davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05
From the San Francisco BMfeiia.
CHINESE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA
400 YEARS AGO.

The Spaniards discovered America $40
years ago. The Welsh claim an earlier dis
covery IN favor of their Prince Madoc. The
Mortimer, of the llth century, claim the
honor of the first discovery at even an earli-
er date. But the Chinese claim it prior to
them all-ata time, according TO their lis
tory, about 400 hundred years ago.
In Chinese history we End descriptions of
vast country 2G,000 lie to the eastward,
across the great ocean, which, from the de-
scription given, must be California and Mex-
leo The account statest the several Bud
hist priests at Iliugehsu, about A. D. 469,
having arrived there, reported that Fusang
(Ancrica) lay to the east about 10000 le,
or 1000 miles from Japan: and that in 4. d..
450, fye mendicant priests had went there
and distributed Buddhist tracts and images
among the inhabitants, which by that means
changed their customs, as Buddhism was not
formerly known to them
The description of Fusang, as given By the
Chinese historian, differs bur little from that
given by the Spaniards, when the conquered
Mexico. He calls the country Fusang, from
the name of particular tree that grew there
and which he describes thus, ssThc leaves
of the Fusang, when FIRST produced, rcsem-
bic those of the bamboo. The inhabitants
cat the fruit, like pears, aud weave its bulk
into cloth for clothing and articles Of embroi-
derry They have books, which are written
on the back Of the fusang." OF this tree
(the magueyl Prescott says that its "bruised
leaves afforded paste, from which paper
was made; It's juice was manufactured iato
an Intoxicating beverage, pufque, of which
the natives to this day are excessively fond;
its leaves supplied an impenetrable thatch
for the more humble dwellings, thread, of
which coarse stulfs were made, and strong
cords were drawn from its tough and twisted
fbres, pins and needles were made of the
thorna at the extremity Of its leaves, and
the root, when properly cooked, was con-
verted into palatable aud nutritious food.
The nlaguc, in short, was meat, drink, cloth-
ing and writing material for the Aztec
Surely, never did nature enclose, in so com
past form, so many Of the elements Of Lu-
mau comfert and ciyiliFatiou
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05

Ii yam in the lndian language means
night Ti-yam in Chinese means the god of
the moon or night. Hee-ma in Indian Is
the sun. Hee-,.a in Chinese means the god
OF the sun, or day Wcllae is word COM
monty used among the Indians to designate
friend, it also means man. Waila IN the
Hindostanee means a man. Numbers o.
other words could be given, but / shall
make these suffice for the present.
No doubt need be entertained concerning
the assertion OF the Chinese in coming to
this continent ut au early period; nor can
we interpret condolences so universal, so
minute, so remarkable, without coming 10
the conclusion that they both sprung from
one common source. The Chinese Fusang
is no other than the American California
and Mexico; aud the Oriental discoverers
consequently claim the honor of the discov-
cry thousand years earlier than ATTY other
nation.
The period when the continent was first
discovered may still remain mystery, hid
den in the deep recesses of the past. 1t
ever it is found, it be almost likely IN some
of the Oriental records, for in them We find
the most ancient history, whose dates, reach
ing in the night of time, inform of races
now extinct, whose crumbling monuments
attestcd civilization different from that of
the modern world. These ancient races pro-
gressed in some arts, which to us are almost
unknown; and they must consequently have
attained degree Of refinement which many
of US at present know but little of. Yet
withal, they seem to US 70 have been in ig-
norauce, because VIC can but family sse them
throughthe dark clonds from which we
have issued.
JAMES HENLEY, Chinese Interpreter,
Chinese Camp, Tnolumne County
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05
BEDFORD. PA. FRIDAY. JUNE S. 1857.

motion that before O'Clock (although long
after dark,) we we're climbing the we'll
known slope to Herr Forstrom's honse at
Mnoniovara. Here we find the merchant,
rot yet departed to tile l.app fair at Kares-
suando, and Mr.. Wolley, who welcomed US
with the cordiality Of an cid friend. Our
snug room at the carpenters was already
warmed and set in order, aud after our rein~
deer drive of ESQ miles through the widest
parts of Lapland, we feel a home-like sense
of happniess and comfort in smoking our
pipes before the familiar iron stove.
The trip to Kautokeino embraces about
all shall see of Lapp life this Winter. The
romance of the tribe, as have already said.
has totally departed with their conversion,
while their habits of life, scarcely improved
in the least, are sufficiently rerulsive to
prevent any closer experience than | have
had, unless the gain were greater Mr.. Vol
ley, who has been three years in Lapland'
says that the superstitious and picturesque
traditions of the people have almost wholly
disappeared, anil the coars mysticism and
rant which they have engrafted upon their
imperfect Christianity does not differ mate
rally from the same excrescences in moro
civilized races. They have not even lthe
better for them, it is true) any characteristics
and picturesque vices-but have become,
certainly to their own great advantage,
rious, fanatical, moral, ignorant and COM
monplace people. have described them
exactly as ] foand them, and as they have
been described to me by those who kne W
them we'll. The readers of s'Afraja" may
be little disappointed with the picture, as
| confess have been lin an artistic sense,
only with the reality, but the Lapps have
lost many vices with their poetic diabierie,
and nobody has right to complain.
1t is a pity that many traits which are
| really characteristic and interesting in a
people cannot be mentioned on account Of
that morbid pru derry so prevalent in our
country, which insults the unconscious in
noccnce Of Nature. 0t, that one could inn
Ttaie the honest unreserve or Tie Old raw
clers-the conscientiousness which insisted
on telling not only the truth, but the whole
truth! This is scarcely possible, now; but
at the same time | have not been willing
to emasculate my accounts of the tribes of
men to the extent perhaps required BY our
ultra convenhonalism, and must insist, now
and then, OH being allowed little Flemish
fidelity TO nature. In the description of
races, as iu the biography of individuals
the most important half of life is generally
omitted. BIT
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05
A SNAKE TALE


Says the lawer "Auimals sometimes
very nearly approach reason IN theii Gun
ming"
Il got interested in the study of serpents
down in Arkansas, where spent the most
of last year. | don't kuow-why, but was
constantly watching them in new situations,
and surrounding them with novel expedients.
OF all kinds | experimental most With rat
slesnakea and copperheads.
Gone afternoon seated myself on little
knoll in tie woods to smoke and read-fol
| always had book or newspaper with me
rand had been eujeying myself for some
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05

A
time, when espicd a cepp,rbead making for
hole within ten feet ,f where sat. OF
course | threw down my book and seqar, nd
proceeded 10 try new experiment. As
soon as stirred the rascal made rush for
the hole but | caueiit his tail as he got
nearly in and jerked Him some twenty feet
backward. lie threw himself into coil in
no time, and waited for me to pitch in. But
| eorcluded not to let fim try his hole again.
After a while he started for il stopping when
| stirred, TO coil himself up but as kept
pretty qniet he recovered confidence aud
again went in.
Again ] jerked him ont. No sooner did he
strike The ground than lie made grand rush
for the hole in a straight line for INV legs !!
But that didn't work, for got out OF the
way, and gave him another Airt!
"This time he lay still awhile, appearing
to reflect on the course to be taken. After
time he tried it over again, though rather
slowly. After getting bis head little way
IN, be stopped and wiggled his tail, as if on
purpose for me to grab it. | did so, and
quicker than fash he drew his head ont
and came within abont quarter Of an inch
of striking NE in the face. However, 1ierk-
ed him quite distance, and resolved to look
out next time. Web be tried the same
game again, but it wouldn't work waa too
quick for him.
"This time he lay in coil ha If an hour.
without stirring. At last, however, he tried
it once more. He advance to within Eve
feet of the hole very slowly, coiled again,
ani then, the rascal got the start of me by
one of the cutest things you ever heard
Of
"lIow was that - we all exclaimed in
one breath.
"Nhy,,'' said the narrator, sinking his
voice 10 tue asme of solenniiy, and looking
as honest and as sober as man could look,
'why be jnst turned his head toward my
hand, and went down that hole tail first ~
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05

Again. The Chinese historian states ssthat
they had no iron, but they possessed copper.
They did not esteem gold and silver" The
use of iron was unknown to them, btit they
found substitute in an alloy of copper and
tin with which they could cut metal and
stones. Silver, the great staple Of the coun-
| try at the time Of the conquest, may have, a
thousand years earlier, been unnoticed or
uncoyeted by them.
Bycarefully examining the Chinese histo,
ry, and comparing it with that of Prescott's
s'Conquest of Mexico," we find but few
points of difference In their treatment of
criminals, habits Of the judges, religion, and
in many other respects, they agree with
each other so we'll, that no doubts need be
entertained, in the least, regarding the au-
tbenticity of the Chinese accounts. The re-
ligion of the Aztecs was in most respects
like Buddhism. Their arts, institutions and
customs were almost the same as those Of the
Chinese. BY careful examination and
contrasting of both histories inquiring
minds will not doubt in the least that the
Chinese discovered this continent g thousand
years earlier than any other nation.
Most people in California have noticed
the similitude existing between the Indians
and tue Chinese, both in feature and the ne
cent of their monosyla5le dialects, and from
my own experience / find them nearly the
same. The Chinese accent can be traced
throughout the Indian language; though
most of the Digger Indians with Whoa l
have conycrscd speak great deal Of the
ancient Aztec language. Not wishing to
pursue this subject much further at present
will transcribe few words for the purpose
of showing the analogy, as follows:
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05
THE BLEsT ONES AT HOME
Tusr-aoa Folks al Home,

Away on the banks of life's bright river,
Far, far away
There will my heart be turning ever,
There's where the bIest ones stay.
An through this vale of sin and sorrow
Sally roam.
Still longing for the dawn of the morrow,
And for the bIcst ones at home.
An without is dark and dreary,
Everywhere I roam,
Oh. brothers, how the heart grows weary
Signing for the blest ones at home.
fhro' all earth's SUNNY scenes wandered
In youths gay morn;
law many precious hours I've squandered
How many mereies scorned;
When seeking sins delusive pleasures,
Wretch.d was |,
Bnt new my heart has found treasure
There with the blest ones on high
Al without is dark, &c.
One hour there is, forever bringing
Memories Of love; tsinging
Twas when my sighs were changed to
OF the blest ones above;
When shall see my Saviour reigning
On his white thronc1
WhcnwilI be hushed my hearts complaining
There with the blest ones at home.
All without is dirk, &c.
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05
From the London II I Iimss.
OF GEORGE Ill.

OF GEORGE Ill.
The last of the children of George Ill.
has departed this life. Her Royal High
ness Mary, Duchess Of Gloucester, expired
Thursday, April 50, at the age of 81. She
was born on the 25th of April l776, aud,
consequently had long passed the ordinary
limit of human life
There we're thirteen children born from
the marriage of Gearge Ill. with Queen
Charlotte George Prince of Wales, after
wards George w.. Frederick, Duke Of
York; William, Duke of Clarence, after
wards William w.; Edward, Duke of Kent;
Earnest, Duke of Cumberland, afterwards
King Of Hanover; Augustrs, Duke of Sus-
sex, and Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge
OF the six daughters three died unmarried,
and three were married, the names in the
order Of birth, stands thus: The Princess
Royal, Charlotte Augusta, who died unmar-
ried; the Princess Elisabeth, who was mar
ried to tie Prince of Hesse Hamburg;
the Princess Mary, the lady just dead, who
was married to her cousin, the Duke of
Gloucester; and, finally the Princess Sophia
and Amelia, beth of whom died unmarried.
With so copious race there was little
danger of disputed succession or of va
cant throne. 1t is singular, hosever, how
few are the representatives of this numerous
family in the present generation. Queen
Yictori the King of Hanover, and The three
children of the late Duke of Cambridge are
we believe, now the only survivors, and the
Princess Charlotte, daughter OF George Nv.
is the only one who has passed away. There
is however, happily, but little chance that
the royal family of England will be speedi-
" exhausted. But few days before the
venerable Duchess Of Gloucester was sum-
moned from this world ninth child was
bern TO the Quecu OF England, SO that an
orderly succession to the British throne
would appear to be among the events on
which one may calculate with reasonable
certainty.
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05

PosT 0FFicE ANEcDeTE.--The New
baryport Herald tells the following POST
Office anecdotes
A rap at the delivery
Postmaster Well, my lad, What will
yon hsveln
Boy-"Here's letter, she wants it TO
90 along as fast as il can, cause there's
feller wants to have her here, and she's
courted by another feller what aint here,
and she wants to know whether he's going
to have her or not
Having delivered his message with great
emphasis, the boy departed, leaving the
Postmaster So convulsed with laughter that
be could make no reply.
Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-05

Coop PAy.-Tbc salary of Louis Napoleon
Is Eve million dollars year., sDd his reve-
nues from the palaces abost one million aud
8 quarter year.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09

"Scenes OF violence are 81 such frequent
occurrence at Keokuk, aAA rovdyism has
carried ito excsssss % far, despite the City
police, A. 10 lead 10 the org anisation Of a
City vigilanss Conmittee. The disease Ia
bad enough in I'll consciencs, bstsuch rens-
dies not unfrequsntly prove worse. "-lChi-
cago Tribune.
The above is aspecimen OF the remarks
that are being made all over the country
about our city. And they have for their au-
thority the "ol6cial organ Of keokuk. This
i, the reputation that the people and the
council pay an indiscrees, fippant, superAcial
and 6endacious journalist to establish for
them. And it is supported, moreover, BY
smother journal, with ~ little sense and
scarcely lees discretion. Both are always on
the en rise for something to create "sen-
sation,. reckless Of facts or results. What
would the Tribune think, after reading the
exaggerated stories Of our contemporaries,
II We wereto say to them that there il scaroe-
II quiet, rural district. in the land where
justice 10 moro easily and readily admins.
tered than here, and that there is not in the
land, for its size, a more orderly city than
ours And yet it is the truth.
The citizens Of Keokuk must take what
thew nav for
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09
Telexr.ph Nsws.

INV YoRK, June 5th. - The Caracas
Venezuela correspondents Of May 7th, states
that considerable excitement exists there in
consequence of the British charge d'aGaires
having solemuised marriage between two
native Roman Catholics, contrary to the rules
Of the church--ths bride being astep daugh-
ter to her husband. The arch. bishop and
the pope had previously refused their sane
ton. Lord Palmerston had been written to
on the subject.
The steamship Illinois sailed At 2 p. n.
for Aspinwnll with the mails and the full
complement of passengers Tor California,
including Senator Gwinn.
Ths congregation Of DR.. Cheever's church
last evening. after u stormy debate, adopted
report Of the special committee supporting
DR.. Cheever and condsmning the action Of
the deacons.
QrEBsc, June 5th.--Mr. Robertson, mes
senger Of the British bank, had his pocket
picked 10 Peter street this morning Of 47,-
200. There il no clue to the thief.
Sr. Louis, June 5th.-Latter papers con-
firm the report Of the execution OF Crabbe
and So of his followers. Rumored in the
city Of Mexico that terrible revenge 10 being
taken in California by numbering all Mcxi-
cans found.
MEHPnIs, June 5th.-- Gen. Walker arrived
here this morning unexpectedly early, conss-
quently but few people to receive him.
Col. Payne Of this city welcomed him to
his native State, denounced Vanderbilt and
the N. Y. Press as being the cause Of his de-
feat, and not the Costa Ricans. Walker and
LockriAge responded in substance the same
~ at New Orleans.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09

Ir WoRKs.-The squstter sovereignty doc
srine inaugurased BY the arch-dcmagogue
Douglas, for the purpose Of robbing the free
% ople Of the United States Of Kansas, and
eonsiening it to the keeping Of the slave
holders and their human chattcls, is beginning
TO work out It's legitimate fruits in Utah.
The Legisla tu,e Of that Territory have estnb-
lishcd Territorial Courts, and appointed Ter
rit,rial officer, who supersede to all practi-
cal purpose. the Judges and officers Of the
United States. When Brigham and the Nor.
m n authorities were remorstrated with BY
the United States officers, these Mormon
Democrats appealed 10 the Democratic doc
trine of squaster sovereignty, and claimed
that they understood their own wants and
w,re capable Of making and administering
Their own laws to suit themselves.
Ia vicw Of this practical application Of the
L,c,foco creed Of squasser sovereignty, the
United Ssates officers soon found that their
"o:cupstion was gone" and that measures
would soon be devised for their staking OF"
aul 90 as usual with Democratic oi6cehold-
ers they consulted that shelter part Of valor,
discretion" aud made tracks for the estates"
which they reached with the last Santa Fe
train, and reported their safe arrival and
proceedings as above ut St. Louis.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09
8 FOf The uAte CITY.
May.Day Fiswses.



~ casnegE. $50
When May day carnegie bls14 the vlna
And chin the April nhows1R,
Isirhsd, and said til th9e wsuld -
This year, no Msy1sy Assen.
| thought Of bright and sunny days,
When merry groups and
ALTHOUGH the old woods rambled Wild,
The earliest howersto spy.
.'sprin 1 b4sutics pale and fragile thing
We we'll knew whore to seek.
The tiny "L4ily - dropping head,
And psstItnx ssvioIet" meek.
Amimic islet In the brock,
WAS whore the Biucbells grew,
Their pendant bsils the sephyr shs'ok,
Then with their perfume Asw
1 thought, toe, Of the loved and lost,
And then, o. whena child,
iongcd---not for sx0tics rare
Hut simple Sewers and wild.
And soon va. brought ms-bys friend
Alidamp, q sweet ouquet
So, after nil, not Aowerless, here
Trippcd in the merry May
How oft Ills TINS In Life We Sigh
And long for brighter houn,
When hidden in our very paths
Are blooming precious howsFs
kwoKrx, May, 1857.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09

AT the late election for delegates to the
constitutional convention, at St. Paul, the
whole Black Democratic ticket was elected,
BY gigantic system Of fraud. There were
2,820 votes cast, number nearly one third
greater than the city contains. At the city
election last month, when there was gene
raj turnout and every voter was rallied, there
were but 1872 votes cast. The fraud was 10
gross and palpable that the Pioassr and
Democrat, the organ Of the party in that
city, on the morning subsequent to the cleo
tion said:
"rhe election yesterday, was very anima
ted and exciting The vote polled was un-
precedentcdly large--so large, indeed, a. 10
create nell. founded suspicions Of fraud to a
most shameful erfsaf. On this subject, how
ever, we will defer all comments, until placed
IN the possession of reliable evidence. While
tho success Of the Democratic party 10 a re-
suit in which We feel a vitafinterest, We shall
never countensnce the commission Of illegal
acts to secure it,"
Every where this claw abiding ''law-
loving" party resorts to force and bold yio-
lations Of the Law to secure and maintain its
supremacy. 1t is the same ruf6sn usurpation
every where, sticking at no expediens and
hssita,ing at no outrage to overcome and defy
the law and the popular will.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09
IN AHEa1 . 0cWV0TT.
NERO liant TAIL rs.

Thisd ~. bet. Main aad Jahnssn KHOkUx.
WE ara new resolving err 6peisg etsk, -
w sssld rspsesfsliy snll sttselinn % ~
sans, y from our position ~ psasaiaal aseha1ns
" are enabled to sell ths bsst Of goods q ~
1esss. TN
We wish u inform those Who, fsea thsis -
o. shaps, thiak tAsy asvar uses o. sannse - ns21
b Tailor, 70 give ~ trial, and ~ viii auneuns
~ ~, uthest Sltsrstiea o. - q ~ ~ p -
0sterisl. rs lsssg. 81 81
0estlsmen furnishing THAR own slsth, - -
work mshfike mannss. ~ eAlliag ~ Aas sseaAaGsH-
Went. fapele-h1w
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09
Frute Trees.

The importasions Of foreign fruit trees and
seeds this spring, now nearly over, are esti-
mated 20 have been u least 6fty per cent. in
excess OF thoss Of aAy fsTmer year; snd this
branch Of horticulture 10 fast scquiring i'm
portancs. The destruction Of trees BY the
seyerity OF the two last winters and the rap
ID sstsleusus Of Western lands, but moro
than ali the encouragement to the oulture Of
domss fruit Afforded BY the formation Of
numerous agricultural societies throughout
the country, have given IN impetus to this
business which Il quite unprecedented. The
demand for young trsss has much exceeded
the supply. II may sesm somewhat singu-
lar that we are unable to produce trees and
seeds for ourselves, without rssortinx to 9th.
or countries; but our changeabie climste
does not favor their growth to the same per-
lection. Even between the Eastern States
and the Westsrn the diAeranoe in the climate
and coil 10 such thst fruit often undergoes
almost an entire metanorphosis--t dwarf
ish specimsns Of the East being scarcely re-
coeuissbls 10 the sxuberant growth Of the
more genial West.
Trees are imported in bales and esses,
chiefly from France, England, and Scotland
and seeds are invoiced BY the ton. Their
aggregate value for the season il 10 di6cult TO
calculate; but, % the nurssrymsp chiefly i'm
port through single agency in this city,
some approximation may be made. The lar
rest nurseries in the United States are in the
vicinity of Rochester, where there are some
thing like 1900 acres Of young fruit trees 10
process OF culture. Asingle firm has ~ many
- 400 acres. At Syracuse there is . nursery OF
800 acres, and very large ones are 70 be found
in nearly all the principal Western citics-
even In Des Moines and Dubuque, which
were recently in the heart Of the wilderness.
-[Journal Of Commerce.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-09

G. That sterling Republican sheet, the
Pittsburgh Gofstfs, has donned a ncw dress,
and 10 doing 80 takes occasion to recall some
interesting "reminiscences connected with its
history, in connection with the rise and pro-
gress Of Pittsburgh and the West. The Co
.setft VAS established little more than sew
enty years ago, and the press on which il was
printed was the first ever brought west Of the
mountains.