The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-22
A NEW GUANo ISLAND.

NEW GUAN0 ISLAND.
| The following article we copy from the Bos.
ton Erening Transcript. We are assured that
the facts are as stated that an island believed
to be guano island has been discovered, and
that the proof of this fact has been made so
clear to the Executive that orders have been
dispatched to the commander of the squadron
, III the Pacific, to take possession of the island
| By the ships of the Pacific squadron. There
will be no backing out in this matter, as was
the case of President Fillmore and the Lobos
! Islands. Our farmers may be assured, if this
island shall fulfil the hopes entertained, it will
be held for their benefit at all hazards:
WASHINGTON, Noe Z, 1855.
To the Editor fde Transcript:
The farmers Of our widespread agricultural
country will be glad to be told that an Ameri
can sea captain has made a discovery of a.
guano island in the Pacific Ocean, eight miles
long and four broad, having good harbor Oh
the westerly side, where from fifty to one hun
dred ships OF the largest class can safely lie and
load, within fifty feet of the shore; that an
American Guano Company has been formed in
the city OF New York, to bring home these pre-
cious deposits, more valuable than the gold
mines OF California, whose vessels are now On
their way to this island; and, further, that Presi
dent Pierce, Mr.. Secretary Marcy, and Mr..
Secretary Dobbin, and the Cabinet. have been
so entirely satisfied of the discovery, after con.
sultation with the discoverer of the island. that
an agent has been dispatched with orders to
the commander of the squadron of the Pacific
10 send one OF the United States ships with this
agent, who carries with him all the necessary
information TO reach this island, which will be
taken possession Of on behalf of the United
States.
The Buffalo Commercial will doubtless in
qulre: Now that the great Daniel is dead, who
will dare "mdnfuuy to take all the blame upon
himself" for this new attempt to secure the
farmers Of the United States from the merciless
monopoly OF guano merchants of Peru, residing
IN this country-men who now charge S55 per
ton for what this American Guano Company
will hereafter sell for $50, and it may be $50
per ton? This is a great responsibility, truly ):
and We can imagine that there are men so
timid, who, though no longer liable to the charge
Of securing to American discoveries the benefit
OF their enterprise, nor of seeking to promote
the great interests of the farmer at the sacrifice
OF foreign monopolists, will yet nervously ask
the question, "Who is to bear the blame
for sending American ships of war to protect
lucrCuallIS anu snip masters We
answer, that the President and his Cabinet are
SO confident of the support and gratitude of the
farmers, merchants, and ship masters, all whose
Interests are to be advanced by this discovery,
that no one will be appealed to in this case to
naantully bear all the blame. INQUIRER.
FIRE AND Loss OF LIFE AT ALEXANDRIA
The fire which occurred at Alexandria, few
days since, was attended by deplorable loss
of life. Seven persons were killed by the fall
ing of the walls. Five Of them were members
OF the Star Fire Company, one of the Relief Com
pany, and one colored man. The FIRE was de-
libe-ate incendiarism. Candles, saturated with
camphene, and trains of gunpowder leading to
the crockery crates, were found. The owner of
the China store and two of his clerks have been
arrested, and are charged with being the incen-
diaries. He had his stock insured for twenty
thousand dollars, while its value is said to be
but five thousand