davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

injustice" Our State constitutions were adopted
by the great body of the people, as their funda-
mental law TO guard against the injury and op
preston of those few who might so far force,
their duty to their God, their country, and them
selves as to commit ouirages upon others. by vio-
lailon of their rights of person or property, either
by the commission of crimes the inf1ction of civ
ii injury. or the usurpation of power by the fe,p
who are entrusted with the authority of the
State, whose real power is necessarily derived
from the great body Of the citizens of the same.
but which power, in the language of the cor
respondent" drawing all things unto itself has.
in all past time, proved itself prone to arrogate to
itsefjurisdiction not originally conferred thereby
placing itself beyond the control of those dancer.
Gus maiorities which seem so much to aqitate the
aristocratic nerves of" the correspondent" Thus
mGJortties, not minorlties, have been most op-
pressed. And Constitutions have been adopted
with us, in America, 10 secure the RIGHTS not OF
minorities against majoriies but the rights of all
against all ,cho may violate them We do not,
however, subscribe TO the doctrine of some. tina,
" the people, that Is, the majority of them, are
their own worst enemies" and require rulers
to be set over them to secure them against them
selves. Why, if that be true, we ought to see
our prison houses and places of punishment for the
violation OF the rights of others, filled with the
majority Of the people for says " the correspon
dent, against them our Constitutions are intend
ed TO guard. What should we think of seeinp
the majority of the citizens of Virginia shut NJ
in the penitentiary to secure the rights of the ew!
No, this doctrine will not answer. 1t is anti-re
publican, anti-American, anti -human-it is des
potic and devilsh in its tendency
It's to secure the rights of all, as far as may be
that government is, or should be established and
TO secure that end the only safe and reasonable
course is to place the controlling power as nearl,
as possible, in the hands of all who have an inter
est in directing that power for the benefit of all
for this is the best guarantee for its proper exer
cise And if oppression is to exist, (God forbie
that it should any where but if it be to EXIST lie
it fall upon the least number possible, for the les
unhappiness the better. We are far from regard
ing the extension of the Right of Suffrage as al
unimportant matter. For the honor of the Com
monweath, and the gcbd of humanity, let it b,
done. The other position of ''the correspondent
we will not now discuss
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

A GENUINE CoMPLIMENr.-Itis said that a
lady of extraordinary beauty, once confessed that
the only real compliment she ever received was
from coal HEAVIER, who asked permission to light
his pipe in her eyes. We have lately met with
another compliment paid by sailor, who was d.
rected by his captain to carry letter 10 the lady
of his love. The sailor having performed his er
rand. stood gazing in silent admiration upon the
countenance of the lady, for she was " beautiful
exceedingly" Well, my honest man." she
said. " for what do you wait ? there is no answer
expected" Lady," said the sailor, :" | would
like to know your name" "And why 2' she
replied. why should you seek to know nv
name p Because" said he, :" because I,oould
cav upon it IN storm. and save some ship from
sinking"
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
band stabbing the guilty pair, and turning him
self a raving maniac.
5. Three deaths by Lightning-n ICanada.

band stabbng the guilty pair. and turning him
self a raving maniac.
5. Three deaths by Lightning ICanada
b. FrighUuL Occidental locomotive crush
es carriage that crosses the track at the time of
passing and seriously Injuries the owner and dri-
yer, while wife and child escape by miracle.
Z. Dreadful ,9ccident.-In Columbia, Pa.
Michael Sloat walks in his sleep out of door in
the second story of house, and after lingering in
heart rending agony for few hours, died
8. Suicide at Hoboken.--A Mr. Peter Rose.
a surgical instrument maker, shoots himself be-
cause he was losing his eye sight, and he feared
bringing his family to restitution.
9. Destructive Fire-Loss of Life-Horri-
BILE Murder.-In Xenia, Ohio, several houses de.
stroyed by fire, set by the hand of the incendiary
who murdered two young men, James Kinney and
William Steele.
10. Another Seducer .Murdered-.In Florida,
MIR. Dexter Wells shoots Robert Headden.-
Cause Headden had seduced Wells sister.
IL. Fire-Narro,o Escape-In Baltimore
Report given in our Correspondents letter last
Saturday.
IL. another.-Gives the account of successful !
incendiary attempt to destroy the Store of Dem
mis- s. Co., on the Corner of Lombard and Hano
yer streets.
l3. To the Humane.-Calls the attention of
the humane to the destitute situation of Mrs. Ann
Marshall who lost her all by the fire of Thurs
day in Market Space
Ia. Charge Of Murder.-Bernard M'Donnell
who was stabbed by his wife with knife in the
arm, has died, and the woman has been arrested
for the murder.
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
A MORBID CURIOSITY.

We are not much in the habit Of dealing in the
horrible, or catering to the prurient taste, which
eagerly looks for the detail of Murder and Crime
in the columns Of a newspaper, but our eye was
particularly struck at the vast amount of villany
and misery recorded in the Baltimore Sun, Of
Friday morning, and we thought we would just
1--WE an abstract of the headings:
l. "A Hoar.-This article gives the lie to a
miserable report that fatal duel had been fought
It Geneva, n Y.
2. Conviction of Boyd.-Reports the trial
md conviction of Jabez Boyd at Westchester, N.
T., for murder The usual plea of insanity was
ct up, but it did not operate in this case.
3. Fire at Albany.-Report of a fire which
destroyed great number of out-houses, and Sc
eral valuable dwelling houses
4. a Fearful Tragedy.-Tells the story Of a
merchants wife proving unfaithfuI-of the hus-
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
A GREAT COUNTRY.

The Green Bay (Wisconsin) Republican says
that the amount of money received at the Green
Bay Land Office during the month ending June
Both, for private entries, was fftren thousand
nine hundred and one dollars, fftysfpe cents
and the amount received for the same purpose du-
ring the quarter just ended, is almost forty thou
sand dollars Full nine tenths is Immediately
occupied by eastern emigrants
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
From the N. Y. Spirit of the Times.
A TRUSTY JUROR

In trial for capital offences, it is usual for the
CLERK OF the Court to PROFOUND to each juror as he
ne called and before he is empanelled, the follow
ing questions:
&c Have you formed or expressed an opinon
concerning tho guilt or innocence of the accus-
ed 2" 0 "0'''
DO yon cherish any conscientious scruples
with regard TO capital punishment
Are you akin to the prisoner 2''
A trial for murder in the first degree. or az a
sportsman would term it, race for life and death.
came oil short time since, within less than one
hundred miles from civilization, when a Juror.
WHO hau not acted IN that noble capacity before a
man OF light complexion and considerable spunk.
VAN "ithal, and with dash of what answers to
Addlscns definition of " vicions modesty.n was
Inc very first man called to decide upon the issue
OF life and DEATH
me accused was buck negro, shining black,
80 ""n aS SUN and coarse as the teeth of a
carding machine -
Clerk-Prisoner, look upon the iuror-Juror.
look upon The prisoner! Do YOU challenge 2
counsel tor pIisoner-Not peremptoriIy.
CjeIk-fiaye you formed or expressed an on;n-
accused? " " '''e
gSGG,I,or-Why what question. How should I.
CLERK repeats the question:
Juro,-Why never saw him before.
IisaH the question-yes or no
CO., i'-A'o sport here, it is too serious a mat
Gierk-Have you any conscientious scrunIesq
2uIo,-i nave few left
CleTK-l mean about infIictino can;t,I nrn;sb-
ment for crime? '"P''"i punish
| M; oi-1'one whatever, do assure you.
cornsoI '',cdeclaration brought the prisoners
~" W 'ne ieet, who going to arrue that
we manner IN which the jurors last answer was
gwen was good cause for challenge, but he WINS
stopped by the Court. 10 "1'
| GIefK-Are you akin to the prsoner2
Juror-What!
IN The T.I,h repeats the question: Are you akin
J 51 do you take me for
| IlerK-Are you akin to the prisonerq
| JuTor-Your face is blacLer on S"nd. IT.
nine on weekdays, and vour hair is WOOL AZ
you AKIN TO the prisoner
| I'eIh-answer the question.
table people, '''"' wy KIN are resPec-
The we cloudy brow Of the Court indicated that
VIC 0oN'eience should be cut short and the nrisor.
vou'Sel oodlng no good from the iuror's con.
.,nr T., oPu'on OF his client, challenged the in
I ~, oause, namely, an opinion EXPRESSED
1ooIv,.,J What, am insnlted bv that
zoe cle'K' and now one of his hired bulliea
md his hill, me. NO, III fight the clerk first,
one Nv "ghIhg oy proxy
nay retire. ''u are chalenged-you
II not retire. 0N vi iriena OF foe
Cou[t-oIr, you are committed for t,v.r,v .for,
into custody. 0"0i''' 'oNe h'"
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
MORE OF THE OXFORD ROBBERY

The Norwich Courier says, that brother Of
Mr.. Paine passed through that city on Sunday in
hot pursuit of the robbers of his brother, having
by the assistance of Mesmerism, ascertained that
they were in New London. He, however, return
ed without them, as they had probably been
Mesmerised in advance. The Courier, also says
that this brother once lived in Norwich, and at
that time went by the name of Prince. The
Courier treats the whole matter as a farce.
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
MAGNETISM.

Professor De Bonneville is now successfully
prosecuting the science of Animal Magnetism in
Portsmouth, by healing the sick and relieving the
afflicted. His Lectures come off every evening
in the basement Of the Baptist Church, where the
wonders of the Science are taught, and developed
by astonishing experiments. We should advise
every sincere inquirer after truth to attend, as it
has got too firm a hold on the public mind, and
the benefits that flow from it to suffering humani-
ty, are too many, and have been too varously
multiplied, to be now cried down as humbur
1t must be thoroughly examined, and those who
pretend to judge of it without giving it that ex-
animation, will themselves be looked upon as
humbugs.
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

heart and den its ma is doin' to die too, and nasty
widow Jenkins is dom to marry its pa, and
bury and fordit its poor ma and poor baby At
the same moment she took look at pa, who felt
more distressed, and then commenced crying, and
then | commenced crying, and then she ordered
the nurse TO take me away, hollered LOUDER
When Molly got me into the nursery she threw
me into the crib, with the remark: 'Drat dat
brat. wish de ting would die don't know what
de debil white folks hab children Cor, if faint to
plague niggahs."
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

GIVING PECULIAR FLAVOR TO MEAT.-A
little experience in fatiening stall feeding ami
mails, will demonstrate that almost any particular
flavor may be given to the meat, by feeding it
with different kinds o. substances. If you fatten
beef on pumpkins, you give the flesh sweet and
juicy character, and the taow will have yellow
tinge If fed upon apples, it will have different
flavor, and the tallow be light colored and melt
easier Indian corn gives the tallow more solidi-
ty, and white color. If you feed mich cows
upon turnps, you can soon taste them in the milk,
and onions also will give the milk their peculiar
taste. Sea fowl, that live upon fish, also have
peculiarly fshy TASTE Parlridges are sometimes
rendered poisonous by eating poison berries
There is variety of duck, killed in the waters
of Chesapeake Bay and vicinity, called So Canvas
back " duck, which very famous for the pecu-
liar flavor of their flesh, which is caused by the
kind of food which they get in those waters
| This food is supposed to be the wild celery. A
! Yankee in recent Buffalo paper. recommends
the manufacture of " Canvasback Ducks - out of
the common domestic duck, by feeding them with
garden celery while fattening. There is no sort
of doubt that if this species of food be given them
| for some weeks before they are killed, they will
have the flavor of it in their flesh, and perhaps be
equal to or better than the famous canvasbacks "a
hove alluded TO. ii is an experiment very easily
tried. and one which will lao doubt be both sue
cessful and proftabe.-.Mdine Farmer
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
communicated.

GOVERNMENT STEAMERs.-The Government
ought TO have at least three Steamers of about
100 horse power for light and active purposes
One of them might always be kept at Pensacola,
where she would be useful in assisting vessels in
and out of port, when she was not otherwise en-
poyed. Another should always be kept ready at
NoriOrk for similar purposes. The other, by
having coal in the track to replenish with, might
carry the mail to and from Chagres. single,
or at most, two pivot guns, would be all the arma-
ment necessary for these Steamers. There should
be supply of coal kept at Chagres.
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
GOVERNMENT STEAMERS.

We have had the following valuable sugges-
lions made to US by an experienced officer in the
Navy, and we feel assured that their importance
will Immediately strike the authorities at Wash.
ington. The Government has, at various times,
been at heavy expense of introducing private
vessels into the public service for performance Of
miscellaneous duties, and in every case they have
been found inadequate to the service required
The following vessels have been purchased, and
have always been bill of expense-the brig Ore
gon; schrs. Wave, Phoenix, On ka-hy-e. Flirt
steamers Poinsett, Engineer and Col. Harvey
How much better would it have been for the Go
vernment to have acted as suggested below-and
it is not too late now to commence to do right
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

the Ink operates most universally, for while it
serves to btow the fellow " sky hgh'' against
whom 1t is directed, it most generally fattens out
the blower" 1t is very much like the ns,ru-
ment spoken of by that ancient poet, Hudibras-
which
When aimed at Duck Plover,
Was sure to knock the owner over"
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
REPUBLICATION-F e. RIVES & THE
PETERSBURG COMPANY--AND OUR RAIL
ROAD.


ROAD.
The great demand for the New Era of Satur-
day, and the still continued cry for more" has
induced us TO place the article containing the ne
farous contract, on our first page of todays paper,
and run off an extra edition to accommodate the
demand
There is one point made by the Petersburg Com
pany, TO blind the public and reconcile the State
to sanction this great wrong, which is darkly
hinted at In the Agreement, and which has been
boldly advanced heretofore, that we did not notice
In that paper, that is BY the destruction of the
portsmouth Road, the interest of the State will
be enhanced in the upper Rail Roads In other
words, if the State will sacrifice her interest
which she has in this Road, the lines between
Weldon and Petersburg, Petersburg and Rich
mond, and Richmond and Fredericksburg will be
rendered more profitable than they are now. Let
us, Tor one moment, examine this state of the
case. How much is the State benefited now bv
the stoppage of the Portsmouth Road The
travel Is cut of at Petersburg, and goes down the
James River by the Bay Steamers, the whole
profits of which travel goes, as it should into the
pockets of the enterprsng propretors of the boats
Petersburg to Fredericksburg, as well as the Ports
mouth Road, sacrificed to build up the Road be-
tween Weldon and Petersburg. But this is not
all the State loses the interest in the vast amount
OF freight which would be transported over the
Portsmouth Road from North Carolina, and
which will seek some other mode of transporta-
ton to this port. as it will never, under any cir
cumstances, look to Petersburg for market. In
consideration of all these sacrifices on the part of
the State, does the Petersburg Company propose
to make good to the State these interests, by pay
ing the amounts which the Stale has actually ex-
pended? BY no means. What then? Why it
enhances the importance of the Petersburg
Company, of which the State is Stakeholder to
the amout of some $500 0O0-that's all!
The brazen faced impudence and rascality of
the whole transaction, and the perfect GOODNESS
with which they ask the State to become party
to it, amazes us, and renders Us almost incapable
OF giving 1t serious consideration. We refer
the reader to the whole matter on our first page.
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

JUST AS WE ExPEcTED.-We learn from YER
bal but good authority, that the Yankees are con-
structing, within few hours ride of Boston,
number of large. wide, fat-bottomed vessels,
drawing from four to six feet water, and intended
especially to run in and out over the bars along
the Texian coast. From the talk of the Down
casters, one would be led 10 suppose they consid-
cred Texas very bad bargain; they are, at
least, determined TO make the most of it.-.N o.
Picayune.
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11
GRAND MILITARY EXCURSION,

BY reference to our advertising columns it will
be seen that the Portsmouth Rife Company
have chartered atfavorte steamer, Curtis Peck.
and intend to give Military Marine Excursion
on the 18th instant We are sure that this will
be one of the most pleasant and agreeable of the
season, as the Rifles are just the chaps to do up
any thing they undertake genteelly 1t is gal
liant and beautiful Corps, and has done good SER
vice in the cause of Liberty 1t is the Oldest
Volunteer Corp in tho State, having been ORGAN
lied in 1892, and was in active service durinc the
whole of the Revolutionary War, and particularly
distinguished itself at the battle of Yorktown Il,
was highly coTnplimented by the COMMANDING
General, for its bravery military skill, &C., exhibit
ted during the last war, and now the sons and
grandsons of its originators stand in the place of
their fathers, to do good service if need be, in the
cause of their country. There can be no doubt, that
they will be literally patronzed on this occasion,
as the object is to relieve themselves from debt
incurred for the public good, for it must be reco-
lected, that these patriotic volunteers are the ONLY
military defence on which we have to relv in
times of danger from Instruction, &c. Let all.
then, get ready for the party on Wednesday.
GUNPOWDER AND PRINTING INK.
The editor of the Daily Courier, informs the
public that he, having no fear of the devil, nor
any of his agents before his eyes, took barrel of
gunpowder into his keeping on the night of the
fire. We suppose he felt perfectly safe after the
vast quantity Of sulphur aOGter he has consumed :;
enough in all conscience, to render harmless
key of any sulphur frings. We acknowledge
that we have an inherent dread of this dangerous
element hereafter, and therefore want nothing to
do with it here. We do not blame the editor Of
the Courier for getting accustomed to the vital
principle on which he will exist forever, when he
goes 10 his own place-we fear, if he don't mend
his ways, he will be in the middle Of one FIRE,
by and by, instead Of "betwixt two," and then
sulphur water will do him no good. As to the
query addressed to Us, we hardly know how to
answer both articles are very effective-but
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

BABY LI1ERATURE.-The ST. Louis Reveile
has an infant correspondent, and the letters from
BABYLON are sometimes very funny. The fol-
lowing is an extract from the last one :--"I was
carried into my mas sick chamber yesterday, and
there sat pa, looking very sad. As the nurse APP
preached the bed, ma thus commenced My
poor title baby's dom to die, bess its poor title
The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-11

CRED1TABLE.--The Boston Transcript says ::
" A lady yesterday afternoon lost pocket book
containing $40 in money, and check for 5000 I;
for the recovery of which reward of $40 was Of
fered The pocket book was found by Mr.. Henry
Smith, the " razor st1op man." who called at our
office for the purpose of advertising it, where he
met the loser. who had called for similar pur-
pose. The lady rendered Mr.. Smith the $40,
which he refused to receive, but directed the lady
to No. Scotts Court, where lay a sick man, des .
titute, to whom he desired the reward might be
paid, which was accordingly done"
Mobile register and journal., 1845-12-22
1ptrosrASr RIVER Nnws.-we have Is

IMfoRTANr RIVER NEws.-We have taken
 Irticuar pains collect all the river intelligence brought by onr up river exchanges last evening. Oui Wheeling and Pit,sbmg papers are to The 9'h Al the former place, the river had presented for week preceding that date great obstacles and delays 10 the passage of the mails. At the latter place, he Sh there was dszzlrag ran aoconPanIed by grand thaar; the ice m the river oated of and Il was pre- dicted lhai avigaiion would reopen in lew days There new steamb0aiB then al the wnar of them, the Robert Morris, loading for ihI' por,. Between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, severa boas were frozen up ia the ice The first rise would prob ,bly get them off. Our Cincinnati papers are to the 6h The river Was still falling there at the rate Of lo 4 inches per day. Second class boats only were running, and not without scrsping upon the bars Letters dated the morning of the Eth, state that the river frozen the night before. St Louis papers by way oG Cincinnati. are 10 the 2d and letiens lo the 9th. The weather was extrenel, aoI taepe, the thermometer standing at zero nn ue night of the 30t. On the 1st inst. il moderated, the thermometer in the evening being 15p above zero.- The river full of floating ice, and navigation was suspended at ihe latest date. The h,st boat np re-
 ported ice as far down as St. Mmy's Landing and closed at several points above. The Memphis Eagle Q the 22ih says the above were all frozen 5e Ohio, CumbeTEtTd, Tennessee and Mississipph - There communication betweeN Ca'fo ana o'
 touis. The weather continues cold, and no prospect of an immediate opening Of navigation. At Men- phis, the river waa still failing, being lower than was ever be(ose kaown Prodnce was giving way in its speculative prices At Louisville on the bth, the ground was covered with the depth of several inches There were only four feet water in the canal It was feared that the river would be speedily frozen and all navigation suspeBded- Al Van bu- ren Arkansas on the 9th the river still low, bu rismg Il. little from the melted snow At Little Rock, on the Sth, tho river was at low water in'rk. he AYk.ss,.s Mail was aground below Pine bluiis.- [Nsw Orleans Tropic.
Mobile register and journal., 1845-12-22

The two Boards of the Corporasoa met in Con- ,enton on Saturday, and elected .he following city officers:
 Jno. P. Remy, Treasurea asA Clerk of Co smo. Council.
 Samuel Penny, City Cerk. David Walker, City Marshal. Dean Knox. City Engineer. Chas. Bingham, City Tax Collector. J.F. Mcbride, City Sexton. E. G. Pratt, City. Gusger- Sanford & Wilson. .PriRter. Thomas MeDosalds. Keeper of Pow der Magazine James CalIan, Inspector of Slaves. John Howard, Inspector of Wood. W.P. Cas.er, Weighsr of Hay and Weight aud Measures.
 James MaaaSnr, Narbor Master. D. Cotsia, Clerk of the Market. Nsboks Cfapps, Porter.
 O. Webster, Street Inspector. RHasy. Welsh, Turner, and TdcKin,try, Day Police.