davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

IMPORTANT STATEMENT IN REGARD TO THE
MEsILLA QUEsTIoN.-The Santa Fe Weekly
Gazette, speaking of the American title to
the Mesilla Valley, makes the following i'm
portant declaration, which will, if rendered
authentic by documentary and historical evil
dence, have an important bearing upon the
decision of the question:
"The territory involved in this unsettled
boundary, up to the time of fixing the initial
point, was under the jurisdiction of the Ter
ritory of New Mexico. AS soon, however, as
the point was agreed upon, the Mexican au-
thorties took possession of il and extended
their authority over it, and actually dispos-
sessed all Americans who had made improve
ments in the village of the Meslla, depriving
them of their improvements and labor with
out compensation"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

TEN Hour LAW IN RHODE IsLAND.-A law
has been enacted in Rhode Island which
went into force on the first day of this month
making labor in manufacturing establish
ments, and all mechanical labor, during the
period of ten hours in any one day, legal
days work, unless otherwise agreed by the
parties, and no minor under the ago Of IL
years can be employed in or about any manu-
featuring establishment. And no minor oyer
u and under 10 years. can be employed in
a manufacturing establishment more than
eleven hours in any one day.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
essThe schooner Emnire. Can't Rnker

~ The schooner Empire, Capt. Baker,
arrived at Boston on Saturday, from Darien,
Ga. During the voyage, all of the crew, con-
sisting of two sailors, cook and boy, to-
gcther with the mate, died of Southern fever.
The last man died on the 9th inst, since
which time, Capt Baker has bsen obliged to
navigate the vessel, and bring her into port
alone. He himself had been sick, but had
recovered. He was for six days alone on the
ocean,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

A PRoDIGIoUs RATTLEsNAKE.-Our friend,
David +. Dozier, Esq, killed, on the 18th ut.
at a spot ten miles West of Pauldng, large
Rattlesnake. The serpent approached him,
kissing and grinning, with distended mouth,
when Mr. Dozier levelled his trusty gun, took
deliberate aim, and laid the poisonous reptile
prostrate upon the earth. Upon being mea-
sured it was found to be seven feet long, and
twenty inches in circumference. DR.. Dozier,
states as singular and remarkable pecuiari-
ties of this snake, that it had but one "rattle"
and single "button," with tufts of moss up
on the head like the top.knots of the "cat,-
ract bird."-Paulding (MiSS.) Clarion.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

br A German lawyer Of Cincinnati, who
in connection with the legal profession
keeps dramshop, was fined $40 by Judge
Spooner, for selling liquor on Sunday, few
days ago. He refused to pay the fine for the
reason that he believed tfie law under which
the decision was made, unconstitutional,
when he was sent to Jail. From the prison
he addressed t>ng letter to Judge Spooner
in which he was called n "Russio American
tyrant," and threatened with a castigation in
history already commented, entitled the
"MYsteries of Crimein
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

SAGAcITY OF A GANDER.-One day last
week, gandcr was "on Duty" near the Canal
Basin, at Albany, in keeping guard over a
flock of goslings which led TO n rccontrc be.
tween his gandcrship and rooster. The
contest, however, was of short duration, for
the gander seized the cock by the neck and
Straightway flew into the canal, where ho
thrust his antagonist under water, and there
held him until he was dead.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
The correspondent of the New York Time,

Ihe correspondent oil the New YORK lime,
writes
Humphrey Marshall's ministerial career il
China is certainly unenviable. His course to
wards the Celestials does not find favor with
the Administration. The sentiment of Chris
tendon is against tyranny, and in favor Of
liberty. Humphrey, in the opinion of men
of elevated stations, has committed faur pas
From reliable information, we are enabled
to say that Secretary Marcy, in discussing
the Fishery question will aim to take the
wind out of Everett's sails. lie will be
"Young American" but not "Filibustering.
His zeal for American rights will be found to
equal, if not to outstrip, the New England
negotiator.
The Consulate at Amsterdam, il is bcliev.
ed, will be bestowed on Mr.. Barnwell, OF
South Carolina.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

tB-" Semper Paratus"i is the motto of an
eating house in New York. "Semper para
tesn was the variation of this same of Latin
when used by an Irish scholar in reduced cir
cumstancos, as hc sat down to n meal of wa
terry potatoes "Semper pdratcs'"-Nnd then
he added, with sigh, "if they were melior
they would be better"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

New ORLEANS, July l3.-Ldter from Mcr.
ico.-Salazan, the Mexican Minister of State,
maintains the incontestable right of Mexico
to the MesIla Valley and threatens to resign
in case the least concession is made to Gen.
Lane. The Trait d Union doubts whether
Mexico will entertain any proposition for the
purchase of the Valley. The fact that the
Sloo drafts have been dishonored, excites
deep distrust. The Isthmus Of Tehuantepcc
has been declared separate territory, with
Manitislan for its captal.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
A SMASHED HAT.-The Journal of Com
merce tells the following story:

"One incident in the procession, trihng il
itsclf, occasioned good deal of amusement
When Gen. Pierce had got as far up as the
head of Wall street, his horse became res
tive, and came in collision with the animal
rode by Gen. Sandford. As the President
was riding with his hat in hand, the hat re-
eeiped the brunt of the shock, and suffered
severely, being badly stove in and indentcd.
The General was too much engaged to no.
tice the catastrophe, and soon put on the hat
in its unfortunate condition, and retained il
in its place for about block, exciting roars
of laughter among the boys"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

eaY- Mix ignorance with sudden wealth,
and You produce shuckhcOd whose inso-
lence will be equal to hundred pounds TO
the square inch. We can imagine no greater
nuisance than an ill.bred man suddenly rails
cd 10 the rank of millionaire.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

COUNTY BoNDs.-The last Cincinnati Rail-
way Record quotes the price of the following
county bonds, at the latest dates, we pre-
sumo, in the New York market:
Fayette CO., KY, due in 1872, s9i 90
Bourbon co., duo in 1881, Set a 80
Mason co., due in 1881, 80 go
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
THE POST.
Athens, Friday, July 20. 1853.
New ORLEANS, July 90

NtW ONLEANS, SUIy zU.
Advices from Santa Fe TO the lIth of
June, state that considerable excitement ex-
listed respecting the law passed by Congress
for the removal of the Indians from Califor-
mia to New Mexico, and that public meet
ing had been held on the subject, and pro-
test prepared to be forwarded to Washing.
ton.
The silver mines near Ell Paso prove ex-
tremely valuable, and are supposed to be in
exhaustib!e. One hundred pounds of ore
yield from fifteen to twenty dollars worth of
silver.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

tB- The following has been received
from the Liverpool correspondent of the
New York Associated Press, whence it had
been transmitted by the steamer Arabia:
"London, July A telegraphic despatch
anr ounces that Russian corps of $4,000
men had entered Jassy, the principal town of
Moldayia- This may prove the signal for a
n ns,1eral war"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

The CRYSTAL PALAcE.-We clip the fol
lowing in relation to the Crystal Palace, from
the New York Tribune, of the 18th:
"The Worlds Fair of 1853 is opened, SC
far as inaugural ceremonies and the swing.
ing wide of doors can make it so; and vel
he would be greatly deceived who should be
led from these facts to infer that it is in a
condition to be visited, scrutnized and enjoy.
ed. Its London prototype was in very
chaotic state of general preparation when
formally opened by the Queen on the lst of
May, 1851; but ours is very far behind that.
1t would be estimating literally to say that
two thirds of the wares ready for exhibition
have been taken out of the cases while
much that is exposed to view lacks arrange
ment and finish to secure the proper effect
The general inside appearance is that of n
gigantic fancy store or bazaar, in which some
eccentric earthquake has knocked Christmas
into May-day and jumbled the two in mex
tricable confusion.
We speak of the Exhibition as we left it
at 6 O'Clock last evening; it will probably be
better this morning and much better before
Monday morning To any one who cannot
be here next month or in the Fall, it is rich
ly worth visit now; but those who can visit
it at one time as well as another should keep
away for the present; and we especially urge
our country friends not to make their visit
earlier than August; and September would
be preferable to any earlier time. We have
said that the London Exhibition appeared in
a more forward state than this; yet that was
not entirely completed month after the
opening. We trust the last touches will be
given TO this before August; but it will not
close in hurry, and those who would see it
to the best advantage may as well take their
timan -
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

e7y- The Washington Star says that tho
Treasury Department has received letters
from the American Consul at Marsciles, per
steamer Arabia, in which that officer writes
"The French steamer is in from Constan.
tinople. News uniavonblc. Wheat is rising,
and will be very high if war takes place, as
the Black Sea the great granary) will bo
closed. The American flag will DO in great
demand, If il remains neutral"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
eg- You never can kill an ism, No G,

eN- You never can kill an ism, No ex-
posure of fraud, folly, or fanaticism, can blast
or wither it, Isms have been immortal from
the days of the Patriarchs, and they are re-
peated over and over again, every quarter of
a century, at the least, as something very
new, just discovered and very extraordinary.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

Agriculture is the primeval, and the most
noble employment of mankind. Without n
knowledge of the principles Of the science of
Of this art, man would become an uncivilized
barbarian, subsisting like the brute creation
only on a scanty supply of fruits and roots,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

W- The careless, Indifferent, and me-
chanical manner in which oaths are common
Iy administered in courts of law, and in va
rious public offices, is enough to prevent any
one from being surprised at the frequency of
perjury, or at the sang froid with which
some rogues will swear to any thing.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
THE LITTLE ONE Is DEAD.

Smooth the hair, and close the eyclids,
Let the window curtains fall
With smile upon her features,
She hath answered to the call.
Let the children kiss her gently
AS she lies upon the bed;
God hath called her to his bosom,
And the little one is dead.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

A man passing through Massllon Ohio,
recently, noticed the entire population was
uncovered, whereupon he took off his hat
and inquired the name Of the distinguished
dead to whom this respect was shown, and
was told that hailstorm had riddled all the
windows in the town, and tho hats had the
places of the panes The stranger scratched
his head, and restored tho beaver TO its place.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

INDEPENDENT LISE.-An Albany merchant
advertises letter envelopes with United States
Postage stamps attached, (Which makes them
as good and as legal as the government en-
vclopes,) for 4 per cent less money. Over
the stamp stands the motto "Frec Trade
and under il, "No MONOPOLY"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

,Sy- The Home Journal styles the rioters
who were knock ed from the pulpit by Father
Gayazzi, "yigorous droppings of the sanctu'
ary.n
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
Aurr1. CArAsrnornr.-On tho n[ternoon

AWFUL CATAsTRoPHE.-On the afternoon
of Wednesday 22d ult., Mr. Ragand, the
overseer of Col. VIM. Porter, with twelve
negroes, and about as many horses and mules,
took shelter from the storm in large shed
on the plantation, which was struck by light
ming, knocking out the end of the building,
and killing two negro men, four mules and
TIVE horses. Col. Porter's place is situated
about miles South Of Jackson, in this coun-
y-Jdcksonriile (Miss) Union, Sh instant
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

sR- Sam. Pike, of the Paducah Penndnt,
is engaged in hot fight with some of the
democrats of his own party. He says
awe had rather skin ten coons, any time,
than fay one polecat, though we are some
times Obliged 20 do BOTH"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

Mrs. PARTMGToN's ToAsT.-"The Relics
of the Last War-Ready, in case of trouble,
to make sacraments of themselves for the
salvation of the country" Drunk in pop
beer aa.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

eB- lie that blows the Goals in qunrrels
he has nothing to do with, has no right to
complain IL the sparks fly in his face.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

Several slaves were sold at Wilmington,
N c., last week, as high as 81 200 and 81 300
each.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

sY- The poultry mania may be defined to
be morbid tendency to brood over chickens.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29

| PROGRESSIVE make the following eX.
tract from the Grafton of Hon. Edward Ever.
EFT, delivered in Boston, on the 4th inst
"Young America is avery handsome fellow
he means well, but like other young folks, he
is sometimes little too much in a hurry
He needs the curb occasionally, MS we old
ones, still'more frequently, need the spur
| There is principle of progress in the human
mind-in all the works of mems hands--in
| all associations and communities, from the
| village club to the empire that embraces a
a quarter Of the human race-in all political
insttutons-in art, in literature and science;
and most especially in all new countries,
where it must from the nature of the case be
the leading and towering principle. Who
can compare the modern world, its conditions,
its arts and sciences, its institutions, with the
ancient world, and doubt this; the daily news
papers, smoking every morning from an hun
dred presses, perhaps a strip of hieroglyphics
on the side of an obelisk, perplexing the
world with its dubious import, and even that
found out within the last thirty years; the
ocean steamer with the row galley creeping
timidly round the shore--the railways in the
United States alone, without mentioning
those of Europe, with those famous Roman
paved roads, the Appian and Flaminian way,
to which the orator alluded-which our rail-
ways exceeded ten-fod in extent, to say moth.
ing of their superiority in every respect, as q
means of communication; the printing press
driven by steam with scribe's toilsome pen;
the electric telegraph with the mail coach, the
post horse, the pedestrian courier; and above
all, representative republican confederacy,
extending over a continent with feudal des-
potism, building palace on the necks of
people, or n stormy Grecian democracy, sub
sisting its citizens by public largeses, DEEM
ing all labor servle, ostracising its good men,
insulting and expressing its allies, and rend-
ing its own vitals within the circuit Of the ci-
ty walls to which it was confined-who,
say, can make this comparison, and doubt
that the principle of progress is as deeply
seated in our nature as the principle of con-
servatism, and that true practical wisdom and
high national policy reside in the due mixture
and joint action of the two.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-07-29
THE CHURLISH MAN.

Sensible and prudent men, who travel, will
always provide themselves with small change
to meet their little Incidental expenses. Good
men are always supplied with stock Of good
nature, which they keep for the purpose Of
paying out to whomsoever may render them
a service; and it is astonishing how quickly
the turnpikes on the way of life will open by
the payment Of small toll of good feeling.
The churlish man is always selfish man.
He has no thought but for himself. He is
entirely Indifferent to what opinion may be
formed of him. The good will and approba-
ton of his fellow creatures is a matter of
perfect indifference. 1t is not difficult to de-
termne the exact value of such man in any
community. He never projects or takes part
in any public undertaking, unless he can
clearly see that his own interests will be ad-
vanced. The thought never entered his head
or heart of assisting in public measure for
the general good, although he would be no
loser. He must see that his own individual
good is to be promoted, or he will have no
hand in the matter His style of answering
even the most polite question is that of man
apparently offended with the querist. See
him at hotel, and the brutal character Of the
creature comes out with peculiar force. He
addresses the walters as though they were
made on purpose to be trod upon by persons
whom fortune had favored with better po-
sition; and the fun of it is, he thinks he adds
to his own Importance by showing airs to
menias. But never having considered the
feelings of Others in his life, he has not the
remotest idea that these despised walters
form just estimate of his character, by
whispering behind his back that the man in
number one has never been used to the luxu-
ry of servant, or he would know better how
to treat them. If the churlish man ever, by
accident, does favor to another, it is always
performed in a style that makes the obliga-
ton nightly painful to bear. AS Dickens
said of II turnpike-gate-keeper, who was sell
dom from his post, "that he would have made
a capital oyster if he had been brought up in
that station of life" and so would the churl-
ish man have made splendid hedgehog if
nature had been as liberal in giving him the
form as she was in bcstowing the disposition.
Washington telegraph., 1853-09-14
al.ErI Ar. r,z.6r1lI

psf-t1 Nine Cirek. Ak. On s.z;rrfaT--ls
mt Nr Am Z NazuN# aged feafs= VIE
"a nH n L N#laoH
Aifs Aaz=u Nas Ian iH s. ism Nv furk
tHI IzIss auH r'Haial Iu AirHIsaH Sir and
r. = w#H m#lrI=A lHf paHHIHl#H 81 rmisnz
81 IH 'pHi, IN ihIseoHisp nf. Arlzin ts.ii,,al
HHir ~ iHH IaHlgg 81 ii# pIazs- iaII Iln-s "a .is
HHr##H fHHIuHatr ne 10 IHaaHr aesluaIHfrii with
His Acizun sInHc her aHi.,aI IN aiI Hriaalaf.
#1sH #Isas 90 il.. iH irHn, al ramuHHiliiaa -
zr 81. iaiH 81, I#iHaHguf. and tslasHzsi'.I Ihnss
4HaiH#- n heaIl calculated io ain HI.in anr 5
HIIts#|I
s.a Was O. mcnlyJ al tie Baptist shnfeh in
Hlul siaiHtiHs ani HtrI consistent In hsf RHn|cs=
#i1u. aI.i HzaHaff al liis il#f ifruis sulatisiu
go i#zah' II ief ae#FpiaHsa ul'i IIr great ileaH
81 'Hz luffh. aHj hsr iafr mYiHrs
H|.a i.az aulsl ti#s n'giIuaza. af ir1m her
HHHzH laHr. and ilam brl FnzIf'. anil other
Ha,ei auss= lHi - difl issreiia, tt mau, Ia
whom "a irH HcetI aaa. ,HH was 81 s.ianaer-
A'.bis iir ii D. g. tapoI a. a mnaIua si0ui#
ual aHnH la.re'a away, 4, NJ, :.
HH t4ul -.ht. S,lt fh le-l
Washington telegraph., 1853-09-14
unbnrloa poaa In Now York.

Inc board af ten Governors of the New York
Allns House, held meeting recently, when some
nMmnidlh1rY facts were ELECTED. resident IN
lhe zlrlHly uf the dead hause appeared beiara
The hound aud eomphinel nl tue stencil arising
nom that receptacle iar the dead We quote
lnm the rpifl
MI Fitch, Warden Of the Aims House. said
that II was impossible 10 remove the bodice ai.
toner rs HEY have to Wait sameimas two DAYS
ilI iHe paeiafs nul CONNER cefldairS Ne5s
lfrday they bad sd budits removed 10 Nanrs l.
land. lheie Ven over a hundred in the dead
h1use' and i've luads was Us many Us they could
take away.
\ communication VA rad from the Warlsa
ol lie'crue Hospital calling attention IN the state
ui the dead hnnsr DHfing sunday aud AlnnlaY
lhehf We're as maHy as liily bodies exposed in anl
a.hui thr rllcol The heusrs contained only
ahanl hali that numlnfl aud The other hull Nrfe
eNra'rd in siew. The friend, Of mauy Of tie
decreased. md strangers. ramr in look inr missing
lflends lhe men Were frquirtd 10 he r1ntiulm.
IN un,iag the l1Hies Blfsims dcrampasiiiaas
nl human ha1irs, halerdIiinrd, spral over fhe
floor of the hau.c IN inch thick while aHt.ls.
hndies were piled Hp Ma of seven hiHh. Whcntr
nnwei a stream ui pesiicnlal putridib that sn
bliod the surrounding atmosphere. as 10 sirkrn
many within it, lnIlnrHfr 4 sight more revolt.
lue 81 sicush maIf FIektuiHg could senrenly ha
luasinetH L ada lu The epuitsiun, they could
not get eaiiHs hI the dead hudlrs, uul some are
yet frluanag tmeainei. awaiting the CarlueH.
lniaRue place alsnul ten feet sIulfe. as the uulY
receptacle lur the dead OF tins mmen.e atty. IN
slckly iimr' ike ibe pas wees md think ahoib.
rr silrh drplaUllls .taie Of thing, ought io ba
allowed Ia eantiHae IA the grtai daHgcr IT the
g'aHe aud "a ihe di1smce af the elly of New
lufk
Washington telegraph., 1853-09-14

TnE Nri.rurs ng uG NuwNsB ,ruy.-
The Pierce administration l1s lran m ry-
i,icnrc nearly siz months. 1ul wr c1u very
easily cuum5m'e ilc mnule u lps llar'.
ed. IT, fr.t measure wns in senl ont iho
advertisement ofa New York .'siluucr nr1n
the official lriicr cnyclupes IT., second wa.
n give orders that lhr said Advertisement
should be discontinued. It's lhid wr- i1ri
forth cirnlar prescribing, what Mind of
cuis aud hrccohcs ihc T. :. diplomatic Of.
ficcr. should wcar at foreign courts aul H.
fourth was to send oui a general order IL.
rcciiug how the officer uf the navy should
wear their boards These are ,hr almini4
tralion's Gr,t four measures. We wonder
what the next four will be-.
L5HisriNc J0ayai
Washington telegraph., 1853-09-14

N.aI"ur s. urrIra-A A.maHy alHr.rn.
'.i f.H I#..n n .. laurs safr ala ult
l.# 'H a.HI Fl. 'lH I-us a, trirUn'rl lg
tr"HH |s'=' HHHl'. We f.ir fIr Ip'.
bowling 'n..a.t an-l,i ir'n M.-,.iwa
I1T.r
liN H.i sIrH Hfs 9aH1h fagaB E.sH
fH'H s.UHe rH4r 'ns l.ai1iI boz
naHrHi ihr lH.4u li.us Hra1 rlHr. auI ihu. sn..
nIr.I i.s I..r,n of I.si In.'yH iu'Haiir hA.g
chancellor Ser's Tho U, Ha1 B. gaw jiu.ib
hfi.r ifr Is7Tr wH".lrI ur HnI ilHg Ni'' r',,'f
Wrm.F. "t., lse...H.Hrs VHu Wi', Auir ia tlA
ih' People il satisfy i.r iulrmeHf THIS iaua
i1d '.r working ,.a.--ibe ursp.c whicuu iart
hrrHI hF 'Hr sweat Ui i'rlT brow -'hc hand f.i.
ri Nrrmaufy, Nht W"e ur,ef hHucGirl unr
rrH' hF iIr li.Hi. 50 .I IrsH'.'rI Nlfh uUaii. i.u
millions ol j,''1s ip le laI hy nNhuun hw
tHa ta'sr prIafri 1I iha qurs'ion
&.H'L..H SrH
Washington telegraph., 1853-09-14

ANrnorr ror porsoS-Musard IL one
Of the best and al,ays most convenient nc.
licle to be used when poison las been taken
into lhc stomach Mix q largo ioi-ro1uful
Of II in powder. IN aiumbltr NJ warm water
anl swallow II lt once. lfit docs not act
Immediately a. ancmctic. take another A.
soon a. the vomiting T. over swallow a inblc.
spoonful Of sweet oil ani You aro cured.
without a stomach pump or doctors bill