davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,


 SIR: The following extract from the forthcoming Agricultural Report of the Commissioner of Patents will explain the reason why the distribution of the various kinds of domestic seeds, which have here tofore been sent out from this office, is dis pensed with during the present fiscal year:
 lowing to the reduced appropriation made by Congress for agricultural purposes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1850, the office has been compelled to reduce its expenses and confne it's action to more limited sphere than heretofore In doing this, 1t was found necessary, either to de- cline purchasing for distribution the. usual varieties of garden and field seeds, or to abandon the experiment of propogating the tea and various other foreign plants and grape cuttings for which orders had been given. The expenses which had already been incurred in their procurement would hardly justify the office in throwing them aside. It was accordingly deemed advisable to apply the remainder of the funds solely to the procuring of information and pc pairing the material for the agricultural r1- port, and to the propagation and distrlbn' tion of such varieties of foreign seeds an cuttings as had been already engaged. These were of such nature, that if they had been distributed throughout the country immediately upon their receipt the PToDa, 'a biltv is, that very few of them would hase s', reached their destination in it state TOT propagation. The tea-seeds, more partIc9- IarIy. arrived in such condltlon' that It was of the utmost importance to plant them at once. For that purpose, large propoSa- t;ng bonses were erected upon the govern ment grounds, north of the canal between AL M and 9th streets These structures now a2swer we'll the purpose for which they were intended, as exhibited by the fact that we have ready for distribution over 3O,OOO well rooted tea-plants; 12,OOO foreign and domestic grape-vines; 900 rooted seedless nomegranate cuttings, and various foreign, medicinal, and ornamental plants. These will be ready for distribution during the present winter, and the ensuing spring.
 Yours, very respectfully,
 VIM. D. BISHOP,
 Commissioner.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29

BRAVERY AT A DIsCoUNT.-Those who read and believe the Old Line Democrat must think the article of courage is sadly below par in Pulaski county. Mr. Peek proclaims one brave man-oniy one-and plainly intimatcs that all the balance of the large and respectable assemblage, at the democratic meeting of the 18th, were guilty of |" coward;ce, Me meanest of aH yices."
 Cowards! all towards, but one, who had the bravery, cfter Me convention acas orer, to say to Mir. Peek that ke would have intro- duced his resolution indorsing the Old Line Democrat, if he had been asked What an act of heroic bravery! We should like to know the name of the individual. We wish to honor him. His name should be recorded, in the annals of Pulaski county in letters of gold. Who is he? When his name is mentioned, every democrat in Pulaski is expected to cringe and do him honor. MT. Peek, name your man.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
One of Hindman's Helena Editors.
What is the meaning of the following:

AUGUSTA, GA, February l5. Andrew Rogers, hailing from Helena, Arkansas was arrested here to day the charge of abductne free negroes and subsequently, selling them into slavery. Subsequently he was conveyed to Mason for trial in charge ot policeman.
 This is dispatch to the St. Louis Re publican. Rogers was one of the men im- ported by Hindman to abuse Gov. Conway, Senators Sebastian and ohnson, and our self Not being able to get citizens of our state to do his work, he has, on all occasions, imported them from elsewhere. Rogers is one of his men, and has turned out to be a thief of the deepest dye.
 Had not our people better stand by those whom they have known for years, than to fly to those they know nothing of? Hind mans man, Rogers, has given us a lesson that should never be forgotten. Imported by Hindman into our state, Arkansas has to bear the odium of his disSraceful con- ducf
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
orr wind ooa;n Rut as Mir. P. M.

into your mind again. But as Mir. r. M. may be an aspirant after office, l must deal liphtlv with him at present, and as have but few moments to write and no time to copy, only stop to deny the h. ! two charges nrefered against myself. If l knew the greater of the two would deny first, but H unfortunately I am not a lawyer and can not discriminate between the two 50 here is at both together. I am not an asp,rant after office, nor would tell ialsehood knowingly. I can prove myself clear Of the one and I believe both by Mir Rowland himself. do not pretend to say the post, master is liar or any such hard thing but would guess that he had forgotten that |, | , in the presence of another gentleman call ed on him where he was at work, wi'h'1 one hundred yards of the office, told nm wanted my,papers, that he moodlly replied when four or five come at one tune 4" % down to the office. l am through TOT 'ne present, promising Mir. Rowland that VIII take more time when 1 come at him agaln and bring some of the boys with me Ii he is anxious that I should prove my asser- lions. WILLIS GAINES HILLS,
 MtormaM.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
Countv Conventions.

RANDoI PHI COUNTY has instructed for R 4. Johnson as first and 1hos. Fletcher as second choice for Governor, and Wm. K Patterson for Congress in the northern district CRITTENpEN COUNTY has instructed for Samuel Mitchell as first, and Thos Fletcher as second choice for Governor.
 HoT SPRING COUNTY has instructed for Geo. C. Watkins for Governor and T. F. Sorrels for Congress in the 2nd district.
 JOHNSON COUNTY has instructed for R. H. Johnson for Governor and A. M. Wilson for Congress in the northern dis trict.
 scorr COUNTY for w. ". Floyd for Governor.
 PIKE CoUNTY-if we are correctly in formed. has instructed for R. H. Johnson for Governor and c. B. Mitchell for con- gross.
 WAsHrxGrox COUNTY has instructed for A. NJ. Wilson for Congress in northern district.
 BENTON COUNTY has instructed for T.. c. Hindman for Congress in northern dis trict, in one convention, and, in another, for A. NJ. Wilson.
 LAFAYETTE COUNTY The township meet ings of this county are divided between Mitchell and Gantt-the instructions for Governor are for R. II. Johnson-Mitchell has probably got the county.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
From Napoleon.
Napoleon, Ark., Feb'y 18th, 1860


 EprroR OF THE TRUE DEMocRAT;-
 Dear Sir: A party of us who. left Little Rock lately for New Orleans, reached this place last night. We are waiting for the Memphis packet |" Belfast" bound down tonight.
 The steamboat "Tecumseh,' ,'i from Gin cinnati, Ohio, has just "rounded to- at the wharf boat, having on board the famous Mentor brass band of that place, which has been engaged by the fremen of New Orleans to play at celebration on the 4tl of March. On the forcastle of the "Tecumseh " was to be seen a striking group of 1;egroes and mulattoes, nine in number, whc, proved to be old residents of Arkansas, part of the free colored population, who, having re- moved from the State in compliance with the late law relating to them, a'e returning home from their short exile.
 As soon as landed, they boldly announced their full determination to go into slovery under the law, rather than think of endur- ing any longer the " freedom " If abolition- dom. They publicly detailed many circum- stances of fraud and injury recrived at the hands of their philanthropic white " breth- ren" of Ohio, which contained " internal evidences " of ruth, enforced b. the feeling manner of their allusion to the,m and their perpetrators, the "devlish abblitionists, ," as they termed them. They declared pas sionately that the system of fraud and op- pression practiced at the Nofth, against the poor and ignorant, the free negro espe- cally, is thousand times worse than any slavery they have ever seer; that even on their way down, the fare stipulated be- fore leaving. at ten dollars, was sought to be increased to ttcelye; that thev had to stand up on the {. guards in the cold dur ing the day. and at night hudlled together in small room in which they could not all lie down at once; that white men at the South do not treat their stock aalf as badly as they were treated in Ohio One young girl said that while there she S' took up for the South," whereupon she was severely threatened when she told the,n ' that she would speak up for the South if she had to die on the cross.''
 They were kindly welcomed at Napoleon, on the wharf boat and as they passed up the levee, they were cordially shaken by the hands by acquaintances and strangers. In the warmth of their feelings, while speaking in denunciation of the abolitionists y and qualification at their return, they shed tears freely.
 Much oftener, could the Expression of similar experiences reach the, public ear, from negroes themselves, would come like vindcation of the mildest form of Sewitude ever devised, southern slaver.; and of its accompanying state of society," which, in it's mutual checks and benefits, is'undoubtedly as near perfection as humanity is capable of attaining; without which tystem there can be for the mhite man, egalte, .troternite, HJene, truly never!
 Yours respectfully,
 JOHN NJ. FARRELL.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
Yours respectfully,
 JOHN NJ. FARRELL
From Pope County.
Gum Log, Feb, F, 1860.

Gum Log, Feb IF, I66O.
 EDIroR TRUE DEMocRAr-A corrospon dent of the Old Liner of Jann.ry 26th, over the signature of ''Always Democrat" Is very abusive to J s. B., of o:lr county, but he is no less abusive than abturd. He re- sorts to very unfair means to put J. 5. 5. down. Now if this correspondent really be a democrat let him come cut like man over his own name, and publish his articles in democratic organ. Colh he out openly and boldly, and you can then hear what old Pope thinks of J. $. 3. will not trouble you to write for my name Give yours, and you will find tha, J. $. B. is quite as popular as yourself; and each charge in your article shall receive particu- lar attention. w. w. HILLS.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
Pone Countu. Feb. l1th. 1860


 EDITOR TRUE DEMoCRAT-.ln your paper of the 7th Dec. last, appeareg the following remarks founded on my statement to you: "We understand the postmf ster at Dover in Pope county, does not always deliver the Trne Democrat to it's subscribers when they call for it, though it is in tho office.''
 cannot see any thing very offensive m the above, though the Hon. Postmaster seems to, and after more thah two months chewing on what he calls ? charge, has come at your informant witt ever so many hard words, such as, "palpably false, the gentleman who reported thi. falsehood to you is an aspirant after office,' etc.
 Here he has made up two:grave charges against your informant. Although have no disposition to bore reading public with complaints against the P. NE, l hope Twill be pardoned for taking notice of Mir. Row lands denial, as he may call 1t, and well he may, too. for he denies the charge of negi- gence, and every thing else. He seems to be ignorant that quite a number of com plaints are going the rounds. am not the only man that has complained of him. l am aware that the postmaster intended hls letter should strike some where else. l am not the man at whom he hurls his insult ing language. l come to this conclusion from the fact, that Mr. Rowland knows that I am not an aspirant for office.
 It seems to be settled thing with few men that another individual must die po- litically alone for the sin of having once been a whig. do not say that Mr. Post master has joined in this crusade against J. S. B., nor will say that he himself is ar asprant after office. Oh no, this would be too grave charge for me to make, especl ally the latter, notwithstanding he made the charge against me, nor will l say hl' denial is palpably false, though know il to be so. He says he has not changed DO liticallv. No one has ever charged hin with this; knowing that wise men some times change from whigs to democrats, bu no one was looking for a change in Mir Rowland.
 Take notice, I do not say the Hon. r. M. really is an aspirant after office, but have heard so, and as he takes the liberty to ad wise me. I will be as kind as himself anc sav be careful hereafter and don't shoot II d., dark least the widows son may come
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
~-<O>---
For the True Democrat


 Mir EpIToR-I observe in your paper of 22d inst certain remarks of Elder Jacob Creath, reia- tive to the revision of the scriptures ending Tn challenge to public debate
 As preliminary to any thing that may be further said or done on that point, would propose to him the following questions:
 lst. Does MT. Creath profess to understand the Hebrew and Greek languages and will he agree to give transatons of such portions of the original scriptures as may be submitted to him, during public discussion?
 2d Will he agree to defend, as correct transla- tons, and as superior to the common one, the fol- lowing specimens of the new version, which he Is laboring to promote, viz: Acts 2:42, Revised yer sion-s. And they persereringiy continued m the Aposfle's teackin9, and in the contribution, and ni the breakinq of the loaf, and tn the prayers"
 And also, of Acts 2lst 3lst, which reads, " Anc as hey ,cere seeking to kill him, tcord cane up to h cIiliqrch of the cohort that al Jerusal leas tn con fusjon."
 A prompt and unevasve answer Is required eithe in the affirmative or negative, without any clrcum | locuton. J. w. MOOhb' RuraHd Feb 25th, 1860. Dcs Arc Citizen please cCspy.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
Hampstead County Politics.

Much has been said about the unfairness of the democratic convention III Hampstead county, which instructed for Richard Il. Johnson for Governor, and Dr. c. B. Mitchell for Congress, in the 2nd district.
 A new convention was suggested, and the 18th February named as the day. On that day, large concourse of democrats assembled at Washington, and listened to Dr. Mitchell and Mir. Can't, both of whom addressed the crowd as candidates for the nomination to Congress. The crowd then dispersed, declining to hold another meet ing, and expressing its entire satisfaction with the convention that had been held on the 2lst of January, and the instructions therein given
 We hope this will put 10 rest all the idle, silly rumors about the unfairness ot the Hampstead county convention.
 We are informed that MT. Can't was very severe upon us in his speech. He had no cause to be so. We have published in the True Democrat every thing that he re- quested of us, and all the communications written in his behalf by his friends. We have done him full justice, as far as our knowledge of himself and his cause extends. As we have no disposition to get into con troversy with him, but are willing on the contrary to support him, if nominated, we will not notice his speech farther, than to express our regrets that he has thought it proper to assail us.
 F. $. Since the above was put in type, we received note from MT. Can't, stating that he was erroneously reported in the South Arkansas Democrat as having as sailed us. We gladly state the fact. Hay ing never done Mir. Can't an injury, and knowing it to be our duty to support him for Congress, if nominated, we should re- gret to see him commit an act that would render that duty any thing else than plea sure. With his note before us, we would support him as the nominee of our party with the utmost pleasure.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
A Bad Story, Badly Told.

Mir. Hindman, the real author, and Mr. Martin, the pretended author, of the Niaior letters, tell di f1erent tales about them
 In letter to the Note Book of the 17th November last, Mr. Martin says:
 ''I did not suppose when the Tiafor communica- tions were hastily and carelesslv penned, that they would attract much attention. But they are creating great a sensation and are now seized on by Col Ilndman's enemies fordOng him injustice, it is due to myself as well as Col Hndman, to state here, to you and all other Johnsonan editors, and to the public at large that the author of these communications Co., Wndn,an had nothing 'ehat- ercr 10 do 1cith Mer composition. The above men toned editors and all those who have hired them selves to them, to do their dirty work, will please take notice that write my articles, and am solely and individually responsible for them''
 MT. Hindman, in a recent letter published in the Old Line Democrat, says: "Mr. Martin, of Helena, my travelling com panion, during my late canvass. As an act of friendship to me, he frequently addressed commit nications to the Old Line Democrat and State Rights Democrat. Sometimes, but not al,ravs, ,coHld hs request reriSe his communications ,cich pnrported 10 be reports of my speeches making such alterations seerned fr0per, sometimes Striking out part, and sometimes addi"g apat.
 
 That is precisely what did, in respect to Mr. Martans 'Viator letters.''
 Whose story is to be believed? Mr. Martin says that Hndman lad moth;ng Co do w;M Me composition of the Viotor letters and Mr. Hindman acknowledges that he reyised Hem, moking such alterations as seemed proper, sometimes strihing out part, and sometimes odding panl The differ ence in the tales is very striking, and shows that when men conspire together to palm off false story upon the public, they should be cautious to consult together and make it accord in all of its detail.
 Mir. Hindman' statement that the Viator letters were reports of his speeches, and as such he had right to revise them, is not true. The Viator letters were not reports of his speeches, but .fulesonae eulogies upon them and upon bimself, and as such he should not have touched them. He should have let others sing his praises-he should not have done so himself.
 Why is the Old Line Democrat so silent on this subject? If it approves the con- duct of Mir. Hindman in this matter, why not say so? If 1t does not why not have the manliness to condemn it? It doubted the charge that he was the author, and in dignantly called for the proof, The proof was placed in the editor hands--he saw and read it, and has been silent ever since. Speak out, Mir. Peek, and show to the de- mocracy of Pulaski county that you do not wear the collar you charge them with having around their necks.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
From Johnson County.
Horsehead, Johnson County, Arh.,
 February 9th, 1860.

ICDl udl OAh, iOOC' J
 EDITOR TRUE DEMOCRAT
 Dear .Sir: In your paper of the llth of January, l sec a notice to the citizens of Little Rock, that, e A Citizen " was about to start mammouth balloon, 100 feet high, and 65 in diameter, and capable ot carrying four persons, the gas used to be manufactured of Arkansas materials. Wonder if Citizen has procured portion of Tommy Hindman's surplus gas that he blowed off on his electioneerlng tour through this district last fall if he has, l fear his balloon experiment will prove grand fail ure, unless he can engage the services of the little magician as pilot. l call Tommy a magician beacuse I know him to be skilled in hocus pocus; he has been for and against every prominent democratic office e-holder in this State, for and against the re-opening of the African slave trade, for and against the acts of the trustees of the Real Estate Bank, for and against the True Democrat as the organ of the democratic party, for and against the entire democratic policy of this State, for and against the per diem party in the last legislature--and for himself all the tllne All lhiHSS coHSiueiou' h0' surely, is entitled to the appellation of ma gacian; but to return to the balloon, would suggest one idea to Citizen, that is, if he succeeds in his first balloon enterprise 1T Arkansas, that he undertake the construc ton of one capable of carrying all the pel diemists in the State including Ben Duval) out of the State and place them upon some uninhabitable island, where they can, witt Tommy to instruct them, exercise thel magical art to their hearts satisfaction. l " Citizen can accomplish this noble un dertaking he will immortalize his name and confer a great favor on the good people of this State In his second balloon enter prise, the writer will engage to furnish hin an K, and thinks he can find 100 men 1T Johnson county that will pay, each, that
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29

amount-if Citizen can manage to get Tommy on board the balloon 1t will be fine, but l am afraid he would undertake to dictate for the whole crew, and, ifthe failed on that, he would be sure to ditorganize even the per diem party, but, that would not be of much importance, if Citizen could manage to get them all out of the State, until the people could elect good and true democrats in their stead, including a rep resentative for the first congressional dis trlct. In the next election, yop may set this county down for a large majority against the little magician,-or any man that advocates his re-election-pef diemists are sunk below the hope of resurrection, politically speaking. The next election will be one of great interest; many import ant offices will have to be filled, and 1t will be the duty of the democratic party to look out suitable men to represent thhm in the state and national legislatures. No man suspected of disloyality to southern institu- lions, or to the principles of the great demo- cratic party ought to be elected to any office, state or national. In the sectiona al warfare non going on Iii the North, we see,, manifest determination on the part of the. black re- publicans to rule or ruin this once happy land, and force the South out of the Union, or to remain in the Union degraded race. The only way to save our institutions un- harmed, and hand them down td postcrity unimpaired, is for the South to unite on the democratic party without dissenting voice, and show the black republicans that we are united and determined td maintain our rights as they were handed down to us by our fathers and the framers of the con sttution. Mir. Editor. have wrote more than 1 expected when commenced. If you think these lines worthya place in your valuable paper you can stick them in and oblige Yours, etc.
 JONATHAN.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
Lawrence County Politics.

The friends of Hindmanl controled the Lawrence county convention and nomina- ted him for; Congress-. They also refused, by vote, to indorse Gov. Conway's policy of winding up the Banks and making them pay their debts, instead of taxing the people to pay them. This is as we have often asserted If the Hind man party get charge of the State, the people will have the debts of the banks to pay, while Hindman's father-in-law will be enriched What do the people of the State think of it?
Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29

EEAt a meeting of the Torrent Fire Brigade, held at the City Hall, February 25th, 1860. the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz:
 Resolued, That the heartfelt thanks of this company be rendered to Messrs. l.. NJ. and E. P. Filkins, proprietors of the Anthony House, for the magnificent enter tanment given to the company on the oc- cason of the ball on our anniversary, Feb. 2lst, 1860.
 Resolyed, That copy of these resolu- tons be presented to the Mcssrs. F'ilkins, and also, that they be published in the pa pers of the city.
 By order of the company;
 0. R. WEAVER, Sec'y.