davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The southern press., 1851-05-03

PARTICULARS OF THE GREAT FIRE AT GRAND
GULF.-A despatch last week announced a large
fire at Grand Gulf, Miss, but gave no particulars.
The New Orleans Picdyune gives the following
account of It:
Grand Gulf is situated in gorge or pass be-
tween high hills, and that the town has only a
narrow front on the river. II extends back,
however, some distance.
The fire broke out at halfpast III o'clock last
Tuesday morning, in frame tenement near the
wharf boat, and contiguous to one Of the two
taverns in the town. The steamer VIM. Noble
had just left the wharf boat, and as the river
was very high. she was within a few yards OF
the front buildings. II is supposed that the
sparks from the steamers chimneys caught in
this frame tenement, and occasioned the fire.
The flames ragged furiously and uncontrolably
over the entire front row Of buildings The
citizens struggled hard against them. Lines OF
men were formed TO the river down the various
streets, water was continually passed to the
points menaced, the roofs Of the surrounding
buildings yet uninjured were covered with damp
blankets, and whilst many thus strove TO extin-
guish the flames, or to prevent them from spread
ing, others exerted themselves to save property,
stores, horses, &c.
The front square of buildings was entirely
destroyed. The sparks few by myriads over
the rest Of the town, and II appeared as if no.
thing could save Il. Suddenly, towards evening,
the wind changed point or two; renewed exer-
tons were made, the lines TO supply water were
better organized, and finally the flames were con-
fined to their original area, and Grand Gulf was
saved. The loss, however, is very heavy. The
twenty buildings destroyed were mostly Of
bricks, and served as stores.
The citizens estimate the loss, at the least, as
amounting TO 100000.
The Prest yterian Church, large new brick
building not yet finished, but used was entirely
DESTROYED. The brick building in which was
the Office Of the Claiborne Gazette, new paper,
was burned. The type was saved. The two
taverns, the large liverv stable, and the jewelry
establishment Of Mr.. Reyes, were also burned.
The horses and vehicles in the livery stable.
which was the depot Of the stage line TO Port
Gibson, were removed in time. Mr. Reyes stock
was nearly all saved A number of mechanics
are left houseless and penniess Among the
buildings destroyed, was the warehouse Of Mr..
Holloway. 1t contained 1000 bales Of cotton,
and large quantity Of grain. Nothing was
saved. When the Natchez left in the evening,
the confagration was reduced to smoudering
ruins.
The southern press., 1851-05-03
SONNET TO SPRING.

Oh! beauteous Spring ope my window wide,
To breathe the sweetness of thy vernal air;
Full quick the pulses in their channels glide,
The vestal favors of the spring to share;
| hear the lambs make music on the hills,
! see the violets in the verdant fields,
| catch the perfume that the bland air fills
From myriad blossoms that the season yields.
The shooting vine hangs trembling in the breeze,
And buds luxuriant grace the teeming bough,
The robin sings his song among the trees,
And Nature pours her notes melodious now.
Oh Spring thy beauty admiration moves
But-but-but-Mary, bring my cloak and gloves.
Boston Path finder.
The southern press., 1851-05-03

A CLOSET AFFAIR.--In the police column Of
the Philadelphia Pennsylvania, the following
delicate affair is reported:
Mrs. Sophronia Devallenger is muatto lady
who reads all the French novels and the Home
Journal, and so cultivates taste for those Eu-
ropean refnements in social intercourse which
some Of our travelled gentlemen wish to intro
duce into this country. Mrs. DIS. husband is a
shade darker than herself in complexion; he is
a iobacconist by trade, and a very worthy, in
dustrious and unsuspicious fellow. Mrs. ID, has
formed Patonc intimacy with light lemon
colored D'Orsay, who calls himself Edward Ber-
rington. While Mr.. Deyallenger is making Sc
CARS and an honest living at his shop, Mrs. ID.
at home, is making tea and toast for Chevalier
Darlington. But last night, Deyalenger being
taken with an ominous pain in the head, came
home two hours sooner than usual, and inter-
rupted tete tete between Madame and LIE
Chepalier. No lady who has read a French
novel can be embarrassed in such case;
closet or cupboard is the obvious resource. The
only recess of this kind in the apartment was a
place under the stairs where Deyallenger kept
his unseasoned tobacco, extra pots of snuff, and
various tools and materials for which there was
no room in the shop. Into this " low-browed
vault" BIZ Madame's directions, the Chevalier
crepL on MS nanus ana knees, ana was snugly
shut up by the adroit lady, at the very moment
Deyallenger entered. The honest tobacconist
complained Of his aching head, without assign.
ing cause for it, not imagining (poor fellow y
what an oppressive weight his os fronts had to
sustain. Meanwhile, Chavalier Bennington, in
the closet, was fearful that his breathing might
be overheard; to prevent which, he put his face
into large jar, which stood on the floor conve-
niently. This jar contained snuff Of highly
volatile nature and as soon as Bennington drew
his first breath inside of the vessel, column of
the Initiating dust assembled into each nostril,
and produced such a tempestuons sneezing as
might have been mistaken for those rapidly sue
cessive detonations which are incident to an ex-
| plosion Of saltpetre. The ast0unded Devallenger
looked at his wife for an explanation. Mrs.
Devallenger, seeing that a denouemem could not
be avoided, shrieked 1robbers" and murder y
Devallenger seized a shovel, threw open the
cuddy door, and went regularly to work on the
carcase of the Ctesalier, who still continued to
sneeze in answer to each blow, though the
whacks he received on his rear were certainly
nothing to be sneezed at" The shovel was
actually demolished In the furious attack. Che
Waller Bennington attempted to offer no explana-
ton or justification either to the husband or be-
fore the mayor. In answer to queries proposed
| by the latter, he magnanimously exclaimed =
Send me to jail for thief If you choose I'D
better suffer than sie the repetaiion Of the far
ser !" He was committed accordingly.
The southern press., 1851-05-03

A RoMAScE SpoLED.--It has been stated
that during the late gale some young men at
Gerrish's Island, Kittery, Me-, near Portsmouth,
seeing the British schooner Thistle coming
ashore, ran down the beach into the surf, just
as she struck, seized line, which waa thrown
out by the crew, carried Il up the beach and Sc
cured it, and helped to save the lives Of the
crew and passengers, among which were wo-
man and her two children. The effort was ranked
as being equal in disnterested heroism with
that Of the two brave men of Newburyport, who
saved a number Of lives at Plum Island-but
the Portsmouth Journal states, upon the au-
thority of a correspondent, that the men put in
claim Of money for their services, with spe-
cia charge of six dollars for preserving the lives
Of the women and children. The communica-
ton states that the people Of Kittery look upon
the demand as an outrage upon the character Of
their town, Ms they cannot perceive that an act
Of common humanity, under whatever circum-
stances performed, should be paid for BY dollars
and cents.
The southern press., 1851-05-03
From the London Punch.
WHO'S wHO7

Who, when feel little III,
Sends me daily draught and pill,
Followed by a tremendous bill
My doctor!
Who breaches self-denying views,
Charges heavy rate for pews,
And calls on me for Easter dues
My parson /!
Who, when lawsuit have won,
For large sum begins to dun,
To which the 'extra costs" have rum!
My lawyer
Who, for my trowsers, which, with straps,
Have cost him half sovereign, pr APPS,
Down in the bill two guineas claps
My tailor
Who, when wish of beefa stone,
Composed of wholesome beef alone,
Sends me at least three pounds Of bone
My butcher
Who, when send joint to bake,
Away from it contrive to take
Enough a hearty meal to make
My baker
Who lends my paper to read in town,
And when at the lateness frown,
Tell me the engines broken DOWN.
Who coolly pawns my "other shirt
And tells me with assurance pert,
She's only dropped it in the drtl
My laundress
Who peeps in every private note,
Wears my best neckcloth round his throat,
And at the "swarry" sports my coat I
My footman
r. 7.
Who brings my shaving water late,
And with basket full Of plate
One morning doth evaporatel
My valet
Who firts with soldiers dressed SO fine,
And leaves that sweetest pet Of mine,
To tumble in the Serpentine.
My nursemaid |!
Who comes to make formal call
Merely to criticise US all,
When severed by the party wall'
My neighbor!
Who's who, or where shall he be sought
Who may not now and then be caught
At something wrong in act or thought,
Why No one
The southern press., 1851-05-03

A Dialogue on nes.--Smth-Well, Jones
this Is good glass Of wine, is mt Il?
Jones-Thc glass is good enough, but the
wine Is abominable.
Smith--Oh, don't say that. Perhaps You
think II would be better for little more body,
Ell
Jones-.-I don't know whether il would be
better for more body, but il would certainly be
better for less spirit. Drops a little from bis
glass into the CRATE and sets the chimney on
fire. Punch,
The southern press., 1851-05-03

VIOLENCE AND DEArH--Bosros, April 29-
At Monroe, Me-, on Friday last, man named
Louis Cozzens, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff
Cunningham and Others, attempted to dispossess
man named Sewell, Of farm of which he
held illegal possession. He found the doors
barred, and the inmates armed with guns, pitch.
forks, &c. While the law officers were endeav-
oring to force the door, q shot was fired from
the inside, which instantly killed Cozzens. The
Sewells were finally captured, and committed to
Jail. Several citizens of Monroe are said to be
implicated in the resistance.
The southern press., 1851-05-03

Old Roger, says the Pathfinder, was standing
in State street, and saw an Irishman rolling
keg Of specie from his cart TO the institution for
which il was intended. aThere," said the.old
fellow, to a foreign gentleman who was standing
by him, sthere you see the benefit Of our free
institutions there is man who came to this
country six months ago a. poor as poor could
be. and now you see he Is actually rolling in
richssw
The southern press., 1851-05-03

MORE TRUTH THAN PoETRY--The Dundee
ratepayers, In public meeting assembled, had oc-
casion the other day to s'divide." The arstoc-
racy took one side Of the room--the democracy
the other. A burly manufacturer, confronting
thin weaver, claimed the majority, and appealed
to the greater area which his party covered.
(" That's not because there's mair o. ye," replied
the weaver; we've as muckle heads as We, but
we've bigger bellies"-- English Paper.
The southern press., 1851-05-03

NTANTED-A situation lin a Seminary or
w private family by lady who has several
years experience in teaching the pisno-forte gui-
tar, and vocal music, in classes or otherwise The
highest recommendations can be furnished. For
further particulars, direct to l. J. X, care Of Jo-
seph Shillington, Washington city, d. c., irving
real name and address,
April el-lsv
The southern press., 1851-05-03

There is hotel in Springfield that only
charges half price for lovers; and the proprietor
says he makes more money out Of this class Of
boarders than any other people obout the house.
Leta youth, he says, set up with yellow spen-
Ger and blue eyes on Sunday night, and he will
feel so heavenly that he wont get down to pork
and beans again till the latter part Of the week.
The southern press., 1851-05-03

WThe Free-soilers of Boston seem deter
mined not to be out-done in aUnionism" by
theiropponents. The Courier Of that city says:
Among the curious manifestations Of jov
which were exhibited by the Aboltionists yss-
terdsy, at the election Of Mr.. Sumner AZ United
States senator, was the display of the national
flag from tbs tower Of the Commonwealth pswt
The southern press., 1851-05-03

. ~ While the " national" organs, and their
Southern echoes, are hailing the restoration of
confidence between the North and South, accom-
plished through the midnight march of Marshal
TuKEY-the Wellington of the Administration
1.-The Boston Transcript makes the following
frank confession, seasoned with spice of irony:
SHALL WE HAVE PEACE I'VE fear not aGen-
tlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no
peace" The times require that we should have,
not only a settled faith in regard to the great
question before the country, but reason for the
faith that is in us. Principles must be probed
to their very root. We must orient" ourselves,
as the French say; fix on the east and thence
take our bearings.
Citizens upholding the law of the last Con-
gress, are denounced by our representatives in
Congress, and from the pulpit in this city, as
scoundrelsand mercenaries, with "cotton" stuffed
in, where there ought to be heart. The Rev
erend Theodore Parker, holy man of God, stig-
matizes all such citizens, as begotten in sin,
conceived in iniquity, born with dogs heads on
their shoulders, the concentration of a whole
generation of scoundrels." The excellent per-
people, jealous of good works-highly moral
luttHiStHty huu oainbif-Hosci w ticoO ocuti-
ments, and believe and applaud.
Now il is obviously to be feared that from
belief and applause these excellent fellow.citi-
Gems of Mr.. Parker's flock, who have till now
taken US by the hand, and given US the time Of
day, will proceed TO action; they are persons
who will do right the skies fall conscientious,
very and il is plain that they will feel it their
duty TO treat us, as the scoundrels, described by
their pastors, ought TO be treated. They will
cut us off from their patronage refuse to deal
with us; repudiate our cotton goods and cali
Goes; turn us out Of their employment; refuse
TO buy Of us, and 10 sell 10 us; cut off their sup
plies in short, and break orr hearts.
This would be deplorable state Of things !;
and we hope IL may be averted. Let our readers
apply their moral stethescopes and determine
whether IL be cotton or flesh ard blood that is
beating in their breasts. Let them inquire Of
their conscences, whether TO determine TO up.
hold our constitutional compact with the South,
to abide by the Union, and 10 stand by the ex.
ecutors Of the laws Of the land, be the deep and
damning crime which is now charged upon us.
The southern press., 1851-05-03
T ELEG GRAPH c
ITel.graph.d for the Southern Press.l

BosTos, April 80, 2PM.
The steamer America sailed to day with 1875
passengers, and 100000 American gold, and
$4,000 In Mexican dollars. Gen. VIM. II.
Whitehead bearer Of dispatches to the Ameri-
can Despatch Legation at London, IL among the
passengers. Many Boston merchants and OTHERS
bound for the Worlds Fair, went out in the
America. Several Democratic clerks in the
Custom House have been removed. Il is said
Gov. Boutwell, Is preparing TO make general
sweep of the Wings holding Office under the
State government
Samuel z. Sewall, Free-soil candidate for Con-
gress in the I'd district, has withdrawn from the
canvass, and recommends bis friends to support
Mr.. Rantoul, Democrat, who, he says, has borne
such noble testimony against the Fugitive slave
law.
PHILADELPHIA, April 800 p m.
Several removals and appointments have
been made in the Custom House, to take effect
on the LIST Of May, ensuing.
New ORLEANS, April %.
Sales Of cotton to-day Of 5000 bales. The
price current quotes 81 a l0t. The receipts
are l35,0o0,l bales aheid of last year.
BALTIMORE, April 80 % p. m.
In New York to-day cotton declined I. 1900
bales sold. Sales Of 5000 barrels Of -four at
l2i cents decline. Corn unchanged.
The southern press., 1851-05-03
A curious astronomical clock is on exhibit

A curious astronomical clock is on exhibition
at the Worlds Fair. 1t is calculated 90 fine
ly," says the Liverpool Albion, that, in many Of
the motions by the wheelwork, it will not err
one minute in 1000 years. These calculations,
we understand, have received the unqualified
appreciation Of the lending scientific men and
astronomers of the day, both in Britain and for
eign countries The clock will show the min
utes and hours of the day; the suns place in
the ecliptic; the day Of the month, perpetually,
and take leap-year into account; the moons
age, place, and phases; the apparent diurnal
revolutions of the moon the ebb and flow Of
the sea at any port in the world; the golden
number, epact, solar cycle, Roman induction,
Sunday letter, and Julian period; the mean
time Of rising and setting Of the sun on every
day of the year, with its terms and fixed and
movable feasts. The day of the week will be
indicated, and the year win be registered for
10000 years past or to come. The quickest
moving wheel will revolve in one minute, the
slowest in 10000 years from the date. To.
show the very great accuracy Of the motions in
this complicated clock, few of the periods
may be noted; namely, the apparent diurnal
revolution Of the moon is accomplished In "a
hours, so minutes, % seconds, and 379,882, 1853
decimals of second, which makes an error Of
one minute too fast at the end of l,470 years.
The stars will make revelation in 80 hours, Sc
minutes, seconds, and 69,0s7,2s4 decimals of
a second, which gives an error of one minute
too slow at the termination Of 1891 years. The
synodical revolution Of the moon is done by the
wheels In 80 days, IL hours, a. minutes, 2 sec
onds, and s73,544,28S decimals of second, and
this will give an error Of one minute too fast in
l,l67 years. The siderial year is done in 365
days, 8 hours, 9 minutes, III seconds and 3d.
1924 decimals of second, which make an
error of one minute slow in 1906 years. The
clock will go 100 years without requiring to be
wound up, which is unequalled in theological
science The clock will contain about ITO
wheels and pinions, and upwards Of 300 distinct
piecesn
The southern press., 1851-05-03

The shoe business, 80 important a one to
Massachusetts,, continues quite hourishing-but
il is said the Lynn dealers are somewhat alarmed
at the attempts now in progress to commence
the business in the Southern cities. Master
workmen from this section, have, in several in
stances, been hired lately, to 60 there to engage
in the misunderstanding good wages and good
wear cotton shirts and sleep between cotton
sheets-considering them none the worse from
the fact that the material is the product of slave
labor.-LotoeH Courier.
The southern press., 1851-05-03


CHARLEs SUMNER.-Whie Mr.. Webster, in
the streets of Boston, alike voice crying in the
wilderness" il sounding his feryed and eloquent
appeals in behalf of the Union, an entirely diff
ferent scene is acting in the capital, located in
the same city, by the assembled representatives
of the people of Massachusetts. 1t will be-
seen, under our telegraphic head, that another
ballotting in the long contested election for
United States senator came off again on the
23d inst, and Mr. Sumner, If not actually elect
cd, required but one vote TO produce that result.
That he will eventually triumph, but little doubt
can now be entertained. II elected, the Senate
will receive into its councils as one OF the rep
resentatives of Massachusetts, one Of the most
consumate Abolitionists in the country fit
compeer for Seward, Hale, Chase, and Giddings
men ready to shiver the union of the States
into thousand fragments for the sake Of runa-
way negro, whom, after all, neither would af-
ford shelter to protecthim from the elements,
or roll of bread to save him from starving.
This il the individual who delivered a speech
before the freesoil party Of Massachusetts ut
Faheuil Hall (by the way, this same building
was but a few days since, by the city authors
ties, closed against Daniel Webster, who wished
to make Union speech) on the 9th Of Novem-
Der last The speech has been reported In the
Boston papers, and we are enabled to sec, with.
out doubt or uncertainty, what are the views OF
the freesoil party Of the North, as laid down in
the most authoritative manner by this great and
acknowledged exponent Of their sentiments.
Mr.. Sumner says, that the frcesoil party of the
United States make the following demands:
| We demand first and foremost, the instant
repeal Of the Fugitive slave bill.
We demand the abolition Of slavery in the
District of Columbia.
We demand the exercise by Congress in all
territories, Of its time.honored power TO prohibit
slavery.
We demand Of Congress to refuse to receive
into the Union, any new slave State.
We demand the abolition Of the domestic
slave trade, so far as II can be constitutionaly
reached but particularly on the high seas under
the national flag. !.
And, generally, VIC demand from the federal
government the exercise Of all its constitutional
power to relieve itself from responsibility for
slavery.
| Ard yet one thing further must be done. The
slave power must be overturned; so that the
! federal government may be put openly, actively
and perpetnally on the side of freedom.
! 1t is idle, nay worse-for looking to the effect
upon the safety Of the South it is positively mis-
chievous-to conceal the fact that the Frce-soil
party are daily gaining strength and popularity
at the North and with this exposition Of their
creed before them, the submission men Of the
South can scarcely any longer tamper with their
convictions, and pretend, or try to believe, that
there is peace, when there is no peace.
4 n
The southern press., 1851-05-03

IMPORTANT FROM CANADA.--MoNTREAL April
29th-Despatches from Earl Grey to the gov
ernor general have been published, according to
which the imperial government is not opposed
to reduction of the civil list, but will recon-
mend it to the British Parliament and the gov
ernor general of Canada. In return he will re-
move all the troops except the garrisons at Que
bee and Kingston, and will charge the province
with the expenses of the barracks, and also with
the annual presents made to the Indians. Earl
Grey does not think this will tend to ALLEVIATE
the colonies from the parent country.