Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-02
From The Cincinnati Republican,, May 9.

GrSpowpER-SrEAM Professionalism fact
has come to our knowledge, in relation TO the
scuttling of the steamboat Cleaner. when on fire,
at Portsmouth. on the 26tn ult which we make
nuh,;c as caution to steamboat owners, their Of
6cers and crews, and especially to passengers.
We have previously stated, that on the alarm OF
fire. the captain threw overheard about twelve
keos of poNder. which was all that he had any
knowledge of being on board. when the BOAT
neared the shore at Portsmouth, many oil the cit'-
zens rushed on board to assist IN extlngulshIng
the fire, but finding that impossible, the boat was
scuttied and sunk at the wharf. On opening the
boxes to dry the goods, after the boat was raised
| large box was found to be filled with kEGS OF
POWDER, ,chich had Teen pa up TO resemble
dry goods, and slowed with other boxes in the
midst of the cargo which was on hre: Had TINS
ouautity of powder exploded, there is no calcu-
latins the loss of lives that would have ensued.
| The boat must inevitably have been destroyed,
together with all OH board, and probably mum
Der of those on shore near by.
We hone that the names Of all concerned in
This dangerous and nefarious transaction may be
male nublic-the Philadelphia dealer who caus-
ed the pomder 10 be concealed as Org goods, the
commission merchant at Plttsburg, who shipped
this box, III he had any knowledge OF the trick
and especially the owner or consignee, by whose
direction possibly it was done-as caution to
steamboats, III receiving freight from or tor them
in future 1t Is also the imperative duty OF
CAPTAIN of a steamboat, If he receives powder on
board as freight. to acquaint his passengers OF
The fact. and let them incur the additional risk,
or mo-. at their own option The hold of a steam
boa, is not very safe powder magazine. and no
ow ner, or agent, or captain, Is JuslilaDie IN
carving enough powder to blow all the pas
seneers sky high. without at least acquant'ng
them with the circumstance.
-ene9GHss-
| The following circumstances were mentioned
| to us as having occurred on Saturday As our
informant was not present, we omit names:
| Two gentlemen went into al Alderman's Oh
fee 10 have some papers legally attested; as the
magistrate was engaged in taking the deposition
oT q man. they sat down to wait the conclusion OF
the matter. But while the examination was In
rouress. one of the gentlemen remarked to the
Alderman, that when he had finished the deposit
tion. he wished he (the Alderman) would detain
the tleponent, as he desired to make charge
AGAINST him of a serious nature; whereupon the
deponent sprung towards the person making the
request, and thrust his fingers into his eyes with
such force, as to give cause to apprehend serious
consequences. The injured person was convey
ed home in carriage, and the offender was de-
tanned by order of the magistrate. s. Gaz.
| -sase9Geas-
A South Carolina paper puts the following ''law
puzzle
Suppose feme sole of full age, contracts
debt. and then marries Young man under age;
how is the debt to be recovered You cannot
sue the wife without joining the husband, and it
is well settled principle of law, that an infant
cannot be sued, except for necessaries This
question arose in a case then actually pending
in the Court of Common Pleas for Pickens
District, South Carolina. An old lady, upwards
of siriy gears Of age living in that district. had
lately Smitten an amorous youth Of nineteen, by
whom she was led to the altar. where mutual
vows passed between them, she to love a0d obey,
he to comfort and protect! Some time previous
to her marriage, this fair damsel had contracted
! a small debt, on which she was then sued with
her husband. The plea OF infancy was then put
In by her espoused lord and master to this action;