davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31
SKETCH OF THE ACTS
Passed BY the General Assembly Of Vir
gania, 1867.

311. An act to amend and explain
the laws. concerning Western land ii.
ties, and for other purposes authori.
yes persons whose lands have been for.
feited TO the Literary Fund for non.
payment of taxes, or for failure to en-.
ter them on the books Of the commits.
.oners, to redeem them by paying the
taxes and ten per cent. damages from
the time due, at any time before the
18th of January, 1888, and where not
entered, by having them entered with
the commissioner or with the sheriff oil
the county where the lands lie !; re.
serving to bona fde occupants claiming
under prior grant whose rights have
been heretofore reserved, all rights
they may have requires all lands not
so redeemed to be sold on the first day
of August County Courts in 1888 for
the benefit of the Literary Fund d.
reefs the Circuit Courts for the coun.
ties west of the Blue Ridge at their
next Fall terms, to appoint commission.
ers to ascertain the quantity of delin-
quent and forfeited lands, the number
Of tracts, and their situation and value,
and all information to be obtained re-
lativs to the titles thereto, and requires
the courts to direct the sale of such
lands, giving notice of the time and
place of sale, one.fourth Of the pur.
chase money to be required in hand,
the balance in twelve months, proper
Iy secured; the Attorney for the Com.
monwealth TO represent her interests in
all matters before said courts relative
to said lands, and the collection Of the
proceeds of sales; limits the time for
suing out wrts of formedon in descend
err, revertcr or remainder, for any lands
lying west of the Allegheny Noun.
tains to seven years next after the title
thereto or cause Of action therefor ac.
crued and for persons laboring under
disability Of age, &C., to three years
after such disability has been removed;
and limits the time for bringing a writ
of right or other possessory action up
on the possession Of an ancestor for
the recovery of lands lying as afore-
said to eighteen years; and upon per-
sonal possession to fourteen years, ard
three years if under disability, there
after its removal; the act gives the
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31
From the Richmond Wing.
THE STATE OF THE NATION

"The ruin or prosperity of a State, depends
so much upon the administration Of its govern
ment that, to be acquainted with the merits Of a
ministry, we need only observe the condition Of
the people. II We see them obedient 10 the
laws, prosperous in their industry, united at
home and respected abroad, we may reasonably
presume that their affairs are conducted by men
OF experience, ability, and virtue II, on the
contrary, we see a universal spirit OF distrust
and dissatisfaction, rapid decay of trade, dis
sensions in all parts of the empire, and total
loss Of respect in the eyes Of foreign powers,
may pronounce without hesitation, that the gov
ernment of that country is weak, distracted, and
corrupt" JusIus
Governed by this test, when we con-
template our own country, what judy
ment are we unavodably compelled to
render on the virtues and abilities, or
vices and weaknesses of our mnistersl
We see throughout our widespread
country, an universal spirit Of distrust
and dissatisfaction, total prostration
of trade, national bankruptcy, and
consequent loss of respect in the eyes
of foreign powers. Partizan partiality
cannot palliate, neither can partizan
prejudice exaggerate the bitter truth.
We are for the time being, at least,
bankrupt nation the people have wi
thin the last few years paid into the ma
tional treasury, an excess of over 80
millions over all expenditures, and yet
their agents have SO managed their af-
fairs, as to reduce them to bankruptcy
and disgrace. The draft of the Gov
eminent Of this great Republic, is now
worth no more than that of any of the
hundreds whom the mischievous meas
ures Of the executive have reduced to
poverty.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

Can the agents who have wrought
this national degradation, be regarded
by the dispassionate, faithful TO their
trusts, and competent to the stations
they occupy.
Had they taken charge orthe govern
ment at some dark inauspicious period,
when war, pestilence, or famine was
scourging the land, the circumstance
had constituted an ample apology for
their impotence in averting the present
desolation. But the reverse was the
fact. Never was a nation in n more
healthfnl, prosperous, and enviable con.
di,ion than this country, when Andrew
Jackson and his attendant cormorants
came into the administration of ma
tional affairs. 1t seemed scarcely pos
sible that the feeble hand of man, un.
aided by the wrath of the Deity, could
so etiectually bligh. and mar pros.
perity, and happiness, apparently and
in reality, resting on so solid basis.
But the corrupt party, who have delu-
ded the people and converted the gov.
eminent into an instrument to crafty
their personal vindictiveness, and to
promote their selfish ends, have taught
us, to our lasting sorrow, the manifold
evils, which brief period of usurpa.
ton aud misrule can visit on q people.
For the currency we then had, the best
the world ever knew, we now have
none---for general prospe rity-i ncrea.
sing wealth--wide spread contentment
and due appreciation of virtue among
the people, we now have beggary and
bankruptcy--general dissatisfaction g.
threatened commissions, and melan.
choly deterioration of public morality.
But it is painful to pursue the humlia.
ting contrast. IL is enough TO know
and feel that we have fallen. Had
the world been searched, and the most
vicious collected, and especially char.
ged to exert their utmost abilities 10
produce the greatest possible evils, we
do not conceive that they could havs
been more successful IN mischief, than
those who have already exercised their
powers.
But let US not despond-when things
get to the worst, as they are now, there
must be Improvement. In the words
of Junius, "no extremity of distress
ought to reduce grea. nation to dis.
pair" Let the people turn their at.
tention to the true cause oftheir misfor.
tunes-the usurpations of the Execu.
tive /; and determine, with one mind, 10
extort from their rulers the usurped
control of the national purse. Until
this is done, though the great resour.
ces of the country may emit gleams OF
hope, they will be but temporary, and
the foundation will be wanting, on
which to erect solid and lasting pros.
perity.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31
NJ I s @ Z L Z. A NJ Y.

A HIGHLAND EcHo.--ln the course Of
last summer some strangers Of distinction
we're induced 10 visit a wild and unfre.
ouented retreat 10 the distant part of the
Highlands, chiefly from the report they
had heard Of an echo, remarkable for the
clear and distinct nature of its reverbation.
On reaching the spot from whence tho trial
of its powers is usually made, their guide
put his hand to the side Of his mouth, and
bawled out with the lungs of Stenator, a
salutalion in Gaelic, which was repeated
with precision that seemed beyond the
expectations Of the party. One of the
gentlemen, by the way Of trying the
strength of bis voice, put his hand TO The
side of his mouth. in the same manner Of
the guide, and called out
"How far are you from homer"
These words to the surprise of their con-
ductor, were also repeated, when poor
Donald, with the simplicity that brought
a smile over the features of all present,
said.
"You may think il strange, gentlemen
but this is the first time that | ever heard
our echo speak English"
IL have no doubt" said the gentlemen,
"but it can repeat other languages, if put
to the test" and instantly bawled out
some French, Spanish, and Italian.
Donald looked more bewildered than
ever. Well, ] must say, that's very
queer; my own father and my own self
have known that echo for more than sew
enty years, and we never knew it TO use
no language but tho Gaelic language
before"
Your echo, then. is more learned than
you supposed" said the gentlemen. laugh
ing, though at loss whether to impute
Donald's remarks TO archness or simpIici-
ty. "You may say that; but can you tell
me, sir" said the poor fellow, with an ex.
preston of earnestness that appeared high.
ly amusing to those present, !" as the echo
has never been out of the country, where
can she have got all her educatonP"-
Laird Of Logan.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

The VIPER.-T The fang of the viper is
clear and curious example Of mechanical
continuance. II is a perforated tooth,
loose at the root: in its quiet state, lying
down fiat upon the jaw, but furnished with
muscle, which, with jerk, and by the
pluck, as it were Of string, suddenly rails
es it Under the tooth close 10 its, root and
communicating with the perforation. lies
a small bag containing the venom. When
the fang is raised, the closing of the Jaw
presses its root against the bag underneath,
and the force ofthis compression send. out
the fluid, with considerable impetus,
through the tube in the middle of the tooth
What more unequivOcal or effectual appa-
ratns could be devised, for the double pur
pose Of at once inflictiug the wound and iu-
jecting the poison? Yet, Though lodged
in the mouth, it is SO constituted, as, in il.
inoffesige and qliescent q tate: not to inter.
fere with the animals ordinary office of
receiveing its food. 1t has been observed
also, that none Of the harmless serpents.
the black snake, the blind worm, Sc have
these fangs. but teeth Of an equal size,
not movable as this is, but fixed into the
jaw Farley
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

the jaws which measured sixteen feet in
length, widely extended, exhibiting huge
rows OF great teeth, and presenting the
most ierocious appearance. They cleaved
much oil the flesh from each others heads
and lett deep marks of their immens SO
teeth in other parts. In the ARRAY one of
them had bis jaw slowed round. and many
of his teeth stove out, while the jaw of the
other was broken off, so that il hung TO
the head only by the flesh. It's said that
these battles are not common--and the
conquerer always joins the drove of fe.
males and resumes the cruise. Netc Bed
ord Gar.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

We have dates from Little Rock to the
ID of May. The papers are filled with
accounts Of murders, trials, announce
ments of candidates, notices of rsdemp.
ton of land, &c, sc. The news from
the Choctaw agency, given below, is the
only item OF intelligence worthy Of note.
CHocTAw AsENoY.-The Indian coun.
try on the Southwest frontier, is filed
with Mexican emmissaries. Some five or
six have been seen among the wild Indi
ans, and have induced them TO take up
arms against Texas. They have, regard.
less OF the treaty, crossed over our line. TO
meet the wild Indians, and have made
general invitation to our emigrant tribes
to join in the contest. offering horses, arms
ammunition, and all the plumber they can
iake-besides peaceable possession of
Texas, If they can succeed in driving off
It's inhabitants. These invitations. ! as.
sure you, have created no little sensation
among our Indians, many of whom are
poor, aud are ready for adventure-spi.
ced little with feelings of an ardent lore
for the Texans-they being branch of
the American family; and if we do not
have war Immediately on this frontier,
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

il will be owing to the prompt gathering
OF military force at some point on Red
River, which | do not at present see any
sign Of. Parties of friendly Indians come
in daily complaining Of depredations be.
ing committed upon them by the wild Ia.
dians. Several trading parties American
have been plundered and driven in from
the prairies by Camanches, who have been
urged to these acts by their Mexican al.
lies. This state of things ought not TO
last long-.N D. finer.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

DANGERS Or INTEMPEANcE.-Ast the
cars to Harper's Ferry were on Monday
proceeding briskly along a strait part of
the road, a few miles from that place, the
watchlul conductor while standing on the
ledge over the wheels. saw something
ahead, lying across the rails, which he sup
posed TO be dead hog, bnt very soon dis
covered it was man asleep. He sprung
to the ground, and with a sprained ankle,
rushed passed the engine, calling out, as
be passed TO reverse the motion, which
was Immediately done at some hazard, but
stll the train advanced with such fearful
Tapidty that he gained but little on it, and
had only just time TO seize the drunken
wretch by the arm and pull him off the
rails before the cars came up. So stupid
ly drunk was be, that when raised upon
his feet, be listend with silly laugh to
the reproaches literally bestowed on him
by the passengers, but without word in
reply. The conduct or is entitled TO the
highest praise for bis presence OF mind and
the exertions he SO promtly made 10 res
cue fellow creature from impending
death. To him alone is he indebted for
bis life, and IT is to be regretted he was
left ignorant of the danger he escaped, as
i might have led to his reformation -
Had the conductor lived in Roman times
he would have been awarded the civic
crown, and few would have better deserved
It Had the occurrence taken place mile
further. where there was course round a
point of rock, nothing could have saved
the man.-BaH. Pat.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

"A pisFtiG BETWEEN MEN OF HON.
oR.-The pleasant satirical "Pickwick
papers" furnish the following amusing
description of a dispute between two
young gentlemen ofhonor, which seems
TO have been conducted with much
spirit on both sides:
"The belligerents vented their feel.
ings of mutual contempt for some time
in a variety offrownings and snortings
until at last the scorbutic youth felt i,
necessary TO come TO moro explicit
understanding on the matter, wher
the following clear understanding took
place.
Sawyer" said the scorbutic youth
in loud voice.
swell, Noddy," replied Mr.. Bot
Sawyer.
4" should be very sorry, Sawyer
said Mr.. Noddy, "to create any I'm.
pleasantness at my friends table, and
much less at yours, Sawyer-very
but must take this opportunity of in.
forming Mr.. Gunter that he is no gen.
tleman."
And | should be very sorry, Saw.
yer, to create any disturbance in the
street in which you reside" said Mr..
Gunter, but Tam afraid shall be un.
der the necessity ofalarming the neigh.
bors by throwing the person who has
just spoken out O. the window"
What do you mean by that, sir p
inquired Mr.. Moody.
"What say" replied Mr.. Gunter
i" | should like TO see you do it sir, .
said Mr.. Noddy.
You shall feel me do it in half q
minute sir" replied Mr.. Gunter.
81 request that you'll favor me with
your card, sir" said Mr.. Noddy.
"I'll do nothing of the kind, SIR
replied Mr.. Gunter.
"Why not, sir" inquired Mr.. Nod.
dy.
Because you'll stick it up over your
chimney piece, and delude your visi.
ters into the false belief that gentle.
man has been TO see you, sir" replied
Mr.. Gunter.
" Sir, friend of mine shall wait on
you in the morning." said Mr.. Noddy
"Sir, I'm very much obliged to you
for the caution, and III leave particu.
lar directions with the servant to lock
up the spoons" replied Mr.. Gunter.
AT this point the remainder of the
guests interposed, and demonstrated
with both parties on the improperly Of
their conduct, on which Mr.. Noddy
begged to state that his father was quite
as respectable as Mr.. Gunter's father,
and that his fathers son was as good a
man as Mr.. Noddy, any day in the
week.
As this announcement seemed the
prelude TO a commencement of the
dispute, there was another Interference
on the part of the company; and vast
quantity of talking and clamoring en-
sued, in the course of which Noddy
gradually allowed his feelings to over
power him, and protested that he had
ever entertaind devoted personal at.
tachment for Mr.. Gunter. To this,
Gunter replied, that, upon the whole,
he rather preferred Mr.. Noddy to his
own brother. On hearing which ad.
mission, Mr.. Noddy magnanimously
rose from his seat, and profered his
hand to Mr.. Gunter. Mr.. Gunter
grasped it with .fecting fervor; and
every body said that the dispute had
been conducted in a manner which was
highly honorable to both parties con.
cerned.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

EXCAVATION Or EMIGRANT. AND MIS-.
.iosAslEs.-The spring expedition of the
Maryland State Colonization Sosiety sailed
Yesterday morning in the brig Baltimore,
for Cape Palmas. The Baltimore takes
out the Rev. MIR. Payne and lady, and the
Rev. Mr.. MINOR, Missionaries of The Pro
testsnt Episcopal Church, and fifty emf
grants. On Tuesday morning the emf
grants went on board, on which occasion
numerous friends of colonization and mis-.
slonary labor, having collected to witness
their embarcatlon, prayer to the Throne
oil Grace was made by the Rev. Mr.. BA.
tHUs; and most eloquent and admirably
appropriate address 10 the emigrants was
delivered by the Rev. DR. JOINS. The
emigrants, with the Missionaries and other
clergy, and the members of the board OF
managers. then went ON board the vesse
and here the instructions to the Govern.
or at Cape Palmas in regard to their
treatment in Africa, were read TO the emf
grants, by the President of the State So.
clety. All appeared in good spirits: and
when il was asked them whether any
thing had been neglected which could
conduce to their comfort, answered unani-
Imously, by expressing their thanks to the
Society for the kindness that they had re.
ceived. The MISSIONARIES went on board
Yesterday morning, and the wind being
ahead, the Baltimore was towed TO the
mouth OF the river by the steam boat.-Pat
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

The BETTER CURRENcY-THE WAY
1T WoRKs.-I'he Louisville Journal of
the 10th inst says:-
Yesterday we conversed with a highly
respectable farmer, Mr.. J ID. Locke, di
rec,ly from Matches. He informs us, that
while he was in that place, Mr. Livingston
Of Nashville arrived there with Govern.
ment drafts on the Planters Bank and the
other deposite banks at Natchez for the
transfer Of about one hundred and twent,
six thousand dollars from those institution.
TO Tennessee, and, that The drafts were
protested on account Of the inability or the
unwilngness Of the Banks 10 meet the de-
mand. There can be we presume, no
doubt as TO the authenticity of this iutelli
gence. Mr.. Livingston came up with our
informant as far as the mouth of the Cum
berland, and not only stated the fact but er
hibited the protected drafts TO him and 10 ff-
IN oiher indisiduaLsl Fellow citizens, what
think ye now Of the safety Of the public
Depostes! Do not all the signs of the
times proclaim, that the evil day is at
hand ?
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

A WHALE FIGHT.-From The descrip.
lion given US of the sanguinary battles
which not unfrequenuy occur between
sperm Whales. we should think that no
animal al, fights with such dreadful ferocity.-
The females always go in droves of abou,
twenty, with one very large male in com.
pany. A majority Of the males wander
over the ocean alone. Whenever a lone
whale meets with drove he forthwith
turns upon the male Of the group and
gives him battle. Our informant says he
attacked one OF these males while engaged
IN fight and succeeded in taking him
Their manner of fighting is bold and de-
,structive. They run backward from each
other several rods s. then rapidly advance
mead foremost, their great square heads
meeting with dreadful suddenpess The
scene was one of awful display. The two
monsters, being among the largest of their
species advanced upon each other, with
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

NIRGINIA.-Every nation has been, in
turn, the victim of some particular impo.
silion upon its confding credulity. The
American People are pretty we'll aware of
the nature of the humbug by which they
have been cheated, and are now suffering.
But the most curious gull trap of the age
is that in which the People Of the ancient
commonwealth Of Virginia beguile them
selves-which is, that they will permit
President Of the U. States TO commit any
degree of mischief, and infiict on the coun.
try any practical evils, provided he will
which the State hold. TO be the Alpha and
Omega Of political wisdom. That is to
say, il Chief Magistrate will (while he
sanctions appropriations Of Internal I'm
provements) admit theoretically that The
Federal Government has no right to make
road in Virginia, or TO foster domestic
industry by protective tariff, or TO ere.
ate National Bank (however indispensa
BILE as fiscal agent Of Governmental
II he will. in mere words, deny to the
Government these three powers he may
destroy the currency, the products Of the
earth, PROSTATE industry. make the rich
poor, and the poor beggar., break all the
banks, and bankrupt the merchants. In
short, he may assume any arbitrary pow
ers. and infict on the country any suffer.
ings whatever. His orthodoxy in theory
shall redeem all his practical errors and,
though he be in deed and in fact ITO use
the empathetic language Of the Richmond
Enquirer ga curse TO the country" if his
creed be sound he will be upheld a polit
ical saint. Such was the merit of Gen.
jackson, and the foundation of his popu.
larIty,i in the enlightened commonwealth of
Virginia. Such and the same the Old
Dominion continues, in the rear even of
her own offspring, as is shown by the gen
eral result Of her recent elections, which
prove that political imposture still holds
its own within her limits.-.Nat. Int.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-07-17
CELEBRATION OFINDEPENDENCE
AT NORTHFIELD.

ms national anniversary was cClt hra'rd ia
Nonhtieid, on Tuesday the 4lh, according IN
the notice previously polished. A maj iqnal
salute was fired at sunrise.
The procession was formed NJ eleven o..
clock, under the direction Of j. l.. McClure,
cher Marshal, escorted in fine style by the
Montpelier Band, and moved 10 The Meeting
House, where appropriate cercmo.iee were
| performed.
An Grafton was delivered by T. p. Walton.
Jr., Of which copy, we learn, has been re-
| qucsttd for publication.
An excellent dinner was prepared by Mr.
Goss OF The Mortified House, of which about
ore hundred gentleman pariook. Charles
Paine. Esq. presided, assisted by Messrs. I.
?. Jcwett, Samuel Donncy, aud Clifton Clay
get, as Vice Presidents The office of Chop
lain was performed by the R,v.Mr. Grangtr.
Afcr the cloth was removed, the following
'o1sl' and sentiments were announced bv J.
A. Vail, Esq.
!. The Day ice Get, jraie.-The 4lh Of July,
l716. lay each morn Of $ anniversary be
as was the evening OF the first 10 the armies of
the Repubc--a new era--inspring hope and
giving vigor; "lke he shining of The SUMS
| beams in da,kncss'-so efhgent with bril-.
llancy, and so dazzling in its after brightness
as 10 reflect lis beauties upon the crowned
heads OF the world.
?. The Memory of Washingiop,
ain each fond heart did nature fondy blend
The fearless hero and the faithful frlend--
In each patfios bosom lives his spotlcss name,
And there shall tise--his Monument flame
g. The soldiers and patriots Of The Repolu-
zion. Co.workers in the cause Of FRI odom,-
their fame is eternal.
a. The Memory of LGlayeHe.-
"This was the noblest Roman Of them ALL
The elements were
So mkt in him, that nature might stand up
And say to all the world-This ,0as man. .
s. Lexington and Yorktown. The Alpha
and the Qmega--the beginning and the end
ing.
g. The Declaration Of hdepenaent:. An
offering of the spirit Of ireedoul-nulure's Gilt.
Let M noursh and cherish the sacred boon
as the language oflhe Genius OF Liberty God
save the noble instrument!
7. Ethan .9iisn.-One OF nalure's great men
in time of danger he had The mind 10 con.
eeive, the heart TO dare, and the hand TO eye.
cute,