davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

New KIND OF MAIL MATTER-The Wash
ington Constitution officially announces the
removal of Mr.. Westcott from the Office of
Postmaster of Philadelphia, and the appoint.
ment Of his successor. 1t appears that on
the Goth of May a coffee pot, a fishing pole
and a box Of patent medicine had been sent
to Washington free, and Mr.. Westcott was
called upon by Mr.. King, the First Assistant
Post Master General, for an explanation,
which he made, as follows:
81 made further enquiries from the subor-
dinates of the office, who have charge of the
despatching and reception of the mails, and
learn that these packages were in no wise
placed in their charge, or custody of this Of
flee, but were in care of the route agent --,
and were taken to Washington by him on his
own account, entirely Independent of any
connection with the mail. Such, | learn, is
common occurrence, not only with Mr..
----, but other agents, and that it has
been the practice for years, of the route agents
running between this city and Washington,
to so accommodate their friends. Flour By
tie barrel, candles, fish, butter, and other
articles not mailable, haze been 80 carried
for Senator's, Members Of Congress AND 9TH
ERs, since the Presidency of Mr.. Fillmore.
Since have been in office, the route agents
being officers of the Department and not un-
der my control, except with reference to the
proper performance of their duties, have
not felt that it was my duty to interfere with
a practice, which | had good reason to be-
lieve was known to the Department"
We think that sending ''hour by the bar
rel, candles, fish, butter and other articles,
for Members Of Congress and Others" re-
quires investigating, and We hope that Mr.
Westcott, now that he is free from the en-
barrassments Of Office, will give us full &C.
pose of the entire practice, so far as he has
a knowledge of it.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

SELLING Our THE SErrLERs.-It will be
seen from telegraphic dispatch from Wash
ington City that the President has ordered
sales of the public lands in Iowa. The set
tiers, in consequence of the failure of crops
and the hard times generally, have no money
to enter their lands, we presume, and the
land sharks will have it all their own way
But as the land-sharks are usually the Presi-
dents friends, while the settlers train in the
Republican ranks, Buchanan Furnishes his
enemies and rewards his friends at the same
time.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

PosrNAsrEEs IN Trouble A iudgm en-
was recently obtained against the Postmaster
Of "Dogtown," Davis county, as dcfaulter
to Government. The sum in default was
So GO. Interest amounted to % cents
Judgment was rendered for SO SO. Doubt
less the defaulting gentleman will be appalled,
when he hears Of it. But really the Post
master and his securities must be cnterpris-
ing gentlemen, to allow the grave prosecution
in the United States District Court of case
of default in so pitiful sum.
Another judgment was obtained against
Van Buren, county Postmaster, for default, in
the sum Of $13.
Two separate petit juries were employed in
these cases, at cost Of 50 per day, with mar
shals, district attorney, Qees about $50 in
each case,) grand jury, and all the machinery
Of the Court. 1t is throwing very big net
to catch very small fish. 1t seems as if
moderate amount of common sense might lie
usefully employed in devising some way to
prevent such idiotic saving at the spigot
and wasting at the bung- g-hole"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

ew The mooted question, 81 Have We a
Bourbon among us?" seems likely to be re-
vived with some earnestness in London. The
correspondent of the Toronto Coloniss at that
city writes as follows:
"Thcre is an extraordinary story afoat
about the Dauphin of France, Louis XVII.
Did he die in the Temple Or not? There are
stranger things than fiction even in modern
times, but people will hardly be prepared for
the startling announcement which was as
serted at coroner's inquiry held on Satur-
day before Mr.. Wakley, coroner of West
Middlesex, that the Dauphin Of France, the
unfortunate son of Louis XVI, did not, as
history states, die "on the 9th June, 1895,
in the prison of the Temple, after a misera-
bic confinement of three years." but that he
expired in London street cab but few
days since, and that the deceased upon whom
the inquest was being held. was no other
than that Dauphin, Louis XVII. of France"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

To ADvERTI~ERs.-We send several copies
of this weeks paper to the business men Of
Muscatine, and respectfully solicit them to
look over it, and il they think it will pay,
we should like to have them invest-in the
way of advertising, etc. There is no point
west Of the Mississippi river that it would
profit Mu'catine business men to advertise
in more than this. 1t is directly west of
them, and only % miles west Of the present
terminus Of the MuscatiDe and Osk aloosa
r.. r. Our business men do a great deal Of
their trading at Burlington and other places,
while Muscatine might have the whole Of
the trade, by a little cxertion 90 its own
part. Our paper eirculates among all the
wide awake men in this part of the country,
aud our advertising rates are As low as can
be afforded. : Sigourney Lits in tie West
Our business men will do we'll to sdver-
tise literally 10 The LiS. II will pay.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17
G. G. HAYES, Secretary

MAsoNIc.-The annual election of officers
Of the Grand Lodge of the order of Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons was held at Day.
export, Thursday, 9th inst. After prayer by
the Chaplain, P. G. NJ. Monsarat, of KY, in
stalled Jas. X. Hartsock NJ. W. G. NJ, after
which the philharmonic Society sang the
installation hymn-"Le. there he Light"
(Ariel) P. G. NJ. Pickett, of ILL.,, then pre-
sented Thos. II. Benton, Jr. for installation as
R. W. d. G. NJ. The following officers were
then installed John Scott, r. W S. G. W. /;
E. A. Gilbert, 4. W. J. G.: W.; VIM. Treb-
ilcock, r. W. G. Treas. L. S. Parvin, R. w.
G. Sec.; Rev. G. B. Jocelyn, R. W. G. Chap
lain; c. Stewart Ellis, r. W. G. S. D.; B. f.
Dodson, R. W. G. J. D.; VIM. NJ. Stone, r..
W. G. Marshal; Sam'l Welch, r. W. G.
Sword Bearer; j. S. Dimmit, Il. W. G. P. !;
G. F. Wright and James Jeffcrs, r. W. G..
Stewards; L. Schriner, G. I.
After the installation, the r. W. G. c.,
Geo. B. Jocelyn delivered the annual address,,
which is said to have been very able pro-
duction, and eminently practical in its tenor.
By the politencss of Mason of this city, VIC
have been permitted to perusc the address of
NJ. W. G. NJ. Hartsock. 1t contains a sue
cinct account of the rise and progress of the
order in this State. Sixteen years ago, the
total membership was one hundred and one,
with four lodges; now there are one hundred
and forty-seven lodges and an aggregate
membership of about four thousand.
Previous to the installation, there was a
procession of 264 Mason's in rcgalia, pre-
senting most beautiful appearance. We
learn that they were conveyed to and from
Davenport by railroad at half fare.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

0V Mr.. Buchanan has an ungrateful pack
to deal with, il must be confessed. lie lately
appointed John p. Barnes, of Alabama, one
of the visitors to the West Point Academy,
and the fellow writes letter declining the
honor. He says:
I" l am well aware that there is discrep-
ancy of opinion as to the existence of any
real danger to the institutions and interests of
the South at present, but | am also aware
that the President has been guilty of a fatal
error to the interests and welfare of the
whole country-that of maintaining his own
peculiar notions of the policy, without i'm
proving the condition, of the Democratic par
ty; and whether the South is to suffer from
the imbecility of superannuated President,
or the contumacious impudencc of the North
ern Abolitonists, time will only show"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

IMPORTANT TO FOREIGN BORN CIrIzENs.-
The following letter, says the Memphis (Tenn. J
Bulletin of the 10th ult., has been handed
to us by Hume F. Hill, Esq, who has here
tofore obtained passports for many unnatural.
lied citizens who wish to visit Europe. 1t
will be seen that they will not be entirely
safe in relying upon their naturalization for
exemption from military service during the
existing war:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

ORDER OF BATTLE.-Few people
have any proper idea of the manner
in which modern warfare is conducted.
With the improvements made in weap-
ons the order of battle has undergone
material changes. A writer in the Ed
inburgh Review sheds the following
light on the subject:
AS modern battles have hitherto
been fought, the usual practice has
been for the opposing armies to ar
range themselves in battle array at
distances varying from 600 to !, 800
yards from one another. At Waterloo
the armies were about 1900 yards
apart. At such distances musketry
fire was out Of the question, as was the
fire Of grape or any other except
round shot from field guns, and even
that was so uncertain and innoxious
against bodies Of mon, that no deci-
sive result could be obtained from it.
1t was necessary, therefore, that one Of
the armies should cross the intervening
space to get at the other. This they
could do with any formation that suit
ed them; and the assailants advanced
to within 200 or 800 yards of their op-
ponents, without suffering any serious
damage. As troops can easily pass
over 100 yards in minute, with two
or three minutes at the utmost from
the time Of coming under fire, they
we're upon their opponents, and either
forced them to retire, or were them
selves beaten back, with loss that was
wonderfully small, considering what it
ought theoretically to be under such
circumstances.
AS far as we can at present Judge,
the fighting in Italy will be, first, be.
tween the two artilleries till one gains
the superiority, and is then enabled to
turn its attention to the infantry; and
when once it has decimated them and
rendered them unsteady, one army will
then rush as rapidly as possible at the
other, and a hand o-hand fight decide
the day. In whatever manner battles
will in future be fought, it seems toler-
ably evident that close formation and
heavy infantry drills are out Of date,
and thatlight infantry movements are
essential, not only to enable the soldier
70 use with the greatest possible effect
che improved weapons which have been
placed in husbands, but also to prevent
his presenting auch target to the fire
Of the enemy a. battallions in close
formation and AlfFlaw moyemcnts
must do.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. - This Society,
which was in session at Davenport OH the
9th, elected the following officers:
President DIR. Egbert S. Barrows, of
Scott. Vice President George Reeder, OF
Muscatine. Recording Secretary - Allen
Phillips, of Dubuque. Cor. Secretary-Oli-
yer George, of Van Buren,. Treasurcr-M.
B. Cochran, of johnson. Censors-Ezra j.
Fountain, of Scott; d. l.. McGugin, of Lee
X. S. Lewis, Of Dubuque; A. W. Mcclure,
of Henry; j. S. Dimmitt, Of Jones.
Dubuque is to be the next place of meet
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

The ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.-Thete terms Of.
fered by the English government to the At
lantic Telegraph Company are one-eighth per
cent guaranteed for twenty five years, provi-
ded, the cable is in successful operation at
the rate of one hundred words per hour, and
they will pay 100000 per annum for messa-
gcs. The arrangements for e14, 900 per an
mum to stand good to the company in return
for the surrender of the exclusive privilege of
landing cable on the coast of New Found
land. This proposition will probably be ac-
cepted.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON Nav II 1S10


Your letter of the 18th inst has been re-
ccived. In reply | have to state that it is
understood that the French government
claims military service from all natives of
France who may bc found within its juris-
diction. Your naturalization in this country
will not exempt you from that claim should
you voluntarily repair thithcr.
LEWIS CASS
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

BUCHANAN GOING INTO PRIVATE LIFE
The President a few days ago took a trip
down into North Carolina, to spend few of
the dog days, when in response to congrat-
ulatory speech from Governor Ellis, he took
occasion to say:
reciprocate with all my heart the cordial
welcome have just received from the citi-
zens of North Carolina have long contem-
plated visit to your great and fruitful State,
but have never been able to do so till now
must have come now or not at all, for the
age will have attained when my term shall
have ended, and when shall go into retire.
ment, is that at which man is warned to re,
main at rest and prepare for that great event
which must overtake us all.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17


Bishop PUKCELL's LETTER TO THE CLERGY
AND LAlry OF THE DIOCESE OF CINCINNATI
Bishop Purcell publishes a letter in the Cath
olic Telegraph of this week, calling attention
to the cncyclical letter of the Pope, ordering
prayers throughout the Catholic world "to
avert the scandal of three Catholic nations,
armed with all the murdcrous appliances of
modern warfare for mutual destruction"
lie SAYS "therc is no foundation in history,
reason, or Scripture for the predictions that
the Pope will have to fly to Western isles, or
continent, for safety. Ills tenure of his peace
full throne we consider more secure than that
of any of the Crowned Heads whose enmity
to one another he dcplores."
But in order to be right end up for any
event, he adds.
"If it be, indeed, true that His people, for
getful, or ungrateful, for past benefits, will
not have him any longer to rule over them,
who is it that cannot see in this rejection the
Wears resemblance to Christ, whom His
people rejected"
OF Napoleon, he says:
" Aware, as we are, OF tne anCcceuehIS VI
the present Napoleon, and of his uncle, we
share not the disquietude Of many Catholic
minds, that the present, apparent Dictator OF
the destinies of Europe, cntertains any ideas
that are hostile to the integrity of the States
of the Church. He should, indeed, be de-
mented, not to see in history the point at
which the downfall of the first Napoleon be-
gan, or fail to perceive that similar policy
would be fatal to himself"
In conclusion, he ordains " that every one
of our beloved clergy celebrate on the 7th,
or the 10th, of June, Votive Mass pro
Dace."
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

Is GRAIN CoNrRABAND OF WAR ?-The
London Times claims that 'grain and coal
should he contraband of war" 1t is not
understood that the British Government have
set up any such claim but if it should, We
apprehend it will find serious job to treat
them as such. If commerce in all articles
common to the uses Of war and peace, are to
be prohibited to neutrals, the range of trade
will be limited indeed. We have, however,
little apprehension that such position will
be taken by any government, especially a
onmercial nation like England,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

The ONO SLAVE HUNTING DEMocRAcY.-
The Dred Scott Amalgamation Democracy of
Ohio tried to ride two horses at the State
Convention they recently held to nominate
a State ticket, and build platform. They
had to endorse Buchanan, or lose the spoils,
and by doing so they were in danger of dis
gusting their followers. So they comprom-
ised, undoing in one resolution what they had
done in another. Their resolutions may
therefore be read, like all dough-faccd resolu-
tions Of the present day, both for and against
him, to suit tastes and locations. On the
slave trade they were equally double dealing.
They denounced its rival, but endorsed those
who favored it. And SO on through the
chapter Detroit Adveytiser.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

SINGULAR Conscience. 1T is a singular
coincidence, that during the first campaign
of the French Empire in 1906, in which the
French army obtained the appellation "le
grand armee," there were three sovereigns in
the field-the Emperor Napoleon, Emperor
of Austria, and the Emperor of Russia. On
this account the battle of Austerlitz was
baptised "The Battle of Three Emperors."
Now, in 1859, Napoleon ILL.,, the Emperor
of Austria and the King of Sardinia, arc ex-
pected to fight at the head of their respective
armies, and their first grand engagement will
probably be called 1.-THE Battle of the Three
Sovereigns''
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17
Observation-Disclosures where the first

MONTE EBELLo.-Montebello where the first
actual battle of the present European war
took place, between the Sandman French and
the Austrian armies, on the 2lst ult., is a
very Insignificant, though historically famous
village, and its name is rarely found in geo.
graphical charts. 1t is situated few min
utes' walk southwest of Casteggio, at present
the headquarters of the French army, and is
overshadowed by that city. 1t is so miles east
of Alessandria, and Is miles from the river
Po. The reader of history will remember
that the First Napoleon, in his great war,
also fought terrific battle at Montebello,
with the Austrians. Fif:y-nine years ago
this June, Napoleon was opening his famous
Italian campaign, and then as now, the ad-
vanced posts of the two armies came in con-
tact. The French under marshal Lannes,
succeeded in driving the enemy from the
field, but not until the less of the two armies
amounted to five thousand men. Gallantry
and success were always regarded by Napo-
leon, and thus it was that Lannes gained his
title of the duke of Monticello. Montebelo
was the first BATTLE in that campaign, as in
this, and the prestige of the victory so en-
boldcned the French and disheartened the
Austrians that three days later, when the
great battle of Marengo was fought, Napoleon
achieved one of his most brilliant triumphs.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

LIBERAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. - The Boston
Transcript says, since the movement to pur-
chase Mt Vernon was started, more money
has been subscribed in Boston for educational
purposes, than has been raised in the whole
country for securing the "home and tomb OF
Washington" The amount is exclusive Of the
large sums given in response to the appeals
daily made for various objects, donations
or moral and religious enterprises, and con-
tributions for the support of local charities.
The largest subscriptions have been for the
Museum Of Natural History, advocated by
Prof Agassiz, $12o,O0O; Tufts College,
$4,000; Antioch College, $4,000.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

W In the case of the slave girl Amy,
convicted at Richmond, Va, of robbing the
United States Mail, Chief Justice Taney has
denied motion for reversal of sentence,
the plea being that Amy, as slave, was not
amenable to the penalties Of the law, and
decides that slaves are subject to punishment
under the laws of the United States.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17


CANADA.-Thc prevailing question at pres
ent on the north side of the Lakes is the
dissolution of the Union between Upper and
Lower Canada. Although the French and
English population Of those provinces seem
opposed on all other questions involving Con-
stitutional changes, the press of the country
seems to foresee and to admit the necessity
of dissolution of the Union between the
Canadas.
The discomfort which exists seems indeed
to be serious and wide spread Clubs and
conspiracics are spoken of as increasing. In
view of this state of things, the Governor
contemplates a change of advisers, but it's
very questionable whether any change of that
nature will effect cure. The source of the
disorder lies far deeper. The population of
Canada West will not be satisfied with any
thing short of independence and self-govern-
ment.
AMERICAN RAIDRoAD BUREAU.-The Syra-
cuse Journal says that an association of
gentlemen conversant with railroads, have
established an american Railroad Bureau"
in New York city, for the purpose of collect
ing reliable information concerning the rail-
roads of the United States and Canada, to
be available to al persons desiring to know
the history, condition and prospects of any
railroad, the mode of its management, the
extent of its business, and the intrinsic value
of its bonds and stock. Agents and cores
pondents are to De located in all the promi-
nent cities in the Union and Canadas to COL
lect facts and furnish such information as
share holders and bond-holders may seek
The inspection of lines of railways by agents
sonversant with the various departments, is
to be made in detail, and information collec-
ted requisite to form correct opinion as to
the value of stock, bonds, &c. The Bureau
is to be open to the Railways contributing to
its support, and is to be under the manage
ment of gentlemen of known integrity and
responsibility. Myron II. Clark is Chairman
of the Managers; Chas. B. Stewart, Consult
ing Engineer; and Geo. G. Dunbar, Treasu-
rer. Some such source of information has
long been needed, and if the concern referred
to performs what it promises, an urgent
public want will be supplied.
Is GRAIN CoNrRABAND OF WAR R?-The
London Times claims that "grain and coal
should be cOntraband of war;" 1t is not
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-06-17

PoslrIoNs DEFINRD.-The Charleston Mer.
curry does justice to the positions of the two
political parties of the country. As it is en-
inently, peculiarly, unmistakably and undis-
guiscdy notwithstanding to the mod
ern definition--its right to define the position
of its own party and the Administration 1t
helped elect, cannot be questioned. That it
does no more than justice to the position,
practices and teachings of the Republican
party, we are ready to concede.
Says the Nereury:-
The DEMOCRATIC PARrY.--"The Democrat
ic party exists only in the South. 1t is no
longer National party. Why should we not
accept the true state of things and act upon
them? As party, it is Southern party,
and nothing else. Why should it not turn
its back upon the North, and act only for the
South ?"
Says the Mercury:-
The REPUBLICAN PARTY. -" "Disunion
would be fatal in every point of view to
Black Republicanism. They know 1t well,
and would seek to prevent, if they had the
power and could succeed, even at the point
of the sword. 1t is the strongest Union par
ty in the country, not only from policy and
the dictates of self preservation, but by the
principles of consolidation which they enter
tain"
These definitions are entitled to place at
the head of every Republican journal.