The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-17
Gbs Ssbish.
Life OF an American Slave.


We have received proof sheets of a story with
the above title from the publisher, II. Dayton,
New York 1t is work of uncommon power
aad interest The style is simple, and the
course Of the story straig htforward, and we pre-
&c: for it popular sale. We understand that
the story is perfectly true one, and that it was
issaed in a cumbrous form, and with many un
Interesting episodes, before the day of cheap
aud popular books, yet, in spite Of these draw
backs, ii sold entirely out of print. The prese
story is abridged, and will be presented to the
public in a readable shape. 1t will be issued
in & few days, ard, when we receive copy, we
shall review it more carefully.
Tae Tashrcsh Eater New York: Harper Il Brothers.
For sac by Taylor n Maury, Washington, d. C.
This is q singular book-in many respects
one ri power and certain fascination. 1t is
somethrg in the vein of De Quincey's Opium
Eater. Hasheesh is the secretion of an East
era plant CanaoJis Indica) which possesses
powerful stimulant aud narcotic properties.
This volume describes the effect of hasheesh
upon the human system, and especially upon
possess much interest. The style in which it is
writ en- is nervous and graphic.
Eeg- Senator Hunter, of Virginia, has just
been reelected 70 the United States Senate for
SIX years from tie 4.h of March, 1859. He is
man of fee abilities, and is friend to the
Calhoun Constitution of Kansas. he will doubt.
less break lance with Mr. Douglas upon the
matter on the Senate floor.
THE NV House PRINTERs.-Mr. StesdmaD,
Of Ohio, was elected Printer TO the House by a
union of his hackers with those of Mr.. Banks,
Of Virginia The new firm will be that OF
Banks d S.eadman," and they are to Issue a
new Journal, we learn. Mr.. Steadman is the
candidate Of Mr.. Douglas, and it has been sup
posed that the new paper will reflect Mr..
Douglass sentiments respecting Kansas, and
advocate his interests. Says the Washington
correspondent Of tho Richmond South:
d" A very creditable feature in the arrange.
Inent is the prospective establishment by the
copartners CT a newspaper, OF an improved
standard, at the Capital, that will reflect the
Democratic sentiment of the country. This is
az evident Improvement on the old beneficiary
system, in which the public printing seems to
have been regarded as mere private emolu
nent without any attendant obligations to the
party at large. The establishment of press
OF Q high Democratic standard, as Messrs
Backs and Steadmau propose, that will not be
mere Executive organ but that will reflect
the sentiment of the party at large, the printing
Patronage IN fact being theirs, and not OF the
Executive branch Of the Government, denotes
Geudecly change for the better, i'm Plying as
/; does q due sckncwed gment to the party, AND
conveying public benefit not lightly to be es
tmated in furnishing to the country a readable
Washington paper. 1t is understood that the
paper Will be established some time between
THIS and the lst of January"
How is the new journal to satisfy Northern
Democrats and the Southern ones at the same
time, upon the Kansas question? If MIR
Douglas holds his position against the Admin
lSiration, il would seem certain that the Soutl
will desert him. DIR. Banks's newspaper, thu
South Side Democrat upholds the Lecomptol
Constitution. Mr.. Steadman, we understand
DOES not. How will the partners come to al
agreement upon this matter? Perhaps BY re
N''A'S' NV Obil nAi' bOus fio"os oN' '-OS
OF the South-issuing the paper as several o
the New Orleans j 'urnals are, one half il
French, the other in English
PARTY DISCIPLINE The action of the Pres
ldent in dismissiug John McKeon, of Ne'
York, from the ofice of District Attorney of tn
Inited States for that district, excites consider
able attention throughout the country. MI
MeKeOn is dismissed for opposing the electio,
of Fernando Wood at tie recent municipa
election in New York. 1t ia said that the Pres
ident does not ike NJ. Wood, but will not to-
crate any boiling from party nominations Thi
seems to indicate disposition on the part c
the President to enforce party discipline in
rigid manner. The NJ Y Ereninq Post r,
marks:
1t the reason assigned for the removal ,
Mr. Mchecu be the correct one, it is certainl
calculated to shake the confidence of the mo-
eorhding in Mr.. Buchanan's patriotism, an
We may add, in his good sense, for no Preside,
nc ms senses, one would suppose, would deli
eia'eiy undertake to carry Wood upon
shoulders since mis- defeat. Such a burde
"ouio have broken down the Administration