The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-08

We learn that the Hon. Hannibal Hamhn,
Senator from Maine and Governor elect of that
State, has resigned his seat in the Senate, to
take effect on the 7th inst, when the Legisla-
ture of the State will convene.
We have generally differed from this estima-
bic gentleman on political questions, but now
that he has retired from the Senate, we freely
accord to him the praise of ability, usefulness,
courtesy, and fidelity in the discharge of his
Senatorial duties.-N National IntelGgeRcer.
ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. = Springfield, Ill.,,
Jan. 5.-The Legislature met to-day. The
Democrats forcibly expelled Mr.. Bridges, the
Republican Clerk of the last House, while he
was calling the roll. The House finally organ
lied by the election of Samuel Holmes, Demo
crat, Speaker, and Mr.. Leile, Dem crat, Clerk.
OFFICIAL VoTE OF VIRG1NIA.-The official
vote of Virginia gives the Democratic Electoral
ticket 90,352, American 60,132, and Republi-
can 286. The lowest vote on the Democratic
ticket was 80, $50, and the lowest on the Amer
lean 60,076.
IMPORTANT DECISION. = Washington, Jan.
3.-This morning, the Circuit Court Of the Uni
ted States for the District of Columbia, govern
ed by the decisions of the Supreme Court, re-
fused the prayer of R. W. Thompson for writ
of mandamus to be directed to the Secretary
Of the Treasury, commanding him to comply
with the act of Congress appropriating $40, 500
for services rendered by him, Thompson, to the
Menominee Indians.
Mr.. Thompson charges in his memorial that
Secretary Guthrie caused the to be refer
red to the Attorney General, on certain ques-
tons which did not constitutionally and legit-
maieiy enter into the matter; that the Pres-
dent had informed him (Thompson) that the
money could not be paid without the consent
of the Menominee Indians was freely given,
and that the law of Congress was not in COM
pliance with the memorial of these Indians.
THE WEATHER. = Mica, NJ r, Jan. s.
Snow fell here to the depth of six inches last
night, and is still falling.
Boston, Jan. St has been showing heaVi.
ly here all forenoon. The weather is mild, and
there are indications of rain.
Albany, Jan. 3.-A steady snow storm pre-
walls here, with the probability of heavy fall.
POttScitle, Pa, Jan. 2.-The snow storm here
has already covered the ground to the depth
of inches, and the snow still falls steadily.
The seighing is passably fair, and the bells
jingle merrily in spite of the weather.
SLAVE EXEMPTION SCHEME-A bill has been
introduced into the Florida Legislature, entitled
I" An act to exempt from levy and sale in that
State, by execution or attachment, or other pro-
cess, one slave" which, it is believed, will be-
come a law.
The Lynchburg Tirginian regards the meas
ure with distrust, as calculatedto i" Justly arouse
deep and general discomfort with the poorer
classes, and do more to awaken q prejudice
against Slavery than anything we can imagine y
The proposed law, however, is of piece with
the class legislation peculiar to slave States,
and its palpable injustice should excite indig-
nation, but no surprise, among the "poorer
| classes" of the South.
| ALBANY, January "a steady snow-storm
prevails here, with the probability of heavy
| fall
The members of the Legislature are arriving
slowly. Henry A. Prendergast, R. NJ Sher-
man, and others who have been named for the
| Speakership, are here.
President King, of Columbia College, a
brother of the Governor, and General Rufus
King, of Milwaukee, a son of the Governor,
are here.
Various candidates for the Clerkship are
also on hand.
The annual statement of railways in the
Union has just been published by the United
States Railroad and Mining Register 1t
makes the total number of miles of railway
24,l92, being an increase of 3,434 over the
prece ling year. The increase is larger in
Pennsylvania than in any other State, being
40; while the largest increase in other States
is, Illinois 1913, Indiana 1868, and Wisconsin
1853 miles. Ohio heads the list with 1859,
New York following next with 2,7O2, Illinois
1881, and Pennsylvania q l64 miles.
SOUTHERN ITEMS -RECRUITs FOB NIcARA.
1O|fi7 I A +
volunteers for Nicaragua left Mobile on the
oath ult., with the expectation of embarking on
the Texas, at New Orleans.
The amount in the Government Treasury
subject to draft on the 22d ult., was S22,OIl,2l2
NEGRO EXCITEMENT AT NAsHvIIE,-LOuis
Uille, Ky., Dec. 30.-A great excitement exists
at Nashville, Tenn, in reference to rumored
rising among the negro slaves The Corpora
ton met and passed an ordinance requiring
the military to hold themselves in readiness
for any emergency, and appointing a large
number of additional watchmen.
LOUISVILLE MEDICAL COLLEGE BURNT-The
Louisville papers inform us that the building
belonging to the Medical Department of the
University of Louisville was entirely DESTROYED
by fire on the morning of the 3lst ultimo. The
fire seems to have been the result of accident
Only about half Of the library, which contained
many valuable works, was saved. The chemi-
cal apparatus was more fortunate, and about
twothirds of it was saved.
SHOCKING AFFAIR-A FAMILY Po1soYED-
SIX DEAD.-LouiSUilLe, Ky, Dec 3l.--News of
terrible affair, involving the probable death
of a whole family, has reached this city from
Harden county, in this State. 1t appears that
a family named Stitte, residing there, having
from some trifling cause, excited the malice of
their negro cook, were all mysteriously poisoned
by the wretch, few days ago. Six are already
dead, and two others are supposed to be dying.
The affair has created great excitement.
New York albany, Jan. G.
The Legislature met at noon to-day, and the
Assembly organized by the choice of De Witt
c. Littlejohn as Speaker. The Governors
message is now being read.
DEATH OF MAJOR DUTToN-Ph PHILADELPHIA,
Jan. 6-Maor Dutton died of erysipelas at the
Lapierre House this morning. He has been in
charge of Fort Mifflin, on the Delaware.
SLAVE TRoUBLEs.-LOuisCille, january s.
The Memphis Appeal of Tuesday says that
considerable excitement exists in st. Francis
county, caused by minors that the slaves would
rise about Christmas.
:. Several negroes were whipped until they
confessed the plot. A similar story was in
circulation at Napoleonvile, Louisiana. A
committee had been appointed by the Mayor of
Nashville, the Judge of Davidson county, to
examine the charges of instruction against
certain negroes, reports that there is no evi-
dence to recommend their discharge. The
Mississippi papers ridicule the telegraphic
report of a negro disturbance In Jackson, and
saw that it had not the shadow of foundation.
SUFFRAGE AT THE SoUTH.-A bill has passed
the Legislature ofSouth Carolina, to amend the
State Constitution, so as to require of every
,o+rrol;1ad o;t;zar t1Uo vears' residance in the