Arkansas intelligencer., 1857-05-01
A Stranger.

A Stranger.
We were shown few days since bird
which was killed by Dr. Thruston. From what
We can nlearn from the oldest settlers and hum
tiers in this latitude, they are unable to de-
eide to what pecies he belongs. Some calls
! it the Bittern, and others the stork, but upon
| reference to natural history by DR.. Thruston, he
has come to the conclusion that this bird Is
/ the bittern, unknown 10 this latitude, but to
tba. of Europe. We give a description of it
! for the information of hunters and naturalists
Height when standing FIVE feet three inches,
breadth Of wings six feet inches, length OF
back nine inches. Upon the whole it was
master specimen of the bird kind, possessing
the strangest and most fantastic coat Of plum
age that we have ever looked upon. AS the
exterior of an American fowl, its plunage
on the scapular region being as black as
| ravn, and resembling the strich feathers,
| whilst its head, back, neck and sides, were
gaudily bedecked with long delicate ribbon
Ike feathers of every hue md color that
belongs to the rainbow, hing in clusters
and wreaths about his graceful birdship, beau
tiful beyond all conception, 1nless compared
with the famous bird of Paradise. 1t proved
to be not only an eatable bird, but one of the
most delicious fowls we hare ever eaten of.
Much speculation among sportsmen as to
uf,o ola 6 I'll, ba Ill
ed him stork whist others assert it to have
been no American bird, but that his home was
beyond the briny deep. and that he was the
famous European bittern.
How far Office Holders c,ay Meddle with
Politics.
LITER FROM TIE SECRETARY OF THE THEA-
sURY.
Howell Cobb. the new Secretary of the
Treasury, has recalled the decree issued 10y
Mr.. Secretary Corwin, we believe, prohibiting
the officers under him from takin part in pol
itics, ~ least such is the constitution put by
the official organ in Pennsylvania upon let
ter he has just written to "a high official in
another State"
10
Dear Sir:-I reply to your letter at once
that you may not misinterpret my silence
approval of your suggestions. | do not think
that citizen loses his political identity or in
dependence by accepting office under the
government He does, however, commit
himself to the service Of the country. to the
utmost extent required, for faithful discharge
of the duties of his position. His political
associates ought not to expect of him any
service to his party at the expense of his du-
ty to the government. Holding, as you do,
an office of great pecuniary responsibility, and
one requiring your constant personal atten.
tion, | cannot sanction the propriety of your
absence from your post for the purpose of an
active engagement in the approaching elec-
ton Of your State.
No one regards with more interest than
do the success of the national democratic par
ty at this important period in our history
But that success must not be purchased at
the expense of the public interest, which
might be the case if those holding high and
important offices should absent thensslyess
Regarding your letter in the light of an ap-
pilcation for leave of absence, | have withheld
my approval for the foregoing reasons.
Very respectfully, Ii. COBB.
March so, 1857. Sec'ry of Treasury.
The National I4rn,ory at Harper's Ferry.
From a letter of the lst ult. in the Balti-
more Sun, written from Harper's Ferry, Va,
We extract the following.
The government Armory is extensive and
well furnished, capable Of turning out from
fourteen to eighteen thousand stand of arms
-muskets and rifles per annum. About
three hundred artlZans are now employed in
the manufacture of what is called the rifle
musket and the rifle. These are both newly
improved arms, and all respects far superior
to those recently in our service. The rifle
musket possesses all the attributes of the late
musket, with the addition of being a rified
gun and having a selfpriming lock. The
ball or projectile for this arm is elongated
with conical point, and will make better
shooting at distance of one thousand wards
than the former smooth bored musket will at
three hundred yards.
The new rifle is also greatly improved over
the old by having self-priming lock, the i'm
proved rifiing and the addition of sword
bayonet-ths latter is to protect our rifemen
from charge of cavalry as well as side arm
Washington, April IA.
The Secretary OF the Interior has given
full instructions to Victor and Garrett Indian
Agents, who have left Washington for the
mission of their duties 10 organize a delega-
ton from the Creeks and Seminoles, residing
West of the Mississippi river, to proceed to
Florida IN the autumn on the special business
to persuade Billy Bowlegs and his followers
to emigrate. The Florida Seminoles, gov
ernment Is aware, are too proud to be forced
to this step at the point OF the bayonet, and
hence resort to peaceful measures which will,
1t Is confidently believed, accomplish that inn
portant measure. In view of the above de-
SU thera will in tha