Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-08-01


iTst;ona' iateihgencer.
From DE Ne,c England Magazine for July
NOTICE OF Ma. SENATOR JOHNSTON
The melancholy tidings reached us about
fortnight since, OF the shocking death of Mr.
Senator JOHNSTON, of Louisiana. The ciroum
stances of this most distressing event, related
in the newspapers, are substantially as follows;
Tn steamboat Lioness, on her way from Alexan-
dria on the Red River, TO Natchitoches, blew
up on the morning of the 10Th Of May, about day
Hight, and the boat was passing thu Rigolet
Bon Dieu. Three successive explosions, follow
ing Zach other with great rapidly, were heard
at a considerable distance. The fore cabin, the
d elk above the boiler, (Which in the Western
steamboats, is placed on the main deck forward,
towards the bow Of the vessel,) and the hold
under the boiler, were scattered in fragments
over tn water. Many Of the passengers, who
were thrown from the boat, saved themselves by
LAYING hold Of these fragments. In about two
minutes after the explosion, the hull of the boat
Nink, leaving portion OF the ladies' cabin float
ing on the surface. Several gentlemen and all
;hr ladies, who were passengers in the boat,
were saved in this part OF the wreck. The dis
aster is said to have been occasioned by quanti-
" of gunpowder, which had been shipped in the
boat, and which ignited by candle taken
into the hold by two Of the crew. Among the pas
Sc gers severely wounded or bruised was Mr..
EDWARD d. WHITE, Representative of the New
ORLEANS district in Congress. OF those who per-
ishgd, was MIR. JOSIAH 5. JOHNSTON, one of
the Senators of the United States from Louisiana.
The loss of this gentleman is justly to be &C
Couuted public calamity. lie sustained IN the
Congress of the United States, reputation for
jntelligence, candor, and probity, not surpassed
bv that OF any other member His death, IN the
prime OF life, and in the meridian OF his useful
ness, by most distressing casualty, and at dis
lance from his family, make IT an occurrence
which cannot but strike the public mind, and
must be regarded by his friends in every part CT
the Union with the most painful emotion The
following brief outline Of his active and useful
career, will apprize those who are anacquaiHted
with him, of the extent of the loss which the
public has suffered from this most unexpected
and distressing event.
Mr.. Josiah Stoddard Johnston was native Of
Connecticut. At the age of nineteen or twenty
he removed with his father, the late DR.. John
sion of that State, to the neighborhood OF Mays
vile, where his father continued 10 reside, till
his decease the last year. Mr. Johnston pro-
fessiona education was received IN kentucky
but after short tine passed there, he resolved
80 enter the wide field OF liberal adventure,
which was opening in the southwestern part OF
she Union. After short time spent at Nstchez,
n, determined TO repair TO the Red River cuun-
try, where he established himself at Alexan-
dria in the parish of Rapidas, in the profession
of the law Nothing could seem more unlnvTt-
ing than the state of society, which then existed
in this part of the country. The population con-
sisted CT a remnant of Spanish colonists, and OF
adventurcrs from the Unit States. 1h0 nrIgh-
borhood of the Spanish frontier rendered 1t a
stopping place for many persons, whose relations
10 society, in the old States, were such rs to
make II very convenient for them TO be able, at
any moment, TO escape into foreign jurisdiction
The new government was, as yet scarcely or
paniZPd; and, in population OF this description,
could derive no strength from that public opinion,
which is the best support of all governments
Something very near a state OF nature according
" prevailed, with very little borrowed from CT
yilizaton but its vices. Fatal quarreis were
continually happening. The neighborhood was
distracted by feuds of the most embittered char
acter ARRAYS in the streets were OF constant
occurrence, and duels not less so. Every body
won't armed; and life was too easily taken TO BE-
Of high account Where life is so little regarded,
manners Of course are wild and reckless.
Such was the population, in which Mr. John
ston, a young New Highlander, established him
self at the age Of two or three and twenty, II
the practice Of the law, and with immediate sne
entire success. His native trankness OF charac
ter made him the favoritc Of ali classes; ana hi
extraordinary discretion kept him from being en-
tangled in their controversies. lie never wa
engaged in a quarrel in community where i
was 30 difficult TO avoid it; but, on very many oc
casions. he had the good fortune, by his prudent
umpirage between those who were at issue, u
prevent a resort to the field. In avery short pc
yiod he was advanced TO the bench. where ne wa
equally successful in maintaining the dignity ant
authority Of the magistracy. He was soon elect
ed as member Of the House OF Assembly IA tn'
new State Of Louisiana. When New Orlean
was threatened by the British troops, at the Gloss
Of the war regiment was raised IN Rapldes
under Mr. Johnston's command, as Colonel. IL.
fastened to the capital but did not arrive TIL al
ter the overthrow of the enemy. On his return
TO Alexandria he resumed his judicial functions
daily growing in the respectful regards Oh ~
fellow citizens. In 1921 he took his seat IN IN
House Of Representatives, as member OF IN
md
Of Mr. Brown, year or two Afterwards, as MIN
lister of the United States at Paris, Mr. JohRsto
was elected to fill his place; and has been twlc
reelected to the Senate of the United states.
As member Of Congress, MIR. Johnston en-
oyed a reputation of the most enviable charaS
ter. Mr.. Johnston's style of debate was bus
except to speak briefly and closely 10 the matte
in hand. He did not aim at oratorical display
but sought, by pertinent statement OF fact
and a common-sense logic 10 satisfy and cor
vince his audience He rarely addressed II
Senate in what is called set speech: but h
speech on Foot's resolutions was one of II
soundest, most elaborate, and most instr1Ictiv
which was made in that debate. During NJ
Adams administration, he filed with great abil
ty the place Of Chairman Of the Committee
Commerce, in which capacity he made very il
structive report on the British colonial trad
question, which he also supported in speec
lie was also member Of the Senate's Commits
OF Finance, He had paid particular attention
the great question Of the Bank OF the Unit
States, and understood the subject thoroughly
te occasionally spoke in the incidental debate