davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

Some of the Locofoco Papers are ma
king avery lame attempt to prejudice
the public mind against the Message.
II will be remembered that they had been
for some time previous TO its delivery,
telling the people that the President was
''an old dotard, a mere cypher, and inca
pable of writing a sensible message. :"
Well, when the Message was laid before
the country and produced almost uni.
versal burst Of applause: when the
mouths of the most rabid were closed, or
their objections were reduced 10 mere
bubbles. showing that they found faul,
merely because they had determined to
do SO right or wrong: and when these ed.
iiors saw that il was winning golden o.
piniens for the brave old hero, and ma
king him friends all over the country,
they were for moment struck dumb.
But, looking around and finding them.
selves in this unpleasant and aw kward
fix they determined to be true to their
instincts-h having commenced to deceive
the people--to continue on to the end.
Hence, they must needs say that the
Message was ''poor affair; that Gen.
Taylor's Message does not, like Folks
enter into long and full discussion of
political principles; was not content to do
his constitutional duty as the executive,
and let the people through their repre-
sentatives make laws for themsei ,es,
but sought to dictate 10 aud swallow I'D
Congress. Taylor is content to do both.
Polk had to make long special plea,
with view to bolster up his falling Adj
ministratiou, and if possible, vind;cate
his conduct in thwar,ing the interests Of
the people,, and especially of the Great
West, in denying them any improve
ments. Taylor is popular with the pco-
pie. He needs no long spun out argu-
ments to recommend him to his coun-
trymen. His life Of forty years arduous
service for the advancement, prosperity,
and glory of his country, has indelibly
impressed upon the page of time, bet
Ter and more effectual argument than any
man can make.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
OttumWa, Jan. II, 1850.

IT We have received the first num-
Der of the Fort Des Moines Gazette, q
new paper published at Fort Des Moin
es, the flourishing County Seat of Polk
County, in this State. The Gazette is
edited with much ability, and is equal in
size and appearance, TO any paper in the
State. II is edited by Lampson p.
Sherman, recently from Ohio. In poll
tics tho Gazette is Wing, and gives evil
dence that it will battle manfully in sup
port of those great conservative princi-
Piles, held by the best of our statesmen
in former years, and still adhered to by
the Wing Party; and which have so Of
ten saved our glorious union in its most
perilous moments, and the country from
ruin.
We extend to our Brother of the Ga
zette the u of fellowship and wish
him great success.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
HIGHLY COMPLEMENTARY.

The Boston Republican, T Free Soil
speaking of the exposure of William J.
Brown, whom it tails San INSCRIPTIONS
demagogue, unworthy Of the confidence
of any party" makes the following very
candid declaration: b. ... .
It's sometimes necessary to use such
tools but we cannot but despise them"
The principal who selects a rogue for
his agent cannot be much less than a
rogue himself; and that cause must be of
very equivocal purity which is promoted
by the use of such foul instruments. In
in,imating his regret that Brown was not
successful, the Editor of the Republican
neither compliments himself nor the
cause he Processes to advocate. The
friends of Free Soil would not have been
honored, nor the principle itself promo
tel, ~ such result. The triumph Of
the righteous principle of Human Free
dom depends upon no humiliating con-
tingency. 1t is no dirty work requiring
dirty stools" to execute. Those who,
like the Republican, think so, only prove,
that they are themselves unfit instru-
ments for so holy an enterprise.--Alba-
ny Journal.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

Mr.. Warren has not yet sufficiently
weeded out the incapable post masters.
who are excellent democrats, but are un-
able to read "write-hand," through the
defects Of their early education, and
therefore make but sorry officers. The
Augusta Age recently received one of its
exchanges, which had been travelling
about between Chicago, Augusta, Ga,
and Augusta, Me-, for several months.
One philanthropic indivual had written
out the Maine in full, for the accommo-
dation of those out west who might sup
pose the abbreviaiion stood for Missouri
or Mississippi. Another post master
added "don't send this back to Illinois
again" Another in The hope of facili-
tating its progress, put on "Away down
east;" while still another, out of all pa
thence at seeing the thing come back SO
often, put it through with "lNaine you
ID fool, Maine"
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
New washing Process.

II may he remembered that month or
Two ago, we published for the benefit OF
our lady readers, a receipt for washing
cla,hes, which was, at that time, sold
throughout the west for one or two dol
lars per receipt We have from time to
time published receipts for coloring, &c,
which have been sold for high prices
If our readers would take into conside-
ration the benefit to be derive! from the
receipts published, they would at once
see that the subscription price of the
Courier is comparatively nothing. Be-
low we give another receipt for washing
which was recently sold throughout the
west for three dollars. 1t is said to be
an excellcn, one.--Des Moines Courier.
Take two ounces Of pulcerized car
Donate ammonia, put it into bottle with
one pint of tnrpentine, shake them well,
and in half an hour il is Fl, for use
For an ordinary family washing, use
one quart OF soft soap, in warm water
sufficient to make strong suds; adlfour
table spoonfulls of the mixture, pu, in
the clothes and let them remain from fi;-
teen TO twenty minutes, stirring them oc-
casionally; then rinse them out in the
usual manner, without the use OF wash
board. II is necessary to boil white
clothes.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

POPULATION OF IowA.-A table show
ing the number of inhabitants of the sew
eral counties of the State, taken from
the returns of the Assessors has recent
ly been published, which gives us 1884,
1858 as the entire population Of the State.
The assessment, il is well known, was
made at an early perion of the year, and
therefore does not include the unusually
heavy emigration of last fall. Ii is a
safe calculation to say that under the
federal census which is shortly to be ia
ken, our population will exceed 100000.
AS compared with the return of ls47
the recent return shows an increase OF
1871 Our own county is set down
in this table at l ,649, against 1901
two years ago. l. ee is set down at l6,-
900; Henry 1929; Jefferson 1886; Lou
lisa Abs; Mahaska $3.50; Van Buren,
I.577; WapelIo 1885; Polk 1893;
Davis 1899; Washington 4,434.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
Col. Benton.

The Democratic majority in the U. S.
Senate, have virtually read Col. Benton
out of the party, and sustained Mr.. Atch-
ison and the rest of those who have Ia
ken up the Ratchet against him; refusing
after a long and tedious consultation in
caucus, TO place him al the head of any
of the committees in the Senate. This
was done, too, after the Col. and his
friends, had signi6ed that he would be
pleased to be continued in the same po-
sition that he occupied al the session
last winter. The Coils enemies will
hear from him soon, in language that
they will not mistake. The controver-
sy between him and his enemies, will be
any thing but the lion and lamb lying
down in peace. Once aroused, the Col
is hard TO handle. What will the Dis
patch man, and those of the same
kidney say to this high-handed measure,
on the part of this ultra Locofoco major
itv-to crush Col Benton-lor fearless
and manly expression of his sentiments!
Will they stick TO the majority, and say
the party can do no wrong-tamely
knock under--and say it is democratic
TO succumb to whatever majority of
Democratic Senators do-no mat ter how
unjust! We shall see.
We had thought, after seeing the New
York amalgamation resolutions, that a.
mong Democrats, opinions on the Slave.
ry question, were not to be test of po-
litical faith But, we suppose we were
mistaken in imagining that this was TO
be applicable to the party in all the
States. The New York bargain, beng
only barter for place and power-ths
loaves and fshes--it was only a tempo
rary arrangement, to secure this desira-
bic end, and not to extend beyond the
limits of New York, or else it might
have been something like Mr.. Browns
bargain for the Speakership, made with
both the North and South, with view
to gain the spoils, and then deceive both.
AT least all must be satisfied tina. in the
case of Col Benton, his views on the
slavery question have forfeited him a
place and standing among the uaerrifed.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11


The following is the list Of the differ
ent COMMITTEES in the United States Sen
ate. !. will be seen that Messrs. Clay,
Cass, Calhoun, Seward, II ale and Chase,
are not on any Communicable first four
having been excused from serving al
their own request, and the lasttwo being
excluded intentionally.
On Foreign observation-disclosures. King,
Benton. Webster, Foote and Mangum.
On Finance Messrs. Dickinson, Hun
ter, Phelps, Douglass and Pearce.
On Commerce--Messrs. Hamlin,
Soule, Davis, of Mass, Dodge, of Wis.
and Bell.
On Manu(actares-Messr s. Sebastian,
Butler, Jones, Clark and Upham.
On observation-disclosures. Sturgeon,
'Turney, Walker, Spruance and Corwin.
On Military Affairs-Messrs. Davis,
of Miss, Borland, Dawson, Greene and
Shields.
On Milita-Messrs Houston, Dodge,
of WIS.,, Clemt nts, Morton and Spru.
ance. ....
On Naval Anairs-Messrs. Yulee,
Mason, Badger, Bright and Miller.
On Public Lands-Messrs. Felch,
Borland, Underwood, Shields and
Smith. ~
On Private Claims-Messrs. Downs,
Whitcomb, Davis, of Mass, Clements
and Badger.
On Indian Affairs--Messrs. Atchison,
Wales, Rusk, Sebastian and Bell.
On Claims-Messrs. Norris, Whit
comb, Underwood, Stewart and Bald.
win.
On Revolutionary Claims--Messrs.
Walker, Upham, Norris and Dodge, oil
Iowa.
On Judiciary-Messrs. Butler, Downs,
Berrien, DAYTON and Bradbury.
On Post Office and Post Roads
Messrs. Rusk, Upham, Bright, Soule
and Morton -
On Observation-Disclosures. Douglass,
Underwood, Butler, Cooper and Hous-
ton.
On Public Buildings-Messrs. Hun
ter, Davis. of Mass. and Clark.
TO Audit and Control the Contingen,
Expenses ofihe Senate--Messrs. Dodge
of Iowa, Baldwin and Walker.
On. Roads and Cana.s--Messrs A,ch.
ison, Bright, Greene, Foote and Spru-
ance. ar..' .-H#a# &.
On Pensions --Messrs. King, of Ala,
Jones, Phelps, Stewart and Dayton.
On the District Of Columbia-Messrs.
Mangum, Ynlee, Shields, Miller and
Berrien.
On Patents and the Patent Office
Messrs. Turney, Norris, Whitcomb,
Wales and Dawson. ..
On Retrenrhment--Me Bradbu-
ry, Felch, Houston, Mangum and Clark.
On Library--Messrs. Pearce, Mason
and Davis, Of Miss.
On Enrolled Bills-Messrs. Rusk and
Badger.
On Engrossed Bills--Messrs. Jones,
Sebastnn and Corwin. ...
On Prinling--Messrs. Borland, Ham
lin and Smith. 3. 4 ... ,-.. ...
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

The LATE MYSTERIOUS HoMIcIDE AT
ST. I.oUIs.-Letters from Mr.. Rivcs,
and others at Paris, state that the Count
Montesquoin, father of The young men
who committed the singular act of homi-
eide lately at St. Louis, laborcd under in
sanity. and two years ago destoyed his
own life. The elder brother Of the two
young men is insane at Paris. 1t is
hence inferred that the act of homicide
was committed by the two young men
under sudden attack ofinsanity. They
are represented as young men of amia-
BILE character and mild and inoffensive
manners. They descended from dis.
guished French family.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
How to Measure an Acre.

Land; 800 square yards make one square
rod.
40 square rods make one square rood.
4 square roods make one acre. aa ~
$50 acres make one square mile. aa,
4S40 square yards or 100 rods make
acre.
In measuring an acre by yards, the
usual practice is. to trace off 70 yards in
length and 70 yards in width; this, in a
rough way, may be considered near en-
ough for practical purposes, but as 20
yards either way makes 1900 square
yards, it exceeds one acre by 60 square
yards. To determine an accurate acre,
it shall be measured 20 yards in length,
by SO II yards in width. The same
result may be arrived at by measuring
220 feet in length and 1913 feet in width,
or by measuring 735 yards in length by
GO in BREADTH American Farmer.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
Remarks Of Mr.. Cobb

On being conducted 10 the chair alter
his election as Speaker:
Gentleman Of the House Of Rpresen-
tatices: .....
1t would be useless to disguise the
fact that feel deeply embarrassed in ia
king the Chair under the circumstances
attending my election. ....... ......
| am conscious of the difficulties by
which this position is surrounded at the
present time. .. ......
The peculiar organization of this body,
as exhibited in our proceedings since we
first met-the nature and the character
of the various important and exciting
questions of public policy which will
engage our attention during the present
session of Congress-conspre to render
the duties of the Office peculiarly embar-
RAISING, onerous, and responsible. |
may be permitted. therefore, to ask in
advance your generous aid and support
in the effort | shall make firmly, faith
fully, and imparlially to discharge its
duties.
The country has been looking with
anxiety 10 our efforts to effect an organ
ziation-the people will continue to re-
gard with intense interest every step we
take in our legislative course. Our du-
ties will be laborious-our responsible
lilies great. Let us then, in view of
these considerations, invoke in the dis
charge of these duties a patriotism as
broad as the Union, and as comprehen.
sive as the nature and character of her
various interests and institutions. Gui-
ded by this spirit, under the blessing of
Heaven, our action will result in the
continued prosperity of our common
country.
Accept, gentlemen, my grateful ac-
acknowledgements for the honor you have
conferred on me in selecting me as your
presiding officer during. the present Con-
gress.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
CONGRESS.

Owing to the Telegraph being out of
order we are without late Congressional
news. The committees in both branch
esof Congress are chosen, and we may
soon expect to see large amount OF
business brought forward for The action
of the respective bodies.
We notice that Senator Foote, of
Mississippi, is at his old tricks, Interrupt
ting the business of the Senate, by throw
ing fire. brands of discord into the Sen
ate. He has given notice that he will
ask leave at future time to bring in a
bill to provide California, New Mexico,
Dcscret, and San Jacinlo with Terrific
rial governments.
or course he wishes to fix the boun-
diaries of New Mexico So as to give
Texas or San Jacinto,-the new would
be territory-the greater part OF New
Mexico; with view of making two or
more new Slave States out of her terri
tory. ALL can see at glance that his
bill will bring up before the Senate the
whole question of slavery. He is rank
and will make all the trouble
he can. 1t would be good thing for
the country if he were out of the Sem
MI
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11


/ RELIcIoxs in CALIFoRNrA.-Rey, O.
G.. Wheeler, in letter dated San FfaH-
cisco, says:
lam trying to preach, to labor, to pray;
and | love my work, but have never seen
a harder task than to get man TO look
through lump of gold into eternity. 1t
is more like beating the air, like conten-
ding with the elements, like combining
the tide or shilling the tempest, than |
have hitherto supposed could possibly
exist. Men come to church and pay
more than respectful, serious and later
ested attention to al the services, and 60
away expressing their Joy at such an un-
prccedented privilege. But to the en-
quiry, "How did you enjoy the exerci-
ses!" the listner mos, likely replies, "ri-
sing, sir, sir, fifty per cent. higher than
the Same rooms rented for last month";"
"Were you not interested in the church
musicH" IL am somewhat interested
that is, have about dozen lots, and,
sir, eight of Them arc worth $4,000
each"
Mr.. Wheeler may have supposed
that he was presenting a sketch peculiar
to California, but there are many who
will hardly conine it to so limited a cir
Gle. Ii may be hard to see eternity
through a lump Of gold in California, but
it is just as hard any where else. With
out intending it. perhaps, the writer has
hit off daguerrean picture which vii,
suit for almost any meridian. and from
the repulsive features of which every
one might profit, fh ,cas their interest
TO do 80.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

The document containing the estimate
OF appropriations required for the pub
lie services during the year ending the
goth June, 1851, which has been laid be.
fore Congress by the Secretary of the
Treasury, under authority and require
ment of law, contains the. following es-
Inmates for surveys and river ard harbor
Improvements. We find them i'm the
National Intelligencer:
For surveys for the defence
Of the frontier, inland and -...
Atlantic, $4,000, 90
For military and geographic
cal surveys west OF the
Mississippi, 10000, 90
For continuing the surveys of
the Northern and North
Western Lakes, ... $4,000, 90
For surveys of the harbor of
Mobile, in reference to the
improvement, 5000, 90
For continuing the Delaware
Break-water, $4,000, 90
For improvement of the Sa- .. --.
vannah harbor and the re-
moval of the wrecks, 10000, 90
Nor repairs of sea- wall at the
harbor of Buffalo, N. Y, $4,000, 90
For continuing the improve. .s
ment of the ha...inor at Cat .. SIS.
araugus creek, N. Y, $4,000, 90
For continuation of the works
at the IIarbor of Erie on
Lake Erie. 10000, 90
For continuing the works at
Connaut harbor, Ohio, $4,000, 90
For continuing the improve
ments at the harbor of As.
tabula, Ohio, $1,000, 90
For the further improvement
of Grand river bar, at Fair
port, Ohio, $4,000, 90
For the continuation Of the
works at the llar5or of
Cleveland, Ohio. 10000, 90
For continuing the removal .s.s
of distinctions at Black
river, Ohio, 10000, 90
For continuing the improve
ments of navigation at the
mouth of Vermillion river, ..
Ohio, 10000, 90
For continuing the works at
Huron harbor, on Lake
Erie, 5000, 90
For continuing the preserva-
ton of the harbor at San.
dusky city, and improve ..
men,s, &c, $4,000, 90
For the further improvement
of River Raisin harbor,
Michigan, $4,000, 90
For steam dredge equipment .
and discharging scows for
Lake Erie, 10000, 90
For conuation of breakwa-
ter at Pittsburg, on Lake
Champlain, $4,000, 90
For continuation of breakwa- .-
ter at Burlington, Lake
Champlain, Vermont, $4,000. 90
For repairing and working
steam dredge, 5000, 90
For continuation of the works .
at Port Ontario, N. Y, $4,000. 90
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

Among the subjects which should en-
gage the immediate attention of Con-
gress is the construction of military
road, By line of military posts to the
Pacific. BY military road, we mean the
removal of distractions and the erection
of posts 10 supply aid TO the emigrant
travel to Oregon and California. In spite
of all the energy and genius which An
glo-S Saxon mind and enterprise can sup
ply, it m ust be yet several years before
the Pacific railway can be so far com.
pleted as to be made available to emf
grants. In the meantime, the Govern
ment has it i'll its power TO erect military
posts, and by the employment of soldi-
ers 10 remove all serious Instructions in
the route connecting the Territories Of
the Pacific with our States on the Allan
tic. Several posts have already been
established by appropriations made by
the last Congress. Three or four are
established on the waters OF the Platte,
and have proved of the highest utility.
These military posts should be estab-
lished as near 10 each other as one hun
dred miles. From Fort Laramie to the
Sacramento. would require, perhaps, fif-
teen posts. Each should have a garri-
son of one hundred men. Each should
include stockaded place, large enough
to enclose large number of men and
horses, with depots for provisions, and
two pieces of artillery. In addition TO
tho garrison, there should be attached an
additional hundred men, as working
party, for the construction of the road.
In parts of the rou'e, where timber was
aqundaf1t, they might make plank roads
with great rapidity. The machinery of
saw mills is easily transported, and when
once the work was begun, the facilities
for its construction will rapidly increase.
In one years time these posts might be
established; the whole line of travel full
ly protected; provisions deposited on the
entire route; and distractions and diff
culties Of the route in course of rapid
removal.
Another Thing would happen which
wo uld have great effect on the growth
and improvement of the country. A
round each of these military posts will
arise settlement, and ultimately town,
from which will radiate the agricultural
improvement of the surrounding country.
In the course oftwo or three years, these
centres of settlement would become mag
azines for the vast caravans moving be-
tween the east and the west.
Another advantage would follow. -
These defences and securities for safe
travel would render the journey much
more rapid.
In sixty days the traveller would ira
verse the whole distance between Sac
ramento and the Missouri. Ina short
time we should have telegraph line,
and our people on the Pacific and those
on the Atlantic would shake hands as
near neighbors!
The military road and posts would
require about three hundred men, all OF
whose pay, clothing and provisions have
to be paid for al any rate. 1t is the very
best use they can be put to; and thus,
like the soldiers of the Roman army, they
may be employed in advancing the
growth and civilization of their country
by the arts of peace as well as that Of
mar.-Cm. .4tlas.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

WAR! WAR!! WAR!!!-,South Cao-
lima Beating the Drum .Again!--Thurs-
day the 18th Dec, was devoted to a re-
view of the South Carolina military, at
Columbia. the State capital, by the Gov
ernor. The display Of cavalry, infantry,
a nd artillery, is represented as imposing.
The address of the Governor, delivered
on the occasion, is spoken of by cor
respondent of The Charleston Courier, as
spirited, and appropriate to the times,
which he regarded as more momentous
than usual. owing to the exasperated
state Of feeling now existing between
the Northern and Southern States, ari.
sing from The violent and continued as
saulis upon the peculiar and cherished
institution of the latter" The Ham
mond Huzzars are about,
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11

10 The weather here for few DAYS
has been quite moderate. The sun has
shone out bright and warm, and but for
the miserably muddy walking and bad
roads, we should be induced TO say that
so far we have had delightful winter,
Notwithstanding the state of the roads
however, our young folks have made
good use of the Holidays, 10 shake of
dull care, by shaking the fantastic Toe,
and some by bidding adieu TO state OF
single blessedness and the old year at the
same time. Suchhav shown their good
sense, by escaping that fearful doom,
which surely awaits all incorrigible old
Maids and Bachelors, confinement to
Fiddier's Green, where they must dance
an eternal reel, and behold delicious
fruits and flowers which they never can
enjoy.