Edgefield advertiser. (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, May 29, 1844, Image 2
CONGbRESSIONAL
Coriwqpondence of the Charleston Patriot.
WASHINGTON, May 16.
In the Senate this morning, there were
a'susual, petitions in favor and against the
annexation of Texas.
The Select Committee appointed on
the case of Mr. Niles, made a long report,
setting forth that Mr. N.is of sound mind,
and in every way qualified to take his
seat.
The report was unanimously concurred
in, whereon Mr. Niles was sworn, and
took his seat.
The remainder, of the day was spent in
Executive Session'on the Texas treaty.
The message of the President last night,'
.relative to the Military and Naval demon.
strations he has ordered on the frontiers
of Texas, and at Vera Cruz, has created
great excitement. In such a state of things
t'is uncertain when the session will ter
minate.
Mr. Adams asked leave, to present a
memorial setting forth that there are gross
errors in the-compilation of the last cen
sus, relative to colored ptrsons in the free
States. Leave was refused, whereon Mr.
A. moved ,a suspension of the rules, but
without success.
May 17.
In the Senate this morning, after the
presentation of petitions and other unim
portant matters, Mr. Evans called up the
joint resolution fixing the 17th of June as
the day of adjournment.
Mr. Morehead moved to lay the resolu
tion on the table. A. division being had,
the motion, by a vote of 21 to 20, pre
vailed. Owing to the present exciting
state of affairs with regard to Texas. Sen
ators are not :disposed to comnit them
selves by naming any particular tine for
terminating the session.
After the disposal of some private bills,
the Senate went into. executive session on
the Texas treaty.
In the House, the proceedings of two
large meetings in Virginia, in favor of the
immediate annexation of Texas, were pre
sented by Mr. Dromgoole and ordered to
be printed. The tide appears to be turn
-ing with regard to this matter, as now there
are about as many petitions in favor of
the annexation as against it.
May 20.
In the Senate, numerous memorials in
favor of the -immediate, annexation of
Texas, were presented from the North and
East.
Mr. McDuffie presentod resolutions
adopted at a meeting in Charleston for
the same subject. He also presented a
memorial from. the S. C. Rail Road Com
pany asking a remission of duty on irnpor
ported rail road iron.
Mr. Buchanan presented a memorial
from Joshua Shaw, the inventor of per
cussion caps. He says, that as govern
ment has availed itself of the invention, he
is entitled to a reasonable compensation.
..The remainder of the day was spent
with closed doors, on the Texas treaty.
No further attempt has been m'ade to
take up the adjournment resolution,
Hence the duration of the session is ex
tremely uncertain.
In the House, Mr. Campbell presented
resolutions adopted at various public meet
ings in S. C., in favor of the annexation
of Texas. Several unimportant matters
having been disposed of, Mr. Campbell
moved to go into Committee-on the bill to
extend the charters of the Banks of this
District, but without success. There up
pears to exist a very hostile feeling to
wards these institutions.
After several ineffectual attempts to takc
up other bills, the House went into Com
mittee and took up the Post Office Appro
- priation hill.
A long debate- arose on a motion by
* Mr, Davis to strike out the item of $28,
00.0 for special agents of the department.
The amount was finally redtuced to $5,000;
after which, the bill was laid aside to be
reported. ,
iThe Navy Appropriation bill was next
taken up-whoreonMr. Parmenter moved
p reduce the number of sncn and boys in
the service to 7,000, being the standard of
a peace establishment.
*Mr. Holmes made an eloquent speech
in opposition to the' proposed resolution.
With great fervor he argued that ethie true
interest of the country, especially at this
juncture, required an increase iather tban
a decrease of the naval force. He alluded
to the 'necessity of the annexation of
Texas'; and contended that we ought to
purine the same policy towards her, us
that pursued by the British with regard to
h&fganistan. Instead of this, however,
be was astonished -to see, that while Great
- Britain' was wvatching every advantage
withan eagle's' eye, we were slumbering
-like a babe in the arms of its mother. Mr,
H. placed, in a striking point of view, the
disadvantageous position. in which we
should soon be placed,.if we did not take
measures for the annexation. He conclu
ded his speech by some very interesting
*and origmnal remarks relative to the ne
cessity, of slave lahor south of thirty-three
deg'-ees. The philosophical facts adduced
'were-listened to with great attention~.
AIer further debate, the motion to
amend was temyorarily withdrawn.
A motion was then made by Mr. Cave
Johnson to abolish the navy yard in this
city, with~a view to the establishmeut of
one in the West. At alate hour. the Corn
mitte. rose without taking 'the question ;
and the House,.amjidst a violent thunder
storm, a'djourned. -
Among the distinguished visitors now in
the city is Col. R. M. Johnson.
In itheb senate, a great nmber of re
ports were made from Committees.
Among them was a bill maki-ng.provision
for the establishment .of a Naval School.
Memorials from nearly every' point of
the .ompass, in favor of the immediate
annexation of Texas, were presented and
referred.
Amass of private business having been
-dspatched, the Senate at an early hour
-went ito an executive session on the
Texas treaty.
In the House, a report wras made by
Mr. Elmer, from-the Election Committee,
on the contested election case between Mr.
Jones, the Speaker, and Mr. Bolts. The
report contends' that Mr. Jones was elect
ed by a majority of 155 votes.
After an ineflectual attempt to introduce
postponed till Monday. Owing to the
press of other business, it is very doubtful
whether any. definite action on the case
will be taken at.the present session.
.Mr. Duncan moved to tak' up the bill
extending the jurisdiction of the U. S. over
Oregon. The motion failed.by a large
vote.
The House then went into Committee
and took up the Navy Appropriation bill.
The pending question was on the motion
of Mr. Cave Johnson, to strike out the
appropriation for the navy yards in this
city.
After a debate of no interest, the motion
was withdrawn.
Mr. Hunt then moved to amend by pro
htbiting the expenditure of more thau half
the appropriations in the bill until after
Ist January. Mr. H. said the.object of
his amendment was to prevent the Presi
dent from continuing his policy with re
gard to Texas.
This opened the way for a regular Texas
debate, in which Messrs. Owen, Atkinson,
Belser, and many others, participated.
The annexation of Texas was defended
on the ground of British influence. It
was opposed on the ground that the an
nexation would give a preponderance of
Southern votes, and that there was no con
stitutional power to assume the debts of
Texas.
Without taking the question, at a late
hour, the Committee rose; and the House,
after adopting a resolution to terminate
the debate to-morrow at 3 o'clock, ad
journed.
May 22.
In the Senate, this morning, the only
business of importance was the indefinite
postponement-by a vote of 25 to 19
of the House bill reducing and regulaticg
the pay of the army. The remainder of
the day was spent in executive session on
the Texas treaty.
In the House, resolutions and memori
als from large meetings in Alabama, in
favor of the immediate annexation of
Texas, were presented and referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Holmes prescnuted resolutions adop
ted at a meeting in the Charleston District
of S. C. on the 14th instant. on the same
subject, which were also referred.
The House then went into Committee
and resumed the consideration of the navy
appropriation bill.
The question pending was still on the
motion of Mr. Hunt, to limit the expendi
ture of half the amount in the bill until
after the 1st of January. The avowed
object being to effect the action of the
President with regard to his demonstration
in relation to Mexico and Texas.
Mr. Belser, in reply to some remarks
against the annexatien on the ground of
an increase of slaver , observed, that the
whole population of he Union is bound
by the national compact to protect the
Southern States in the possession of their.
slave property. And, if the annexation of
Texas was one necessary mean i of such
protection, that they were bound by all
obligations, human and divine, to make the
annexation. H e appealed to gentlemen
from those States who had Indians settle.d
immediately on their border, and asked
whether they would consent that any (or
eign government should get a lodgment in
the midst of them. There could be no
just objection to the spread of this empire,
the Capitol was stronger for the width of
its arches,-and it was folly to talk of wea
kening our government by the extension
of our territory. Extension was calcula
ted to destroy centralization. which was
the greatest danger we had to apprehend.
M r, B. then wvent into calculations to shew
how beneficial the annexation wvould be
to the markets of the WVest, and even of
the Middle and Eastern States. The
manufacturers were finding it out and their
voices would soon be heards in tones of
thunder. The annexation would give us
command of the vast rivers that flowv into
the Gulph of Mexico ; it would prevent
smuggling, and would break up those
nests of refugees and cut throats who infest
sorme parts of the country ; it.- would give
us the comtmand, too,' of the Indian tribes,
and thus add us in the great duty of pres
ervation. We had proclaimed our coun
try to the world as a refuge for the dis
tressed. How then could we reject the
application of such a people as the Tex
ans, struggling to retain their freedom ?
A ttbr a continuation of the debate, wiih
out, however, any further reference to
Texas, until 3 o'clock, the amend ment of
Mr. Hunt was agreed to by a vote of 62 to
61
An amendment was then agreed to, pro
hibiting the Secretary of the Navy from
building any new vessels or re-building
old ones, without the authority of Con
gress.
After the rejection of several proposed
amedidmenis, the Committee rose and re
ported progress.
After the reception of some executive
communications in answer to resolutions,
the House adjouraned.
The language of the following rebuke
[which wve find in a letter of "Randolph
of Roanoke" to the Richmond Enquirer,]
is not a whit too severe, cut where it may:
"W/hat stuff it is, to foist upon the pub
lic taste, as food for scandal, that John
Tyler badl negotiated a secret treaty!/-as
if thess r-evilers did not know, that none
but the wild Indians of the forest ever ne
gotiated any other. The treaty of i803,
by which we acquired Lotuisiana-was it
every where discussed before the people
and in the press, as the Texas treaty now
is? No such thipg. The negotiations
were kept profoun-d secreta. It was agreed
to, drawn,- signed, sealed, and seat to the
Senate Chamber in secreccy; there it was
debated in secrecy, and when it first came
forth to the public notice and challenged
its approval, behold it was a Ratile'd
Treaty ! Such was the Treaty of Flor
ida. Such wvas the late Treaty of JJ'ash
ington-and yet the infuriate madness of
party would lash John Tyler th.rough the
land, for a scrupulous observance of the
very customs which all.. his predecessors
have followed-and to the observance of
which, their very successes are attributa
ble ! For shame !"
Another Boundary ~Question.-The St.
Louis Beporter says:
We learn that some new: disturb inces
has broken out in reference to the disptr
ted boundary between this Steat dIm.a
Territory.' We have not beard the exact
character of the new troubles. A portion
of those inhabiting the new tract insist
that they are citizens of-Missouri, and an
other portion that they owe obedience only
to the laws of Iowa. It is time this dis
pote was settled.
POLITICAL.
To the Editors of the Washington Globe.
WAsa:NoTro, May 16, 1844.
Sir: The following letter liaving been
submitted to my disposal, I ask of you to
give it an immndiate publication in your
paper. I am satisfied that you will take
pleasure in complying with this request,
that the public may be apprised ol the
sentiments of another distinguished demo.
crat, upon the interesting subject to which
the letter refers. Your compliance will
much oblige yours, &c.
W. T. COLQUITT.
DETROIT, May 10, 1844.
Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiry
whether I am in favor of the immedia e
annexation of Texas to the United States,
1 reply that I am. As you demand my
opinIon only of this measure, and briefly
the reasons which influence mu, I shall
confine myself to these points.
I shall not dwell upon the policy of
uniting coterminous countries, situated like
ours and Texas, with no marked geograph
ical feature to divide thetn and with navi
gable streams penetrating the territories of
both ; nor upon the common origin of the
people who inhabit them, upon their com
mon language, manners, religion, institu
tions, and tn fact, their identity as a branch
of the human family. Nor shall I urge
the material interests involved in the mea
sure, by the free intercourse it would es
tablish between the various sections of a
vast country, mutually dependent upon
and supplying one another. These con.
sideratious are so obvious that they need
no elucidation from me.
But, in a military point of view, annex
ation strikes me as still more important,
nod my mind has been the more forcibly
impressed with this idea rrotn reading the
able letter of General Jackson upon this
subject, n Bich has just come under my
observation. With the intuitive sagacity
which makes part of the character of that
great man and ponre patriot, he has fore
seen the use which a European enemy
might make of Texas in the event of a
war with the United States. A lodge
-ment in that country would lay open our
whole southwestern border to his devasta
tions. We could establish no fortress, nor
occupy any favorable position; for the
immense frontier may, in a vast many
places, be crossed as readily as a man
passes from one part of a farm to another.
The advantages an active enemy would
enjoy under such circumstances, it requires
no sagicity to foretell.
These considerations recall to my mem
ory an article which made its appearance
just before I left Europe, in a leading tory
periodical in England, which is understood
to speak the sentiments of a powerful party.
This is Frazier's Magazine; and a more
nefarious article never issued from a profil
gate press. It ought to be stereotyped
and circulated from one end of-our country
to the other, to show the designs which
are in agitation against us, amir to teach us
that our safety. in that mighty contest
which is coming upon us,-is -in a knowl
edge of our danger, and in a determination,
by union, and by a wise forecast to meet
it, and defeat it. The spirit of this arti
ce is suhliciently indicated by its title,
whicn was, "a wvar with the United States
a blessing-to mankind." I cantnot refer to it
at this moment, but must speak of it from
recollection. I have often been surprised
it has not attracted more attention in our
country. Its object was to provoke a war
with the United States, and to lay down
the plan of a campaign, which would
soonest bring it to a fortunate conclusion
for England. The basis of this plan was
the organization of the necessary black
force in the WVest India Islands, and its
debarkamion upon our southern coast. The
cotmequences'whlich out- enemies fondly
hoped for, in such a case, but with an en
tire ignorance of the true state of the
country, were foretold wvith a rare union
of philanthropy and hatred. I wish I liad
the number at hand, to cull some choice
passages for your- reflection. The result
wvas to be the destruction of the Southern
States, the ruin or depressioni of the others,
and the dissolution of this greaf and glo
rious confederacy, on which the last hopes
of freedom througb the world nopw rest.
What more favorable position could be
taken for the occupation of English black
troops, and for letting them loose upon our
Southern States, than is afforded by Texas?
Incapable of resisting in the event of a war
between us and England, she would be
taken possession of by the latter, under
one or another of those pretences, which
every page of her history furnishes. and
the territory would become. the depot
whence she would carry on her operations
against us, and attempt to add a servile
wvar to the oilier calamities which hostili
ties bring wvith them, lie who doubts
w~hether this would be done, has yet to
learn another trait in the annals of national
antipathy. It would be done, and be
called philanthropy.
Every day satisfies me more and more,
that a majority of the American people
are in favor of annexation: Were they
not, the measure ought. to be eflectpd.
But as they are, the sooner it is effected
the. better. I do not touch the details of
the negotiation. That must be left to the
responsibility of the government ; as, also,
must the bearing of -the question upon,
and its exceptions by, other countries.
These are points I do not here enter into.
1 am, dear sir, with much regard,
'Yours truly, LF.W. CASS.
lHon. E. A, Hannagan, Wash'n, D. C.
Mr. Mfadison's Authoity.-Trhe follow
ing letter from Mr. Madison, while Se
cretary of State, to Messrs. Livingston and
Monroe, embraces all the points in dis
pute as to the right of sonexing Texas to0
the United States, and, in our opioion, is
iecisive of the question. It may be found
in the State Papers, under the head of
Foreign Relations, vol. ii. p. 562.-Spec.
"D~EPARTMlENT or STArTE,
"As he -May 28, 1803.
" stequestion may arise, how far, in
s state of war, one of the parties can, of
inht convey tcrritore. to a ncutral power,
and thereby deprive its enemy of the chance
r1fconquest incident to war,especially when
the conquest may have been actually pro
jected, it is thought proper to observe to
you, 1st, that in the present case the pro
ject of peaceable acquisition, .by the Unit
ed States, originated prior to-the war, and,
consequently, before a project of conquest
could have existed ; 2d, that a right of a
neutral to procure for itself, by a bona fide
transaction, property of any sort from a
belligerent power, ought not to be frustra
ted by the chance that a rightful conquest
thereof may be thereby precluded. A con
trary doctrine would sacrifice the just in
terest of peace to the unreasonable preten
sions of war, and the positive rights of one
nation to the possible rights of another.
A restraint on the alienation of territory
from a nation at war, to a nation at peace.,
is imposed only in cases where the pro
ceeding might have a collusive reference
to the existence of the war, and might be
calculated to save the property from dan
ger, by placing it in secret trust, to be re
conveyed on the return of peace. No ob
jection of this sort can be made to the ac
quisitions we have in view. The mea
sures taken on this subject wore taken be
fore the existence or the appearance of
war; and they will be pirsued as they
were planned, with the bonafide purpose
of vesting the acquisition forever in the U.
States.
" With these observations you will be
left to do the best you can, under all cir
cumstaucos,keeping in mind that the rights
we assert are clear, that the objects we
pursue are just, and that you will be war
ranted in providing for both, by taking
every fair advantage of emergencies."
A CARD.
To the Editors of the Nashiille Union :
Gentlemen: My attention has been called
to various newspaper articles referring to a
letter said to have been written Jy me to
Gen. Hamilton, recanting the charge of
bargain made against Mr. Clay when he
voted for Adams in 1825.
To put an end to all rumors, I feel it to
be due to myself to state, that I have no
recollection of ever having written such a
letter, and do not believe there is a letter
from me to (Gen. Hamilton, or any one
else, that will bear such a construction.
Of the charges brought nguinst both Mr.
Adams and Mr, Clay at that time., I formed
my opinion as the country at large did
from facts and circumstances that were
indisputable and conclusive; and I may
add that this opinion has undergone o
change.
If Gen. Hamilton, or any one else, as
a letter from me on this subject, which the
friends of Mr. Clay desire to be made
public, all they have to do ii to apply to
him for it. As to myself, I have no se
crets, and do not fear the publication of all
that I have ever written on this or any
other subject.
ANDREW JACKSON.
Hermitage, May 3, l844.
A CARD.
To Gen. Andrew Jackson :
Sir,-! have just this instant seen your
Card, dated the 3d of May, from the Her
mitage. -
The call you make upon myself does
not permit me to be silent. You are en
tirely correct in your statement. You
never wrote a letter to me or even verbally
in -my hearing made any statement in
either the one or the other, of your convic
tion of the injustice of the charge of "Bar
gain and corruption" preferred agains
Messrs. Adams and Clay. Nor have I
ever etated to any human beitng that you.
had ever even entertained any such opin
ion.
I presume that the mistake has growr
out of the fact thtat at a time when I went
"through stich" for you and your prefer
ments I said wvithout reserve to our frietnds,
that I did not think we could make much
political capital out of the charge of "bar
gain and corruption," because 1 did not
believe in its justice, and that we had a
hundred better cowvs to milk in our per
thian this accusation, hence we had as wvell
have done with it. Butt this was my opin.
ion, pronounced on no autho:-ity of yours.
I can scarcely however quarrel wvith the
occasion which breaks the silence which
has so long closed our intercourse. Aftet
a painful separation of more than ten
years, I thank God before we die, that wve
are both again on the same side of a greajt
Americeo question, which is to give ar
empire to our Confederacy and a Gibral.
tar to the South.
Accept the assurance of the veneration
and respect with which
I am jour fellow-citizen,
J. HAMILTON.
Osweeche Bend, Russell Co. e
Alabama, May 22, 1844.
Fromt the SouL'- Carolinian.
THE GLOBE AND MEMBEas oF CONGaEss.
The Globe of Saturday says the nomi
nee of the Baltimore Convetion "will be
the candidate of the party, thotugh he may
not please the members of Congress, near
ly each one of whom, it is believed, has
separate candidate-if not a full growc
man, or at least in embro."
This is a very harmonious state of things
truly ! ;And what has produced it, but the
reckless determination of the wire- workers
from the Birst, to force Mr. Van Buren on
the party, regardless of all the dictates of
prudence, harmony,- principle, or reason ?
Might not this opposition, of itself, to say
nothing of all that has preceded it, be sup
posed amply sufficient to show these men
that though they may'effect the tnomina*
tion of Mr. Van Buren, his election is at
uterly impossible, as any event can well
be, not absolutely impossible ; and to bring
them to a pause; to reflection, prudence,
and catiipa, and a disposition to sacrifice
something of their devotion for men and
office, to concert'and unity, for the sake of
principle end the public good?7 Yet, so
far from it, the tmore certain the defeat of
Mr. Van Buren, the more reckless and
desperate their adherence to him, and ef
forts to trample under foot all who will
not bow to theIr insolent and arrogant die
ttiona. The warnings of various respe
table Van Buren papers of the party, .nnd
the counsel of influential and unquestion
able friends of Mr. Vant Buren, are openly
coternoed and scornied, as though with a
tettled purpose to "rule or ruin," and
rated to illustrate the ancient maxim,
"Whomthie gods tWil to destroy they f/irst
EDGEFIELD C*H.
-WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1844. .
"We will cling to the Pillars ofthe Temple of
ourLiberuws,and.tf it mustfall, we will Perish
amidst the Ruins."
RE-ANNEXATION MEETING.
The citizens of the District of
Edgefield, are requested to meet
in the Court House, on Sale Day
in June next, for the purpose of
ex'pressing their views, as to the
re-annexation of Texas to the
United States.
THE MINISTERS' AND DEACoNs' CONFERENCE
OF THE EDGEFIELD BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
The next meeting of this body, will be held
at Fellowship Meeting House,near Cambridge,
at 10 o'clock, A, M., on Saturday before the
5th Lord's Day in June. Bishop Abney is ap
pointed to Preach at 12 M.
The subjects for discussion are: "Is there
any difference between 'John's Baptism, and
Christian Baptism ?"
" What was the specifick design of the Lord
Jesus Christ, in submitting to Buptisait, under
the hands of John the Baptist 7"
"What are the duties of the Deacon, as
taught in the Scriptures?"
It was resolced, That this Conference be cal
led the Ministers' and Deacons' Conference of
the E. B. Association, and the Deacons of the
Churches be invited to become Members of it.
WILLIAM B. JOHNSON,
Chairman.
? We acknowledge the receipt of various
Public Documents. from the Hon. A. Burt,
also a letterof the Hon. Levi Woodbt.ry's,upon
the Annexation of Texas, which we will en
deavor to lay before our readers in our next.
07 In consequence of the length of the com
munication of" Carolina," we have been forc
ed to omit a portion of it. It shall appear in
our-ext.
The Weaher,-We have been bountifully
supplied with rain during the past week, which
has greatly improved the appearance of the
gardens in this vicinity. - The Corn crop has
greatly revived, and bids fair to be very large.
lWheat Crop.-We have been credibly in
formed that the Wheat crop in this section will
be an extraordinary large one, we may there.
fore, have a hope, that we shall shortly be well
supplied with new flour, at prices to suit the
tuies.
Bank of the State of Georgia.-At an election
held on the 20th inst., at the Banking House of
the Bank of the State of Georgia, Savannah,
for the ensuing year, the following gentlemen
were unanimously elected :
For the O0fce of Augusta.-Geo. M. Newton,
James T. Gray, Joseph Davis, IH. W. Risley.
For the Ofeie at lJ'ashington.-A. S. W ing.
field, Garneit Andrews, TIhos Semmesc, John
H. Pope. A. A. Cleveland.
For the Offce at Eatonton.-J. C. Mason,
H enry Branham, John Hudson, Alex. S. Reid,
Pulaski S. H-olt.
For the Offee at Athens.-Wma. L. Mitchell,
Thos. N. H amilton, John H. Newton, George
Dent, S. Thonas, John Billnps.
Rat jfcat ion of the TreatU.-T he Madisonion
of the 18th inst.. contains the following para
graph uipon the subject of the Annexation Trea
ty. We hopc the editor may not be deceived :
"Notwithstandtng the desperate labors (would
that we'could say patriotic labors) of the Intelli
gencecr, the opinion still prevails among men of
forecast, in Washington, that the Treaty of
Annexation will be confirmed. We think the
friends of Annexation throughout the Umton
may rely with confidence on the justice of the
Senate. The opinions of Messrs. Clay* and
Van Buren are merely the opinions of two men,
and are not likely to decide the course of the
.fify-two Senators, as nany may suppose. The
friends of thte measure may make their ar
rangemnents to celebrate its con'ummation."
The Washington correspondent of the Char
leston Mercury, under the same date says:
" The documents sent a day or two ago to the
Senate by President Tyler. it is confidently
thought will secure the ratification of the Trea
ty, unless certain Senators are determined that
n tothing shall be donte for the interests of the
country. that dues not emanate from their own
particul~ar cligne.
" The courte pursued by the President was
dictated by prudenice and fotesight, and does
not wat rant the wicked attempts made by op.
position prints to shewv that the act was one of
war uponl Mexico. The time witi not be tong
ere this step will have been proved to have
been essentially necessary."
017 The New Orleans Picayune of the 20th
inst., contains an account of an extensive con'
iagratinn whirch took place the preceding day
in that city. 300 houses, nearly all of wood,
with the exception of some large and costly
brick dwellings, were destroyed. It in sup
posed to have been the work of incendiaries,
as several attempts have been made to fire hou
ses in dif'erent parts of the city.
Dinner lo General Thomnpson...-ACcord
ig to previous notice, the dinner which
was tendered to the Hon. Waddy Thomp-'
so n,,our late Minister to Mexico, came off
tt the United States Hotel, on Thursday
of last week. The comlpanly was com
posed of members of both' political par
tee, and the greatest cordiality and good
feeling prevailed
The speech. of Gen. Thompson was
received with manifest marks of npproha
ion by the company present, and the nn
merous anecdotes with which it was inte
spersed, vere in the.lhighest degree, amu
iug and instructive.--Tem. Advocate.
ANNEXATION EETINGS.
At a meeting of the citizens of Richland
District, of all parties, It eld at Columbia]
on the 23d inst., the fallowing, in eonnee
tion with other patriotic resolutions, were
adopted, without a.gingle dirsenting. voices
V .Resolved, That the annexation of Tex
ad to the United States, is of vital impor
tance to the whole Union, and isdemand
ed, alike by a just regard to our obliga
tions under the -treaty of 1803, and the
welfare, harmony, and safety of the wliol
Confederacy.
Resolved,. That while annexation wilt
give a free market to the-manufacturers of
the North, and the stock and other products
of the West, it will secure to the South -a
frontier which if not secured by. a timely
forecast,'would become, in the hands of a
jealous and unfriendly power, a source of
infinite danger and annoyance.
6 Resolved, That Texas has a right - to
seek annexation to the United States, and
they have a right to receive her; that she
does not now, nor ever did belong to Mex
ico; that she was at most a confederate
State of the Mexican Republic, and was
driven off by the usurpation of the Central
-Governtent,and by multiplied wrongs and
abuses. -
"Resolved, That the open avowals, by
leading statesmen of England, of a desire
to overturn our Southern Institutions, and
that the Government of tlhat country-are
using all convenient occasions to effect this
object, as contained in the speeches in
Parliament, and -the despatch of Lord
Aberdeen to the British Minister, Ma-Pa
kenham, require at our hands the prompt
and vigorous use of all rightful measures
to counteract. designs so fatal to our own
safety, and the peace of the whole country.
"Resolved, 'T'hat the thanks of the coun
try are due to the President of the United
States, and to the virtuous and lamented
Upshur, for their forecast, and patriotic
zeal, in pro'moting and bringing to a hap
py conclusion, an object so importact to
the peace. the safety, and the happiness of
the whole country."
In Beaufort District, a large meeting
of the citizens was held on the 20th inst.,
to take into consideration the subject of
the Tariff and the Annexation of Texas.
The following, with other resolutions and
and a patriotic preamble were adopted:
" Resolved, That while the- people of
this State regard the Tariff Act-of 1842 as
a breach of faith, as well as a violation of
the principles of the Constitution, they
will submit to it so loog as they can hope
that a returning sense ofjustice will cause
its repeal, and that trusting confidently. to
the constitutional principles avowed by
the Democratic party, they look to it for
relief; butin the event that their reasona
ble expectations are disappointed, they
feel themselves bound to declare, that they
must, in accordance with their principles
and recorded pledges, adopt such measures
to redress their wrongs and restore the
Constitution; as in their opinion may bo
due to themselves and their posterity.
"Resolved, That we regard the 'recent
proceedings in Congress on the subject of
the Tariff, as closing the door to all hope
of relief from that body, and that .welire
lieve this important question, instead of
being decided on the pure principles of -
constitutional right and justice, has been,
and ever will be, made subservient to
party purposes and postponed to the inter
ests of aspiring politncians.
" Resolved, That wre highly approve
and commend the able, faithful and un
seasing efforts made by our Senators and
Representatives in Congress to obtain jus
tice for ua, and we earnestly hope, that
though defeated there, they will not cease
their efforts on their return home, but con
tinue to expose the intrigue and corruption,
by which the Rights of the South have
been bartered atnd betrayed.
" Resolved, That we regard the imme
diate re-annexation of. Texas to the Con
federacy, as a measure eminently condu
cive to the prosperity, the safety and the
strength of the whole Union. That it ap
peals to every American citizen with an
interest and influence that cazn never sub
side, but must go on, gathering strength
every day,untileconviction spreads through
out the length and breadth ofourTand, and
the opposition of selfish demagogues and
desperate fanatics is rebuked into silende.
"Resolved, That we believe it wonld he
no just cause of offence to Mexico to re
ceive Texas into our Confederacy, and
therefore, whether she assents or dissetst
to annexation, we earnestdy urge it upon
the Senate of the United States, to ratify
the Treaty forthwith; and thus defeat the
crafty designs .of Great Britain, and con
summate at once a measure, which can.
never be set on foot again under such'au
spicuous circumstances. . 4
"Resolved, That the conrse pursued by
the personal adherents and partisan pres
ses of the rival candidates for the Presi- -
dency, affords a mela'ncholy proof that this
great question is to be sacrificed in a mis
erable scramble 'for office; and that both.
Mr. Clay and Mr Van Boren have truck
led to Nor thern abolitionists, and by their
selfish ambition, and bare faced inconsis-.
tency, have forfeited all claim to thesup
port of'any. advocate of immediate annex
atton."
At a meeting of the citizens of.Kershaw
District, S. C., the following resolutions,.
in connection with an able report, was
adopted :
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this
meeting, it'is the duty of the Senate of the
United-States to ratify the Treaty now
before'it for the annexation of Texas to
the Federal Union.
"Reolved, That in the opinion of this
meeting, it is the duty of .the people of
this State and of the United States, in.
their primary assemblies, to give such ex
pressionof their opinions and feelings: on.
this subject,:as to leave no~doubt as to thie
popular will." * -
The citizens of Augusta, Geo.,at ameet
ing held on the 18th inst., on the subject
of the Annexation of Texas to the Union,.
adopted the following, in connexion with
other patrioti: resolutions:
ILThat wre have met to consider and e