Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Dounestic NIews. From the Charleston Mercury, April 19. COMMERCIAL CONVENTION. The Convetion met at 10 o'clock yes taif- 'The minutes of the last merting read, the followiig additional Delegates apeared and registered their names. ar SOUTH CAROLINA. Colleton District.-John Boyle. TLNNESSE. Memphis.---Theophilus Field. Mr. Robson, of Georgia, having been absent at the time of taking the vote on the Re.oluttion for the establishment of a Southern Review, desired leave to record his vote in favor of laying that Resolution on the table. Leave was granted. The Georgia Delegation were thus equally di vitled on this Resolution. The Report of the Committee of 21 was then taken up and adopted. On the adolption ofthe first Resolition accompanying the Report of Mr. King, some debate arose. Mr. Preston observcd,that the principles we maintained and on which onr enter prize depended, seemed to forbid the par ticular favoring by State legislation, even :of Southern commerce. Ifrthe merchants 'were unequally taxel, let it be recommen ded to the Leegislattires to relieve them from the unequal bnrden, and he ollered .an amendment to the Resolution, to that effect. Mr. King explaited that it was on the supposition such inequality did exi4 that the Report and Resolutious were ounided. Mr. Felder denied that lands and ne groes were more highly taxed than com merce, and called for the proof. Mr, King defended the principles and recommendations of the Report, and im sisted that the taxing of tncrcantile profits rather thatn stock, while it would favor trade, would have no tendency to diminish taxes Mr. Felder said in reply. that the ca-e of a cargo of goods remaining unsold fbr several years subject to yearly taxation, was an extreme case-there are extreme cases in agriculture as well as trade. : Col. Hayne stated that the merchants of Charleston were taxed 700 per cent more than those of New York, in propor tion-it was desired to place theta on an equality. Judge Longstreet opposed the Resolu tion. It was not proper for the Conven *tion. The grievance complained of af. fected Charleston, and the Delegates front Georgia, North Carolina. &c. were called bpon to request South Carolina to reform 1er policy! . Mr. McCord could not see the sound ness of the objections to the Resolutions, and shewed by facts within his otwn knowl edge, that the nterebants toere most une .ually taxed. Judge -Longstreet pointedly and at length defended his objection that the suh ject was improper for the action of the Convention. - - Mr. Preston called for the reading of the Resolution, and said that it was a .eneral recommendaidon by the Conven t= a a'body, to all the States concerned and therefore no interference of citizens of one State with the legislation of anoth er. Besides the Resolution as amended, was no more than the statement and re commeniation of a principle of Free Trade. Judge Longstreet replied, that the re commendation was supported entirely by reference to South Carolina legislation, and ie therefore considered his objection unanswered. He thought he saw inmmi nent danger in this loose actionl of the Con vention. Gen. Hlayne said, the Convention did not propose to dictate to or control State Legislation,~but presented infornmation and preferred -a petition ror the consideration of the Legislature, not proposinig'eithter ito increase taxes on agriculture, or to dim in ish those on trade, btut submitting to themt that there wa~s a mode of taxa ition on trade, injurious to it, and not adviantateotus to the States.. He pointed out the diterene between Commercial and Agricultural capital,-the former must he0 consumed to produice income, the latter remains and is permtatnent. HeI said if the construction of the gentlemnan from Georgia wvere cor rect, the Convention itself with all its dis cussions a'ud objects is an impertinance and an intrusion on State Legislation, State feeling and sectional induependence. Mr. Hunntsidl the Convention had been three. daysi session withou t touching t he only subject-'bich was the real tand stub stautial objec of this meeting. That sub e 5ot was still iu the hands of the Commit. teesorten. lHe proceeded to show that the ~estoration of Southern Commerce die eonds upon the possibility of inporting and selling goods as cheap in Southern pots as tn Naisthorn. Mr.Miller of- Augusta, me a variety of statements~ showing that the taxces Ott commerce in Georgia were as unequanl an.d oppressive probably as those of South Carolina. - *- hTe question was then taken on alr. Prestori's atnendment to the first Resolu tions and it was adopted. - The qiues:ion was thon taken by States -on the Resolution, and a- majority of each *State voted .in-favor of it-. -The secondiesolution was then on sg gastion of Mr. Preston, withdraivn. Th'fe Report and.Resolution were-then adopted. passed, afnended by Mr. Prertotu. Resolved. Thit this Convention earn-. estly recommend to the restpective Legisla-. tures of the Southern and South-Wster~n ,States, so to frame their Legislation as to remove.any unequal burden from trade~aod comnerc~ce.and. ib.heaccumulation-of com mnercial e~api'aliwithin their rsetv Judge Longstreet wi hdrew theserjes of Resolutions heretofore' introducd~hju and substituted the followin wui1 * adopted. .0 Resolved, That the Chair eppointCom mnittees and designate thei r seversaphereq of operation, whose duty it shall ite:to cel meetings in their several Districts nd to recommend to them to investa a.portion of surplus capital in limited partnershiips wtth: mierchants~in the trading Cities and toins of their respeil e S'iatek, and to reporf to thie next reit'gOftis 1idy jhp'result of their lnhors The CAmmittees under this Resolutiion are thel& elegates in their several Dis tricts. Mr. Elmore from the Committee of ten, read their report on thi inquiry referred to thei Sn Monday. The Report elicited some dbate, and on the suggestion of the Chairman of the Committee, it was unan imously ordered to be printed with the pro ccediigs of the Convention tnder the su perintendance of the Committee. On motion the thanks of the Conven tion were unanimously voted to the Mat ager of the Theatre for the use of the House. The Chairman, Mr. Hull, having left the Chair, the thaiks of the Convention were unanimnusly olli-red to him..for the able, dignified and impartial manner in which he had presided over their delibera tions, to which, having resumed the Chair, Mr. Hull made an impressive and beauti ful reply. The thanksof the Convention were also voted to the Committees for the diligent and able manner in whieh they had dis charged the duties imposed on them. Thus ended the Commercial Conven lion at Charleston-a seed sown as we be lieve in good ground, to show itself. here after, in public enlightenment, in invigor ;ted enterprize, in an extended and more cordial union (if the Suamth, and finally in the renovaiion of Southern Commerce. Committees of the States under Col. layne's Resolution. South Carolina.-A. P. Ilayne. C. G. Mcominger, A. G. Magrath, J. C. Kerr, Edward Frost. Jas. Grega, Andrew Wal lace, 1). Ewart, R. Bryce,John Caldwell. North Carolina.-W. H. Itlaywood,Jno. Bury, Jas. Oweit, A. J. Wale, E. W. Wilkins, J. W. Sanford, Jas. M. Smith, J. W. Patton, Gen. Patterson. Georgia.-Bien. E;. Styles. T. H. H ar din. C. J. Jenkins, .no Bones, J. Cowles. -). C. Campbell. W. Dearing, J. Cal lonn. T. A. Field. Mississippi.-Johi A. Quitman. Pres ton \V. Farrar, Thomas B. Ives, Joln Bell. T. 11. Tucker, Thos. J. Green, J. B. Mlorgan, Dr. Sitler, Roger Barton, Chapman Levy. Florida.-.J:s. Gadsden. G. T. Ward. Samuel 11. Dival. Riobert H. Berry, W. J. Mills. lardy 11. Philips. Henry D. Hlowlaud,ltichard C.Alleu,iliramNourse, Thos. M. Blount. From the Charlesion Courier, April 19. CONVENTION DINNER. An elegant and sumptuous lfeast was given, on Wednesday last, at the New Ho it-l, to the Delegates of the Commercial Convention. The entertainment was served up in the spaeions area of the lo tel, (yet unfinished, but already risen to its former proporti-ins, fron the ashes of last April's conflagration) which was elegantly arranged for the occasion. The' entire space was canopied with an awning, and the interior and sides were decorated with wreaths, transparencies, and emblemati cal devices, producing a very fine effect. Among the decorations was a painting, executed by a Charleston Artist, represen ting the harbor of Chtrleston in 18-0, crowded with the noble steam ships that are to bring the wealth of the world into the lap of the fair queen of the South. The viands were excellent, ftriislied by Lee; and the wines were exquisite fron the cellar of Messrs. M'Neill and Blair; and about 450 persons sat down to etjoy the good cheer, which was enlivened by the music of a skilful band. The lion Ienry L. Pitickney, Mayor of tho City, presided: assisted by the following gentlemen is Vice Presidents: Hon. Robert Y. Hayne, Thomas Ben nett, Col. A. Blandintg. lion. J. Hatilton Gen. Edwards, Hon. Alfred Hutger, Rene Goddard. Charles Edmnonston, Janmes Ad ger, James Robertson and S P. Ripley Esq'rs. The utmost conviviality and good feel ing prevailerd throughout the evening: ntu merous elogntent and soul stirtitng addres ses were delivered; wit sparkled, and hnit mar relaxed thec facial muscles; anid every ihitng contspiredl to promotoe "the feast of reason and the flow orsotil." A fter the repast wvas over, the follow ing toasts, regutlar and volunteer, added to the etnjoyment of the occasioni, the reg lar toasts beinig givetn by the Presidets and Vico Presidents, successively, who prefatcedl them with ap~propriate and spirit ed remarks REGULAR TOASTS. 1. By the Mayor-The Coimercial Convention-The city of Charleston ex tetnds ac hearty wvelcomec to all who are a ive to the interest anid resources of the South. 2. By the Mayor-Commerce-The handmaid of arts atnd civilization. May the Southern St.ates speedi ly contrihute their just piroponrcion to extetnd and advance its general pIrospe(rity. In compliance wvith the reiterated calls of the meetitng, the lion. Wmn. C. Preston rose and pronounced a speech worthy of is lofty rentown. Commerce wvas his in spiring theme, and ho brought to its illus tration andl adornment the force of genius and the jewelry of eloquence. His senti ments were truly Southern, yet liberally patriotic ; and wvhile lie advocated the ause of Southertn Commercial indepen ence, he urgedt only atn hornorable rivalry not a wvar,. with the enterprizing North. lie gave in conclusion. The Merchant Patriots of the Revoiu tion-John Haneock and Henry Laurens, By Col.-Biandinig-Kentucky~-Hergen rous reception of our Representative de mands outsvarmes: gratitude. -May her past doublts be. soon removed;, nd her energies, which,.whlen onie engaged, niev er tite, be enlisted in. the ,great twork,which s to connect her with G'eorgia:and Ala bama, as well:as the Carolinas -Col.Merninder was hereloudly called for and he: rose and stated that, in the absence of a Rejireseditativye of KentntekIy, he-would undertake to efires.her-obliga i ns for the compliment :paid to her,.and wid in an instructive address by howv Iany affitnities, commtercial~antd political, Kiiate~ky was bound to the whole South. Bo ~e~neluded by offering 'the follow ig''idatin: her behalf. The Pe itlioKentucky~.-As remarka Fie for thier ititelligence, as for thieir frank-. ess and hospiljplity.. Their sagacity can not fail to seize upon the advantages whieb are yet offered them by that tide in theaafTaire of men, wriuic if~ not taent. its preseut flood,wilI ebb from their shores, never to return again. 7. By C. Edmondston, Esq.-North Carolina-She was up and doing when (he battle was fought for independence from abroal. she is not fbund wanting when we strive lbr independence at home. Edward J. Hale, Esq., of Norih Caro lina, made the response for our uear neigh bor, and in the course of his renaarks he alluded to the circuistance that the dis tingnis.hed Senator present from South Carolina had spoken of several of the Southern States, as having been asleep, until of late, and' had once spoken or N. Carolina as having been in a protracted sleep. He was very glad to announce, that his native State, whatever she may have been, was no longer asleep, she had risen like a strong man from her slumber, and was up and doing in the race ofenter prize and improvement. She was rapidly developing all her resources, multiplying her facilities ofinternal and external inter course, and was making such progress in uanuflactures, that ere long she would be flound importing cotton from her Southern icighbors, and exporting her fabrics in re turn. He gave The City of Charleston.: May she con tinue to lilit the great battle of-Southern Cottmmerce, until her sun shall have reach ed its meridian-and then may it be com manded to stand still forever. The reniarks of Mr. Hale brought out .Mr. Preston, who humorously conceded that he had on one occasion, at a meeting of his cnustituents, half in jest and half in earnest, called North Carolina, "the Rip Van W inkle of the South," but if he had imagined it would have been offence.-or that it would hinve travelled beyond the walls of the building, where it was spo ken, he would never have uttered it. He was free to confess. however, that it may have done North Carolina some service and lie has freely mingled since with her getnertus people, and believed in H:is heart they had forgiven him for it. He admit. ted that she was now wide awoake, and a worthy compeer of her sisters in the race ofcnterprize and glory. 8. lBv Gen. HIamilton-The City of Au gusta-She first opened the book, long sealed to the Southern States, in which was traced the course that their wealth and 4patriotism required them to pursue. Mr. A. J. Miller, of Augusta, made a happy response to this toast, and offered the tfollowi. : The lion. Hugh S. Legarc-A worthy son of South Carolina-We have heard of hin in Georgia, and desire to remem ber him. The loud plaudits, wit h which this toast was received, and the deafening calls for Mr. Legare, brought forth from that gen tIlenan one of those t irilling bursts of un premeditated eloqence, which alike en rapture the audience and mark the genius of the speaker. Few tme possess the rare gift of speech. instinct with rich and profound thought, which characterizes the discouse of this accomplished orator, and invests him with a spell of wizard poten cy. His allusion to the Stcami Engine, rendering commerce no longer the sport of the witids and waves, and destined- to equalizo the ports of the earth in the coin petition for the trade of the world, was nost striking and felicitous. The effect of the exclatmation-"The Mierchant is abroad-a -reatei than the School-master --civilizing, humanizing and blessing tiankind"-was electric. We attempt no sketch, but coutent ourselves with saying that the effort was as brilliant and inas terly as the united poiwer of reason and elhqtience could iuke it. Mr. L. con cluded with the following beautiful senti menit. Commerce--The best hanid-mnaid of Christianity-Tfhe true foster-mtother of civili.ation-hter spirit is"good will among mien,"-her smiile is "peace on earth." 9. By the lHon. Alfred ltiger-The Re public of Texas-The blood of her pieople i'. of' the Saxoni die, and liberty is their instinct. 11er warriors sprang from the South and the West, atnd their spirits are invincible. 11cr exhaustless resources, so recently made manifest by one of our tmtst distinguished citizens, give new cvi detuce that her course is onwardl and her triumph certain. Gen. Hamilton, who had jnst returned from a visit to this young and kindred re piubli'o of the Sotuth, responded for her, in an eloquent sp)eech, paitiing the beauty of her natural scenery, atnd de'eribing the exbatnstless fertility of her soil andI the chieering abhudance of her resources. He ended w~ith the following sentment: The Republic of Teras-Our first child -a thrifty hantling-having a most extra ordinary family likeness. 12. By James Robertson, E~q.-Great Britain-Our fatherland, from which our principles of liberty mttst receive ntrruute andl support. T1his sentimnent was received with lontd atid long contrinued plaudits. A frer the noise subsided, 11er IBritannia .Majesty's Consul to this City, WVm. Ogilby, Esq, rose atnd made his acknowledgmnents in a neat and happy address. He. alluded to the kindness and hospitality biehad often experiencedl in this city, andu to the exis ting dilliculty on the Northt-Eastern border, between his nation atid ours, deprecated a war between countries, w hose m uttial itn terests were so closely linked with the preservation of peace and cordial relations. lHe made the gratifying declaration, that recent experience while in his own country, authorised him to say that the -feelincs of ~his fellow countrymen were of the kindest and-most friendly character towards our flourishing republic; and he believed the eldnd of war which now east .shade on ihe horizon would soon be dissipated bj thehimshinme of unbroken peace., He gave, in conclusion. MThe Scuthern States.-M ay the value of thieir foreign imports soon, bear a just liropion to that of their' exports. Mississippi.-Her soil yieldsqj to her, products not more rich and -powerful thean the generous yeomanry, who 'defend the free institutions she chterishe's, - The Hon. H anson Aisbury, of Missis sippi, responded. shewing what noble ef forts hityoung State was also making for the impr ovement, and developement of her resources.- -He cotncltuded- by giving. eThe Commercial independence of the tehole South~ rVnlnnteer tnists are niitttad. REPORT On the Taxation of Couranercial. Capital. Your Committee are deeply civinced that much of the Legislation of theSouth, instead of fostering and encouraging, has tended to discourage and depress. com merce. The same principles which -in England have sustained the corn laws in that country, have prevailed here. The Legislative power has been chiefly in the hands of the agriculturalists. They have been accustomed to pay a tax on their pro jerty, according to its estimated value. 'heir capital is fixed and cannot escape from the impost. They have naturally enough considered, that capital invested in trade ought to contribute its fair propor tion to the revenue of the country, and without sulliciently considering its floating character, the facility with which it can be removed beyord: the reach of their taxa tion, and its constant tendency to escape from it, they have generally imposed taxes on this floating, on the same principles as on fixed capital. It is believed that much heavier taxes have generally been imposed on the former than on the.latter. In one.of the Southern States, thirty cents ad valo rem is levied on every hundred dollars, of the lands granted by the State, and sixty cents per head on all slaves; and for a number of years in that very State, a tax of sixty cents on the hundred dollars of stock in trade has been levied. This ad valoron tax on the lands is levied on an estimate of their value, which in most in stances is very greatly below their real value-and slaves may now he stated at an average value of three hundred dol lars, so that in fact lands and slaves do not pay one fourth, certainly not one third of the tax imposed on stock in trade, and your committee believe a corresponding tixation prevails in all the Southern and South-Western States. Besides no re gard has been had to the productiveness or unproductiveness of this stock in trade. Goods may have come to a falling market, when it might lie ruinous to sell. If they are kept for better times-if they are not forced on the market, and are at the end of the year found still in the hands of the merchant, they are again compelled to pay the tax, while in the mean time interest and all other iicidental expenses are ac cumulating on the investment. In pay ing a tax on land and agricultural capital, it is paid on what almost without fail yields an income or profit. In paying it on com mercial capital. it is paid on what may or may not, in the fluctuations of trade,make either a profit or a loss. It is scarce-ly to be expected that, large stocks of goods in the face of such a tax, can ever accumu late in the hands of our merchants. Your committee know that it has produced this evil and driven goods from us, whichother erwise would have remained here to seek a market. To secure the trade at which ,ve aim and to which tho. Sotth is justly entitled, large stocks of goods are iudis pensable. The foreign Merchants and our brethren at the North, must he encouraged to bring their goods here to await a sale with the full assurance that they shall be subject to no taxation until sales shall have been effected. Then may we expect to see our varehbonses filled with all kinds of comrnmodities-the merchant of Man chester, or Leeds or Lowell,will not hesi tate to send his goods to -he stored here. The importing merchant will not have his capital diminished without a certainty of being able to make a profit to replace it. The tmerchant. who comes from the interior to lay in his supplies, will have no need to go to another market to find an assortment, or to make his purchase here, burdeaed by a tax from which he derives no benefit. It is not easy to estimate the imptulse which such a state of things would give to our tr-ade-howv much it would both encourage the itmporting merchant. to have always on hand a large stock of goodls, atnd attract the merchan's from our interior to our Emiporiums. It would en courage a cotmpetition of both-sellers and buyers in otnr markets, and which could scarcely fail to produce the most favora ble results: Your Committee believe that by a dif ferent mode of laying taxes on the com mercial comtmunity, the Southern and S. Western States might avoid the evils whi-:h your Commtttee are persuaded,have arisen from the mode hitherto pursued wvithtout any dtminution of revenue. Let the tax be imposed ott the income of thte merchtant,on the interest which he derives from the capital invested, and the clear profit which heo makes. The States many wcll depentd on his honor, on his ambition to hol or raise his standing amnong his comp~etitnrs, on his desire to maintain his credit-for faithf'ul returns of his itncome. The risk may be that he will over esti mate rather thatn under value it. and a mtoderate equitable tax otn it-youtr Comn maittee believe would assuredly make tip for all that wottld be lost by abandoning the prevalent mode of taxing his capital and they submit two Resolutions, which if carried otut into advised legislation, might, they ttrust, aid us efficiently in the great object in which they are now engaged. Resolved, Thnt this Conventiotn ear nestly recommend to the respectiye Leg islatures of the Southern and South West e~in States, so to frame their legislation, as to encoutrage the accumulation of Com mercial Capital in the Southern Atlantic and South Western Sea Ports- in other words, to make those ports Emporiums of Commerce, and so far as may be practi cable, free ports, where the objects of trade may be collected and remain exempt from all State or- Corporation taxation, until sales of them be collected-and that the taxes-lten be levied only on the interest of the capital invested in such sales and on the nett -profits derived from them. Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Convention, the object of the last prece ding resolution, could be best effected by exempttng capital employed in commerce fronm all taxation, except an annual tax on the interest and profits -derived from the capital so invested. A corresp~ondent in Abhheville statei, that "Gen James Gillam attd Col. John Camp bell, are candidates for the Senate in that District, to Gil the vacancy occasioned by the promotoun of the lion. P. Noble to the gubernatorial chair. The candidkes are said to be friendly to the reelectiotn of Mr. Vn nRuren."...rhen. Mountaineer. EDGEFIELD C. H - THTURSDAY. MAY 2, 1839. We have received a note from the author of "Iconoelast,". who says that we deelined to pub. lish his article and, assigned as a reason,.that it is contrary to "the rule of editors to publish connunications which have not responsible signatures appended." He denies that this is a rule. Now we know that it is a rule of many editors,with whom we exchange. The Mercury, Courier and Constitutionalist recently declined publishing articles on miscellaneous subjects, merely. because they lacked the authority of a real name. The following is the standing rule of the Alabama Journal, on this subject: "All notices of marriages, deaths, &c. and all communications, intended for the paper must be accompanied by a responsible name." It will suffice to say, that the editor of this paper, is an experienced practical printer, who certainly knows what are the duties and rights of editors. To this rule however, there are exceptions, and we intended to make the article by "*cono. clast" one, before we received his note. The subject is ofsuch a nature, that the article merits publication. We did not positively decline publishing his communication, as "Iconoclast" supposes. Doubtless we now know the author, and we cheerfully give him a place. We still urge upon our Correspondents the propriety of giving their true names to us. Surely they are not ashamed of their own productions! It is often absolutely necessary for the editor to know their names Frequently, commas, words, and sentences are illegible in a manuscript, which the author alone can make plain. To whom will the editor go, ifhe does not know the wri ter? A writer would be much mortified to see his communication incorrectly pinted. But if lie will not give his true name,he cannot blame tie editor, if he guesses at the meaning of an obscure manuscript, & should make sonic blun ders in the publication. The propriety of our rule is too manifest, to say any thing more. FLORIDA.-We learn from a letter received from Florida, by a lady in this place, that Gen. Macomb was empowered to treat with the In dinns, allowing them to remain in the Ever glades. Late accuunts state that preliminaries of a treaty of peace have already been entered. into. The Rutherford (N. C.) Gazette, of the 16th April says, "we learn from a gentleman from Haywood County, that there have been three falls of snow, in that and the adjoining Coun tics, within the last week or two." - Edmund Burke, recently elected a member of Congress, from New Hampshire, is the edi tor of the Newport Argue & Spectator, a Do mocratic paper. Making Doctors by the Wholesale.-At the re cent commencement of the University of Penn sylvania, the degree of Doctor of Medicine, was conferred on onchundred andfifty-siz Students. The Convcention Dinner -The Charleston pa pers give an animated description of the Din ner which was served up to the Delegates in the New Hotel. The editor of the Mercury seems to have been somewhat under the in spiration of the "rosy god," when lie penned his account of the big dinner. He speaks elo quently aboutfine wines-rich riands-rare sau ces-pastries, and all the et ceteras of a feast! Even the grave editor of the Courier gives rather a lively account of the dinner. Theoc seasion was evidently one of great "jollification" to use the word of a Paddy. Oh ! that wecould hnave "been there to see," yea, and to taste too! But alas ! fate compelled us to stay at home and eat our plain dinner, and quaff our cup of tea in solitude ! We have been asked, what the Con yention did. Read our paper, friends, and you will see that a great dealJ of importance was done, and much that was highly interesting particularly on the day of the grand dinner at the New Hotel. We make sonic extracts fromi the report of the Magn4icent Feast by the C ourier.. Those ofour readers who are fond of hunt ing, will relish the sketch of our friend "Vena tor." We ourselves have hunted with the company of'which lie gives an account, though it was never our fortune while with them, to be present at "the deatih" of the "antlered stag," or even in the exciting chase. We thank yen Vonator for your flattering notice of our "sweet little .angel!" H-e. will be a fortunate htunter indeed, who shalh chase her dowen, and gain so rich a prize! Unparalleded speed of the Mail.-About a week since, we received a Mississippi paper. bearing date of the 26th'of May, 1838! The Baltimore American of the 23d ult. gives an account of the death of Gen. Sam. Smith, a Revolutionary soldier, and late Mayor of Balti more. He was in his 87th year. 0. H. W~ells, Esq. has' been appointed Post Master, at Greenville Court House. British outrage upon American Property-Too little attention has, been paid to the outrage which wvas perpetrated upon the property of 9American citizens, by a British Governor. It seems to us,~that our Government has manifes ted a cold indifference in thtis matter, to the rights of the:South. The right to compensa tion for property seized by a foreign power. has not been suflicienty urged. Our Senator, Mr.: Calhoun, and our i ^ ' te Representative,: Mr. PickRens; have. ca~ public attention to this -suibject, and have spoken about it in thatk bold and manly tone, which becomes the Re presentatives of ahigh-~minded and injured pee. ple. What Southern man cani be otherwise than indignant, when he reads that comipensa tion is utterly denied, to American citizenst for the wanton seizure of their property by Offi. cers of the British'Government? We extract from the Charleston Mercury the subjoined remarks ins relation to thismatter. THE BRITISH OUTRAGE. The Cases of lthe Comet, Encomium and Enternrin -T'nnrgt. to cAmnensntrnn in the cases of tle two former vessels, is .admitted.by the British Government, the dispute being only' s to the amount; while comfpensationl is totallyrefused in the case 'of ihe Enterpreif, on the #round of the passage of the BritishE n ion 13i11 previous to the'setzur a IJ slaIes in that.vessel . SLord Pa!merstonimits thatiftavessel be driven by'shig wreck'oRifiWess into a British port, containiig irratronial animals or.:iuamnattiiags,- the ownern could - not justly be deprived of his property under the operation of a municipal'law to which he had not subjected himself.' -The con troversy turns then, as Mr. Stevenson says on the principle asserted by the British Government, that persons are notproperty. If this were true, there would have been no more ri ht to redress in thcases'of the Comet an Emporium than in the case of the Enterprize, for the passage of Great Britain's emancipating amicipal law in the interval, could nut affect American property; and if slaves cannot now be pro perty in the possession of Atnericans, neith er could they have been previous to the Emancipation Bill. Butthat Ihey are as much property now as theye'ver '*ere and that they always were. oigbfpJly the subject of proerty-we will show byg again quoting The authority of British ju dicial decisions, which we gave more full in this paper in 1835-as these authorities, though alluded to in a general manner, are not specially referred to by Mr. Steven, son: and as they are deciuive on the point against Great Britain. Sir Win. Grant, in d tiveringjudgment In 18iO, in a case where the questions raised were-first, wheth er slaery we e against the laws of Nations; an seconifly, if so, whether the Slave Trade were not also against them-said "We cannot legislate for other countries," -" We cannot compel the sub.ects:of other Nations to observe any other tn e"it, and generally received principles-o funi sat Law." Here we have the decisiOn turning, on the municipal regulations of the British Empire, that the Sleve Trade, ii 6f course Slavery, is not contrary to the lat of nations Subsequently, the Disna, a.Swedish, vessel was condemned ai Sierra Leone; upon appeal the sentence- was reversed. Sir William Scott, in reversing it, said, that the Court was willing t6 go ag.inst the Slave Trade, as far as the law of Na tions, and the principles recognized by English tribunals would warrant, 'but be could not proceed on a sweeping. anithe ma, "against PROPER T *41ong to the subjects of foreign independint States." -"Our own country." he says, 'ihas secn red the .abolition of the Slave Tride"(and now slavery) as far as-British isject are concerned; but it claims no right oenfor cing its prohibition against the s-ects of those States which have not adopted the same opinion, &c." Afterwards, in 1817, in the case of i-Le Louis, Sir William Scott said ."Personal Slavery arising out 6f forei ble captivity is coeval with thetearliest history of mankind"-'is recognized b ythe codes ofthe most polished -dationsfiati quiiy-under the light of Ch.ristianity. i i elf, the possession of persons asAiasfdz has been it every civilized conntr3iinies. ted with the character of property,Tand&e cured as such by al the' proe*"oois of law." * * "1 fear it* would have been an extravagant assumption in any Court of the Law of Nations to prolibun'e that this practice,the tolerated,theapprove4 the encouraged object of law..waa prohibi ied by that." "There are nitions, which adhere to the practice. What is iidoc trine of our Courtsof the Law of Nations, relativ'ely to them? W~hy that theirprac tieis to.be respected, that their Slaves, if token, are to be restored to them,. and if not taken under innocent mistake, i-e~tor ad woith costs and damagas.' .Ajhthis sure- - lv upon the ground, that such conduct - on the part of any State, is no departiure from the law of nations.". But itaeems that the law of nations '~ uow no longer to prteet the. rest of this world, because England, in the plenitude of her omnipotence, 'has issuied hler sfc rolo, sic juibeo"--and passed herWest In- 1 dia A ppre'nticeship Bill! .This matter can never be permitted to rest here. THE BOUNDAaY QUEsTido,-The N. York Comniercial Advertiser of the, 17th say, "We are enabled to state, on-what we belie've to be good authority, that such inst ructiont have been t'ransitted to her Britannic Majesty's Miniiter at Washing ton, by the Great Wesiern, as will obviate the necessity of sending a special Minister to London. The seat of negociations or a flnal adjustmnect of the boundarf ques tion is transferred from-Londtn&to Wa'sh ington; sand tihose nio tions NN be pressed~to a definitive conclusion. R HODE isLAzNE,ECroN.-The N. Y. Courier, and Enquirer of the -19th ult. says, the annual State election in Rhode Island took place on Wednesday iifieia majority of Whig candidates were elected in both branches'of-the Legislature. The Navy Department h as received ad vices froma ,the:Exploring Ejipedition off the riverLPlt -he'ih .anuar -all well. - .*From~l thGrmensill .Memsinesr. - We are requested to publish the follow ing extract of a letter from theHon.- Wad dy Thompson, to a friend-in Anderson District "You say that there is general expres. sion of regret at. the rumor that 1' have de termined not again to be a Candidate for* Congtress; and you ask me if such is 'my' fixed determnintion? .Itsis. I am literal ly comnpelled aiidelipe, b iny ad im perious conisderations. You,.and mgy others of nmy friends, know, that I wp&s anxious~td withdraw at the expiration of my flrst1firm, and still more anxious to d7 so afier the second: but I was 'placed it .k circumstances which made it impossible to do so, without a total sacrifice of salthat was due to myself, as well as ~to thosewho had honored me wvith their confldendee There is now nosneh difficulty in ihe war,&