The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-29

union could be effected, but do not believe that
any member of Congress, or any elected member
1 would disgrace himself by making such inquiry.
Amy one who would do so deserves felon's DEATH
because it misleads the enemy and encourages him
to continue the. war against
| SWEET PoTAToEs.-We are glad to see that a
law has passed Congress allowing farmers, in sett-
ling their taxn kind, to pay money instead of sweet
potatoes-the amount per bushel to be fixed by the
impressment commissioners. This is done in conse-
quence of the difficulty Of saving potatoes.
Farmers also allowed, by special act just pas
sed, to pay tithes in salt pork instead of bacon.
| BLOCKADE RUNNING.-In Congress the other day
Mr. Hilton of Florida, presented series of resolu-
tions passed by the Legislature of Florida in rela
ton to commerce. and introduced bill to restrict
imports and exports only to such as are authorized
by the Confederate and State Government. In pre-
senting the bill, Mr. Hilton made some well-timed
remarks, saying that
1.-The loyal and patriotic people Of Florida
united against the export of tobacco and cotton, and
the Introduction of foreign goods of luxurious and
demoralizing character. They believe it is evil
which depriving the country of its staples with
dawn the specie and deprecated the currency. AS
| an illustration vessel had arrived in one of our
ports with "a cargo consisting exclusively of the
meanest species of West India Rum. which cost in
Cuba II cents, &llon' and it was disposed of in
demoraliziag athe people and running the currency
at from forty to fifty dollars gallon At this rate,
it will be perceived, men enabled to enter the
country up the prices to any figure they desire,
exchange their earnings for gold at enormous pro-
fits run the gold out of the country again, the
tobacco cotton, and thus absorb and continue to
| absorb the resources of the country, leaving the
| currency eventually to represent nothing. There
were other evils brought about by this demoralizng
system. Men engaged in these expeditions also in
| troduced spies in midst-and he cited the recent
| case of a spy who entered the port of Wilmington
and returned publishing full exposition to the
enemy of the strength and weakness Of that harbor,
| and other valuable information concerning it. The
subject which should not be delay ed for 80
days, and he hoped that the committee would act
speedily upon it,
We hope to hear other members speaking out
against blockade running. 1t has done the country
much harm. Besides exporting staples and inn
porting northern trash and introducing SPIES it has
enabled men to skulk off to Nassau to avoid military
duty.
Pass HIM AROUND "A man named John Min
sey, alias Williams, alias John Mathis, who has
been passing himself off first lieutenant of ar
tillery in Confederate service and has several times
escaped from different places of confinement, broke
out of the guard house in this city on Tuesday
night, and is now at large. Said Minsey is about
-
plexon coarse features, dark curly hair cut toler
ably short, no whskers or beard; he had when
he left grey round jacket, blue pants and light
colored soft hat. He has been going about On
crutches for some time, in artillery uniform, and
limps a little when walking. Chief of Police Bur
deli will give a reward of twenty-five dollars for
his arrest Columbia Caroliniaa.
This man Minsey is the same person who has es-
capped from our Jail two or three times recently,
the last time by the aid of accomplces with forged
papers. He is grand rascal and thief.
PLENTY TO EAT.-Wthin scope of fifteen
miles around this village there is said to be 25,-
900 bushels of corn over and above the require
ments of the producer and the tithes Of the Gov
eminent This calculation is based upon safe
data, and may be considered reliable-Edycfeld
(S. C) Advertiser.
Wonder if anybody will starve about Edgefeld?
Or are there any hoarders and croakers there?
s9% gentleman from one of the eastern coun-
ties within the lines of the enemy, informs
the authority of Yankee official, that the negroes
which are held in Newbern by the Federals, are
dying at the rate of 25 TO so per day. In addi-
ton to being entirely without shelter, they are
suffering from smallpox, and some other very ma
lignanr disease, the name of which informant
Yankees continue to steal. the slaves from their
comfortable and healthfui homes, their guilt can
hardly be estimated to its full extent.
The gentleman who brings this intelligence is
known to be worthy of all credit, and he thinks
that there will surely be an abandonment of negro
stealing in our eastern borders for the time to come
We forgot to add that the contrabands in Newbern
are also in naked and starving condition.
Greeasborough Patriot.
GEN. JOHN H. MoRGAN.-We are highly graf
fled to state that this distinguished General passed
through this city yesterday afternoon, on his way
to Virginia. A gentleman who met with him en-
the Greenvile train states that Morgan, after
numerous adventures, passed through Cumberland
Gap, swan the Tennessee River and crossed e. to
WaIhalla where he took the cars. Morgan will
no doubt pay his respects to the Yankees again
shortly Columbia Carolinian, Path inst.
The Eagle Manufacturing Company of Columbus,
Georgia. have given SIC, 900 towards the fund for
the enlargement and continuance of the Southern