The Weekly Mississippian from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 1

1. NO. 42. VOL XVIII. CITY OF JACKSON, FEIDAY MOllNING, OCTOBEll 12, 1849.

SPEECH OF SHARKEY, Prtsulent of the Southern FUiie Conrtitlion. Oct. 6, 1849. Editor Missiitsippian and StHtkron Gentlemen In obedience a resolution of "the Convention, I have the honor to hand yoa the sab-stance of the address delivered by me on taking the chair. As I have been compelled to rely on memory alone, the language employed cannot be accurately given, though I liink there is no material variance as to the nintur.

Your ob'L serv't. V. L. SHARKEY. ligion they are as inseparably allied ns cause and eflect; the power to regulate one necessarily implies the power to regulate the other.

Is it possible, that in defiance of the guards in the constitution, Congress will encroach on so delicate, so sacred a subject! If there is anything dear to an American, it is his liberty of conscience his right to worship his God at the altar of his choice. I must admonish my Methodist and my friends to be on their guard you may soon be told that your religion is a moral evil, and must he exterminated, for if Congress has the right to legislate on the ground of moral evils, "to this complexion must it come at last." But who has a right to say that it is a political evil? We do not find such a doctrine inculcated by the constitution. Congress may decide on questions of expediency within the range of the delegated powers but that cannot be a political evil, within ihe reach of its legislative power, which is secured to the citizen and prohitiited to Congress. Congress has no power to say that constitutional rightsare tolilieal evils. To that body, nothing is a political evil which is secured to the States or to the people.

Moral and political evils are themes which open wide fields for investigation, and il Congress may occupy thein as the ground work of its action. ihe constitution is worthless. Instead of a limited, we have an unlimited government. If the people, the fountain of power, should determine, that a political evil exists, they may -apply the remedy, but it Is not with Congress. This political and moral vil, it seems, is exclusively in the South, and those vho have determined it to be so, and wish to erad-isate it, reside in the North.

As sovereign States ve have the power to judge of, and to correct tuo-al and political evils within our limits. We ask not the interference of the North to correct our morals or our instifutions. We do not intrude upon them, but only demand to be permitted loan equality in the enjoyment of our common property. Congress, it is true, may establish a government in the territory, tut that government must be founded in equality. It must protect the property of the common owner, as well as his person.

Whether this power is derived under the third section of the fourth article of the constitution, or whether it is deriveil from the poer to acquire territory, or the war and treaty making power, is not material, it must he exercised so as to preserve inviolate every principle of the constitution. Uut in the efforts to exclude our property from that territory, another false doctrine is promulgated which iseqiialiy disastrous to us. W'earetold that as slavery was prohibited by the laws of Mexico, we cannot take slaves there without the au Difficulties with England, France and Chili. There is no doubt that Mr. acting Minister of Great Britain now at Washington, has been instructed by his government to maintain the right of way through Nicaragua, and the further right of the Musquito King to his possessions.

It is equally true that the Secretary of State has protested against any claim of Great Britain, based upon a treaty with that sovereign. The difficulty with the French minister is likely to be accounted for on the single ground of his hostility to Mr. Rives, who boasted of having overreached the French government in the indemnity case. M. Foussin has determined, it is said, to publish a statement of the whole case.

A difficulty has also occurred with Chili, in the intercourse of the Secretary of State with the minister of that country. He has been prosecuting a claim of $200,000 against a citizen of Boston, and a clerk in the office of the Secretary recently exhibited papers to the Chilian minister which threw important light upon the transaction. When it became known to the Secretary, he dismissed the clerk, and commenced a correspondence with the minister, which has excited much crimination and recrimination between the parties, and threatens to have a disagreeable sequel. Mr. Clayton has been signally unfortunate in his career.

He has already hail difficulties with the representatives of five important powers. The First Chagrf.s Stf.amf.r. The the first Chagres steamer for carrying the mails between New York anil Chagres, Is now afloat. It cost $450,000 its engines are 800 horse power; the officers, crew and firemen number 125. The steamer is of colossal size.

It has font decks. The ladies' cabin is beautifully ornamented with rose and satin wood, and the state-rooms have toilet stands with marble the pale of the constitution, and when taken, let us maintain it, like men who know their rights and are determined to protect them. We are not the aggressors, and if the result should prove disastrous, let the blame rest on those who have provoked the quarrel. Thus, gentlemen of the convention, I have endeavored to point out what I regard as our consti-tutiontil rights. The evils you know.

The great and serious inquiry is, shall we submit to further degradation, or shall we seek redress? If the latter, how is it to be obtained. Let me again allude to the importance of the subject again entreat you to weigh it well, calmly and dispassionately. We meet not here to discuss an ordinary topic. Here we can have no party preferences. We are joint owners of this great estate.

It is our birthright our inheritance. We may have our honest differences of opinion about, its management by our agents, but when the whole is about to be swept from us, we cannot differ as to the necessity of its preservation. Let us confer together as patriots. Our country is alove our party. Such feelings I trust and lielieve you all entertain, and hope that they may lead you to wise and happy results.

To My Wire. Those eyes that were so bright, love. Have now a dimmer shine But hat they've lost in light, love, Was what they gave to mine. And still those orbs reflect, love, The beams of former hours, That ripened all my joys, my love. And tinted all my flowers.

Those locks were brown to see, love, That now are turned to gray But years were spent with me, love, That stole their hue away. Thy locks no longer share, love. The golden glow of noon But I've seen the world look fair, my love, When silvered by the moon. That brow was fair to see, love, That looks so shaded now But for ine it bore the care, love. That spoiled a bonny brow.

And though no longer there, love, The gloss is hard of yore Still Memory looks and dotes, my love, Where the hope admired before. More Experience. An extract from a letter of Mr. G. Russell, now in California, and formerly of Yazoo is published in the Yazoo Democrat.

He says: I repeat, gold is here hut there is a nun for almost every rock on the river, and thousands are coming in every day. Many will return home worse off than when they started and I fear I shall be of that number. One hundred diggera are laboring on the bar which I am on some say they make two ounces a day so you ill see that digging gold is like drawing lottery tickets some men make thousands while others do nothing. While numbers are coming in, many are leaving for home some with money, but others with less than they had when they started to this region. The steamer on her last trip to Panama, had more passengers than she could take.

Every man that I have seen wishes he was back home and most of them curse the man that firet wrote alout the gold. He wrote the truth, so far as the existence is concerned but he did not relate the ditlicu'ties to lie encountered ill obtaining it." Mr. Russell reports in good health Richard and N. Green of Yazoo. tops.

The sides are Corinthian white columns and cornices gilt in great profusion of the precious metal. At the extreme end of the after cabin is a room formed by sliding doors, to accommodate private parties. The wash and barber's room, hot, cold and shower baths, the bar of liquors, are equal to the best city hotel. The Memphis Convention. Probably the only good that can result from this convention will be the discussion of the proposed route across the Isthmus of Tehaun-tepec.

In our opinion this is the only substantial project now entertained. The road across the isthmus could be made in eishteen months. It would be in direct connection with New Orleans, and of imme diate benefit, therefore, to the whole west ern country. The ptacticability of the route is admitted, and it would be made without any government agency. We of Missis sippi are truly interested in the establish ment of this route increasing, as it must, the trade and commerce of the Mississippi river and gulf stream.

Democratic Gains. 1 lie lollowing are the gains made by the democratic party at the late election officer of the revenue maine service as may be designated for that purpose by the Secretay of the Treasury. DELAWARE. For the foundation and const ntel ion of a lighthouse at the Delaware breakwater, ten thousand dollars. MARYLAND.

For two spar-buoys at the mouth of Chester river, one hundred and twenty dollars. TEXAS. For a light-boat on Galveston bar, twelve thousand five hundred dollars. For a light-house at Sabine Pass, seven thousand five hundred dollars. ILLINOIS.

For the foundation and construction of a lighthouse at or near the end of the north pier at Chicago, fifteen thousand dollars, to be expended under the direction of the Bureau of ToKgraphical Engineers, and the present light house-within the city, and the beacon-light on the pier, shall be discontinued from and alter the completion of the aforesaid light-house. For a light house at the mouth of Calumet river, four thousand dollars, to be expended under the direction of the Bureau of Topographical Engineers. FLORIDA. For buoys, on and near the bar of Nassau river, on the coasis of Georgia and Florida, in the neighborhood thereof, one thousand dollars. MICHIGAN.

For a light-house at the luoiilh of Muskegon river, three thousand five hundred dollars. For a light-hotise on Manitou island, Lake Superior, seven thousand five hundred dollars. For a light-house at Eagle harbor. Lake Superior, four thousand dollars. For a floating bell at Stanard rock, Lake Superior, one thousand dollars.

For a light-house on Skilagallee rock, Lake Michigan, four thousand dollars. For a beacon light on the pier at New Buffalo, seven hundred and fifty dollars. For a light house at North Black river, luake Michigan, three thousand five hundred dollars. For providing surf-boats, life-boats, and other means for the preservation of lite and property shipwrecked on coast of ihe United States, ten thousand dollars, to be expended under the control and direction of the Secretary of the Treasury-Sec. 2.

And be it farther enacted, That if the Fifth Auditor shall report, in any of the cases herein provided for, that preliminary surveys ure necessary to determine the site of a proposed lighthouse or light boat, or to ascertain more fully what the public exigency demands, the Secretary of the Navy shall thereupon appoint one or more officers of the navy, not under the grade of commaniW, to perforin the required service or, when the expenditure is to be made under the direction of the Bureau of Topographical Engineers, the Secretary of War shall appoint one or more officers of the corps of topographical engineers, possessing the requisite skill and experience, to perform the like service. Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That any officer so appointed shall forthwith enter upon the discharge of the duty, and after fully ascertaining the facts, shall report, first, whether the proposed facility to navigation is the mort suitable for the exigency which exists and, second, where it should be placed if the interests of commerce demand it thrid, if ihe thing proposed be not the most suitable, whether it is expedient to make any other kind of improvement fourth, whether the proposed light has any connexion with othet light, and if so, whether it cannot be so located as lo subserve both the general and the local want of trade and navigation and, fifth, whether there be any, and if any, what other facts of importance touching the subject. Sec.

4. And he it further enacted. That ail such reports shall, as speedily as may be, be laid beiore the Secretary ot the Treasury, and if such as to authorize the work without fuither legislation, proceed it. otherwise, suen reports shall be laid before Congress at the next ensuing session but in all cases here the Filth Auditor does not report such preliminary examination as expedient, the provisions of this act shall without delay be carried into execution. Sec.

5. -4 be it ut ther enacted. That vessels, steam-boats, and propellers, navigating the northern and western lakes.shall.froin and after the thirtieth day of April next, comply with the following regulations, for the security of life and property, to wit during the night, vessels on starboard tack shall show a red light, vessels on the larboard tack a green light, and vessels going off large, or before the wind, or at anchor, a white light steamboats and propellers shall carry on the siein, or as far forward as possible, a triangular light, at an angle of about sixty degrees wiih the horizon, and on the starboard side a light shaded green, and on the larboard side red said lights shall be furnished with reflectors, complete, and of a size to ensure a good and sufficient light and if loss or damage shall occur, the owner or owners of the vessel, steamboat, or propeller neglecting to comply with these regulations, shall be liable to the injured party for all loss or damage resulting from such neglect and owner or owners of any vessel failing to comply with said regulations shall forfeit a penalty of one hundred dollars, which may be recovered in an action of debt, to be brought by the district attorney of the United Stales, in the name of the United States, in any court of competent jurisdiction. Approved, 2, 1849. ROBT.

C. WINTliROP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. G. M. DALLAS, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate.

Approved, March 3, 1849. JAMES K. POLK. The First Marriage. Marriage is a date prior to sin itself, the only relic of a paradise thai is left fur us one smile that God let fall on the world's innocence lingering and playing still upon its sacred visage.

The first marriage was celebrated beiore God himself, who filled in His own person, the offices, Guest, Witness and Priest. There stood the two god-like forms of innocence fresh in the beauty ot their unstained nature. The hallowed shades of the garden, and the green carpeted earth smiled to look on so divine a pair. The crystal waters flowed by, pure and transparent as they. The unblemished flowers breathed incense on the sacred air, answering to their upright love.

An artless round of joy from all the vocal natures, was the hymn, a spontaneous nuptial harmony, as a world in tune might yield ere discord was invented. Religion blessed her two children thus, and led them forth into life to liegin her wonndrous history. The first religious scene they knew, was their own marriage before the Lord God They learned to love him as the interpreter and sealer of their love to each other and if they had continued in their uprightness, life would have beeu a form of wedded worship a sacred mystery of spiritual oneness and communication. They did not continue. Curiosity triumphed ovor innocence.

Thev tasted sin, and knew it in their fall. Man is changed man's heart and woman's heart are no longer what the first hearts were. Beauty is blemished. Love is debased. Sorrow and tears are in the world's cup.

Sin has swept away all paradisean matter, and the world is bowed under its curse. Still one thing remained as it was. God mercifully spared one token of the innocent world and that the dearest, to be a symltol forever of the primal love. And this is marriage. This one flower of Paradise is blooming yet tn desert of sin.

Jler. Vr. Biishnell. Accumulation. An illustration of what a little money will become in time, if put out on interest, and properly taken care of, is afforded by an incident related to us yesterday, by an old' resident.

He stated that about 50 years ago a liequest ol 10,000 was left to an idiot on Long Island, lie was then in his infancy, and ia consequently now but little over 50. Soon after his father's decease, three respectable inhabitants of this city, ail of whom are yet living, were appointed trustees for the care of the bequest, with authority to appropriate $500 annually for the idiot's maintenance, which was accordingly done. This lelt at first but a small accumulation, but latterly the increase has been rapid, and the principal now amounts to over 100,000., Should the party live 20 years longer, as is not improbable, ahe will die worth a quarter of a million of dollars. Pretty well for a fool JVu York Journal of Commerce. ffp The Methodists of Holmes intend holding a protracted meeting at Richmond on the 19th inst.

Serious Outrace. We learn from the Delta of the 4th inst that some very serious outrages have been committed in our State, by certain United States naval officers. The Delta gives the following facts, on the authority of a gentleman of high respectability, just from Pascagoula: He states that some of the naval officers at Pascagoula landed some eighty Round Islanders on the wharf at rascagoula, in the most destitute aad forlorn condition; and that some of the officers and men of the navy bought blankets from the Round Islanders that Mr. McKea, of the hotel, and other gentlemen of Pascagoula, protested, in the loudest terms, against the landing of so large a number of destitute and undisciplined men, at a watering place, where many families were sojourning, protected by but few gentiemeii. These protests were met by insulting defiances of the naval officers, who said they knew their duty and would perforin it.

To comprehend the enor mity of this outrage, as represented to us, the distant reader wilt bear in mind that Pascagoula is a summer resort of families from this city that the country around is thinly settled, and the place only adapted to the support of the usual population. We learn, also, that at the time the Round Islanders were thus transported to Mississippi, they had eighteen days' provisions on the Inland. Mot content with thus landing these men, whom they denounce as vagabonds and incorrigible among defenceless families, composed mostly of women and children, the records of a magistrate's trial, referred to in the Delta of yesterday, show that officers of the navy went on sky-larks and frolics with the Round Islanders, thereby exposing them to temptations, to violence and outrage concluding their frolics by an attack upon the property of a peaceable citizen of that place. In consequence of these outrages, the people of Pascagoula met on Sunday last, at the hotel, and took measures to organize a patrol, and prevent the further landing of the Round Islanders. On the next day, we understand, a force of men marched in from the country, armed with fowling pieces, determined to protect the people from further inroads of this character.

Many other allegations are made respecting the conduct of certain of the officers of the squadron, which are of ao serious a character that, out of respect to our gallant navy, we refrain lioin publishing them. If this statement is true, we think the conduct of these naval officers form a most unparalleled outrage upon the rights of our State, and one that demands prompt investigation. With such precedents as these, we have no safety in our State sovereignty. Writs of arrest should be issued against these officers for interrupting the peaceful occupations of our citizens. We see in these repeated outrages no necessity for awaiting explanation from head-quarters, at Washington.

Our laws should be sufficient for the security of the person, and of the peace of society. These demand our first consideration explanations may follow afterwards. Later from Europe Arrival of the Canada. The steamer Canada arrived at Halifax on the 3d inst. The sales of Cotton for the week, com-oq ririA liiilna Quotations have not I materially altered since the departure of the America It is believed that no further advance will take place, unless encouraging accounts for the trade should be received from India.

The potato rot is spreading over all Ireland. Hungary. The city of Peterwarden has surrendered. Comurn holds out steadily. Turkey refuses to give up the Hungarian refugees who have sought safety within her dominions.

The British Ambassador has given passports to Kossuth, Dembinski and other Hungarian officers for England. Austria demands their surrender, but the Sultan of Turkey persists in refusing to withdraw his protection from them. Comorn is to be invested by an army of 80,000 men. It is reported that this citadel is provisioned for a year, and can cer tainly hold out during that period. It is further rumored that General Bern has been taken prisoner by the Russians.

A Tournament in Mississippi. The Kemper Springs is becoming a rival to old Faquier," in the way of tournaments. We see by the Paulding Sentinel, that on the 12th at a tournament of the ring and lance, there were three hundred ladies and gentlemen present. The successful knight was John McGee, Esq. Miss Lucy Thorn, of Livingston, acted as the Queen of Beauty, and placed the crown upon the champion knight, who at the time knelt submissively at her feet.

Patent Office Report. We are indebted to Hon. P. Tompkins for this valuable work. It is proper to advert to the manner in which the public printers have got this work up.

The paper is mere wrapping paper. It is shamefully printed. Many of the pages have no margin, and others have portions of the matter cut away with the margin. The wdrk is bound so badly, that the pages are now coming out. We look upon it as a disgrace to the government, and the sooner the evil is remedied the better.

Jjp The democrats of Yallobusha lately nominated Maj. C. H. Guy and Maj. Wm-Bobbit, two worthy democrats, for the lower House of the legislature.

The ticket now stands, for Senator, George S. Golladay; Representatives, C. H. Guy, Wm. Bobbit, and Isaac O.

Pearson. O3" The proceedings of Tishemingo county were received after the assembling of the State convention. The delegates appointed were C. A. Taylor, James Wood, Wm.

L. Allen and C. W. Williams. Governor of Oregon Appointed.

Mr. Lincoln, ex-member of Congress of Illinois, has been appointed Governor of Oregon, in the place of Mr. Marshall, who declined the tendered honor and Col. Hamilton, of Ohio, appointed Secretary of State. Gen.

Quitman left our city on Fri day morning, to meet his appointment at Canton, on Saturday, 8th inst. During his short stay here, he was honored with calls by the citizens without respect to party. The Democratic Convention, held at Springfield, nominated George S. Boutwell, of Groton, for Governor, and Henry W. Cushman, of Bernardtou, for Lt.

Governor, Terms of The Mississippian. Weekly Mississippi published every Fri- jit t.uyuM in atlranre. When tlie money 5will be exacted. ft P1 iVllTlMasiePlAW at yrt square of el (ft I line or lean, i.ir the hi "I insertion, ami fifty cent for o' reili" insertion. The niiiuheroi' insertion 1 1 be marked, or the advertisement will he umerieil r.liare.l a'-roniinily.

I oer-il will be matte In yearly ailverii-V'hf the "IHHM half or nuarler roliiuni. "'ly. All letter -lilressel to the. publishers, lo re. "fTttenttoii, must he pol pai.l.

tir ubr riplion or advertising may he liff'l tlie risk of the publisher. Jlississippian Job Office. Warrant Hook. Marrinire Homls, License, Sheriffs ijpl.aiMlany other blank tisatl by the i officers, (bound in Hook when not are eruled in the neatest manner, ami on mttul trrmifur rank, at I hid ottir e. rtia extensive Himlery and Hlank Book establiiih- iBH'at.

M. Julienne ia under thn same rMf with uimtitijipiatt Office, where a variety of paper, of 'Tn an.l qualities id kept constantly wn hand. Ke- Book, Hook of County Warrants, ilbf titriiisheJ to order, on the short st notice. Handbills, e. piinteilin lli "relink bonk.

or book with printed headsor mar-' .1 I IF.NNK 1. Mil IT Printiii. address FAl.L a MARSHAI.f., Jackson, Mis. Notice to County Officers. ItTaRR ANT HOOK, Marriage Bonds and Licenses, shetirf' Tax Receipts.

or any other blanks use.) courts, utay he had, neatly Primed and u1" I 11 1 1 I forwarded to the undersigned, will be prompt Utenled to. I i THE 31 ISS ISS IIP I AN. R. FALL A J. MARSHALL.

I OF A ON. Juilge Tnarher. We see that some of the friends of the r.ir r. opponent OI mis gemirmaii iui 111c umic ii JuJgeof High Court ot Kirors ana Appeals, complain of the delay of Judge Thacher in vindicating his character trom the charge ot i i i fofPrj'. Oil looKingover me Mines 01 nicst-- era! certificates in his vindication, we think he has.

nn the other hand, acted with preat promptitude. His Vindication is dated 17th It appears that the charge wa first known to him on the 12th August, upon reading the letters of Hons. W. L. Brandon and C.

I and that he an swered these letters on the following day. He then seems to have set himself imme- liately to work, to obtain the proper evi- Jertce to rebut the charge. He applies to Pr. Stephen Duncan, of Natchez, for a let ter of introduction to him from Hon. Daniel Webster, in 1S36.

The doctor replies on the lMh August, that he cannot find it, but that according to his recollection it was a dattering letter which "a young man raigiit be prouu to oe ine Dearer oi. i ne forgery was charged to have been committed by Judge Thacher in Boston, and he allures therefore the testimony of Samuel Parker, who has been the Attorney of the Commonwealth for that county since the year 1832, and charged with the prose cution of all criminal offences. This oih- denies the charge most unequivocally, i ryr 1 1 ami ainrms tne juuge ro nave oeen a man of good morals and nnblemished integrity. This deposition was attested on the 3d September. As some day must have elapsed in examining the record, it is evident that Judi'e Thacher 'must have addressed him on or about the time of writing to Messrs.

Brandon and Smith. The letter of Abbot Lawrence is dated 4th September, and the letter of F. L. Claiborne, containing the let ter of Mr. Henry Keane, to whom the an thorship of the report was ascribed by Messrs.

Brandon and Smith, is dated 15th By regular course of mail, we 'tippnse that the certificate of Samuel Parker, if mailed on the 3d September, reached Natchez on the 13th, the letter of Abbot Lawrence on the 14th, and the letter of Mr. Claiborne on the 15th or 16th Sep tember. Now as the Vindication is dated on the lth, not over a day would have elapsed in finally preparing it for publica lim. As to the charge of delay then, we fan see no propriety in it, unless it may be considered that there was no necessity for follectinfi' the whole chain of evidence nre- ented. Indeed, it is painful to regard the tt as a necessary one, but the language of Judge Smith's letter informing his opponent of the charge, evidently shows ns that it likely to seriously injure his reputation.

He savs My view of the nrinciulesj of iitstire. and the "imitations which notilv to the relation von and I tsr lt each other, impose on me a very painful futjr. That duty is to ncqnninr yon with the fact, itiat a report, involving a heavy charge against you honorable man, has reached my netghbor-Imod. This report at present rests in the knowledge of but few persons, and will no(, probably, by lhMr apenrv. lie further Kiir ir mn ir nd probably will, through other channels find circulation, particularly if the author of the story be your personal enemy.

I'uder this state of the case is an act ot pure justice, to give yon early warn-'g of the existence of the slander, as doubtless it iil prove to I so that you may at once meet n. refute it." tmler such circumstances, we cannot what other alternative wa left Judge Thacher than to vindicate himself from the slander," and to do so effectually.it as necessary to present the best evidence at his command. He has done so completely. Had he done less, it might have Wn still charged against him with some rlr of truth. We hope never again to witness so base a charge preferred against a candidate for this high and sacred It is with satisfaction we can say that under our elective judiciary, the commission of crime by a judge is unknown to us; ami such is our entire confidence in the 'Active franchise, that we never expect to se a charge ofthis kind sustained.

Railroad from New York to Albany. arrangement has been nearly closed by hich the Harlem railroad will beat once fx tended from Dover Plains to Chatham Corners, where it will connect with the AI-kny road, and form another continuous from New. York to Albany. Fires. 'e to learn from the Car-'o'lton Democrat, that the dwelling house of Rev.

Mr. Graves, of Middleton, w'th all the furniture, wasdestroyed by fire on he 1 inst. On the 29th Col. O. J.

"ore, near Middleton, lost his gin-house six bales of cotton by fire. Gentlemen of the Conveniion Whilst I sincerely thank you for the hontr you have conferred on me, I regret that the important duty was not assigned to some one more competent than myself I dissemble not, in declaring that this honor wns not expected by nie, and hence feel more embarrassed in addressing you. The subject of your conteniplited delilierations ia an important one. Nothing Ifss than a question involving in its consequences tlie' liberty of this people perhaps directly or rei v-ly the liberty of other nations. Timet tat yea will approach it dispassionately that you wilt lay aside your party predilections, and meet it, not as politicians, liut as patriots as statesmen.

We had flattered our-, selves that the capacity of man for self-government was no longer a subject of doubt. We have boasted of ours as an example of a free government, based on an enduring foundation. I trust it may prove so, but events of recent occurrence seem to forebode danger. The convocation of this assembly the intense interest manifest in every countenance here, are proofs that there is cause of alarm. For a time we have been prosperous a.id happy under a free government but that time, in the great history of man, is but a brief space, a mere point.

The page of history is yet fresh which records our existence as a nation of Scarce has the stain of revolutionary Hood, shed for lilierty, faded from the face of the land, beiore it has been found necessary for the peple of the South to prepare to check threatened aggression. And whence this danger? No foreign foe threatens us. Our countrymen, our brolhes, are arrayed against us in civil strife. They sretn to forget that they are allied to us by the uost sacred tics, and to forget the value of the Union. Blinded by the poison of fanaticism, they seek to abridge our constitutional rights in the enjoyaent of our property, under the mask of ial.e hurianity.

If the right to do so was unquestionable, ii christian charity it should be asserted without inflicting remorseless stings to our sensibilities. The entire independence of the States was achieved by the most memorable struggle that histoiy records. They were separate and independent sovereignties, and first united under an ides of confederation. These articles were defective, mainly in not having provided proper means for raising a revenue, and in not giving Congress suflicient power to regulate commerce. These dt-fecis gave rise to our present constitution.

In the convention which formed it, the Slates met as equals in political power. The small States were unwilling to relinquish their equality of power the siaveholding States were unwilling to confederate, unless their slaves should be made a basis of representation, and the owners secured in their risbt. These were exciting subjects. After great difficulty they were compromised. The second section of the first article provides that representatives and direct taxes should be apportioned accordine to numbers, to be ascertained by adding three-tilths of the sluves to the number of whites.

The second section of the fourth article provides for recapturing slaves escaping into those States where slavery did not exist. In these provisions we have an acknowledgment of the existence of slavery, and a guaranty for its production ns the basis of representation, and as property. The constitution Jid not create property in slaves. Such right existed anterior to, and almve the constitution. As slaves were owned in many of tiie Stales, they would not of course have entered tuto the confederacy on such terms as would weaken the riht of the owner to Ids slave, or diminish the value.

One of the great objects of the constitution was, that it should, in its com-eqnences, protect propetty by giving protection and strength to the several States But as the States were sovereign, they could not surrender to Congress the right to control, by legis lation, the property of their cilrzens. Such a grant of power would have been a complete surrender of sovereignty. A great consolidated government would have risen up, whith was an evil, of all others, most dreaded, and most rigidly guarded against, by declaring that all power not express-ly granted to Congress, was reserved to the Stales or to ihe people. Hence no power can lie e.xerci.-d unless it has been granted by the constitution. The safety of the States and of people is best preserved by holding Congress strictly within the limit of the delegated powers.

Ko rule of construction can be safe which encroaches upon individual rights. The right to hold slaves as protierty be came a fixed principle, inseparable from the other provisions ot the constitution. Indeed, that de scription of property seems to have been thought worthy of specific anil special protection. The constitution must exist and harmonise in all its pans. Every principle it contains is inseparably connected together.

It is an entire things being the great frame-work, ot the government, indis-soltibly united in all its parts. It would not have been jormed without the insertion of every feature it is an infraction to violate any of them the symmetry is broken. Notwithstanding this unqualified recogniiion of property in slaves, and theprotection provided lor its enjoyment as such, still it is contended that Congress may prohibit and abolish it in the territories ol the United States. Tie territories are common property, and cannot be appropriated by Congress to ihe use of one portior the common owners, to the exclusion of another. Equality of right must then prevail, and any act which would destroy that equality cannot be valid.

It is a principle in the law of nations, that "all the members of the community have an equal rig'it to the use of their common property." Rules may be prescribed by the sovereign power regulating the manner of its use, provided they are not inconsistent with that entire quality hich ought to be preserved. If the sov-eign authority in a State or nation can do nothing which shall produce inequality in the enjoyment of the public domain or proiwrly, surely such authority is not possessed by the Federal Government, which has but a limited power. The attempt by Congress to prohibit slavery in the territory of California, has caused this meeting. That territory is common property. There each citizen of the United States has equal rights, is entitled to equal freedom in the enjoyment of the territories.

I am proud to say, that in acquiring it, Mississippians displayed as much valor as any other portion of their brethren in arms, and shed as much blood, in proportion to their numbers, as the citizens of any of the States. They were distinguished for their prowess in many a hard fought battle, but now they are to be told that restrictions must be imposed on their right to enjoy the conquest. Can we, should we, yield the fruits of our valor, and surrender with it our constitutional right of equality 1 Congress cannot deprive us of it, and ought not if it could cannot say, (hat if we go, we must leave our property behind us. Property c. nslitutes the means of enjoyment, and to exclude the property of the people of the Southern States, is in eflect to exclude the people, and appropriate the country to the Northern States.

Such a power is not possessed by a government possessing sovereignty; it could not be rightfully exercised even by a monarchy. The property of the South consists mostly in slaves, and to interdict its use on our own soil, would not only be unjust, but an arbitrary violation of the constitution. It is vain to talk of our right to the territories, if we may be deprived of the means of enjoying those rights. The mere soil is nothing it is the use that we may make of it which renders it valuable. As well might Congress interdict the use of any other properly there it it can exclude a slave, it may exclude a horse or an ox.

We do not derive the right to hold either from the constitution. That instrument is but subservient to their use. Cut why is it that we must be prived of this privilege 1 lie- cause, say our Northern brethren, slavery is amoral, and a political evil. 1 Who has the right to determine that it is so 1 Let them eradicate moral evils from their own land we can take care of our own morals. Is it possible it has come to this, that Congress has the right, under a limited grant of power, to travel into the wide field of ethics, and regulate our moral conduct That is a question for our conscience.

Morality is twin sister to re Rhode Island, 913 Connecticut, 3017 Virginia, 3873 North Carolina, 4713 Tennessee 7803 Indiana 440 Iowa 1217 Kentucky, 8509 Alabama, 5077 Total whig loss, 40.0G2 thority of a law permilldig it. This is the doctrine of a class ot politicians in our country, who look no further than the surface of the law. If this error were confined to politicians, it might he passed over as harmless, but it is also the doctrine which has been unceremoniously promulgated by a memlier ol the supreme bench. We could overlook the groundlehs fahtcies of a few politicians, but when the sanctity of the lieni is perverted, and its influence thrown as an element into the exciting cause of malcontent and strife, there is just ground ol complaint. If this could tie a judicial question in any shape, that was the tribunal before which it might come.

With the decision, the American people would have rested satisfied. W-i'et would iiave been restored. Il w7as great constitutional question, and on such questions, the people of the United States have been taught to look to the decisions of the Supreme court, with veneration but lhy have not been accustomed to having thein promulgated in advance, and are startled at thus seeing them. The effect is almost as injurious to us as a decision regularly pronounced, because it has deterred the South from an equal participant in the territories, whilst it has emboldened the North to persist in its efforts. It has caused one party to believe that it was right, and the other to Jear that it was wrong.

From position.it has made "the worse appear the better cause." It is not true, that slavery does not exist in California, although it may have been prohibited by the laws of Mexico. True, the conquering country may permit the municipal laws of the conquered country to remain in (brce, hut this is only true of private or strictly municipal laws; it is not true as regards political laws. By elementary writers, laws are divided into public and private or poiiticaiaud municipal. Political laws uresuch as are organic, and conler power and form on the government. They give it vitality as an organised body.

These political laws are sometimes reduced to the lorm of a constitution, which becomes supieme and paramount to all other laws, either public or private. Our constitution is the law of our being it is the essence of our government il is the combination of certain great principles, between each one of which there is a connexion and dependency, and the aggregate constitutes a unit. To withdraw or destroy any one ol them would break the entire fabric. It would lop off an essential part ol our political power. When we acquired California, it became subject to our constitution our hole constitution our constitution us an eiitirelhing.

The territory did not lie-come subject to part of our government only, but every principle of the constitution prevailed there as an active principle and superseded of necessity whatever was repugnant to any one ol them. No abridgement of the rights of the new owners could be permitted. The vested rights of the citizens there, at the time we acquired it, may protected by a principle not inconsistent with this position. consequence is, that we have a right to take our slaves there, because they are our property, secured to ns as such by the principles of our paramount political law. If it were true, that iiecause slavery was then prohibited by the laws of Mexico, and could not be established there without positive law, then the constitution went there a mere cripple.

Uut not w. Wherever the stripes and stars iloat over a territory, as an ol political dominion, they rest upon a perfect pedestal, formed by every principle in the constition indis-solubly cemented together. As well may it be said that our constitution must give place to the established religion of Mexico. How strange it is, that whilst Congress has no power over the subject ol slavery, in consequence of an inhibition, that it should le contended that the laws of the conquered country should secure a prohibition, and thus triumph over our constitutional rights. Thus, as I conceive, stands the question of right; but if it were a question of expediency merely, how ungenerous the conduct oi the North.

We are united as a family ol nations. We may have different local interests, but our obligations to each other, require an observance of good faith, of good leeling, of mutual sujqiort and forbearance. With them, il is matter of feeling only with us, it is a question ol interest. Are they not prepared to yield their feelings and their prejudices for the sake of protecting our interest I If not, they have forgotten the objects of the Union mutual safety, pro. perily and happiness dictated it.

Are they willing lo risk all these for the gratification of a mere imaginary philanthropy lt would seem so. The VVilmot Proviso is but the entering wedge. That accomplished, and the rest will follow. Emancipation in the States is doubtless the ultimate object, and we have reason to fear that at no point short of this, will the effort cease. The Union must be dissolved, and the blessings which we enjoy under our government must become a sacrifice on the altar ol fanaticism.

We must become a degraded people, or ahnndon our country to the African race. We would say to them, beware You but rush on to your own destruction. Il is a subject of deep regret, that the powerful engine of prejudice, is arrayed against us. Enormities are falsely ascribed to us, with a view to excite indignation. They add insult to injury.

We are held out as destitute of common mercy degraded at home and abroad. The means employed, are calculated to excite our slave population and endanger our lives. We hope and believe that there are still a few at the North, who value the Union, and do not engage in this unnatural warfare. Our Union should be social as well as political; amity should prevail between the different divisions. But the lies that bind us, are being daily weakened, and the love of the Union diminished.

We have remonstrated, but in vain. We yield to none, in a deep and abiding love for the Union. We wish not to sever it but to re-cement it. We can vindicate it, only by keeping it inviolate. We would preserve it in all its purtty.

We want it as our fathers give it to us, and must defend it gainst infraction as a sacred duty we owe to their memory. The South has borne with these encroachments, under a hope that a sense of justice would ultimately correct the evil, but of this, there seems now to be but little hope. We must take our stand. Let ns survey the ground well, and occupy that position, on which we can stand within Fat Pickings. In looking over the LawRe-porter for August, ye find a table made out by Mr.

Oillctt, Solicitor of the Treasury, exhibiting some of the spare-ribs that are picked by the U. S. Marshall, lJistrict Attorneys, ccc. Like many others, wohii r.oiii ihi. imprion that the bones in this State afforded a small quantity of meat only, but it seems that in I84C, K.

M. Gaines, District Attorney, contrived to pick 4)23 20 off them, and Thomas Fletcher, Marshall, 53 Canton Creole, Upon congratulating our friend Fletcher on lii fat pickings." he replied that his receipts for 1846, as exhibited by his accounts, were 3.652 09. and disbursements same time, S2.24S 12. leaving net't profits only $1,403 97! jj" We fre sorry to learn the death of that talented authoress, Mrs. Eleanor Terry Lee.

wife of H. W. Lee, of Warren county. She died at Natchez on the 5th instant. LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

rASSF.D AT TIIE 2d SKSSION" OF THE 30tH CONGRESS. Pt-BLIO No. 3C AN ACT making appropriations for lighthouses, lighlhoals, buoys. Sec, and providing for the erection and establishment of the same, and for other purposes. I'te it fntirtedby the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Const ess assembled, That the following appropriations be and the same are hereby made, and directed to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to carry the provisions of this act into effect: Provided hotcerer.

If a good title to any land which it may be necessary to use cannot lie obtained on reasonable terms, or the exclusive right to such land cannot be acquired by cession, where the interest of the United States demands it, before the appropriation would by law fall into the surplus fund, in any and all such caws the appropriation shall be applicable to the objects for which they are made, at any time within two years after the first meeting of the Legislature subsequent to the passage of this act, ill any State wherein any such land my be situated, to wit IN MAINE. For thirteen spar-buoys and three beacons in Casco bay, three thousand dollars. For a lighthouse at Gilkey's harbor, three thousand five hundred dollars. For a lighthouse at Bcauchamp point, or on the opposite side of the harbor, in the town of Camden, three thou.und five hundred dollars. For a fog-lell at the lighthouse on Libby's island, seven hundred and fify dollars.

MASSACHUSETTS. For a screw-pile beacon, or other practicable structure, on the south shoal off Nantucket, lately discovered by the survey of the coast, twenty-five thousand dollars, to be expended under the direction of the Bureau of Topographical Engineers. For six large buoys on the shoals off Nantucket, one thousand dollars. For a light-boat on Pollock Rip, off Chatham, twelve thousand five hundred dollars. NEW YORK.

For a light-boat on Horse Shoe reef, Niagara river, ten thousand dollars or for the erection of a lighthouse instead thereof, if after the survey herein provided for it shall be deemed more advisable, twenty thousand dollars. For four spar-buoys, to mark the channel from the aforesaid shoal to Bird island, three hundred dollars. For beacon on the southeast part ol Romer shoal, in the lower hay of New York, ten thousand dollars. For four additional spar-buoys in the lower bay of New York, at such points as may be designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, four hundred dollars. NEW JERSEY.

For a lighthouse on the rocks at Bergen Point, five thousand dollars. For five spar-buoys at Thorn's river, three hundred dollars. For five spar-buoys at Barnegat inlet, three hundred dollars. For a light-house at the mouth of the Passaic river, five thousand dollars. For two buoys on the east and west oyster beds in Newark bay, one thousand dollars.

Fot a light-house on the east point of Maurice river, Cumberland county, five thousand dollars. To provide surf-boats, life cars, rockets, car-ronades, lines, and other necessary apparatus for the better preservation of life and property from shipwreck along the coast of New Jersey, between Little Egg Harbor and Cane Mav. ten thousand dollars, to be expended under the direction ot auch i In Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and Alabama, only the contested districts are embraced in the above. Arkansas Emigration. The California emigrants, via.

the Arkansas route, reached Santa Fe on the 2th June, under the com mand of Capt. K. B. Marcy, U. S.

A. The latter says that, from information received, he believes that a good route can be found, from a place on the Rio Grande called Val verde, (near where Col. Cooke left the river) to port mith. thereby shortemns the dis tance to California some three hundred miles. The emigrants via.

Missouri had not reached Santa Fe, and were not expected for upwards of two weeks. Intemperance. We see it stated in the Reveille, that there are 352 liquor houses in St. Louis. The population is about and estimating one-third to be male adults, there must be one liquor house to every thirty-seven male adults in St.

Louis. We have but two liquor houses in Jackson, with a population of about 2.500. If these houses existed here in the same proportion as at St. Louis, we should have at least five more. We are indebted, however, to an excellent Temperance Division, which ex erts a salutary influence upon the town, in limiting the consumption of intoxicating drinks.

Lauderdale Springs. The season has about closed at this excellent watering place. None of our friends who visited it during the past summer, have spoken in other than the warmest terms of the cour tesy of the host and the pleasant society of the guests. We had intended paying the Springs a visit ourselves, but the labors of the canvass have occupied so exclusively our time as to render it impossible. Murder.

One of the slaves of Dr. R. J. P. McCarty, Mount Jefferson, Chambers county, assassinated hismasteron the 21st ult.

He shot him from behind a tree, just as he was coming out of his door from the supper table. New York Citt. From some valuable statistics befere us, we find that the population of New York city is at present 000, and that about 160,000 of the residents are foreigners; loO.OOOof this number are natives of Gi eat Britain, 25,000 of Germany, and 5000 of France. A New Bell. A new bell has just been put up in the Presbyterian church.

It is larger than any other in town, and its sound much louder. The weight is 850 lbs. ill ft ft ill It.