Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-08-07
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE AGE.
Point Coupe, July 9th, lS45.

| ''"t SouPCSj Jui) O'lj IOfc'
DEAR SIR:-The 4th passed Off here in
the most quiet manner possible. The on
y proceedings had on the occasion we're
one or two Barbacues in the vicinity |
am told that The negroes on Bayou Grasse-
tite, settlement about fifteen miles from
here, celebrated the birth Of "Independ-
ence with song and gIee." | did not
learn whether the great Congo Dance was
performed, or the Grafton deIiverd with
the accompaniment Of fiddle but presume
their sable honors done the "claan thing"
The steamboat Missouri on her upward
trip from New Orleans to St. Louis, on
Friday last, reported that the question of
annexation had been decided by the Tex
ians IN its favor. have not vet seen any
newspaper statement of the kind, nor
know that the passengers on the boat, who
communicated the information, obtained
it from any more reliable source than the
rumor anoat in New Orleans, when they
left. 1t is believed here however that the
intelligence is correct. In case Texas
has given her assent to a measure lr0ught
with highest benefit to her and which
would be highest folly for her to reject, it
becomes the duty Of that portion of the
American people who have opposed it TO
submit to the decision made And should
war grow out of it, their duty is equally
obvious to use their infunce and exerlions
to aid the Government in its efforts to de-
feat and overwhelmn foreign interference
in our affairs. The principle is little
better understood now than formerly. that
the citizen is morally bound to support
the Government in war, though he may
honestly entertain the optimism, that it is
unjust or ineXpcdient. For his private o.
pinion may be erroneous. And his notions
ofjnstlce or eXpediency are not to aosolve
him from supporting the government, which
is the legal and Constitutional tribunal to
decide such questions. 1t certainly is adj
mssable for him to exert his influence to
prevent war, which he may deem I'M
necessary or unjust, but when it becomes
inevitable, his scrupIes should yield 10 the
impulses Of patriotism. Then j, is that
reason, religion and duty alike urge him
to give his support to the banners of his
country, to
Stand by his country's glory fast,
And nail her coors TO tho mast.
|! would seem the determination Of some
leading journals from the tone and temper
Of their articles to fight against the admis-
sion Of Texas into our Union. even to the
"arbityament of arms" That this spirit
W i'll be aIlayed is "devoutly to be wished"
The fate ofreirac,ory politicians in the last
war, will teach their brethren to avoid
their footsteps in case of another contest.
In my former letters have no, attempt
ed to give description OF the country.
In the language Of the literary charlatans
ofthe day 'I'm not good at description"
| find however in "Flint's travels" an ac-
count Of this place and one of its former
citizens, which | hope you will not deem
unworthy aplace in your columns Here
it ls-"At Ponte Coupee the coast COM
mcnces IN its beauty, Here you begin to
see Orange groves, and the spreading and
verdant branches of the live-oak Here,
too, you see that magnificent plant, which
the French call eject" with its foliage per.
fectIy green during the winter, and the en-
tremiles Otis leaves terminating with
thousand thorny points. In this village
lived and died, Mr. Paydrass greatly dis
tiuguIshcd for his wealth and hcnevoence.
Let the great have columns and their
names be 'writtcn on a pillar when they
die; for me, would covet above all things,
the monument Of Paydras lie endowed
Orphan ASYLUM in the city Of New Or
leans; he gave the proceeds of handsome
property, twenty thousand dollars, be-
ieve, to be distributed in marriage portions
to a number of poor girls IN the adjoining
parishes; aud he left various other magni6
cent charities lie left in particular an
ample endowment to the school in his own
parish" The sum lett by Mr. Paldfas,
the interest Of which is distributed for
marriage portion was thirty instead OF
twenty thou,a dollars, This sum ac-
cording to the devise is leased out at the
legal rate otin,erest, ten per cent. and the
proceeds Of each year are paid to such
young Ladies of this parish, (not as above
stated of the Odjoing parishes, who chance
to marry that year. Last year ! am told
there we're but four marriages. Consc-
qucnrIy the proceeds of that year were d.
ylded among the four. The devise was
unqueslionably designe for the benefit of
INDECENT young ladies', hut its language is
so vague, that the Executors decide ii to
apply to all, both rich aud poor. The en-
dowment for a school or college has result
cd in the erection ola building, at the cost
of ten thousand dollars, which is employ
ed for the use OF primary school, after
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