Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-14
Autobiography of Sam.
/ BY JONATHAN.


He appeared be notorious character yet had no re-
collection of him. Not being willing to ignorance OF
the history of who appeared to be so well dno"n
examined biographical dictionaries OF the distinguished men
of different countries of England France Span and
Italy, searched the history of ancient and modern times
telegraphed all parts United States, wrote to my
agents in other parts of the world who also telegraphed
but definite intelligence could be received. sent
special messenger to the Esqumaux Indians among whom
Sir John Franklin is said to have been lost went several
hundred miles to inquire Of traveller just returned from
Lapand. sent an agent who knocked at the door Of the
North Po another who asked at the door of the South
Pole. All had heard Of "Sam" but could would
imrart to me any definite information.
thought he might be the Wandering Jew, but still was
not certain. On last Tuesday night, alone in
study commenced rejecting the history of ages that
have rolled away, and finally my thoughts again reverted
to "Sam"
Hour after hour passed away, heard the clock strike
eleven, twelve two. and placed myself by the
window; watched the she calmly and beautifully
walked the hevens gazed with happy feelings on
the beauty Of nature at that hour when moals
sumberng listened to the distant voice of the dog bayng
at the moon to the growing of hard by and the
response from another distance. Finally the quiet and
tranquility of nature produced their effect fell into
heard my name distinctly called looked from whence
the sound proceeded and saw venerable and majestic
person approach His countenance was so holy gentle
solemn and sublime, that knew mortal addressing
me. l said him Venerable Being thy form is indeed
that of man. the brightness Of thy mani
fe is loer lineage Who art thou? and what wouldst
thou with me?
You have well judged, he replied, have taken upon
the form of give solution to your doubts. have
been well pleased your abors to discover the history
of I" Sam" Know then, that am "sam,' but am not
human being You have often in the papers my
noticed lightly, if jocose individual ubiquitous
in nature to-day shaking the off my beard amid the
mountains Of New Hampshire, and at the time wping
off the perpration in the South but levty does not ap-
pertain to my character. Principle" have existed
in all ages of the word yea from all eternity have been
When those bright angels seduced by ambition, created
rebellion in heaven and sought to blast the happiness of
paradise, was The Principle" that resisted and drove
them to the internal regions Whenever in any age Of the
world pure and patriotic have sought to their
land from the oppressors sway the Principle that
inspired them.
with Moses and Joshua when they rescued the Is
raes from Egyptian bondage with Lycurgus when
he made laws for Sparta and with Solon when he legated
for Athens gave life and energy William Wallace the
hero of Scotland, and to Tell the patriot Of Switzerland
gave moral force to the friends of Liberty in England and
France, and to those of all ancient and modern times.
When Washington was born, what rs caTed - Sam"
watched him. and during his patriotic career nygor
ated his good resolutions and kept him steadfas in the
way Of pure glory and renown. That Sam" i'm
parted pure principles of liberty in various degrees So
crates, Aristotle Confciu Cicero and to all the poets and
philosophers of all times who have by their writings any
way elevated the moral and intellectual respectabiy o. the
human You see ten how great is the of those
who suppose minded and bigoted. No, ''Sam
is the friend of liberty in all countries and all cycles Not
whtandng my greatest efforts have not been able to
enighten equally all parts of the world nations
advanced than others in the principles of freedom but
have progressed rapidly the people of the United
States found good soil in the hearts of those noble and
patriotic who figured in the period of the American
Revolution They not only brave, but also enght-
ened and by my aid established model constitution and
laws wish this government continue and graduly by
its moral influence to induce other nations to adopt the
same but, if permit from other climes, who
ignorant Of the organization and nature of its constitution
and laws and of the policy best adapted to deveope the
resources of the country to have preponderang
influence in the Of the country then all labor
will be lost and the enemies Of human liberty the United
States the Catanes Of your country, win avail themselves
of the DO cal ignorance OF foreigners to undermine the
foundations Of freedom in the United States adopt
policy which will retard the advance of American produc
tons and ruin the American mechanic and manufacturer
and dry up all the springs of American prosperity.
"Sam" does not object to the entrance into the United
States honest foreigners does he them Of gnor
in any thing, except to the nature Of American
institutions wish them to come, 10 marry with your
Yankee Southern Western girls and raise Americans
who will do the voting do not desire the fathers to
meddle with politics. until at least they have lived in
country long become well cognsant of the prn
cples that peryade its constitution and national policy
Let every family attend to its affairs without the inter-
ference of strangers Let every nation also regulate its
affairs without the ntermeddng of those who are ignorant
Of its interests must be off; daylight approaches,
and sam" must be away to attend Mr. Wise in vir-
ginia. =f4
rest your friend JONATHAN.
NAVAL INTELL1GENcE.-A New York paper
has the following in relation to the United States
steam fiigate Niagara, now in the rapid course Of
construction at the Brooklyn navy yard:
"There is now on the stocks at the navy yard, |
Brooklyn, the frame of a war frigate that is in.
tended by her bder, Mr.. George Steers, to be the |
strongest ana neetest OF her size aHOat. Ih1S vessel
is one of the six for which an appropriation was
made by the last Congress the others are now
being constructed at other navy yards throughout
the country This figate that Mr.. Steers is now
at work upon is to be called the Niagara and will
be launched some time during the present year.
The Niagara is sharp at the bows, something like
the fast sailing yatchs which generally take the
prizes at the match races. Her extreme length is
346 feeet, breadth 55 feet, and 81 feet the depth
Of hold from the floor to the under side Of the spar
deck. She is intended to carry IL eleven-inch
swivel guns. s-s.5
CAS- to the speed of this vessel, Mr. Steers ex-
poets wonders, and from her shape one feels that
bis expectations may be realized. Mr.. Steers says
she will sail seventeen miles an hour, under an
ordinary press of canvas, and is willing to risk all
that he can command upon the Niagara fulfilling
bis expectations. The usual speed of sailing vessels
Of this size, under full spread of canvas, being
only from eight to ten miles hour, and from ten
to twelve miles being considered extraordinary
speed, this expectation of Mr. Steers seems rather
extravagant to say the least of it. but still he feels
,anguine Of success. This speed goes even ahead
IF the Grapeshot and if gained in the Niagara, it
will puzzle the world to catch her in fair face"
LITTLE THoRNs.-The sweetest the most cling
ng affection is often shaken by the slightest breath
,f unE;ndrecs tho docato tandr;ls of tho