The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-09-08


vorite policy of her present Emperor, the es-
Enlistment of great colonial system, she is
likely to cross our track very often, and that
very near our own doors. She is more for
midable as a military power than England
and a French army, once landed on our
shores, would give us trouble. There are no
better soldiers in the world than the French,
and no worse sailors. The field of battle we
should choose is the Atlantic, and with ma
Wy of respectable size, the mercenaries OF
Europe could yer reach this continent,
and our commerce could be everywhere pro-
tected from hostile aggressions. At present
our weakness invites insult and injury from
the pettiest powers of ChristendOm.
THE BRITISH COAL MINES.
The London correspondent of the Nation
ri InteHigencer says that, according 10 the
last census, there are 2G5, 1913 persons In Great
Britain employed in working and dealing in
coal al9,ol5 of them were actual miners, OF
whom tpo thousand, sir hundred and forty
nine pere females, and Of these females one
thousand t,rO hundred and ninet.y:fre 'cere
under t'renty gears Of age! This is char
ming illustration of the transcendent human
ity and civilization of Great Britain! The
correspondent says "These miners work in
lanes or galleries which they or their prede-
cessOrs have made, often several miles in
length, running horizontally at from thirty to
three hundred yards or more below the sur
face of the ground. They are liable to be
thrown out of the cage or basket in which
they are hauled up or let down into the pit,
TO be wounded or killed by stones falling on
Them and to be scorched, burnt, or smother
ed by fire damp or foul air. How men are
induced to submit to all the privatiOns and
dangers attendant on GOLFERS life for the pay
of II few shillings day, must puzzle any one
to conceive who has reasonable horror of
working eight or ten hours day after day in
ahOle several hundred yards below the earth $
surface exposed continually to the most pain
full accidents and the most cruel DEATH
The correspondent remarks that lamen-
BILE degree of Ignorance appears to prevail
respecting the best means of working coal
"A
mons reported in 1852 in favor of the steam
jet as the best means of obtaining supply
of air in coal mines but the committee of
1854 has come to different conclusion. The
steam jet was supported on the recommen-
dation of men of science; further expert
ments have proved that these men of science
were In error. Thus among all classes, from
the common workman to the man of science,
there is want of correct knowledge, and
the Inference is very naturally drawn that it
would be very indiscreet for the Legislature
to enact any positire law respecting the pre-
vention of accidents until the subject is bet
ter understood. For the effectual proven
ton of accidents nothing will suffice but an
b Xix of the colliers, and rigid systematic
inspection of all the machinery, &C., and p; r
ticularly of the ventilation of the mines.
GREYTowN.-In view of the fact that the
Boscawen, British ship of the line, has been
sent to Greytown to protect British interests
in that quarter, would it not be we'll for our
government to send there a ship of the same
size, to protect American interests? The
two sloops of war ordered to Greytown are
not able to cope with a ship of the line
The best way to avoid difficulty is to be
ready to meet it. AS other vessels of the
British West India squadron may be concen
trated in the same quarter, an American line
of battle ship, the two sloops OF war already
ordered, and, if necessary, the whole Yves,
India squadron of the United States ought to
be at once ordered to Greytown. This is the
best way to avoid collision or, if it is
forced upon us, to come out of it with honor
AT THEIR OLD TRICKs.-The English
press are busily engaged in endeavoring to
stir up the North against the South. This
has been their game always. This is the KEY
to their whole hatred of slavery. Together,
we are too much for them. Divided, and
England has the mastery of the world.
Whilst they are NEEDING with our affairs,
they have the unspeakable effrontery TO
charge Russia with intriguing in American
politics. If the Emperor of Russia is as
guiltless of all the other crimes laid to his
charge, as of this, be is much slandered
parsonage. No one has ever interfered with
the political affairs of the United States but
Great Britain, which has deliberately and
perseveringly used the subject of slavery as
a splitting wedge" to divide the Union. If
an open war with her should grow out of the
Greytown or any other difficulty it would be
much less dangerous to this country than the
success ofthoss nefarious schemes, which, un-
der the mask of friendship, and at no risk to
herself, she is carrying on against the vital
interests of the country.
CURIOUS FAcTs.-Within space of thir-
teen years. there have been seven Presidents
Df the United States Van Buren,, March Sd,
Sal; Harrison, from March to April 4, ls4I:
Tyler, from April 4, le4l, to March 4, ls45;
'ofk, from March 4, 1s45, to March 4, ls4s;
'syi0r, from March 4, 1s49 to July Q, 1850:
'illmOre, from July 10. 1850, to March 4. |
e53, Mn which dsy Gen. Pierce succeeded TO |
be odioss Previous to March Sd. ls4I, there
40 been but eight Presidents during pc.
~s'