. The resources or the country at this period, were less than half what they are nt present; and the sut plus revenue accumulating in the treasury, be came a matter of greater inconvenience than ever the debt had been. The popu lation of the country has increased since 1815, from less than eii,tht to more than eighteen millions—and the resources and avaliable wealth of the country have in creased in a greater ratio. ‘Vhat real difficulty then, in view of these facts, is to be apprehended from a debt of S 200,000,• 000 ? A debt ol this magnitude would be very formidable to the States, and its pay ment difficult and highly oppressive; but [WHOLE No. 369. to the United' States, in comparison, it would be nothing. Ry the former it would have to be paid, as before stated, by a resort to direct taxation ; the latter can pay it by a weil regulated tariff of du ties, not only without oppression, but with advantage to the great agricultural, man ufacturing and mechani cal interests of the country. I have thus briefly stated some of the reasons which recommend this measnre. There are others but little less cogent-- One of the great evils of the times is party violence, which discovers itself in hostility to measures on account of their authors, without regard to their intrinsic merits. As soon as a measure become identified with a particular party, from its parentage or otherwise, the adverse party arrays itself in opposition to it. Such has been the experience of the country for years past ; great is its experience at the pres ent moment, The late distribution law, aside from party, could hardly have failed to commend itself to general favor; but becoming identified with its great author, the whole of a powerful party was arrayed against it. Time measure now proposed, has not yet encountered either the favor or the hostility of party : and I trust it will not. The condition of the country re. quires that some measures of relief should be adopted: and the interests which are staked on this are of too great magnitude to be sacrificed at the shrine of party pre judice. If this measure be such as its friends regard it, let the people embrace it. Let them not be driven from its sup port because this or that party has refused it its countenance. Can the people of our State, in view of its condition, suf fer party spirit to mislead them so far as to cause them to reject the means of relief which it proffers 7 Pennsylvania is involved in a debt of nearly 540,000,000. The interest of this immense sum, amounting to $2,000,000 annually, can only be raised by a resort to direct taxation. Already the people are overwhelmed with the weiht of their hurthens, with nothing but &e hope of relief renders tolerable. The payment of the interest alone without any attempt to extinguish the principal presently, or re motely, swallows up the fruits of their industry. This measure promises relief. Of the $200,000,000 of stock to be issued by the general government, for distribu tion amongst the States in the manner proposed, the share of Pennsylvania would ' exceed $20,000,000. This would at once extinguish the half of the debt, when the balance would become manageable and be brought within the reach of remedy by State legislation. But bad as is the condition of Pennsyl vania, it is nut worse than many of the other States. Subjoined is a statement of the debts due by the several States: ABSTRACT. Statement of the debts of the several States, Territories, and District cities of Columbia, as reported to Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury, June 25,1842: Amount outstanding and unredeemed. Main 5,424,157 00 40,000,000 00 15,214,761 99 817,920 00 888,100 00 116,010 00 4,057,200 63 8,691,234 41 606,750 00 15,400,000 00 23,985,000 00 7,000,000 00 0,085,500 00 5611,000 00 10,924,123 00 12,751,000 00 13,527,272 53 842,261 00 22,559,733 91 3,598,166 00 Massachusetts Pennsylvania Maryland City of Washington Alexandria, 1). C. Georgetown, D. C. Virginia South Carolina Georgia Alabama Louisiana M las issi ppi Kentucky Michigan Ohio Indiana 'lllinois Nlissouri New York Tennessee 8189,774,189 97 From a glance at the above table, it will he seen that many of the, States are as deeply involved, in proportion to their means, as our own ; and some of them arc more so. The adoption of this measure will, in my judgment relieve them, at least in a great degree. It will mitigate the burthen of taxation ; restore the credit of the States and the United States, at home and abroad ; renovate business, and revive the perishing prosperity of the country. I have thus hastily in a desul. tory way, thrown together any views on this important subject. My object is to draw public attention to the measure. If I accomplish this I shall think I have done some good. Very respectfully Your friend and Od't Servan t, JAMES COOPER. F.O. nAncir, Art may win uppLuse, but merit only can retain it.