Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-11-17

DEARSe OuA amusing UkVbuCIs VI LilC
Berkshire American, deals in bear stories
with great goat, and we sometimes almost
wish that we lived, not within their, but his,
reach. He has made divers good articles
for his paper out of bear stories, and we
hope in the article which follows, which we
copy from his paper of last week, that we
have not actually fallen upon the "last Of
the Bruin family":-
LAST OF THE BRUIN FAMILY. We were
told Of an adventure, few days since,
though perhaps last not the least of the per-
ilous adventures among the Bears on the
mountains this season. A man in Stamfon
CHANGING to be in the woods with his riff:
espied Cub perched among the branche.
Of tree, quietly masticating chesnuts; not
disposed to let the little fellow enjoy his re-
past undisturbed he discharged his rife, and
brought down part of one of his paws, while
young bruin still retained his seat on the
branch aloft. The man not suspecting any
reinforcement near, was about to charge
his piece again, when he discovered huge
old bear making at him with all convenient
speed, and savage look that bespoke re-
renge; the time had now come for him to
act on the defensive, and the rife being UNI
loaded, he sought safety by exerting the
muscles of his trotters, but as old bruins
speed was discovered to be the greatest, the
man fed to the tree on which the cub was
lodged, and Immediately assembled il, the
old bear following suit close upon his heels !;
what his reflections were, when he saw an
antagonist at each extremity, we forbear to
conjecture, but certain it is, he acted dis
creetly; he seized the cub by the legs, and
hurled him from the tree, when the old one
discovering he was down, with the solicitude
and instinct which human parents do not al
ways possess, forsook his prey, descended
the tree, and seizing the disabled little one,
bore him off in triumph to the neighbouring
forest. Whether the man still continues on
the tree we are unable to decide, but there
are certain reasons for believing that the
velocity with which he travelled in one d.
rection, was equal to the ratio of the speed
with which Bruin journeyed in the other.
VIRGINIA CONVENTION. This Conven-
ton from the large share of talents, learn
ing, and eloquence it possesses, as we'll as
from the subjects ofdebate it embraces,i is full
of interest. Since the Convention first broke
ground most of the time has been occupied
In the various propositions in relation to the
apportionmento of the Senate and House of
Delegates; whether upon population, taxa
ton, or both combined. 1t has become in
fact question of power between the eastern
and western parts of the Old Dominion, and
is so avowed. In the eastern or low coun-
try slaves are numerous, while beyond the
Allegheny the whites form the principal
population; nd-of course among the latter
the basis of population is the fayotrite mea-
sure. Several powerful speakers have ap-
peared on both sides: among them, Upshur
and Leigh for the east, and Mercer and bod
bridge for the west. Their efforts would do
credit to any assembly. Doddridge has not
been known much outof the State. He is a
man of fine abilities, and has lately been
elected to Congress. He may be consider
en-, on the whole, as the great champion of
the West in the Convention. He resides in
Wellsburg, on the banks of the Ohio, -four
ishing town few miles above Steubenylle,
in Ohio.
The eastern debaters admit, however re-
luctantly, that the sceptre of empire must,
ere long, be transferred to the west; and
they, naturally enough, wish to keep the
power in their own hands as long as possible;
especially as they pay 3 to l of the publick
taxes.
Mr.. Monroe, the late president, made some
very sensible remarks, in which he was de-
sirous of uniting the various interests of the
State by a compromise, viz. by having the
basis of the Senate upon population and
taxation combined, and that of the House
upon white population exclusively.
We mention as rather singular circum-
stance that Gen. Taylor, of Norfolk, has re-
signed his seat in the Convention because he
has received particular instructions from his
constituents how to vote on the question |;
but as his conscience is the other way, and
he cannot therefore vote in conformity to
the instructions, he has taken this course
that his constituents may supply his place
with one who will vote according to their
wishes. What if they should choose anoth-
er of the same opinions with Gen. Taylor |?
What if then, similar instructions should be
given? Qu@re. How many of his constitu-
ents gave the instructions? Gen. Taylor is,
advisedly, a distinguished man, but he seems
in degree possessed of the strange notions
in relation to instructions that beset many
of our southern politicians, although not to
the same extent. Burke settled all this
question in relation to instructions more than
fifty years ago; and if any thing could be
added, because we are of another meridian,
it may be found very well added in num-