davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
Australia.

News from Australia to the middle of July
gives much satisfaction in commercial cir
Giles. The gold production steadily continues,
quartz crushing growing in favor, while the
alluvial diggings are becoming less popular.
In the early months of the year the yield
showed falling off compared with 1858, but
turn has since taken place which has
brought the quantity almost exactly up to
the point at which it stood at the correSpon-
ding period Of that year. An aggregate
equal to 0,O00, COO is still calculated as the
probable annual sum.
But the chief interest Of the present ad-
vices, lies in the announcement Of the disco
very Of IN almost houndless extent Of fertile
and well.watered territory at the Northern
limits 0: the colony of South Australia. This
has resulted from an expedition undertaken
by Mr.. Stuart, an experienced explorer, who
has lust returned to Adelaide, (the capital OF
South Australia) after six months absence
in the interior. According to his descrlp-
ton. the district surpasses IN richness any
thing vet found on the Australian continent,
and it appears that he did not turn back
from having arrived at any termination of 1t,
but is disposed TO believe it may extend al
most to the northern coast. There was album
dance of water along the whole route, and a
river at one part three miles wide.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
The Spy System.

The New York Herald states that a sys-
TEN of espionage is exercised in this coun-
try, just as despotic as that which is rife in
France, and perhaps more potent. This
system is carried on by means of mercan-
tile agencies, whose ramihcations extend
Throughout the whole country and any one
paying them the privilege may inspect
from their books, the most secret actions,
including even tie private matters Of south
ern merchants. If New York man is
about to sell bill Of goods to one
in Alabama, he goes to an agency and
states that fact. Immediately the clerk
who has charge of that particu lar section IS
called, and lays open the private life OF
the Alabamian to the eyes Of the inquirer
Even his marital relations are discovered,
and the kind of beverage with which ne re-
gales himself as well as the condition OF his
finances. By this means, these agencies
have it with their power to blast the pros
poets of a southern merchant, and ruin his
character forever. The espionage practiced
by the French Emperor cannot do more
among his own people. In view Of these
facts, southern merchants should be extreme
ly cautious as to whom they deal with in the
North Montgomery AdreTtiser.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
General Convention of the Protestant Episco.
nal Church, u. S.

This Convention will meet in the city of
Richmond on Wednesday, and remain in SEES
sion about two or three weeks. 1t is COM
posed of two houses; the House of Bishops
and the House of Clerical and Lay Delegates.
The House Of Bishops consists of all the
Bishops in the United States, and all the
Missionary Bishops-Senior Bishop, Bishop
Brownell, of Connecticut, presiding. The
House Of Clerical and Lay Delegates is com
posed Of eight delegates from each State-four
from the clergy and four from the laity-elee-
ted by Conventions of each Diocese. The fol
lowing are the delegates from Virginia:
Deieqates.-Rev. r. Wilmer, Rev. c. W.
Andrews, d. d., Rev. c. Minnegrodc. D., d.
Rev. w. Sparrow, ID. d., ?. Williams, esq,
Hon. Judge Lomax, d. II. Conrad, esq, Thos.
S. Ghoson, esq.
AHcrnotes.-Rev.G Geo. Woodbridge, u. d.,
Rev. C. Walker, Rev. Joseph Packard, d. D.,
Rev. w. n. Pendleton, Hon. VIM. c. Rives,
Tazewell Taylor, esq, John Stewart, esq,
VIM. Ii. mcfarland, esq.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
The Effect Of the Merchants L;esr,.

In conversation with an in;elIis.p, o.,
few days ago, | was informed ,La. .It
amount OF evil arising from the prc.an. We
rangement for collecting the revenue NJ
State ON Merchants license. was ,bn ,,,;. %E
source OF much greater loss 10 the a '": va.
tural interest than even If possible, - 1''Sa'
Jury IL did to the mercantile Interests. and !" }
determined m1 to look into the matter for nv
SELF. The result | will endeayor TO give -,
In as short manner as am able. and i !
am wrong, would request enligh,enmrn, !,
myself and others. '''' 'O'
First according to my information Wiki
Is the best | can get, the following scbo5" ,4
are the ratesnow assessed in classr, a< ,.,,.I
with the average rate per cent. of IN. am, -,
OF tax or license, and the rate per cent - ~
sales made: ''''' q
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
"GRASTLEY +. BERSELE,
Curious.

Mr.. futile, of Hartford, Coma, finding
himself in hotel in Chicago, and with
$500 in money in his pocket, (hapPy Tut
Tel was afraid to 90 to bed. experimenting
robbery. lie sat in chair IN his room
thinking of danger, when suddenly, fancy
ing he heard robbers, he started up and ran
into the entry, down stairs, and then into
,bs street shouting Murder" Murder"
yehemently. lie sped for some distance,
pursued BY wondering crowd. The bell
ringer in his steeple on the Court House
hearing the hubbub, and supposing half the
city was on FIRE, rang the alarm bell furious
w. for no less than four different fire districts.
The engines were brought out, and ran in
one direction and then in another, for near
ly an hour. The man continued his flight
until three policemen finally overlook him,
listened to his terrors, soothed bis troubled
mind, and at his own request placed MN
under lock and key in strong cell at the
watch-house. In the morning ne was set at
liberty, appearing to be quite as rational as
any one.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
Important to Farmers.

Corn Husking Frolics, in the old-fashioned
way, are to be set aside now by the progress
of '.invention," and, instead Of the slow and
tedious process by which the finger nails
were more or less torn, the whole husking,
from first to last. may be accomplished by
machinery. at the rate of fifty bushels an
hour. This invention, patented by DR.. VIM.
II Smith of Newport r. l., must prove Of
great service in getting the corn crop Of the
country to market which is now Of enormous
extent. The returns of the last census state
the entire product at over five hundred mil
lions of bushels, and the estimate now ex-
ceeds seven hundred millions. The handling
of such immense quantities is no trifing
matter, and the corn growers will be under
great obligations to DR.. Smith for his inge-
NOUS and valuable machine.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
More Mammoth Trees.

A grove Of mammoth trees even larger
than those Of Cayeras. which have become
20 celebrated as California wonders, has been
discovered in an unfrequented part Of Mari
posa county. The largest tree in the Calve-
ras group was one hundred and five feet IN
circumference. In this more recently dis
covered grove, a tree was found measuring
one hundred and fourteen feet in circuIn-
ference. The grove contains six hundred
Of these monsters-none others Of them, per-
haps, quite that large-but all Of them Of
approximate proportions. These trees grow
on the Southfork Of the MERGED river, about
thirty miles southeast Of the town of Mari
posa. One Of the trees, one hundred feet
from the ground, has a circumference Of six
ty-six feet. and branch meas uring eighteen
feet in circumference.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
Balahtr IN hror Of buying out u the stat.

Balancr in favor Of buying II tn. St.tc.. : =
Which, 1t appears To me, is made 10 A.,
as u sort of premium in favor of merchant.
who now 20 to Northern markets for tbrir
supplies; and we may expect them 10 o.
there so long as we continue to prevent them
from trading with our own merchants hy =
tax OF | l-6 per cent, on their purchase: if
they offer to do so.
This is the effect on the mercantile part of
the great interests of the State But will
now endeavor to show how it affects the 40.
riculture, and what believe would prevent
its destructive effects on all, and vastly in.
crease the commonwealth Of all our citizens.
We will take Alexandria rs the par, Of
Virginia, for instance. The counties lof
which it would appear by geographical psi.
ton, &C., rs the outlet port for commerce,
which connect with it by statistical evidence,
show about ., 500, 900 bushels Of brcadstuf,.
which at at Zoe. per bushel, 1.-THE average diff.
ference between New York and Alexandra
prices will be $3.50, 900, and according to
what | believe to be statistical tables, cor
rected regularly and kept for ten years past,
that is the difference between Alexandria
and New York; consequently, loss 10
Alexandria of that amount, for New York
does not manufacture it, and il might
equally rs well be shipped outward from
Alexandria But this il not all, because in
addition to this $4,000. there will undoubt-
eily, be added an equal amount tor transact.
ing the necessary business on the manuiac.
lures on foreign imports from whence they
may be imported, for the balances have 10 be
made by exchanges caused by thcpurchasos Of
our merchants who have subsdised 10 this Sys-
TEN by Offering premium # Lilo percent.
and which will make in nil a loss 10 the pro-
ducing classes Of the Commonwealth, who
are resident in the range OF the counties con
tisuous TO Alexandria alone. as before named.
Of 100000. The effect, by statistical eyi-
dence, on Norfolk, the same rate as before
named, on Alexandria, on Richmond the
same, except only 50 far, the effect of the
trade in coffee being exempt 10 some degree
by the direct importation n | understand.
am afraid am making my letter too tong,
but vii! endeavor to show wha! think Will
remedy the evils in a very great degree, If
not wholly.
lst Let the tax on merchants be fixed 81
an uniform rate, say so SD or so; aud ID.
with the addition of this part, that the goods
shall pay tax but once in the State and !
think, then the premium will turn in favor
Of our own merchants. Direct trade will
take the place of the levy that is made on
very large amount Of our produce, on nearly
all our manufactures, and on nearly all we
buy, and which is likely 10 continue 50 long
as the present system Of license tax IS allow
ed to iniure the COUNTRY.
p. S.-The writer requests the view, oI
any of your numerous country friends on
this subject. ~ the fact he conceIves 100
plain, and the consequences too OWL to pass
unheeded: that our foreign commerce j.
gradually dwindling to nAhng; if Is not
in great part from the license law, then what
is the cause?-Rich. Eaq.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
Sporting Under Difficulties.

The Hon Grantley ]. Berkeley, a scion OF
one of England's noblest families, lately
came over to this country to do little hunt
ing in the West, and brought with him a
select pack of dogs, of a lineage as ancient
and respectable as that of their master.
These aristocratic animals have met with the
most brutal treatment from those proverblal-
" grum gentlemen, who figure rs baggage
agents on the Northern roads, and Hon.
Berkeley pours out his griefs--scarcely infe-
rior to those Of Werter-in the following let
ter to friend in New York:
"Sr. Louis, Sept. ID, 1859.
"MY DEAR SRI have with me five dogs
my famous old English bloodhound Druid
so celebrated in the New Forest in Hamp-
shire, in which he has run down upwards OF
three hundred of the royal deer; my red set
ter dog Chance; my two retrievers, Brutus
and Alice; and a splendid lurcher, given to
me by the Marquis of Brcadalbane, pur-
posely to try ON the prairics. This dog to
look at, is q complete greyhound, but from
his being twice removed from q cross with
old Foxhound, though silent, he will run by
nose until he brings wounded animal 10
Duy, WHICH TIC viii HiiiS uiS tohSuN' ai'e' NoNf
the bay till the hunters come up.
81 regret to say have met, with but one
exception, with the most extortlonate impo-
sition from the baggage masters throughout
the distance have travelled. The compa-
MES assign no place for the transit OF dogs
and their cost is at the option OF the baggage
masters. This is wrong, and if not amended,
it will deter me and all England from bring
ing our dogs with us; fact which VIII keep
us away. My visit was an experiment
which Intended should have induced ira
termination between the sportsmen ana dogs
of the two countries, but the railway misery
TO our valuable dogs, will if not amended
defeat nv object SO highly and desirable
was my project thought OF IN the mother
country, that Sir }. Cunard built me kennels
on the deck Of the Africa, AID refused 70
permit any charge to be made 1or their
transit. In America, the baggage masters
were permitted to force their own terms, anu
10 refuse my dogs any transit unless came
into their exhorbtant terms, which, between
two of the stations, in days travel, amount,
ed TO ten dollars. | would not have minded
any cost, provided gold could buy sale and
comfortable quarters for animals who mad
shared my parlor and my home for years
with me, but it was too bad to make me thus
pay, and then risk the breaking OF my dogs
legs among heavy trunks and baggage
Every truly yours, !,
"GRASTLEY +. BERKELEY.
The Spirit of the Times insinuates' that II
Mr.. Berkeley had, in imitation OF the Mar
quis of Waterford, Lord Stanley, and other
English gentlemen, democratise1 himself a
littie. and condescended to make some ac-
quaintances in New York, ne would nave
been put upon the right track, and been
saved much ANNOYANCE.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The newly discovered oyster beds in Long
Island Sound have created an intense Juror
among the New York oystermen. Boats flock
from all points to the spot, and the "take" is
said to be immense. One man has averaged
400 bushels day, with only one sloop, except
on certain calm days, when the bed could
not be reached. Gu one particular day ne
took no fewer than six hundred bushels.
Small boats, with only one dredge, readily
haul up twenty-five bushels per day, and
often more 1t has been estimated that oys-
tiers to the amount of $4,000 have been al
ready taken, while millions more remain on
hand
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
A Wise Suggestion.

One character in the novel called Adam
Bede, is Bartle Massey, village school
master. And, indeed, he is a character
lie understands his vocation. He is Iectur-
ing two dull scholars, and does It Is TINS
wise.
"You want to learn accounts; that's well
and good But You think all you need -
do 10 learn accounts is to come 10 me AMI do
sums for an hour or so, three times wees;
and no sooner do you get your caps on, ana
turn out ofdoors again, than you sweep the
whole thing clean out Of your mind. You ~
whistling about. and take no more care what
you're thinking Of than if your heal. were
cutters for any rubbish to swiil through that
happened to be in the way; and If you g";
a good notion in EN-, it's pretty soon washed
out again.
This is plain sense, plainly enough eE'
pressed. The language is not particularly
elegant. but the wisdom is like rich ore IN '"s
rough. Our young friends must work "at
the pure gold. In the intervals OF study tn"y
must not dissipate their mental powers "
overtaxing their attention with useless taInS'
which require even more thought than use
full pursuits. -Paadelphm EHq"rer
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The opening of the Maryland Agricultu-
raj College will take place tomorrow, the
9Th instant, in the College building north
west of Bladensburg. Addresses will be
made by distinguished men of science, and
the proceedings will no doubt be altogether
of a highly interesting character.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The exports of specie during the past
week, amount to over three millions OF dol
lars, and the steamers Of Saturday took out
more than million. The California install
ment, and lot of Mexican silver from New
Orleans, will offset this to the amount OF, per-
haps, two and q quarter millions.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

Last Sunday morning, the First Baptist
Church Of Chicago was in debt sl4, 900. In
forty five minutes after the fact was stated,
the congregation wiped out Sl2,5oo. and
were prepared to cancel the remaining ST.
500; but the pastor begged them not to do 50,
as several friends were unavoidably abseat.
who would not be pleased if nothing was left
for them to do!
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

BERKELEY CIRCUIT CoaPT.-Thc iaI! Tern,
of the Berkeley Circuit Court, commsne'i
on Monday last. A number Of casc' =! eCA'
siderable interest have been, aud arc o ~
tried, during the present term.
The case Of John W. Simpson, VINO va
acquitted on Wednesday last, ELECTED nlus,.
interest. and no little surprise wa ie's ~
the verdict Of the jury. The case SEEM p,.. y
have been very aggravated one, ara "'"
doubt was entertained Of the conS'ct.'n =,
the accused. lie was indicted for ha''"3
caused the death Of Margaret Arm'trons
Young girl 10 whom he va. engaged /"
married, and whom he had .ucreeitl a.
seducing. 1t was alleged that under ~. ,n "a
vice and direction, she was induced y
some deadly poison for the pgrp''s, u ! #
ducins abortion. Many Of the cIth'",
Martinsburg were quite indignant az .. -,
acquittal, and on Thursday night me- ',s.Irs
was held, at which committee % ,ta
was appointed to notify him TO iea's w
town within given time. The larE E,,,.
also burned in effigy in token u t'e ''''
probation Of the verdict. -. ,ps
On Thursday and yesterday morh.'7i br,e
Court was engaged in the trial Of Wv far,b
bows accused Of the murder OF hr' a., a..
Zeiger, near Scrabble. They were :" !,
Quilted, the evidence being m'n l
convict them-Chariestorn '>P1".
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

At the last accounts -four was selling on
the island of IIayti, at two hundred and for
ty dollars per barrel. That looks like a high
price-but the money was Hsytien curren-
cy. which is like our old continental money.
About $50 of it are worth one silver dollar.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The special correspondent of the New
York Times on board the Great Eastern,
makes some statements which. if true, would
seom to indicate that the ship is not such a
success, as we have been led to believe by the
Enylish accounts.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04
The New York correspondent of the Char

The New York correspondent of the Char
lesion Courier says there is now lively
movement Of horses to the South. They are
generally fine, blooded animals, bought in
the New England market at high figures,
ard are destined to grace the stables OF
wealthy p,antcrs. The equine expectation
10 the South is uncommonly large this year.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The following is set down rs the relative
heating values of different kinds of Ameri-
can wood Shellbark hickory, being taken
as the highest standard, 100; pig-nut hick-
DRY, %; white oak, 81; white-ash, q; dog
wood, IS scrub oak, %: white hazel, y;
apple tree, 70; red oak, GO; white beech, %;
black walnut, Ct; black birch, 62; yellow
oak, GO; hard maple, SO; white elm, SO; red
cedar, so; wild cherry, So; yellow pine, A;
chestnut 50; yellow poplar, 50; butternut,
So; white birch, 40; white pine, AZ.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

AT the recent Agricultural Fair in Ken
lucky, Messrs.. John L. Peerce, William {.
Solomon David G. and Isaac Nanmeter, and
George w. Washington, purchased. and are
about to bring to Hampshire and Hardy
counties. Va. twenty head Of the pure blood
ed Durham cattle.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

Some of the most prominent merchants
ard business men Of New York, have sub
scribed as much as fifty dollars each, towards
substantial testimonial of regard to Col. IL.
Duryea, late commander Of the Seventh
Regiment. for bringing that corps to its
present high state Of discipline and eff
cheney.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The Baton Rouge Louisiana) Advocate, of
the oath ultimo, mentions the return to that
place of Governor Wickliffe, from the scene
of lawlessuess and anarchy which prevailed
in the southwestern counties. He states that
order had been restored, although much ex-
citement still existed He went as far as
ermillionville, and had interviews with the
prominent leaders Of the Vigilance Commit
tee, who gave their promises that no further
violence would be attempted by the organi-
cation. The Advocate, however, does not
appear to rely On these promises, and appre-
hends further difficulty.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The case of little Ella Burns which has
been before the Supreme Court Of New York,
for some days past has been amicably ar
ranged by the friends Of the child. She is
to be placed at boarding school, and is to
take the name of her father, Written, and is
not to exhibit in public, without an order
from a Justice Of the Supreme Court.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

7 OST.-Ou In. afternoon OF the goth ult, a
GOLD CABLE WATCH CHAIN, while rid
ing from the Livery Stable on Washington street
TO the Theological Seminary, BY the way Of Bay
ly's Cross Roads. and returning by Shutters Hill!
The finder will be literally rewarded by leaving
the same with ". ". Adam, esq, Jeweler, on King
s,reat oct 3-3ts
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The New York Courier says:-"We are
happy to say that the danger of excessive
importations for many months to come is past.
The accounts Of sales now going on have
provoked replies indicating the greatest dis
appointment; but what better result can be
expected if goods continue to be sent here
without regard to the wants of the market"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

During September the coinage at the Mint
in Philadelphia amounted to s2io,1l3; OF
which Sl22. S04 was in gold, S54,90s in sill
YER and $50. 0u0 in cents. The deposits tor
the month reached S259.33O.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

yYTASTED-A situation a. GOVERNESS, by
w a young lady qualified to teach the English
branches, Mathematics, Latin, French, and !husic'
References exchanged. Address Z. H., Berry'i!ie'
Clarke county, Va
Clark. county, Va, sep 29-co3ts
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

About o'clock last Friday morning, the
boiler used for heating and cooking purposes
in the Girard House, Philadelphia, exploded
with fearful crash, instantly killing John
O'Conner, a plumber, and injuring the fire
man, John Collins, to such an extent that
his recovery is considered impossible. The
boiler was situated in the basement, and the
whole building was shaken by the explosion
There was BARRIERS shop on the first floor.
which. although not directly above the BOZ
Ter, was literally blown in pieces, the floor
and furniture being thrown together in
heap of confusion and ruin.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

Mr.. George W. Bradfeld, formerly of
Clarke county. Va, has become the proprie-
tor of the Knoxville Tenn Register.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-04

The New York Curriers' Monthly Table
of Marine Losses for September, shows an
aggregate of thirty-two vessels, of which
seven were ships, two were barks, six were
briggs, sixteen were schooners, and one a
propeller. The total value of property lost
was nine hundred and forty-six thousand
four hundred dollars. This is the value OF
the property totally lost, exclusive of dam
are to vessels not amounting to total loss.
As compared with the month of September,
1858, the above shows a decrease in the value
of property lost and missing Of one hundred
and eighty-one thousand six hundred dol
lars.