davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

ORIGIN OF A CANT WoRD.-The word canard
duck is used by French writer's of late as is
the word hOaz by the English. The Warrenton
Va.) Why translates from the " Courier des
Etats Unis' the following, which comes origin
ally from the Annudire of the Belgian Academy
of Sciences, &C., for the year 1861, and which
may throw some light upon the subject:
"In order to outdo the ridiculous items Of
news which the journals brought him every
morning, Cornelissen caused it to be announced
in the columns of one of these papers, that an
interesting experiment had just been made,
which afforded remarkable illustration of the
astonishing voracty Of the duck canard. I
Twenty of these fowls had been collected to-
gether: one of them had been chopped in
pieces, feathers and all, and offered as food to
the nineteen others, who had gluttonously de-
voured every scrap of it; one of these last, in
its turn, had Immediately been converted into a
second course for the eighteen that remained,
and so on to the last, which had thus been made
to swallow his nineteen companions in very
short space of time. This story, narrated in a
lively manner obtained degree of success
which the author was very far from anticipa-
ting II was copied from paper to paper, and
made the tour of Europe. After that it lay
dormant for some twenty years, and was pretty
generally forgotten, when it came back to us
from America, with various details which it did
not possess originally, and with sort of process
verbal Of the autopsy Of the last surviving duck,
in which twas pretended that important LESSONS
were found in the Gsophagus. The story of
the cadrd ended in a laugh, but the acord re-
NAMED"
Monsieur Cornelissen, the Wing remarks,
must certainly have heard the story of the Kill
kenny cats, which were penned up in barn,
and fought so iercely that they devourcd each
other, leaving nothing behind but few pellets
what remained Of these cats was nothing but a
tail, or tale.
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02
THIRTY-sECOND CONGRESS.

Term commences March 4, 1861, and terminate,
March 4, 1858.
The First Session opens Monday, December l. 1851.
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

Henry s. Foote (U) 1858 Jefferson Davis (s.R) 1857
Messrs. Foote and Davis of Mississippi have resigned
OF the members elect, and those holding over,
thirty-four are Democrats, twenty-one are
Wings, and four Free-soilers OF the Free
solers, Hale and Seward were elected by a
union of Wings and Free-soilers; Sumner and
Chase were elected by Democrats and Free
solers combined. Dodge, Democrat of Wis
oonsin Fish, (Whig,) Of New York; Foote,
(Whig,) of Vermont; and Wade, (Whig,) of
Ohio, are also put down by some as Free-soilers
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02
THE PRESIDENTIAL ASPECT OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES,.

With regard to the vote by States which only
occurs in case the Presidential election is re-
ferred to the House of Representatives, the fol-
lowing is the result thus far:
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH
WASHINGTON
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 2.


western Virginia RaiIr Dad.
A pamphlet has recently been issued, con-
tanning, with other matters the charter granted
by Virginia to the Company for constructing
railway from Parkersburg to connect with the
Baltimore and Ohio road at the mouth Of Three
Forks, in Taylor county: The capital is one
million five hundred thousand dollars, to be in
creased at the pleasure of the Company, which
is to be organized as soon as three thousand
shares should be subscribed. A larger sum, it
is stated, was subscribed some time ago, and
the Company duly organized: james Cook, Pre-
sident and B. f.. Latrobe--the Chief Engineer
of the Baltimore and Ohio road--Chief Engi-
neer.
Three parties of engineers have been making
thorough examination of the route, and their
reports represent the country to be very favor
able for good line. They give the following
statement of railway distances between the
points named:
Miles
From Baltimore to Cumberland, completed l79
From Cumberland to Three Fork, nearly
completed .g.. .. 101
From Three Fork to Parkersburg, not ex-
ceeding .. .. 115
FROM ParkersDurg to Hlllsborough, (2O
miles under contract) . lis
From Hillsborongh to Cincinnati, (22 miles
completed, 38 nearly .. /. 60
Distance from tidc-water at Baltimore to
Cincinnati $40
Deduct for Kuobly cutoff, near Cumber-
land .H. (. 49,. 10
And there is left /. $50
Add railroad distance from Philadelphia to
Baltimore 9s
Distance from Philadelphia to Cincinnati
by this route .. 658
The following tables show the distances be-
| tween the same points by the Pennsylvania and
| Hcrapfeld railroads, and different routes west
| of the Ohio.
Via Ohio Central Railroad
Miles
From Philadelphia to Greensburg 325
From Greensburg to Wheeling .. 83
From Wheeling to Cincinnati 263
Total II. GIL
Fia Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad.
Miles
From Philadelphia to Wheeling, as above 40S
Wheeling to Marietta SO
/" Marietta to Cincinnati 199
Total 687
| These statements" the report says, +" show
o difference in favor of the Baltimore, Parkers
| burg, and Hillsborough route of 13 miles in the
| one case, and 20 miles in the other; and they
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

BSg" A bill permitting Atheists to testify
under oath has passed the Vermont House Of
Representatives Exchange.
viii tho wise Legislature prescribe the form
of oath the Atheist is to take? Neither God,
Heaven, nor the Holy Book, nor the armament,
nor the earth, nor light, nor darkness, nor
aught else, is to him sacred. He knows no
law, but the "higher law" of his own will. BY
what shall he swear? or why shall he swear at
all I? What to him is any oath? We have
heard parrot swear, and the Vermonters may
now hear the same kind Of swearing.
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

Among the fashionable novelties getting up in
New York for the holidays, are "French crying
babies, that is dolls, that make a noise like an
infant crying There is no need Of the sham
article about our house.-IhA. San.
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

Pdyments to be made in all cases IN ddudncs
8J-Remittances and communications should be always
addressed, post paid franked, to the Publishers,
LEONARD SCOTT a CO.,
10 Fulton street, New York.
mar 24-- Entrance "a Gold st.
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

pear early in August and it is desired that those who
disposed to further its great Objects by their patronage
should indicate their wishes before that time Orders and
munications, addressed post pa to Gurley Good
loe, will receive immediate attention.
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

These statements" the report says, g show
a difference in favor of the Baltimore, Parkers-
burg, and Hillsborough route of 13 miles in the
one case, and 80 miles in the other; and they
also show, what is still more important, that
phia by 98, Ill, and 127 miles, according to the
route selected. The number of miles of railroad
yet to be constructed to complete the route does
not exceed, if it equals, that of either Of the
Others"
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

The House consists of two hundred and
thirty-three members and four Territorial dele
gates. These delegates, however, have no vote
Annexed are the names of the
American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

CALIFORNIA.
VIM. NJ. Gwin
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01
Water Power at Ottawa.
FxEcurIyg DErAErMFST,
Springfield, Feb. 10, 1851. !

IN act authorizing Mo Trustees Of he Illinois
d. .Nchigdl canal 10 create Ctd lease IIdt,r
Poper il, Oaarr, ard to "H'r for damages
For the better enabling the Trustees Of the Hi.
n0is Il Michigan canal to create Water Power
in the town of Ottawa, aud lease the same, rs
contemplated prior to the passage Of the act OF
February 2lst, 1913, providing Tor the compile
ton Of the said canal, and required thereby:
SEC. |. lie il Enacted By The People Of the Stat,
of Illinois, represented IN M General assembly
As foilocs The state of Illinois hereby declares
its assen, to the following alterations and addi
tions to the net creating the said Board of Trus
tees of It February, 1913, entitled, "An act foi
the completion of the Illinois and Michigan CANA
and for the payment OF the canal debt and ia,
act supplementary and amendatory thereof:
Firn-The said Board of Trustees may create
Water Power IN the town Of Ottawa, md leas,
che same upon such terms and conditions rs they
may deem advisable.
Sscond--1hc said trustees are hereby arthori'
sed to settle with any Of the owners of water
power OIL lands ON Fox River for the damages
they may sustain by reason Of the diversion Of the
water Of said river into said canal FIR the purpose
of creating surplus water, to be used for byd rau-
ic purposes IN said town aud pay for the same, or
give 10 exchange water In said town, to be drawn
from said canal or its branch, and the ground up.
on which to use it either In perpe,ui,y OF for a
term Of years; and 70 execute such conveyanccs.
covenants, and leases rs may be by them deemed
necessary or proper 10 accomplish that object.
SEC. 2. The said Trustees are further au,horir.
ed 10 acquire the free and sole use and control Of
tho water which may be drawn iron, Fox River
through the Fox River Feeder by giving to the
owner or owners or claimants or any or either
Of them, Of the water power in Dayton, on said
Feeder, water power 10 Ottawa aud the ground
upon which 10 usc u, either in pcrpetuity or for a
term q! years. upon such terms and conditions as
thp- q N deem best fw the interest II the state
and a l,e canal fund, and for this purpose to cx
ecu.c tie necessary convcyances, covenants. and
lhses
SIC 3. al acts and proceedings Of the sale
1'ruAces done IN pursuance Of the provisions o
tbis act sbau bc hipding upon tho State.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01
S2j, 900 worth Of Stock.

! Shall Ottawa take SOS 600 worth Of stock. IL
the Rock Island and Chicago Railroad, j. now tn,
all absorbing question with cur citizens som,
are perfectly Mortified at the though,-,erriieI
at the enormous taxes such step would hear
( upon them, and declare that if they are to l.
( taxed for railroad@ they viii go tooth and toe,
nail against the river improvement Now, We
are sorry to find that there are any Of opr citi
ms who should look upon this matter in such a
light They certainly must not understand the
subject fully. If it will 30 any good We will en-.
deavor to explain the matter h;,lc and hope to
pu; ?uietus upon all these fears about oppressive
taxes, &c
1t i proposed that the corporation of Ottawa
plan is this: Not more than ten per cent Of this
amount, or S2,5oo, will be required to he paid
during the first year. The town Is to issue that
amount Of bonds, hearing interest at the rate Of
$ per cent per annum the company take these
bonls at par, aud Issue certificates of stock To
that amount to the town, f,r them The interest
for one year upon these bnds will he 5000 which
sum will have to be paid by the corporation, but
by the time this ten per cent is expended upon
the road, there will be enough OF the road com.
plcted to pay this interest. And As the road
progresses, the revenues Of the portions compile
ted will increase, so that as fist as the install
ments are paid the increased revenues Of the
road will pay the interest on the bonds It will
then, be seen that in fact all We will have to pay
out in cash, in order to get SIS Ooo worth Ct
stock in this great road. will be 5000 or per
hlps $500, certainly not more As soon as the
road is flashed the stock will command pre-
MUM, and the town can readily sell her stock
for her bonds and the debt will he liquidutcd;
or she can hold on to her stock, which will he
a handsome source of revenue to her, over and
above the interest of her bonds.
With this view Of the matter, and which is the
right one, III our opinion, We would he mad If we
did not jump at the opportunity. Itnced not inter,
fere with the river improvement whatever; for
this only creates an extra tax fr one wear and
that SO small that i; will hardly be perceptible.
We hope there will be general attendance Mt
the meeting this evening at the court house,
where the subject will be thoroughly discussed.
We would also call attention to the proceedings
Of the meeting on Wednesday evenin. found in
another column.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01

y wassish candidate coming in tie course Of
his canvass, to tai!ors shop. what we look for
here, said hc. are measures not men"
Tur NV LAND W lRuANr.-1heir mechanical
execution Is unsurpassed In size and shape they
resemble half sheet # letter paper The de-.
signs dtrr according 10 the amount of the war
rant. On those which call for 100 acres II land
are enErayings Of Taylor and Fillmore: so acres,
jackson AMI Scott and 40 acres, Cnss and CLAY.
SsTrry steamers arc plying along the shores
of the pacItic. between the lsihmus and the Clum.
b'a rver Fcrty'even steamboats, are plying upon
the waters Of California, some Of them rating ..
high rs zoo to 500 tons, and others very small,
some being rated nj tons.
INroNicNrloV MN TAcRAxcI The last annual
r,Vort TOR 1850 Of the keeper OF the New York
~ prison, shows that 27G persons, one half Of
whom we're females, were committed On tho
charge ofIntoNcaiion, and that 2oOi women. and
,l5S men, were committed rs vagran,s
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01
THE OTTAWA FREE TRADER.
OTTAWA, hlarrb /, 1851.
The Bank Bill and the yeto.

We publish the Bank Bill to-day and with it
the Governors objections, on account of which he
refused to sign 1t They should both he careful
" examined, and with this consideration in favor
Of the latter that although the legislature did not
regard the Governors objections sufficiently strong
to justify them in Withholding the bill from vote
of the people, they yet have by no act denied that
his arguments are not worthy Of consideration as
against the bill itself Indeed we regard the mes
sage as n very strong one, and as furnishing an
appropriate tex; book for that strong aud active
party which will assurcdly next November be
found arravcd against the bill.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01

CHcAGo AND Rock ISLAND RAIL EoAD-We see
notice is given in the Chicago papers Of the open
ing Of books to receive subscriptions Of stock for
the construction Of thi. roai-the books 20 be o.
pcuei on tie st Of April
Meantime We observe By the following article
that a rival project is on foot by the Aurora
Branch Company, who propose to extend their
road westward, via Paw Paw Grove, Nalu-n',
Grove, DC, in direct course towards RocN
Island. to connect with the Gneua Branchof lie
Central Rail Road, somewhere in the ne -hbor
hood Of Palestine or knox's Grove The calcula
laton is to ge, the Rock Island Road so to change
it. route as to unite with this Aurora Branch at
it, junction with the Galeua Branch
lfthis project; IS favored by Chicago. at the ex
pense Of the proposed road via Joliet, Ottawa
Peru. Dc, it may beSome aque,;ion whether we
cannot offer inducements strong enough to draw
the Rock Island Road this way withoU, the aid Of
Chicago.
CHICAGO AND Aurora RAIL RoAp-The annual
mectn. Of the Stockholders Of the Aurora Branch
Rail Road Company, was held az Aurora on IN
day last 2lst instant, and the following persons
elected Directors for the ensuing year:
T. 5 Walswor,h. 5 + Gale. George Steele
Allan Robbins, John Clifford. J. N. Van Nor;vick
John Frink, B. Hackney and L y Brady.
+ 5 Wadsworth, Esq, was elected pre-i len;
Of the Board
We undcr,a tia, it {. the intention Of the
Directors Of the Company 10 take immediate
measures for the extension Of the road to a point
abou, 90 miles North Of Peru or Ia Sale, there
IN connect with the Gilena Branch of the Central
Road Thi. connection will make M excellent
route to the Illinois river, or TO Dixon, and will
be in n direct line to Rock Island
This enterprise is one in which the citizens Of
Chicago should feel adeep interest, and to the
stockholders of the Galena and Chicago Union
Rail Road, it will be of incalculable importance
Chicago Journal.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01
An :. Affair of Honor"
Washington, Feb. o5tl

Washington, Feb 9th.
Mr. Stanley Of North Carolina, and Mr.. Inge
Of Alabama went out to fight duel thi, morn.
ing, at 10 o'clock, somewhere beyond the District
line. Mr., Stanley was accompanied by VIM.
Cost johnson OF Nd, as his friend and Mr lnge
by Mr. Albert &. Brown and jefferson Dayi. OF
the U. S. Senate, as his friend. Shots were ex.
changed when. through the interference Of the
seconds, n mutual understanding was elected
No one hurt The fortunate termination Of this
affair gives unalloyed satisfaction.
The Presidents message has been referred 10
the Judiciary Committee in the Senate--They
will probably report against any further esi-la
ton this session.
In the House, the French Spoliation bill anC
several other bills were discussed, anon: which
were the Compensation and Mileage bills, The
attempt of Mr. Phenix to introduce an amend
mcnt TO the bill for the appropriation for til,
Philadelphia Mint, has totally failed
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01

NonlET ,Nrorf, JR.-lhc New Bedford Stand
ard lrIet Biographical sketch of Robert Rgu,.u
Jr Esq, say Of hIm
'ko0cIt kautoul, Jr. was Dor in Bever' N
Essex county, on the 18th day Of August, l,ps
anu Is OF pure Celtic origin. Mr. Rantoul m an
carry age commenced ~ preparatory cour,c If
T""'"u"l Tor the University, and graduated az
inc nge ci twenty one, in the year 1927, having
attained high standing in his class, ms appears
ny ms de'Nenns the yaIedlctory poem be fore hi,
'|sS. choosing the profession Of the law. De-
Mr hantoul graduated in the class of 1929 in
s''hu OF thc year above named and preceded Nv
TWO years MI winthrop, whom he has been che
sen 10 succeed IN the Senate. Instead of deyotipy
MS time ami attention TO class studies, Inc CHEESE
rather to make himself good English scboI,r
and !tis remembered that he was once or tw;ca
competitor tor the prizes offered for the hos,
ulty. "' '"s
lie hNd the reputation Of being n great reader
deep thinker, and close stulent-aItborgb a,
the same time he stood low ia his class nccord;ne,
10 tue Professors scale Of merit lie was an er'
tremeIy retired man in College-scemin., 10 rre.
Ter the companlonshpo If his books to that of those
around MIN. He was known as an able and ocu,.
Tea>oncr, who, the officers If the College r,ohnhlv
Supposed, would never achieve the slightest emf
ntnco az distinction in the world
Those. however, who know him we'll and who
were acquainted with his ,tudous and ipdustr;ons
habits, thought very differently Of the thin facsd
rather eeccuuIc uncoUth looking. and sloyeplv
dressed student known as Rob RantopP who
iWeniy.esht or nine years ago used TO ,hutl-
along 'ljP-'loi and laz,y 10 the College Chanel
10 attend prayers Lowell Sour
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-03-01

FIRST ASD LAST Duel ~ lLLINoIs"-An OK
tract bearing this caption from Gov Fords His.
tory Illinois, is going the rounds OF the papers"
giving an account of duel in Belleville HIS,
between Alphonso Stewart and William Bennett,
in 1879. The BarcR Aicoca:e copies the ex-
tract, and gives the followin, additional facts.
1t must be recollec,ed that lIr Warren, the edi-
tor Of the Advocate, has been n resident of this
State for some 10 years, aud is personally con
versant with the facts.
The counsel for the prisoner on the above.
mentioned trial was Gen. James Turncy who
now resides at Ottawa. He was supposed to
have an undue influence over several members OF
the Jury Mr. Lockwood had recently made his
frs, appearance on the Circait as Attorney Gen.
cral and knowing the effects Of the peculiar tact
Of Mr. Turncy, he reused himself to an cxtrlor.
binary effort to countcract him. Notwithstand
ing he was ut that time n wicked man, Though
since become pinus,) he laid aside his law books
and took up the Bible from which hc preached 4
powerful sermon depicting to the suspected ju
ror, the torments Of the lower regions whiel
awaited thcm if they pcriured ,lenselve., nnJ
acquitted the prisoner This mastery stroke %
Mr. Lockwood soon ended the trial on the side O
Justice. The jury brought in verdict Of guilty.
It is said in the above article, that this was the
frs, and last duel Tough. by citizens Of this State
This may BE- true. But it was neither the frs
nor the last fought on Illinois ground. Bloody
Island" was the field to which the hot bloods o
ST Louis resorted to shoot one another On tina
fatal gpot, the lameuted Lucas fell in 1917, b,
/ the hand Of Bcnton.--S Subsequently Barton b,
tlo hand of Rector Curti, by the hand of o. Fnl