davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

Mr.. WEBSTER, in speech in the Sen.
ate. on the l7ih, drew forth applause
from all parts Of the chamber. In con-
GLIDING, he said:
"lf there had been anything like de-
cent argument contained in the various
structures upon his speeches, he might
have been induced to stop and examine Il.
But upon examination it would be found
that all these structures upon his course,
his conduct, speeches, &C.. were nothing
but idle wonder and empty defamation.
With regard to the comments contained
in the public press il would be Of bu.
little use TO reply TO them. But, If any
one would undertake here 10 point out
any inconsistency in anything ne had
done, he would meet that person in de.
bate, and he would be content TO s.and
or fall by the result. His object here
was peace; his desire reconciliation. He
was not here TO make out a case for the
North, or case for the South. He was
against any agitation North or South,
and desired 10 put down all sectional
questions. He was an American. He
knew no country but America. He knew
no particular locality in the country. He
was for the Union--for the whole OF the
Uni.ou States, without any sectional dis,
tinction; he was for the whole Union.
and, God willing, would be 90 10 the end
Of the chapter. CAppause in all parts
of the chamber.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

Among the passengers in one Of the
steamboats, from the Missouri, yesterday
evening, was the well known and intel
ligent Major FITZPATRICK. U. s. Agent
Cor the Indians of the Plains. Major
Fitzpatrick passed portion of the win
ter at Fort. Laramie. We learn from
him, that he left Laramie late in Feb
ruary-iraveled over the Plains to the
head of the Arkansas, and down il to the
the crossings Of that river. In doing so,
he collected delegations from several
tribes of Indians who were assem- bed
for about month at the crossing Of the
Arkansas. in the expectation Of commits
sioners to hold council with them.-
The delegations were from the Cheyen-
mes, Arapahoes, Sioux. Apaches aud
Kiowas; and in answer to messages sent
TO them, the Camanches said they could
not meet the whites this season, for fear
Of the cholera, but that they would do
so hereafter, and would engage in no
more hostlities against the Americans.
Not receiving instructions from the
Government. the Indians separated, and
Maj. Fitzpatrick deter mined 10 return to
the States. taf
The Major represents the Indians TO
have been quiet for some months past.
He expresses the opinion, founded upon
all the attending circumstances, that the
recent massacre of Flournoy and his
party, near the Wagon Mound, was not
committed by Indians at all; but that it
was the work Of about $50 Mexicans
and Pueblo Indians, who are known to
have been in that vicinity about that time.
Authentic information upon this impor-
tant point will soon be received.
All the trains destined for Santa Fe
were getting along very well. Major
Fitzpatrick me. company Of abou. 200
Cherokees. having sixty wagons with
them. on their route 10 California.
Mo. Republican, u the 2aih ult.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

Iowa CONTESTED EIEcTIoN.--Letters
from different quarters state. that the re-
ports Of the majority, as well as the MI
nority of the Committee on Elections,
agree that MILLER. who contests tire
seat Of Thompson, from the first Con-
gressionai District Of Iowa, received the
most votes, but still he is denied his seat.
The Washington correspondent OF the
Louisville Courier writes. The seat 10
conceded to belong to the Wing, whiie
both reports censure the Locofoco mem
Der, Mr.. Thompson, for the part he play
ed in putting the Kanesvlle poll-books
out Of the way. Thompson has issued
low-fung, miserable eleciionecring
pamphlet. which he has circulated a.
mong the members Of the House, in
hope that the political partialities Of shey
majority will oe excited in his favor, and
by that means, be permitted TO retain a
seat TO which he was not entitled. But
there are many Democrats from South
ern States, who will not be influenced by
such trickery, and who will as assurediy
vote against his retaining his seat, a.
that vote is taken by the House. Mr..
Miller, the Wing, has now been kept in
suspense for seven months, and subject
TO an expense Of thousand dollars, in
returning to Iowa. in the dead of hard
winter, and ia taking testimony to estab-
lish the fraud by which he has been de-
prived Of his seat, and no longer delay
should be imposed upon him by the
House. All he wants is decision, ono
way or the other, SO soon as the reports
are made, and this should be extended
10 him at once.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

On the night of the 18th inst, be-
tween the hours of 10 and IL, James
w. Musieen, who had been confined to
his bed two years, was murdered at his
residence, near Prevents Knob, Barren
county, Ky. The murderer stopped abou,
ten o'clock, requesting permission to stay
all night, and at first called himself
Smith. While Mrs. Musteen was pre-.
pairing bed for him in an adjoining
room, he stepped out a. back door, got
an axe, returned to Musteen's bed, and,
with the exclamation, "My name is John
Watson, God dam you'll broke his skull
in two places with the helye of the axe,
and forthwith made his escape.
About three weeks before the murder,
the same man passed by Musteen's, and,
in conversation with Mrs. Musteen,
some distance from the house, told her
that he knew her husband in Virginia
forty years ago, and that in three weeks
he would call and see him.
l. is said that Watson charged Nus.
teen, forty years ago, with having taken
an active part in having him sent to the
Penitentiary. in Halifax county, Va, for
forgery. He threatened at that time
the death of M, and never saw him
afterward. until he called and accom-
plished the deed.
Watson had on, when he passed Mus
teens three weeks before the murder. a
cap, check pantaloons, dingy colored
sack coat with the seams filled down,
and an old pal. of shoes. He is abon.
sixty years old, has gray hair. is square
built, weighs about hundred and fifty
or hundred and sixty pounds. and has
deep scar on one Of his cheeks. Mrs.
Musteen thinks he had the same clothes
on when he committed the murder.
A reward of two hundred dollars is
offered to any person who will arrest
him. and have him lodged in Barren
county jail. The Governor will be PEI
tilioned for the offer Of further reward.
Lou. Journal.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
California Chances.-Mr. S,aley, for

California Chances.-Mr. Staley, for
merly of the 81. Louis Organ. writes
from Sacramento City as follows:
IL do not regret having come to this
county, have found everything 70
come up to my expectations. ] never
supposed fortune would force herself up
on man without his own exerti0ns 10
win her-I never expected 10 wake up
some morning and find myself suddenly
rich; but thought and still think, tina,
with energy, INDUSTRY and perseverance,,
| can make as much in California in a
year as can in st. Louis in ten years,
and may, as few have done, stumble
into something more. have not seen
one man in California who ever sCas OF
any account who has not done we'll
those who have failed are the faint-heart.
ed or isnprovident.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

fact is, il looks very like "she friends Of
the Improvement" were "plucking the
pigeon in this matter. And we feel
pretty clear, that the shin-plaster scheme
was another twenty per cent. operation,
to the special friends, Of the "friends of
the improvement"
But to pass from this. Why the stu
died concealments of facts in the opera
tons of this Board! Why have not
monthly meetings been held, and month
ly statements made, as the law requires!
Where is the record Of the transactions
of the Boardl What salaries are paid
to Engineers! What work do they per-
form! What arrangements have been
made for extra pay 10 contractors! All
these things should be on record, and, in
fact, every act and resolution of the
Board or any Of its officers, affecting the
Improvement. Monthly financial state
ments should also be made and put on
record. Are these things done! We
hear not. And presume that many Of
the operations and arrangements Of the
Board or members Of il, are only in the
knowledge of those interested.
The Board has paid less attention TO
the law by which they exist and which
prescribes their duties, than any public
body within our knowledge. Under
such circumstances /: is no wonder tina,
affluence follows connection with the
Desmoines River improvement. in an Of
fetal capacity, as special friends Of the
Board, or as favorites in their employ
Surely these men are not friends TO the
improvement for naught. 1t pays them
well. l. pays nobody else.-jfhig =.
Register.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

The Washington Union, of the 18th,
speaking Of condition of Locofocoism
in Missouri, says:
"lf the true Democracy of the State
do not rally under their common banner,
without regard to Col. Benton, they mus,
lose the State. Mr.. Bay is superseded
by another nomination, and submits with
good grace. Mr.. Phelps is renominated
by Benton convention. Green and
Hall are in the field, with their cres,s up
fearless of the disaffected and infuria-
ted Senator. Bowlin, too, has declared
against his course, as appears by the tol-
ing articles. We trust that his enlarged
experience, high qualifications, and long
services will be sufficient TO save him
from the opposition Of the Benton
clique.
The Pcnnsy lUa,sian, another Locofo-
co paper, pours out its lamentations in
this wise:
"We notice that the friends of Mr..
Benton, in st Louis. Mo-, have formal
~ read out of the "Benton Democratic
party" that able and useful member,
Hon. James B. Bowlin, whose devotion
to the public-interesis has been SO much
commended by all who have ai,entively
noticed his public career. The cause Of
his prescription seems TO have been an
honest desire to unite the Democratic
party of st. Louis county, more upon
principles than upon men. This, how
ever, did not suit Benton and his friends.
and Judge Bowlin has been ostra cised.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
.Americar Breadsf.s6s and Brit,,h

american Breadsf,sfs and Brii,sk
Caiicoes.-It is stated, on the most rolf
able authority. lays the Lawrence. Mass.
Courier,) thstthe entire exports Of bread
s,uffs from the United States to England
in l649, will not be sufficient 10 pay for
over one-haf the cGlicoes imported from
that country during the same PERIOD
In the year l646 we imported from
Great Britain alone, over el2, 200, 900
worth Of calicoes. .8 II
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
That Extrn Doplnr.

+
We charged il upon The loco Board Of
Public Works. end proved 1t. that they
were unjustly taking the peoples money:
in the first place, one dollar for every
piece Of land entered, without authority
or law. This they could not deny
And when the farmers came to the office
TO enter their handsome forty, some
an eighty, and some quarter section
each one was forced to hand over his
dollar; this, too, unjustly, and without a
vestige Of authority or law. The lead
ers of the party, and the Board Of Pub
lie Works found that even the honest
and hard working men of their own
party would not support them in such
bare-faced swindling, became frightened,
tand for few months dessted from ia
king the dollar. The people however
did not, and perhaps do not yet thoi-
oughly understand the reason why il was
tina, for short time they ceased to ex-
act it. Well, we can tell them. The
Legislature was soon TO meet, and the
Board knew well enough that with a
large locofoco majority in both houses,
they might get the one dollar extra inser-
ted in the law remodelling the Board of
Public Works. This they succeeded in
doing by hanging around the Legislature
and acting as lobby members during a
portion of the time that body was in
session, The history of the bill is as
follows: The bill or law remodelling
the Board originated in the Senate, and
passed that body without any clause or
provision TO entiile the Board TO any K
ira pay. This bill went to the House
and by the democratic majority was so
amended or altered as to entitle the Sec
rotary to receive one dollar for each deed
delivered by him-the individual receiv-
ing the deed paying for the same. The
bill then came back to the Senate in its
amended form, for its rejection or adop-
ton. by that body. When the amend
ments came up to be voted upon, every
locofoco in the Senate with one solitary
exception, voted for the House amend
ment allowing one dollar extra to the
Board, TO be taken out of the pockets of
the hard working yeomanry IF the Des
Moines Valley. Those voting against
This amendment, were George G. Wright,
our present candidate for Congress; and
the locofoco President Of the Senate.
These statements are not made with
out the most reliable authority to back
them, lo-wit: The Journals of the Senate
aud House OF Representatives. Yet
there are locoiocos who are SO regardless
Of truth and decency as to assert that
Mr.. Wright, who was member of the
Senate at that time, voted for the extra
dollar.
The truth is, this thing Of taking two
dollars out of every poor mans pocket
that enters piece Of land, one a. the
time of entry and one when he gets his
deed out OF the office, is rather an nnpop-
ular measure; it is weight that the Lo-
cofoco party and its candidates are bend
ing under, and fain would throw off, and
hence their efforts to implicate wings.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05


The locofoco candidate for Congress,
and his friends, are electioneering with
the Wings, and some of them confident
ly predict tina. he will get wing votes on
the ground Of his having long been an
officer under the General Government,
and of his obliging and accommodating
character as such. Now Mr.. Hem
may have been very accommodating and
on all occasions may have acted politely
and obliged persons entering land, while
he was an officer, when it was in his
power to do so, or did not cost him much
trouble.
But what Of all this! Did he not get
his pay for ii! Will not salary of
$4,000 TO $4,000 year amply pay him
for doing the business of his Office, and
being accommodating TO boot. Who is
there in the country but would, fora sal.
airy of $4,000, be vastly accommoda-
tings For our part. we believe we could
afford to be as accommodating and as po-
lite as any man, under such circumstan-
ces; at all events, il we were in the re-
ceipt of salary such us Henn's was,
we would try the experiment, and il we
did not ..knock the socks" off him IN
that line, why then he might take our
old hat--thai's all.
Mr.. HEM and his friends are certain
~ pulling the wrong string. Il is no ar
gument in his favor-or should not be-
that he has within the last four years
received some el0. 900 CT sl2. 900 Of the
peoples money, merely for performing
his duty az an officer. This any one
will say is good pay. But Mr.. Hem
and his friends claim tina, in consequence
of his having had his hand up TO the
elbow in the public crib for the last four
years. that the people ought to vote for
him, and send him to Congress, with
eight dollars day and mileage; and
all too, because he has so long been a
recipient of the public funds.
Now, that Mr.. HEM is entitled to no
particular credit. any one Invested Of
prejudice, will readily admit, when they
compare the administration Of the pres
ent officers Of the Land Office, with that
Of Hem. Who will deny that the pres
ent officers, who are wings, are not equal
iy, if not more accommodating than ev-
er he was. HEM was not the man to
be accommodating without being paid for
il. Another item 10 be taken into con-
Alteration, is that Mr.. HEM has long
been looking forward TO the time when
his removal from the Land Office would
make il necessary Tor him to seek an
other; and accordingly he has been set
ting his trap TO catch wing votes. But
We are sadly mistaken If he and his
friends have not been s'coun.ing their
chickens before they were ha.ched."
Should HEM, however. prove to be
N available candidate on the ground Of
his having once been 4 Land officer with
: ist salary, our locofoco friends will be
blest with goodIy number Of available
candidates by the next campaign. There
win then b the members Of the present
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

FRENCH ExrRAcTloN.-At house
where Dean Swift was once dining, the
lady Of the mansion boassed much oil
her family, observing that her name be-
gan with de and must necessarily be OF
old French extraction. When she had
finished, SHOW" says the Dean. III will
thank you, madam, 10 help me to little
Of that d'wn,pliag."
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
New MexicO--A Constitution
Formed.

We received yesterday, by the wes-
tern mail, letters from Santa Fe as late
as the 25th May. They do not enter
so much into detail as we could have
wished, but the contents are OF real i'm
portance, in the present condition of pub
lie affairs.
sit seems from these letters, that q
Convention of Delegates from the peo-
pie has been called; that il has been held,
and in the short space Of eigh, or nine
days il did devise and promulgaie a Con
stitution for the Government of the
STATE Of Ne,o Merico. We proceed
10 give all the information on this subject,
collected from two or three Of these
letters. The Convention, of the man.
ner of whose election we knew nothing,
assembled at Santa Fe on the 18th inst,
and one OF our letters says with great
unanimity in their action. They were
in session eight or nine days, and in that
time produced Constitution which has
not yet reached us, but which it is said
will be in operation by the first of July.
The boundaries of the State, as contain
ed in the letters before us, are not very
well defined, but we give them as they
come to us. "On the east, the State
runs TO the l00th degree of latitude.
The points where that line cuts the Ar
kansas and the Colorado of Texas are
points in the boundary. On the west,
New Mexico is bounded by the lllth
degree from the Colorado Of California
to the intersection of that line of latitude
with the ella. Thus, on the east and
west, the State of New Mexico is boun.
ded by parallels of latitude" By this
Constitution SLAVERY is prohibited in thu
State.
The Constitution was adopted on the
25th May. In fifteen days thereafter,
an election was to be held for members
of the Legislature, and as soon az il
could be done the machinery of the new
government would be set in moiioh.-
Two Senators and Representative in
Congress would be speedily elected, and
an effort would be made to get them Ia
Washington in time to take theft seats
lif such proceedings are recognised at all
lin the present Congress. 81 am sat
isfied (says our letter. that we will have
a good Constitution, and one entirely
suited 10 this peculiar people"
'.As TO the officers Of tais new State,
Ceran St. Vrain, Judge Otero, and Hen.
nv Connolly, are prominent candidates
for Governor--all, however, belong to
The same political party. and selection
Of either would be perfectly agreeable
to all. Capt. A. w. Reynolds, U. s.
A.. and Maj. X. H. Weightman. late
Paymaster. at present lawyer of tins
territory, stand most prominent among
us for the U. s. Senate. Both are well
qualified for the station, and will do hon.
or to the State. There are two other
candidates. Judge Houghton and Capt.
w. z. Angrey, late of jefferson City,
but their chances of success are small,
when placed in opposition TO the gentle
men have named, who are considered
the first men in our community"
Another letter says--Hugh N. Smith,
our present delegate in Congress, will,
no doubt, be elected TO the House of
Representadves.-Mo. Republican.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
Congress.

The candidates for Congress in the Isl
District will address the people at the
following times and places.
Fort Des Moines, Polk county, on
Tuesday, July 9th. at l o'clo, k. p m
Peneuch. Dallas county, on Wednes.
day, July 10, at o'clock, p m
Wmterset, Madison county, on Thurs.
day, July IL, at o'clock. y IN
lndianola, Warren county, on Friday
July ~, at | o'clock, p m
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

IowA.-The report Of the msjority 81
the Committee Of Elections, in the House
Of Representative. give the seat 70 Mr..
Thompson. and sgainst the contestant,
Mr.. Miller. The minority reported in
favor Of Miller. 1t was made the special
order Of the day for yestsrday.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
Kc Okuk and Dm Buque Rail
Road.

In the U. S. Senate, June 10, the bill
granting to the State of Iowa the right
Of way and quantity Of land equal TO
about one million and half Of dollars,
for the purpose Of aiding in the construc
ton of a Rail Road from Du Buque to
Keokuk, was considered, read third
time and passed.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
A M. Stanton. who publishes a new.

A Mr.. Stanton. who publishes news,
paper "away up" at ST. Paul, Minnesota
Territory, talks Of moving his press 10
Nebraska, thousand miles above ST.
Anthony. Another primer has strsggls
into the former place, and he Is afraid
shall be cfamped in his operations.
competition follows him 10 Nebraska,
means to 60 to the north pole. and sta;
the "Arctic Gazette and White Bear
Advocate" IL
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

a The Albany Dutchman says there
e 2 fellow up Washingington street %
Jealous that he counts his wife's hair sv..
cry day, TO see if she has NJ given q
way memsnto during his absence.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05

for his post. But the fact exists, never
theless, that large sum has been abstrac-
ted from the Treasury of the Board Of
Public Works. How much, we cannot
learn, nor have we learned that any nea-
sures have been taken to straighten the
matter out. The old Treasurer was
honest but not competent. The present
one, is supposed to possess msifher quail
ifcation in any eminent degree. We shall
probably learn more of him before the
expiration of his second term, provided
he should be reelected, (which. may
the people forbid.
After all, we must look to the present
Board. for the most striking acts Of dis
interested devotion to the interests Of the
Improvement. Their love was so hot
for the work that they could not abide
the luke warmness of Col. Curtis, and
consequently in the feryor of their at
tachment, discharged him to make room
for brood of their friends. And we
now have some six or seven Engineers
and assistants under pay 20 keep the SIM
proyemenf" in c0untenance we suppose;
for we have no doubt that good Engi-
neer with an efficient assistant or two,
could have performed all the services re-
CURED since the present Board entered
upon the performance of their duties
The explorations were all nade---the
work all planned out, and but little left
for the Engineers 10 do, except 10 make
up the estimates. And yet. If we are
not misinformed, the corps Of Engineers,
ard assistants under pay, has been dou-
bled since Col. Curtis discharge-pure-
ly from economical considerations. The