The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-09
Our Richmond Correspondence.

RICHMOND, Dec. 81, 1853
The Monument in independence Square, Philadelphia
Refusal Of Virginia to Contribute to its Erection-The
Wing State Conpention-John Minor Bots Expected to
Deliver an address and Lay Do,Un Opposition Plat
form for 1860, dc.
perceive that the recent adverse action OF the South
Carolina Legislature the subject of contribution in
aid OF the of monument by the thirteen orig
nal States Independence square, Philadelphia, to COM
memorate the declaration Of national Independence
has somewhat renewed discussion upon that subject
have observed that Virginia has been represented as
having contributed her quota to the fund instituted for
this purpose. This is The action Of her Legs
upon the subject comprehended merely the report
ing and printing of bill authorizing the Governor to
contribute her quota of the expense, subject to certain
guarantees and conditions involving proper conforma
ton to the plans and specifications accompanying the
original design Of the monument. Whether from
want Of time or disposition the part Of the Ie
gislature to cooperate in this movement, further
action was had upon the subject. Governor Wise
soon after his inauguration, in 1885, addressed
brief message the Legislature, with documents,
Ceved, believe from the then Governor of Massachu
sets, embodying the application for aid, with the pan
specifications &c, of the monument Some ntiaory steps
then taken in the premises but owing to the pres
sure of other important business the subject received
further consideration the session of it was
again up part of the unfinished business of the
previous but with better success than have
already indicated. From the tone Of opposition which
pervade the House of Delegates in reference
it, and the influence which that opposition is likely to
produce future Legislatures, led TO the opinion
that any operation by Virginia in aid Of this movement
is hopeless. The sentiments OF opposition to il partook
somewhat Of the character of those recently avowed in
the South Carolina Legislature, when the subject was
under consideration before that body.
The wing State Convention, which is to meet in this city
the 10th of February next to nominate candidates
Governor Lieut. Governor and Attorney General looked
for with considerable interest," This intercst arises
much with the plan Of be pursued
in the campaign with the foreshadowngs of that
body reference to the campaign of 1860 The forth
coming State elections in Virginia made the occasion
for a reorganization of the wing party chiefly, If not
solely in view of the Presidential election, for wing
ascendapcy in this State is utterly hopeless In this
state of things, IT will he important TO ascertain
what their programme will be- and especially upon what
terms they disposed to enter into the contemplated
nnion Of all the opposition elements for 1860 These,
imagine, will best CLEANED from speech OF Hon.
John Minor Bolts, to whom, am informed, is committed
by CONSENT the duty Of laying down the law and
the terms which to govern in this coalition. His
friends here-he few of them that left-becve hun
10 have fully established his claim 10 the high position of
oracle chef OF the wing party 10 be- by his faithful
prediction, in 1856 of the evils which have since resulted
from the repeal of the Missouri COMPROMISE, of the
financial crash of last fall Bolts is great finances and
The sporting world hold his OPINIONS upon
these matters to be ina however they be questioned
in political affairs The democrats have strong idea
he will now, in the past, destroy the prospects this
new organization by his arrogance obstnacy and nds
creon and therefore, no less anxious for this Bolts
manifesto than the wings themselves. They seem TO
think that the platform which he will lay down will be
sufficiently comprehensive for black republicans, wings
Know Mornings, ana everything antiOcmOcratc, stand
upon, but nevertheless, too complicated by technical alb
stracton To form proper basis for harmonious unon
The negro hiring season commences here to morrow
and from this time at least for two weeks hence, our
streets will be literally ronged with darkcs OF all ages
and sizes for hire From the iauerng prospects of the
tobacco trade at this me is thought the hiring
will be unusually high, that IL Is probable slave
will reap fun counterbaancc for the depressed
caused by the money panic of year The largest
portion Of the slave labor in this city aud surrounding
counties employed in the manufacture OF tobacco and
as with che fluctuations in the price of cotton farther
phanna damn in Ntrnp tu
but to far more limited extent does the state of the to-
bacco market modify the hiring rates of that class The
purchase value OF negroes however, regulated
by the price Of cotton, for here variation
in the price OF that staple produces corresponding
change IN thc value OF slave property Hiring rates alone
governed by the state OF the tobacco market for TO-
bacco manufacturers rarely purchase slaves for their own
Al present slaves carrying cxorbitant price
price too high In fact to justify their purchase for any
other employment than cotton culture. Isaw n few DAYS
slave boy, about twenty twenty years Of age
sold for 81 300, who twelve months ago would have
scarcely brought $500 II uncommon thing now In
Virginia TO parties sell out other Species Of property
and invest their slaves, the best means IN
large gains. Their labor always In requstoo
and with ten twenty hands yielding dollar a day
each, may well pride himself in the possession Of
handsome revenue. There many who have
double that number, yielding revenue In proportion
while the increase, numerically well the onhanco
ment in the value OF many Of them, resulting from their
growth to manhood produces AT the end of twelve
years an aggregate little below, if not equal, to the
amount realized from the labor Of the Original number
PAID IRE department has been recently instituted
mere 20 lar II Is merely experiment, though II has
proved successfuto the extent that us services have been
demanded There IL much more order al fires and less
rowdysm IMAM prevailed under the old voluntary regime
II the change produced other benefit than this would
be efiesng much for the love OF excitement and thu
opportunity Tor It's indulgence Afforded by the lax dis