Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, December 17, 1852, Image 2
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luaisgiival Address
OF.GOVERNOR MANNING.
Gentlemen of the Senate and.
House ofJi( preventatives:
To be elevated under usual circumstances to
Af tta <<tnu. would have ^ratified
UIC H1SI UUIVV ^buv w'vuv^) - _ ^
my. utmost arrvbition; lut when finis bestowed |
upo? trie by llrose who represent every shade of |
political opinion within its limits, the gift is in- i
vested with additional causes for pride and grnt- J
ification.- I^hall, therefore, regard it as a part of
my duty, to represent and cultivate tliesejiarinoliiou*seutiutoats;
and't:ust, that by uniting with
it a desire to discharge uprightly and zealously,
- he duties vjuch will soon devolve "upon mo, to j
retaijr.ybur Confidence, and that of the people I
Villi IT I
1 defm it proper upon llie lliresliold of ofiicc, '
to state iu Drier and general terms, the views
which will hereafter govern my official conduct.
Our constitution confides hut a limited jn?rtionfof
the active power of government to its
chief executive oflfter. Besides the general superintendence
demanded of him, the supervision
of the institutions of education, and the command !
and inspection of militia, his most responsible j
duty is the discreet exercise of his interposition, i
in tempering- any undue rigor, in the enforcement
of the penal law.
It,is scarcely necessary to advert to the im- i
portance of a proper attention to those institu .
tions which the State has established for the im- j
provemeut of education. 1 shall regard it as one !
of my most pleasing functions, to do my part in !
the discharge of this, our common duty. And ;
if I can'contribute, in any degree, to raise tliei
standard, or extend the benefits of these wise!
establishments, I shall regard myself as richly
rewarded for the most anxious efforts.
A proper attention to the organization of the !
Militia is also an indispensable part of my pub- \
lie duty; and if we cannot expect to render our j
citizen-soldiery equal to those trained in the severe
school of military life, we may yet do most j
important service in keeping up such a system, J
as will at one?remind our countrymen that they
may one day have to take their place in the field,
and will keep us acquainted with the resources
cf the St "to.
The Constitution requires of me to take care i
that the laws be executed in mercy; and to this '
end clothes me witn the power of pardon and j.
reprieve. In my view, this by no means per- |
mits me to indulge ray own llelitigsin the gene- J
ral administration of justice. The expediency of i
?i .1 ? r.
any jaw js exclusively a tjuouoii iur mo
lature. The correctness of the conviction must i
rest with the tribunals of the country. In un- 1 ,
dertaking, therefore, to arrest the course of the ?
law, the responsibility of interposing remains en- i
tirelv with myself. It is only in those rare instances,
in which, consistently,^itii the efficiency '
of the general law, and without impairing its j
sanction, a pardon may be extended, that this j i
power ought, as I conceive, lobe exercised ; and :,
to these will I strictly confine myself. j j
For two years, gentlemen, the authority is '
delegated to us, to administer the affairs of this ;
commonwealth. It is a uoble trust, and one ; 1
which is attended with the gravest rcs|x>usibili-j i
ties. Possessing myself, neither the rare gift of j
great .abilities, nor a large political experience, 1 j
titmn lli'it lii'tt'Ltlcj* i J
CMUUI mill VWiMJUVtiw W|/v.* v.o.w ^ w^., .
wisdom, and patriotism, which have always char- I I
act* ri zed your respective bodies. Wo live in a
period of our history, free from cabal and faction I
at home; aud-are blessed with institutions lion- 1
ored for their antiquity, and made sacred by the i
approval of generations w i>c and good men. J i
Except those gradual modification of law, which f J
time and change of circumstances always render i;
* v . . ^ I .
nccessaiy, your action, uy every dictate 01 wis- <1
Join, should be of a character purelv cunserva- J
tive. " i :
Happily fur us, we live under a constitution, 1
in which every lueal interest is Mended and liar- (
inonized by a judicious adjustment; and whilst
it allows to every citizen the large bt liberty coin- '
patible with order, and gives all due effect to '
popular conviction; it aiso affords an adequate
representation to the retinement, intelligence, 1
and property of the country. If to these advan- '
tages, you add a higher standard of popular edu- ;
/witinri ( .-? nvfl.Tiil nrniim* otifriiir.i.fdnif.i't f,i <
those liberal pursuits, which elevate the national 1
character; and to apply science to Agriculture 1
and the useful Arts, and as a consequence, di- 1
versify the industry of the country; and ultimately
take measures for the increase of your
commerce, by opening to your markets those '
great valleys of the west, which at no distant
day, are destined by their trad , to make whole (:
continents rich; you will then live under a gov- '
eminent which you may proudly compare, either
i:i character, prosperity, or stability, with any 1
which is mentioned in the history of republican 1
institutions.
I am about to take the oath proscribed by '
law, to preserve, protect, and defend, the consti- j
tution of this State, ami of the United States. I
shall endeavor faithfully to discharge my obligations
to both ; not less for the resjtect and veneration
in which I hold them, than that the future
happiyess and prosperity of thy country
depend upon their maintananco and inviolability.
We yet have mgn duties to perform, touching f
the welfare of the South, bv giving fresh vindity
^ /.ll/filt.i'Kil !<M? # ,X tlaoCA
<111U IX IlU/I\3 CUCvltlfv Di^auiMiuvii cv/ * 11tried
principles of State Rights, to which this
commonwealth lias been so long and ardently
attached. But should it happen, however, in the
l'rovidcucc of God, that, during the term of my
office, obligations to one shall become incompatible
with the support of the other, (hot. both my
inclination and duty as a State Rights Republican,
will be to sustain the constitution and laws
of this commonwealth.
The government of the United Stales has recently
undergone trials of its strength t<> which
it has never before been subjected; and which
have threatened to sever, from time to lime, tiebonds
which unite the various parts in a Federative
Compact. But the unwillingness of the
P people to endanger the (iovcrnmeni under which
they have enjoyed so much happiness and attain
eu sucu prosperity, nas lmiuceu tn?-in to reunite
to a certain extent, the tendencies to a reckless
fanaticism ami a total disregard to tin* guarantees
of the Constitution. As if to cany these
views into elleet, they have, by an unexampled
majority, given the administration of the Federal
Government into the hands of those who stand
pledged before the country to maintain all the
i&glr
6
* *!
guarantees and the rights of each section of the
Confederacy.
But whilst this State lias given its support,
' ... .t.??
>\JLI1 IVJIJcU KilUlU UIUIIJ1II111 \ , IU Liiu Lciuuiuiii^ vi
the Democratic party for the highest honors of
the American Republic, and listened to the pledges
which that party has given to protect the
.Southern portion of the Confederacy in the employment
of all its lights, to which our State
has been so long and so ardently attached prin
ciples?by which the triumph was achieved over
the doctrines of consolidation, and which mark
the administrations of JeflVrson, Madison, and
Monroe, as the halcyon days of the Republic; it is
only by the reviml of these principles and their
active influence in die control of party .organization,
licit security can be given to individual
liberty, through the separate energies of distinct
governments, the general interests preserved from
the injustice of sectional legislation, and our domestic
concerns fortified nirainst the invasions of
federal authority.
Iliving thus bri< lly expressed my views upon
those topics to which it seemed proper to advert
on the present occasion, I now invoke the Messing*
of the Almighty upon the present and future
action of the co-ordinate brandies of our government,
and hope that through His mercy,
every thing may work well together, to perpetuate
the many advantages and Messing*, which J
have hitherto attended the results of our indus-1
try and crowned the wisdom of our Magistrates
and Counsellors.
Semi St-Cava iisa a Legislature.
Dixexibeu 11, 1852.
SEX ATE.?KVKXJ NO SESSIOX.
A bill to restore the* law authorizing the appointment
of sutlers at muster grounds on certain
conditions, received two readings in the Sen
ate, and was, after a debate in which Messrs.
Marshall, lluey and Moses participated, not agreed
to.
Mr. Buchanan, moved to suspend the General
Orders in order to make a report.
Mr. Buchanan on part of the Committee of Finance
and Banks reported a bill to extend the
Charter of the Bank cf the State of South Carolina,
with amendments; ordered for consideration
on Monday next. I
A bill to repeal all acts and parts of acts which
authorizeordinaries to administer derelict estates, ,
received the second reading, was agreed to, and |
sent to the House of Keprcscntativcs.
Mr. Wiihcrspoun offered the following resolu- :
lion : " J
lAxutvcd, That hereafter every pnblieation for (
any appropriation, either to enlarge or to erect
.. * - r i it i i i....
LOU IT nouses, snail ijt* accoinpaiiieu vviiu ;i jiutu |
iffsuch building o) addition, a.:d the estimated (
I'osl thereof. (
December 13, 1852.
A message was received from the House of J
Representatives announcing that that body had ,
reconsidered' its resolution to adjourn on Wedneslay,
the 15th, and proposed now to adjourn on
I'Yidav, the 17th inst. Message was laid on the
table.*
Pursuant to notice, Mr. Porter introduced a
bill to authorize the State to afford aid in tho
.construction of the Northeastern Itailroad Coin- |
[amy, which received its tirst reading.
Mr. Ruchanan, from the Committee on4?iunnco I
and Ranks, reported a bill to make appfopriu- ,
tions for the year commencing October, 1852.
^ -...M. ... ? . r..l.
VJI1 a ITlOllOIl lO Mime out Iium uic oin Oct- (
:ion 15,000 a? an appropriation for the College ,
Chapel, for the pitrpo.se of inserting *10,000 in
its place; a debate arose, in which Messrs. Adams, (
Zimmerman, Witherspoott, Cam, Townxer.d,;,
lluev, JJucbanan, Moses and Porter participated; j
iyes, 19; noes, 20 ; so the motion did not pre-! ;
rail.
\r.. M- AI.'l.. I,. eKlL'A AM! I 100 .le
1UI". AIIU>V.U IV ru ini; \jiic no ^
i;i appropriation for Free Schools, and insert j,
M9>000; which, after some debate, was ucgaliv-j
d by a vote of 19 ayes to 20 nays. ,
Mr. Townscnd now moved to strikeout ?74,- ' ,
100 for the purpose of inserting ?40,100; which ! ,
ivas negatived by a vole of 19 ayes to 20 nays, j
The President of the Senate before voting on ,
the above motion assigned his reasons for the '
rote lie was about to give, lie was opposed to j
my increase of the Free School Fund, until the .
ilizens of each l>i-triet raise by taxation levied :
n themselves an amount equal to that which ' .
hey receive from the State Treasury. He should j
Jiorefore vote in the negative.
Mr. Townsbnd now moved to strike out *74,- '
400 and substitute ?50,100, which was negatived
t>y a vote ot ayes 19 to nays 19.
Mr. Ruchana'u from the Committee on Finance ]
iml Bai.ks submitted an unfavorable report on a j
bill to detii.e the principles* on which joint stock
Banks should be incorporated; also a favorable !
report on a bill to nllbrd aid in the construction 1
4 the Northeastern Railroad Company.
A bill Irom the House of Representatives to 1 (
extend t!ie charter of the bank of the State re- '
reived its second reading, and was agreed to, and
-out to t .o House of Representatives.
EVEN I NO SESSION. I
A bill to declare and amend the law in n la
lion to woids of limitation in deeds and wills,
was, on motion of Mr. Mazy ok, laid on the tabic.
A bill from the House of Itcpresentaiives to
incorporate the Mutual Insurance Company of!
Charleston, was ordered for consideration to mor-!
row.
A bill to provide for the more prompt and efli-;
cicnt administration of justice, was, on motion of
Mr. ('arn, postponed indclinitely.
Mr. Moses moved lliat the message of the
House of Representatives, on the subject of the :
adjournment of the Legislature, laid on the table,
this morning, be taken from the table and con j
sidcrt d.
After considerable debate, in which Messrs.
Withersjioon, Mazyck, Adams, Griffin, Moses,!
McAlily, Huey and Moorman participated, and j
after an expression of opinion on the subjeit by
tlie i'resideiil, on motion of Mr. Moorman the
motion of the Senator from Claremont to take
the message from the table was laid on the table.
Mr. I'uchaiian, trom the Committee on Fi-,
nance and 1 tanks, reported a bill to incorporate i
the Northeastern Railroad Company; also a bill j
in relation to a loan of ?3,500 for the erection of I
a building fort li? education of the deafand dumb
in this State ; also a favorable report on a resolution
to authorize the Cimuissioiiers of Public
buildings in Richland District to appropriate a
lot on Court House square for the erection of a
Banking House, which was ordered for consider
ation to-morrow; also a report on the report of
Commissioners of the Fire Proof Buildings rennmiiMn/l.'n..
!,/? -I11?f i.-.H ftftd
WIIIHIUllV.il III' Li iU ?l I IIJJ U IJ JilUUli Ul VwVjVVV.
* * * * * *
On motion of Mr. Calhoun the Senate adjourned
till to-morrow at 11 o'clock.
Decemeeu 14, 1852.
SENATE.
The journal having been road,
On motion of Mr. Dudley, the message from
the House of Representatives.jn respect to the
adjournment of the two Houses, was taken up
and read. Mr. Boozer moved that a message he
sent to the House of Representatives asking leave
to substitute Thursday instead of Friday, as the
day of adjournment. Mr. Adams hoped the Ben.
V p r . .11 i i i! _
aior iron) jx'xingion wonia nor press nis motion.
Mr. Mazyck moved that a message be sent to
the llousc of Representatives refusing to grant
leave. Mr. Griftin moved to lay the whole matter
on the table. The President expressed his
opinion that it was not competent to amend a
joint resolution of both Houses. Mr. Townsend
said the question had reference to extending the
time of the session?how long? He thought business
might be so accelerated that the legislature
might adjourn on Thursday. lie approved
of Thursday as the day of adjournment, and
thought the message might be so drafted as to
meet his views. Mr. Mazyek said the House had
sent a message asking leave to amend the joint
resolution, by fixing- a new day for adjournment.
The Senate must either grant or refuse leave.?
Mr. Porter moved to lay the message on the table,
'br the j mi-pose of sending a message to the
House of Representatives. Mr. Griffin said that,
according to the dcei>ion of the Chair, a joint resolution
of the two Houses could not be amended
by the usual interchange of messages l>ctwecii
the two Houses. The proposition of the Senator
from St. Philip's and St. Michael's would place
this body entirely in the power of the House of
Representatives. Mr. Porter was of a different
opinion. The question to lay the message of the
House of Representatives on the table was decided
in the affirmative, by a vote of 27 yeas to 12
nays.
Mr. Porter now offered the following rcsolu
tion :
That a message be sent to the IIou?e of Representatives
proposing to rescind the joint resolution
of the two Houses to adjourn on Wednesday,
and substitute Thursday as the day of ad
lournment.
Mr. Adams moved to substitute Friday instead
.if Thursday.
Mr. Huoy was opposed to substituting Friday.
If the Senate gives the House half the time it
Jeinands, it is fair play. If it gives all, it gives
[oo much.
Mr. McAiiley differed from the Senator from
Lancaster. Each branch of the Legislature best
understood its own duties. From the time of the
message, the Senate were informed that the
House Could not get through its business before
Friday. It was a solemn declaration on their
part. If the Senate abridge the time proposed
by the House, the llouse would not be likely to
concur, and we should or,]y lose time, and unnecessarily
occupy the attention of the two Houses
l?v sendiinr such a message.
Mr. 1$. G. AlUlon was opposed lo sending the
message. The proper emnve was for the Senate
La refuse to rescind, and request a committee of
conference. So much at least was duo to the
dignity of the co-ordinate branch of the Legislature.
The question of sending the message was derided
in the affirmative, by a vote of 21 yeas to
20 nays.
The President assigned his rontons for voting
in the negative.
Mr. Gist submitted a resolution in respect to
ihe appointment of proxies to represent Hail road
stocks.
Mr. Goodwin, on the part of the Committee on
State Mouse and Grounds, submitted a report on
tilt' report of the Committee on State House and
Crounds of the House of Representatives. Ordered
for consideration to-morrow.
The.account ofRenj. Hart was presented and
referred.
A message was received from t lie House of Representatives
concerning a bill respecting the
management and administration of derelict es
tales.
A bill to repeal all acts and parts of acts which
authorize Ordinaries to take charge of and administer
derelict estates, having received a third
reading, was passed and sent to the House of
Representatives.
A message was received from the House of
Representatives, asking leave to amend the report
of t he Military Committee on the petition of Oliver
Tow lies. A message granting leave was ordered.
A liill t o extend the charter of the Hank of the
State of South Carolina received its third reading;
was passed, and sent to the House of Representatives.
A bill making appropriations for the year commencing
October, 1352, with amendments, was
referred to the Committee on Finance and Ranks.
A bill to allbrd aid in the construction of the
Northeastern Railroad Company received its second
reading, was agreed to, and sent to the
House of Representatives. Mr. Ilarllee moved
t<> amend, by deducting from the sum proposed
to be subscribed (?250,000) the sum of ?30,000,
which had been subscribed by the Bank of the
State. This proposition elicited considerable dehate,
in which Messrs. Ilarllee, Porter, Townsend,
McAlilcv, Dudley, Buchanan and Moorman participated.
The question, upon the adoption of
this amendment was decided in the affirmative
by a vote of 22 yeas to 17 nays.
A message was received from the House of Representatives
concurring in the message of the
Senate, proposing to rescind the joint resolution
of the two Houses, and to fix Thursday as the
day of adjournment.
Mr. Chesnut, from the Committee on Agriculture
and Internal Improvements, begged leave
to be discharged from the further consideration
of various petitions asking for appropriations by
the Slate, and from the further consideration of
i mi . i i? ?. rv.?
a Dill lO Ut'Ciare CRrunu awcnma iiAtignwivi vuminittcc
discharged.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House met at 10 o'clock, but for some
time after there was no quorum.
Sundry petitions were read.
On a petition from Edgefield, praying for di
%
vision into two judicial districts, the Comriiittee? I
on Privileges and Elections reported unfavorably; 1
the Report was adopted and the petition was ?
withdiawr. w |
The Appropriation Bill was read a third time. .
A message was recivcd from tlie Senate rescinding
the resolution fixing Wednesday as the
day of adjournment, and naming Thursday, at 0
p. m., as the time. After some discussion, a
message of concurrence was ordered to be scut
to tlie Senate.
The report of the Committee on Privileges and
Elections on the case of J. C. Allen, member ]
from Edgefield, was taken up. This was a mi- ,
nute and able review of the existing laws on the i
eligibility of individuals to seats in the Logisla-11
tare, and recommending that the seat of itr Al-1
leu be declared vacant; the r-.port was agreed to. j
On motion of Mr. Middletou, Mr. Allen wa* ,
allowed the usual pay and mileage. ]
The bill to raise supplies was then taken up
for its second reading, and after some discussion
and slight amendments, was read and ordered i'
to the Senate. The tax on negroes was fixed at!,
60 cents. An amendment offered by Mr. Winnsmith
to tax the profits made by shaving notes,
and interest on money loaned, was lost.
The bill to extend the Charter of the Bank of <
the. State was read a third time and ordered to
the Committee on Engrossed Acts. w
The House took a recess until 6 o'clock.
EVENING SESSION*. (
The bill to authorize the South Carolina Rail- j (
road Company to build a permamcnt bridge over i
the Congstrce was taken up. Sundry amend- j ?
incuts were offered and rejected, among which I ^
was one, ottered by Air. I ticker, requiring the (
Kail road Company to carry freight with equal
promptness, and at the same rate of freight, be- t
I ween Charleston and Columbia as between
Charleston and Hamburg. A motion to lay this
amendment on the table prevailed, the question
being taken by yeas and nays.
On motion of Mr. Burt, the bill to aid in the
construction of the Pendleton Railroad was taken
up, and read the second time. Sundry other ^
bills received their second reading.
= t
C'onesjwmlence of the Charleston Courier.
Washington, Dec. 8. ,
The Com mi t tees of the two Houses are to be \
announced next Monday. It is Understood that t
there will be no essential alteration in these from
the last of the late session.
The financial question thrown upon Congress,
are the leading subjects of conversation here.? ]
Some of those who have given most attention t
to the subject, arc of the opinion that -Congress, t
at this session, will fold their arms and do noth- j i
ingasto the tariff, as to the accumulation (
disposition oft he surplus revenue, or as to the i
great land projects now pending.
The evils of an accumulated surplus in the ]
Treasury, now known to be seventeen millions, ,
and likely t > become greater, month after month .
are generally felt and admitted. Hut Congress
is reluctant to adopt any modification of the Tar- ,
iff at this session, whereby the revenue can be re-! (
duced or the Law of 1846 at all altered, The
vote in the House voder-Jay, rejected Mr. Brook's ^
proposition to refer these- subjects to a Select
Committee, is a proof of this. The Secretary of
the Treasury wishes Congress to remove all restrictions
upon the appropriation of money in the
purchase of the public debt. But some Senators
will object to this. .Air. Hunter was in favor of 1
the proposition when made by Mr. Corwin, at
the close of the late session, but it was objected 1
to for the reason that it conferred too much power
upon him. The only effect of it, would be to
enable him to purchase any of the stocks ia market,
instead of b :ing restricted lo some particular j i
stocks, lie can now use no money in the pur- j i
chase of the Stock created by the t wenty-three t
million loan, except the amounts deriw J from the ,
land sales. ,
The Secretary v.iil go cm and purchase Stocks j
in small amonnis, 1ml not to an extent that will .
enhance the present high rates. ,
Those most deeply interested in the great local
bills admit that there is little or nochance tc get
them through at this session. They are of such '
importance as to require deliberation. It is 1
wished, too t<> afford to tlie next administration, (
an opportunity for the suggestion of some cem- 1
prehensive, consistent, anil just scheme for the
disposition of the public domain.
Mr. Denton's policy of reducing and gradua- ]
ting the price of the public lands, and ceding the '
reiu.se, alter a certain term, tome mates in which ,
they lie, is likely to be again taken up. Perhaps
it may be finally adjusted by the next Coil- 1
gross. (
We can therefore, see what Congress will not
do at this session. They will leave for the next
Congress, and the next Administration all the 1
great financial and land questions. '
They will have enough to do, however, if they 1
give their atlent ion to many measures of ackuowl J
edged importance, to which the President directs
their attention. j1
Not a word is said yet, as io the vacant seat j
on the Bench of tins Supreme Court. Mr. Brad- '
ford's nomination was laid on the table by the
Senate, at the close of the late Session. I
It has been suggested that it is the intention ,
of the majority of the Senate to defer any action (
nomination that Mr. Fillmore may make. In that .
case, Gen. Tierce will make a nomination at the ,
extra Session of the Senate, next March.
Ingenious Expedient.?In the year 1702, the ]
female part ol the population of Toulon, in F ranee, i
declared themselves in a state of insurrection.?
--- ..* i!~ * 1 l.-J -x .... 1 a\ a! a ?
llicy were at iirai luuyueu ai, anu ineir bureau* ;
treated with contempt; but when they proceed- j,
cd to acts of violence, it was found necessary to |
disperse them. Some regiments of troops were j
ordered out for that purpose; but the hostile |;
manoeuvres of the military appeared to make no j,
impression on this extraordinary assemblage of :'
Amazons. The municipal authorities were re- j
luctant to have recourse to sanguinary measures 1
in order to quell the insurrection, and various ex-!
pedionts to intimidate the fair rebels, were resort- i
ed to in vain. At last the Procurator Syndic I
devised a method which was attended with complete
success, lie ordered the fire engines to be
brought out, and filled with water, mixed with a
ffuantum suj/icif. of soot. When all was ready
for the conflict, they were carried in front of the
enemy, and the smutty contents of the artillery
were vigorously discharged into the thickest of
I their ranks. The phalanx was broken ; the pet
Scontcd insurgents speedily vatijghud, from the ?
field of batthvand returned to their hotneft with
lrenehcd at!J soiled garments and soiHy com[
1'Xions.
THE SEMI-WEEKLY joCMAtT
rRUiAY JSYl&lilSG, DECEMDER 17,1852THO.
J. WARREN, Editor.
. A Gentle Hint.
On the first of January, wo design commencing a
new system of operations. Our books will be examin
-'0. arm ih030 who nnve paid us notmng since 1850,
need net be surprised to tind their papers stopped, and
their accounts placed in proper bauds lor collection.?
1'liis rule will he rigidly observed in,regard to those
residing out of the State, of mauy of whom we know 4
nothing. Others personally known to us to be good,
we shall exercise our discretion. Some arrangement
like this is absolutely necessary, as it is impossible to
?ucceed in any business, particularly like ours,, unless
we get paid for our labor. Hereafter the Cash must
tceouipany all ordmj? for the paper. It will bfe found in -a
the end mutually auvau tsgcous, .and all parties will be
jrcatly benefited. - "') i
-')
Ordinary for Charleston. V,
George Buist, Esq. has been elected Ordinary for
Charleston District. Counterfeit
Afloat.
We were on Wednesday last shown a fice dollar
counterfeit bill, on the Planter's aad Mechanic's Bank
if Charleston. The bill is numbered 298, dated J.3tli
April, 1846. and has the name ofS. T. Robison, (Instead
of S. T. Robinson, as the genuino have it,) and
lulm Ilill for President in place of Mr. Ravenel. The". ^
ineravincr is Drettv crood. but the fillimr ur> is bad. To ' J
>iie unaccustomed to handliug moch money, the bill
night be passed off successfully; but most ofourmer- *
:liants aud Bank officers are rather too sharp to be taten
in by such notorious counterfeits.
Death of Robert Martin, Esq.
We learn by the Charleston Courier tliat tho death
>f this gentleman took place at his residoneo in Charotte-Stroet
on Sunday morning last, at six o'clock, df;cr
a long and protracted illness. Mr. Martin was well
ind favorably known by a largo number of our oiiizena,
uid highly esteemed by all who knew him. The Couier
says:?'"Few indeed could haveJjecn takettfrjjm
is, whoso loss to the community would be moippm- .
:rally felt than will that of the lamented deceased." ..
Legislative Items.
r rum me mianesion xueroury s corresponueni 01 ino
13tb fast., we learn that a Bill was passed, permitting
ho Wilmington and Manchester road to connect with
he South Carolina road, at some point on the Columbia
branch. Theio was much discussion, and many
imcndnients wore offered by those variously interested
n the project. ,J ..
In the House, to-night, the Planters ami Mechanics' ,,,
Bank, the Commercial Bank, and the fjmion Bank,
,verc rechartered, and eight otlier Banks incorporated. %
rho list is as follows, with their respective capitals:?
l'lio People's Bank of Charleston, ?1,000,000 ; The
Farmer's and Mechanic's Bank of Charleston, $1,000,)00;
the Exchange Bank of Columbia, $500,000; the
Bank of Sumter, $300,000; the Bank of Anderson,
*200,000; the Bank of Newberry, $200,000; the Baokof
Wiunsboro, $200,000; the Bank of Chester, $200,)00.
The usual amount of appropriation to the Free School
Fund has been increased from $37,200to $74,400, just,
double. We suppose iu accoidaueo with amended ?
joiut resolutions in botli Houses, that the Legislature
adjourned last evening. . ,
Congressional Matters.
We have as yet, given our readers nothing fri m.^
Congress, for a very good and simple reason, that no-" !
thing lias transpired worthy of noto. We shall cerlainly
give every thing of importance?but will net
. umber our columns with those idle vaporings wliich
iccupy so much of the time and space of the proceedings.
The Washington correspondent of the Southern
Standard, under date of 10th inst., gives us the latest
news from that body, from which wo copy as follows
"Legislation had been defeated in both House5*
jf Congress, for the last two or three days, by
the announcement, on Wednesday, of the death
jf the late lion, and Rev. Orrin Fowler, of Massachusetts,
and, on Thursday, of that of bis colleague,
the late Jlou. Benj. Thompson. The .?=.
;u>tuin is to drop all business on such occasions,
without reference to its importance, and to ad
iourn over for the day. This custom is a nni<auce.
These gentlemen died early in the recess.
The ceremony of adjourning over on account of
heir death only served to idle a day. Thousands *
jf honest ereditors of the Government, many of
whom are near starvation from unreasonable delays
on the part of the legislature of the fedcra.ion,
are made to suffer iu carrying into effect "*
.his worse than useless ceremony. Not one
member in ten cared a pinch of snuff whether
Messrs. Fowler and Thompson be dead or alive.
It is being said that the country is indebted
to the lion. Tieire. Soulo, of Louisiana, for the
efforts of the administratiou of Mr. Polk to ac.i
i___ .1 mt..i
juirc viiua oy purcnasc. inai.genueman was
in Spain while Polk was in office, and on conversing
with Spanish officials on the subject, he
became convinced that such an offer as was subsequently
made, might prove effective. Though
the result proves that his calculations were
wrong, the country is surely indebted to him for
a step in the career of its diplomacy, which, in
time, will be of vast national benefit.
The despatches received by the Fulton, doubtless
relates to the American merchant ship, captain
and crew, (of the Lady Suffolk,) who are
held prisoners in Havana at this time, for particiin
tl?a vlnvn tvorln a?' rofliai* uruI/%*?
cioii of being so engaged. So tbey are of no
particular national importance.
Relics of a defunct Democratic age arc already
appearing in Washington. They corac to effect
a general restoration of ci divant office-holders.
These gentlemen are busily engaged in parading
their wounds before the Democratic members.
Poor old soldiers, they meet with little sympathy;
however, according to their representations,
no man is entitled to be quartered on the nations
treasury, unless he has had the good fortune
to have been well nigh surfeited with "pap"
at the national expense in years gone by.
There seems to be a great indisposition on
the part of the members to go to work on legitimate
business. The Whigs aro waiting the
movements of the Democrats, who are responsible
for the busiuess of the session, while tne latter
are apparently as yet indisposed to take the