Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 15, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 13, 1848 Page: 2 of 4
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cution by information or indictment, in
t the District Court, ancLon -conviction
.'shall be finedjn a sum not less-than
. twenty nor morevthan one hundred dol-
iars, ore,impnsonea ior nouuuieuiuuii
one month, af the?3iscretion of the jury
p, frying the caseJ ,
S Sec. 20. Be f4 further enacted, .That
"in all cases vhere a county is not or-
ganized, and j.here is no officer in-lhe
: . -'same authorized by law to organize
"wsuch county, the Chief Justice of the
;? I, -Incarest county, whichis organized, may
j r-r. s order elections for county oflicersin any
c-:.iVsuca disorganized county, and appoint
"ks" ihe presiding officers and managers and
.sfiK, X51erks of election as prescribed by law
i-"v'sin other.cases.
bEc. 27. Bczi furtiicr enacted, In at
: if from any causeihere should be a va-
cancy in the office of Chief Justice of
any ccunt', a majority of theCommis-
sioners of the Count Court shall order
-(a new election to fill such vacancy, to
lihc, conducted in-the same manner and
form as other elections for comity ofli-
w.cers. Sec. 28. Be it further enacted, ' That
:.an act entitled an act regulating elect-
. ions, approved, Iay lllh, lSlii, be and
the same is hereby repealed, and that
this act take -effect and be in force from
and after the first day of May next.
Approved, March 1G, 1848.
ill ;.
o'-W- REMARKS
-. .TsrQf Mr.Xvons, on the motion of lbs gentleman
&? UjJcora Washington,Mr. Willie,. to substitute
nt-v11 resolution, which lie read, for the resolution
-ii. .-before tne House, offered by the gentleman
-H-, jfrom Brazoria, Mr. Bryant, which gave rise
f vf jtotluvdiscussion of the merits of the majority
and minority reports lrom the committee on
the Land Office.
'Mr. Speaker : I occupy an humble position
upon this floor ; I am young in Texas, not
haying -completed, my third year, and this, my
lirst session, in the legislative councils cf the
State. I have net participated with the de- j
bates and discussions that have taken place
r from time lo time in this house. I therefore
' claim to have but little influence in this body,
s ,i , for that is only awarded to those who have
;:v , identified themselves with the history of this
7 -.country from its earliest period ; and upon
(this occasion, Mr. Speaker, Lshall not detain
,. .'-the Hob.sc long. I am no speeck maker, sir ;
, i! that js entirely out of myline of business;
r ' and foe that reason, sir, 1 know that I shall
j.not be able to do the subject that justice which
V " 'I am sure it deserves. And here, sir, allow
'r - me to say that I desire no diffipulty. There
.''" 'had ' been some sharp sparing , between the
'-gentleinan from Fannin, Mr. Bqgart and the
r- " .gentleman from,Bowie, iMr. Moseley. I am
1 ' not opposed to fighting when I have an inva-
V-' dirigenemy in front : but, sir, I am not par-
-,V jr:t:a-l to single Combats, for various reasons:
;.v"' . First that I should jiot like to be killed:
lf"--i an(f,.secondrthat I should dislike to kill any
t,4 --4ody, lor 1 should have no use lor them when
.rdead. , Sir, I desire to hurt no man!s feelings ;
' , Jt has been my course through life studiously
. efr!tjivoid saying, or doing any thing .that would
efftp. ecaicuiaieu in me remotest manner to in-
ffri'k. li'!f 'c fee'ino ofjlhe jmost abject being that
TV -,'Jfves. ,And now to -the reports, sir.; there is
' Vwo reports upon -our table from the same
committee ; a majority and a minority report
. iijtg.juiiiurcncu is one. my name is suo-
J scrihed to ;thc minority report. One word in
relation to the course pursued by the commit-
" h' jeet the chairman of the committee, Mr. Mc-
Teil some three or four weeks since, infbrm-
: .ed the committee that he believed there was
isKuolhing before them that required-further in-
vestigation that he was ready to report, and
7 -asked .the committee .what he should report'
fjjgjt?iKl'lc unanimous roice yva&to reportacis ; and
.. r4iue conirauieo aujourneu wun me understand
'' . . -Tdav.or two at farthest. On the third or fourth
- eveafng after the-committee agitjed to repoit,
. the chairman notified them that the report was
" ' I"readyJ The committee met; the report was
' ".'ai' the '.minority thdoght, things that was not
.T"' "Mpycn ; nd others foreign to- the object of
rT ' -. t!fer;ircsolutions opinions constructive and
Vf'v 'suggestive not asked for; and after sufficient
fjjjk 4 discussion in committee, to satrsfy-.niyself that
the report couldnot.be amended to suit all,
': ' -r myself and o'.msrs determined to make a sepa-
-.Js ..-jrate report. Here the gentlemanirom llar-
. ' risan, Mr. Goode wishedxo explair.,1 Mr. L.
'; said he had njade no allusions to that gentle-
V ' man, and he could explain notiiing.to him.
,' .i '-, He again said that he would like to explain
' TJ .Yor'tbe gentleman from RusL Mr..L. said :
l't ' no,,sir, you pan do nojhing for ms but to take
; '';your seat. Mr. L. again addressing ihe
. '-'"". Speaker, said: in the minority report was
' -made out andubmitted to some of ihe com-
rM,-V.pHUee, whose names appear to the majority
' -ipport, but no reconciliation could be made.
- '"'ILcchairman-of the committee was then ask-
. eJ when he would repoit, and his reply was,
in a day or two. That time passed, and -lie
' -.was again asked when he would baud in his
""fe report, and he again replied in a day or two.
i'A$'ie second time fndicaled passed, and the
. .minority made their report. Now, sir, to show
f.2 "that the minority havo not been fairly dealt
Y' vjtb, I. hold in my hand a letter addressed to
-,n ihe Commissioner of the Land Office, dated
- c'.-sJR9P.P? st meeting of the committee above
" '' 'J referred to, when the report was passed, and
A"'" a par ofjhe committee rejected. I say, sir,
this letter jias-djte since that time ; and over
' -''the signature of thu chairman of the commit-
- " tec on the Land office, asking for information
'.; - upon a different subject from any that had
.&- - lieen lirougtit tietorc the committee, and upon
'Avhicha large portion of the majority report
ft..is'vattempted to be based; sir, Uie minority
ontv
liavonoiucen iainy uealt with; 1 have never
. been notified of any meeting ofthc committee,
t,r any desiro on thpir part to procure further
,. . j information on any subject whatever in rcla-
. f;ipnMo the Land Office. J appeal tr. the chair-
man ofthc committee to say if I have ever
v ,repeivcd the least intimation from or through
' Jiitn in relation to the further inveslio-ntif.n if'
the subject by the committee or any part of;
'. tnem ; yet it seems it has been done, tir.
-Sf rip the majority report of opinion, sugges-
'tion and coiibtructi n, and there is no difler-
" Sjace between that and the minority report, only
: thc'matler is differently arranged. Here
Sir. 1.. read from the majority report that
,they find by a. statement furnished y the
CoiripU-olIer, a balance of $5,27-1 50 cents
AUrawu and ..unaccounted fiir by the Commis-
vSioner.of the, General Jjind Office ; and, in
conclusion, theygbc their opinion that the
, , minority werea'isfied, from the examinulion
" of letters from" Col. Cook? and othexi, thatthe,
ninount referred to had been forwarded to "the
city of New Yfirk, to be appropriated. to the
purposes "'for which it was-jniended that a
jjaftofihe-parchment had been received that
there was more on the way : and since the
reporLof the committee has been made, some
thousands of parchment has been received :
the stationery is all ajuhe office ; and a letter
received by last niailhrings'inteljigcnce from
the.agenl. that the remaining parchment is on
the way to this place. Mr. L. again read
from the majority ieport your committee
have to say that they have examined the ap-
propriations from the .-year 1842 to 134o, in-
CiUbivq, andh id vouchers coveringtho amount
drawn : but Vo ir committee are of opinion
that these uppropriutuns was not economi-
cally expended; and tshow that it was not,
they show that the tiaveling expenses cf an
agent from this place t: New York and back
was &&5u' ; and that a second trip cost $142 ;
and here again they -say, '".hey can't see the
necessity for this axlracuganl expenditure."
And not content uifh that, they "fear they
xvere merely trips ol pleasure." Now, sir, in
answer to this part of their report, allow ma
to read from the account current ofthc Comp-
troller, Mr. James. B. Shaw, xvho is believed
b' ail xvho know him to be exemplary, honest,
and is proverbial fir his prudence and econo-
my in ail things- Here it is sir : For my
peisonal expenses f.om Austin t. Washington
city an I bacK, inc!uhng twenty days deten-
tion at the latter place, $ lo'3 ; to go to Wash-
ington city a:id back, m:lud ng twenty days
detention, being yil mjre, sir, loan is charg-
ed as having ci-,t an agnt lor the Land Office
to go to iuv York and PhiiaJeiph.a and back
to this place.
Aud, Sir, I a-.k yoa,is it not as likely that tlicaent
fjr Hie Lund O.fijo va- detained, i it not more liKely
t.iat from tne jiulnre of his b.iaiuev ho vwuld be de-
tained at le.i3t tiO d.iys. llcre aaii; .Mr. L. read lioin
tho majority repoit. Tno coiniiiissiouer has at
diiFcroiit lin.es paid persons 1'or allcdged services tliat
were lirvcr rendered," anil they roler to tne cao ol"
Gen. Morelictiio, nuv, air, Uon. Morehouse ivas
a clerk in the Laisd Ollice,- aud obtained leave of
abience for three week-, to attend tho court martial of
Com. Moore at Wash.uglon, b.it by ingenious nianae-
icent in writing aiid asKing more tune froiii wrck to
week, hte prolonged his absence i-oinj eij(ht or nine
weeks. .Custom has vtab!ilied that lifaJa of depart- -incuts
take leave ol ab-mice, and grant the same to
thoie who are. employed under them ; officer, of tiic
U. S. Army have leu.vo of absence for mouth, as also
members oi this House, and 1 venture to say, that the
btoppage of pay has never bseti thought ol : but, air,
the comm.ssiuuer did not intend to pay Gen. More-
house, unless lit; received Ins t.erv.ce. a a clerk in tho
Land Odice. yid as a prooi lual lie did not intend to
pay him, 1 hold m.niy liana tus uilidavil ol Mr. Mc-
Cioud, who be ars thai Mr. Catlet, tlien a clerk in tho
o'lice was enipoyed by tho clerks to go to Washington
and draw their wages, (Hie treasury tnen being at that
place,) he also carried the acco jut of Gen. Morehouse,
approved by the commissioner up to date (May H'J.)
with tiie positive instruction, not to give huu the ac-
count unless he found litni on his way to Austin, for
the purpose of resuming his duties as clerk in the
Laud Orliee.
Which instructions he dischcyed, and for which ho
was dismissed from the'ofiiee. Tho majority report
goes on to say, that "by tho testimony ol Col. Ward he
liover returned to the odlce ;" now if.any of Col. Ward's
testimony is good, all is good. Ho said that ha never
intended to pay him, only on condition that he resumed
tho duties of cierk in llio offio ; and such, McCioud
swears were the instructions of the Commissioner of the
L md Office to Catlclt ; and it would be unjust to adopt
fcuch of his testimony as suited tho majority, and re-
ject snch as did not suit them. Again, tho mujori-
ty report refers to a mistake mad; by the commission-
er in approving the account of Mr. Reemer, for ouo
month's pay more than was due h.ni. This the com-
missioner declared lo be a mistake which was after-
wards corrected when po.uttd out. Wo are all liablo
to inako mistakes. Tnere are mistakes being correct-
ed in this House frequently which have been made,
and yet no discredit is to be atlached to th officers.
Then is it not probable that the Commissioner of the
Land Office would sumo time, from hurry or neglect
mako one mistake? Yet he has made only one. Mr.
L. again read from tho majority report, "that it has
been proven to tho satisfaction of the committee by
the testimony of various persons, that fees-have been
charged in the Laud Office, for copies both in English
aud Spanish." If there have been fees charged in the
Land Office, sinco its creation, for copies of field notes,
Spanish translations, &.c, I hold in my hand the rate3
rharged by John 1. Borden, while commissioner lor
the different kinds of work above referred to? over his
own signature which aro much higher than those
charged by the clerks at this time. Mr. Fisher, lato
Spanish clerk, swore that the amount recoived by him
was at the rate of about 5u0 a year, not more. Yet
the majority insinuate that there are thousands received
ill this way, any tiling that Mr. Fisher has sworn to,
to tho contra! , notwithstanding. lean never -give
my sanction to aay report, written or verbal, that is
calculated to destroy the character of any Individual,
until they have baeir guilty of sorae'deroiiction of duty.
'" CoiunrrEE Room, March 16, 1849.
Hon. John A. Gjujer,
President of the Senate : t.
The committee lon education have had under con-
s.deration, "a bdl to ha ont.tkd an act for the establish-
ment of Ireo pabiio apboois," and herewith return the
sainn to the Senate, aud recommend that it ba post-
poned for the prcsc":iL 4
In making this recommendation, tho committee
wo'uld not bo- regarded as being indifferent upon tho
subject of ed jcatiou w ailtiug in a proper application .
of its value and importance vr as coudemiug the bill
under consideration. On tho contrary, they are anx-
ious to 6ee ail efficient Hyetem of public instruction es-
tablished in Texas -t they an? convinced ofoho neces-
sity and bsnefit of a general dlTub.ou of intelligence,
both as regards the happiness of the people, aud tho
prosperity and safety 01 the fstate, and are pleased to
find in the bill, many provisions seem.ngly well calcu-
lated, at least, to tii-cureic the yoath 01 the country a
good practical edu-atiuu, were it lo become a law.
Governments founded like oars 111 iutelhgeiFce, are
suited alone to an enlightened aud educated people.
Education is very properly u subjtct of legislation.
The Stato is no less intrusted in an extension of knowl-
edge than its citizens, cous.dered apait and disconnec-
ted from their piht.caj relations w.th the btato. Tho
permanency ol our Irec institutions depends upon tho
education of the children of our country, and if tho
perpetuation of free Governments, dependent us llicy
are admitted to be, upon general information aud
knowledge, be an object dear lo man, it is one of the
first and most sacred duties ol the Legislator, to direct
his views and cUorts to the. production of some plan of
general instruction, which will accomplish their secu-
rity. With us, every o.tizeu i. authorized to investi-
gate the affairs of Slate, aud to a-pire to mid hold auy
office known to the laws : in order fully to understand
and properly employ the .privilege m.. cither instance
with advantage to the p;buc. it h corta.nly ntcessary
that wo should be sufficiently luforined tc comprehend
the powers we exert. By right of sovereignty, the peo-
ple have all political power in their hands, "and it tho
knowledge necesarj for a judicious exercise of it bo
neglected, wo may neither expect a happy condition
of society or a long continuance cf our rights.
Tho obligation of Govi-r.imcnt to provide means for
the education of its subjects arises net a one, however,
from csi.s d-tn'...fc!.s of safety to the btate. The happi-
ness of the human family depends rntirclv, perhaps,
upon the enhgiilentneut of tho human m.iid. Ifiliw
hi true, it ii tiie duty of the law-making power, lo
legislate with a view to the happ.ness of people, aside
from any political considerations whatever. Hence,
tho.e upon whom devolves the rcspyni.b'.lity of framing
tho law?, have bat half discharged their obligations
when they have pre.-cnbic rules for the government
of individuals. 1 1 has been well observed, ''that tho
most efficient laws sire thoc which control by tho in-
fluence of enlightened principle, without this principle
vivified by 1. 10 touch of education, there cm ho no
pcuce in the community uud no mnralj in society.
JJy the probation wh.ch it imposes lipnn every one to
become a good and useful riiuen, it contributes lo tho
abatement of the vices which deform the.huily social
dignifies the plainness of repabhean mdruhty exalt3
the character of private uwlh foolers the develop-
ment of public virtue checks the inroads of grasping
cup.dity, and iu the opening wh.ch it affords for every
bocia! mT.I.spetis a niurceoi general prosperity."
Notwithstanding thn foregoing rchVctioif. the com-
mittee are fearful that is too early to attempt a pi ui of
free schools for the Slate prompted by considerations
of good for, those for whoso particular interest iho
Legislatuio N required lo act iu tliishehulf, they would
suggest the propriety of inquiring into tho operation
and details of the policy of States whero sytrnn c,f
public instruction arc established bnforo attempting ono
of our own origination. In all mattcru of life, Especi-
ally in thoeo of great magnitude, wo should bo well
satisfied of our ability to accomplish our desires, before
we attempt their execution. Failure ,ia sometimes an
auxiliary Xo. auccebs, generally it a ery reriouj obsta
cle in its way. Iu a community unacquainted with
any mode cf popular education, the majority of whoso
niembcrsJiavo been educated at institutions established
and sustained by private aud individual means and
geuerasity adopting the same cause in tho education of
their children, it mubt prove a matter of considerable
difficulty tc fall upon a system of free public schools
which .will, in its beginning, prove ultimately successful.
Texas has done, or at least manifested, a
disposition to do much for the cause of Educa-
tion. Aw the first days of her existence as an
independent nation while yet the dark cloud
of w;rf 'iingeredMn the horizon of her hopes
and prospects, and ere the soil of her memo-
rable and glorious liattle-fields had lost the
moisture of her patriot's blood, " freely spilled
in freedom's cause,"she gave largely of her
only wealth to institutions of learning. In
addition to the lauds given for purposes of Ed-
ucation by the late Republic, the Convention,
which formed the Constitution of the State,
provided oilier means for the dissemination of
intelligence among the people. At least one-
tenth of the annual income of the State deriv-
ed from taxation is allowed to be appropriated
to the suppoit of Free Schools ; and while the
Legislature is required to establish them
throughout the State, whenever deemed prac-
ticable, the power is given to levy a tax upon
property to accomplish the object, independent
01" the tiind obtained fiom the general revenue
of tiie State. It would not be extravagant,
perhaps, to reinaik, that no State has gone
further-in the way of liberal provisions for
the cause of Education, and surely, il the amp-
tituJe of , the donation is any evidence of the
donor's appreciation of the object in view,
Texas will stand ses.md to none in the value
which sh attiibutcs to knowledge.
The fcchooi fond now in the treasury is
small, and ifdistiibuted among the small coun-
ties, would lie to each, or to some at least, a
sum-ioo' small to be -of any"se?vice. The bill
does not command the share ol each county 'to
Jjedra.Wii from the treasury; but leaves it to
ihe counties to determine whether they will
receive it.; and if not taken, it remains to the
credit -uf the ci.unt; . It is natural for us to re-
ceive whenever an) thing is olfercd ; and so
stnmgand universal is this principle of our
i!atnre,.t!i:ii we scarcely ever refose even the
shadow of .a treasure. The committee sup-
pose the most, if nut all of the counties, will
apply far l:v pinion of the school fund to
Aviiidi.they inny be entitled should the bill be
passed; and if they should, and the plan of
Education ostablishrd should prove success-
ful or -abortive, a considerable sum of money
will have been u;ed to no advantage, and the
cause 'itself be retaided. Many of the counties
may foil to organize under the law; but, as
hasairead" been remarked, flattering tempta-
tions are seldom ever rejected, and the com-
mittee. deem even the trifling dangers, (if they
should be consideied such.) winch here ob-
stiuct our way, another reason sustaining them
in the .recommendation they make in regard
to the bill.
To the Legislature has been committed tiie
care and direction of the means provided for
the Education of the youth of the country
The tiust is one of sacred and responsible
character, and should prove a subject of pecu-
liar concern to those who are charged with
its execution. If prudently managed and di
rected, it will become a source of great good
aud Happiness to the whole Slate: but if on
the other hand, it be incautiously and prema-
turely administered, the munificent endow
ments ol the constitution and of the laws will
have been made in vain, and an irreparable
injury inflicted upon those who are "to come
after us.
EDWARD CLARK, Chairman.
The correspondent of the Delta, writing from the
city of Mexico under date of tho 17th ult. hays
There aro fifty members of Congress, at present,
at Queretaro there are fifteen at this place who will
leave on Monday for the seat of Government there
has been an order issued by the Mexican Government
for the holding tho elections in tho States from which
no delegates have been elected I hear not a doubt ex-
pressed among the'Mexicans iu reference to the ratifi-
cation of the treaty I have heard several of tho Pu-
ro party say that they would vote for the ratification,
and jf possible.put an cud to the war. I am ofopuiion
that tiie vote in favor of ratifying the treaty will be a
-very strong one if tho treaty should come back from
tho .iluitedbtatcs amended, there will probably bo a
good deal of debate aud delay.
Under date of the 19ih the same writer Fays
Gen. Scott aud Mr. Tnst will start for the United
St-jte-s about thojJjth msL, with an oscort of cavalry
for Vera Cruz.
Yesterday, all business was suspended in the army,
in conformity with the order of the Prcsideut of the U.
Slatee, 011 account of the death of Mr. Adams. At
the dawn of day the colors were hoisted ut half mast,
the light battery of Capt. Taj lor fired a salute, in tho
Grautl Plaza, and continued lo fire hall hour guns du-
ring the day, and at sundown another salute at 9
o'clock tho arm' was paraded, and Unorders of tho
President read.
From present appearances I have no doubt hut that
Hie Mexican Congress will ratify the treaty ,113 soon us
mey near mat itwiu meet the approbation of.lhe Uni-
ted States Senate.
Chihuahua. An express reached Queretaro, on tho
13lh, bringing the news that the Americans wero
within three days march with the object of occupying
that .capital.
Tho military department of Pcrole has been abolish-
ed, and that pot, with the surrounding country of Ve-
ra Cruz, is atlached to the department of Jaiapa, and
a military post is now established between Puebla and
Perote, at OjO de Agua. The post is to be included in
the department at Puebla. Tho garr.soii will consistjof
two companies of tho Georgia Cavalry, to be designa-
ted by Lieut. Col. Calhoun, and tho 4th regiment of
Indiana Inwiitry the wholo will be commanded by
Col. Gorman. The 4th Indiana Regiment, now at Pu-
ebla, will bo replaced by the 2d Illiuo.s Regiment from
Jaiapa.
Tho extracts which follow are from the Free Amer-
ican, published at Vera Cruz:
As will be seen by iho following order, the persons
who at tho siege wero 'members of the'inuiiicipal gov-
ernment, and all .Mexican citizotw, are invited to meet
in the muiiic pa! chamber iu tho Palace, at 10 o'clock
this morning, for the purpose of taking jiecessary
measures to carry into effect the 5lh aud olhcr articles
ugreed upon by tho military convention held at Mexi-
co: IlEADO.iurtTEr.s, Cm- of Vera Cruz, (
March 20, 1648.
OfEcial information having b-en received of tho mil-
itary convention, for tho pio visional suspension of hos-
tilities between the Mex.can and United States arums,
which is the same as has been published in the papers
of this city, tho ling. General commanding, respectful-
ly invites those persons who at the time ol tho siege
wero members of the municipal government, and such
other Mexican citizens as may ba pleased to attend,
to meet him to-day in the council chamber ofthc pal-
ace, at If) o'clock, for the purpose of devising such
mtasurc.3 as may bo necessary to carry into effect tho
5th and other urticit of the convention.
Uv order of Brig.G-u. Twiur.s :
. W. T. II. BROOKS, A.A.A.G.
Some of the influential meu of this city have been
sending ammunition to the gue.-nlleros, for the last six
or seven days. Wo have tins from a good source, al-
though it is secret. We hope oi.r worthy polico will be
a little moro on the lookout. A coffin full of cartridges
left Ibis .city a faw days ago.
We understood yesterday, from tho best Mexican
source, that several Slate? had pronounced iu fuvor of
Paredes, mid against the 'Prist treaty. ,
Vera Cruz. Mkico, .March 21, 1S48.
Lt. Col. T. Stamford, r-lh Infantry; Lieut. Col. Em-
ory, of the Maryland and Dut. of Columbia Regiment;
Mj. Oiboru Cross, Chief of tho Q-iartermasters' De-
partment at ihe City of Mexico, aud Maj. A. A. G.
Hliiiiciiurd, of the l'Jth Infantry, left hero for tho city
of Aztecs, ou the 9:d inst., escorted by Lieut. Col. W.
F. Biscoa, of tho Loiusiuiri Mounted Volunteers, with
detachnfeuls from tho Louisiana Mounted Battalion,
under Lieuts. Waters, Kelly uud FoUer. The mail
iveut up'with this escort, and somo twelve fonr-horao
wagons.
A man hy the numo of .Clark is to bo bung to-day
for killing a Mexican. Clark was irritated some timo
ago, aud swnro that ho would kill tho first Mexican
that would give him impudence. He has redeemed
his word, and will have his neck "stretched" for it.
The bustle and ejxitement caused by iho arrival of
the traiu some few days ago, from the city', being over,
there is nothing new or remarkablo here, more than
the resolution taken by the Mexicans that of declin-
ing tho oiler of the Governor, for the present, of having
anything to do with the direciion of the public affairs
of this city. There are a great many reports in circu-
lation respecting a proiiunciamenlo of the inhabitants
of Cucrnavaca against peace and in favor of General
Santa Anna.
A letter from the seat of Government, dated on tho
14th inst, states that arious deputies have arrived
within a lew days, and that, during the week there
will be fifty members present. This will bo within
one of a quorum. The correspondent of the Monitor
adds, that the armistice had bn p'-iblished in Quere-
taro by Gen. Lombardiui, and, that the dissatislaction
produced by reading the s.tcculh articlo was univer-
sal. Our readers will remember that tho article re-
ferred to prohibits the assembling of armed men in any
part of tho Republic, with a view of committing hos-
tilities not authorized by either Government. It will
bo the duty of either or both of the contracting parties
to opposo or disperse such a body, without considering
thot-e who compose it as having forfeited the pro ection
of the laws of nations. It seems strange that such an
art.cle should nut give satisfaction to all persons who
aro peaceably disposed. If there should be any rev-
olutionists or ledrones at or near Queretaro, we are not
surprised at tho discontent with which tho Monitor's
Corespondent bays tho reading of the article was re -ccived.
The same letter says Paredes was in quite an isola-
ted position at Sun Luis l'otosi, aud that his monarch-
ical plans have been completely frustrated by tho neu-
trality observed by the partisans of Santa Anna ut
Quoretaro.
The first movements of a revolutionary character a
Guadalajara wero promptly suppressed by the good
scuso exhibited by Angulo aud Yunez.
The Norte Americano expresses fears about tho
treaty boiiig ratified by tho Mex.can Congress, iu con-
sequence of several prominent and influential men
such us Almonte, B.isUmeut.i and Farias, having de-
clared themselves iu opposition thereto.
La Rrj vrma. published at Puebla, reads, tho ab3nt
Congressmen 11 severe lecture for their culpable delay
iu coming to Queretaro, so as to forma quorum for the
t.ansactiou of business. That journal declares in im-
mediate peace, if Mexico would preserve her nation-
ality, and warns ils countrymen that in the event of
the present treaty being rejected by them, tho United
States will slouhy but gradually conquer their whole
territory.
La Reforma has been publishing, with evident gus-
to, a translation of Mr. Calhoun's great speech on tho
Mexican War, and also Poinsett's letter.
The journals of the interior of Mexico complain bit-
terly of tho silence observed by tho government at
Queretaro, with regard to tho terms aud conditions of
tho late treaty of peace.
The Zacatecano ofthc 5th inst. says: "There is no
power under the constitution and acts of reform, by
which either the nation or any of tho States can cede
to a foreigner a fool of the national territory. No treaty
of peace can bo negotiated or approved without a vio-
lation of tho constitution, in fact destroying, dissolving
Iho social compact of the States, aud breaking forev-
er the constitution of 1824."
If peaco is made, it is believed that no opposition
will bo made by Durango, Zacatecas, or this State.
Many deputies, it is expected will soon depart for Que-
retaro. Paredes was in this city yesterday, ;nd it is
believed will be allowed to reside here upon his assur-
ance not to meddio in politics.
The N. Y. Courier and Enquirer contains
the following correspondence from Albany
1 relative to the famous suspension bridge over
.Niagara rails:
Albany, March 18, 184S.
The First Transit over the Whirlpool.
Your readers have not forgotten, lam persua-'
j ded, a sketch which I gave of the fiimius Ni-
I agara Falls Suspension Bridge, and which
iroiii uie iiiieresiing nature 01 tne suojeci 01
which it treated, was extensively copied.
The work is begun, and the first crossing
has been made ! 1 am fortunately enabled to
send to the Courier some thrilling facts con-
nected Mith this journey, such as no man in
the New .World ever before made.
"I raised, (says the distinguished engineer,)
my first little wire cable on Saturday, and an-
chored it securely both n Canada and New
York. To-day, (March 13) I tightened it up,
and suspended belowlt an iron basket, which
I had caused to be prepared for the purpose,
and which is attached to a pulley along the ca-
ble. " On thisT little machine I crossed over to
Canada, exchanged salutations with our friends
there, and returned again all in fifteen min-
utes. The wind was high and the weather
cold, but yet the trip was very interesting to
me up as J was two hundred and forty feet
above the Rapid, and viewing as I did from
the centre of the Kver, one of the most sublime
piospects which nature has prepared on this
earth of ours.
"The machinery did not work as smoothly
as I wished, but in the course of this week I
will have it so adjusted that any body may
cross iu safety."
" The view from the centre of the bridge
must have been glorious, but whether suffi-
ciently so as to have repaid the adventurous
architect for his perilous journey I, leave to
the romantic readers of the Courier to imag-
ine. I understand that a lady has, since the
above date, made the darinjr transit.
I have watched the progress of this great
work a.niciu-.ly. The engineer is writing his
name in iron letters .on the record of useful
men. This is not his only achievement. The
bridge constructing at Wheeling, Virginia, of
1 000 leet span, is his designing. I shall keep
jour leaders advised of every important prog-
ress in the great national work, whose first
usefulness to man (the object of all right la-
bor) I chronicle to-day, I trust it may be ages
before any one shall be able to say in respect
lo this bridge of the cataract " The last link
is broken."
The Armistice Peace Prospects. The articles of
tho convention, providing for the suspens.uu of hostili-
ties between tho American and Mexican Governments,
were olficially published 111 the Star of yesterday, aud
have been perused by most of our readers. The con-
ditions aro quite liberal to Mexico, and wo trust her
.citizens will bee ,that they aro scrupulously observed.
It is lor their interest to do so. Indeed, they must bo
loser by a failure lo meet tho expectations of the com-
miss enors. So far us Mexico is concerned, matters
stand now, as they did before the v.ar, except, of course,
such slight restrictions aud circumstances as aro inci-
dent to the military occupation of the country. She
enjoys fiom henceforth, aud during tho armistice we
hope it will be forever entire freedom in all her muni-
cipal, Slate, ornaliona! elections. Her officers, appoin-
ted by her own Government, collect lheordmar reve-
nues ol the Republic, and ull tier civil and legal tnba-
nals remain undisturbed in the exercise of their func-
tion?. IuJued, a temporary peaco is prorlaimed
between tho two countr.es, aud tho old ordir oi things
is restored. There is nothing to prevent the Mt-x.cuu
Congress holding its sessions 111 this capital if it chooses
to do so, or any of the State Legislatures meeting when
and whero they may de-ire. If Santa Anna or Alva-
rez have public or private business to transact iu this
city, they can come and go without molestation. Even
Jarnutu, if he disbands his guerilleros, need not be at
the trouble of pulling ou a disguise when he visits the
capitol. Am. Star, iith ins,(.
iIyxtrriou3 Disappearance. The N. Y. Tribune,
says: "A respectable widow, who had lived alone for
a number of years in ihe upper partofhouso 1N0. 1-1C,
Ludlow street, being linked by an intimate acquain-
tance of hers residing iu Cannon street, aIioiu sho has
been in the habit of frequently isitmg. Capt. Wendell
of the Essex Market Polico Court, went to tho house
of tho m.s.,ing lady, and failing to obtain an uuswer to
tho knock at her door, made inqairies of occupants of
the lower part of tho house and tho adjoining premises,
all of whom stated that they hail seen nothing of the
widow lady for some tuno; whereupon Capt. Wendell
forced open tho door of her apartments, when the bed-
clothes wero discovered to be turned down as though
sho had just quitted her bed-room. Her canary bird,
howovcr, was found dead in iu cago, and appeared to
have died from starvation, thereby indicating that the
occupant of the rooms had disappeared some time pre-
vious. Capt. Wendell then with some difficulty found
a daughter of the missing in King street near, Vurick,
who stated that she had not seen her mother since lost
New Year's day, and on account of en ill feeling that
existed between her husband and her mother 'she ex-
1 perienced no uneasiness on uccount of not seeing her.
Ou making a further examination of the apartments
occupied by the lady in question, every thing was
found as usual, not a single article appeared to have
been disturbed.
THE TELEGRAPH.
EDITED BY FRANCIS MOORE, Jr.
Tliursdisyn tfpril 11, 1 848.
By the arrival of the steamship Galveston,
Capt. Crane, at Ga.vjston, we have advices
from New Orleans to the 1th inst.
A Telegraphic despatcMannounced at New
Orleans, on the 2d instant, the arrival of the
steamship Caledonia, from" Liverpool, with
dates to the 11th March.
Louis Philippe and his family had arrived in
England, accompanied by Mr Guizot. The
Revolutionary party has completely triumphed
throughout France, and order has been restor-
ed in Paris. It is said that the departments
had united to establish a " Republican House
of Peers," 01 Representatives, and a perma-
nent National Government had been estab-
lished, which had been recognized by the
American Minister and by England, Switzer-
land ah'd 'Bfelgium. ' Universal 'sufWagarfd
the vote by ballot had been adopted.
A great decline had taken place in French
funds, and the working class were striking for
higher wages.
Lord John Russel has resigned the office
ofPremier.
Gen. Twiggs arrived at New Orleans on,
the 31st ult. from Vera Cruz, and farted on
the 1st inst. for his residence in Georgia.
The citizens of New Orleans tendered him,
and also Gen. Kearny public dinners, which
they declined.
The late European intelligence has had an
unfavorable effect upon the cotton market in
New Orleans. The quotations in the New
Orleans market were, for middling 6J a
6J ; and forgood middling 6jj- a 6. The tel-
egraphic wires north of Augusta were cut be-
fore the quotations for cotton by the Caledo-
nia were communicated to the office in that
city, and factors were not disposed to operate
until certain intelligence could be received
from the North.
Col. Sevier and Gen. Kearny sailed from
New Orleans on the 2d inst., on the steamer
New Oleans, for Vera Cruz.
Eastbrx Federal Coubt. Gen. Rusk
writes that he expects the bill pending in-Con-gress
to establish another United States' Dis-
trict Court, in Eastern Texas, will become a
law. If this District should be created, the
citizens of that section will be relieved from
the inconvenience of transferring the suits in
which the Judge of this District has been em-
ployed as counsel to Courts in the adjoining
States. We understand that all, or nearly all
the cases in which Judge Watrous has given
an opinion, are land cases in Eastern Texas.
He was employed as counsel by the New-
York Company to defend their titles several
years ago, and previous to his appointment
as Attorney General. This has disqualified
him from trying these cases, not because he
has expressed an opinion respecting the va-
lidity of these claims, but because he has been
employed as counsel. It will probably be dif-.,
ficult to find a lawyer in Texas, who has not
given an opinion relative to these claims. All
lawyers who have been elected to the- Con-
gress of the late Republic, (and their, name
we might almost say is Legion,) and all who
have been elected to the Legislature of the
State, have, we believe, without a single ex-
ception, given an opinion upon these claims.
So also have all those who were elected to the
Convention that formed the State Constitution.
It will be difficult, therefore, to select a law
yer in the State, for the office of Judge of the
Federal Court, who has not-.the same disquali.
cations as Judge Watrous. If the law estab-
lishing the new District should be passed, it
is to be hoped that the President will be duly
cautious to appoint apurson who is free from
those disqualifications.. If the President could
be excused fbrselecting a federal officer without
the limits of the State he would certainly be
most excusable in. appointing a Judge who
had never resided within the limits of the State,
and never been employ od as counsel in any
cause relating to the claims of Texian citi-
zens. Our friend ol the Nevrs has often expressed
fears that the Wilmot Proviso has many ad-
vocates iu Texas, and lie intimates that the
Democrats of the State have manifested a wil-
lingness to support a .man who favors this
Proviso. We know of no person in the State
who has expressed a willingness to sustain
this Proviso: but on thu contran, we have
found that it is so uuiiersally condemned here,.
that we consideied it tinneccssaiy to hazard a
remaik against it. We have sometimes doubt-
ed, however, whether al I who advocate the
claims of Gen. .Taylor fo r the Presidency do
not partially commit themselves in favor of
this Proviso, oince they, a t least indirectly en-
dorse his letter to the editor of the Cincinnati
! Signal, approving of tho editorial article in
I that paper advocating this: Proviso.
Raix. After a drought of several weeks
duration, this section has been visited by copi
ous and refreshing showers. The rain com
menced lulling on the afternoon of the 4th in-
stant, anJcontined throughout the greater por-
tion of tho following night. About three inch-
es of rain fell, and the ground appears lo be
saturated with moisture..
FflAUDULErrr Certificates'. We under-
stand that an opinion prevails to some extenty
that the holders of the fraudulent certificates
'can, at-any, time, bring suits in the Federal
court and perfect a title- upon the-land3 upon,
which these certificates- are located. This
opinion we think is erroneous. The Federal
court has no-jurisdiction overthese cases, ex-
cept the Supreme court, upon an -appeal from
the Supreme- court of the State. The Federal
courts have-no-control over the State officers,
and the only way that a'itle could. be-perfected,
if perfected at all would be by a writ of
mandamus, directed to a surveyor, or to the
Commissioner of the General Land Office to is-
sue a patent. The county surveyors, and tho
Commissioner General of the Land Office aro
mere creatures of the State laws, and are ame-
nable to the State tribunals-for their official acts-
The officers of the State courts could not com-
pel the former to make surveys, or the latter to
issue a patent, unless the Legislature should,
by a legislative enactment, authorise these 0
4
an
cers to obey the mandates of the Federal cour
It appears to us therefore that it would be
absurdity for the Judge of a Federal court to
listen to an application for a writ of manda-
mus, to compel a surveyor to make a survey,
or the Commissioner of the General Land Of-
fice to issue a patent. These officers could
laugh at his writ, and defy his marshall to ex-
ecute it. A writ of mandamus issued by a.
Federal Judge to a surveyor to make aur-
fyay,twtald. bciJbsiirtiissS'avte
a shoemaker, to make the Judge a pair of
boots, or to a tailor to jnend his inexpressibles.
We think, therefore- that much of the alarm
that has been manifested, lest the State" should
be robbed of its lands, througfuhe instrumen-
tality of fraudulent certificates and. interested
Judges, is wholly unfounded, and that the
probability that these spurious claims can be
perfected through the Eederal courts, is as re-
mote as that the predictions of Millerare about
trf be realized. Until recently we entertained
a different opinion ; but .further investigation
has convinced us that these claims have .been,
so barrd by the constitution, that they can-
not be brought before, the State courts?, and
consequently cannot be transferred from tKe
Supreme court of the State, byappeaj,t6 the
Supreme Court of the Union. ' ' .
There is an item in the recent intelligence
from New Orleans that is worthy of notice.
The fact that the Telegraph wires were de-
stroyed north of Augusta, and all intelligence
withheld relative to the cotton market, indi-
cates that there has been an unusual change
in' the price of this staple. Whetberv.this
change has been favorable to the buyer-or
seller could not be ascertained when the" Gal-
veston sailed. But there are circumstances
which we- think show almost conclusively
that there has been a great,, decline in the
price of cotton. The me re fact-that the work-
ing classes m France have -struck for highefi
wages would itself tend to produce a depress-"
ion in the cotton market. There is much rea-
son to fear tliat this movement on the part of
the operatives, occurring simultaneously with
the revolution in that country, will excite such
alarm among capitalists, that the'manufacturr
ers will be unable to obtain the. eredi'ts neces-
sary to continue their factories fn operation.
The wages demanded by the workmen ren-
dered more importunate and extravagant , in
their demands by the triumph over the aristo-
cratic class,' may be such that the manufac-
turer will find it more advantageous-to sus-
pend work than to continue to manufacture
articles that afford no profit on. the capital
employed in producing them. The. manufac-
turers of England wer lately disposed to close
their factories and suspend all work until, as
they said, cotton should be cheaperyand goods
sufficienflydear to warrant a resumption ofbusi-
ness. They had not the panic of a ievolutiori'td,
stimulate them. It is questionable whether the
French manufacturers will not consummate
what theymerelyprdposed. Ifthis should be the
case, the demand for this staole will cease in a
great measure, and, as a natural consequence,
its price must decline. There is certainly
nothing in the late advices from Enropethat
could for a moment warrant us. in believing,
that the price of this staple can at present im-
prove. Capital is always hoarded during rev-
olutions, and the want of a free capital must
seriously impede manufactures, aud 'every
other business. While, therefore, therere- ."
mains the least uncertainty with reganiio thel
permanency of the new government that has
been established in France, or a probability-
that other revolutions may occur in- anypart
of Europe, we cannot reasonably eapect-thaf
business will resume a healthful .tone.
Seasox ix Louisiana. The BayomSara
Chronicle says that the season for planting has
been most propitious. Corn was growing'
rapidly, and the cotton planted in March pre-
sented a very healthy appearance. The slight
frosts in the fore part of the month, had done
no material injury, and the -prospect for .fruit -was
very flattering.
The Washington National Era says that
slaves are held in Oregon, and that slavesalso
exist in the Indian territory west of Missouri, ,
and in Texas north of lat. 30 deg.. 30 min. If
the editor of the Era means by this to intimate
that slaves are held by planters or farmers in
that portion of Texas, he is in error. We bc-
lievo that no slaves are held in Texas North
of the Missouri Compromise Line by citizens - '
of tlus State. The only slaves held .in that
section, we believe, are the slaves held by'
Indians as captives, and the peons which arc
held under the Mexican laws existing in Santa.
Ee. These peons are nominally servants,
but in reality are slaves.. When the laws of
4
f
38S
,-jA'ri'J,'"' tifeL
tjy
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Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 15, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 13, 1848, newspaper, April 13, 1848; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48493/m1/2/: accessed June 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.