davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16
Statistics OF Mecllenburg and Halifax Coun
ties, Va.

ties, Va.
From the census tables for the year 1850 we COM
pile the following facts, which may BE- of interest to
our readers:-The aggregate population of the coun
ty Of Mecklenburg in 1850, was 20630, composed as
follows: Of 1881 whites, of whom 3,6ll were males,
and 3645 females; Of 9l2 free colored persons, Of
whom 42S were males, and 4s9 females ; and Of
l2,4e2 slaves, of whom ,44e were males. and 6ole
females. From this it viii be seen that the excess
of the slave over the white population was 5,206,
being nearly seventytwo per cent more. The free
colored population was nearly one-eighth as nu.
merous as the whites. and constituted nearly one
twentythird part of the whole population. II will
be seen that Of the whites the females exceeded the
males in number by the small sum of "a; among the
free coored people this excess 66, while among
the slaves the excess was in favor of the Males and
amounted to 430.
The staple agricultural products for 1850 were as
fonows:-4 1853, l84 lbs. tobacco, 1905 bushels
wheat, 552 466 ditto Indian corn 184695 ditto OATS
We have not at hand the census table for 1840 and
therefore cannot state the exact ratio of increase
in these products during the ten years. but we are
informed that such increase was very great.
The aggregate population Of the county Of Hall
fax IN 1850 was rs 1862, composed Of 1926 whites
divided into 427 males, and $40 females; of 534
free colored persons, males 1858, females 266; and
of 1882 slaves, 7,416 being males, and 1855 fe-
males. From these figures It will be seen that the
slave population of Halifax exceeds the white by
the sum Of 3476, being excess Of fraction over
81 per cent, not one half Of the excess in Mecklen
burg. Among the whites there was an excess Of
females over males amounting to 122. Among the
free colored population there was an excess Of
males over the females amounting to two; and
among the blacks similar excess Of $50.
II will be seen that both in Mecklenbury and
Halifax, while the females among the whites out
number the males the reverse is the case with the
slaves Why this difference we do not know. II
has been suggested that II may be attributed to the
higher value set by the owners upon men, and the
consequent disposition to sell the women first. But
this theory Is at least rendered doubtful by the fact
that in very many saveholding counties the number
of female slaves is greater than that Of the males.
Halifax county In 1850 produced {, 485, 1872 lbs
tobacco, l46,769 bushels wheat, 649,896 do Indian
corn, and 365, 1872 do. oats.
In the production of tobacco the county Of Halifax
surpasses Mecklenburg, not only absolutely but 70
latively-the former having produced, in 1850, 448
lbs for each slave, and the latter 800 lbs all the
counties in the State except those In which large
cities are located, Pittsylvania is the most popu-
Ions. The inhabitants number 1886; and unlike
Halifax and Meoklenburg, are composed Of ma
jority Of whites, the proportion being 5263 whites
to l2,79s slaves The free colored population was
only 1856.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16

MADAM ADA PFErFFER--This world renowned
lady, and celebrated traveller, arrived at New
Orleans on the It'll inst, in the steamer Ell Dorado
from Aspinwall. She Ia described as small gem
teel looking woman, very spare, but remarkably
active and energetic in her carriage and exceeding
y intelligent and agreeable. The New Orleans
Delta thus speaks Of this remarkable woman
Madam Pfsifer, after making the tour OF the
whole world, and penetrating many regions where
no white person has ever been since, including tho
principal islands Of the Pacific, reached California,
where she remained for some time, observing the
peculiarities Of this new State. She also visited
several Of the ports Of South America, had made
her arrangements to explore the valley Of tho
Amazon, through its whole course, bat was pre-
vented by insurmountable difficulties, In obtaining
means Of travelling. She therefore concluded -
make tour of the States, and for that purpose,
came over on the FL Dorado. Madam Pfei6er Is ono
of the most extraordinary women Of her age. She
has reached the age OF sixty, has comfortable
in life.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16

The tack makers Of Taunton, Abingdon Braintree,
Bidewater and other places In Massachusetts,, nearly
one hundred In number, held convention at Bridgewa-
ter on Friday, the 9th inst, and adopted scale Of
prices making average advance Of ten twelve per
cent upon the present prices Of and passed
resolutions to adhere TO and sustain the prices agreed
upon.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16
The Cuba Question and the Empress Eu-
genie OF France.
From the PENNSYLVANIA, Government Orvan1

WARRINGTON, june Il, 1854.
The anxiously looked for message from the Pre-
sdent failed to make its appearance yesterday
much to the disappointment Of those who had been
hazardng predictions in regard to its contents 1t
may have been that the pending negotiations be-
Marcy have assumed such shape as to render It
necessary to alter certain passages in the messages
but be the case what II may the President does not
deem IL advisable at present to send any further
communications to Congress on the subject Of our
Cuban difficulties
The readers OF the Psnnsylpnnian. no doubt, have
stumbled upon paragraph "going the rounds" in
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16


The case Of citizen Of the United States arrest
ed at Sagua la Grande in 1850, and that of shot
fred at the Black Warrior in March, 1853, are dis
missed by the Diari0, with the remark that il il
not aware whether any claims have been based
upon these occurrences.
The case of the vessel North Carolina figures
largely in Mr.. Soule's note. The DiariO's account
of this affair is that the North Carolina was wreck
ed in November, 1850, at Gusnico, on the southern
coast Of Puerto Rico, and the crew were taken to
Mayaguez, and lodged in the barracks Of the infan
try during the judicial investigation Of the AFFAIR.
They were detained longer than was necessary by
the Marine Assessor who resided at the capital OF
the island. An American war frigate learning the
facts made preparations for fight but was deferred
by the warke attitude of the people Of the island.
The Captain of the Port was superseded. The
Dia,fo says that that officer might have been guilty
OF neglect, but not Of outrage
The last complaint urged by Mr.. Soul6 against
the Spanish government IL its refusal to allow
American vessels to enter its ports ON the footing
Of foreign vessels The Diayio Ia not aware Of the
motives of that government for this determination
but maintains that, though it may be q legitimate
subject of friendly negotiation, ii cannot be re-
garded as an outrage.
The Diario terminates its long review by avowing
It's astonishment that the Black Warrior affair
should be regarded as an outrage, when according
to the Union, the American republic had patiently
tolerated for years at least twenty-five insults and
offences. II extols the justice Of Spain, condemns
the conduct Of the fbustering spirits of the United
States, but acknowledges that there are many
amongst us who are honorable and worthy citizens,
illustrious orators and profound statesmen.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

Substitute for Potatoes.-For the last foul
years considerable attention has been paid al
the Museum of Natural History, in Paris, to
the cultivation Of a plant coming from China
and known under the name of Dioscorea Ja
ponica. This plant says, the writer of pape,
sent to the Central Agricultural Society, may
by its size, weight and hardy character, become
exceedingly valuable in France, as it will serve
as substitute for the potato. Its tubercles,
like those of the Jerusalem artichoke, resist in
the open air the severest winter without sus-
tanning any injury. Several specimens of these
roots, Of very large size, were presented in 1852
to the society, ono of which, of cylindrical
form, was three feet in length; another tuber-
Gle, presented in 1853, weighed three pounds,
the former having been in the earth 90 months,
and the latter Is. The flavor of this vegeta-
bic is more delicate than that of the potato.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

Still Quiet.-The St. Louis Republican Of
the llth, says:
sour city has been perfectly quiet since
Wednesday evening. In no locality has there
been the least disposition to resume the disor-
der which commenced on Monday. Business,
which for the time had ceased, having been
abandoned in the excitement of election and
riot. is beginning to pulse again as usual, and
the whole current Of city affairs is becoming
regular and healthful. The late exctements,
however, are still topics of conversation in the
streets and saloons, and many fresh reports and
personal adventures are being discussed. The
Citizens Police are still on duty and have so
far answered the purpose of their organization
admirably. 1t is probable they will be with
drawn in few days, and the regular Police
will then resume their duties.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
Collector of New Orleans.

Simultaneous with the death of General
Downs, we perceive the appointment by the
President of THos. C. PORTER, Esq, of New
Orleans, the present Surveyor, to fill his place.
This looks to us as being in rathe. indecent
haste. We think, that in respect to the men,
ory of the deceased, if nothing more, few
weeks should have been allowed to elapse be-
fore his successor was appointed; in the mean-
time, the next highest officer do the duties of
the Collector At this rate, we will soon be
pointed at as a nation of office seekers.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
Fearful State of Anarchy i'm China.

Private letters and circulars received in Bos-
ton from China, by the Arabia, give accounts
of a sad state of affairs in that country, the
result of the civil war which has been so long
raging there. The Boston Traveller says:
"The old government having its hands fully
occupied in repelling the attacks of the insur-
gents in the vicinity of Pekin, bands of armed
robbers are devastating the country, par,icu-
larly the Central Provinces. One letter states
that forty-eight tea companies had returned to
Shanghai from the Central Provinces, having
been robbed of all their means of purchase.
"The great commercial mart of Honan has
been burnt by an armed mob. Ningchow, the
district from whence the Moning teas are
brought, is stated to be in possession of an
armed rabble, who have beheaded the Man.
darins and taken possession Of the government.
In some provinces the Mandarins have forbid
den teas to be grown, for fear that it will at
tract the attention of the insurgents. These
disturbances, it was thought would seriously
affect the forwarding Of teas. All was quiet
at Canton.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
PLAQUEMlNE PARISH OF IBERVIILE LA. SEPTEMBER
Death of General Downs.

We are sincerely grieved to learn, says the
Bee, that Ex Senator S. w. Downs, late Collec
tor of the Port of New Orleans, died at Crab Or
chard Springs, Kentucky, on the l4th instant
He had been i'll for some time, and had, we
believe, left New Orleans, in the hope of re.
cruiting.
General Downs was one of the most promi.
nent politicians in Louisiana. lie had been a
member of the State Senate, of the Ccnven-
ton and of the United States Senate. He
welded large share of influence, and was
popular with his party as consistent, unwaver-
ing democrat. In spite of his politics, at one
time he enjoyed the respect and confidence Of
the Wings, for the able manner in which he
supported the Compromise measures Of 1850.
General Downs health had been failing for
some time, though he had not much advanced
beyond the meridian Of life. His death will
be mourned by numerous circle of friends.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
News Items.

During last month no less than 10000 emigrants
arrived at New York.
A woman has been elected constable in Perry
county, Illinois.
Col. Benton's friends in St. Louis are said to be
exceedingly sore under his defeat for Congress,
and express their determination to run him for the
next Presidency.
Mr.. Benton, who has been quite ill for some
time, and much out of humor since his defeat in
Missouri, declares that he intends going home to
stump the entire State, and secure his election TO
the U. S. Senate.
The returns from nine counties, in Iowa, show
majority for Grimes, the whig candidate, of 300.
Hampstead, the whig candidate for Congress, has
the same majority.
James Lindsey, whig, and present member is
reported to be elected to Congress from the Sd
district, in Missouri, over Flourney, Nebraska
democrat.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
The Good Old Times in virginia.

| Under this head, ~ A. "" correspond
ent of the New York Spirit of the Times, tells
two or three very good stories, one of which is
the following:
In those days lived old Ned Carey. Every
one living here then recolIected old Ned-a
rollicking old free darkey, who never let a
muster, cock fight or a race pass without
being on hand, if possible. Joined to old Ned's
inordinate love of such sports was what is
nowadays termed by the business part of
mankind great deal of 'cuteness, but what
was in fact something less creditable.
On a certain day great muster was TO
come OFT at some tavern in the county of Hen.
rco' and of course cock fight or two. At the
appointed time great many persons were
present, and among them Mr.. NJ, a gentleman
OF the real old stripe, who had made a few
ten dollar bets on the cock fights, and lost
every one. He was commenting on his bad
luck, when old Ned was seen approaching
with large bag thrown over his shoulder.
"Halloa, Ned, what have you there!'
sFust rate cock, Massa NJ"
"Game, Ned."
"Oh, yes, game as painter, Massa NJ"
"Out with him, Ned; out with him."
And Ned drew forth large speckled cock,
"hlch, 10 Judge by his size, was perfect bruis-
er.
"What's the price, Ned!"
"Five dollars, Massa. an cheap at dat; an if
any cock on dis ground kill dis cock, GIN you
back de money"
The bargain was accordingly struck, and the
match made for fight right away. NJ. bet
about the amount he had already lost, and the
cocks were put in the ring.
At the first touch of the steel old Ned's cock
gave most awful squall, and took strong
wing for the woods. NJ. was furious, while
the crowd laughed-fairy screamed-with tho
enjoyment of the fun. Old Ned was accordingly
hauled up. with the application of some pretty
hard epthes.
"Didn't l tell you, Massa NJ, says Ned, "if
any cock here kill dat cock give yon back de
five dollar. But dey got to cotch him fas; an
l neber see any cock outrun ole Skewball in
my life. va! ya."
N. wanted to be very angry, but it was no
60; his anger was choked down by the up
roarous laughter of the crowd that met him
on every side, and he was forced to enjoy it as
a capital joke. Old Ned continued to frequent
the race courses till his death.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
lie Got Him on the Wool.

"Look a hca, nigger, Whar you swelling to-!
was the unceremonious salutation of sable
colOred gentleman to an eXcruciatingly dressed
darkey, whose complexion was not many shade.
removed from that Of a newly polished stove
pipe, as the latter pusson' made graceful swing
from the promenade on Fourth street-where
he had been exhibiting himself for couple OF
hours, to the envy of the Bucks and the f:,sc
nation of a score Of 'nuss gals'-into McAlistcl
| street.
"Who 90 you call niggcr, sah!" was the in.
dignant response, with majestic roll of pail
of eyes with great deal of white and very
little of any other color in them.
| "Why, call you nigger," was the fat-footed
reiteration of sable COLOR as he recognized in
stove pipe,' gemman who two years ago ex.
ercised his genius about town in the white
washing and boot backing line, but who since
that tiue had been Abroad and had cultivated
moustache and foreign airs.
GLOW me to inform you, sab, dat you is la
brn under slight delucination, aiut no mig
ger"
ayes you is a nigger, muffin but nigger; but
if you amt niger, what is you!'
use Quarterroon, sah."
"a what!"
use Quarterr0On, Sah.'
"How you get to be u Quarterroon!"
"Why my mudder was a white woman, and
my fadder was Spanyid, sab; that how got
to be a Quarterroon."
"Whar you git dat 'plexion!"
81 got um in de Souf, sah-fect ob de cli-
mate, every pusson in de Souf got um, sah."
"Whar you git dat wool!-say, whar you git
dat woo!"
Il git dat by a-by a.a.a accipum on my
mudders side, sah.' (Stove pipe slightly con.
fused)
SHOW, how you git dat wool on your mud>
der's side, if your mudder was white woman,
say, how did you git dat wool!'
"Because she got frightened afore | was
bornd."
"How she git frighten,-eh!"
"Why she git chased by a black man, sab.
"Look hea, niger, doesn't want 10 be
pussonal, but from de 'pearance oh your mud
der's son, dere amt no doubt but dat de time
your mudder was chased by black man, she
was overlook"
A moment after you might have played do
mnoes on the coat tails of the South'n gem.
man, as he streaked it up NcAister street, and
dved into the doorway of an aristocratic cara.
yansary for the accommodation of distinguish.
ed sun.burnt pussons, known as the Hotel
Dumas.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

! In the year 35S, before the earthquake o.
| Nicomedia, the darkness was very dense from
two to three hours Two years afterwards, in
| all the provinces Of the Roman empire, there
was obscurity from early dawn to noon. The
| stars were visible; and its duration precludes
! the idea Of solar eclipse. At the return o1
light, the sun appeared first in crescent form
then half its face was seen, aud was gradually
restored to its whole visible disk. In 400
the stars were seen by day at Rome. About
536, the sun was obscured for fourteen months
so that very little Of his light was seen. In
567 such darkness prevailed from D. m, till
night, that nothing could be seen. In 626,
half the suns disk was obscured for eight
months. In 733 he was again darkened, and
people were generally terrified. ...
In 934 Portugal was in darkness for two
months, the sun haying lost its brightness.
The heavens were then opened in assures by
strong flashes Of lightning, when there was
suddenly bright sunlight. September 81.
1901, the sun was darkened for three hours,
February %, 1906, for six hours complete dark.
ness turned the day into night. In l24I, on
Michaelmas day, the stars were visible at 3
Pm. In l647, April 1875, three DAYS the
sun was 80 obscured that many stars were
visible at once. Thus says Humboldt in
Cosmos:
If we come almost to our own time, to Nav
l9, 1890, history and tradition assert the oc.
currence of remarkable day prevailing over
New England at least, and considerably in
some other places. 1t came on between 10
and II A. M, and continued until midnight,
growing gradually darker and darker, even
till l. at night. Candles and lamps were light.
ed for the people to see to dine and to perform
work about the house. These became REQUISITE
before l2 o'clock,M In the evening, so dense
was it, that farmers could scarcely, even with
the aid of lantern, grope their way to the
barn to take care of the cattle. The birds
retired 10 their roosts at IL A. H., and the day
was converted into night. z"
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

One Hundred Indians Killed-The Council
Bluffs Bugle of the lst, says that an express
Just at Winter Quarters from Mitchell & Co.'S
trading company on the Sweet Water, reports
that a sanguinary battle had just been fought
on Buffalo Creek, between the Sioux and
Pawnees, in which the latter lost lO4 scalps
and many horses. 1t is probable that the par>
ticulars will appear in full in the next Omaha
Arrow.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

10 bbls Magnolia Whis-
key
10 bbls Rectifed do.
Is bxs Winchester Soap
do scaled Herrings
l doz Scotch Cheese
10 SKIS No l Rio Coffee
l2 do No2 do
l hid Sides
10 half bbls Msckerel
2 barrels Old Bourbon
] Whiskey
6 double dis. Whiskey
6 Monongahela rye do
IA bbls mess Pork
| Is 1-2 bbls mess Beef
| 5 boxes soda Biscuit
20 do Vermacilli and
Macaroni
2 tierces Almonds
Is 1-2 boxes Raisins
IS IA do do
1000 best Regalias
8 bbls red and white
Beans s.-t
10 baskets Sweet Oil in
whole and half bottles
, 3~A
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

glue him his deserts, Ladies.-The Boston
Post says that FIVE women will spread out
their clothes SO as to take up the entire side of
an omnibus, thus occupying the room designed
for eight, and then if another woman presents
herself at the door, they will cry out: " You
can't come in here! There amt any room y
but if man wants to get in, they can make
room easy enough, right down between them.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
and West Baton Rourl
- LIVERY STABLES!

SANUEL McFADDEN takes pleasure in in.
y otnihg his ffiends and the travelling public
dh:t he has two fine, large, and well supplied
livery stables, one at Plaquemine and the
2tner st H. Ferry Landing, opposite Baton Rouge.
persons wishi.g to hire riding horses, buggies OF
calnageh can b accommodated at either of his
PeIsons wishing 70 hire horses or buggies to ira
vei iIom flaquemine to Baton Rouge, or from
osIon Rouge 70 tlaquemine, and not wishing to
asutn, can 40 eo ~ leaving them at either of the
the propsietor
D-Dsoyes with their horses or mules will
nnd aeconsdation ct either Of the above named
kAoNea. de1O.1v.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

TThe "Know Nothings" in Kentucky as
elsewhere, seem to be carrying all before them
and we are led to ask, in the words Of the
song of ls4o, " What has caused this great
commotion!" In the counties of kenton,
Maysville, Gallatin, Mercer and Shelby, they
have elected their candidates by sweeping ma
jorities.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02
Extraordinary Pistol - The London cor.
respondent of the Boston Traveller writes:

respondent of the Boston Traveller writes:
l have just been shown rife pistol, in
vented by an English gentlrmen resident at
Ratisbon, and which is calculated to make as
great revolution in that arm as the Minnie
rifle in musketry. 1t can kill at 500 yards!
Last week it was tested before experienced
officers at Woolwich, and completely stood ito
trial. Since then it has been exhibited to
Prince Albert, and from my own observation
lean vouch for the Offices of his extraordinary
weapon. 1t is easily charged, and his sights
regulated at two hundred, three hundred, four
hundre and five hundred yards. 1t is, besides,
light and beautiful. Only fancy revolver of
this description, with six or eight barrels, a
good marksman and an adversary quarter of
mile off! The whole depends on the side
groove.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

The Ward Jurymen--The Grand Jury of
Elizabethtown, Hardin County, KY, have found
true bill for perjury against four of the Ward
jurymen, and they are held to bail in 81 900
each to appear at the next Circuit Court to be
held at that place.
Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

pWe return thanks to Hon. JNo. PERKINS,
Jr, for a copy of MIKE WALsH's speech on
the Nebraska bill. A speech from MIKE will
always draw readers.