davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Placer herald., 1865-05-06
Grass Valley National.
A IIoRsE WITH SpEcrACLEs.-rhe Bos,t

IloRsE WITH SpEcrACLEs.- Boston
Advertiser is responsible for the follow in g:
"An Old resident Of phiale phia has family
horse which has done family service for
twenty years. For some line past The horse
has evinced a tendency to stumble, and strain
his sight at objects close by. The kind
hearted owner judged the animal by his
own ease. and ordered of an optican a pair
of equine speclacles. A pair of pebble
glasses, about the size OF the object glasses
Of large sized lornette, were set in n frame
over The ho'se's eyes. lie appreciates the
convenience wonderfully, and has never s,um-
bed since he donned bis spectacles.
The Placer herald., 1865-05-06

There were two soldiers once, in Grants
army, lying beneath their blankets looking
up at the stars in Virginia sky. Says Jack:
"What made you go into the army, Tong
"Weli," replied Tom, II had no wife, and
l loved war. What made you 60 to the war,
Jackl" "We|l." he replied, II had a wife,
and loved peace. so went to the war"
The Placer herald., 1865-05-06
SERIOUS RLAsr,xo Acc,DRxr.-On Tues

SERIOUS RLAsrlN0 ACcIDExT.-On Tues
day evening last, the hands working on the
Pacific Railroad in the deep cut just below
the Station, put in a blast containing over a
keg Of powder, but from some cause it woul'!
not explode. % Wednesday morning the
foreman suggested that new hole be drilled
but Patrick Magiun and Joseph Good, who
had charge Of the blasting, thought that the
rock was seamy and that the powder had
gone into the seams so far it would prove a
dangerous operation, and that it would be
much safer to pour water into the old hole
and extract the powder. Accordingly they
wen, to work at it, and succeeded in getting
out considerable powder, when Maginn put
down bis drill into the hole causing an inn
mediate explosion Of the balance Of the pow
der. lie was badly cut and bruised in both
hands, breast, neck and face. Fortunately
he had no limbs broken, nor we're his eyes
injured In time lie will no doubt recover.
Good is only injured in the face--mors par'
,icularIy about the eyes. but it is not yet
known whether he will lose bis eyesght or
not. Both men have families residing at
Grass Valley.
The foreman was on the opposite side Of
The cut at the time, and WAS lifted up several
feet by the explosion, falling upon the edge
of the bank When he came to himself he
was just balancing upon the edge Of the
brink.
Had the full bias. been exploded it would
have killed 5 or 20 men.
WIRE BEIpoE The company now en-
gagged in constructing turnpike from the
e. Dorado to the Placer side OF the Amer,
can river, to terminate at Auburn, intend
building wire suspension bridge over the
river Immediately below the Junction of the
North and South Forks. The bridge will
have a snan of two hundred and fifty feet
and the floor will lie ten feet above the
highest water mark of '6l-'62. The greater
part of the road is already made, with grades
not exceeding twelve inches to the rod,
which are as light as can be desired over so
deep chasn as is made by the American
The bridge will be finished and the road
opened for business by the 18th Of July.
The Placer herald., 1865-05-06
PROBATE NOTICE.

In Probate Court. Placer County, California, Es'
tate Of Michael Pbean, deceased.
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons holding
~ claims against the estate OF Michael Phelan'
deceased, late of Forest Hill, Placer county. Cal
ifornia, that they will present them to the under
signed, at Forest Hill, Placer County, California,
within ten months from this time, or the same
will be barred.
MARY PHELAN.
A. HUNTLEY. >,
Administrators Estate of Michael Phelan, dec IL
March 25th, lS65--4w
The Placer herald., 1865-05-06
Eight animals and vehicle,

In the matter OF the application of the Auburn
Turnpike Co and the Big Hill Turnpike Co , TO
have the rates of toll TO be collected by said Co.
established. it is hereby ordered. that the rates
OF toll Of said Auburn Turnpike Co.. be and the
same arc hereby established at the same rates as
fixed by the Board of Supervisors on the 10th
day Of November. 1864 10 be found on Page 437
OF the minutes of this Board. and that the rates
OF toll OF said Big Hill Turnpike Co. be and he
same are hereby established The same as fixed by
the Board OF Supervisors on the 8h day of Jan
uary, lS64. to be found on page 335 of the min
utes of this Bo,rd.
In the matter Of the application Of James
Neall for renewal OF his license to collect toll
for crossing his bridge on Bear River at point
Preblc old bridge, it is hereby ordered that the
County Auditor issue to said james Neal
license to collect toll for crossing his bridge on
Bear River at point about onc.fourth OF Il mile
below Prebles old bridge. upon his presentation
to him of the County Treasurcr's receipt for S36
visors, bond in the penal sum OF $4,000, with
two Or more sureties. conditioned Tor the keeping
of said bridge in good repair, and paying any
damages which might arise from neglect OF SO
doing. Said license TO be in force for o"c year
from the expiration OF his present license. and
the rates of toll to be collected were established
License granted to j. l.. English to collect toll
on bridge crossing Bear River.
In accordance with a petition of the citizens
of Dry Creek. the dividing line of the Dry Creek
Union School District is hereby changed as tol-
lows: The line dividing Dry Creek and Union
School Districts from its present location dvid-
ing sections and to the line between sections
and s. commencing on the last named line at
the southern boundary OF the above named Dis.
trcts and following said line to their northern
boundaries.
The Placer herald., 1865-05-06

The Emperor Napoleon III. recently had
quiet evening with few friends. In the
course of conversation, be remarked that it
was very hard to define savant. II don't
think SO" relorted NJ. Drouyn de L'huys; Il
would propose this definition: A savant is
= man who knows all that all the world
doesn't know, and who doesn't know what
all the world knows."
The Placer herald., 1865-05-06

Bills allowed on the General County Fund to
the amount Of 81 POI 3S. On the Hospital Fund
10 the amount of Sl,634 %.
Thursday, May 4th
Sundry bills allowed amounting 10 1865 60.
Bill OF John Holder. rejected.
Petition OF Dutch Flat and Bonner Lake Wagon
Road 10 have rates Of toll established, granted.
designation OF John Sears. rs Constable Of
Township No. g. received, and George Crsman,
appointed to fill vacancy.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
Knoxville, Tenn, February Is, 1865.
A Word of Advice TO our Next Gov.
crn0r.

We do not often tender gratuitou, advice, but we
have II suggestion to offer to Governor Brownlow
which we trust will be fuvoraby considered when he
takes the Executive chair The sixth section of the
Amended Schedule to the Constitution reads thus;
"All laws, ordinances and resolutions of the usurp-
ed State government passed on or after the 9Th day
of May, 1861, providing for the insunnCe OF State
bonds also all notes of the Bank Of Tennessee, or
any of its branches issued on after the said 9th
day of May, 1861, and all debts created contract
ed in the name of the State by said authority are
unconstitutional, null and void and no Legislature
shall hereafter have the power to pass any act au
thorizing the payment of said bonds or debts pro-
viding for the redemption OF said notes
1t is plain that all Tcnnessceans who are opposed
TO paying the debts contracted by Harris uSurpation
will vote for this section chccrluly and thus rcpu-
date all rebel debts in the organic law of the State
1t is equally plain that all who want the State taxed
to pay Harris bonds contracts, and debts made for
the benefit of the Confederacy will vote against this
amendment Now ms the names of all who vote
"Reecion' will be written the back Of their tick
cts, we suggest that list of the names Of all who
vote against repudating the rebel State debt bosent
to Governor Brownlow, who shall proceed forthwith
TO collect from the estates of these antrcpudators
sufficient to liquidae the whole debt contract
ed by Harris. And as Harris owes the State $4,000
900 of the stolen School Fund, besides many mil
lions more, Governor Brownlow can retain the whole
levy for the benefit of the State This plan is per
fectly just and fair. 1t is practical and business
like. The loyal men will all favor it, and those who
may vote against rcpudating the rebel debt will be
efectually cstopped from objccting to it, that it
will be the most popular measure ever adopted in
Tennessee.--NdshrWc Times.
As matter of course, those who cJprorc the acts
of Harris in appropriating the School Fund to car
ry on the rebellion will be made to refund that
money to the extent of their ability. We have said
nothing about it, because we did not care to spur them
up to cote Ratification, as that vote would acquit
them. Let them put themselves VI the Rejection
record and they are then in forthc payment of their
proportion of the School Fund, and for the funds Of
the Bank
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15

he declined 10 inuugrue any further step, looking
10 the completion of said roud. We found however
thnt bill 10 carry ont the Pr,dcnls rccommcndl
tlon had actually passed the lower house Of Con
gross the a,t session, and that the same bill is now
pending in the Senate with very fair prospects of
success
In regard tu paving loyul citizen. Of Tennessee
for property taken by the United State, army, tho
President said that Congress and the War Depart
mont had already considered that subject, and the
result was, that II had been determined 10 pay for
no property taken from persons residing in States
declared in n,urrorun until after the war was over,
lie said that in his opinion these claims were rs Ife
and propcrus those which were now audited and set
tied but the great dcmund for money to pay the ar
my compelled them to defer all claims of the char
nctcr referred to until the close of the war Your
commissioners found, however, that by law mp
proved July 4, 1854, Congress has authorized the
paymant of such claims to citizen, of States not in
insurrecton, and by that hw Tennessee Is exempted
from the 8iSabVHcS of d,ridrCd WSTgtctoH and
therefore stands MS to payment for all claims ofprop-
crty taken 10y the army upon the same footing rs
any other State in the Union. All, then, that is ne
ccssary to enable the loyal people Of Tennessee to
get pay for their property is to makes application nc
cording 20 the forms Of said law which can be done
through the usual legal channels.
In conclusion we beg leave to tender to the Pres
dcnt our acknowledgment, for the patient hearing
Of our cause on several distinct occasions for the
evident interest manifested in behalf Of the loyal
pcopewe represented and for the courtesy and kind
ness manifested towards ourselves personally, We
deeply regret that existing circumstances prevented
immediate compliance with all the objects of our
mission, but cherish an abiding confidence that the
day is not far distant when the pains, penalties and
of "decmred State of insurcction
which has ceased to have foundation in fact will De
forever removed
Very respectfully, your obt servants,
j. b. BINGHAM, Shelby county
J. W. Bowen, Smith county.
JouN CALDWELL Sewer county
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
Proclamation by The Governor.

Whereas, at u large and respectable convention
of the free and loyal people Of the State Of Ten
ne',cr, begun and held in the city of Nashville or
the 9TH day Of january lSG5 certain articles amen
datory of the constitution of the State and tn,
schedule thereto appended were with great unin
NIFTY adopted, and propoundcd to the people for rat
Icatiun or rejection ON the 22d of February 1868
and
Whereas the schedule provides. that in the event
of the ratification Of said proposed constitutions
amendments the loyal people Of the State, SHALL on
the lth of March next thereafter proceed hy gen,
erl ticket, to elect Governor and members to tn,
General Assembly, to meet in the Capitol in Nash.
vic, for the TRANSACTION Of public business. ON the
first Monday of April 1868; and
Whereas, the convention aforesaid acting in the
primary and sovereign capcity of the ppoplp prc.
,crihcd certain rule, and rc,ulations under which
the election should be conducted and designated in
many Of the counties certain persons to open and
hold the same and in others omitted TO uame any
OpH,IIAhIL ciu.rd'lG be supplied and in addition
thereto and for the nurno.r Of more ctcctally car
,,inar ri tbn objects of the Conventions and cnnb-
Inc The .oyrrciGn lo,al peorle If the State to ex-
prn.. ibrir iulrmrut freely and nllly on the grave
aur,tion. submitted to their decision; therefore
Andrew Jnbu.pu. Military Governor of the
Stat, nr rrnpr..rc by virtuc of the mower and ou-
thorii,, in M, vested do hereby declare that the
several por.ou, in the procrcdinrs of the convention
named and nnnontod To omen md hold the elections
therein nroyidrd for nrc hereby empoworcd and di-
rrrtod l omen and hold said elections in pcr,on in
tbcir rospcrtiyc counties wherever practicable, and
to oppont and qualify. if necessary such Judges and
insnnrors of elections and other officers a, may be
necessary to omen the pos and conduct the elections
In .nch ntbrr mart. of their respectiyc counties ns
tbo convenience of the pcoplc may require; and to
,,l ,,,,rr. T., tl,, S,rroar,, r Stntr ne nrovidnd
H., n, ,li,J r,.,I,,i,r - IA, n,ryonti,n a.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
WEST NlRNINIA.

Ms EccciicHcu q. p Norton Governor of htd,aHp :
DEAR SIR-ln reply to yours of the 4th INST. IN
th absence of Fovernor Borcman, would say that
TIN only direct law on the subject of your inquiry,
towhich am able at this moment to refer, is the
following: Section 20, Code of Virginia. which
scdion is yet unrepeaed, and in force rs law OF
tht State-enacts that "a negro or Indian shall be
a Competent witness in a case of the Commonwealth
for or against negro Indian, or in civil case
to which only negroes Indians parties but not
in INV other case This admits Of no exceptions,
and believe none are allowed.
Cur Legislature has repealed many of the odious
Virginia laws in reference to negroes, and tins,
thik would have shared like fate before now il
it nd not been overlooked The probability is it
will 20 overheard next session. Section !, chapter
10. Acts first Legislature Of Virginia, enacted that
"A negro charged with any ofense, shall be prose-
cutd and tried in the same manner, and convicted
he subject to the same punishment as white per-
son; but negro shall be competent witness for or
against Il negro in any criminal proceeding. This
is, | think, the only law now existing here on the
subject. That is, this act and the section OF the
Code previously cited.
Trusting this may be II satisfactory reply to your
inquiries
am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
G. ID. HALL, Private Secretary
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
Negro Testimony.

GOVERNOR MoRToN's CORRESPONDENCE ON
THE SrBJECT
On the 9th Of December Governor Morton ad-
dressed letter to each of the Governors of the free
States as follows;
STATE OF INDIANA, Executive DEpARIMENrl
December 6, 1864
10 His Ercdiucy, Gor0wor Of ---
SIR desire to learn from you what your laws
are in regard to the udmissblity of the testimony
Of negroes in cases to which white persons are par
ties If admitted, under what restrictions, if any;
if excluded, with what exceptions, if any
Very respectfully
Your obcdicnt servant,
O. p. MORTON, Governor of Indiana.
To the Governors of slave States Tennessee
Kentucky, Missouri and Delaware--the following
was the form of the letter.
STATE OF INDIANA, EXEcvTNE DmARrMENTO
December t, 1864.
~ His ErcciiocH Gorrruor of -
SIR--Will you do me the favor to inform me ao
,,.,,, IL ,..,l a. HuuuI-riurutl vs ,'.'
testimony Of negroes in your State, in cases in which
white persons are partic, Also whether any dis
inction, if any, is made between the testimony of
slaves and free persons of color.
Very respectfully
Your obcdent servant
o. p. MORTON, Governor of Indiana.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
WISCONSIN.

his ErcctcpcN y. =, Morton, Gorruoroj Loiiuu
SR-Hours of the 9th inst. is received have
the honor to respectfully state in reply that there
are no laws in this State regulating prohibiting
the udmssibity of the testimony Of negroes. and
that they stand rs witnesses, upon the same legal
footing with white men.
am sir your obclicnt servant,
JAMES r. LEWIS, GOV. Of Wisconsin,
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
NEW YORK

HIS Ecceli,ncH o. r. Morton, Gorer7ior Of h,d'0ia
DEAR SIR have received you letter of the 9Th
inst in regard to the admission of the testimony of
negroes in cases to which white persons are parties,
under the laws of this State
Our laws do not make any distinction between
the races, as regards the admssibility of witnesses
in our State Courts.
Truly, yours, &c,
HoRArIO SEYMOUR
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
| am, with high regard,
RHODE ISLAND.

HIS ErccileHcy, o. J. Norton, Goreraor u hdland
GovERNoR-1 am instructed by Hi, ENccllency,
Governor Smith to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of the 4th inst, and in reply, have
the honor to forward by mail copy of the Consti-
tuition of Rhode Island which will show that col
ored persons are in this State, entitled to all the
privileges of citizenship. and that their testimony
is therefore admissible in all cases without rcstric-
tiUns.
have the honor to be- Sir, with great respect
Your Exccllencys obdt scrvt,
CHAs. +. BAiLN,
Col. and A. D. C., Private Secretary.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, !
December u 1864

December ., 1864.
SIN reply to the inquiries propoundcd by his
E,ccllcncy, Governor O. 7. Morton, of Indiana in
hi lctoro of the ih inst referred to this office beg
tocall attention to sections 3sOs and $500 Of the
Clde of Tennessee Ms embracing all the legislation
pertinent thereto
"3,SOS, negro muntto, Indian or person or
mixed blood, descended from negro or Indian an
ccstOrs to the third generation inclusive though one
ancestor OF each generation may have been a white
person, whether bond or free, is incapable Of being
a witness in any cause, civil criminal except for
or Gguinst each other
$500. No person of mixed blood of any degree
whhevcr, who has been liberated from slavery
withiN twelve months previous, shall be admitted
y%itncts against white person
not eondo, 'dlifT and provides that neither race and
mr. the negroes, nor their descendants including
nnluttocs quadroons and octoroons, shall give lcs-
tmony, except interested.
The latter section regard the condition of slavery
aid, upon fair construction, holds that no slave
cm bear testimony against white person until lib
ented from servitude, and a subsequent lapse of
Twelve months no matter how small may be the ad.
mixture of negro blood by our laws none can he
slvcs but such have some portion of negro blood
1t will be seen that in each case the exclusion APP
pies only to cases in which white persons are con
cGncd.
| a rpSDppttully
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
pENN>YLNAN ANA.

HIS Erc,HucH .. T. Norton GorcrHJr Of hidia'd !:
DEAR SIR-ln this State, negroes are competent
as witnesses in all courts anl in all cases There
are no legal disabilities which restricts his compe-
tcncy
As with all citizens of the State his credibility is
for the urv or the court in which lac is called US a
witness.
Very respectfully
Your obcdent servant
\. G.. CURTIN.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15

"No negro or muutto, whether slave ur free shall
be admitted rs evidence, in any muttor pending iu
any court or before any Justice of the pr9cr where
any white person /, concerned either u, puiutl ur
defendant but any negro or muMlto, whether slave
or lreemny bo witness Tor or against any negro or
mualto, slave or free in any proceeding whatever
Very respectfully,
Your ubedcut servant
n, W, BRNnrnRp
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
NEW JERSEY.

HIS ErcettcacN 0. p Mortom GorernGr Of batidaa'
DEAR SIR--ln reply to your inquiry relative to
the admissbility of the testimony of negroes in
New jersey ! have the honor to inform You that
negroes are competent witnesses in this State in
cases both civil and criminal whether the parties be
white or coored, subject of course to the usual re-
strictions Ms in the case Of white persons.
Very respectfully
Your obcdent servant
JOEl PARkgR
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15

Hs Ercrlimch o. r. Morton, Goropor ot hi.oo,
DEAR SlR-ln reply to your communication Of
the ith instant propoundng certain inquire, to
the laws of this State governing the admission Of
negro testimony in our courts, &c, ! respectfully
call attention TO tho enclosed report of Hon Horace
Maynard, Attorney General, Sc, thereon rs fur.
nishng the information you ask for
Very respectfully
Your obcdiont servant
ANDREW Johnson Military Governor
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
ILLINOIS.

HIS EacettJrH o. +. Norton Gore,5,or Of bdin'ai :
DEAR SIR-Replying to yours of the 9Th, | have
the honor to state that the only provision in regard
to the admissbty of the testimony of negroes in
thi. State is contained in Section % of Div. III of
the Criminal Code Scatcs Statutes, page 37I, which
is ~ follows:
mo black or mulatto person, or Indian, sAall be
permitted to give evidence in favor of or against
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15

His ErcciiHcD o. =. Morton, Gorcr,o, &c., Iaiioo,-
apoiis, hidiojo:
DEAR Sri have the honor to acknowledge
your favor of the nth instant.
In Ohio there i. no distinction between white and
colorcd citizens. as TO eligibility as witnesses in
courts. The latter are competent witnesses in
cases where white persons are sutors and the jury
left to determine the credibility of the testimony
Very truly, yours
JOHN BRoUGu.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15

Hs E1cdicarh q. r. Morton, Gorcruor t hduwt
Go'ERN0R-lour communication Of the lth in-
'Iani in relation to the testimony Of ncgrocs /. rc-
cc,cd
IN This State there is no limitation in respect to
cohr, Negroes have the Same right, of suffrage
AM testimony in all that white person, huNo
Respectfully, your obcdcnt servant
SAML CoNEY, Governor of Maine.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
7 VWT VVVVIVTTV ~ NVTT7I
q. =. MORTON, Governor of Indiana


His Ernd,arH q. p. Nortoa GorcrHor Of hdiand'
My DEAR SlR-There is no law, nor rule, nor
custom in our Commonwealth, nor nm | aware that
there is even prejudice which renders inadmissiblc
or affects the credb blity the testimonyof any per-
son. who is honest and capable Of rational DISCOURSE
of whatever color, descent, origin or nationality.
have the honor to be- Governor
Your friend and servant
JoHN A. ANDREW.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15

His ErcelieacH o. T. Morton, Governor Of Indiana
DEAR SIR-ln reply to your inquiry of the itI
ins t. have the honor to state that the laws of Con
nectcut, relating to the admissbty of testimony
makes no distinction between black and white per
sons.
am, with high regard,
Your obedient servant,
WN. A. BUCuINGuAM, Gov. of Conn.