smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

The two following "love letters" were
read in Court during reeent trial in Eng
land


You stated in your last that you would
not write again. Bat think Probely You
have haltred your MUD By this time and
| know you would if wass b. the sile Of
YOU or in Planer speaking in Thy harms.
1 think | see You now. On wIss it But
reall Could awake sum night and find
you By my sile my hart would break with
Joy. | wish l could make a arti6chell
Maria to hanswer the same Purpus as
you"


My ever dearest Grill received your
Letter and Think not But my thoughts are
alwis with thee for believe me have Long
and Bitley Lcemented that Parting day
Oh what would give to clasp thee IN my
arms. But oh! no Can not for L am
alnonge Thease wild and sOlOtOry mountins
Not one living thing is theer to Be seen +;
ware now slit except large Sea Gull
wich with its wild and Pearcing cry made p
me iitt-my eyes and Pause. Oh how /
wished was bird That L might fly to
thee. hOften steal away to this Noun
tin to think on thee to hear the water roar
Beneath and the wind wistle through this
wild and SOlatry Glenn. To see the buty
of natur round me oh then | miss Thy
Charming smile. Again l think Of thee.
start from my Seat and Whisper a Prayer
and ask Why thay Part me from thee
Oh non Can tell How miserTibble Pass
my dayes."
Year: 1861

But the removal of which we now speak
is arbitrary, and at the will of the Secreta-
ry of War. He has this power Of removal
from one place Of deposit to another in Or
der that the L. S. troops may be more read
lily supplied in cases of emergency. No
other honest purpose would justify the ex-
pense of such a removal from an arsenal
where there is no danger, to points where
treason or negro insurrectiOn might make
them positively dangerous to the peace Of
the country; and where in fact there were
no U. S. troops,-not even enough to pro-
tect them from decay. What became of
the 5000 deposited in Charleston we have
already seen. They are as carefully guar
ded as the SS70.OOO bonds in the treasury,
and we shall have just as good an account
of them.


1t will be seen, then. that from the
Springfield armory alone there have been
sent to the point where treason had made
its appearance, l25,000 muskets; and moi
one single musket to any L. S. arsenal in
a northern State, except 10000 to New
York. But what of New York? These,
like those from Troy, were not to remain
in New York, but are sold to the traitors
for the paltry sum of $3.50 cents each!-
If anything was needed to arouse our peo-
pie to the frightful treactery over which
they have been sleeping, let them ponder
on this statement.


We have only disclosed what has been
done by the war department at the Spring
field armory. We have no means of access
to the facts connected with Harper's Ferry.
But arms are not in the habit of coming
North Will some of our Senators or Rep
resentativeS inquire?
Year: 1861

The Mata Palo or tree killer, is, so tc


speak, tree which has fastened itself on


another tree and eat out its vitals. Al
first it is puny plant-a parasite growing


form a seed lodged in the bark of the origi-


nal tree. During the long rainy seasons,


it has sent down roots of sufficient length


to penetrate the earth. With a rapid


growth this tree stretches its branches right


up amongst the thickest of the entangled


mass as If it thrived by crowding. Its


descending roots runs into the earth. close


ly attached to the bark by fbrous rootlets


which stretch around the trunk of its fos-


ter parent, and these again branching. soon
intNrlace and grow together and as they
grow, contract the space within their mer-
ciless grasp. The tree thus enclosed can
not long expand its trunk in conformity
with the demands of its nature, and there
fore it dies. In that climate decay is as
rapid as its growth. and in few years all
traces of the old tree have disappeared.
and vacant space is left where it formerly
grew. This space indicates the size of the
unfortunate victim The Mata Palo is a
species of ig tree. having a milky sap and
and small inedible fig shaped fruit. with
a glossy leaf, in shape and size like the
Rhodondendron. In size it becomes first
class forest tree. growing to the hight of
one hundred and fifty feet or more.


saw one instance in which Mata Pa
10 had found its lodgment in the trunk of
Palm tree. 1t had followed its usual in-
stincts Of we may so consider its peculiar
habits of growth) and had duly surrounded
the Palm, so that the latter was only visi-
bic at two or three points of its stem and
at highth of fifty feet, its plume like top
emerged from the arms of its enemy still
green and fourishing. 1t is fact in veg
etable physiology probibly unknown to
the strangling brotherhood. that Palms are
Of endogenous growth; that is. the new
layers of wood are deposited within the in
terror of the stem. while the outside may
be squeezed or cut without damage to the
tree and that the stem never increases in
in diameter. however tall it may grow;
quite the reverse of that which take place
with exogenous trees like the Oak, Maple,
etc. whose new grOwths are deposited just
beneath the bark. In another instance
i Mata Palo had mistaken column like
mass of rock which had become detached
from the cliff. The rock was ten feet in
diameter and perhaps twenty feet in height:
it was well bound about with wooden ca
bles. but seemed Notwithstanding very
comfortable. The tree lad apparently
its mistake. and wore an un-
thrifty Look. although about half grr wn-
One could not 1elp exulting as at case of
disappointed villainy.
Year: 1861

Even :he experienced trainers of the prize
ring cannot decide what is the best food
for training men up to their greatest pow
or of endurance. They have a prejudice
in favor of mutton chops and under-done
beefsteaks; but it is by no means sure
that this is best. The Roman soldiers
who conquered the world. and built roads
from Constantinople, and who were all
trained athletes, marching under weight
of armor and luggage that few men in our
day could carry-lived on coarse. brown
wheat or barley bread, which they dipped
in sour wine.


In our own day. the Spanish peasants
are among the strongest and most agile
men in the world, He will work all day
in copper mine, or at the olive press, or
at the wine press, under a hot sun, and
then dance half the night to the music of a
guitar. What does he live on? A piece
of black bread, an onion, perhaps half
watermelon. You may see him dipping
his piece of bread into horn of olive. oil.
and then into some vinigar, made hot with
pepper and garlic, and be Is happy. Some
times he gets draught ofharsh, sour wine,
but not strong All the strong wine is
sent to England.


The Smyrna porter walks off with
load of eight hundred weight His only
food, day after day. is a little fruit-a
handful of dates. few figs, bunch of
grapes. some olives. His whole food does
not cost him penny day


The COolic, living on his rice, can out
work the negro fed on bacon. The Arab,
living on rice and dates, conquered half the
world.


The most tremendous muscular force,
and the greatest powers of endurance, may
be nOurished upon very moderate diet
We eat too much. Many people eat break
fast, lnnch, dinner, tea, supper-fve meals
a day. and three of them hearty ones. Our
sanitary reformers have not looked much to
the diet question; will they allow US to
call their attention in that direction?-
The stomach is the center and citadel of
organic life. 1t is worth little consider
alton. as well as the lungs and skin, which
depend upon it
Year: 1861

Well might Mr.. Calhoun say. in the


Carolina Convention, when the ordinance


of secession was passed. "tce are nol0
houseleSS and homeless" If the Union
should indulge temper of implacability.
and permit that ordinance to be a real
separation, what State of political ORPHAN
age would be more deplOrable than that Of
these States with slaves within. and no
commerce without? Even in South Caro-
lima the weight of these facts was evident
ly felt in the Convention, and will soon
be felt and acknowledged by all the South.
Year: 1861

In spcculating upon the course likely 20
lie pursued by Virginia in the present cri-
sis, we may obtain a good deal of light by
considering the distribution of her slave
population, and its relative proportion to
the whole population East and West of the
Blue Ridge. From the Compendium Of
the census for 1850 it appears that the
white inhabitants Of Western Virginia
constitutes nearly forty-eight per cent. Of
the whole white population of the State;
while the proportion of slaves to the whole
population in that part of the State is less
than eleven per cent On the other hand.
the ratio of slaves to the whole population
East of the Blue Ridge is nearly forty-eight
per cent. 1t thus appears that in the
western portion of Virginia, inhabited by
nearly one-half Of the whole white popula-
tion of the State, the ratio of slaves Is
less than that of Maryland, which is
fifteen and one-half Ier cent, while in cas-
tern Virginia it is greater than in any Of
the slave States except Mississippi and
South Carolina, being but three per cent.
less than that Of the former, and nine per
cent less than that of the latter State. -


1t is not probable that the census which
has just been completed viii materially
vary these results They certainly indicate
that in the approaching convention in Yir-
ginia there must be divided eounsels. In
many of the counties in Western Virginia
slavery may be said to have but nominal
existence, in and nearly all of them.it con-
stitutes but small proportion of the whole
population. In view of these facts it is not
to be supposed that the secessiOnists of the
Atlantic shore will succeed in committing
brethren across the mountains to a course
of political action which cannot fail to in
volve them In ruin.
Year: 1861

The Duke Pasquile, who is now ninety
three years of age, is the most active old
man in Paris, and perhaps we my add,
anywhere. Old as he is, he dimes out, and
is the life of the company around him, ard
eats the most recondite dishes and drinks
the most generous wines as fearlessly as if
he had one of twenty years nights to re-
pair the damage done to nature.
Year: 1861

1t should be understood that this re-
moval of arms which we now disclose has
nothing to do with the distribution which
is occasionally made to the several States
of the quota to which each State is entitled
for its own militia For this object there
have been issued to the States during the
rear as fnllnMs.
Year: 1861

The BLoCKADE.-In the course of recent
debate in the House of Lords, on the Amer
lean war, Earl Derby, the leader of the
Tory parry, said it was not in the power Of
the Northern States, If their navy were
three times as large as it is, to efectually
blockade all the Southern ports, and this
opinion seemed to be acquiesced in by
members of the House generally. We do
not know what England would now con-
slider an effective blockade but at the time
of the debate, American men-Of-war were
stationed at the entrance of every Southern
port, rendering it impossible for merchant
vessels 10 enter except at the risk of being
sunk. This has heretofore been considered
an effective blockade, and all that Is re-
quired by the law of nations.
Year: 1861

BITTEN BY RATs.-A little son of Mr.. Abel
DObson, of this place, aged about six years,
was bitten directly over the right eye on two
successive nights Of last week. The first night
his parents were awakened by his restlessness
and on going 10 him he was found slightly bitten
Just over the eye. On the second night he was
again attacked, and bitten near the same place,
one of the teeth of the rat this time penetr ated
vein, from which the blood spirited upon the
wall against which his bed was placed. He
was promptly cared for, and his bed so place
as to render him less liable to another attack
IG, Y. National.
Year: 1861

MCCONNELL denies the right of the Presi-
dent to call out troops for the defence of the
National capital. Mcconnell is a one of the
strict constractionist school, who breaches
the doctrines of his faction and praises as
they do. or this school was jefferson, who
when the exgeney arose was keen to pur-
chase the Louisiana Territory, a step that
could be sanctioned only BY liberal con-
struetion of the American Constitution
Jefferson himself admitted he found no war
rant in that instrument for the purchase
Mcdonnell would make the Constitution
mere formula, intended only as the best ad-
vice lot of old fogies who made it could
give for the guidance of the people. His
idea of it appears to be that it is pair OF
glass hreeches, good looking enough, but
perfectly transparent and sure to be broken
if put to any service.
Year: 1861

The THIRD TIcKEr.-The convention Of
Saturday last made up about as good
ticket as circumstances, considering the
material at hand, would allow. Perhaps,
{, r the purpose OF getting all the votes for
the party possible, no better men could have
been selected by the convention than the
gentlemen who compose the ticket. Judge
Searls has the advantage Of six years serv
ice rs a judge. The candidate for Senator
is energetic, determined and possessed of
the means to make canvass and control
the votes that properly belong to the party.
In fact, in Ordinary times and under differ
ent circumstances the whole ticke: might
command some popularity and strength
As it is it labors under the incubus of Sc
cession, and must 60 down before the over
whelming popular feeling for the Union.
Nothing that has the faint of secessionism
can be approved by the people, and the
Brcckinridge Democracy cannot remove the
smell from their garments if they would
The ticket will be beaten, and that badly.
In some places in the county there will be a
respectable showing of Breckenridge votes
but in the county as a whole the signs show
TO US, If not to the members of the third
party themselves, that they will be vastly in
the minority.


against many Of the candidates on the
ticket as men, we have not n SYLLABLE to
utter. We could only wish they were en-
gagged in better cause. They have chosen
their bed and there taey must lie. five dc
not mistake the times the men who compose
the Breckinridge Democracy in this State
are politically damned forever; for settle
the difficulties in the Union as they may be,
and the people will never confde in those
who have given aid and comfort to the en-
cmy when the country had need Of the
sympathy OF all its citizens.
Year: 1861

DISTURBING MEETlXas.-The practice. Of
disturbing political meetings hitherto con-
fined to the chivalry of this State has been
adopted by their opponents OF late, to the
great disgust of those to whom the profess
sion more particularly belongs. 1t is natu-
raj that loyal citizens should feel indigna-
tion at hearing the Government reviled, and
it is not always possible for all men to con-
troll their temper under strong provocation,
such rs we conceive slanderous talk against
the Union to be. But the Republican party
has always been the advocate Of free speech
and is so still. Its experience in the past
Of the brutality of the gag law as applied
to its advocates on the stump and elsew here
only confirms it in the determination to re-
sist the restriction of free speech however
applied. The Republicans as party con-
demn the disturbance of the meeting at San
Francisco that was appointed for Mcconnell
and Randolph. The party condemns it,
however, because it is the abuse of right
very dear to the cause it has at heart and
not because the act was committed on
party that offends the moral sense of the
people by the declaration of the most od-
Gus doctrines. Mcconnell himself we be-
leive to be above the disturbance of any
meeting however obnoxious it might be to
him. But the men who support him in this
convnss are many of them notoriouc for In
ing most intolerant in the past towards the
Republicans. The third party has nothing
to complain Of if its meetings are broken
up. Its members inangurated the practice,
and ought not to complain Of their own
system of warfare when used against them.
The Republicans may we'll regret the Sccur-
renee, because it violated n principle they
regard as sacred,
Year: 1861

GEN. NooL.-Some of our contemporaries
are getting very indignant on Gen. Wool's
account. They find serious fault with the
Administration because he is not brought
somewhere near the enemy and given fair
chance to be shot. Wouldn't it be well for
these astonishingly wise men, and gnardi-
ans. of Gen. Wool's fame, 20 first inquire if
their General has not in immense game of
poker on hand and is not well satisfied
with his old home till he has played it out?
Year: 1861

No REMITTANcE.-lieport has it that Phi
Moore wrote to a friend of his that strong
inclination took him eastward with the
peoples money, but that he would remit
from Salt Lake. No remttances have yet
arrived
Year: 1861

SOLDIERS WANT TO Go TO THE SEAT OF
Wharf.-The Bay press gives intimation that
some of Lippit's regiment refuse to so upon
the plains to protect the overland mail and
do such other service rs the necessities of
the country require in that direction, but
are DESTROYS of joiningi in the thickest of the
fight. The desire is q heroic one, i.o doubt,
but the country has much territory and
many interests to defend, and any good SOL
dier should hold himself in readiness to do
any service required of him. Laurels can
be gained on tte plains as well as elsewhere
and the most legitimate duty that could be
assigned California troops is the protection
of the overland mail.
Year: 1861

THE THIRD MEMBER OF CoSGREss.-Wm.
II. McGrew, o. Sutter county, has announced
himsefas a candidate for Congress under
MIA to three mem> ers in the lower house
Whether the State Central Committees of
the parties will select another name to be
put upon each of the several tickets, as a
candidate for Congress is a matter of some
doubt Fit is proper that third nomina
ton be made the Committees should act
soon.
Year: 1861

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY "A bold attempt was
made on Thursday of last week to rob the
Pioneer stage coach near Empire City, be-
tween Carson and Virginia cities. Three
men made the attempt. The driver of the
stage whipped the robbers in the face and
starting his team on the run escaped. Sew
eral shots were fired at the driver by the
robbers, mono of which took effect. The
design evidently was to get possession Of
the treasure box of Wells, Fargo & Co.
Year: 1861

Bulwer eloquently says; | cannot be-
lieve that the earth is mans abiding place
1t cannot be that cur life is cast upon the
ocean of eternity to float for moment
upon its waves and sink into nothingness +!
Else why is this, that the glorious aspira-
tions, which leap like angels from the tenn
pie of our heart, are forever wandering
about unsatisfed Why is it that the
rainbow and clouds come over us with a
beauty that is not of earth, and then pass
off and leave US to muse upon their faded
loveliness? Why is it that the stars who
hold their festival around the midnight
throne, are set above the grasp Of our lin
tied faculties, forever moeking us with
their unapproachable glory? And finally,
why is it that bright forms of human beau
ty are presented to our view, and then ta-
ken from us, leaving the thousand streams
of our affections to flow back in Alpine
torrents upon our hearts? :? We are born
for higher destiny than that of earth /;
there is realm where the rainbow never
fades; where the stars will spread before
US, like islands that slumber on the ocean ::
and where the beings that pass before us
like shadows, will stay in our presence for
ever,
Year: 1861

A triumph in the field is a theme for poe
try, for painting, for history eulogistic, and
aggrandizing agencies, whose united tribute
constitutes fame; but there are victories
won by men over themselves more truly
honorable to conquer than any that can be
achieved in war. OF all these silent
successes, we never hear; the battles in
which they are obtained are fought in soli-
tude and without help, save from above
The conflict is sometimes waged in the
watches of the night, and the Struggle is
often fearful. Honor to every conqueror
in such a warfare Honor to the man or
woman who fights temptation, hatred, re-
venge, envy, sel6shness, back to its last cov-
ert In the heart, and then expels it forever
Although no outward show of honor ac-
crnes to the victories of these good fights,
they have their reward, higher one than
fame can bestow. They come out of the
combat of self ennobled.
Year: 1861

Life is short, therefore it should be well
and usefllly employed.


II thou become offended, let not the sun
go down upon thy wrath


A good deal done in the day is salts
faction to the soul at night.


Kind words alleviate misery and are as
q balm to the afflicted.


Pray unto God for all men, for they are
all members Of one family


God is unto us kind Father, Him We
should always love and obey.


He that is wise will lead a good life that
he may come to a good end


All that we possess in this life is a gift
of our Heavenly Father


Love not the world nor the things in the
world, but love God.
Year: 1861

The sign OF Big C0ffca <ot is in tho sar,a rlsoa
Where I'll be pleased to see each old custom


ers face;


But if he will say Pve neitherEfp OF lavy,
'Twould make my underlip hang down very


heavy.


Let all the people know it
4 Cook Stove have, and ready to shcw il,
The best in market, with all complete,
Warranted to bake and cook all you can eat.
Gas Burners have that cannot be beat,
For saving of fuel and raising Of heat
All sizes and kinds with prices SO low,
Should wife one need you can't say no.
Tin ware have, which all OF you know,
And Lard Cans which hold u hundred or so
A Lard Lamp have of very neat style,
And Spouting is put up within ten mile
Improved Fat Squeezer have for sale,,
That will squeeze Mr.. Hog from head to tail,
With nothing to do brt tprn of the screws,
'Tis just the thing for the people TO use.
Gold and Silver plating I always do,
For carriage makers and others too
More have | to say of things in my line
When you call at the Big Coffee Pot Sign.


decl3 j. IRWIN WALLIS.
Year: 1861

Jan. 25-Morniag SesSion.-Pursuantt to adjourn
ment, the Convention met at 10 O'Clock A. NJ.
President Mouton in the chair. The roll being
called l20 members answered to their names.
The journal of the preceding day was read


A resolution to appoint committee Of five to
wait upon the Governor and invite him to take
seat upon the floor of the Convention.


The standing committees of the Convention were
announced.


Commissioner Manning, of South Carolina, was
presented by the President and addressed the
Convention in an able and eloquent manner. He
regretted the present position of affairs but deemed
the immediate secession of each and every slave
holding State from the present Union was neces,
sary and imperative. The result of the late Presi-
Dental election imposed upon all of the Southern
States this necessity No hope remained of main
tanning the security and liberties of the South under
a common Government with the States of the
North. They were vindictive and oppressive, and
one, at least, of the candidates elected by the
Year: 1861

,CoNcERr.-It will be seen by reference to
a notice in another column ofthis morning s
Gazette, that Il concert will be given on next
Monday night, the proceeds of which will
be devoted to the equipment of the Vd Do
minion Rifles. The young gentlemen who
purpose giving this concert have highly im-
proved fine natural voices, and a musical en-
lerainmeut Of rare excellence. will be expe-
riencrd by all who attend
Year: 1861

FISH The run of fish in the Potomac
thus far, has been exceedingly moderate
A considerable amount Of perch have been
caught and brought to this city. Some of
them are very fine, and sold at excellent
prices. But few shad or herring have been
caught The former sell from $50 to S22
per hundred