Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-29
American Council in Virginia.

The American State Council of Virginia met on
tho 23d instant, in Richmond. The official report
of the proceedings has not yet appeared. We
copy the following synopsis from the Lynchburg
Virginian:
Not much business was transacted, owing to the
fact that it was determined to hold special couu-
Gil on the 9TH January Eext, at which both the
Eastern and Western Councils will be represented,
it was thought that business Of Importance had
better be postponed until that time. The princi-
pal object of the Special Council is to bring about
an amalgamatiou of the two State Councils, which
will no doubt be done
A resolution disappearing of the time selected
by the National Council for nominating a candidate
for the Presidency (22d Of February and recon-
lnending the 4th Of July, 1856, was passed. and
the President of the Council ordered to trans
nit IL 10 all other State Councils.
An informal resolution, or rather a recommends
ton, was presented by Hon. John NJ. Bolts, EN-
bracing the sentiment that both the secrecy and
the religious test of the party ought to be abolish
Cd and that the naturalization laws should be to-
tally repealed. The object was merely to ascer-
tain the sense Of the Council sic questions and
pras unanimously IN the affirmative.
On motion the present State officers were CON
tinued until the 18th of january next.
resolution approving the Convention which is
10 meet in Lynchburg on the 18th Of September
next, and urging large attendance, was adopted
Hon. Henry |. Seaman, an ex-mcmber' Of Con.
gress, was indicted on Staten Island New York
for assault and battery on Mr.. Banker, last week
The facts in the case are thus reported:
1.-THE Legislature Of the State Il appears, in
corporated plank-road or turnpike running from
the south shore, TO allow easy access to Richmond
The road ran through the property of Seaman
Although great convenience, and much used, IL
did not pay expenses. II was at length detcrmin-
ed 10 abandon IL plank road. AT the last SEES
sion Of the Legislature the charter, by application
Of those interested, was repealed and the compa.
ny took up the planks and sold them.
Mr.. Seaman considered that the property re.
verted to him upon the repeal Of the charter, and
as the road was left in bad condition, he closed
II and put up notice 10 that effect. His neigh
bors, il would seem, did not think he had right
TO do so, and many Of them were DESTROYS Of con
testing IL in the court.
Mr.. Banker was one Of them. Mr. Seaman had
forbidden the former to 60 upon the road under a
penalty Of trespass.
The warning was UNDECIDED and on the 18th In.
slant Mr.. Banker, accompanied by his wife and
several children, drove his carriage upon the road
Mr.. Seaman aud his farm hborers were cutting
hay, and the carriage Of Mr. Banker was seen pro.
cceding along the road in defiance of the former
"A scene Of intense excitement shortly after en-
sued. Seaman came up with his men, and seized
the carriage. The woman and children screamed,
and all jumped from the vehicle. One Of the Irish.
men, report says, crowded upon Mr.. Bankers leg
and somewhat bruis,l t. and the old gentleman
became so nervous that he was nearly out of his
mind
"Scaman's men fastened an OK chain to the back
of the carriage, and, with the aid of a couple Of
oxen, dragged il backwards out on the Vanderbilt
road, breaking both Of the whihIetrces from the
horses