The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-06-03
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
TIL URSDAY, JUNE 8

of no special importance, is of an interesting
character. The death of Thomas H. Benton is
announced as having transpired on the 10th of
April. He died at his residence in Washington,
in the 10th year of his age. He was unquestion-
ably the greatest living American statesman, and
is the last of that illustrious body of men
who numbered among them the names of Clay,
Webster, and Calhoun. and who. by their superb
or Intellectual attainments, their personal char
acter, and untainted patriotism, raised the United
States to a commanding position among the ma
tions of the world. In IA very great measure
self-made, this great and wonderful man reached,
by his indomitable will and e~xertions, the front
rank of statesmen, an enyiable position, and a
worldwide reputation. Possessed of a strong
mind, retentive memory, studious habits, and
great boldness and independence of character, he
early made his impress in the councils of the ma
ton. He uniformly refused all Offices of honor
and trust, save those emanating from the people.
A strong advocate of popular sovereignty, an
enemy to official corruption of all kinds, govern
ed by the nobler impulses of the human heart in
all his official and private acts, he won the respect
and esteem of even his political enemies, and has
gone down to the grave, after a long life of pub
lie toll, with an unspotted reputation, and an un-
dying fame.
The Pacific Railroad Bill has received its quie-
tus, at least till the next Congress, the Senate
having postponed the further consideration of the
measure till then. This result has evidently been
brought about by the turn that the Kansas ques-
ton has taken, which latter has also been placed
in a position that it must lie over till the next
Congress can have an opportunity to take up the
bone Of contention.
The loss of the ship John Gilpin is a sad casu-
atty but it must be a cause of great gratitude
to the passengers and their friends that no lives
were lost, and that a way of escape was so pro-
videntially provided. From New Bedford papers
we learn that the insurance on the loss was about
$780, 900 /; but it is not stated what amount was
on the vessel, which was valued at $50 900, and
the cargo at $500, 600. The particulars, from
. correspondent will be found in another column.
At the time of the loss, the vessel was off the
Falkland Islands, in the Atlantic. and some per-
sons question the probability of ice being found
in the latitude given, 81 so, s., and long. 49,
O4, W.
From Salt Lake we have news that the Nor
mons have at length abandoned their devoted city
and country to the United States army. They
are in a fix, not knowing whether to burn their
cities or not, or which way TO go. Whatever they
may resolve to do, it is evident that Brigham
Young, with an empty purse, will find it a diff
cult job to keep his beggarly community together,
or even to support his forty wives. The Mormons
are utterly unable to leave the continent for want
of means but should they ever get together
funds enough to charter vessels, we should recon-
mend them to embark for the Feegees, where is
orplo $ovrs<orv for fho,r praoopf prrnbara o-J
prospective increase for fifty years to come and
where they would find ample scope for their boast
ed philanthropy in converting the cannibals of
that group.
From Europe, the news is of a conciliatory
character, so far as the relations between England
and France are concerned, each government SEEM
ing determined to Guido the other in politeness,
and manifesting an evidentdesire to preserve their
present amicable relations. Louis Napoleon, tits
rumored, will Fay another visit to Queen yicto-
ria, at Osborne, the coming summer.
1t is hardly possible that a misunderstanding
of so trivial q nature could result in an open rup-
ture between two nations whose interests are so
united Still, Judging from the newspapers, there
is evidently q strong popular undercurrent of ami
mostly existing between them, however the rulers
may succeed in covering it up.
The American steam frigate Niagara had arriv-
ed in England, and the process of shipping the
Geographic cable had been commenced 1t was
expected that the steamers would have all the ca
BILE on board by the 14th of May. Every precau-
ton that science and human foresight can sug-
gest. is being taken, to prevent as disastrous a
termination to the attempt to lay down the cable
this season a. that of last year and, SO far as it
. possible to ~foretell, the first of August viii zee
IL two continents united by the electric wire.
From India the news IL interesting. Tn fol-