The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-14
ANTrQUTTIEs DE TrrE WEsT.

Ah4ASLJAAAE9 OE THE w ESIs
There is no portion of world that abOunds
more in Antiquities than the Western portion
of the United States; and msny of them are Of a
nature calculated to awaken the most curious
conjectures.
On our parties are mounds and small emil
nences of various kinds, that seem to have been
raised by the hand of art; and many remains
have been dug from the earth that show thai
those who inhabited this country before us,
of whose history we have no account, pos.
sessed, to some extent, a knowledge of the
arts
In some instances, there has been dug from
the earth, regular made and burned brick, and
in one instance, have been found the remains
of a walled city-waled with brick, which
would not only Indicate that those who once
inhabited it, understood the art of making brick
but were in fear of aggressions from other tribes
or nations.
There has been dug upon the Illinois River,
lately, what appeared TO be the remains of an
ancient blacksmith shop. A few days since,
friend of ours handed us an account OF some
pieces ofware that was dug on his farm, IN this
county, which bore the marks OF great anti
putty.
What remains hidden under the fertile soil
OF Illinois. isyet to be found out by the curosl-
ty and perseverance of the more enterprising.
While Columbus was philosop hising upon the
existence OF this conference.-the he was bea-
ting out into the vast waters, beyond which it
was not known that the foot of civilized or bar
barous man had ever trod-while he even dis
covered this continent--whie the Pilgrim
Fathers were landing upon the rock at Ply
mouth, and were fitting themselves homes,
thinking that beyond them was naught but the
Red man-there might have been, in the Far
West, nation of people, whose history has
not been handed down to us, and who posses
sed as we have before stated degree Of civili-
cation. The appearance of the soil ana earth,
for some distance below the surface, seems 10
indicate that there has been a great change
in the external appearance of this portion oil
! country.
In this City we have seen petrifed substan-
ces, that have been dug up, at the depth of 20
feet below the surface. It will be borne in
mind that Springfield is not near any large
stream that would justify the conclusion that
this is alluvial earth, any more than any Other
part of our prairies; and from the appearance
of the whole country, we are led to believe
that nearly the whole surface Of our prairie
country, has been formed or changed by some
mighty movement in the great River of the
West-the Mississippi.-Sp11ng. (IH.) Cour
LIFE IN MIcHlGAN.-The Detroit Advertiser
of the 26th ultimo, gives an account Of mos
daring outrage and robbery committed in The
town of Highland, Oakland county, week OF
two previous, on the farm of PHINEAS i. DAVIS
of Detroit Mr.. Davis had been at great eX
pense to stock his farm with the best breeds o
cattle, and had rendered it one of the most valu
| able in that county.
| 1t appears that on Sunday morning, the 15u
ult. before daylight, some twenty-five ruftian
armed with knives and other weapons, arrived
at the farm in wagons, and without any cere
mony, proceeded to the barns and out-houses
and killed some twenty hogs-drove off some q
or 80 others-four fine horses-one double wag
on and harness. bull-23 sheep-6O0 bushels
of oats-300 bushels of corn-besides severa
harrows, ploughs, and other farming utensils
and ripped open several fine breeding sows o
the Berkshire breed, by which brutal act be
tween 60 and so pigs were destroyed!
Immediate information of the outrage was car
ried to Mr.. Davis, who at once proceeded to tn
scene of plumber, and after several days etfor
succeeded in arresting nineteen of the gang
who were all indicted by the Grand Jury then il
session at Pontiac. The Advertiser suggests tina
this outrage would not have occurred had it nc
been for the peculiar character of the Sheriff c
the county; who, in one instance, during the ii
, vestigation of the affair, made appraises of tw
of the robbers, and in another instance took on
of the thieves as security for the safe return {
one of the horses he had stolen.
The Sheriff was a Mr. Bucknan, who ha
been removed by Governor Woodbridge, and wa
reinstated at the last election in the county b
his Loco Foco friends, who had been exceeding
ly outraged by this act of official prescription
Immediately after his reelection he commence
a system of plumber, neglecting to pay over tt
moneys collected on executions entrusted to HIN
and few days since was arrested and imprisoi
ed on some offence of this description. He maj
aged, however, to procure temporary releas
for the purpose of seeking bail, and few da.
since made his appearance at the principal h
tel in the place, paid his respects to a number
persons assembled there, mounted feet her
which had been procured for the occasion, al
was sesn off at full speed for Texas Two
his bail were soon in swift pursuit, but they 7
turned without being able to track the foe
steps Of their illustrious predecessor. The a
gregate OF his defalcations is stated at 515,6O
SJ-The Mexican Congress passed, on Il
l7lh October, law to the following effet
That the government is authorised to contra
a loan of $4,000, 900, pledging for the payne
thereof the Is per cent. duty; and the Preside
may issue bonds for that amount, which shs
be sold to the best bidder, within thirty da
two thirds of the proceeds of said loan to
expended in acquiring marine and 9th
necessaries for prosecuting the war again
Texas.
According to recent statement, there a
in Massachusetts-3O cotton factories, wi
612,276 spindes; 2O3 woollen factories, wi
1899 spindles; 88 iron works; T49 slittir
mills and nail machines; % card factories;
paper mills; 5 glass factories.
Those who outlive their incomes by splend
in dress or equipage, are well said to resemb
a town on fire, which shines by that which d
Stroys it.
Solomon saws. ssa yirtnous woman is a cron