The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-03


The effect Of subsequent legislation has been to
repeal all the most wise and valuable sections of
this law, and 10 leave its most absurd and vexatious
provisions unrepealed, because they are not incon-
slstent with the new absurdes OF modern legisla.
ton For instance, almost every family emgratii z
TO America Especially those coming from Germany
other parts Of the continent) usually bring along
with them an old rusty fowling-pie According
to the construction Of this old law, they must land
in the city, go 10 the custom-house enter their old
iowling piece swear three four oaihs TO as many
affida vits--passng otherwise through much for
mality as a merchant would in entering box Of
silks worth 81, 900.
/ These poor people, wholly ignorant Of our laws,
/ frequently are forced TO linger with their families
three or four days in the city, spending more money
than the gun is worth. The usual plan is this
| When emigrants have passed quarantine, (another
place of absurd and gross IMPOSITION, boat is de-
/ sPatched to that place, on Staten Island, twelve
miles from the city, which takes the emgran,s at
once to a Hudson-river barge bound for Albany, so
that they may proceed to the West; but CUSTOM
house officer has discovered that several Of the poor
families have each an old rusty gun, that has
not, probably, been fired within quarter Of CEN
tury and could not be used without repairs. Forth
with il becomes the duty Of the officer, under the
Of l799 to order the owner, with the gun, shore
The gun is put in the government warehouse, till
the poor and bewildered emigrant can find the Gus
tom-house; and, after asking hundred questions,
finds out where he can make an entry and his
oahs, pay his fees, and receive back his old gun.
This frequently detans him several days in the
city, during which time he is very apt to fall into the
hands Of the "land. sharks" "ies cheraliers dim
dusi,ie," yclept "passage agents. or "agenis for
emigrants," who succeed in robbng him OF all his
disposabe cash. The multiplicity Of manifests, oaths,
&c, required by the construction OF this old law, is
absurd, and excessively annoying to merchants. At
another time, shall notice this subject again.
| So sensitive had phiIanthropis,s in England be-
come in respect to impositions prac,ised upon
heather or savage nations by Christian govern
ments, that they formed in London, several years
ago, what they termed an "Aborigines Protection
Society" attended one of their anniversary meet
ings in Exeter Hall, few years since Lord Ken
yon presided. Daniel O'Connell was a speaker on
that occasion. Exeter Hall is an extensive room.
situated not far FROM and to the north Of the Strand
some little distance west of Temple Bar. Having
made the acquaintance Of one Of the directors had
the honor OF platform-ticket. 1t was the first
time ever saw or heard Daniel O'Connell. When
he rose to speak, he stepped forward on the plat
form, and spoke with great effect for two hours.
He commenced by saying, 81 am in favor of pro-
tecting the aborigines. For why' Because am one
of them myself" The manner and tone with
which this was announced, at once put him on a
good footing with his audience-one of the largest
ever saw assembled in one house. Before SO large
9. popular assembly, Mr. O'Connel was at home.
His eloquence was mastery and effective. Although
differing from him in much that he said-especially
in reference to the United States, which he though,
proper to lug in, for -treatment Of Indians, and
| for their peculiar institution of slavery, &c;
much of which was not only unjust, but untrue
yet, must admit the fact, that his eloquence
equal to anything Of the kind ever heard. He
in many respects surpasses, Tor did that occasion
probably, any popular orator Of modern times. His
success consists in gaining complete mastery over
the feelings and passions Of his hearers He seemed
to play upon their affections with as much ease as
Leopold DE Meyer would touch the keys Of piano.
1 A ha hax,
vulsed in bursts of laughter at his displays Of drol
wit and repartee; anon, he would grow serious,
pathetic and powerful, depicting the suferings of
the aborigines in all parts Of the world, with over
whelming appeals to the sympathies of the audi
ence Such would be his force at descriptive suffer-
ings, aided by the use of white cambria to- his own
eyes, that his hearers would not only be bathed in
tears but the ladies' would be heard to sob audibly.
As popular orator, in his prime, in his best mood,
before large assembly of people, have no ques-
| ton that he has lived without a rival after
wards frequently heard him in debate in the House
of Commons, and, although always forcible being
listened 10 with attention, yet thought he did
not sustain himself in a searching argumentative
contest with English statesmen on the floor of the
British legislature, with the eclaf as he did in
a popular meeting. His voice was strong, full, and
sonorous which he could moduate with great effect.
| His place of greatest glory would have been at one
Of our great mass political meetings. for he could
have made himself distinctly heard over acres of
/ grOunu. lie appeared 10 DE StOu-framCd man,
about S feet or 10 inches high, with full broad
chest and broad shoulders. His features were large
and regular; his hair was rather bushy and curly
for man of his age, of reddish sandy color, and
slightly gray. He wore no whiskers; he wore
stout black frock coat, buttoncd nearly up to his
chin. As well MS l can recollect, think his
eyes were dark colored-they were at least very
expressive. His gestures were not always graceful,
but at all times earnest and srlkinggenerally inn
parting force to what he said.
City, halEpasi 4 p. n.--The packet-ship John r.
| Skiddy is in from Liverpool Also several briggs
| and barques from foreign GEOGRAPHICALLY from
| Bremen
| Ciened-Ship Galena, for Canton.
Beioto.-Ship Richard Anderson, from Rotter-
dam. l enclose the annexed market news from
an evening paper:
Coiion-The sales for the week ending last
| evening amount to $500 bales including $500 up
land and Florida, ordinary to good ordinary closing
| at 81 a 4 middling to good middng, II a ~; mid
ding fair to fair 81 81; fully fair to good fair, 81
81; and 1000 Mobile and New Orleans, ordinary
to good ordinary, 81 a II; midding to good mid
to good fair, 81 10 cents The arrivals during the
same period were l,6l7. There has been but little
demand for shipment this week, spinners being the
principal operators. The advance gained at the
close of last week has been lost again, and now
quote as follows;
Middling to good middling ta7b 1as
Middling fair to fair a 81 Z" sAa9
Fully fair TO good fair " ass Z" 81 10
Fine nom
Flour and gran.-The news per the Great
Western, received carly in the week, gave fresh
stimulus to the market, and the prices of Genesee
advanced 25 cents barrel considerable sales for
export being made at IS IS. There was some re-
action toward the middle of the week; but since
then, the market has again become rmer, and at the
close we quote at as 6Sl IS 75-holders generally
asking the latter price. In southern flour there is
very little doing. The quotation of IS SO a IS rs
will include new Georgetown, Brandywine Rich
mond country, &c. The daily receipts of flour are
large, and considerable is going into store The ex-
ports from this port of wheat -four, since the first of
August last, will exceed 165, 900 barrels.
The receipts of wheat have been large. Sales Of
Genesee and Illinois have been made at 81 20a 81 25
and southern at 81 OF a 81 l6. Last sale Of
rye was at rs cents; but it would not probably