The Independent Monitor from Tuscaloosa, Alabama • 2

4f- it V. The body of John M'Coimick, who was drowned noino weeks ago in tho Alabama river, near Montgomery, has been found. Ilis remains THINGS AT WASHINGTON. Tho following letter, which wo find in tho Charleston Courier, though not of the latest date, presents a graphic sketch of things ut the capitol. The wiiter says: 1 THE UNION PARTY." The proposition to organize a Constitutional Union party, nnd to nominate a candidate for Governor whoso opinions shall accord with the aidi-sctrssion sentiments of the people of Alabama, has created considerable fluttering.

Some of our contemporaries (among whom wo may instance tho Montgomery Advertiser and Gazette) exhibit much impatience and illhumor, and seem to be greatly i oyed that such a movement should have originated in a democratic quarter. The Advertiser pronounces it a "Union humbug," and calls upon its old parly friends" to look well to such (new) leaders, ere they suffer themselves to be led from their old moorings of free trade and State rights." Alas! for tho Advertiser. it still and other property, none of which, we wns saved. Tho Methodist Church was insured for 830 (Inn in the General Mutual, 10,000 in Lile Insurance and Trust, and $10 000 iu the Tennessee Marine and Firo Insurunco Com pany-all iu this city. $100 ooo IIotcI WM Tho lessees, Messrs.

Mudge Wilson had an insurance of 52,500 on the furniture, stock wines, liquors, cVc. It is impossible to describe the scene of confu. sion that took place in Ihe Hotel when the nlnrm was given. Imagine the immense building filled with live hundred strangers, besides as many more boarders, servants, each ono running hero and there, working nt the fire, packing trunks currying out baggage-few preserving any ence of mind ladies sick, fainting or frightened whilst crowds hurried from every direction to the spot men shouted, the engines clanked nnd bells rang clamorously, and something like a picture of the scene may be drawn. The streets, besides in all directions were crowded so as to prevent tho firemen from working.

Galleries, windows roofs were occupied; whilst as the fire spread' and alarms increased, families deserted their homes carts mid carriages were moving in every path, and the streets and pavements were piled with furniture nnd other household articles in tho greatest confusion. The fire in the hotel is supposed to have oriin-nted in a defective flue of a chimney. It must have smouldered for hours before discovered. Very little furniture, stock, wines, were saved from the hotel. The silver plate was left in the fire-proof vault, which is supposed to be somewhat crushed in by the immense weight on it.

Many rumors prevailed regarding loss of life. Two persons were generally reported to have been killed by the falling of the cornice of the hotel portico. At the time the cupola fell many persons were trying to make their escape through the bar room. We are informed that of them, three gen-tlemen and a waiter, names unknown, are missing. At Ihe time the dome fell a great lush of tho crowd in St Charles street was made towards largest population our prolilio soillnd genial cli-mute can bo made to support.

jSushvillc True mig. From the Picayune. THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION! It is with a deep feeling of gloom nnd despond-ency that we undertake the tusk of relating the incidents of the calamity which yesterday over-whelmed our city. We believe that this feeling is shared in by nil who have at heart the welfare of New Orleans. A conflagration of tho nature of that we witnessed yesterday, coming on us so suddenly, spreading so rapidly, choosing Tor its prey some of the stateliest edilices we boast of, may well weigh down the stoutest heart, unnerve the most courageous spirit, and touch even the most indifferent spectator and stranger.

It nil seems now like a terrible dream like some mag. nilicent but appalling panorama. We can hardly believe the evidence of our senses, when we gaze at the remnants of walls, the immense piles of bricks and rubbish, the scene of utter desolation, lit up by flickering gleams of flame, casting a lurid reflection on the pall of heavy smoke, and think that such a mass is all that remains of the magnificent edifice, the tall, stalely hotel, that was justly called the pride of New Orleans which her citizens pointed to with pleasure and strangers with admiration. Aerial cupola, swelling dome, lofty, graceful columns, majestic structure in wings, portico and central part, all are gone at one fell swoop. But to our task.

The St. Charles Hotel was first discovered to be on fire at half past 11 o'clock yesterday forenoon Slight curls of smoke issued from the north or left-hand wing of the building, over the ladies' department, near the portico, between the front eaves of the roof. In a few' minutes tho smoke poured from the eaves all around the front portico. As this was so much in advance of the main building, it was at first thought that the smouldering fire could be easily conquered. To this purpose, the firemen being speedily on the ground, hose was drawn by means of ropes directly from the street up to the top of the portico, ladders raised, holes knocked in the roof, water poured in, whilst other hose was' taken up the largo central staircase running clear to the top of the hotel, and every exertion made to extinguish the fire.

A were interred by the Masons ond Odd Follows. SorniKitx Bank of Alabama. On Monday last, the annual election of Directors of this institution took place. The following named gentlemen wore chosen, tho same as elected hist yenr: II. A.

Shroeder, John C. Ryan, L. M. Wilson, A. G.

More, I. Bell, Wm. Leyon, W. A. Smith, Win.

L. Powers, J. E. Saunders, J. A.

M. Battle. II. A. Shroeder was reelected President.

Advertiser and Gazelle. Wait Awhile. At a "fire-eating" meeting in an interior county, one of tho speakers, a young man, the course ot a flaming speech, declared himself in favor of secession and was in favor of making tho issue then! An old planter, who is fond of good brandy, was leaning up against a post, as just then he needed a little support, listening to the fiery orator. So soon as he heard secession avowed, and tho desire to have it brought about forthwith, tho old planter started up and sung out, "don't do it yet, Jo! wait awhile, if you please don't do it yet! times are too cnod cettinir 13 cents for cotton wait awhile, I tell yon and give me a chance to sell a few more crops of cotton at 13 cents!" The orator was answered. Mobile Ado.

Death of one of ouk oldest and most worn thy Citizens. It becomes our painful duty to announce death of Mr. Matthew Uohson, one of the oldest nnd most highly esteemed citizens of our Me died on the morning of the 20th of dropsy, aged 03 years. The deceased was a native of Halifax county, hut moved at the age of 17, to the Slate of Georgia, whence he removed to this State in 1820, and settled first in Tuscaloosa county, where he resided for two years, and then settled in Greene, near this place. Beacon, 25th.

Nearly Ruined. The Grccnsborough Beacon says "that property of almost every kind is corn mantling high prices in that section. Likely ne gro men command $900 to 1,000 in cash, and from $1,000 to $1,100, on twelve months' lime women and boys in the same proportion. Choice field.hands have hired fram $125 to $150. Stock generally, as also corn, fodder, pork, com inand unusually high prices." We commend the above evidence of the ruined condition of the South to the fire-euting members of the various secession Southern Rights Associations throughout the State.

It is one of the best arguments which they can offer the people in favor of secession and disunion, and proves beyond question the oppression which is being heaped on the planters of Alabama by all the world "and the rest of mankind." Likely negro fellows com inand $1,000 cash hire for $150 stock, corn, fodder, dsc, all bring fine prices, and cotton selling at 12J cents, with every prospect of its going to a higher figure. Truly we are an op. pressed people. Tho planters in the State are generally out of debt; many of them have large amounts of mn-ticy on hand, ready to invest when a good opportunity offers; and after the present crop shall have been disposed of, there will be more surplus cash capital in the interior of Alabama than there has been, in our opinion, at any one time since the State was settled. Verily, our sufferings is intolerable." How easy a matter it is to convince a people in such an extreme state of suffering, to rise up, resist and trample under foot iheir vile oppressors? Let us burst asunder the chains which bind us.

and embrace that separate prosperity which is to be found in the imagination of the advocates of secession and disunion. Mobile Advertiser. Tallahassee, Florida, Dec. 21,1850. At this time Florida presents a scene of universal and unprecedented prosperity.

From what I am told the cotton crop of Florida for 1850, will be a fair average one. Planters say that at present prices, they can make in the culture of cotton and tobacco, four and five hundred dollars to the hand, and about the same in gathering turpentine, which is becoming quite an extensive and lucrative business. With iucli results of labor and capital before us, you will hard ly be surprised to learn that negro fellows sell from $1,000 to $1,500, and hire for $200 per an-num. These large profits of slave labor as a na tural effect are drawing into South Western Geor- ia and Florida, an overwhelming negro popula tion, which I much fear will soon induce overriding, and an over-production of the great staples, and be followed by another crashing revulsion. there is much to love and admire in tins laud of flowers.

Its bright skies, balmy breath, evergreen forests, but above all, its warm hearts and hands, its cordial greetings, are well calculated to fascinate, and attach the stranger to the soil and people. 1 bnlieve that in social qualities, the people of Florida are no where surpassed on earth. Liberal Proposition. The Washington cor respondent of ihe Baltimore Sun, in his letter of the loth, thus notices Mr. Walkers proposition to ispnseof the public lands: Mr.

Walker made his great Fourieriie speech in reply to Gov. Felch, on the subject of the pub lic lands. Mr. W. wants lo give them away to every man, woman and child, and to all the enn grants from Europe.

This is the biggest bid yt but I should not be surprised lo see somebody come down upon Mr. Walker with an amendment, to pay each emigrant's passage to New York, or to appropriate the use of the United Slates Navy gra tuitously to the emigrant trade, with a further pro- vision that each emigrant, on being good enough to locate on the land of his choice, shall receive a cow, a calf, and a dozen chickens for it would be cruel to invite him hither and then suffer him to starve in the wilderness, Excouragejiext of IIo.VB Industry" is the "pillarof cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night," thai must guide I lie southern Slates ot this Union sifely through the bewildering and hazardous strife lor sectional supremacy which ever and anon convulses and agitates the whole country. The time has come when the Southern people must act for the developement of their boundless industrial resources, or pay the hated penalty of conscious inferiority and degradation in the scale of empire The danger may be remote it is at the worst on ly contingent bv this means only can it be cer- tainly averted. All history proves that the best security for vested rights, social, political, or pecuniary, is the power, as well as the will and determination to protect them. How is ibis to be best done? Gasconading resolutions and frothy declamation are as powerless to repel the threatening tide of Northern encroachment, as the idle command of the inflated monarch that the sea should stay its proud waves." The sword mk'hl destroy the North it could not build up the South.

Let us appeal from its destructive agency to the arts of peace, and creative industry. Let us im-prove our navigable streams bnild up our own railroads, schools and Academies fuse and work our own minerals spin and weave, as well as grow, our own wool and cotton in a word, render the houlh independent of ihe North, and the North Icpendeiit in turn upon the South; and make ourselves numerically powerful in the halls of: Congress, I'Vgiving prohtabic rinpinyinentlo. the -til TUSCALOOSA: THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1851. T. J.

BURKE, EDITOR. 03" 'i'lic absence of the editor must lie our ex ciihc for the brevity of our editorial matter in this week's Issue. We oiler our thanks to the Hon. Jere: Cle mens, for a copy of tint President's message com ninnicaling tlie correspondence between the Aus- trian Minister ami Mr. Webster, our Secretary of State.

Also, to the Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, for pamphlet copy of the Proceedings of the Consti tutioual Meeting at Fain'uil Hall, Boston, Novem ber, 1W50." COTTON. At Mobile on the 22d sales were 2000 lb 2100 bales. Middlings '2.

Market steady, Tun N. V. akkkt, at last accounts, was drooping. Sales COO bales on the, 21st inst Prime Kiev S3 0-lOths. Flour and other nrtiel unchanged.

Nothing in relation to the steamer Atlantic. Coxukkss. The French Spoliation Bill was or dered to be engrossed in the Senate on the 23d by a vote of 30 ayes to 20 noes. Several motions for the. repeal of tlio Fugitiv Law were laid on the table.

Chhai' Postaok. The cheap Postage Bill, re ducing letters to a uniform rate of thro cents for all distances, passed the House of Representatives on Saturday last, ayes 130, noes 75. No othe news of importance. OcS" Fremont's chances for re-election to the S. Senate from California, according to recent ad vices, are bad.

It is thought that Mr. Weller, for merly Representative in Congress from Ohio, will succeed him. Ka" The trial of Gen. Henderson, one of the Cuba expeditionists, has failed. The jury could not agree, and it was discharged.

03" Thomas Welch has been elected Mayor of Montgomery, and R. C. Coleman City Marshal. 05" Gov. Jjoutwell, of Massachusetts, has sent in his message to the House.

He advises an ac quiescence iu the fugitive act, as the law of the l.iml, and one which Congress had a clear consti tutioual right to pass, and that no individual has right to nullify or resist its execution. Californi a. The steamers Cherokee anil Prometheus arrived at New York on the 21st instant bringing California dates to the ICth December. They also brought two and .1 quarter millions in gold, and a large number of passengers. The Falcon left Chagres on the 13th.

Captains French mid Parker had arrived. TV Vni.u kets dull, and overstocked with produce. Flour was selling at $15, and Pork at $20 per barrel Other articles dull, and declining in value. There had been another fire at San Francisco, with a loss of in property. Godey's Lady's Rook, and Gbaham's Magazine, for February, are received.

Thev are splen did numbers, and deserve the high encomiums lav ished upon them by the press. Tke Kmckkuhockek for January. If we have an especial favorite among all the magazines, it -is the pleasant, genial, mirth-moving Knicker bocker. Wo think a reader cannot exhibit a bet ter proof of good taste than to admire the racy reading furnished hy this excellent monthly. 'Tho Knickerbocker is published by Samuel llueston, New lork, at $5 a year.

Massachtshtts. IJoutwell (dem.) has been elected Ooveruor of Massachusetts, and Cushman (frcesoiier) Lieutenant Governor. Kathei: Short." Our friend Posky, of the Eutaw Democrat, who is generally, we believe, as wide awake as most people, must have been dozing when he penned Jli.it editorial in his last paper upon the subject of Agitators." He commences by saving that it is now generally uettcvca cunt the present session of Congress will be a quiet session, and jtcrfiaps a slwrt one." vv ell, when we take into consideration the fact, that "the present session" expires, constitutional, ly, on the 3d of March, the opinion hazarded by uie democrat, may be regarded as a very safe one. The Wealthiest Man in Georgia. Gen.

Jlartwell H. larver, of Twiggs county, Georgia, SJI11' 10 the wealthiest man in the State. He owns a thousand negroes, and fifty thousand acres of land, divided into ten plantations, in Twin-S uiasKi, Houston and Baker counties, yielding two thousand bales of cotton annually. At 12c! tfc'r iinniul die itpnn nt-, r.nn "ling oiuo.uuu. ue recently added to his estate a tract of 2,350 acres, in Lurke county, purchased at $15 75 per acre, or for $37,000.

TELEGRAPH TO JACKSON, By O'Reilly's Line) Jan-vary 21. 7 P. M. Great Union movement at Washington started signed by sixty, among whom are Clay, Cobb, oiepucns, i oote and 1 oombs. They pledge them- selves not to support any one for President who does not ojn-nly declare for the preservation of the Lmon.

Destructive fire at Philadelphia burnt Com-mission-house of Aehisou, Romels Agnue, con-taming iarge quantities of grain and whisky loss twenty tiiousand-partly insured several persons seiiyiiily injured. Cherokee and Prometheus arrived from California, blinging two millions gold; no news importance. Flour 515, Mess Poik $20 to $10. Latest ballot for V. S.

in Missouri 77 votes Licking 2 of an election. MONITOR. Another week has passed by, nnd nothing of very great import has been done. Tho members are now generally nt their posts; so you see they arc nbout gelling ready for work. The little that has been done, I can give you in very few words, yea tellers, viz: gas." This, you know, has to be let ofl" before any real business is accomplished.

So, this much done, t(je point is lhal much nearer. New members nnd Senators from new States, are proverbial for gas, in order to niako capital to draw upon at home. Whenever they can yet a slice of the public lands ceded to their Siatc, they have made the titles to their gor.U almost in fee simple. This is common, p.lid when there can be a lick of this sort struck, it is sure to be done. Quite a discussion sprang up in the Senate last Thursday ur'on a resolution introduced by Mr.

Shields, giving a large body of lands to the new State of Wisconsin, which was passed. The eternal Foote put in his finger, as nothing can be sprung upon the Senate, without his having some thing to say about if. For the soul of me, I have not yet found out which side of the question he; Advocated. One thing I found out though, that he was in favor of the Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire, said a few witty things, by way of condiment, to the otherwise mo notonous debates.

He is one of the best humored men in the Senate, but a rabid abolitionist He's honest, no doubt, if a man can be honest, for tak ing the property of his neighbor away, without in return satisfying him therefor. A day was occupied by Mr. Gw in, upon the land claims in California, and another by Mr. Ben ton in reply. I got something from both these gentlemen, as it was a mutter of dollars and cents not so with the others it was all for Buncombe and tho next Presidency.

Mr. Gwin's statements place these land claims, better known as Spanish claims, in rather an awkward predicament, as also those who have been seduced into tho speculation. Among the most prominent, flourish John C. Fremont. I am sorry to see that this man, who bids so fair to make a shining light in the galaxy of great men, thus suddenly dimmed.

From Mr. statements, one would very rea dily infer that there was something not right going on in relation to these claims. It appears that Mr. Fremont and others, have bought some old Spanish claims to lands in California, which were granted to somo Spaniards a number of years ago, which were never complied with, which he got for a mere song and now asks the government to make them good to him. Mr.

Benton is deep in the mud, and he had Mr. William Carey Jones (his son-in-law) appointed a Commissioner to go out and report upon the 'facts. Every body knows how the report will come in when said Jones lias his proportion of the proceeds. Mr. Gwin is a plain, sensible speaker, who conies to the point without circumlocution.

He talks as if ho was in a common conversation, yet interests you. I was much edihed by his remarks, isenton next day ranted and fumed as he is wont; only mystifying tU tnabttov, not, waiving tlio opportunity to laud the acts of his noble son-in-law, Fremont. I did not hear him through it would not pay, so I left. When these claims come up before the Supreme Court, as doubtless they will, the veil which now surrounds them will be lifted. They will not hold good when properly scrutinized.

Saturday the Senate did not sit very properly, as they needed time for digesting what had been said by those wordy gentry who speak at the rate of $8 per day, (3 hours, by the way.) The Senate, with one or two exceptions, is a fine looking body of men, really dignified. One Iocs not feel like kicking up a row in their midst. The House this is the place for a variety of character. Here you see it all, in all its varied and extended ramifications, from the dignified and patriotic statesman, to the unprincipled dema gogue, lhis body reminds me ot tho United States at large (a singular comparison, eh in its practical operations. You see at a glance twenty or thirty groups scattered about over the floor, of members talking and eating, or arguing some matter for their own gratification, without caring a groat for what is going on around them, a good number visiting about from group to group, with one man standing up hammering away upon a subject to which nobody listens, am! appears, to all intents and purposes, to be delivering his effu sions to his own constituency exclusively.

Now and then they all march between two of their number, (to be counted by tellers who stand in the open space in front of the Speaker's desk. The groups resemble the States. The going from one group to the other, the traveling from State to State. The man speaking, like the President alking to the United States. The marching be tween the tellers, the voting throughout the coun try.

I heir idleness, the loaferhood of the country. Nothing very interesting or peculiar has been done in this branch of Congress, during the past week, save a few speeches upon the postage bill. In the contested election case, which has been de cided iu favor of the gentleman whom tho people selected, Mr. Woodward made some remarks, which were not only pertinent, but appropriate, and received the ear of tho House in a measure rather more than is ordinary. When a member from the gallant little Palmetto rises in this assem blage, he commands hearers.

The next thing here to notice is an introduction of a bill to reduce the value of gold coin. Also another to establish a uniform division of the email coins (silver) 20 cents, 10 cents, 2J, The Cheap Postage Bill, was again taken up yesterday, though nothing was done but a report of progress." This Hall i3 the worst place for hearing I ever was in in my life it is really a bore to have to sit within a few feet of a speaker, and not to be able to distinguish more than half he utters. It is pro- oking. The fault will he remedied when the new wing is erected, it is to be hoped. clings, to the hope that it wields a bugle horn," like that of Rhoderick Dim, ono blast from which can call up the scattered clans ot party.

But is is mistaken its vocation is gone its puny voice will be drowned by tho loud echoes of the grand rallying cry of tho people, lite Union is in danger" As to free trade and State rights," which tho Advertiser seems to suppose will bo jeopardised by this Union movement, we do not why a man may not be in favor of low tariffs, and still be a friend to the perpetuation of the Union. The day of high tariffs has passed, and, we are satisfied, the interest which is most benefited by high duties, can never again rally suflicient strength to pass an objectionable tariff act. Why then, ex cept for the purpose of throwing dust in the eves of its "old party friends," does the Advertiser strive to call up the ghost of this exploded issue? The object is as apparent as, we trust, the effort will be futile. Seeing that the Union which they lovo ami reverence has been, and still is, in much danger, the conservative masses of both the old parties will unite for its preservation. They will cease their squabbles about obsolete and forgotten issues, and, shoulder to shoulder, they will stand in serried ranks in defense of the noble institutions, to which, under heaven, they owo their pros perity as individuals and as a nation.

Harsh Language." The Montgomery At las has established quite a reputation for its use of what is usually known as harsh language." The following sentence, however, which we clip from one of its late editorials, strikes us as being a littie harsher than anv thins we had seen before in the columns of that amiable inner. The Atlas remarks Gif Cyning his leode to him cehatath. and mou thoer ylel gedo, 11 bote and cyning scil linga." F'or all we know, this may be another savage attack upon President Fillmore. It reads very much like some of those "terrible onslaughts" which the Atlas is in the habit of making upon them. OO" Touching one or two topics of interest to the political world, the Washington correspondent of the Charleston Courier remarks: The Four-ierite land bill before the Senate, is to come up again very soon, and Mr.

Seward is to be heard upon it -Mr. Seward, it is said by the New-York ers here, has lost his influence and his popularity in his own State, and can no longer produce much mischief there by his political vagaries. Mr. Ham- ilton Fish, who is to be elected Senator through Seward Whig influence, is not a Seward man, though he has coqueted a little with that faction. The Massachusetts Legislature will not elect a Freesoiler, as is most confidently believed and, if the election be postponed till the next session, it will be made by a Legislature, as it is supposed, of a very different complexion.

All the private accounts from Ohio, also tend to show that neither Mr. Ewing, nor any Freesoil Democrat, can be chosen Senator at the present session. The Bostox Chronotyi'e-" We have been. favored with a copy of this abolition sheet, con taining, what we suppose to be, (for we would not waste any of our valuuble time in reading it) Mr. Lysander Spooner's" attack upon the fugitive slave law.

The Chronotype" proclaimed very confidently, that Mr. Lysander Spooner's essay would kill the law, but, instead of that it seems to have killed the Chronotype." At least, we have seen it stated, that the paper survived only a few days after the publication of Mr. Spooner's death-dealing production. The Chronotype, therefore, is dead, and we hope the Southern press generally, and the Wash- ington Southern Press" in particular, will publish no more of its infamous articles, and that they will cease to offend Southern nostrils with the stench arising from the rotten carcass of this abo lition blood-hound. Thb Steamer Atlantic.

The New York papers state that the insurance offices in that city, declined, on Saturday morning, taking any additional policies on the steamer Atlantic. The Liverpool Mercury of the 31st ult. says the United States mail steamship Atlantic, Captain West, left the Mersey on Saturday, for New York, with the usual mails and a fair complement of passengers, being the second American departure thence on Saturdays since the opening of the win ter season. The Washington Union says: We understand from reliable authority that the Atlantic has pumps sufficiently powerful to flooi the ship in case of fire, and a metalie life-car to land through any surf. Besides, she has six of "Jrremers metalie fireproof lifeboats," of iin mensc power and size.

Three of them will carry one hundred persons each, and the boats cannot be submerged, i he Atlantic has seven boats in all and too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Collins for his thoughtful provision for the safety of his passengers in case of those unavoidable accidents which may happen to all who "go down iuto the deep in ships." The St. Louis Hotel. Messrs. Mudge Wilson yesterday effected a lease of this fine es tablishment, which is owned by the Citizens' Bank.

The rent until the 1st of November next is to be S300 per month, at which time the lessees take possession of the bar room, and then the lease extends for five years, at the rate of $12,500 a year. 1 be ISank agrees to expend under the direction of the lessees, in improvements, And the large ball room is to be subdivided into sleeping apartments. This arrangement is a fine one for the First Municipality, and will increase the value of property in the vicinity of the hotel. X. O.

Crescent, "Zht inst. i Canal. A number of persons were thereby tin own iowii aim oiuiseu. Among other incidents wo were told of a waiter in tho hotel who rushed into a room in an upper story to save some valuables. He found there a young lady from Kentucky in one corner of the room, palsied with fear nnd hali-sullocated with smoke, lie took her up and bore her to a place of safety.

We woulJ say more concernins this dreadful calamity to our city, under which it will long suf fer; but come to a close, with the expression of the conviction, that immediate steps will be taken to repair the losses by this eonflasrration. and re. store to our city some of its former beauty and pride. We understand that dining the sitting of the Georgia Convention, Gov. Towns was invited to make a speech before it, for the purpose, we suppose, of allowing him to explain his views, and justify himself, as far as it was possible to do so, iu calling it.

But the Governor refused. Damn the Convention," said he. "I have nothing to do with it." We are sorry that the Governor declined. It would have been an entertaining spectacle to see his Excellency, Georgo Washington Napoleon Bonapaile Towns, marching iuto the Hall of Representatives in the Capitol at Milledge ville, with his coffin on his back, his shroud ready, the undertaker with his hammer and nails on one side of him, and the grave-digger with his pick-axe and spade on the other. Cl.

Colquitt would, of course, have been Jhere, and the several editors of the Columbus 'limes, Sentinel, Augusta Republic, nnd divers other fire-rating worthies, marshaled iu solemn and lugubrious phalanx behind him. George Williams, Jtf Buford, Jim Pugh, our young kinsman of the Spirit of the South, together ith Messieurs, the editors of the Advertiser and Gazette, the Atlas, and the Hunts-ville Democrat, might all have been invited to at-tend as chief mourners; whilst John Hardy, armed iui a spelling boots and a quarto edition ol John, soli's dictionary, could have acted as principal door-keeper. The spectacle, altogether, would have been worth a pilgrimage to the capital of the Empire State of the South. Macon Republican. Tent Life in California Free and Easy Experiences.

Calii obxia, Nov. 23, 1850. We are here at tho old place, Dwightcity, making enough to get our grub, without begging; that is pretty much all. For my part, I urn not very miserable it makes little difference here I am 1 do not know that 1 have any children cry- i mg ur sintering mr my absence. As you say 1 have no wife to write to me, neither have 1 any to trouble herself at my to curse me be cause 1 do not make mv fortune and come home.

If I had a wife she would be here with me, fo wash my shirts and do my mending. I could make one very useful as well as ornamental, and u'liiim n.nt.l m. wuiu one tuuiu live aiso. ue lacv is, we are not so badly off in our tents as vou ima gine; they are quite as comfortable as your three anu lour siory uncus, une important leature iu favor of our houses, is, there is no ccttimr un stairs. We eat, drink and eleep on one floor, flieif VOlir nardoiri on the m-nnml it ia nil tl.n it a snalte or a mouse wishes to share with us the same floor, we never dispute their right.

They ni-Mi-ifilir liivn tlin tlers. tVehaveno history by which one can tell when they first took possession. They might have come in Solomon's ships which he sent here to get gold, when he wa3 building the temple. 1 have often heard the people say they had found the place where Solomon duir his cold, and I think I have found one of them, for there is none iciu i uerc are nugiity lew Solomons Ielt nowadays, or this country would not have so uianv tools coming to it. 1 was one of the foo s.

vet I came here with my eyes open, expecting nothing, and I have not been disappointed. But I am not troubled I would as soon live here as anywhere ill tllft pnilntrv r.n nnrf nF that I have seen that is pleasanter than this same L.aiiioriiia, or where a man can make a comfortable living easier. Any man with two hands can (t it lvhpwvAr la 1 1 day for board. 1 -The rainy season we conclude, has commenced, as it has rained since Tuesday evening last, and we have, like the squirrels, put in our winter provisions and goue iuto our holes. The weather is not cold ere it not for the rain we should need no fire.

I have seen many colder days than this at home in August. Yet there has been no time during the summer, when the mercury stood at inn we couiu not go on uie top ot a lull near us and see the mountains covered with snow, which I suppose has been there ever since Adam was a little boy, and will hist as Ions as the world does. The young and beautiful Countess Jembinski, who came to this country in July last, with her husband, and who is now honestly and nobly supporting herself by selling segars in Nassau street, next door to ihe office of the Evening Post was born the Princess Czartoriski. Xew York Even- ing Post. Well what of ii We know of several wives of American thai buke their own bread, high wind, however, was blowing from the north west, helping to drive the fire into the building and under the portico roof, where it was difficult to reach it.

'1 he dense volumes of smoke rolled so heavily over the narrow and much exposed space wneie the liremen stood on the root, that tiiey were barely able to breathe or see, the fierce flames burst forth all around them, beating them directly into the hotel and they- were finally lorced to retreat. In a lew moments the flames rushed up the lofty dome and the light airy cupo la; the upper passages and rooms filled with dense, stifling smoke tiie Haines burst forth from the roof of the main building on either side of the portico, and came out of the upper windows then all hope of saving the magnificent edifice was abandoned and the immense crowd in the streets, in a short time, saw the entire structure, five stories high, with dome and cupola domineering high above all compeers in the city, from front to rear, on M. Charles, Oravier and Common streets, en vcloped in one broad, glaring sheet of fierce flame, rising trom the very frrouud lloor, whilst the vast interior seemed one raging, blazing furnace, the whole grand, lofty structure looking like a very mountain of red flame. It was a magnificent spectacle, absoibing the senses, fixing the spectator's gaze with a species of terrified admiration. Still the firemen stood their ground, working inanluily together at the brakes, and pouring thick I streams of water from all sides into the volcano before them.

It was of no use, howvver. Evident signs of falling columns ami crumbling walls warned the dense crowd in front of the Hotel in St. Charles street, of their danger. Scarcely had they moved aside, together with the engines, hose, and other apparatus, before the heavy upper portion of the arched cornice ot the portico tell outwards with a heavy crash. The great dome began to totter all eyes were fixed on it.

A feeling of deep regret pervaded the entire mass of gazers. For a moment there was a pause, and nothing was heard but the roar of the flames and the crackling timber. The next instant, cupola and dome fell in, disappearing in a great cloud of smoke and fire that rushed up, whilst a deafening crash stunned the ear. The doom of the St. Charles was sealed.

Presently the roof disappeared rafters crashed down in showers of sparks and smoke portions of the interior walls followed; the lofty walls in the rear and on Gravier street, broke off in great masses and went plunging down, some inside the building and others in the street, whilst at each fall a heavy, thundering noise, and shoot of flame and sparks, followed. Two of the tall pillars in front soon came down in the street It is useless to continue the description further. The flames continued to rage as fiercely as ever, until towards 5 o'clock, wheii all the timbers, beams, everything in short, in the Hotel of an inflammable nature, had fallen and been burned, leaving the noble edifice completely dismantled, scorched and blackened the entire arch of the portico gone the pillars cracked, their heads down, plastering off here and there slender portions of the walls still standing a desolate wreck and "mass of blackened, smoking ruins. The wall, and part of the cornice on Common street, and at the comer of St. Charles, are still erect, but cracked, defaced and tottering.

The strong wind blew showers of burning cinders a long distance, setting fire to the turrets of Mr. Clapp's Church, at the corner of Gravier and St. Charles streets, to the Methodist Church at the corner of Carondelet and Poydras, to various frame buildings in Hevia street, between Carondelet and Baroune, in Carondelet above and below Hevia, and to many roofs in the rear and neighborhood of the Hotel and churches. Despite the exertions of the firemen, Mr. Clapp's Church was, iu less than an hour after it caught, completely gutted, leaving the bare walls.

After the engines had left it and whilst a great number ot persons were on the sidewalk in front, the square tower suddenly fell in pushing the wall out, and for a moment it was feared that many persons were tilled, rortunately that was not the. case. A fireman, we are informed, had his arm broken. The green-house in the front yard of the Church, at the corner of Union and St. Charles, and.a tent maker's shop at the Gravier street corner, were destroyed.

Many of the plants in the green-house were saved. In Common street, the brick building No. 1 17, next to the hotel, occupied by Henderson Peale, was burnt out. They saved their books, papers, and so forth. We never saw a building burn so rapidly as the large Methodist Church at the corner of Poydras and Carondelet streets.

The roof and lofty stee ple were ail wood, not slated, and old. In at most twelve minutes after the roof caught, and a little smoke was fii-st seen, the tall steeple was a burning pile, and the ha'f of the roof on fire and in a bright llama. The firemen were in a few mo ments on the spot, and worked hard, but could do nothing. It was evident that the building would bo completely gntled. The steeple soon fell bod ily to uie ground, and in a moment tho entire edifice was in flames.

Nothing now remains of it but the bare walls. It contained a valuable orinin.