davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

IMPORTANT TO PosTMAsTERs.-The w ashlng-
ton Union says:--0ur attention has been called
to the fact that some postmasteIs are In the habit
of sending back to the mailing office letters reach
ing them for delivery, because they were not pre-
paid by stamps, but by money. This is wrong,
and arises from msapprehensOn of the law In
no case, indeed should letter after it has reached
the office of delivery,b be returned for postage,much
less should it be returned because the postage was
not paid by stamps. 1t is the general duty OF
postmasters 10 see that letters are prepaid by
stamps. but when (having been prepaid in cash,el-
sher through ignorance OF the law or in advertence
or want of stamps the part of the mailing post
mastery they reach their Destinations is the duty
of the postmaster to deliver them the same as
though prepaid by stamps. 1t will necessarily
happen, in The Introduction of the stamp prepay
ment system, that supplies Ofstamps will fail tt
reach some of the small and remote offices at the
proper time, aud it would be doing violence to TIT
citizens of those localities to return,and thus delay
their correspondence, because of circumstance s.
unavoidable. Entertaining this view OF the sub
ject, the department has instructed postnasieis
not having stamps, to forward letters as heretofore
when prepaid by money If an unpaid letter, iron
any cause, gets into the mail and reaches It's DIES
tinatiou, it should be delivered on payment o
postage at prepaid rates.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

CURIoUs DIscovERY.-A correspondent OF the
Lewisburg Era, writing from COvington on the
9th inst, gives an account of curious discovery
made BY the hands on Cady's section oil the Cen
trail Railroad, on the Goth Of January. They cut
into large opening which led into cave, not
before known to exist, and party entering to
explore il found the body of man who had evident
ly been dead for many years. He had by ms side
the equipments of a hunter,and his body had dried
up without decomposing. On the following day
another party entered and found on the dead body
pocket book containing papers, but no money.
Among the papers were seven bonds some for S
amounts; one for $1,000, dated in the year 1873 /;
some others are dated 1885, all of which were
given or signed by old settlers of Allegheny and
Bath counties The bonds are all made payable
TO John A. Cross, who lived on. and owned what
was called the old Hansbarger Survey in the lower
end of Allegheny. Some of our people, says the
writer, seem to have some idea Of the man, and
think that it was thought at the time, that ne was
drowned.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
~S,EAUNTON:-
FEBRUARY a7, 1856.
The American conventions.

The reports We have received of the proceed
ngs of the National Council at Philadelphia, are
very confused. and it was only by comparing those
published in the New York and Baltimore papers
that we could form connected and ineligible
account for the information Of our readers. The
proceedings were exciting and dsorderly, and sew
eral times the Council seemed to be on the point
of dissolution. 1t will be seen that the Platform
adopted in June last was abrogated, and another a
doped in its place. The vote upon the latter cannot
be regarded as sectional the delegates from near
" every State we're dvded-part voting for and
part voting against it. The Virginia delegates
were divided, three ayes to five noes. Such free
soil sheets as the New York Tribune pronounce
the result a Northern defeat.
The nominating Convention met on Friday
This body is entirely distinct from the Council
although convened by authority of the National
Council Of juno last. At the time of writing
these lines we have no report from the Conyen-
ton, except the proceedings of the first day,
which were merely preliminary. The prospect
for harmony, however, is not good. and we should
not be surprised to hear of general breaking up Of
the body.
PS. After the above was put in type, some
further news from the Convention was received,
which will be found in the appropriate place.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

A Washington letter says that the political
f,iends of Mr.. Buchanan, who have his Interests
especially in charge ARE Ofopnon that as matter
of policy he should have remained at his post al
least until after the meeting of the Cincinnati
Convention. and thus have relieved himself o.
complications which may now arise by with
drawal from it. According to the present program
me. he will return to the United States some time
in the month of April, and in that event he cannot
avoid the issue that will inevitably Do forced upon
him as TO the admission Of Kansas into the>Unlon
and the policy relating to the Territories. Had
he continued in the English mission four or hvf
months longer some ofthese threatened emOarraSs'
ments might have been avoided, under the cover
of his official position. Now they must be met 10
some shape or other
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

Qua RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND.-A despatch.
from Washington on the 2znd says: The gov
eminent dispatches from England by the Canda-
da reached here this n9pning. IL has been ascer-
tanned from a well informed source that they
contain nothing of definite character relative to
our relations with England, nor IS there prospect
Of an early settlement of the Mates 10 dispute
between this and the British Government
There is no information whatever ~ verify tho
rumor in the London Advertiser that angry words,
had passed between MIR. Buchanan and Lord
Clarendon. Mr.. Champion has received fresh in
sirucions not to leave Washington, as heretofore
contemplated. He still attends to the unfinished
business at the Stale Department
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
singular Accident .

As the mail train on the Central Railroad was
descending the Blue Ridge, one day last week, two
horses were observed on the track in front of the
cars. One of the animals crossed the high trussle
work which spans ravine, on single plank; bul
the other, attempting to follow, fell and hung sus
pended by his hind foot. In order that the train
might pass it was necessary to get rid Of the horse
in some way. and the officers and hands of the
train were compelled to extricate his foot and lei
him fall into the abyss. The poor brute was nc
donbt killed
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
State Taxes.

The proposition Of Governor Wise to impose,
tax upon the oyster .'fundum," is approved BY
several newspapers Of the State, but opposed BY
others on the score of impracticabity. Iheklch-
mond Wing objects to it for the reason that while
tax of one cent per bushe On oysters would raise
a revenue of $270 00O the cost Of collection wsuid
be 100000. This objection, it seems to us, may
easily be obviated Ifa tax Of one cent Will not
justify the collection, let three cents per bushe De
imposed. Thus we will have from this source a
revenue of $4,000. The cost OF collecting
$4,000 will not be greater than the cost OF col
Letting $27O, 900, and the net amount Will be
$4,000. We are decidedly in favor of trying
the experiment. There is no earthly reason why
every other interest in the State should be taxed,
and the oyster business pass free.
There is another matter connected with the
general subject of taxation, which is worthy Of at
tention at this time. The constitution provides
that "taxation shall be equal and uniform through
out the commonwealth" and yet every tax bill
we have had since the constitution was adopted,
has operated most unegualfy. So far as the agri
cultural interest is concerned, the two leading
subjects of taxation in one section of the State are
land and negroes and in the other land and cattle.
The produce Of the farms is exempt, except in one
particular, and herein tho inequality is exhibited.
The grazier buys lot of cattle in October, and
they are assessed on the lst day of February
to what is their enhanced value owing? I'm.
doubleday to the corn and other produce faa to
them during the three or four previous months
Thus while farmi, G products are nominally ex-
empt, all the provender consumed by cattle from
October to February, is really subject 10 taxation.
We have no means Of ascertaining what additional
amount of taxation is in this way imposed upon
the cattle feeders, but it must be considerable and
some mode of equalizing the burden is certainly
desirable. Probably it cattle were assessed on the
LIST of October instead of the LIST of February the
evil would be remedied.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
Kansas Affairs.

-
The news from Kansas is calculated to excite
the apprehension of serious difficulties, if not Of
civil war in that Territory, growing out Of the
contest between the slavery and anti-slavery fac
tons. The latter party have fortified Lawrence,
their head quarters, in regular military style
they have forts, cannon, Sharpes rifles, sentnels,
agents collecting ammunition, and have sent 9TH
ers to the Eastern States to solicit aid. According
to the New York Tribune, the organ in the East
of this party, their intention is to act strictly on
the defensive, and all these warlike preparations
have been made in anticipation of an attack from
the Border Rufiaus."
1t is hoped that the Presidents proclamation,
and the other steps taken to restore peace and or
der, will have good effect. Gov. Shannon has
returned to Kansas from Washington city, with
full instructions how TO proceed. In the event of
his fading it necessary to call out the United
States troops he is authorized to make requsition
upon Col. Sumner, commanding at Fort Leaven
worth, and Col Cooke, commanding at Fort Ri
lev, who are ordered to furnish assistance. The
discretion of Shannon, however, is evidently not
fully trusted by the Executive. Coils. Sumner
and Cooke are to obey his requisiton, but when in
the field are to be governed by their own judg-
ments. Doubts in regard to their duty, or the
proper course to be pursued, must be referred to
the War Department. and not to Shannon. The
Secretary of War, in his letter of instructions to
these officers, says, "you will exercise much eau
ton to avoid, if possible, collision even with in
surgent citizens, and will endeavor to suppress
resistance to the laws and constituted authorities
by that moral force which happily, in our country,
is ordinarily sufficient to secure respect to the laws
of the land and the reguar-consttuted authorities
| of the Government"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
wa.tminster Review.

Contents of the January number: l. German
Wit: Heinrich Heine, 2. The Limited Liability
Act of 1855, 8. The House of Savoy, A. Russia
and the Allies, 5. Military Education for Officers,
6. Athenian Comedy,7. Lions and Lion Hunt
inr.-Letter from DR.. William B. Carpenter
Contemporary Literature Republished in New
York BY l.. Scott g. Co., at So year, or the four
great British Reviews and Blackwood's Maya
zine for $40. t
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
Very Wicked,

On Wednesday night last as the Waynesboro'
train on the Central Railroad was passing the old
Freight Depot, beyond the Lunatic Asylum, some
evil disposed person threw large stone at the
passenger car, breaking one of the windows to
atoms. Fortunately no one was sitting near, or
somebody" would, undoubtedly, have been ser-
ously, if not fatally injured.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

SINGULAR ExpoRrATioN.-A vessel lately
left San Francisco for China, having as part OF
her cargo one hundred and seven collins containing
tho bodies of dead Chinese. This is explained IN
this way: Chinese spectators hire large bodies 9
of men in China to work in the mines OIL Oaii,or-
n, The bodies of those who die there are taken
hack 10 prove to those from whom they are hired
that their services were at an end.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
Death of w. Straughan.

We were panied to learn, on Thursday last, that
w. d. Straughau, Esq, Editor of the "Union
American" of Harrsonburg, had died suddenly,
at the "Staunton Wooden Factory" near this
place, the night previous. Mr.. S. was on his re,
turn from visit to Spottsylvaaia, and.had gone to
the Factory to visit some friends; while there he
was taken suddenly i'll, and died after an illness
of two days. His wife reached him before his
death, but he was unconscious of her presence
His remains were conveyed to Spottsyvania by a
Committee of the Odd Fellows and Sons of Tenn
perance of this place.
The american" of Saturday thus speaks Of
Mr.. Straughan's character: He was consistent
and exemplary member of the Baptist church, and
exhibited in the developments Of his meek and
quiet spirit, the sincerity of his profession. Quiet
easy, gentle, and unassuming in his manners, he
made friends wherever ne went. And although
he was comparatively ga stranger in strange
land" here, yet he leaves many friends who sim
cerely mourn over his melancholy removal.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

INTERESTING SLAVE ,CAsE.-There is ease
pending in the Supreme Court of, the. United
States, ST Washington. which involves several
important points. The parties are bred Scott.
plaintiff, and John T. Sanford, defendant. Scott
is negro, WIN claims his freedom. and that Of
his wife and two children, on the ground that they
were taken BY their nwner Cat that lime DR.. En-
erson. of the Army 10 reside in Illinois, and
subsequently in the territory North Of the Nil
so1rl Cpml r mise line. He Instituted suit in
Missouri, and the Ceud decided that bis claim
S not valid. An appeal was taken 10 the Su.
pre- .e Cont, end he case has been ar ued by
lie counsel. Reverdy johnson, of Baltimore.
who appe red for the defendant. conlended that
the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional
The Court has not yet rendered its Judgment.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

p,RpoY OF INDnNs-The St. Louis Repuo
lican learns that the President ofthe United States
has forwarded to Fort LeavenwoIth pardon Tor
the Indians held in confinement at that post
CHARGED with the murder of the mail party, near
Fort Laramie, last year. These Indians, nve IN
number. were delivered up to Gen. iiarney, and
sent to Fort Leavenworth for confinement aud
Il
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
Engines Burned.

We regret to learn that the Engine House at the
foot ofthe Mountain on the other side, was destroy
ed by fire on Sunday morning last and that two Of
the magnificent mountain engines the Baldwin
and the "Mason," were so seriously injured that
they cannot be used. These engines cost $lo,-
900 each, and is feared that they cannot be re-
nairad b.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

Great excitement existed at Austin, Texas, at
the latest dates. Two men, Blakensop and Lew.
is. charged with setting fire to the auditors Office,
had appeared for apreliminary examination sur
rounded by large armed retinue, and defying
the sheriff to arrest them The citizens were ar.
ming in defence of the law, and collision was
imminent
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
A CONFERENCE.-The Washington

A CoNFEssIoN.-The Washington Sentinel
says: "Our Wing adversaries, have time and
again, and sometimes with some reason, charged
our successes TO the name that our party bears
We would not part with that name; for Dem
ocracy' is tower of strength, and should be, so
long as it is the genuine,pure, and undefled Dem
ocracy. But there is about the same difference
between the various kinds of Democracy as there
is between the wholesome and poisonous gases oil
mushrooms, and almost as hard to tell apart"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
SALE Of VALUABLE LAND

I WILL offer at public auction, on lie premises, on
Friday The 2lst day Of March next,A Tract ofLand,
belonging the OF Frances Steele decd. and
adjoining the lands of Jas. Brooks, Geo Deal and 9TH
In point Of location, it very superior ad
vantagcs, being situated on the Turnpike Road within
miles Of Waynesborough, convenient to the Va; Cen
trail Railroad, to good Ills, Schools, &C. 1t Contains
lao ACRES, about third Timber and the balance
in good state Of cultivation, considerable portion Of
which is Meadow Land. Il has on it seyerat Springs
OF excellent wates, with good. and comfortable
DWELLING HOUSE, Kitchen, Out houses and
Stable The title is unqucstionabIe and terms accom-
modating. Possession given on the day Of sale
A. A. STEELE, Ex'or of
rT4 Frances Steele, decd.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

A WESTERN New YoRK PAPER says Mel
ther Cayuga nor Seneca Lake has yet surrendered
10 the Ice, but remain with their dark blue open
water, like islands in an ocean of snow-their
coors the deeper from their fringes of white. Last
winter Seneca Lake was frozen over SO hard, at
The lower end, that horse races were had upon it.
It is remarkable sheet of water, and only freezes
once in century.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

CLOSING SCENES OF A LEGIsLATURE.-1 ne
Legislature of Nebraska Territory adjourned on
the 25th ult., after repeating law giving women
the right to vote, which they had passed the day
before A letter from Omeha city gives the ioi-
lowing account Of their adjournment:
One member called for emusic" another tor
"drinks all around )" some shouted $50 1t boots, %
"Go it," "Such is DEATH" "Let me 90 to the
Governor and tell him he must not fool with Us
any longer" 81 move committee be appointed to
inquire after the dignity of the House" 81 move
the gentleman from Otoe be declared a brick"
'Mr. Speaker, will game of poker be in order E''
al move we take recess for fifteen minutes to
drink" 81 move the medical members be request
cd to take the pains (panes) from the windows,
and extract the tooth Of Time," sc. One men,
Der set the clock going at railroad speed to bring
she hour of adjournment around. Members were
mixed up with outsiders inside the bar, some smo-
king, some talking, some perched on the topot the
desks and chairs, and everybody enjoying himself
about as nature dictated. The House had more the
appearance of public bar room than the halls OF
legislation Members were called for speeches.
About midnight the Council sent in word they
were ready to adjourn. Resolutions commencing
the clerks and officers of the House, down to the
fireman, were passed; but not word was passed
for the Speaker, whom few members took occa-
sion to abuse in bitter and unhecoming language.
In the midst of confusion, worse contounded, the
House adjourned.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

RESULT OF FAMINE.-On Monday last, as a
family residing on one of our principal streets
were at breakfast, they were startled by the sud-
den crash of a window pane. Looking up, they
observed large hawk flying across The room and
seeking escape by the opposite window. He was
captured and killed measuring two feet across
the wings On the floor lay bleeding pge n,
Which the hungry marauder had caught in his
swooP and carried through The glass Winches-
ter Republican.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

James NJ. Crane. Of California, formerly pub
Usher of a newspaper in Richmond, has written to
the National lntelligencer stating that he is not
the man who was hung at Colona on the Goth of
October, for the murder of Susan Newman. The
man hung was named Jeremiah v. Crane, no re-
jation Of the respectable family of Cranes in Vir-
ginia.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

A MEETING OF GERMAN CITIZENS has been
held at Galena, H., at which resolutions were
adopted, and signed by one hundred and ftly-seven
persons, declaring that slavery is curse, that the
fight against is propagation is the most urgent is
sue of the present time, and that they will support
only such candidates for State officers as are OPP
posed to the Kansas bill and to Know Nolhingism.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
The steamer Paoifo.

No news of the steamer Pacific has yet been
received, and the fears for her safety are greatly
increased Last week it was reported that she
had put into the river Shannon, Ireland, to repair
some damages. but the rumor was not credited.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

MOB L,w IN ILrINoIs.-A criminal unoef
sentence of death for the murder OF his ia'hef-in-
Ian. who had been reprieved by the Governor ,oI
,ine,y us was taken from prison ana hangea oy
mob. on Friday we,,11, ai 9sasle''0""' 0''''
. ,unty Illinois.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
Funny 7

The CHEW York Tribune" misprints the names
of our delegates to the Philadelphia Convention
after the following fashion j. d. lmboden and
j. H. McCue are published as "S. M. Kimhalton"
and 81. H. Ntzhugh," and A. H. H. Stuart as
ga. Fl. H. Strait" Greely's reporter surely does
not write very egible hand.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

On Saturday resolutions were adopted demand
ing the repeal of all laws for the introduction of
slavery into the Territories in favor Of supporting
the Kansas freesoiers &c. The Convention
adjourned to meet in Philadelphia, on the 18th Of
June, to make nominations. Delegates were
present from Texas, Missouri. Kenluckys Mary
land, Virginia, Tennessee, and even South Caroli-
M
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

OPPOSITION TO THE ADMINIsTRAroN.-The
Harrisonburg (Pa.) Telegraph contains call,
signed by some forty or more members OF The
Pennsylvania Legislature, for State Convention,
on the 18th of March next, 10 devise a plan OF
united action. by which all opposed to the destrcc
tive policy and principles of the National Admin
istraton may cooperate in the support Of State
Ticket ~
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

The Hon. Edward Everett Of Massachusetts.
has agreed to deliver lecture in Richmond on
the 9th Of March, on the Life aud Services OK
chase Of Mount Vernon by the Ladies' AssOca-
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
Blown Down.

The frame work of small unfinished building,
lately erected near the Stanton Academy, was
blown down by the high winds on Saturday night
last.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

Frederick w. Coleman has been elected State
Senator from Caroline and Spotsylvania, in place
of Mr.. Monoure, who was elected Second Au-
ditOr. ~
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

THE subscribers would beg leave tocal particular At
tention to their Superior IRISH LINEN, made
expressly for their sales by Of the best manufactI
rers OF Belfast, ireland. ff
They can sell them cheaper than those purchased ia
the ordinary way, and warrant them all pure linen.
KAYSER, STRIBLlNG < CO.
Staunton, Feb. 81, 1856
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27

Mexican news to the | lih instant exhibits 9
continuance OF the woful STATE Of confusion and
anarchy into which the country had ALLEN.