davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
A HOrrid Murder.

Several letters were received this morning by Col.
McRae, Postmaster of this town. giving the particu-
lars of a shocking murder and robbery which were
perpetrated in this vicinity the nj ght of the Sd
inst. The particulars are in substance follows
negro trader, named Tillman Hunt from Guilford
county, had employed worthless fellow named Pitt,
from Edgecombe county, to travel with him and his
negroes. He had negro man, four girls, or women,
and child, horse and wagon, and horse and bug
gy Coming from Virginia, they camped about a
mile from this town the night in question. After
supper, the negro, according to his confession,
killed his master by two blows the head with an
axe having been induced to do the act by Pitt They
Immediately started off, reached river about seven
miles, sewed up the body in the tent cloth, with
stones and threw it in the river where it sunk
This was on the road to Elizabeth. From the de-
scripton of the river and bridge it is believed that
it was at McNeills Bridge over Rockfsh; and steps
are now being taken to make thorough search for
the body. Pitt then took the negroes back towards
Virginia. At Rocky Mount he had from Sc to S10,-
900 of money, which excited suspicion, and about
which he told contradictory stories among others
that Hunt had died suddenly in the woods, and had
given him all his money negroes &c. He next ran
away, leaving the negroes, who were taken into pos
session and finally confessed the murder.
Pitt is about 81 years Of age, is quite an ignorant
man, with not sense enough to make his escape
This is all the description given of him in the letters
1t is not stated when he left Rocky Mount but i
was previous to Friday last.
Fayetteville Observer 18th inst
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
New Patent for a Planning Machine.

Mr.. Geo. w. Beardsee. of this city, has filed his
caveat for patent for planning machine, which he
claims to be decided improvement upon those now
in USE We have seen model. and Judging from
this, coincide with him in tie estimate of this in
vention. He terms his machine the 'elastic cut
ter and claims that its superiority all other
machines consists in its simplicity, both in construc-
ton and in operation, it having neither belts
gearing in about it, but all located beneath the
floor When once adjusted and in order it cannot
be deranged by the removal of the cutters or from
any other ordinary 1t operates vertically,
and thereby the grit dirt and shavings pass off with
out aid
The greatest curiosity about it is the movement of
the endless sectional platform and its manner of
turning corners'-the movement being on con-
centric, and differing from any we ever saw. The
whole machine is very simple in its construction and
consequently operates with little friction. It is of
great strength and the cost is much less than those
in growing out its simplicity. 1t is claim
ed for it that its operation will produce work supe-
rior to that of the hand plane and that its ordinary
speed will be one hundred and fifty feet per minute,
5000 feet per hour, and that it can be increased
to 200 or 800 feet per minute, without any danger
to the machine The planners arranged that
they will yield, and permit splinters if any occur to
pass away, without damaging disorderng the ma
chine, which is great fault of some of the other
patents.
Mr.. Beardslee, in connection with Mr. Samuel AL
bro, of this city has also got patent for match
ing apparatus. which is to be connected with his
planning machine. 1t is claimed that it is construc-
ted on plan that exceeds any now made to form a
tongue and groove.
Both sides of the board can be planed at the Same
operation. This machine and these improvements
remove the objections which have been made to sta
tionary cutters and is superior to revolving cutters
as it will plane much larger quntity in the same
time.
Such is an outline of this improvement in OPP
erative machinery 1t is, in mechanical branch of
much Importance, and in which many machines
have been patented If this proves in its operation
all that is claimed for it, and what it now gives pro-
mise it will supersede those in The paten-
tee will go to work Immediately in the construction
of machines, so that ere long they will be thorough
ly tested.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

THE NEXT DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
The Western Democratic papers are beginning to
speak out in favor Of the next National Convention
of our party meeting in Cincinnati The Grand
Lodge Of Odd Fellows, the Convention of Episcopal
Bishops, the Presbyterian General Assembly, and
many other bodies, have recently met in that city,
and the New Albany Ledger can see no good reason
why the National Convention should not do likewise
The Indiana State Sentinel says:
1.-The North West polls more Democratic votes
than any other section of the Union she has not sin
gle Wing Governor and it ia due to her that the next
Convention should be held at Cincinnati There are
many other reasons for changing the place of hold
ing the Convention. A change of place will have a
good effect towards harmonizng the different Sec
lions of our Union it will bring persons to the West
and who need only to visit our country, to be con.
yinced of the true cause of orr greatness =
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21


The Raleigh Register, of the 18th inst, asks our
views in common with those of the other Democrat
ic presses of the State, upon the subject of Union
parties and SO on. We reply explicitly, that re-
gard the attempt made to get up Union party par
excellence as defunct humbug, and the cant made
over its remains as pretty much of the charac-
ter. We regard the principles of the Democratic
party right and proper, and as founded upon the
constitution and we regard any party which requires
abnegation of principles abandonment of the
organization necessary to carry those principles into
effect as humbug-a humbug devoid of principle
in fact, an unprincipled humbug. An object which
cannot be attained by perseverance in right course
cannot be worth attaining at all. It has only been
by divergence from the fundamental principles Of
the Democratic creed, that the Union Of the States
has been placed in jeopardy it is only by return
to those principles that its future permanence can
be secured. We are no disunionists We do not
even agitate the doctrine of secession knowing that
however true in theory, it could have no practical
effect in rendering secession peaceful. But this we
do say, that if the Uaion depends upon unprncpled
combinations of Union ut all hazards men. then il
is time for it to- be dissolved. But we have, weeks
ago. expressed our views upon this subject; sooner
we believe than any other Democratic press in The
State. These views are still unchanged We ther
looked upon this as a new dodge, by which minori
ty party was trying to break up the Democratic or
ganization, and we think still.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
The First Fugitive Slave Case.


Richard Gardner, a colored man, was arrested yes
terday in Bridgewater, Beaver county, and brought
to Pittsburg this morning. He was Immediately ia
ken before Judge Irwin, of the U. S. Circuit Court
and claimed by BENZ. s. Rust, agent for Miss R
The Hon. J. E. Brady appeared as counsel for the
claimant. John A. Willis, David Reed and A. NJ
Burns, Esqs., appeared counsel for the Defence
William Reed, former guardian of Miss Byers, test
fed that the negro escaped in June last was pos
tive Rev. Park A. Colind, preacher swore he knew
him three years as exhorter in the colored Meth
odst Church Rev. Mr.. Green, a negro preacher
knew him in September, 1913.
After the testimony was taken, and the case fully
argued the Judge remanded the prisoner. and he
was handcutfed and placed in custody of MIR. Rust
agent for the owner.
A great deal of feeling manifested, but NJ
sign of disorder.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
NIisUInced Confidence.

Jones is in general good husband and domestic
man. Occasionally, however, his cornwall tastes
betray him into excuses which have subjected him
more than once to the discipline of Mrs Jones. A
few nights since he was invited to participate with
few friends at Florences, by way of celebrating a
neighbors He did participate" and to his utter
astonishment when he to take his leave at the
wee short hour ayont the twal" he found the lar
gest brick in his hat he ever saw. indeed, he was
heard to remark soliloquently 81 think, Mr. JONES'
you were never quite so tight before"
He reached his home finally, but by a route which
was anything but the shortest distance between two
points, not, however without having experienced We
ry considerable anxiety about the reception which
awaited him from Mrs. Jones. He was in luck that
night, was Mr.. JONES' barring always his primal
transgression he got into his house, found his way
into his chamber without waking creature, not
even mousse After closing his door, he cautious
ly paused to give thanks for the "conscence unde
fled which secured to Mrs. Jones the sound and
refreshing slumbers which had prevented her taking
notice of his arrival Being satisfied that all was
right, he proceeded to his integuments with
as much despatch and quiet circumstances would
permit, and in the course of time sought the vacant
place beside his slumberng consort. After resting
a moment, and congratulating himself that he was
in bed, and that his wife did not know how long he
had been there it occurred to him that if he did
change his position Mrs. Jones might detect from
his breath that he had been indulging To prevent
such catastrophe he resolved to turn He had
about half accomplished his purposewe now
obliged to use the idiomatic language of Mr. Jones
himself from whom we receive this chapter Of his
domestic trials when Mrs. Jones riz right up in
the bed and, said she in tones that scraped the
row all out of my bones, said she, Jcnes you needn't
turn over, you're drunk clean through"
~ Y Post
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

Loss OF THE STEAMER SECRETARY MARCY.-The
steamer Secretary Marcy, Capt. Frescot, (of this
port,) and owned by the master, left Wilmington
On. CO. for Baltimore on the 5th instant, and was
wrecked on the night of the 7th inst. on Cape Look
Out. We copy, below an extract of letter reeeiv-
ed from the Captain, giving the particulars of the
loss:
BEAUFORT IN. CO. March TO-
On Friday night. the It'll inst, we got in sight of
three lights two of which vessels and judging
ourselves past Cape Look Out, and the light some
times disappearing altogether we were deceived by
the appearance, and discovered the breakers ahead
Before we could do anything we drove ashore three
miles from the Light House. and the vessel is now
lying high and dry at low water 1t continued blow
ing very hard all night, the sea making complete
breach over her. At day light We got on the beach,
and have been at work saving all we can The schr.
Monterey went ashore about the same time.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

SAILORS AND THEIR DEsERv1NGs.-In an account
of tremendous hurricane at sea, written by pas
senger in brig in letter to the Tribune, occurs
passage worth remembering by those who are en-
downing hospitals
1.-The behaviour of the seamen throughout this
storm excited my wonder and admiration they ex-
hibited cool and lofty courage, which is
amid the shock of armies and the thunder Of battle
The courage Of the soldier is not to be compared to
the death-defying heroism of the seaman. In one
case death is met in hot blood and in the excitement
of battlein the other he is calmly confronted for
hours or days. For whole days the seaman stands
with foot in a watery grave without a murmur
or sign of fear. He endures horrible suspense
more than thousand sudden deaths. He stands up
on the deck of his ship, cheek by owl with the grim
tyrant and he does not shudder turn pale in his
company The sailor is hero-they heroes as
class. brighter day must dawn for such men );
their generosity their fidelity, and their death-defy
ing bravery must be acknowledges and their VIZ
tues must be rewarded
CARGO OF ELEPHANTs.--We are glad to learn that
Mr. S. B. June, whom we formerly announced as
having come to Gale in vessel from America, for a
cargo of elephants has succeeded in procuring the
object of his search On his arrival in Colombo he
was informed that Government had elephants for
sale but we happened to meet him one day In search
of what was here called " Government" With his
Yankee go-ahead business notions he supposed that
if party had anything for sale, that party ought to
know what price to ask for it. Government has eie-
plants for SALE said every person but nobody, in
dividua or collective, could be found to fix price
at which they would be sold, SO that he declared
there was really no Government in Ceylon- Failing
in the direction, Mr. June perfect stranger to the
country, and assured by many residents that he
could not in any reasonable time, obtain the num-
Der of elephants he required, went into the interior
and notwithstanding the unusual wetness of the sea-
son, succeeded in picking up between twenty and
thirty elephants, which are now on their way tc
Gale Ia be Skinned on board the American baraue
Regatta, now lying there in waiting for him. We
wish Mr. June and his boys and girls" as he calls
them, quick and safe passage to Yankee land.
Colombo (Ceyon) Observer, Jan. 8.
HaTOn Wednesday there was six inches Of snow
J in Raltimora
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
From the Charleston Mercury, March Is.
Death of Gen. McDuRie.

The Columbia papers of yesterday bring sad con-
frmation of the event which was anticipated from
the previous days intelligence. Gen. McDufie ex-
pired at nine o'clock on Tuesday morning. Reports
of his health not long ago represented him as much
improved, but there really has been for years no
hope that he would ever be restored to activity and
to the power of taking his part in the affairs of the
State. So completely had his feebleness shut him
out from all commerce with the world, that we seem
now to be speaking of great man long Dead rather
than Of one who breathed his last two days ago.
We cannot attempt to do even moderate justice to
the character of McDufie, for we had no personal
familiarity with him. and never heard him in a set
speech. But the testimony of the best judges has
assigned him place among the few great orators
this country has produced His personal integrity
and disinterestedness gave him another title almost
rare. among men whose lives have been passed in
the seething world politics, to the reference and
admiration of his country. 1t hardly be said of
him that he ever sought an Office or an honor He
has served the State in the Legislature, as Member
of Congress- us Governor, and United States SEN
ator, and always with sngle-hearted zeal and CON-
handing ability; but these Offices have all been &C.
cepted by him duties, and not the prizes of
bition. The people have always sought him, and
not he the people. And the perfect disinterested-
ness of his character not less than his marvellous
eloquence has been appreciated by the people of
South Carolina during his whole career He was
heartily and wholly trusted by them. None were
ever found to question his motives, Or to raise doubt
of his sincerity, and singleminded honesty. Peace
to his ashes and unfading honor to his memory
Ono UNITED STATES SsNAToR.--On the 18th inst,
BENJAMIN F. WADE was elected United States Sena-
tor from Ohio for six years. to fill the place lately
occupied by Mr.. Ewing, who was appointed for the
unexpired term of Mr.. CoRwIN, Secretary of the
Treasury. Mr.. WADE is Wing Free Soiler, from
GIDD1NGs District. There is change, as both Ew-
ING and CoRw1N are Wing Abolitionists
4 DEATH OF MAJOR NoAH.-NIajor NJ. NJ. Noah,
who has been connected with the press for half a
century, as printer, editor publisher died in N
York, the morning of the 18th inst, from the eff
fects of paralytc attack which he had some weeks
ago.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

The Union, of the 18th instant, contains the an
nouncement that the establishment has been purcha-
sed by Major ANDREW JACKSON DoNELsoN, who
along with Gen. RoBERT ARMSTRONG, of Tennessee,
will enter upon The editorial management of the pa
per on the 18th of April, when Mr.. RIrcH1E will
retire, after connection with the political press for
forty-seven years. Major DoNELsoN is known as the
adopted son of the late Gen. JACKSON the negotator
of the measure of Texas annexation, and recently
Minister to Berlin and WILL no doubt, ably discharge
the duties of the station vacated by the veteran
RITcHIE, who, unfortunately, retires under cloud
of pecuniary embarrassment: painful at all times,
but doubly SO in his old age, and at the close of
long and arduous career, commenced before many of
his denouncers were born We have no doubt that
Mr. R1TcH1E will get relief from the next Congress,
and it is just we'll that he should wait. If con-
tracts are good for anything they intended to be
kept and men should not be absolved from those of
their own making at their very first application
After this contractors will look before they leap and
not be so ready to underbd for contracts in the hope
of obtaining contingent advantage or of begging
out of the fulfllment of their obligations.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

SHIPMENTS OF GOLD FROM CAL1FoRNIA-We are
indebted to Messrs Winter & Latimer, of San Fran
CISCO for the annexed authentic statement of the a.
mount of gold shipped from California, from its first
discovery in 1849 to the present time:
Gold Dust shipped by steamers from LIST April 18i9 31t
December, 1850 .$54, $40 255
Estimated to have been taken by passengers 571 500
Shipped to foreign Pacific ports and Europe, COIN
ed manufactured into jewery in California, and
House reports 800 Us $500 49,. 49,. - 4,576,o42
Carried overland and eoastwise by miners from
Mexico, Chilli and Oregon shipped by
present in possession of miners merchants &C. 900
$62, III, 1871
In the above estimates the value of Gold Dust has
been computed at SIG per troy. To this
say -. $3.50 1874
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

FREsHET IN THE RoANoKE.--The Halifax Repub-
hcan informs that the late freshet on the Roanoke
was the highest ever remembered by any one. The
dams of several farms the river have been swept
away. The Ferry Plantation of w. A. DANIEL,
Esq., was entirely inundated, and of his houses
taken entirely away.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
Chaplin, the negro steaIer.

The trial Of CHAPLIN, the Abotionist, indicted for
an assault and battery with fire arms on the persons
who arrested him in Montgomery, Md, while alb
Quoting the slaves of Messrs. TooMBs and STEVENS
from Washington City last fall, to have come on
at Ellicotts Mills Monday last, but the General
did not make his appearance, and his recegnizance
of $4,000 was forfeited to the State. The money
is perfectly secure to the State being deposited in
Bank. The recognizers are himself JOHN H. EHLER,
aud GEORGE H. WILLIAMS -
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

Mysterious OccurrenGe-PrObablcM nIl Robbery.
On the afternoon of Monday, the 18th inst, bag
containing letters was picked up by the Steamer
Rowan in the Cape Fear River, opposite town. The
bag and letters, when found, were open. Some of
the letters contained checks, and one appears to
have been rifed of some eighty dollars in cash. 1t
proved upon examination. to be the letter bag made
up at Savannah on the 10Th instant, for Baltimore.
which arrived here the boat of the 18th On that
day the Steamer Gladiator, which brought the mall
got aground at Smithylle. and the mail sent up
to town in one of the small boats of the Steamer in
charge of the second mate, but failed to arrive in
time TO connect with the cars, which waited until
two o'clock for that purpose. We suppose an inves-
tigation will be had, but far nothing has transpi-
red calculated to throw any light upon the occur
renee. This goes to demonstrate the necessity of
continuing the mail in charge of sworn agent of
the Department to and from Charleston.
bsg~F Four suspicious looking persons have, within
the last few days been taken up by the town author
ities under the Vagrant Act and committed to pris
It's supposed that these persons may possibly
have had some connection with the recent mail rob-
berry.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
PHILADELPHIA, March 13

DECISION IN THE FUG1T1vE SLAVE CAsE-The
Judge decided last night about midnight to remand
the alleged fugitive slaves, Helen and Henry her son.,
to Mr. Perdue, of Baltimore county, their rightful
owner. They left at o'clock this morning in the
cars for Baltimore, without any excitement. The
people seemed anxious that the law should be obey
ed
The above fugtives arrived in the PHILADELPHIA
train at two o'clock this afternoon and proceeded
homeward. Baltimore american, 18th inst.
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

Ea~The Secretary of the Interior has officially de-
cded that military land warrants are not assgnable
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

Bas~At Arson Superior Court last week, Judge
MANLY presiding, ROBERT MoRR1soN was tried for
the murder of JoMN D. SMITH, and convicted of man
slaughter.
On Tuesday last, the Assembly Buildings at the
corner of Tenth and Chestnut Streets Philadelphia
were totally destroyed by fire. The buildings were
very extensive and the loss must be large
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

AMIN BEY has published farewell address to the
American people
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

Home, SWEET HoME-- Maungwudaus, The Indian
chief, is ecurng at Rochester, N. Y. As specimen
of Chppeway rhetoric the editor of The American there
publishes the following extract of Maungwudauss"
memoranda:
81 have seen much of the Old World. | have been
in the company of Kings and Queens in their Palaces
have dined with Lords and other great man with
their gold plates, gold knives and gold forks
But. after all, love my native country best, the
land of my forefathers. | love the Wigwam IN
the forest best love the American Indian best
and were that alone the earth OF The Amer-
car Indians, would take up the form of an American
Indian. and go up to the highest peak of the Rocky
Mountains, and there stand in the gaze of The whole
world, and say-Behod The image of Him that made
US. MauSGwuDAus, the ChipPeway Indian.
The Hon.. Isaac E. Holmes late Representative IN
Congress from the Charleston District in South Car
DINA, has taken passage for California, where he
proposes to engage in the practice of law,
J 800 49, Fayetteville Otserre''
Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
wILMINGToN, N. c.. FRIDAY, MARCH 81, 1851.

TAxEs-The County Court of New Hanover coun-
ty. at its March Term assessed Taxes for the year
1850, payable this year, as follows:
On each Hhite PoA.-County tax 20 cents, Poor
do 25 School do. 12-total, 81 cents.
On each Black PoH.-County 90 cents, Poor %
School II, Patrol S-total, G5 cents
On the 800 value of Real Estate-County cents
Poor 6, School 6--total 20 cents.