davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20
"Human power doth there seem liz est Gods.
Whom Mercy seasons justice. Casey.
WHERE WAS THE DECLARATION OF I,

WHERE WAS THE DECLARATION OF INDE-
rErDEEscE wRITTEN?-This is a question
which has excited much discussion. The fol-
lowing letter from Mr.. jefferson settles the
question. The house he desgnates is at the cor
ner of Seventh and High (or MarkeD streets,
Philadelphia, the lower story of which is now
occupied as clothing store, and TIE upper stor.
les as printing office:
Monticello, Sept. 26, 1928
To DR.. JAMES MEAss, Philadelphia:
DEAR siR:-ll is not for me to estimate the
importance Of the circumstances concerning
which your letter Of the 9Th makes inquiry.
They prove, even in their minuteness, the sa-
cred attachments of our fellow citizens to the
event Of which the paper of July 4, I776 was
but the declaration, the genuine effusion of the
soul of our country at that time. Small things
may, perhaps, like the relics of saints, help to
nourish our devotion to this holy bond Of our
Union, and keep it longer alive and warm in
our affections. This effect may give import.
ance to circumstances however small. At the
time of writing that instrument lodged in the
house OF MIR. GRAF, new brick house, three
stories high, of which rented the second q Dor
consisting of parlor and bedroom, ready fur.
nished. In that parlor wrote habitualy, and
in it wrote this paper, particularly. So far
state from written proofs in my possession
The proprietor, GRAF, was young m1n, son
OF German, and then newly married
think he was brcklayer, and that his house
was on the south side of Market street, probab-
ly between 9TH and Sth streets, and il not the
only house on that part Of the street, | am sure
there were few Others near it, | have some
idea that it was corner house, but no other
recolections throwing light on the question are
worth communication. | am ill therefore
only add assurance of my great respect and
esteem.
TIL JFEEERSnN
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

DEcLIvITY OF RIyERs.-A very slight de-
clivity sutfices to give the running motion to
water. Three inches per mile, in a smooth,
Straight channel, gives velocity ofabout three
miles an hour. The Ganges, which gathers
the waters Of the Himalaya mountains, the lof-
test in the world, is, at 1900 miles from its
mouth, only about 800 feet above the level of
the sea--about twice the height Of St Pauls,
in London, or the the height OF Arhur's Seat
in Ednburgh hand to fall these 500 feet in its
long course, the water requires more than a
month. The great river Magdalena, in South
America, running for | 200 miles between two
rivers Of the Andes, falls only 500 feet in all
that distance; above the commencement of the
1000 miles, it is seen descending in cataracls
and rapids from the mountains. The gigantic
Rio de la Plata has so gentle descent to the
ocean, that in Paraguay, 1900 miles from its
mouth. large ships have been seen which have
sailed against the current all the way by the
force of the wind alone-that is to say, which,
on the beautifully inclined plane Of the stream,
have been gradually lifted up by soft wind, and
even against the current, to an elevation great
er than that of our lottiest spires-.4rnot $
Phsics
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

D 1t is stated in the New York papers thai
arrangements have been entered into By the a.
gents at San Francisco of the Nicaragua and
Panama lines of steamers, by which one-half oil
all the gold shipped from there will now come
by the vessels If those lines respectively
These agents may have controlling power over
the shipments of gold, but we should think that
the owners of the gold would ship it by he line
they may deem safest and best, without refer
ence to any agreement between inte ested par
ties. We think the Nicaragua line must ulti
mately draw off nearly all The shipments of dust,
provided the freight and insurance is no more
than by the other line-and for the reason that
these shipments are generally drawn against,
and as the Nicaragua steamers usually make
the trip in three to five days sooner than the
steamers via Panama, the drafts appear before
the gold by the Isthmus route is received.
We observe a case Of this kind directly in
point, on the arrival of the Georgia at New
York on the Goth, with $2,2OO,OOO via Panama
it being stated in the New York Times that
money was little close with some of the Banks
on account Of drafts appearing before the Geor-
gas gold was received.-St. fnteiigencer.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20
CLIPPER SHIP SOVEREIGN OF THE
GEAS


The s'clipper ships" Of the United Safes
are at this time creating great change in the
navigation of the seas, especially between very
distant ports. The reports of their speed are
so wondlous many times as almost 10 surpass
belief. We give the following in verifcation
from the Boston atlas of the 7th.
One of the IN st experienced and best educa.
ated ship masters belonging to New York,
having expressed strong doubts about the re
ported speed of this ship, Captain. Mo Kay han
ded him his log that he might see for himself
The following letter, which Captain Mckay
subsequently received from him, speaks for it
selfwe beg leave to call Lieutenant Maury'
attention to it
New YoRK, May 81, 1858.
Mr. DEAR SIX 81 have calculated the dis
lance RIM by the Sovereign of the Seas, from
your observed attitudes, with great care and
attention. 1t is useless to reckon from noon to
noon, when exactness is required, and have
therefore taken the distance made between the
observation on the morning Of the 18th of
March, and that Of the afternoon of the lSln-
The result is as follows:
POSITION OF sH,,.
Inns d md m
18th, at 10 81 50 a. m, mean time, so 26 lO2 Sc
18th, at 81 SPIN, do So Is 90 Is
Office % osl4 l49 l24l
Taking the middle latitude, a degree oflon.
gltude ia 81 miles, making the departure to
the eastward in ooh 09m. Ia. 10 be 1874 maui.
cal miles, and the souihing 100 miles, like wise,
which gives course and distance as follows s
~ deg E 4S2 miles, or as nearly as possible
IA knots per hour. In statute miles this
is 5697 miles, or about 1917 miles per hour.
No al lowance is here made for the ship ha
wing lost time by running 10 the eastward, but
the calculations are based upon % hours, where.
a., in reality, it is 2Sh. Ism. 80, which gives
rate Of sailing, according to minute exactness,
Of 1885 knots, or 20l4 statute miles per
hour.
lfyou can travel at the same rate on your
next passage, you will 60 to Liverpool in just
week Hoping that you may astonsh those
natives with some such performance.
remain yours, truly, &c.
Captain l.. MCKAY.
This is the highest verified rate Of speed ever
lttained BY any ship or ocean steamer, and we |
tate with pride that the ship which performed |
his unrivaled feat was designed, modelled, and
'uilt by Boston mechanic.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

We learn from Judge Atwater of Marshal
that woman died very mysterously in Story
county short time since, and under circum-
stances strongly duplicating her husband as the
author of her death He has been arrested and
removed 10 Jail at Fl. Des Moines. 1t seems
that they retired as usual to rest one evening
and the woman was dead in the morning. The
husband strictly forbade the entrance of neigh-
bors TO the house, and refusing all assistance
laid her out and superintendent her burial him
self. Suspicious were aroused as they had been
known to quarrel with each other previously,
the body was taken up and post mortem exsm-
nation instituted by physicians from Newton
who reported several ribs broken and death BY
violence .-Cap. Rep.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

GENERAL CAss.-During our recent visit to
Detroit, IN company with a number Of friends
we called on the venerable statesman and patriot
Lewis Cass. We found him at his old mansion
in excellen. health, enjoying a good old are.
with all the comforts of life blooming around
him. With nations respect and esteem, he
feels that it is better to be right than to be Presi
dent. he lives not exactly in log cabin, but
in the same plain and substantial old brown
frame house erected on his farm soon after the
war Of 1912. In looking on this mansion there
was, however, one melancholy reflection She
who for the last forty years has been the life and
hght OF that mansion-the hope, the comfort,
and the JOY of its lords 10 more The old
statesman is left to tread the paths of life, with
the evening shades gathering around him, unsus
tanned by that strong hand which was his hope
and prop in the morning of his lite. Long may
he live to enjoy nation s gratitude and esteem,
and to give that republic, for whose establish
ment his father perIled his life, the benefits of
his counsel and advice !-Indianapoiis Sentinel.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

a The great Central (consolidated) railroad
OF New York elects, during the present week,
thirteen directors in the place Of l25 who held
office IN the several roads before they were con-
soIidaied.
There will be an immense saving in the ex.
penses OF these roads-probabiy $150,00O per
annum, by the act Of consolidation.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

CAPACITY OF FRIESDsHIP.-We may often
exercise choice as 10 who shall be our compan
ions, but we have little control over the circum-
stances out of which friendship grows; and
therefore, instances Of its successful formation,
though delightful to hear of, can seldom be
held forth for imitation. Yet the experienced
may do we'll to warn the warm hearted and
confding not to rely implicitly on any man,
however kind and generous may be his present
conduct, if he do not possess, besides natural
ly amiable disposition, a conscience regulated
by principle, and an understanding clear Of dis
cerament, and too strong to be swayed by the
opinions Of multitude, or,-what is not less
influential on the weak minded the vicissitudes
Of fortune.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

IL A correspondent Of the New York Time.
duplicates MIR. +. Butler KIxe, Collector a,
the Port of San Francisco, under MIR. FILL.
MORE administration, in fraud upon the U. S
Treasury, amounting to $74,395. Tile fraud i.
alleged to have been committed in the collection
and disbursement of government moneys,in the
discharge of his duties as Collector. The Cir
cumstances are detailed with mnuteness. The
manner i'll which Official powers, under the late
administration we're prosttuted to the attainment
Of private and corrupt ends-the frauds perpe-
trated, the systematic plumber of the Treasury
must be considered disgraceful to the American
character by every right minded man, whether
whig or democrat. 1t is wrong to think that
We like to record these things because they
were done by our Political opponents. On the
contrary, we would be glad to think that the
functions of government, in all their ramifca-
tons, had heen discharged faithfully and honest.
ly. BUTT is impossible to think or say this in the
face Of facts, developed and Transporting, so NOR.
tifying and SO astounding 1t is we'll that the
people should know in whose hands the gov
eminent has been scheme for splendid and
corruption. The examples of
venality were set in high places, and initiated,
by too many inferior capacities.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20
A ISLANDER BRANDED.
The Boston Atlas puts forth the following

The Boston Atlas puts forth the following.
"The Washington Union, General Pierce .
organ, reads the New York Evening Post and
the Buffalo Republic out Of the democratic
party because they are suspected Of free-soilism;
General Pierce appoints men to Office because
they are known to be free-soilers. The Gen
eral should keep his wind instrument in better
tune, or discord will ensue.'
Ii is unquali6edly false that "Gensral Pierce
appoints men to office because they are knoon to
be free. s0iiers," and it is impossible that the
Atlas could have been ignorant of the falsehood
when it fabricated it. 1t is. therefore, a DELHI
crate and unmitigate SANDER. We repeat what
we have said before-that General Pierce has
appointed no man to office knowing or believing
him to be free-soler; and he stands pledged
10 correct any such appointment into which he
may have inadvertently fallen, when the fact Of
present free-soilism is fixed on any of his ap.
pointees.-Wlsh. Union.
We are glad 10 see this so authoritatively
stated, although no one, at all acquainted with
the antecedents Of Gen Pierce, could ever have
supposed that he would dispense any tavors to
secessionisis or free-soilers While we repudate
the policy of feeding and strengthening our
enemies, we are as thoroughly opposed to
relentless prescription of those who have differ.
ed from US, but are willing to acknowledge their
error Such course would make confirmed
criminals Of men, who otherwise might return
to the right. If persons are TO be prescribed,
pointed at with scorn, and decried as inconsis-
tent, weak and wavering, for quitting the sup
port of the wrong and coming to the aid of the
right, how many will be reclaimed. If free
sellers and seeessionists, discardng their here
sizes, are willing to stand upon the platform Of
the President, he would be not only foolish, but
criminal, to hurl them off-to fas,en them in
their SINS, to confirm them in their hostility to
the Union, and weaken the ability of the demo
cratic party to maintain the integrity Of the Fed
Grafton and advance the veal of the country.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

II The vagariss Of that rickety concern, the
Dubuque Herald, are diverting and amusing
At one time it resolves to sing mum; again. ii
pipes its dolorous anguish forth, and shakes it.
willow spear. In one sentence, it will have no
"controversy with the Express" in the next, it
is determined to assault it, malign it, and mis-
represent it to the bitter end. These vagarie
are accounted for by the premature and waver-
ing decrepitude and the childish imbecility of
the Herald.
The editors of the Herald are pleased to think
we have noticed them personally. Our unfor.
tunate neighbors must understand that no cir
cumstance could impel US to the pollution Of a
personal contact with them. The public acts
of the Herald and its conductors are all that we
have condescended to notice. The puerile van
ity of those persons has, however, made them
think that they were sdreamed of in our philos-
ophy." Like our old friend Scrub, in the play,
"they knew we were speaking of them, for we
laughed consumedly." Thus, they naturally
supposed that the deep contempt and bathing we
have expressed for the public conduct of their
paper, could only be due them personally.
The Herald gives the Express leave "to lie
to its hearts content of Us 0hem) personally .
We do not desire to initiate that journal in this
respect, or in any other. Besides, it is all I'M
necessary. The truth is sufficient for our pur-
poses. The truth, spoken of the Herald, is all
too ample to stamp upon is blanching brow the
durable mark Of infamy.
The Herald invites comparison of our re-
spfc,ice calculations. We are quite confident
that the result Of such test would be favorable
to the Express; we cannot consent, however,
to wallow in the gutter with the Herald, for the
attainment ofany end.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20
THE ISSUES.

Prominent among the questions which will
Be passed upon by the people in many counties
At the August election, is that Of county sub
scrption to rail roads. This is the case in Jones,
Jackson, and many other counties. Upon one
side Of this question-in favor Of it-a great
deal has been said: speakers have ranted, and
presses have teemed with descriptions Of wealth,
power, greatness advancing along the track Of
the surgng car. But who has been convinced?
Has all that has been said satisfied one inquir.
ing mind that counties have right to dispose of
the property Of individuals in this way? Has
there been one single argument advanced in
favor of the principle involved in these meas
ures? None. Then, when large majority
Of the presses and people is in favor of this
doctrine, and yet, can give nothing in ito
support but gas, rant, empty defamation, is
there not reason for pause ia there not cause
to doubt the propriety Of such action! 1t il
true that the Supreme Court has decided these
measures to be constitutional. That, however,
does not affect our opinions, at alive believe
them to be constitutional, all the same, and
should continue to regard them a. such, in the
teeth Of any number whatever Of Supreme
Court decisions. The legality of these SUBJ
scriPtions, 10, though, settled for the present
We, however, do not allow that the decision of
the Supreme Court upon put ease, is binding,
% precedent, upon q Court constituted of
other members, when case, regularly and in
fact, comes up for adjudication.
The Herald, Of Saturday, contains very
pretty piece Of sPsciors pleading IN favor of
county subscription. II 10 about az good
plea - has been put in. Bot, if We were the
court, we should rule il out, for the reason that
"pleadings must not be insensitie :" and We
venture TO ray that no man Of sense can read the
articls--which il q good a any in the market
on that side oftLe question--without pronoane-
Ing i'll string Of CLOSED absurdisies, from be-
ginning to end. The Herald itself, was Of
course not blind to the conclusions which ito
seasoning involved bat it hoped that it, sophis.
try would satisfy those minds which take no
pains OF which are not interested 10 look below
the surface.
The. Herald says, ''lhe majority may act
tynnically, but is il sufficient argument to pre-.
vest them from acting 1t Ill that because they.
may oct syr4nicslly, therefore they should not
exercise the right 10 aet." Nov ~ ~ thai
the theory Of democratic esvesamenA =, that
the majority can NOT oct tyfsnnln - what
makes US a free people, - Iflsnt
republican, is that he teweQ lsfsav Is
festi.cted-that were II 10 1Iot 81
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20
AMERICAN COURTS.

The law courts are truly democratic in the
first glance of the strangers eye, who has been
accustomed to see jdsuce disPEns14 swith the
auxiliaries of e-hfs~erinine, andRf,olice-
men. There is no deck with Spiked bar, nor
crier up in the pulpit, nor Counsel wifi lSwng
robes, high wigs and pethoric bags. La the
City Hall at New York, l entered one of the
courts, consisting of large room with an ele-
ordinary looking gentleman. dressed in plain
clothes, while other similarly dressed gentlemen
occupied arm chairs, their legs and arms dlspos.
criminal court; railing ran across The room,
outside of which were benches for the people
at a taole were seated the lawyers in the cause,
and the jury at one side, in twelve chairs.
At the bottom Of the table sat the prisoner, a
woman charged with the murder of her child
She was seated next her counsel; and, but that
inquired, | should not have known she was
the prisoner. The prosecution by the Attor-
ney General was lucid, forcible, but tainted
with mercy; not that ferocious bloodhound
like tenacity with which have heard royal
attorney generals hunt down and pant after the
life Of an unfortunate criminal. The replies OF
the defence were calm, though well supported
and pathetic. The attorney general did moi
avail himself of reply; so the case passed into
the hands of the Judge, who put it to the jury
in refined, clear, legal, yet merciful charge
The jury, after a short deliberation, returned
verdict Of "Not Guilty" 1t was a thing o.
beauty to see those men, who while scrupulously
upholding justice, still leaned t, the side O
mercy How well has the poet said
.Human power doth there seem likest Gods
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20

RAILROAD STocks.-The following are the
N. Y. quotations Of Railroad Stocks
Mich. Central Railroad, $1lS
Mich. Southern Railroad, STAG
Illinois Central Railroad, $3.50
Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati
Railroad. Sl3l
The last sales Of Cleveland ana Pittsburgh
Stock We heard of, was at $lO2, seller receiving
dividend.
The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-20
COUNTRY PAPERS.

| We like country newspapers. With fc,
exceptions they are capital vehicles to thought
Freshness, originality and fact characterize man,
ftheir editorials. They are purged from thu
guile Of great and crowded cities They are
sent forth from the midst of natures most beau
| tiful things, birds, trees, and fowers-woods
| valleys, and the broad free blue heaven
Those who occupy the seat editorial, though
they may not be learned in the classics, are not
worldly In the common sense Of the word They
60 not YEARLY to the s,nctunl, day after day,
with brains stepped in vine, and aching with
the "reminiscences of gas light and crowded
tetes. They are not Obliged to fill their columns
with long descriptions Of whirng dancers and
hackneyed stars. They have few sckning de.
tails of rows and murders Untainted by city
vices, they take high and pure views of life
Altogether, one feels to breathe freer and think
better of his fellows after reading right smart
country paper.
In their corners there are many little illusions
Of choice poetry Often they are superior in fresh
ness and feeling to much that is auded by the
city press. They bring with them rural pictures
of old farm houses half hidden by the foliage of
summer
There is some cherished corner, the blooming
country lass, like beautiful wild flower in Sc
CUSTOM pens her pretty thoughts and sends
them under some anonymous signature to the
village editor. He puzzles his brain to think
who it can be. Conjures before his vision all
The Lauras and Marys who cast sly glances at
HIM al meeting, or whisper to each other as he
passes, : that's the editor
lie little dreams it is the rosy maiden of whose
substantial bread and butter he so often partakes
he mas sometimes caught sight of her through
the steam OF the-shades of distinguished au.
thors the washtub-but never thought she
gave time 10 the muses. tits true nevertheless
lie is favored some day by the proud old far
mer-iather or devoted mother, with glance
into that favori,e study. Of course Matte
knows nothing about it. What a charming
wife she would make Good poetry and good
cooking
Hereafter commend us 10 the country paper
Sparks from the thought-anvil fly thick and
fast joyous and bright they are-the editor is
married! The country payer is more of a gem
than ever; and the reason is because woman
or man 10 double you" success to country
newspapers BOSTON Oiled Brunch