Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-02
LAKE OLE PITCH.
REMARKABLE NATURAL CURIOSITY.

REMARKABLE NATURAL CURloSIIf'
The Island Of Trinidad contains Of the most re-
markabe natural curioses in the world, being nothing
less than Lake Of Pitch inexhaustbe in its supplies
and halt mile in lengthb by an eighth in width
respondent of the Troy Daily Wing thus describes the
lake:
"Imagine black surface-a dreary, desolate black
spread out the length Of nearly half mile by 9th
in width-sghtly varied by many tissures-some OF
them but step across some Just too wide to ump--a
few these fssures filled with short shrubbery but
of them mere ponds of water Of water clear as the
mountain spring; and then imagine the whole boldered
by thick growth of trees and the graceful bending
bamboo and this whole border thicky hanging with
prouson and variety of beautiful Howers-l know not
the spot elsewhere where the eye rest such pro-
fusion ofowers at gance-and this may possibly con-
vey general idea OF the popularity OF the general
view.
81 found spots where the surface of the pitch would
gradually sink beneath my feet, so that In lew mo-
mens stood in cavity ankle deep. Not wishing to
pitch deeper, changed my position In other places
seemed to be boiling below tor the surface around me
was bubbmg and simmerng like that OF pot over the
fire, while the gas thus dsengaged very strong
Though the surface OF the lake is generally too hard to
receive foot print Just hard enough to cut readily with
axe there are places where the pitch oozes out in
nearly liquid form, so that one may dip it with a
spoon Some OF the water assures quite Deep afford
good bathing, and toerabe well stocked with
fish.
ing the pitch in several large boilers. part OF this he
sells after boiling III pure state and to the rest he adds
portion OF me when it is shipped as mastlc He says
he has from the akea great many hundreds OF tons,
but he never peneraes than 10 or II inches be-
low the surface and the holeis always filled again with
in two days after the cutting The supply is doubtless
inexhaustibe. But the pitch is not confined to the spot
have endeavored to describe. There OF it
extending miles inland, and in several points extends
to the sea beach
at used by the steamers being largely mixed with
coal Tor fuel and is recently coming into use IN the ma
nutacture OF petroleum"
PROFESSOR WEBSTER.
THE DEATH PENALTY IN MASSACHUSETTS LEaIsLA-
TURE.
We mentioned day or two since the fact that re-
solution had been introduced into the Massachusetts
Senate enactng that when of death passed
upon any person capltay convicted such shall
not be executed within six monthsturher, leaving it
to the option of the Governor and Council to postpone
the execution further term but beyond year.
This law it also stated is thought had direct reference
to the case of Prof. Webster We now learn that on
Friday last Mr.. Walker gave notice in the Senate that
he should move a substitute for the preceding the
following, viz:
SECTION L. When any person shall be convicted of
any crime punishable with DEATH and sentenced TO such
punishment he shall, at the me be sentenced to
hard labor In the State Prison, until such punishment OF
death shall be inflicted.
SECT. 2. And person so imprisoned shall be exc
cuted in pursuance OF such sentence within one year
from the day such sentence OF death was passed,
until the whole record OF such proceedings, or case,
shall be certified by the clerk OF said court, under the
seal thereof to the supreme executive authority OF the
State nor until warrant shall be issued by said exc
cuve authority under the great seal of the State, d.
rected to the sheriff of the county wherein the State
prison situated, commanding the Sheriff to cause the
sentence OF death to be carried into execution
SECT. 3. Any person under sentence Of DEATH at the
time of the passing of this act shall be committed
the State prison. there to be confined at hard labor,
til the expiration OF year from the time OF his
tence and until the otdeath shall pc executed
and the Governor shall issue his warrant, authorizing
and requiring such commitment.
As this bill proceeds from Mr.. Merrick of the
counsel of Dr. Webster, is supposed that its intro
ducon into the Senate is intended lin of its en-
acment law to operate in favor OF the convicted
Professor-and of Pearson we'll The subject will
be discussed in few days.-N Y. Erpress.