davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
Ynnrensa OF Poatare.

1t being found that the receipts by the Post Or
flcs Department do not equ,l its expenditures By
two millions Of dollars. the Committee Of the
House Of Representatives on Post Offices SC
have reported bill to restore the FIVE cents rates
on letters for any distance under three thousand
miles, and ten cents over that distance; to be
prepaid in all cases. The proposition is one
which the people ought to protest against. The
excess Of expenditure over receipts is said to be
oocasioned by the cost Of transporting the enor-
nous amount of matter sent free through the
mails by members of Congress. II this be, true,
The ranking privilege ought to be abolished. OF
the expense charged to some other account. II
certainly seems absurd to expect the Post Office
Department TO sustain itself, when about half the
nail matter is transmitted free. But if the inter
es,s of the people, and of members of Congress in
particular, require that the ranking privilege be
retained, Congress had better try to economist in
some other branch of the public service. Far bet
te. save the thousands Of dollars now expended in
printing useless documents, and apply the money
t7wards the payment Of the excess alluded to.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
The Nebraska Bill.

The Washington Star expresses the belietthat
Immediately after the deficiency bill shall have
been disposed of, the Nebraska question will be
formally taken up by decided majority vote
and that the discussion upon it will not continue
more than fortnight thereafter.
There have already been thirty "hour speech
es" on the bill in the House Only three of the
Virginia members have yet spoken upon the sub
iect-Messrs. Millson, Smith and Faulkner
Four members from the South have spoken against
the bill-Millson, of Virginia, Franklin, of Ma
ryland, Hunt, of Louisiana, and Cullom, of Ten
nessse. The following Southern members, be-
sides Messrs. Smith and Faulkner, have advoca-
ted it :-Ewing, Breckenridge and Preston, of
Kentucky, Kerr and Clingman, of North Carroll
ma, Caruthers, of Missouri, Stephens, of Georgia,
Brooks. and Keitt, of South Carolina, Barksdale,
of Mississippi, and Smith, Tennessee. Ofihe
Northern members, Messrs. Richardson and j. C..
Allen, of Illinois. Wright and Bridges, of Penn
sylvania, and Mcdonald, of Maine, have support
ed the bill; aud Messrs. Mace, of Indiana, Skel-
ton, of New Jersey, Nichols and Campbell, OF
Ohio, Gerritt Smith and Matteson, Of New York,
E. B. Washburne and Yates, of Illinois, Chand
Ter, of Pennsylvania, Meacham, of Vermont, and
Israel Washburn, of Maine, have opposed it.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
For The Spectator.
Delay in Transportation.

.Messrs Editors: Il desire through the medium
ofyour paper. to call the attention of the Directors
of the Central Railroad 10 certain evils loudly
complained of by merchants and farmers, occasion
ed by the tardy and uncertain transportation OF
freight. Merchants who reasonably expected to
receive their goods in time TO enter into fair com
petition with their neighbors-who had forworded
by Winchesier-have been disappointed and sub
jected to losses. Boxes and packages have been
received at different times, which with little care
might have arrived together; and our farmers who
had expected to receive plaster for corn planting
for ought they can fore-see, will be disappointed
altogether. Now, if the public havemiscalculated
as to the ability ufthe Railroad to accommodate
them, it is reasonable they should be informed Of
their error, that in future they may seek other
modes of transportation. Or, if the evils COM
planned of grow out of the neglect OF managers,
they should be held responsible for their delnquen-
cy. KY. q.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
INDECENT Insane Bill.

The lower House of Congress, on Wednesday
last, passed the bill granting land for the support
of the INDECENT insane, which was previously
passed by the Senate. The unfortunate benef-
Charles are chiefly indebted to Miss Dix, the dis
tngushed and untring philanthropist, for the sue
cess of this humane measure. The bill appropri-
ates ten millions of acres of land to be apportion
ed in the compound ratio of the geographical area
and representation OF the several States in the
House of Representatives, according to the CEN
sus of 1880 Each State is required to invest the
money, the interest of which only is to be devo-
ted to the support of the insane.
The President has not yet signed the bill, and
it is said that the question of veto is debated in
the Cabinet. Should it become law, it is not
improbable that tie Legislature of Virginia will
refuse to receive our pOrtion-some six or seven
hundred thousand acres The Virginia rerresen-
tatives in Congress voted to man against the
bill, although Mr.. Bissell, of Illinois, another
stauneh Democrat land ofcourse States rights
man, was its enthusiastic patron.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

EFFECTS OF THE RECENT SToRM.-A dcs-
patch dated Philadelphia, April 18th, says The
ship reported to have been in dangerous condl,
ton on Absecomb beach, turns out to bave been
the ship Powhattan, Captain Myers, Baltimore
vessel, on her way from Havre to New York
with German emigrants on board. She went a.
shore off Long Beach at 8 o'clock on last Sunday
morning, and her passengers and crew, 20O In
number, were all lost. Thirty three bodies had
been picked up on Long Beach. Not vestge
of the wreck was left The Powhattan was OF
600 tons burtheh, about IL years ofage and worth
$4,000.
The schooner Manhattan, of Bangor, Maine,
was also wrecked on Long Beach on Sunday
morning, and all on board persisted except one OF
the crew, who is IN such condition to be unable
to give any particulars.
Another despatch from Philadelphia on the same
day, says:-A letter from Lewes, dated Monday,
saws the storm was most furious there, unroofng
houses, barns Sc. Seven vessels were blown "a
shore. one of them was brig bound from Norfolk
to Boston, the crew of which were in the rigging,
except one who swan ashore, but was unable to
tell her name. The schooner +. b. Alton, from
New York, with cargo of lime, took fire and
was entirely consumed with the exception OF the
sails and rigging The schooners Bailey and Mi
nerva were also ashore, the latter having been but
recently got off at the expense of $1,000. The
sea was so heavy that no boats could live in it.
Seventy-seven sail remain in the Break water.
The bodies of two women, man and boy
were washed ashore on Absecomb Beach on Mon
dav. they seemed to be emigrants, and il is SUI
posed belonged to some vessel which had gone to
pieces in the storm. 1t was reported yesterday
that three more bodies had been found.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

RUSSIAN TRoops.-There were about five hun
dred Russians quartered in the neigborhood ofthe
khan. They had that staid, soldierly look which
is the effect of severe discipline. This observed
to be the characteristic of nearly all the Russian
soldiers that have seen in the prncipalities The
exceptions are the young recruits, who of course
are not yet properly formed. have never OBJ
served any appearance of light heartedness among
the Russian soldiers even when of duty. 1t is
true that at times, in marc hing, whole battalions
sing in chorus either the National Anthem, which
is fine solemn air, or some wild melody, gen
orally of a warlike character. interspersed with
sharp erie. and an occasional shrilI whistle
These latter songs are particularly animated and
spirit stirring, and the quick rattle of the rum.
which is the sole instrumental accompaniment,
increases their exciting character. To the listen
er there is something sublime in thus hearing
thousands of manly voices blended together in
chorus, dttering sentimentsof devotion TO God and
the Emperor, OF of fierce defiance to the enemies
of the Gar. But even in these exhibitions the
sternness of military rule is seen. Upon the faces
of the men thus engaged no trace of emotion is
visible their forms are erect they are obeying
command, and not an impulse. The emotions
of the heart seem to have been drilled into order,
and expressions of love or anger, devotion or re
venge are only awakened by the voice of their
commander o. Brien's Journal.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
INTERESTING MEMonAL.-People are in the

INTERESTING MEMoRIAL.-People are in the
habit of expressing surprise at any eccentricity
in the weather; such, for instance, as the heavy
snow storm of day before yesterday. The an.
nexed note, handed to us by friend, while it i'll
remind our readers of similar meteorological Incl
dent five years ago, presents an interesting me-
mortal of a lamented statesman, who hardly ever
penned an ordinary note without conveying some
TACT or idea impressive and instructive :-.Nation.
al Inteliigencer. 40 com
THURSDAY MoRNrNG April 10, l849.
NV Dear Sir: received your note last evening.
The snow storm will delay our departure for
Norfolk, and shall be happy to see, General
Mason any time to day.
The 10th of April, l775, was so hot day that
many British soldiers, on their return from Con
cord fight" fell down on the march, quite over
come, and others loed the tongue like over-heated
cattle and dogs. Here we are, on the same day,
four degrees further south, in the midst OF snow
storm Yours truly, DAF'L. EBsTERz
Mai. Graham.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
The Semi-Yeekly.

Upon more mature reflection we have concu-
ded, if the public will sustain US in publishing the
Spectator twice week, not to issue weekly
paper, as originally proposed. The paper will.
therefore, be exclusively semi-weekly or a
weekly. Should we receive sufficient encourage
ment to induce US to undertake the enterprise OF
semi-weekly, the size of the sheet will be
smaller than the present paper, but the two issues
will contain considerably more reading matter
The price, as stated heretofore will be So a
year, in advance or within six months. We re-
quest all persons who are favorable to the scheme
to subscribe their names to the Prospectus, which
is circulating in every ueigheOrhood, or commu-
nicate with US directly, that we may be able to
decide the matter.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
Pacific Railroad,

The Southern Commercial Convention, lately
series of resolutions on the subject of Railroad
to the Pacific Ocean. They say that the road
ought to commence at suitable points on the Mis-
sissippi river, between New Orleans and ST. Lou
coed thence by the route designated in the act
of the Texas Legislature chartering the Mis-
sissippi and Pacific Railroad the road to be made
by an organization of all the Southern States, cor
poratons, railroad companies &c. The fourth
resolution is as follows:
That to effect this organization this Convention
respectfully advises the incorporation, by the Leg
isature of the State of Virginia, of Southern Pa
cfic Railroad Company, with capital sufficient
to Guild such road from the point or points and by
the route indicated in the second resolution-o
which corporation the several Southern States a.
bove mentioned the several cities therein and the
several railroad companies therein, shall be invi-
ted to be corporated, together with such other
companies and individuals as may choose to sub
scribe for stock, including, if they desire it, the
Cherokee, Choctaw and Creek nations ofIndians
west of the Mississippi. That said States be in
vited to take stock in such corporation to the a.
mount of not less than two millions ofdollars each
TO be raised and secured in such manner as the
Legislature of each such State shall direct. That
each of said cities and railroad companies be invi-
ted to subscribe for stock to such amount as its
means will admit. That the existence Of said
corporation be recognized by each of said States
and such powers be vested in, and such franchises
and capacities granted to it by the Legislature Of
each such State, as may be necessary 10 effec,
the object of the organization. and that in its d..
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
j. M. McCUE, Secretary.

The CLOTHES QuEsrioN.-The London cores
pendent of the New York Tribune says the d.
plomatic clothes question has again been revived
at the British Court.
1.-The livery question is again revived SevG-
raj members Of the American Legation were
present yesterday at the drawing room held by
the Queen. In the belief that the great American
complication was already settled in England, they
appeared In citizens Dress and, indeed, looked
like the only gentlemen among unsightly English
men in the awkward Court costume. But sud
denly the Master of Ceremonies approached one
ofthem in great CONSERVATION, and remarked that
the Queen had already gone as far as possible,
by not Directing to plain black attire, but Amer
lean Repubcanism was presuming rather 10 far
pointing tothe elegant paniaoons of the gentle
men; black small clothes would debut panta-
looms 1t was worse than the annexation of
Texas. In fact. he protested solemnly against
this breach Of etiquette which it seems cannot
bear pantaloons. The American gentlemen most
CALAMITY kept their ground, and did not heed the
protestation. a.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
snlritual nIanifestations.

One day last week, Gen. Shields presented to-
the Senate a memorial signed BY fifteen thousand
persons, praying Congress to appoint scientific
commission to investigate the phenomena of
e.spiritual manifestations" Gen. Shields and
other members of the Senate got quite merry over
the subject. Something was said about referring
the memorial to the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, but it was finally disposed ofby being laid
upon the table The next day, Ex-senator Tall-
madge-who, it appears, was the chief spirit OF
the Observation-Disclosures letter to the editors
of the National hteligencer, complaining grlev-
ously of the Generals course. He says Gen,
Shields. in conversation with him, treated the
memorial with great courtesy, and expressed his
willingness to move its reference to select com
mittee, agreeing with him that the subject was
worthy of investigation. The General replied
briefly through the same medium, stating that
Mr. Tallmadge was mistaken in reference to the
import Of his remarks at their private Interview.
This called forth another letter from the EX-Sen-
ator. in which he waxesquits wrathy. He says:
''The honorable gentleman was not content to
present his views in grave and serious manner
becoming the subject, but he attempted to ridicule
nos oaly the subject but those who had memo. ial
ized Congress in relation to it. The result viii
show whether the attempted ridicule will fall OF
them or react on himself. | will only add tina
there are names on that memorial which do no
shrink in comparison witt. any member of the hon
orable Senate-namcs that have adorned the Bar
the Bench, and the Senate Chamber names o
the hardy sons of toll, whose brawny hands ant
stalwart arms have been thus fashioned BY th'
industrial pursuits of lie names the representa-
lives of two millions of believers in the Unitet
States names of thuse who know their rights
and, knowing, dare maintain Them These me
morialist and those whom they represent are no
only entitled to respect, but they will comman'
it. They are not 10 be put aside by any attemp
to minister to prejudiced public sentiment"
Mr.. Tallmadge writes like man fully per
suaded in his own mind but some how or othe
the puplic have taken up the idea tbaths is onl
trying to humbug.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

INDEBTEDNESS ABRoAD.-Tbe Secretary ofthe
Treasury lately transmitted to the Senate. in com
pance with resolution of that body, state
ment Of the aggregate amount Of Federal. State,
county, corporation, and improvement stocks or
other evidences of debt held in Europe or other
foreign countries on the S0th June. 1853, so far as
the same could be ascertained.
The aggregate amount OF Federal stock out
standing on the Both June, 1853, s stated to have
been $50 .205,5l7 and the amount estimated tt
have been held by foreigners at the same time was
s27 900 600.
The State Notwithstanding at the period named
are nut down at $l9O,7lS, pol, of which s72.-
93l ,5O7 were held by foreigners. A New York
firm. to which letter of inquiry was addressed
runs up the latter to one hundred and eleven mil
lions.
Virgnias item in these heavy calculations n6 OF
outstanding bonds was rated at Sl2,OS9,5S2, oil
which over three millions were held abroad. II
is sautary to look over figures like these at timss
-Uinche,ter Republican.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
For lie SnectdLnr.


At a respectable meeting of the Farmers of Au-
gusta county at the April Court, on motion, ia
cob Baylor, Esq, was called to the Chair and j.
NJ. McCue was appointed Secretary.
Mr.. N. G Kinney, having explained the object
of the meeting, as being one for the furtherance
of the subject of agriculture and the necessity OF
stimulating the zeal Of our brother farmers 10 in
creased exerions to make our county one among
the foremost in its improvement, moved that an
invitation be extended TO b. Johnson Barbour,
Esq, of the county of Orange, by the Secretary
of this meeting, in behalf of the Farmers of Au-
gusta, to deliver an address to our citizens at the
May Court. if convenient, or at such other as
would be most agreeable to him, upon the subject
of Agricultural Improvement, which was IMAM
imously adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Sam'l B. Finley the pro-
ceedings of this meeting be furnished 10 the edi-
tors of the several papers Of this town with the
request they be published.
JACOB BAYLOR, Charm.
! M McCuE Secretary.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

TRAG1cAL AFFAIR IN LrNcHBuRG.-We learn
by Geographic dispatch received from Lynch
burg that a tragical and melancholy affair oc-
Cured in that place on Saturday morning. 1t is
stated that Mr.. John Lambert murdered his wife
by cutting her throat, and Immediately afterwards
put an end to his own life in the same manner
We are not particularly advised as to the cause
of this sad affair, but learn through friend. that
Lambert. Tor some time past, has been supposed
to be laboring under slight mental arrangement
He is anave Of Lynchburg, and ofhighly respec.
table family. He married, year or two ago a
lady of Halifax county. Richmond Whig.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

THE COPPER MANn.-For some time past,
the neig hboring counties in Tennessee-or rather
the people of those counties-have been violently
agitated ON the subject of mining for copper. This
fever is disseminating. and every two or three
DAYS we meet with persons who are going to or
returning from the counties of Floyd, Carroll and
Grayson, in Virginia, in all Of which copper ore,
of very superior quality, has been discovered,
and where the geological indications of the yicin-
ity tell of immense quantities. We contessao our
entire ignorance Of mineralogy, but we have been
shown specimens of ore taken from the mountain
sides in Carroll, on which the metal in its natural
state has been displayed in wonderful abundance,
and the weight of the "nuggets" made it palpable
that there was more Of the stuff about which did
not "meet the naked eye"
We hear of large amounts ofmcney being made
in speculatons in lands on which copper has been
discovered. A gentleman in Wythe transferred a
lease the other day for which he receives the ex-
traordinary sum of $3.50. 000-the lease being Tor
twenty years. Others for less amounts are com
mon. Gentlemen of capital and leisure have now
an excellent opportunity to make money. A few
weeks prospecting" in the neighborhood of the
White Top Mountain might enable one to obtain
as much of that, the love ofwhich is ''the root OF
all evil ;" as would last him the residue of long
Iife-,8binrdon Democrat
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

TIE ENGLISH ExpEp,rIoSARY AEMY.-The
forces under command of Lord Raglan, designed
against Russia, will consist Of twenty-five batta
lions of the line and three of foot-guards-ln all
twenty five battalions. which with the artillery
and cavalry, will make an army of at least o.
QUO men. These troops. according to the dlrec-
tons given in !; recent Treasury announcement,
are to be supplied with malt liquors, preserved
potatoes, chocolate, coffee, sugar, rice, and scotch
barley broth at the wholesale cost, with reckoning
duty, freight, packing, SC. And this is in addi-
ton to the regular rations Of bread and meat.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
The two Extremes.

The following paragraphs appeared in the news
papers last week:
Winter still reigns in the woods Of Maine and
Canada. Letters from those regions represent
that several feet of snow still encumbers the fields
and forests there. And the northeast winds that
have prevailed for few days past, have been la
den with frost.
Galveston, Texas, papers of the 9th instant
state that the crops in Gonzales county, are in
most fourshing condition. Corn is knee high and
growing rapidly, and the planters have commenc-
ed scraping cotton.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
HORRIBLE TRAeEpY.-Tbe citizens of Eliz,

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY-The citizens of Eliza.
beth City. Va, We're quite startled yesterday
morning by the announcement of heart-rendne
tragedy in their midst. Mr.. James Parker. who
for some months past has been visited with tenn.
porary alterations of mind, about IL O'Clock. sho,
his wife through the brain killing her instantly
he then rushed out of the house and shot his horse
and returned and shot himself also through the
brain, falling dead by the side of his murdered
wife. The weapon used was the death dealing
revolver.-.Norok .Nt,cs, April 20,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
KidnanDerS.

The Richmond Dispatch states that there are a
aam5er of persons in the city Of Richmond, who
oro now. and have been for some time past, Incl
tag and aiding slaves to escape to the Northern
States. Letters have been found showing the
mode in which they manage the matter.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
Heavy Rail.

The Charlottesville Jefsrsonian has been in
formed by COL Fontaine, that the Central Rail-
road, for two miles east of Charlottesville is TO be
relaid Immediately with the heavy rail.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

~ The Hon. John Davis, for many years past
distinguished politician OF Massachusetts, died
!, his residence in Worcester, on Wednesday last,
f az attsck Of bilious ch1lic.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
CharIcston Hospitality.

The citizens of Charleston, South Carolina, en-
tertained the members of the recent Commercial
Convention, in princsly style. The expenses Ct
the Convention, cost Of dinners SC, which the city
pays, amount to about $4,000.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

Circumstances prevented our hearing the lecture
delivered by Professor Bartlett, in Union Hall,
last Friday night We have heard it spoken Of,
however, as very finished and elegant production
CO. Professor Johns isstil in this place, and
will deliver another lecture on Palestine, Egypt
SC, if the public desire it. Papers have been
left at the Bookstores, for persons to sign
who wish 10 attend the lecture.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

The "KNow NoTHtNGs. Ut is reported tina
the new secret society, recently introduced into
this city, numbers upwards of twenty, seven han
bred members. Its objects are political, and found
ed on the ''Native American" principle of exclu
ding citizens of foreign birth from public office
NJ, !, -. L.. g =.