davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12
Torsthsr Ccmst,
TAs stts1At f4a.la INN aHA 1syssD

This ii decidedly the most impor.
tant Bill, now before the Legislature
Of Louisiana. 1t Is set for Tuesday
next, and we do hope. that it will be
40 framed and passed, as TO meet the
great demands Of the public. We
hope that The members Of the Legis-
lature will sacrifice all their local pre-
judiees on the alter of their common
country, and make this bill carry ont
the great object Of The donation Of the
swamp lands---to wit; good levees.
Good levees first, and then drainage
for how can drainage be Of any ser
vice to the country, unless the land Is
first levied? There Is great error
going abroad, and now posses the
minds Of many Of the Hon member.
TO some extent, to wit: that 1t will
cost huge amount to levee the Miss
issippi River. There never was q
greater mistake. From the Balize to
Red River in all human probability
frotn this time forth the cost If new
levees will not average tnote than %
OF 30 thousand dollars per year. NO
new leyees are required except in cav
ing bends Of the river. 1t is well
known to all that most Of the levees
on the old Coast have been built for
nearly Il century, and will stand for
centuries to come. All then, that is
required If the Swamp Land Com
is to build the levees in the
cavipg bends---ahd they are now being
put SO far back that they will last for
IS or 20 years. These are facts, to
which we call the urgent attention Of
the Legislature. Then gentlemen,
pass general system at once require
your commissioners to take charge
Of all levees--they will have to build
but very few. Issue your variants
for bonds, and our word for it,
this great valley will be well levied
and drained, and the State wifi have
D princely domain. We have tbs
greatest State in the Union-the rich
Bst lands, the best clitnate--and Con-
gress has given us the means Of levy
ing Our great river. sball W. eramp
the energies OF orr commissioners fritz
Ter away the proceeds Of these lands
~ partial temporisir'g policy, and in
The end derive no benefit from this
grant Gentlemen, again,
We say let there be action and nnahi-
nifty Of feeling q general sys-
EN-, and redeem that vast country
low subject to overflow. 1t will add
rnperishable honor to every man who
. influential in passing this great
Measure. for it will cause the wilder
,ess to hossom~~give confidence and
ecurity to settlers on swamp and over
lowed lands. The eye Of the traveller
viii soon be greeted with smiling
ields, and his ear viii be charmsd
With the laborers cheerful song
"whsrs now The hungry wolf gives forth his
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12
EAgrnquATE IN spArr--A terri

BAB1HQUAKE IN GPAfN.--A teTTI~
BILE earthquake took place in Finana.
IN Almeria, IN Spain, on 18th Jan.
The Spanish papers say: "Tbe town
Of Finana has just been visited by q
frightful misfortune. On Friday last,
between two and three o'clock In the
morning during complete darkness,
and while every one was asleep, the
soil was suddenly shaken and turned
over by series Of violent shocks fol-
lowing each other 10 rapid succession,
and accompanied by prolonged noise
resembling the rolling Of thunder, and
followed by numerous assures. II
crumbled down the greatest part Of the
Alcszaba ian ancient castle Of the
Moors) broke houses to pieces, and
caused large cbssms in nearly all the
streets. Eight persons were after
wards dug out in terrible state Of
mutation"
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12

The captain and engineer Of the ILL.,
fated Kate KearDey have been requir-
ed to enter into bonds for their ap.
pearance int Court upon the investiga-
ton Of the recent explosion at st.
Louis.
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12
Gbrurpklp Calllrt
Thursday Morning, /. March Q, 1854.


To- We are obliged to our friend
Master 7. Lewis for copies Of valuable
reports, and bills now pending ii the
Legislature. One ii them--the repor,
Of the Joint Committee on the peni.
Tertiary we publish entire in tosdayf
paper Tomorrow, we shall make
some comments upon IL. Il IL evi.
IDENTIFY a "labwed" productions lacks
10 liz qualities Of English, and IL signed
BY Hurry Richardson Chairman d
The Senate Committee, and W. b.
Phillips Chairman Of The House.
These names are altogether new, to
lis, and II will no doubt be notifying
10 the Committee to find that their
ewn proper names will never be known
to posterity in connection with the
Report Of The Joint Committee" Mr.
Richardson is Senator from Washing
ton, st. Helena, and ST. Tamany and
his FIRST name is "Hoyay' Mr.. Phil
lips is from West Felioiana, and his
first name commences with ~" So
much for 50 much. Every miserable
little bill has to be printed by the
barrel organ and bulwork of the Par
ty," and IL IL the misfortune of the
State Capital, that it Is not able to
support 50 huge and rapacious mons
ter. But there is no evil without a
relative amount of good. The loss Of
bills between this place and the State
printers Office, is compensation. by
Omission = for just 10 much less
buncomb floats down to posterity 10
The volume Of acts. 1.-THE lord willing
the weather being prcpitious our
throat being in good condition" (this is
the language of celebrated divine)
ID day or SO we will look up some Of
the merits Of the Joint committees
report, aud dish them out to our mar.
row limited, but select readers.
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12


LARGE DlAaosD.--The following
paragraph, in regard to remarkable
diamond found in South America ap-
pears in the money column Of the Lon
don Tunes.
One Of the largest diamonds known
was deposited yesterday at the Bank
Of England, by a London house, to-
whom it was consigned from Rio
Janeiro. Its weight is 254 caras,
and its estimated value, according tor
the scale, f3sO.OO0. II Is said to be-
OF the finest water, and without flaw,
and was found by negro slave. who
received his freedom as reward"
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12

The statue Of Tho Jeffersonasn
was cast on the 18th, at the royal
foundry at Munich. II is thirteen
feet high. and has taken ten tons Of
metal. This is one Of the four statues
which will surround the equestrian
one Of Washington, erected at Rich
mond. Va, and which is twenty-five
feet in height. The model Of tho.
statue Of Jefferson j. By the American
sculptor, Thos., Crawf1d.
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12

10 It has been recently decided by
an English judge-and very justly we
think-that . gentleman, on discharg-
ing servant. has no more right to
search her boxes, than she has to ran
sack his desk.
The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-03-12

the merits Of the Joint committee
report, aud dish them out to our mar
row limited but select readers.
~
Tue Barrow RoueE FOUNDRY
Our, enterprising fellow citizens
Messrs Hill h Henderson are pushing
forward to completion their large brick
building, which, when completed Is
to cover in the old foundry. When,
the work is completed, the old estab.
lisbment will be torn down, and the
pattern shop, finishing rooms DC,
placed In the second story Of the new
building, which Is to be fire-proof.
When the Baton Rouge Foundry is
completed II will vie with The best in
the country and will be fully pre-.
pared in all its appointments to manu-.
facture any thing in the way Of steam
engines, Sugar mills, Saw mills, and
Draining machines that may be de-
sired A better practical machinist
than Mr.. Hill, is not to be met with
in this country, and Col Henderson Is
well known for his prompt business
habits.
H-There il u very good act now
before the Senate, concerning the Ii.
censing Of drinking houses, and the
sale Of Intoxicating liquors in this
State.
Il proposes to leave the exclusive
management Of the matter to the local
police authorities, through whom the
public will shall, be expressed annu.
ally. The Stately the act, is to
relinq,ish all right and title to grant
licenses to grog shops and coffee hous-
es. The act requires Police Juries,
municipal authorities, and Boards Of
Aldermen, to adopt such laws and or
dihance rules, and regulations, as
may be necessary for holding the an
nual elections provided for by the act
In this manner that lingering trace Of
barbarians ''the low whiskey shop
will be entirely swep out Of existence
REMARKABLE LoNeEvrTY.-F rancis
. free woman Of color, died on We'd
nesday at the Mobile City Hospital,
Of debility, having attained the re-
markable age Of LAG years. We have
known several cases Of Creoles living
to great age, says the Advertiser,
but do not remember an instance any
where. or Of any color, attaining to
such an age rs the shove, and we
should Be inclined to discredit this,
but that the fact Is officially reported
Q " from the City Hospital.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20

The Baltimore Annual Conference, now
in session in Baltimore, expelled by vote
of 1870 to 20, the Rev. Stephen Hildebrand
on charge of seducing girl named Har-
riet A. Hen, who gave birth to child
on the 9th of January, 1858. The trial
has taken up great deal Of the time OF
the Conference, and Bishop Ames said
was the most extended examination ever
instituted by that body, within his lnowl-
edge. The case was argued Cor the ac-
cused by Rev. ). A. Collins, who concu-
ded on Monday morning last, powerful
appeal in support of the innocence of Mr..
IL. He was followed in a mastery and
overwhelming argument BY the Rev. G
w. Israel, one of the prosecuting minis.
ters. Alter the verdict of the Conference
was known, the Bishop sent for the ac-
cused, who approached the clerk in firm
and commanding air, such as had charac.
terized his conduct throughout the entire
irlal. The sentence of the Bishop was
very affecting, the members of the Con.
ference, giving vent to their grief at the
sad termination of the trial, BY profu.
sion OF tears and signs. Mr. Hillebrand
has signitied his determination to appeal
from the decision of the Conference. His
friend and defender. Rev. J. A. Collins
begged him not TO DO it but he seemed de.
teTmined SO to do, as lie said, in justice to
himself. The following is the form Of the
resolution OF expulsion, which was sub.
mitted BY the Rev. Jas. H. Brown:
Whereas, the conduct of Stephen Hi.
debrand as produced in the evidence be.
fore the conference is grossly inconsistent
and highly reproachful to the Christian
ministry, the Church of Christ and to tbi.
conference, and is such as to sustain the
charge OF immortality therefore, resolved
that Stephen Hildebrand be expelled from
The Methodist Episcopal Church. =
When the vote was taken, ard resulted
as above stated, Bishop Ames then rose
and said, "Tell the criminal to come in. ).
He was conducted TO a seat near the al
tar, by the side of the counsel, when Bish.
OPP Ames said to him: "Please to stand
up lie then told him that after most
patient in. estlgation, he had been found
guilty of one Of the highest crimes and
that this case was not the first occasion, on
which suspicion attached to him. The
crime OF which he had been found guilty
would be stain upon him which would
follow him until he dropped in the grave.
He then. after few remarks pronounced
the sentence of excommunication against
hir, #zH-3r As.zzt
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
Plank walk to the Cemetery.

A Plank Walk to the Cemetery is very
much needed. The present walk is al
most insufferable,, in inclemcnt weather
We hope that some of our public spirited
citizens, whose time will allow, viii ttske
the matter in hand, and see what can be
done. An object now contemplated is to
adorn and beauty the new burial ground,
that it may be rendered attractive, to those
who desire occasionally to visit the spot
where fond affections are buried. There
fore, to render it pleasant retreat from
the bustling, busy scenes of every day
life, where the bowed in heart and chas-
tened in spirit, may retire, TO hold COM
munion with the memory of the loved
and lost, there should be a good walk to
the ground.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20

Death Of a Citizen.


On last Saturday night Qhe l1th,) Mr.
James Nelson, Of this county, and Presi.
dent of the Valley Bank, at this place, fol
several years past, departed this life, al
his residence in this county. His disease
was combir alton of asthma and an af-
lection Of the heart. Mr.. Nelson was a
valued citizen Of the county. Strict, hon.
est and straight. forward in all his dealings,
he had the confidence and esteem of all
who knew him. Although cripple, he
was man of great energy and industry,
which qualities had brought him consid-
cradle fortune. He died regretted by
many friends, and great loss TO the coun-
ty. He had been Commissioner of the
Revenue for this county for 10 years.
Thus are our old and valued citizens be-
ing gathered to their fathers.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
Improvement.

There are evidences of improvement all
around us. There is not square on
which there is not some polishing up, rem
ovating, OF new building going on, We
noticed, as we passed near the Depot the
other day. that Mr.. Richard Johnson,
stone-mason, was laying the foundation
for ware-room so feet by 40, for Mr..
John Brandeburg g. Co. The foundation
q new Episcopal church is being laid
near the site of the old one. There are
ma'.y smaller buildings private residences,
&C., being. erected, all Of which lend a
business aspect to our town.
Out on the Parkersbure Turnpike, there
are FIVE or six dwelling houses being
erected. There has been new branch to
our town recently built UT, on the Middle
brook road, and called Pointsylle-Mr
3. Points having erected or buildings
on some land he purchased of Mr.. A. b
Irich, and sold them out for dwellings,
Indeed, this is destined to be great town
We expect, in less than ten years. to have
the capital here, and then we shall be dig.
nified with the "City ofStaunton.' Ahem
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
------------]-----------
MI. Letcher's Speech.

We commence in to-day's paper The
publication of Mr.. Letcher's speech, de.
livered in the House OF Representative
on the subject of the. public lands. We
will conclude it in our next issue. /,
seems Mr.. L. poured hot shot into the cal
culations and plans Of the Western Treasu.
ry leeches, and has placed this subject in
its true light, as being nothing more MOI
less than an appropriation of public mones
for the construction of local Improvements
His assault must have been unexpected
as it seems the friends ofthis swindling sys
TEN that has been practised on the country
for years past screw ed and Invited, and ex.
planned, and then explained their explaha
iions." 50 as to render the scene quite
amusing. We are glad Mr.. Letcher ha!
taken up the subject, and stated the true
sentiments of his constituents and of the
Democracy of the Stale. If other States
choose to conniyc at disregard o: the
provisions of the constitution, and receive
appropriations from the federal Treasury
for their improvements, that is no reason
Virginia should do so We desire Virgin
ia ever to occupy the proud position o
being impervious to brides. We wan
her devotion to principle and to the con
stitution to be above the seductive allure
ment Of dollars and cents.
We ask a general reading Of Mr.. L.
speech. 1t will fully repay for the time
We are only sorry we cannot give it il
full this week.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
Mail Robbery.

Mr.. J. w. Meeks, aged about 81 years
and mail carrier from Buffalo Gap to
Millboro' Springs, was brought to this
place ON the 11th, in the custody of MIR
r.. Turk, Constable. and Mr.. Lockridge
having been arrested on charge of rob
hing the mail. On the following morning
he was committed by Squire b. F. Points
10 the Jail of this county to await further
trial. Several way-bils were found OF
the person Of the accused. and the contents
OF several mail-bags were found in creek
over which he passed in his route. Messss
Jno. b. Baldwin, VIM. Fl. Hartman ant
Fl. Nj Bell were retained as counsel fol
the accused.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
Baltimore Conference,

We publish below such OF he appoint
ments Of this body which adjourned on
Tuesday evening last, as will be Of inter.
est to our readers. We would give the
entire list, but the press upon our columns.
and the late day Of their arrival, precluaes
it.
Lewisburg Districi-May berry Goheen,
p. E. Le"isburg- William Harden. Lew
isburg Clrcuit-John w. Tongue, one to
be supplied. Blue Sulphur--Jason r.
Etchisop. Ciintonvile-Adam b. Doley.
LeSington-samuel keppler John w.
Hedges, Ephram L. Kregelo. Fincastle
John ". Wolff, Jos. r. Wheeler. Sa-
lem--John M. Green, Edmund 3. Snyder
Observation-Disclosures IL. NJ. Lemon.
Christiansburs-A!fIed BahYman, one to
be supplied. New Castle@Jenty j. Bland
Sweet Springs-John w. Boteer. Gov
lngton-T F. Mcclure; J. Franklin Por.
ter. Monroe-Joseph L. Eakin. Union
Edmund II. Warning. Green Bank
Josiah Hildebrand. Little Levels-Lo
renza D. Nixon. DIN and Preston lnsti
tute-Wm. r. White, principal. John T.
ouanspuIy, agent. Nehoer VI Tie ChfiS-
tlansba1g Quart. Con.
rockingham D'sfrict.-.Samuel V. Blake
+. E;-staunton-John Thrush. Augusta
John w. Start, Charles Hamilton
Chureiy ille-Ihomas Hildebrand. Rock
ingham-FrankliE Gearheart J. a. Bald
w,n. East Rockingham-One TO be sup
pied. W llilamsville-Henry Hoffman,
New creek-James Beattie. Lost River
-Enoch u Jameson. Highland-O. p
', Wlrsman. one to be supplied. Frank
INV Imam champion, enc to be sup.
p,,.q. ~ .noo.ae, ., p ". Arnold John
Summer6eA Hanl Woo,l.,oa,, w. 10 G g
Bair.,, James S. Thomas. Front Rovalz-.
Charles b. Young, +. Justus StauberHJ
Wilson. Principal OF the Wesleyan Fe.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
Revolution in Mexico.

Advices from Acapuleo,by fate California
arrivals, state that revolution had trok &
ou.t in that section of Mexico. The PEG.
ple had taken up arms under Gen. Alya.
rez and declal ed themselves independent
A skirmIsh had taken place at Chilpant-
singo where Santa Anna has 1000 troops,
At Acapulco the commanGant and other
influential citizens were in custody, or had
fled. A fort was in the hands of the Al
vaIez party. Santa Anna had despatched
large force towards Acapulco, where
Alvarez was prepared to meet them. An
engagement was daily expected.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
Crossing the Blue Ridge.

The Richmond Dispatch has the follow
ing particulars relative to the crossing of
the Blue Ridge, by the locomotive, Erred
erick Harris, !" on Monday last:
Monday morning, the bridge at Waynes.
borough was tested, and sustained its bur
then very completely and satisfactorily. I'M
medately afterwards, the engine Erred
erlck Harris with only tender-upon
which, however, and the engine, there
were crowded some 40 or SO persons
proceeded across the mountain. The wes-
tern slope, two miles long, was assembled
in Is minutes, and the eastern slope, of
two and half miles, was descended in
% minutes. Returning, the entire trip
from Greenwood to Waynesborough, ten
and half miles, was made in one hour
and nineteen minutes. The ascent from
Robinson's Hollow to the top of the noun
tair, six hundred and sixty feet, was made
i'll twenty-five minutes. The descent on
the west side was made in nineteen min
utes.
1t is calculated that in the ordinary
working of the road, the distance from
Greenwood TO Waynesborough will be
made in one hour and half by the pas
senger train--in two hours by the freight
trains.
We hail this as bright and suspicious
event in the history Of the State of VIII
ginia-not SO much, however, from the
advantages to be derived from the con-
struction Of the temporary track" but
from the fact that Eastern and Western
Virginia have been hooked together with
links of iron, and henceforth ihe two
sections that have grown old in embitter-
ed strife will bury the tomahawk, and be
zone and indivisible.'
This is an era in our history anxiously
looked for, and although the means BY
which it has been accomplished to our
mind, are not the most desirable under the
circumstances, yet we hail the end attain
cd as the harbinger Of glad tidings Of great
joy, not only to Stanton, but to Augusta
County, and the entire western section Of
the State. 1t is the forerunner of that
"better day a coming which rises up
before the mind of every man in contem-
plating the mighty strides our country, in
every part, is taking in improvement.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
A Town Police ,

We have town Of 5000 inhabitants, and
from representations that have been grave
ly made, it is .'den of thieves" and
"sink hole Of iniquity,'' and yet we have
not police These two facts do not agree
very well, but we must make allowances
for Buncombe. notwithstanding the vices
OF our bustling, business town, are mol
much more hienous than those described
and exposed by US last week-such a.
hugging, kissing, and the like-stll it is
. good maxim -dn time of peace to prepare
for war. and therefore we favor the en-
pkyment Of an efficient police by the
Council. This matter should be taken ia
hand, and by offering sufficient remune.
ration. secure the services Of good police
officer. No one can object to it, who is
dss,lous Of preserving order after night.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-20
Ride on a Car.

On the 18th inst, Sabbath about thr-
ty men and boys got on one OF the flat cars
used for hauling sand, &C.. hear town for
the purpose of taking ride. They start.
ed off at common speed, but the grade be-
ing descending and the load heavy, i'm
petus was given 10 car and off she went,
with lightning speed, like "a thing OF
life.' Ten of the passengers jumped Off
all of whom were more or less bruised
one man getting his arm mashed into
jelly almost. The car did not stop until
ascending the rise near Mr.. A. Koiner's
farm, about 6 miles from town. The
scene, as described to US, reminded us
OF similar incident we read about, as &C.
curing in one Of the Uestcrn States. -
The cars, for the first time run up to one
OF the country town depots, and, as is
usual Oh such occasions, hundreds of the
unsophisticated rushed in to see the "ee-
phant.' One green 'un, more bold than
his companions, jumped into car to ex-
anime the interior, and whilst there the
bell tapped and off the train went. at the
rate OF 60 miles 20 the hour. The hoosier
was all amazement, and frightened nearly
to death. He held his breath, give long
signs, screwed and twisted about, in she
greatest uneasiness, not opening his mouth,
through fear. Presently the train stop
ped, and then, for the fipst time, the ex-
perimenting hoosier, ventured, with sta. ing
eyes and trembling frame TO speak, but
Silly. He stepped up to passenger
and whispered-''st stranger has she it?'
The experiment the other day, with
some of the passengers was nearly similar,
aud nc suppose they will hardly attempt
such fun aga;n.