The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-09
[ Correspondence ~. Y. E0Ti
FROM SYRIA

MORE DEEDS OF VIOLENCE.
BEIRUT, Jan. l2.-Damascus is in a most alarm
ing condition. Amin PaSha, the new governor
general with all his boasted European education
and liberal views, proves to be only anaticaI Ma
hommedan after all. A few days since the Chris.
tan population were thrown into panic By the in
telligence that the DruSeS advancing from Hou-
upon the Christian villages south of Damascus.
The poor Christian fellaheen fled from their villa
ges, as the Turkish officials proved to be in league
with the Druses. The Christians ofDamascus were
filled with fright and terror. Their leading men
took counsel together, and DIR. NJ Meshaka, the
American vice. .cOunsu, called upon Amin Pasha,
the governor-general. He was received in the
most insulting manner. The pasha remained sit
ting, and took no notice of his approach. DR.. Me-
shaka retired at once, and wrote to MIR. johnson,
American consul in Beirut for Instructions
Through the energy of MIR. johnson orders were
sent at once to Amin Pasha to make apology to
DR.. Meshaka for his incivility. This was done re-
luctautlY, but DR.. Meshaka writes that matters in
Damascus have very much the appearance which
they had just before the massacre oflast July.
On Thursday, the 18th instant, the Christians of
Jendel, village to the southeast of Mount Her.
mon, were surprised by the approach of a large
body of armed Druses They sent to the Turkish
military commander at the neighboring village of
Durbul for aid to resist the Druses, but he replied
that he had no orders to defend their village! They
then sent to Damascus for aid and, after the usual
Turkish delays, obtained hearing and promises of
a inquiry into the case. On returning to their
home they found that their village had been plum.
dered, and all their cattle, sheep and goats had
been driven off, and that another village had been
served in the same way.
All the roads south of Damascus are impossible
on account of the ravages of Druse bandits, who
have taken new courage within the past few weeks
STEAM NAVIGATION on ENCLISH CANAEs.-lt Is
rather singular that steam navigation on American
canals should have been unsuccessful, as described
on page 80 of the present volume of the Scientific
American, while in England it has become so sue
cessful as to reduce the cost of conveying freight
no less than 25 per cent. The Grand Junction Ca
nal Company, which formerly used to tow their
boats with horses, have dispensed with animal
power and now steam alone.
There are five thousand miles of canal in Great
Britain, representing capital of about 5000 0O0,-
000 and since the adoption of steam as the propel-
ing agent, the traffic increased last wear q, 600
tons. The most peculiar feature in the steamboats,
which are now employed by the Grand Junction
Company, plying between London and Birmingham
or Manchester, is an improved form of screw pro-
peller, called the "waggle-tail," which has the
advantage of keeping all the disturbance of the
water Immediately behind the stern of the boat,
instead OF spreading it right and left. The effect
banks from being damaged by the wash and to
economize the motive power. --Scientifc Ameri
can.
THE VEro.-It is said that the President has
vetoed the Act recently passed by the Congress to
suppress the African slave trade The grounds ol
the veto are not as yet known; but 1t is certainly
unfortunate that there should be difference oe-
| tween Congress and the Executive on sueh a SUP
iect. Slavery is the immediate cause OF the exist,
| ence of the Contederacy. That differences snoulu
already arise concerning 1t, IN ITS counciis' very
much to be deplored. That Congress expected no
suclRthing is plain, from the fact that 1t removed
the injunction of secresy and published the act to
the world. This act is modlheahon OF the laws
| of the United States upon the SUBJECT, which were
! adopted, with all the other laws of the United
States by the Congress of the Confederate States.
The laws of the United States make the importa
| ton of African slaves piracy This act Furnishes il
| as high msdemeanor. To veto the latter, is tt
keep in force the former. Can this be the object o
| the veto?-C Charleston Mercury, March 6.