The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-18
LETTER FROM BALrIMoRe.
Special Correspondence Of the New Orleans crssosatI

Special Correspondence Of the New Orleans crsscentI
BALTrNoRE. March IL, 1868.
For O few days subsequent to the Inauguration
OF impeachment before what the World calls the
"High Old Court" at Washington, the public
pulse here beat high and feverish, and excited
crowds filed the hotels, barrooms, and thronged
around the newspaper Offices in this city.
The few days Of spring-like weather early In the
week have been succeeded by cold evenings, and
a dull damp almost cod) morning. With the
fine weather business revived mewhat, the most
fashionable tboroughfares were thronged by gaily
decked ladies' in bright and beautiful colors, and
the dry goods stores, particularly, seemed to be
well patr0nized.
The most interesting and important movement,
however, which most nearly concerns this city aud
New Orleans, has been the meeting OF Baltimore
merchants, held few days since at the Corn Elk.
change for the purpose of taking up the stock OF
the Baltimore, Havana and New Orleans steam
ship line; Mr.. Alex. Brown, who has heretofore
carried nearly the whole debt, having determined
to close the line, andse out The steamers and pro-
perry, unless the merchants would come forward
TO subscribe stock and sustain the line.
Sixty thousand dollars was subscribed at this
meeting, and IL is to be hoped that the balance,
one hundred thousand. will be raised in time TO
prevent the abandonment Of an enterprise that
promises so much for both cities. gentleman
of capital. great energy aud Judgment, thimseH
director, and one OF the most substantial sup
has. done little or nothing towards subscribing
stock or giving freights, and that but for the
freights from Baltimore and Havans nothing could
have been done. Certainly New Orie ans should
not neglect Baltimore, or this company, whose in
terests are SO intimately connected with hers. 1t
should be remembered how much the Monumen-
tai city has done 10 alleviate suffering Ia Louisl-
ana and throughout the South during the war and
since, while the selfsacrifcing conduct and gene
rous charity OF the Baltimore aud Hsvsns COM
pony 10 carrying free passengers and free reights
during the yellow fever epidemic, should never
be forgotten. The merchants and business men
Of New 0ileans should not ignore the importance
and value Of this connection, when Baltimore
offers such facilities and inducements to inter-
course and trade.
/ have Just returned from brief visit to the
oil region Of Pennsy lvania, which interested me
very much, though the mercury went down TO
twenty eight and twenty-six degrees below zero
during my stay, and the snow lay eighteen inches
and two feet deep. The largest wells, as well as
the most numerous and productive. lie, Tor flow,
rather, on being struck,) in Venango county. in
a radius of a few miles, and though the oil fever
has materially snbsided since the excitement OF
1863 whole villages now work and live on oil. Ii
has now been reduced to legitimate business,
and will prove TO be an immense revenue to gov
eminent and workers.
The history of this discovery, looming so soon
after the blockade OF turpentine,) and its immense
revenue, is singularly interesting and wonderful.
Pizarro held not forth more dazzling lures to
bis rODner Dand, Wnen ne led tnem 10 the con
quest of the children OF the Sun, and Aladdin's
lamp sinks into small proportions when compared
with that portion of Pennsylvania which holds this
remarkable fluid. A friend suggests coal oil as
the feeder OF Aladdin's lamp. The immense for
tunes made however, during the petroleum fever,
about represent the amount sunk in reckless
speculation and two hundred and fifty millions OF
dollars would only represent the money that was
spent and realized In petroleum. These wells run
from four 10 eight and nine hundred feet deep,
and flow from fifty to nine hundred barrels OF oil
per day. Coming from the well it resemblts
boiled coffee OF great consis e1cy.
While In Franklin, Pennsylvania, saw "Coal'
oil Johnny,ra mere youth, who realized about
eight hundred thousand dollars from oil, and ran
through the whole sam but twenty thousand dol
lars which his wife invested in a small farm near
that town. Johnny Steele is yet boy, and says
he can only account for four hundred thousand
dollars. The morning met him. he was dressed
in rough clothing. driving old sled. and, in con
versation, declared himself happier than when In
possession Of his thousands.
Ole Bull. assisted by eminent talent, gave a
grand concert last night at Concordia Hall. rher'
was a full house and critical and apprecativ'
audience, who did not discover that time had il
any way impaired the great power and brillianc,
of this wonderful performer. believe this J
the first public concert given since his return L
the United States. PoTAN0s.