The Semi-Weekly Journal. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 30, Ed. 1 Tuesday, May 21, 1850 Page: 2 of 4
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ffiffie journal.
GALVESTON, TUESDAY, MAY 21.
83?° We are authorized to announce Mr. Wm.
N. SPARKS, as a candidate for the office of
Sheriff, at the ensuing election, and will be sup-
ported by his numerous FRIENDS.
83T We are authorized to announce A. J.
HAMILTON, Esq., Acting Counsel for the State,
as candidate for the office of Attorney General.
imp We are authorized to announce the Hon.
JAMES B. SHAW, present Comptroller ol the
State of Texas, as a candidate for that office at
the approaching election.
J. C. McGONIGAL is a candidate for the office
of District Attorney, for the 1st Judicial District.
JAMES WIILIE. Esq.., is a candidate for the
office of District Attorney of the State, in this Dis-
trict.
4Ve are authorized to announce N. S. HILL
as a candidate tor the office of Assessor and Col-
lector, of this county, at the ensuing election.
05T We are authorized to announce J. W.
MOORE as a candidate for re-election to the office
of Clerk of the District Court of Galveston county,
at the ensuing election.
General Agents for the “ Journal.”
J. H. Finch, Esa., John Green, Jr., Esa.
Postmasters are authorized to act as agents.
83?° See terms.
Ix^T The Houston Mercantile Advertiser of
the 17th, credits to the News some tour or five
articles copied from the “Journal.” Our
neighbor, we leel certain, has no desire to be
saddled with our productions, therefore we
trust the Advertiser will set matters right.
idr* A letter from Mr. Tarver, our asso-
ciate in the “Journal,” relative to the present
condition and prospects of the Brazos valley,
will appear in our next.
IGr” We have the pleasure of informing
those friends who are anxious for the prosper-
ity of the “Journal,” that our subscription
books received about a hundred additional
names yesterday.
From New Orleans.—The steamship Gal-
veston, Capt. Place, arrived here on Sunday
last with New Orleans dates to the 17th inst.
Idr” Bride’s cake is one of the few pleasing
things that once in a while find their way into
the editorial sanctum and afford an agreeable
variety to both taste and fancy, as compared
with tobacco and politics. For the slice sent
us last week, we return our grateful acknowl-
edgements.
Lfjr3 We learn that the Trinity and Brazos
rivers still continue very high.
lElr’ A vessel called'the Doubloon, a com-
petitor in a regetta which took place in New
Orleans last week, capsized, drowning two out
of six persons -who were on board.
EGr* In the U. S. Senate, on the 8th inst.,
after the report of the committee of thirteen,
Mr. Mason, of Virginia, Berrien; of Georgia,
Downes, of Louisiana, Clemens, of Alabama,
Yulee, of Florida, Turney, of Tennessee and
Borland, of Arkansas, all came out in opposi-
tion to the proposed compromise.
Mr. Clay, though taken by surprise, main-
tained his ground with characteristic ability
an energy, and announced his determination to
stand by the report to fhe last.
Messrs. Cass, Mangum, Houston, Foote,
and Dickinson stood by him.
lEj3 Mr. Allen A. Hall, who is to edit the
Washington Republic, is a Tennesseean, and
an experienced editor. He has the credit of
possessing great industry, tact, and vast polit-
ical information.
Expedition to Cuba.—According to the
New Orleans Delta and the New York Sun,
this long talked of expedition has gone on its
mission. The Delta of the 17th says, the
steamer Creole, one week previous, sailed
with the last detachment ol the gallant band
who have determined on regenerating Cuba.
Gen. Lopez, the commander of the revolu-
tionary army, went on the Creole. The Delta
says:
Ere this, if the storms or other causes have
not prevented, Gen. Lopez has effected his
landing at a point on the Island, where he has
hosts of friends, who have long been urging
him to come to them, if he brought but twen-
ty men. His expectation was to make such
landing on Monday last. We await with in-
tense interest to hear of the result. All will
depend upon the verity of the preftnises made
by the Creoles of the Island. If they are
true,—and with t.he»proofs before us, we can
admit no doubts into our minds,—if they give
practical proofs ol the sincerity of their de-
clarations, there cannot be the slightest doubt
of the event.
We are not informed by either the Delta or
Sun how the expedition managed this time to
elude the vigilance of the United States Gov-
ernment, nor have we any information of the
strength of the invaders. These papers pre-
tend to be in the secret, and we may loo'k for-
ward to exciting intelligence if their state-
ments be true.
Report of the Compromise Committee.
The report made by Mr. Clay, chairman of
the committee of thirteen, to the U. S. Senate,
has been published.
The first subject treated of is the admission
ot new States, formed out of Texas, which
the committee think must originate with the
people of Texas, without the interference of
Congress. The people forming the new States,
which are not to exceed four, shall decide for
themselves whether they will admit or exclude
slavery, and in eitherevent Congress is bound
to acquiesce and fulfill the stipulations made
with Texas in good faith. In regard to Cali-
fornia, a majority of the committee decide that
the informal organization, without previous au-
thority from Congress, should be overlooked, in
consideration of the omission to establish a ter-
ritorial government. They approve of the
constitution, boundaries and amount of popu-
lation, and recommend the admission ot the
State, as now constituted, With an ordinance to
make incontestible the right of the U. States
to the public domain and other public property
in California.
A majority of the committee also report in
favor of establishing governments for the res-
idue of the territory acquired from Mexico.— ‘
They think that Congress “will fail in the per-
formance of a high duty” if it does -not give
the Territories “ protection, government and
laws.” They are not, and will not be for a
long time, fitted for State governments. The
committee, therefore, recommend the passage
of the bills already before the Senate for the
division of all the territory acquired from Mex-
ico not comprehended within the limits of Cali-
fornia, into two Territories, under the names of
New Mexico and Utah, and preparing a terri
torial government for each.
They urge strenuously the incorporation of
these bills with the admission of California,
and insist on the identity of the rights of the
new territories and the obligations of Congress
towards them.
In regard to the boundary of Texas, the
committee abstain from expressing any opin-
ion on the merits of the question, but propose
a sum in blank, to be paid to Texas for the re-
linquishment of her claim, which was stated in
debate to be ten millions, to be appropriated,
in the first instance, to the payment of the
Texan debt, and the remainder as Texas may
direct. This measure is also recommended to
be incorporated in the California bill. Should
Texas refuse the offer, the question of her
boundary is not to be prejudiced thereby.
The constitutional right to demand, and the
obligation to surrender fugitive slaves, is em-
phatically stated, and the opinion expressed,
that it the proposed remedies should fail and
no other can be found for the restoration of
runaway slaves, the owners have a right to
indemnification from the U. S. Treasury. The
bill introduced by Mr. Mason is adopted by the
committee, with some additions providing
against abuse and bring the facts under the
law of the State where the fugitive is claimed
The enactment of the same law, which pro-
hibits the slave trade in Maryland, is proposed
for the District of Columhia. No opinion is
expressed on the right of Congress to abolish
slavery there, but such a measure is declared
to be impolitic.
The committee close by invoking Congress
to do its duty fearlessly, and with a prayer for
the prosperity and harmony of the Union
“ that under the blessings of the Providence
who, amidst all vicissitudes, has never ceased
to extend to them his protecting care, his smiles,
and his blessings, they will continue to advance
in population, power, and prosperity, and work
out triumphantly the glorious problem of man’s
capacity for self government.”
More of the Cuban Expedition.—The
Picayune refers to some statements in the
Franco American, giving particulars of the
Cuban expedition, which it seems to consider
more reliable than other current rumors. It
is said that on the 14th of this month, 10,000
men were to land at three different points in
Cuba, when, by preconcerted signals, the
Cubans tvere to be made awrare of their pre-
sence, and, it is expected, would fly to arms.
Should the Creoles not give the expected aid,
the adventurers have secured the means of a
safe and' speedy retreat. The money, as well
as the men for the expedition, has been raised
in the United States, and besides six millions
spent in equipping the troops, two millions
more remain at the disposition of the promi-
nent citizens of New Orleans who are inter-
ested in the movement.
Passengers per Steamship Galveston,
From, New Orleans May 17, 1850.
J. Fitzgerald and lady, E. Fitzgerald and
lady, Mrs. Taylor, Miss Gray, A. Eans and
family, Miss Garrison, J. Rondall, J. W. Ron-
dall; J.O.Rondall, A.Rondall, Bill & brother,
M. Garrison, W. B. C. Jones, Dr. Labadie,
Moreland, Dr. Gattin, W. Liewis, W. H.
Moudy. J. J. & W. E. Mills, Bates, Edmonds,
Rives, J. Griffen. Six on deck—12 slaves.
Lola Montes and her husband, Mr. Ileald.
are again living together in Paris.
ILp3 The New York Herald has published
a letter purporting to be from Sir Henry Bul-
wer to Mr. Chatfield, the British agent in
Central America. This letter is said to have
been intercepted, but how, or in what manner,
; are not able to ascertain. The circum-
stances are sufficient to prove it an imposition
notwithstanding the Herald’s assertion to the
contrary. It becomes however, valuable to
the opponents of the Administration on ac-
count of the following paragraph:
“Neither do I think this Government has at
the present moment the view's you seem in-
clined to credit for it. It is, however, a weak
Government, and being suspected of the pop-
ular party, is ever afraid of seeming in favor
of any policy that is unpopular. Thus, though
its intentions may be trusted, its course can-
not be relied upon.”
If the letter is genuine Sir Henry should
and no doubt will learn that the Government
will protect its own honor and give him full
permission to return to the Court of St. James,
where popular opinion is very lightly esteem-
ed in administering the affairs of State. It
was Canning who said that the greatest curse
that could befall a free country was a govern-
ment insensible to public opinion ; and it ought
to be a matter of satisfaction, rather than oth-
erwise, if the charge made by the British
Minister is true, that the Administration is
“afraid of seeming in favor of any policy that
is unpopular.” It only proves that General
Taylor is what he said he would be—the Pre-
sident of the whole people, and centradicts the
accusations of rigidness and sternness brought
by the same parties now so “amused” at the
slur which is thus attempted to be cast on the
Government by a letter of very doubtful au-
thenticity.
There is a report in circulation that
Gen. Lamar and Gen. Quitman have joined
the Cuban expedition.
Repression of the Democratic Spirit
of France.—In addition to clogging the press,
the Government of France, it is said, intend
to attack the privileges of universal suffrage,
by passing a law to prevent a man from voting
until he has reached the age of twenty-five
years, and resided a prolonged time in the
place where he votes. It is predicted by a
Paris correspondentof the Philadelphia Ledger,
that the passage of such a law will lead to the
most disastrous results.
Some body advertises in an exchange paper,
a lost wallet, “ belonging to a gentleman made
of calf skin !”
Whig Measures.
The true policy of the United Stales, and
especially of the. State of Texas.
Protection to home industry, to place the
country, in peace or war, independent of Eu-
rope.
Texas requires her sugar interests to be pro-
tected. The sugar manufacturer consumes
the produce of the farmer and sustains the
merchant. Texas would also manufacture her
own cotton if sufficiently encouraged.
A liberal system of internal improvements,
on the part of the general government, w'ould
contribute to an immense extent in enriching
the whole Union.
Texas has numerous rivers. Nature has
done much for her, and comparatively little is
required from art, to open navigation and af-
ford the necessary encouragement to the plan-
ter, by giving him a market for the fruits of 1 ii
labo-.
Banks, not special monopolies, but institu-
tions organized under general corporation laws,
with lull security to the holders of their notes.
Texas, with the richest substratum of any
State in the Union ; with the sources of incal-
culable wealth, undeveloped for the want of
capital, requires a liberal credit, which can be
safely and surely obtained through the medi-
um of banks properly conducted, and the days
of her probation would be short. She would
then come up with giant strides to an equality
with the most populous and wealthy of her
sister States. Yet Texas, afraid, as it w'ould
appear, of a change in public sentiment, and
unwilling to trust to future experience and ne-
cessity, provided, in her constitution, against
banks. There will be very little credit given,
hereafter, to the framers of that instrument,
for the incorporation of a clause which it re-
quires no prophet to tell, will in a few more
years be abolished. Dr. Moore, of the Tele-
graph, who was a member of the Convention
that adopted it, now recommends the violation
of this provision. The recommendation is not
very consistent, but, io use a sailor’s phrase,
“ Some pork will boil that way.”
The present Representative from the West,
Mr. Y. E. Howard, advocated internal improve-
ments in canvassing his District last year, and
seasoned the doctrine to the palate of locofo-
coism, by the plea that, for national purposes,
Gen. Jackson had favored similar mea«’ji-es._
What is to be understood by national purpos-
es ? Would the transportation of a few bar-
rels of supplies to a corporal’s guard, stationed
on some remote post on our frontier, justify the
cutting of a canal, or the building of a road ?
We not unfrequently hear some of the “ un-
terrified ” talk as though it would, but the hol-
low subterfuge by which it is attempted to rec-
oncile wrong principles, with State or individ-
ual interests, is too palpable. Whatever im-
provement benefits one section of the country
benefits it all to a greater or less extent. Ev-
erything contributing to the enrichment of a
particular county, or State, contributes so much
to the national wealth, and tends also in a de-
gree, remote in proportion to the distance and
connexion, to enrich other portions of our com-
mon country. Therefore, as well as for econ-
omy and efficacy, the general government is
the proper party to carry out and bear the ex-
pense of such improvements.
In regard to a tariff affording protection to
the workmen of our own country, experience
has demonstrated its necessity. It may be
said, that in some branches of manufactures,
we can compete with Europe. These have
growm up under the fostering of protective
tariffs, until they are nowr able to sustain them-
selves, and therefore no longer require the en-
couragement afforded by high duties. Butin
other branches, the mechanics of England mo-
nopolize our custom, while our farmers have
to compete with the serfs of Russia and peas-
antry of Belgium, in raising wheat to pay
th'm. The results of the ad valorem tariff of
1846, are such as shake the confidence of those
who depended on the prosperity promised by
Mr. Secretary Walker. A short crop in Eu-
rope, in 1847, enabled the United States to ex-
port her produce to great advantage, and tem-
porarily placed the free trade doctrine in the
ascendency, but in 1849, England imported
but one-sixth of her breadstuff's from the Uni-
ted States and five-sixths from the Continent.
In the same year the United States purchased,
from England, $12,000,000 worth of calico—
double the amount of her exports of bread-
stuffs. The shipping interests have also suf-
fered fromthe tariff of 1846,and notwithstand-
ing seven hundred vessels have been sent to
California, freights were never so low as at the
present time. But its effects are not confined
to any particular branches of industry. It has
accomplished its object in cheapening every-
thing, and at the same 4 ne rendered the pur-
chaser less able to pay. Statistics are the best
evidence, and they prove that protection to
home industry is the only true system of polit-
ical economy.
The Great 3Ien of the U. States.
It is admitted, on all hands, that the present
position of affairs, so far as our federal union
is concerned, is most critica1. The questions
of the present day, though not the offspring
of party, are like rocks or shoals in the ocean,
on which the ship of state may wreck or foun-
der, but passing which, may hope to enjoy an
uninterrupted voyage of many years, -with
every prospect*of attaining the haven of her
destination—the liberty, prosperity, and en-
richment of her people. Who, in this crisis,
are to be depended on as pilots ? Whose dic-
tation promises to lead to the general safety ?
We need not look to the democratic ranks,
for in either the more sedate or the brawling
portion of that party, none can be found pos-
sessing statesmanship or patriotism equal to
the task.
It is, however, in the whigs that the country
finds its best firiends, and in the giant intel-
lects of Clay and Webster, the proposi-
tions have been framed wrhich bid fair to lead
to the general welfare. It is to the leading
whigs that the people of the country look, in
the expectation of finding men capable of meet-
ing the present emergency and overcoming
pending difficulties. They are not deceived.
Clay, of the South, and Webster, of the North,
equally share the public confidence; and, with
General Taylor—a man whose honesty and
patriotism are invulnerable to the shaftsof mal-
ice—to direct the affairs of government, there
may be every reliance placed on the perma-
nency of the Union, so long as Executive con-
trol can contribute to its stability.
We cannot but notice that notwithstand-
ing the innumerable libels penned against the
President, and the many attempts to shake
public confidence in his capacity and judgment,
his enemies have been unable to arouse a feel-
ing of distrust in regard to his policy. The
vote against the Nashville Convention, which
was a blow'aimed at the Administration, proves
that the people place every confidence in those
at the head of national affairs.
Some share of credit is also due to the
leading men of the opposite party who have
fallen into the views of Clay and Webster,
and it is a source of gratification that our dem-
ocratic papers in Texas, have thought proper
to commend our Senators for acquiescing in
The Ad Valorem Tariff.
The mass of testimony which is furnished
in 'the accompanying documents’ of the
Treasury Report, all go to show that it would
be difficult to devise a more unjust mode of
levying duties than the existing ad valorem
tariff of 1846.
The Collector of Boston writes:
“You have from this office alone, and with-
in the short space of ten months or one year,
nearly 1300 cases, wherein the invoice or en-
tries of merchandize have been set aside, and
the amount of duty increased. There have
been 15,000 entries made at this office within
this period of time, so that the cases mentioned
amount to nearly nine per cent, of all the en-
tries made at this port, and the amount of du-
ties saved to the government by this proce-
dure must be at least tw7o hundred thousand
dollars. Whether similar vigilance is exer-
cised at other custom houses, I have not the
means of determining; but the complaints
which are made to me, and to wThich I have
already referred, that we assess higher foreign
values on many articles than wre assessed at
other ports, lead me to suppose that we are
somewhat singular in our mode of procedure.
“In this connection I cannot, refrain from
saying, that I have papers in my possession,
showing that goods are purposely invoiced
lower for one market (Philadelphia) than they
are for another (Boston,) and that while, the
lower invoiced passed the appraisers of Phila-
delphia, without being advanced, the higher
invoice was largely advanced by our apprais-
ers.”
There can be no doubt that many importers
seek these ports for the importation of certain
articles, where, through the ignorance of the
appraisers, or their loose mode of doing busi-
ness, they can be successful in their under va-
luations. Thus the Constitution is violated,
which declares, Art. 1, Sec. 9:
“No preference shall be given by any regu-
lations of commerce or revenue to the ports of
one State over those of another.”
The Collector of Philadelphia writes:
“Appraisements of value of foreign mer-
chandize of the same kind at different ports
must of necessity, be various in many in-
stances, and the variation in the prices "fixed
by the appraisers of different ports on articles
identical in character and cost abroad has
been known to exceed twenty per cent. Nor
would it be fair to ascribe this discrepancy to
inattention or undue want of skill in the ap-
praisers, for many articles in almost every de-
partment of manafacture. are of such a cha-
racter as to require the education of a lifetime
to attain proficiency in judging accurately as
to the ratio of value between qualities of dif-
ferent and approximating grades. Of this de-
scrip'.ion may be named wines, especially the
the views of these distinguished whigs. But. I finer ones of Germany and France, cutlery.
whilst we give full credit to such democrats as
will heartily support measures undeniably
good, w'e must be allowed to bear in remem-
brance that the whigs took the lead—that
Cass, Foote and Houston have done no more
than follow, and in following performed only
their duty, while Clay and Webster pointed
out the way.
An ingenious, authentic and valuable statis-
tical work, published a few years since, says
that the number of inhabitants who have lived
on the earth, amounts to about 26,628,843,-
475.077,840. This sum, the writer says, when
divided by 3,096,000, the number of square
leagues of land on the surface of the globe,
leaves 12,820,598,732 persons to each square"
league. There are 27,864,000 square miles of
land, which, being divided as above, ii will give
about five persons to every square foot of ter-
rafirma on the globe. Let the earth be sup-
posed to be our last burying place, and accord-
ing to the above statement, there will be 1283
persons to be buried on each square rod, sup-
posing a rod to be capable of being divided
into twelve graves, it appears that each grave
contains one hundred persons, and that the
whole earth has been one hundred times dug
over to bury its inhabitants, supposing they
have been equally distributed.—Scien. Amer-
ican.
Garibaldi’s favorite aid-de-camp, a Moor of
enormous stature, was,the papers tell us,killed
during the last attack on the city of Rome.—
Then he is no Moor now, poor fellow !
Among his other high sounding titles, the
King of Ava has that of “ Lord of twenty-
four umbrellas.” This looks as if he had pre- • ot’ a certain class of politicians of the present
Democracy.—According to Noah Webster,
this word is derived from the Greek, and
means, “Government by the people; a form
of government in which the supreme power is
lodged in the hands of the people collectively,
or in w'hich the people exercise the powers of
legislation.”
At the present time this definition is not
sufficiently explicit, or rather, it ill serves to
give an idea of what is understood by the term
democracy in the United States. We would
be inclined to give some brief explanation of
what we conceive it to be, but it differs so
much in itself, and assumes such various and
contrary phases, that even its own devotees
are sadly puzzled in their trials to compre-
hend it. One kind of the democracy of the
times, consists in a claim to a sort of preroga-
tive to office, and an unquenchable thirst for
“ Treasury pap.” Another, ol democracy in
a Pickwickian sense, which appropriates as its
own everything popular, and by a very sim-
ple process designates all measures likely to
meet the favor of the majority, as democratic.
“ The sore lip and the loud cry,” is also cha-
racteristic of a large portion of the democracy,
while on every measure coming under legisla-
tive direction, those for #and against can be
found in the ranks of that party. Bank and
anti-Bank men vote the same ticket, and those
in favor of, and opposed to protection to man-
ufactures and internal improvements, join in
the same ranks. They all merge their indi-
vidual sentiments in the potent name of de-
mocracy, and sacrifice their conscientious views
to its triumph—a name that charms the for-
eigner, fresh from the feet of monarchy, alike
with the untutored back-woodsman, who has
never felt the restraints of statutes, or listened
to the dictation of rulers.
In accordance with Webster’s definition,
those of all ranks and parties in the United
States, come under the head of democracy.
The term is synonymous with republicanism,
in its abstract meaning, and not a few, view-
ing it in this light, adhere to the name, regard-
fossof the measures and doctrines which aie
crowded under a cognomen so fascinating in
the eyes of the masses. The political party
to which the term most commonly attaches,
having no exclusive title to it, the more di. -
tinctive appellation of locofoco has gradually
come in use, though it is not received with a
good grace by those on whom it has been be-
stown, in consequence, we suppose, of the re-
cently established fact—that the rose by any
other name does not smell as sweel. There
is neither disgrace or contempt in the name of
locofoco, except, indeed, it follow's from ftie
acts of those of the democracy who won for it
that title. There are those everywhere to be
found who glory in the title of democrat, and
scorn the epithet of locofoco. Whether they
are democrats according to Webster’s defini-
tion, or in the Pickwickian sense, wre do not
pretend to determine, but it seems to us the
subject is worthy the attention of those dis-
posed to search after curious statistics. Loco-
loco may possibly be the title of the ultras, but
in Texas we have found none who thought
themselves sufficiently in the extremes of party
politics to acknowledge it. If it be, its brim-
stone signification makes it most appropriate;
yet time only can tell whether it or “ bitter
end-ism” will fill the blank in the political vo-
cabulary, which shall express the odious course
to us that we cannot do our own business in
jur own country, but a respect for the law's
and habit n akes us submit and forget.”
It is clear that to have our w'hole system of
levying duties upon foreign valuations, and
the ever varying and ever erring judgment of
borne appraisers upon these ever varying for-
eign values, is but to base our system of taxa-
tion upon a moonbeam or a billow, that
changes through every passing cloud, or every
impulse of die tide or wind. That Congress
will conclude the slavery agitation, and do
s me thing toward establishing justice and
epuality in our ports and custom houses, must
be the prayer of every honest man.
[Telegraphed to the Picayune.]
Congressional—The Compromise.
Baltimore, Monday, May 13.—In Senate
to-day, (13th,) Mr. Clay is speaking in tavor
oft le bills brought forward by the Compro-
mise Committee. Their passage through
both Houses is now deemed almost certain.
The Cuba Expedition.
The New York Sun says that the vessels
•composing the Cuba expedition have sailed
unler command of Gen. Lopez, and are now
on the coast of the Island. The expedition is
said to be strong in force and well equipped.
The Sun anticipates news of the landing of
the exp edition and a consequent battle. [Pro-
bably our readers know as much about the
matter as the Sun folks.—Eds. Pic.]
The Republic and the Cabinet.
The Republic continues its attacks on the
Cabinet. Rumor says that at a Cabinet meet-
ing held on Saturday last, (the 11th.) the
President repudiated the course of the Repub-
lic, and expressed undiminished confidence in
his constitutional advisers.
Mr. Clay’s Speech.
Baltimore. Tuesday, May 14.—Mr. Clay
spoke two hours and a half on Monday, (13th)
in favor of the plan proposed by the Compro-
mise Committee. He intimated that it .met
with the approbation of the President. Mr.
Hale will speak on thetsame subject to-day,
(14th).
Change in the Republic.
Messrs. Bullitt and Sargent are to retire
from the Republic, and are to be succeeded
by Allen A. Hall. They declare that their
reason for adopting this course is a personal
difference between themselves and the mem-
bers of the Cabinet, while at the same time
they declare that their confidence in the Pre-
sident is unimpaired.
From Washington.—X, of the Baltimore
Sue, says: The previous agreement to pre-
sent the admission of California, the establish-
ment of territorial governments for Utah and
New Mexico and the Texas boundary in one
bill, stands firm. The amount of indemnity to
pared himself for a long reign !
day
every article imported from everywhere,—and
what is more, the cost of everything every-
where. Of course, on many things, the ap-
praisers of no two ports can agree, ip such ar-
ticles as wine, cutlery, &c.
Mr. Hone, Deputy Collector, wwites from
New York in regard to the under valuation of
merchandize:
1 Bar Iron is imported with a wide extent
of value, costing from 5s, sterling per cwt. to
35s., and the most experienced dealer will find
it difficult to decide whether iron charged at
6s. is not worth 8s. to 10s. The same remark
is applicable to steel. And if under valuation
of iron and steel in bars can be easily made, it
may be safely extended to the form which
these materials assume, w'hen manufactured,
and which are almost unlimited in number. I
know of no means of detecting fraudulent va-
luation of these articles short of actual test
the hands of a smith.
“Sugar is an item of great importance to
the revenue, the importation during the first
seven months of the current year having been
about 60.000 hhds., 40.000 boxes. 30,000 bags
and barrels. Suppose that the actual cost of
these was 21 cts. per lb. on an average: they
might have been invoiced at \ per cent, below
cost, without detection, for it is nearly impos-
sible for the best judge to discriminate a quar-
ter of a cent per pound in the foreign cost, and
yet this small difference would defraud the rc-
venue of one tenth of the true amount of du-
ties.”
Again Mr. Hone says:
“Under the present system, the Treasuiy
says to the merchant, who receives in quantity
less than his invoice specifies, ‘Your goods, be
they more or less, cost you so much, and upon
si much you must pay the ad valorem duty.’
This rule is excessively irritating to the mer-
chants, and keeps them continually in an an-
tagonistic position to the officers of the cu -
toms, especially as we have charge upon all
excesses, while we allow of no deficiencies.
Under a specific tariff this fruitful source of
discontent and vexation would be closed.”
Never truer words! The appraiser is in
constant conflict with the merchant. If the
merchant has in good faith, bought goods at a
low price in a foreign market, the appraiser is
obliged to put them up,—and a species of fraud
is imputed to the merchant’s invoice which
was made in good faith. Merchants contin-
ually wrangle with the appraisers, because of
the constant and ever recurring differences in
the foreign valuation of the same article. It
is war all the while between the custom house
and the merchants.
The Collector of New Orleans writes:
“In illustration of the difficulty in obtaining
uiiform appraisements of wines and liquors
e /en at the same port, where a greater ap-
proach to uniformity might be expected, I will
.-tate that in \the case of an importation cf
brandy in March last, invoiced at francs 6.61
per velt, the appraisement of importers cal'ed
in ran thus: per velt francs 10,40; francs 8,-
40; francs 3,84; francs 3,80; and francs 3.—
One declined givipg an opinion, stating that
the brandy was a manufactured article; anoth-
er valued it at francs 6 to francs 7; and said,
what doubtless was the truth, that it was new
brandy, but so prepared that it appeared a
good imitation of old Cognac.”
And yet upon such an uncertain basis of
men’s judgment, in our different ports, is foun-
ded the whole system of Federal taxation thro’
the custom house.
Mr. Talman, Deputy Collector in New
York, writes:
“The. temptation to undervalue under a
universal system of ad valorem duties is
shown in the numerous instances that occur
under the present tariff on goods formerly
subject to specific duties, which are advanced
by our appraisers from 7i to 20 per cent., and
submitted to the i nporters without exercising
their right to call for a re-appraisement by
merchants as provided by law.
“The effect of abolishing specific duties has
been to inundate our markets with merchan-
dize of a very inferior quality, such as wines,
brandy, sugar, and manufactures of cotton, in
addition to the incentive to low valuations.”
Bininger & Co. write from New York that
they have ceased to import many articles/be-
cause they can buy them cheaper in this chy
of foreign houses or foreign agents than the y
can honestly import them. They add:
“ When we reflect upon it, it is humiliating
to be put in Mr. Douglas’s bill; but. it is not
improbable the sum wall be amen led to twelve
millions, to secure the payment of the Texas
debt, which averages that amount.
Inhuman Avariciousness.—The mam-
moth steamer St. Louis passed up the river
'en days ago, with some six hundred emigrants
crowded together on her decks, with one hun-
dred and fifty Texas mules and mustangs. As
might have been expected, the cholera broke
out on board, and thii’teen died before reaching
Memphis. The Eagle of that city, gives a
most thrilling account of the conditon of the
poor emigrants, and calls upon Congress to pass
laws to put a stop to the inhuman practice of
crowding these boats beyond their capacity.
— Vicksburg Sentinel.
Boston, April 6, p. m.
Preparations are being made to celebrate the
75th anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill
on the 17th of June next. Hon. Edward
Everett has consented to deliver an oration
on the occation. The city authorities of
Charleston have voted to unite in the celebra-
tion and have appropriated $1,000 towards it.
President Taylor has been invited, and it is
hoped that he will be able to attend.
Great Wedding at Washington.—Miss
Ellen B. Ewing, the daughter of the Seorgta-
ry of the Interior, was married at Washington
on the 1st inst., to Lieut. Sherman, of the ar-
my. The nuptial party was very large, and
the happy affair passed off with great eclat.
Marriage among the St. John Indians.—
The Eastport (Me.) Sentinel publishes the
following, under the head of “Inklings of a re-
cent trip up the St. John River:”
Perhaps all of my readers are not aware of
the peculiar custom of this tribe, in regard to
marriage. On passing through their village,
near Fredericton, I learned that their mariner
of wooing (or rather of no-wooing) and wedding
wms in this wise: When a young Indian wishes
to take a w'ife-at which time he has no idea
who his copper-colored companion will be —he
makes his wish known to his parents. The
old couple then consult with the chiefs and
matrons of the village, who discuss the matter,
and decide upon the bride. Feasting and “pow7-
wows ” now commence, during which the
candidates for matrimony are brought together,
the bride so veiled, that neither she nor her
husband recognize each other. After mar-
riage, which is attended with great ceremony,
the couple are separated for the space of five
days, when, the feasting being over, they
unite as man and wife, and, for the first time,
each, knows to whom he or she has been linked
by the fates. I believe this custom approxi-
mates very much to that of the Chinese.—
Frequently, in both cases I believe, the pa-
rents of the bridegrrom are obliged to pay a
price, as per bargain, to the parents who fur-
nish the bride.
Imhortant from Oregon.—A correspon-
dent of the New York Tribune writes from
Portland, Oregon, under date of March 18th,
and says:
Great excitement prevails throughout the
country, in regard to the discovery of new
Gold Mines on Rogner river and Trinidad bay.
All the people who can get away, are looking
to that region; so great is the rush, that Capt.
M. tells me he has found it impossible to pro-
cure a full freight of a ly kind, so that he will
be obliged to leave with hall a cargo.
Produce of all kinds has greatly advanced,
and is scarce at any price; for example, pota-
toes bring $8 a bushel; cheese $1 per lb.; but-
ter $1 50; eggs $1 50 to $2 00 per dozen;
poultry not to be had at any price. Those of
us who stay here run the risk of starving, all
the farmers having left for the mines. Among
the other emigrants to Eldorado are 75 sol-
diers, who openly deserted for that purpose.
Sixty of them left one day, marching through
the streets in a body, and fifteen more started
a few days after. There is not so much as a
corporal’s guard to look after our military wel-
fare.
Balance Due—Smashing Ahead.—It is
calculated that the value of exports to Cali-
fornia, from all the States on this side of the
Rocky Mountains, amount to $50,000,000—
the imports of gold dust, in payment, to $15 -
000,000—balance yet due, $35,000,000. If
this should not be paid in
there be some smashing?
nine months, won’t
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Tarver, B. E. The Semi-Weekly Journal. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 30, Ed. 1 Tuesday, May 21, 1850, newspaper, May 21, 1850; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth874224/m1/2/: accessed June 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting San Jacinto Museum of History.