Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-06-06

WAsHIseToS, Monday, June 1, is46.
On my arrival here on Wednesday last found
the hotels crowded with visitors. Some OIL
business growing out of the war with Mexico,
and some to see the great "National Fair" and |
other sights of the metropolis. The exhibition of |
the various articles at the Fair though not equal to
what it would have been had sufficient time been !
given, was nevertheless highly credtable to the
skill, industry and ingenuity of the American
manufacturers and artists. The display of cali.
Goes, cloths, carpets, muslns, and carpetings
was quite extensive and many Of them at prices
lower than the imported article. Among the
machinery nothing attracted more attention then
q recent Yankee invention, called "sewins ma.
chine" l cannot undertake to describe the in.
veutioR, but the cloth is placed between two
BRASS plates, a crank is then turned, and seam
Of eight OF ten inches in length Is sewsd up
with tho most perfect neatness and regularity, in
about thirty seconds. Two threads are required,
which are looped into each other. Among the
musical instruments, the Pianos Of Mr.. Gilbert
with the lEolian attachment, as we'll as some
splendid Pianos from M. Meyers establishment
at Philadelphia attracted a good deal Of at,en-
tlon. Tho exhibition will close on Wednesday
night next, and most ofthe goods sold at auction.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last, from
1000 to 5000 persons visited the exhibition
On Thursday the Senate chamber was pretty
well crowded, to hear Senator Benton conclude
his speech on the bill to extend the laws of the
United States over the Oregon Territory. In
the course Of his speech, he gave some interest
ing description Of the geography and appearance
Of that vast territory. The harbor at the mouth
of tie Columbia, he said, was superior TO that
Of New York, in many respects.
Congress has voted sword TO Gen Taylor,
and its thanks TO the army in general. Gen
Taylor has exhibited grea, skill and bravery in
the management OF the war on the Rio Grandr
The large proportion Of officers killed, shows that
they were formost in the fight The gallant
charge and capture Of the Mexican battery, BY
Capt May, during the battle Of the 9th, was one
Of the most daring exploits recorded in the annals
of warfare, Capt May was citizen Of Wash.
ing,on, and appointed by Gen Jackson, under
the following circumstances, as related to me a
few days since, BY gentlemen acquainted with
the facts. few years since, May mounted a
wild and incorrigibe horse, and was riding up
the Pennsylvania Avenue. The animal became
perfectly fuIious-rearins. and throwing himself
on the ground. He however stuck TO him, man.
aging him with degree Of coolness and skill
! tha, was truly surprising. Gen. Jackson who
| was passing along at the time witnessed the ex-
plot, and expressed his admiration Of the skill
| and courage Of May in pretty strong terms. A
short time after, the old hero gave him CON-
! mission as a captain Of the Dragons Probably
J other officer living would have rushed. as he
did, in the face cf the murderous fire Of the Mexi-
can artillery, and taken their cannon with his ca.
valry, before they were fairly recovered from the
| surprise OF so daring feat. Had the Mexicans
| been permitted to rake the American forces
| from the fire Of their battery but a short time,
there is no telling what difficulty and loss of
in order 10 have effected his passage to the
| Camp. Capt May, like Mura;, Napoleons IA.
mous cavalry officer, who once rode up to a re.
gment Of mounted cos.aeks and, with his riding
whip in hand, asked the scoundrels TO surrender,
knew no fear. When Gen. Taylor ordered him
to take the battery, he asked his men TO follow
him, leading, himself, about sixty yards in adj
vance. Captain Fremont 10 another OF Gen.
Jackson's appointments. The conduct Of both
afford striking proof of the superior juds.
-
quenty exhibited in the acts Of the old hero.
The denomination of Henry Horn for collec.
tor at Philadelphia, has excited some surprise
though his rejection did not. The general i'm.
preston is, that he will again be rejected
President Polk held levee on Friday nigh!
last, 1t was not 30 large as some OF the levees
but sufficiently so for comfort in warm weather.
Gen. Houston was present, and was one Of the
observed among the observers. His tall and man.
| 'y form was conspicuous amongst the company
He is a man Of most amiable and generous dispo.
stion, afable and graceful in his department.
Yesterday | went to hear the Rev. VIM T.
Sprole, who preached few sermons in Sunbury
four or FIVE years since. He enchained the at.
tentlon of the congregation for upwards of an
hour, in one of the most eloquent dscourses
ever listeRedto. His text was "Thou shall not
kill" which he devided into two general heads
suicide and duelling The first was the sub.
ject of his discourse Yesterday. This he sub,di.
vided into several divisions. Among the rest,
the fashionable foles of the ladies came in for a
| full share He inyeiphed AGAINST tho nresent
fashionable and injurious mode addressing as a
species Of suicide, in mingled strain of bitter
| invective and sarcasm that have never heard