The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-07-24

of affairs, however, in these countries.
has led tho emigrants to turn their at
tontion to the United States. And the
| Chronicle cites the fact that IN Italian
agent has recently been buying large
tracts of land in California for his coun-
trymen to settle upon during this year.
THE postoffice department is much
pleased with the system of demanding
the prepayment of newspaper postage,
and will, at the beginning of the next
congress, Mt once endeavor to secure
the repeal of the law in relation to
postage on transient matter in the
mails. The law regulating the pay
mont of postage, will, however, be re-
tanned. It has been found that, al-
though the rate has been reduced, the
| department now receives rs much as it
did when it had q higher rate, but col
lected tho postage Mt tho Office of de-
livery, which leads to the melancholy
conclusion that some Of the postmas-
ters are not rs pure and honest III the
discharge of their duty rs they should
| be.
TIE death of General +. ?. Blair,
| which occurred last week, was not I'M
| expected He had been in i'll health
for two years, and was recently sup
posed to havo received some benefit
from TRANSMISSION of blood, but his
friends had little hope of his ultimate
recovery. AS soldier he made con-
siderable reputation during the war,
and was the democratic candidate for
the Vice Presidency in 1868 OH the
ticket with Horatio Seymour. He. fig
urcd little in politics afterwarl, though
nc appeared in the Cincinnati convcn-
tion OF 1879 to nominate Horace
Greeley. At tho time of his denth, he
was state insurance missioner of
Missouri.
The American rifle team will prob
ably shoot at Wimbledon range, near
London, before their return. If they
succeed there hs Mt Dollymonnt, there
will be q growl from john Dull, for he
hates to be beaten. Wimbledon was
established about fifteen years ago.
and Mt the grand opening Queen Vic
toria fired the first shot, and put her
bullet through the bulls eye ut 400
yards. But then any woman could
hayo done the same thing, as the queen
snt costly in luxurious arm chair, and
pulled silver cord which pulled
rifle trigger, sixty yards of, the rifle
itself having been sighted for her and
Gxcd immovably in n wise for this
especial occasion.
The Texans of tho border will GER
tainly enjoy brief respite from desc
lating cattle raids Just now while the
Mexicans on the Rio Grandc are a:
loggerhcads about the arrcs. and incar-
ceration Of Cortina. The dispatches
indicate high degree OF excitement i'll
Matamoras, which doubtless extends
measurably throughout the state of
Tamanlipas. The capture of their
leader is regarded is al undue inter-
ruption to their smuggling operations
by tho people of NIatamoras and vicin-
ity, and President Lerdo evidently has
an insurrection on his hands which will
require tho presence of moro troops.
Matamoras, where tho troubles now
center, is Immediately opposite Browns.
vile, Texas, and contains n population
of about $4,000. AS an effort will be
made to carry Cortina to Vera Cruz,
conflict between the citizens and the
Mexican troops is probable.
DISPATCHES from the Black Hills
geological expedition Indicate that near
Harncy's Peak gold has really been
found in paying quantities. The cor
respondent of the New York Tribune
accompanying tho expedition writes
that, after he party entered the unex.
plored region from the east, they struck
a granite formation and gold-bearing
quartz, besides finding gold in flakes in
the gulches. Prof. jenny, Lieut.. Nor
ton and Dr. Lane, of tho government
expedition, ere said to be satisfied that
gold exists there. Whether it will be
found in sufficient quantities to fll the
pockets of the thousands who are wait
ing to crowd into the hills, makes no
difference. The people will go, in spite
of restrictions, and possess the land on
the mere intimation that gold is there.
If Con. Custnr had never rambled in
thoo vicinity, the Indians to-day might
be resting in secure possession of this
refreshing and rich oasis.
Our riflemen did rot figure to 70
good advantage in the contest for the