davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
PROGENY OF MEN OF GENIUS.

A writer in the Quarterly Review presents a very
striking fact in relation to Il family history of men
eminently distinguished by their intellectual attain
ments. He was discussing an objection to the copy
right billhat perpetuty in literary property would
tabsh an arisocracy, would found another noblesse-
and shows that there is danger of This result from
the bill in question.
"We are not going to speculate" he says, about
the causes Of the fact-but fact it is--that men
distinguished for extraordinary intellectual power
ofany sort very rarely leave more than very brief
line of progeny behind them. Men of genius have
scarcely ever done so--men of imaginative genius
might say, almost never With the one excep-
ton of the noble Surrey, we cannot at this moment
point out representative in the male line, even so
far down in the third generation of any English
poet and we believe the is the same in France.
The blood of beings of that order can seldom be
traced far down in the female line. With the
exception of Surrey and Spenser, we not aware
of any great English author of at all remote date
scended. There is other real English poet prior
to the middle of the eighteenth century, and we be-
eve great author ofany Sort except Clarendon and
SALISBURY, of whose blood we have any inheritance
amongst us. Chaucer's only son died childess.
Shakspeare's line expired in his daughters only
daughter None of the other dramatists of that age
left any progeny-nor Raleigh, nor Bacon, nor Cow
ley, nor Butler. The granddaughter of Milton was
the last of his blood. Newton, Locke, Pope Swift,
Arbuthnot, Hume, Gbbon, Cowper, Gray, Walpole,
Cavendish--and might greatly extend the list
never married. Neither Bolngbroke nor Addison,
nor Warburton, nor Johnson, Burke, transmitted
their blood. M Renourd's last argument against
perpetuity in literary property is, that it would be
founding another nobesse. Neither jealous arstocra-
cy nor envious jacobinism need be under much alarm
When human race has produced its bright con-
summate flower" in this kind, it " seems commonly
to be near its end" Poor Goldsmith might have
been mentioned in the above list The theory il
Illustrated in our own day. The two greatest names
in science and literature of our time were Davy and
Sir Walter Scott. The first died childless. Sir Wal
ter left four children of whom three are dead, only
one of them (Mrs LockharD leaving issue, and the
fourth (his eldest SON. though living, and long mar
ried has no issue. These are curious facts.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the NJ. Y. Erpre,
RHODE ISLAND.

Mr. Webster passed through this city yesterday
his way to Boston, but not in the rumored character
of Penipotentiary from the President to treat with
the insurgents of Rhode Island. No other member
of the Cabinet has been here of late.
We have no doubt however, that this Rhode Island
business will be settled, and satisfactorily
too to nearly all the parties concerned. The Presi
dent has so decisively shown his determination to
maintain the Charter and the Laws of the constituted
Government till is legally changed that the nsur-
gents must, and will yield, their excuse for which
will be to their partsans, promise on the part OF
the Charter People TO create reform Convention,
where the charter can be amended according to Law
and not by insurrecton.
There is disposition in Rhode Island, and there
has not been for some time to maintain the existing
Charter unchanged The resistance has been to the
change by revolution The principle of such action
was so bad the example bad that the faces of all
sound and people in the country have been sci
against the nsurrectionary movements. They have
been sustained here and there by party fanatics who
wish to make party capital out of their movements
but the SOBER sedate opinion of the country has all
counter to their acts
These disputes, however, we believe are now nearly
There will be, we think, more arrests, no
more attempts either to put the new constitution in
force and in due time, constitution will be
made, way that will satisfy nearly all.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
COURT MARTIAL-CASE OF CAPTAIN u P.
LEVY.

WASHINGTON, April 49, l842.
SIR Upon mature consideration of the records
of the Court Martial, have come to the conclusion,
without designing any disrespect to the Court that
the punishment denounced against Captain Levy by
the sentence of the Court is exceedingly severe, and
dispi oportioned to the offence charged The punish
ment in order to be just must be proportional to the
crime In arriving at this conclusion have not per-
mitted myself to look beyond the charge and its spe-
cifcation Whether the officer be good or bad--whe-
Their his department in general be correct or other
wise, ought not to enter into the inquiry.
My respect for the Court, sustained as it is by your
opinion would lead me to desire carry out its sem
tence but for the fact that in doing should esta-
bsh precedent which would bind me in all other
cases, and adopt rule for future action that which
might involve in similar fate any other officer who had
departed in any respect, from the rigid rules Of the
service.
desire, therefore, that you will submit the SEN
tence to the Court for its reconsideration with d.
recons that their judgment shall be confined to the
single point of the treatment of Thompson and that
on this point any new testimony, either in illustration
Of the motive or the fact, may be admitted on the
part of the prosecution or the accused Be assured
of my great respect
JOHN TYLER.
To fho SrCp Nv
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17

Last evening, May 18th, within few min utes of
nine O'Clock, whilst standing in the Bowery, and
looking about E. S. E. at the smoke ascending from
burning buildings, at the corner of livingston and
Forsyth streets, which large quantities of water
had, for about half an hour, been pouring from fire
engines, observed in the direction of the hot air
above the buildings, and apparently in this air, two
electrical discharges, at an interval Of several mi
nutes They resembled streaks of lightning, nearly
vertical, and at angular altitude of about thirty
degrees. The sky was, in every visible part perfect
ly clear and on examination some minutes after
ward from different locality, from which the
light of the fire projected on different part of
the sky the latter found to be clear in the drec-
ton from which the apparent lightning had been
SEEN, thunderstorm had ended about eight o'clock
but the direction in which it had travelled was forty
or fifty degrees farther north.
The writer is DESTROYS of asceraining whether any
person saw these streaks-not mere tashes-about
nine o'clock in the direction of the fire. when look
ing along Forsyth street or along Rivngton street,
in the opposite direction. Such fact would prove
them to have been generated by the steam which
was condensed above the fire. 1t would be fact
analogous to that of the electrical sparks from the
steam locomotives and would, like that throw light
on the cause Of lightning and of the aurora borealis
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the N. D. Bulletin.


The last advices from Texas leave no room to
doubt the determination of the Government to carry
the war into Mexico. The organization and equip
ment of regular army is going steadily and rap
idly. The force already assembled is about one
thousand men, and by the time all things are ready
Tor increment the numter will no doubt he largely
augmented. The necessity of making preparation
has compelled postponement of the invasion much
longer than suited the impetuosity of the multitude
Hence clamors have been raised against the Execu-
tive, as lukewarm, not medtating seriously the
threatened movement. There are, however, no
grounds for such accusations and suspicious. 1t is
not to be supposed that undertaking 80 grave as
the conquest of kingdom should be commenced at a
moments warning
Months are required to provide the materiel for
large army, and an equal length Of time may prota
bly, be spent IN training recruits and habituatng
them to the discipline of the camp. The delay was
wise on the part of the Texan President, and is in
keeping with the Fabian policy which marked his
geneIalshlp during the momentOus campaign that
achieved the independence of the Republic. A
month or two may yet elapse before the march upon
the Rio Grande will be undertaken, but that the
terprise will be carried on, no of doubt
be entertained. Houston fast collecting, from the
West and South, multitude of daring and ambitious
spirits, to whom a campaign against Mexico holds
forth all the charms of romance and chivary When
ever fair commencement shall have been made,
and few battles fought and won there be no
difficulty in engaging in the service amount of
physical force more than adequate TO success.
The only chance for Mexico to avert the danger is
to make terms with the enemy before it is too late,
and at recognize the independence of Texas.
OF this, however, no probability exists Events,
therefore, must take their natural course, and Mexi
co be hurried on to meet doom that her obsti-
macy and nfauation have provoked and rendered in
4 evitabe.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From thc N. Y. Journal of Com N en-

From the ". Y. Journal Of Commerce.
Public sentiment with regard to the affairs of Rhode
Island stands upon pivot, and will turn easily either
way. The universally of suffrage in almost all the
the fundamental matter of difference between the two
parties. A vast majority of the American people
sympathse with the Suffrage party in this. In their
attempt t. carry out that principle, however by es-
tablishlng new government to override the actual
government, public sentiment ought to be, and we
have no doubt IS, strongly against them. That pro-
cedure was inconsistent with the integrity of all our
institutions Since the adjournment Of the Suffrage
Legislature, the legitimate government have done very
right it to u.s. in arrestng several of the Suf-
flage leaders, and the gentlemen arrested have done
honor to themselves American citizens in submit
ting to be arrested and yielding the proper course
of law. They have thus exhibited their regard for
order, and their confidence in American institutions
TO bring them out right. Public sentiment will 90
with both sides in this procedure, but we doubt whe-
Their it will authorize many more arrests There is
necessity for arresting every who took part in
the usurpation Enough have already been commit
ted, to establish the supremacy of the laws and test
all the principles in the The legal government
is now established and if is done, the inau-
ence on the country generally will be sautary. 1t
would be most unfortunate if arrests should be pushed
80 lar AZ to produce counter current. Now, it
to u.s. is the time for final settlement of the whole af
fair AS yet, the controversy has not gone beyond
words and demonstrations. Not drop of blood has
been shed--not blow struck The laws have held
the Rhode Islanders as they always should This is
the time for the legal Legislature to show their gcnerosi
~, and by calling Convention giving the people
generally the right OF voting Tor delegates, to put an
end to the controversy in this happy moment We
care not 10 know what would have happened in
Rhode Island, if either party of our fellow citizens
there had forgotten American in ercsis and American
principles, and given them elves up the control OF
stubbornness or revenge.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the .Ne,c York Epening Post.
DEPARTURE OF BISHOP SOULE.

AT the Preachers meeting, held at the Methodist
Book ROOM on Saturday morning last, the following
resolution was UNANIMOUSLY adopted:
Whereas, the venerable Bishop Soule, having been
appointed by the last General Conference of the Me-
thodst Episcopal Chuvch, adelegate to the Wesleyan
Methodist Connection, and being about to embark for
Liverpool: Therefore,
Resolved, That the Presiding Elder of the New York
district, the Preachers stationed in this city and
Brooklyn, the Book Agents and Editors the Corre-
spending Secretary of the Missionary Society," accom-
pany Bishop Soule to the Narrows, on Friday, the
18th nstant and that the other Bishops and Preach
crs who may be in the city at the time, be invited to
accompany us.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the LopeU Courier
Mr.. CUSHING.

We notice that some papers attribute Mr.. Cush-
ing's opposition to the printing of Mr. Poindexters
report to fear lest should operate to the injury of
MIR. Tyler and the Administration We cannot per-
ceve how any can fail to see, if he reads the re-
port of the Debates the utter groundessness OF this
charge Mr. Cushing takes distinctly the ground that
the report should not be printed and circulated oy ~,
self The reports of the other commissioners ought
to have gone with it. The andote and the Dane
should go together. This is precisely the view taken
by Mr. Gushing, and we believe that every fair, can
did mind in the community will agree that 1t cor
reneated attempts of enemies of Mr. Gushing to mis-
represent his acts and mpugn his motives. Mr.
Cushing we doubt not is willing to be judged by his
cs and 80 far as they relate to the present Congress
no man need less fear rigid scrutiny INTO his official
acts than MIR. Gushing.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the Philadelphia american Sentinel.

Our respected contemporary of the United States
Gazette, takes exception to a remark made by us,
few days ago. that for one offence the Veto Of the
Bank Mr.. Tyler has been cast Off by portion Of
the Wing party. He says, that &C offence not a
simple vote" but that " the bill passed
promise, proposed by the President himself, and
urged upon members of Congress- at his solicitation
by members of the Cabinet" and that therefore the
Veto was not only offensive per Sc, but "by the means
taken to secure the passage of the bill, personal
and party offence" After the many labored state
ments that have been made relative to this matter
not only by all the members of the former Cabinet Of
President Tyler, but by other gentlemen, should
despair of throwing new light on the subject. 1t has
been impression, since the dissolution of the
Cabinet and the consequent Developments that there
was some Misrepresentation in relation to the second
Bank bill that vetoed by Mr. Tyler 1t true that
several distinguished gentlemen. who were connected
with the getting up and passage of that bill think
President Tyler did not act with perfect candor liz
relation to it and when the rupture took place,
veral communications from them were published
with view to show that he had deceived the par
ties whom he had consulted ON that occasion. This
was, however, most positively denied by Mr.. Tyler
and his friends; and we recollect that received
strong impression, at that time, from some of these
statements, and especially that of the Hon. Johr
Bell, the Secretary of War; that the charge agans
the President had not been sustained by the evidence
and that the retiring Secretaries had been led
by their own excited feelings rather than by any de-
clarations of Mr.. Tyler He said explicitly, before
the second bill passed, and while the whole was I'M
der discussion in Congress, that he could not sign it
clear and decided proof that the bill not in The
shape that he desired it to assume, if it intended
by its supporters, that he should officially approve
| of it.
| With regard to the appointments under the nationa
Government we do not profess to know much, beyont
the limits of Philadelphia. We have supposed, tina
elswhere well as here, they given, at least
as exclusively has been the case, to active
whigs to make room for whom, active democrat
has reference to the question of National Bank
the course of Mr. TYLER has necessarily created hos
tile feelings among members of the wing party, which
are manifesting themselves daily, by abuse of Mr.
Tyler by section, and the attempt to remove hi
violent opponents on the other We readily con
cede to our respected friend of the United State
Gazette that the effect of all this is to weaken tn
great whig party and to strengthen their opponents
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the ". o. Advertiser

The people in Congress, that is those of them THAI
the friends of Mr.. Clay, were at last dates, not
celebrating upon the wants of the country and its
high interests at home and abroad, but were busily
engaged in contriving plans to 'head" President Ty
Ter and break down his Administration
In the Senate, the watchword is, in relation to the
appointment Of public servants--is the nominee
friend of the Administrations If he be, or even be
suspected Of political mparality, he is at once toma-
hawked without the least show of mercy No man
pass the ordeal Of the tyranica Clay majority,
unless he be committed in favor of MIR. Clay, and he
bitter enemy to John Tyler. To be the supporter
of Mr.. Van Buren,, MIR. Buchanan or Mr. Calhoun
is equal cause FOL using the tomahawk Nothing but
the possession of the brass collar of Clayism is
passport to Senatorial favor
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the Boston Times.
RHODE ISLAND ACCOMPLISHMENT TY-
LER'S LETTER

Governor King has issued proclamation calling
attention to letter which he has received from Pre-
sident Tyler in answer TO one of his own dated the
4th AS this letter will probably be misrepresented,
and its language perverted by political opponents Of
the President, and Of the Freeholder's party, we
have deemed 1t cSpedient to publish it entire. 1t
will be seen the President has resolved to employ
armed force against the suffrage only in case of
actual violence and bloodshed To do this is o per-
form duty imposed on him by the Constitution
from which he cannot possibly escape, no matter
how painful its performance be- We do not fear,
however, that crisis which will render the interpo-
stion Of the IT, S. troops necessary, will ever ar
rive. We have stated this opinion distinctly and at
several times and have seen no reason to change.
The threats of violence uttered by the opponents of
the Freeholders party were unquestionably made to
overawe opposition and hasten those concessions
which the Assembly men must sooner or later make.
The Suffrage party are daily losing prominent mem
bers from their ranks, and il appears if AMIGA
bic arrangement between the conflicting parties
would be effected before long,
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17

From The 81. Louis Bull

TT0TW NE ~. LOUIS BuIIeftN.
The letters of the Paris correspondent of the Mad-
sonian is from the pen of one of Virginias younx,
but most accomplished sons, and exhibits the true
feelings of an American, when distant from the arena
of political strife, and Judging from no party inn
pulse.
We know the writer well, but his merits are best
told by his writings If space were allowed us, we
mend the extract from of them, published to-day,
to the perusal Of our readers
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17

IN THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL LET THERE
BE uSirf-H NoH-EssENrIALs, LIBERTY AND IN ALL
THINGS CHARITY.-.4tigtastjn
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17

Sir Gilbert Blame, Health of Seamen, prefator
discourse.
Sir Gilbert Blane Health of the Navy.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
From the Ne,o York Euening Post.
LIGHTNING.

To the SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-15
PROPOSALS
For

KENDALL'S EXPOSlTOR-('TmRp VoLuME.)
A RRANG EMENTS have been made to CO ftnue
II this work with increased vigor. During the
year lS43 it will be devoted with more zeal than ever
to the support of Democratic principles 1t will be
chiefly filled with original matter, from the pen of
the editor, who will discuss great questions With the
utmost freedom, and give condensed summary of
foreign and domestic news, and the proceedings Of
Congress, with the yeas and nays on important ques-
IONS The editor intends also to give sketches of
his experience and observation in public life. Being
deprived of his liberty for fidelity to the public, he
desires to show his fellow men in private stations
how the world is governed
The third volume will be published by WILLIAM
GREER, every other week, with four additional num-
bers making thirty in all, at ONE DOLLAR, paid
in advance.
Subscriptions may be sent to the Editor or Pub
sher free OF postage, or postage aid. Postmasters
are authorized to forward subscription money, under
their fir nix, in letters written by themselves
sep l0--lm
The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-15
CHASE'S WRITING ACADEMY.

MI r. c. II. CHASE has returned to Washington
INl and taken room on Pennsylvania avenue
(north sde) Sd door from 18th street. here he in.
tends to remain few months. All bad writees
would do well to make immediate application at his
room which is the only place in Washington where
systematic course of instruction can be obtained. -
Those who have never earned to write are positive
~ guaranteed good hand in course of lessons
Lessons given at any time, day or at night, either
privately or at the Academy. Those making mme-
date application will be entitled to a sea, in thi
school so long it shall remain open, without extra
charge For further information inquire at the Aca-
DENY, where proof Of the teachers superior qualrf.
cations will be given. dec S-tf
The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-15
FOR 8 AT.E
oct l4-lawtds

IRON, LEAD, COPPER SPIKES. RIvETS,
l. PUMPS, &c. CHEAP FOR CASH AT THE
OLD JAiL-About five tons best Swede Iron, taken
out of the doors and windows Of the Jail would
swer well for similar purpose, or for any work in
the smithing line.
Also, several hundred pounds of old lead and cop
per, lot Of old spikes and rives, and two good Sc
cond-hand pumps.
Also a large quantity of secondhand flooring, old
SASH plank, SIC
The large doors Of the Jail, and also those Of
wood, strongly rvetted are perfect and would suit
without alteration for any purpose of like nature with
that in which they have been heretofore used.
The whole will be sold in lots TO suit purchasers,
the iron in quantities Of not less than onefourth of
ton.
Apply TO the subscriber on the premises or at his
residence on street. the United States Treasu-
ny Department.
Nov. 23-2aw3w ID. A. GARDNER.