The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-24

ty pounds of gold dust around his person. He
was saved with his treasure. It is valued at
$4,000.
Mrs. Birch, wife of the minstrel, had a besuti-
fu canary bird which she left in a cage in her
state-room. Before she left the ship, she took
it from its cage, and, placing it in her bosom,
brought it safe to the brig. Her husband
secured jewelry of great value about his own
person.
The gentlemen whose wives went off from
the ship in many instances gave them their
money, watches, and jewelry, to carry with them,
with whatever checks or papers of value they
had about them.
DR.. o. Harvey had in his possession cane
with large and deliberately carved gold head,
set with gold quartz. At the suggestion OF a
friend, he cut the head off, and threw the stick
away. He brought it safely through, and ex.
hibited it at Barnum's yesterday. 1t is valued
at $50.
Mr.. Van Hagen, one of the lost, handed his
watch to bis wife and told her to keep it as a
memento if he persisted.
It is supposed that $25O,00O was in the
hands of passengers, all Of which, with the ex-
ceptions named, went down with its possessors.
Mr.. W. E. Adams, mentioned in the list OF
saved as from Oregon, is Baltimorean, and
reached his home, corner of Second street and
Market Space, yesterday morning.
1t is related that one of the sailors of the
Norwegian barque Ellen sprang overheard, and
tied a rope around one of the perishing men,
trusting himself to the chances of being saved
in the raging sea.
Specie on the Steamer.
We learn that the freight list, as reported at
Aspinwall, was 81 $50. 900. and it is supposed
that there was some $3.50, 600 additional in the
hands of passengers, making total sum of
81 500, 600, which has been lost.
The Loss of ths Norfolk.
The Philadelphia papers contain some par
ticulars of the loss of the steamer Norfolk,
Captain Kelly. on her passage from that port to
Norfolk and Richmond, with 26 passengers a
crew of 81 persons, and valuable cargo. The
particulars are furnished by George q. Porter,
Esq, of the Baltimore Merchants Exchange,
who was a passenger on the steamer Joseph
Whitney, from this port. We copy the follow
ing:
"The Norfolk left Philadelphia on Saturday
morning, September IL, and encountered
heavy gale fsom E. S. E., on Sunday evening,
which continued to increase in violence during
the night Between 10 o'clock P. M. and
A. NJ, she sorung a leak, carried away jib,
spanker, and fore-spenc5r, and, to tighten her,
lsrge portion Of the cargo was thrown over
beach, with the view of running her ON, to save
the lives of these on board but the rudder
broke off, and she was left a helpless wreck in
violent gale and heavy sea, and, at daylight
on Monday, broke into pieces, then about ten
miles south of Chincoteague, the passengers
and crew barely having time to take to the
boats, saving nothing but what clothes they
had On before she went down and was lost en-
tirely from view.
''Af,er being on board the small boats in a
heavy sea and high N.N.W. wind for about nine
hours, they were fallen in with, at p, P. M, by
the steamship Joseph Whitney, Capt. Howes,
from Baltimore, bound to Boston, who succeed
ed in taking up three of the boats, containing
forty persons. The fourth boat steered off in
another direction, in search of a vessel which
was In sight, but which did not heed them, and
1T was not seen afterwards, but it is supposed
made for the shore. This boats crew, contain.
ing the first and second engineer and fremen,
was afterwards picked up by the steamer Gale
donia, bound from Charleston to Baltimore.
The passengers all speak in the highest
praise of the conduct of Captain Kelly and his
officers, Mr.. John Moore and Mr.. w. II. Sny-
der, during the trying circumstances Of the loss
OF their ship. The captain stood at the gang.
way, and would not allow single man to leave
the ship until the ladies were all safely slowed
in the boat; he then had each boat provided
with a compass, provisions, &c, being himself
the last to leave the sinking ship.
|" It is impossible to describe the feelings of
the unfortunate shipwrecked people, upon find
ing themselves once more safe and on the deck
Of the Joseph Whitney. Some Of them were
almost destitute CT clothing, while others were
but half clad. Most of the ladies and children
were without shoes and stockings, and, from
their exposure to the high wind and sea, their
garments generally were nearly washed off
them. In short time, they were made as
comfortable as possible, under the circum-
stances. The officers and passengers of the
Joseph Whitney did ell in their power; trunks
were opened, and dry clothes were put upon
sll. The passengers generally were unremit-
ting In their attentions to these unfortunate
persons. In this connection, mention should
be made of the kind and generous conduct of a
poor Irish girl, Margaret Finley, who fills the
position of stewardess of the Joseph Whitney.
Fer JOY was unspeakable upon witnessing the
rescue of the shipwrecked people; she dealt
out her clothes to them till the last piece was
gone, save the clothes which she had on
She then gave up her room for their further
accommodation. The rescued crew and pas
sengers expressed themselves in high terms of
praise of Captain Howe, of the Joseph Whit.
ney, and her crew and passengers"
Profits Of Western Farming
AS an instance Of the way in which our West
err farmers make those rapid fortunes which
are the establishment and envy of their less.for.
tunate brethren of the Eastern States, we give
the following brief history of the fortunes of
William F. Porter, Esq, of this county. Mr..
Porter purchased, about one year since, six
hundred acres of land, lying within five miles
of this city. One hundred and fifty acres there.
of are under cultivation this year. -Four acres
of vegetables, for the city MARKET will, it is es-
timated, pay all the expenses of the farm for
this year. Forty acres of beans will yield him
at least 500 bushels:
AT So per bushel $4,000
Wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, &c. $500
Total net profits $4,000
These estimates are probably low, as they
are based upon the amounts offered for his
crops as they stand, unharvested and uptouch.
ed.
Mr. Porter intends to put at least half the
whole farm uIder cultivation next season, when,
of course his profits, if the season be favor
able on =, will be at least doubled. His farm
buildings are as good as any to be found in the
State, and when few years more have passed
away, he will be prepared to net large profit
tor fruIt, &c, which requires time to repay the
labor of the husbandman
Mr.. Porter is q model farmer, not a weed be-
ing visible upon bis improved lands, and all his
fields, fences, farming implements, and build
ings, being az neat as intelligent labor and care
can seep them. He is from Boston, Mass,
Origin ally, ard brings With him a large share
of that thrift, intelligence, and enterprise,
which ere the boast of New England
In q dition to his profits for farming, his