University of South Carolina Libraries
The fact is,.tbat among the slaves*(the i African race these things are almost t wholly unknown. ' However frequent suicide may have been among those brought from Africa, I can say that in my time I cannot remember to have known o beard cf a single instance of deliberate self-destruction. and but one of suicide at I all. As to insanity, I have seen but one permanent case of it, and that twenty 1 yeate ago. It cannot be doubted that among three millions of people there must I be some insane and some suicides; but 1 will venture to say that more cases of both c occur annually among every hundred i thousand of the populaition of dreat Bri tain than among all our slaves. Can it be possible, then, that they exist in that : state of abject misery, goaded by constant I injuries, outraged in their affections and I worn down with hardships, which the Abolitionists depict, and so many ignorant and thoughtless persons religiously believe? I As regards their-religious condition, it is well known that a majority of the com municants of the Methodist an.d Baptist Churches of the South are colored. Almost everywhere they have precisely i the same opportunities of artending wor t ship that the whites have, and besides, special occasions for themselves exclusive 1y, which they. prefer. In many places not so accessible to clergymen in ordinary, Missionaries are sent, and mainly support- : ed by their masters, for the particular i benefit of the slaves. 'T'here are none 1 I imagine who may not, if they like, hear I the Gospel preached at least ouce a month I -most of them twice a month, and very < many every week. In our t.hinly settled country the whites fare no better. But- in addition to this, on the plantations of any size, the slaves who have joined the church are formed into a class, at the head o : which is placed one of their number. I acting as-a deacon or leader, who is also I sometimes a licensed preacher. This class : assembles for religious exercises weekly, semi-weekly, or oftuer, if the members choose. In some parts also Sunday schools for blacks are established, and Bible classes are orally instructed by dis creel and pious persons. Now where will you find a laboring population possesseit of greater religious advantages than these? Not in London. I am sure, where it is known that your Churches, Chapels and c Religious Meeting Houses, of all sorts, cannot contain one-half of the inhabit ants. I have admitted, without hestation, what it would be untrue and profitless to deny, tnat slave -holders are responsible to I the world for humane treatment of the fellow-beangs whom God has placed in their hands. I think it would be only fair I for you to admit, what is equally undeni able, that every man in independent cir cumstauces, all the world over, and every I Government, is to the same extent respon- : sible to the whole human family, for the condition of the poor and laboring classes in their own country and around them, wherever they may be placed, to whom God has denied the advantages he has given themselves. If so, it would natur ally seem the duty of true humanity and rational philatnthrophy to devote their time and labor.- their thoughts, writings and charity, first to- the objects placed ts it were under their own- immediate charge. And it must be regarded as a clearevasion and sinful-neglect of this cardinal ditty. to pass 1 from those whose destitute situatiron they can plainly see, minutely- examitre and efficiently -elieve, to enquire after the condition of others in no way entrusted to their cure, to exaggerate evils of which they cannot be cogninanu, to- expend all thetr syanputhaies a-md exhaust all thei energies on these- remaote objects of their unsnatural, 60m to say dangerous, benevo-I lence; and finally,.to calumniate, de nounce and endeavor so excite .the- indig nation of the world against their unoffend ing fellow creatures for not hasteuing underI their dictation to-redress wrongs which are stoutly and truthfully detnied, while they thenmselves go but lis'le farther in allevia ting those chargeable on them thatn openly and unblushingly tu acknoivledge them. There may be indeed a sort of merit in doIng so mttch as to make such an ac knmowledgemnent. but it must be very tumodest if it expects a ppreciation. * ~ I know of no Slur'cholder who has visited- tbe West iies .aince slavery was abolished, and published hi~s viewvs of it. All our facts anid- opinions come through the friends of the experiment, or at least those not opposed- to it. TPakinig these, even without allowance,- to be true as stated, I do not see where the abolitionists -find cause for exulsattoon. The tables of exports which are she best evidences of tie conditio)n of a people, exhibit a woful falling off-excused, it is true, by unpre cedensed droughts and hur-ricanes, to which their free labor seeins unaccount ably mnore subject than slave labor used'tb be. I will not go into detail. -It is well known that a large proportion of British Legisla tion and expenditure, and that proportion still constatntly increasing, is most an xious ly-dovoted to repairing the monstrous esros of emancipation'. You are actually gal: vanizing your expiring Colonies. The truth, deduced from all the facts, was thus pithily stated by, the London Quarterly Review, as long iago. ais 1840. .'' None of the benefits anticipated by mistakeni good intentions have been realized, wrhile every evil whished for by.kaaves-atnd foreseen * by the wise has been painfully. verifed.-= The wild rashness of fanaticism.has made the emancipation of Slavesiequivalent t the loss of one hdlf of the West Indies, and yet put back the chance of ndgrc civilization." ( Art Ld. Dudley's Letters-) Such are-the realfruits'of your never-tb be too-much glorified abolition, and the valuable dividetnd of- you rit wenty umilliors of- pounds sterling invested therein. If any farther pruof was wanted'of the utter arnd well known shoutgh not yet openly avowed failure of West Indian emancipation; it would be furnished by the startling. fact,. that the African Slave Trade has been actually revived under the auspices and protection of the British Governmen'.. Under the, specious guise of"' Immigration" they are replenishing those Islands with Slaves fronr.the Coast -of Africa. Your colotny of Sierra Leone, founded en that coast to prevent the Stave Trade. and peopled by the bye in the Grat instance by negroes stolen frotm those States during the Revolutionary War, is she depot wore-captives taken from Slavers 'by your irmed vessels are.transported. I might ay returned, since nearly half the Afri :ans carried across the Atlantic are under tood to be embarked in this vicinity. [he wretched survivors, who are there et at liberty, are immediately seduced to 'emmigrate" to the West ladies, The tusiness is systematically carried t.' by 3Iack "Delegates," sent expressly from he West Indies, where on arrival the -emmlgrants" are sold into Slavery, for wenty-one years, under conditions ridicu ously trivial and wickedly void, since few ir none will ever be able to derive any dvantage from them. The whole prime f life thus passed in bondage, it is ontemplated, and doubtless it will be arried into effect, to turn them out in heir old ageto shift for themselves, and o supply their places with fresh and rigorous "emmigrants.". Was ever a ystem of Slavery so barbarous devised efure ? Can you think of comparing it ith ours ? Even your own Religious dissionaries of sierre Leone denounce it - as worse than the Slave state in Africa." and your Black Delegates, fearful of the nfluence of these Missionaries, as well as in account of the inadequate supply o )aptives, are now preparing to procure he able bodied and comparatively indus rious Kroonen of the interior, by pur hasinp from their Headmen-the privilege if inveighing them to the West India arket ! So ends the magnificent farce erhaps I should say tragedy, of West ndia Abolition! I will not harrow your eelings by asking you to review the labors if your life and tell me what you and your trother Entbusiasts have accomplished or "injured Africa," but while agreeing vitb Lord Stowell, that "Villemage de ayed," and admitting that Slavery mhigh lo so also, I think I am fully justified by sassed and passing events in saying, a dr. Grosvenor said of the Slave trade, hat its abolition is -impossible." We are well aware of the light estima ion in which the Abolitionists, and those vbo are taught by them, profess to hold is. We have seen the attempt of a por ion of the Free Church of Scotland t eject our alms, on the ground that we ire " Slave Drivers," after sending. mis ionaries to solicit them. And we have een Mr. O'Connel, the "irresponsible naster" of millions of ragged serfs, from vhom, poverty stricken as they are, he contrives to wring a splendid privy purse, brow back with contumely the " tribute" if his own countrymen from this land of 'miscreants." These people may ex taust their slang and make black-guards 4 themselves,-but they cannot defile us. nd as for the suggestion to exclude- slave olders from your London clubs, we scout t. Many of us, indeed, do go to London, aid we have seen your breed of gawky fords, both there and here, but it never tered into our conceptions to look on hem as better than ourselves. Nor can ve be annoyed by the ridiculous airs of uch upstarts as your O'Connell's, Rit. hie's, lacaulay's, and the like. The tmerican slave holders, collectively or udividually, ask no favors of any man, or ace who tread the earth. In none of the itiributes of men, mental or physical, do hey acknowledge or fear superiority. else vlere. They stand in the broadest light f the knowledge,civilization and improve nent of the age, as much favored o leaven as any of the-son of Adam. Ex eting nothing undue. they.yield nothing nt justice and courtesy, even lo royal lood. They can neither be flattered oped, nr bullied out of their rights or heir property. -They smile with con em'pt' at scurrility aud vaporing beyond he seas, and they turn their backs upon where it is " irresponsibale ;" but inso ece that ventures to look them in the ce, will never fail to be chastiied. r- think. I may trust you wvill not regard his letter as intrusive. I shoul-d' never aveentertained an idea of writing it, had on not opened- the eorrespondlence. If on think anything in it rash, review your w-whicht Iregret that I lost soon after Swas received--.and you will probably nd thar you have taken your revenue >eforehand'. If you have not, transfer an iqtitable share of wvhat you deem severe o the account of the Ahbolitionistsat large. 'hey have accumulated- against the laveholders a balance of invective wich, with all our efforts, we-shall'not be able to iquidate much short of the era in which our National debt will be paid. At all vents, I have no desire to offend you' per onally, and, with the best wishes for your -ontinued healih, I have the htonbr to be, iour obedient servant. J. II. HAMMOND. Tikos. CLaarson. Esq. From the Southern Christian Advocate. PAsTORAL LETTER OF THE METHODIsT EPIscomA CoNVEN'TIoN. To-the Ministers .f- the several annual :onferences of the Mtithodist Episcopal LDurch, South. and'to all brethren-of their pastoral oversight, the Convention of said annual cotiferences-addr~ss thtis letter, with hristian salutation; We gratefully regard't' mati'er of con gratulation, beloved brethren, for which ur thanks-should-be offered at the throne af grace,' that we have been- enabtled to 'oduct the business confided to us' by yrou, with greet- harmony, and- except, perhaps, some incousiderable shadas~ of lifference on points of-minor import, with meeampled unanimity. Our agreement at all questions of imtportbnce, has-proha sly been as perfect as the weak 2ess of hbu nan iknowledge might allow-, or reason thotld require. . For full information of all that we have lone, we refer you to the journal of our proceedings, and the documents which ac pany' it ; 'particularly the Reports of the Committee on Organization, and on Mis iions. This-latter interest we have made the subject-'of a special letter, wishing to ring it immediately- to- the notice' of all nr churahes and congregations, '(to whom w- have requested the letter- might he rad,) to-engage their instant liberality. We made it a point of early inquiry in the course of our proceedings, to ascertain ithb what unanimity the annual cornferen. es representated by us, and the entire ody of the ministry and membership srbin their general - bounds, were known have concurreid 'in sustaini-ng the duels -tion of the Southern delegates 'in- thel ate 3enraltConference, and in approving of the.plan provided by that, conference fort du- being constituted a distinct ecclesias tical cotnedtiotd, separate from the North.: The committee on organization, being composed of two members from each of the annual conferences, was furnished with airpile-means of obtainit1; satisfactory in. formiation. 'The' members of the commit tee held meetings with their several= dele gations apart, and on a comparison of their several reports carefully made, it was found ihat both as to the members of the -annual conferences, and the lochl min istry ard membership of our entire terri tory. the declaration had been sustained, and a separate organization ralled for, by as great a majority as ninet'-fiveto faze. Nor did it appear that evenve in a hun dred were disposed to array themselves against their brethren whose interests were identical with their own, but that part were Northern brethren sojourning in our bor ders, and part were awelliug in sections o the country where the questions involved did not materially concern their christian privileges, or those of the slaves among them. So great appears to have been the unanimity of opinion prevaili-g,,both among the pastors and the people;as to the urgent necessity of the great measure which we were ideputed to effect, by or ganizing on the basis of the discipline, and the plan provided by the late General Conference, The Methodist E. Church. South. That on so grave a question, concern ing' interests so sacred, and affecting so numerous a people ispread over the - vast extent of the country from Missouri to the Atlantic ocean, and from Virginia to Tex as, there should be found some who dis sent, is what we could not but expect. But that the number dissenting -should have been so small compared to the numi berbf those who have required us to act. is, at least to our minds, conclusive proof of the absolute necessity of this action; as affording the only means left in our power to preserve the church in the more South ern States from hopeless ruin. Indeed the action of the late General Conference, without The interventjon of the declaration f the Southern delegates, and the provis ional plan for a separate Southern connec tion, ,.ust have immediately broken up all our missions to the people of colour, and subjoeted their classes in most of te Southern circuits to ruinous deprivations. Of this the evidence has been unquestion ble. And it munappear to-you, brethren. that for whatever reason so great an evil has threatened for a cause which the Southern delegates did nothing to pro duce, but resisted in the General Confer ence, that evil could not fall of being in-A flicted with redoubled violence, and to-ac still greater extent, if we, having a plat form legally furnished: for a separate or-Z ganication, should hesitate a moment to avail ourselves of it. It would be, in ef-' feet, to put ourselves, in relation to the laws and policy of the Southern people, in the same position which was so inje riously offensive i our Northern brethren, while it could not be plead in extenuation of the fault -that. that we were Northern men,.and ignorant of the state of affairs- at the South. into such a position we could no. possibly put ourselves; nor can- we think-that reasonable men would require. us to do so. - We avow, brethren, a;d we do it with the greatest solemnity, that nttiletve have thus been laid-under the imperative force f an absolute necessity to .organize the Southern and South Western Conuferentces into an independent ecclesiastical cunnee ion, whose jurisdiction shall be exclusive o all interference on the part of the North,' we do not withdraw fromt the true Chris tian and Cathotic pale of tI e Methodist hspiscopal Church. And that whilst we have complained, wtth grievous cause, of tte power of the majority of the General. Conuference on thtat power has been con ~trued and exercisetd, we have not com plained, and have no comnplaint, against the church in itself. .The General Con ference, or a majority thereof, is niot the church. Nor is it possible that that swould be the Methodist FEpiscopal Church which withdraws the ministry of the ges pel frog the poor, and turns her aside~ teom her calling of God "to spread scrip iure holiness over these lands," in (Irder to fulfil some other errand, no matter wvhat. We could not be Methodists at all, as we tiave been taught what Methodisin is, if with our knowledge of its nature, its aim, tts constitution, its- discipline, and of the ruin inevitable to the work of '.he mninistry in moat of the Southern States, if not itn all of them, should we still cleave to a Northern jurisdiction ;- we nevertheless could he persuaded to )ield the gospel laor a jurisdictional affinity with brethren, who, we believe in our hearts, cannot govern us without great injury to the cause of Christ in most parts of our work.- If we err, it is the spirit of Methodism-which prompts us to the error. We "call God for a record," that. as far as- we know our hearts, we intend nothing, we desire noth ing, we do nothing, having any other ob ject or aim but that the gospel may be proached, without let or hindrance, in all parts of our country, and especially to the poor. There is nothing belonging of right to the Church-her doctrines, her discip line,-her -economy, her usages, her elli ciency. Which we do not cherish in our itn most hearts. It is not the Church, nor any thing- proper to the Church, in her character as Christ's body, and consecrate to-the promotion of his cause in the earth, which we would disown,-or- depart from, or oppose ;-but only such-a position in the chureb na-one of her. sons would force us into,-antagonistic to her princ;ple.s, her policy, and-her calling of God. Nor yet can we be- charged with any factious, or schismsatic opposition to the General Con ferene, for- we have done- nothing, and mean to do'nothing,- not authorized by expiess enactment of that body in view-of the very- emiergetey- which compels -our acliti. - It had-been'to- muechto-expect, ceid ering the-weaktness of man, that suddenly rousted to resistaztce as-the Southern char chtes were, by the unlooaed for action in the cases of Bishop Andrew and brother Harding, there shtould not in some instan ces have escaped expressions of resent ment and unkindness.- Or that, put to the defence of the majority of the General Conference, where the evil complained of was so serious. the advocates of that ma joriy;shudnt smeimes. have.epr..se themselves in terms ihiesh seemed harsh and unjust. We deeply deplore it, and pray that for the time to come such exhi bitions of a mortifying frailhy may give place to Christian moderation. We invoke the spirit of peace and holiness. That brother shall be esteemed as deserving best, who shall. do most for the promotion of peace. Surely this is a time- of all others, in our day, when we should seek and pursue peace. A.coutinuance of strife between North and South, must prove prejudicial on both sides. The separa tion is made-formally, legally made and let peace ensue. In Christ's name let there be peace. Whatever is needful to be done, or worth the doing, may be done in peace. We especially exhort breth ren of the border conferences and societies, to forbear each other in love, and lahor after peace. Let every one abide by the law of the General Conference with respect o our bonds, and choose fur himself with Christian temper, and permit others te choose without molestation, between Nor:h andi South. Our chief care should be i maintain "the unity of the spirit in the )ond of peace." Methodisn. preserved ii what makes it one the- world over-the purity of its doctrines, the efficiency of it iscipline, its unworldiness, its zeal for god, its sell devotionu-is of iufinitelh ;realer value than a question of hound;.ry yr General Conference jut isdictiou nterel'. And now brethren beseeching you it receive the word of exhortation which we tave herein briefly addressed to you, an: umbly invoking the blessing of God upon you, according to the riches of his grace o Christ our Lord. praying for you. as ne always do, that you may abound iu every ood work. and confiding in your prayers or us, that we may be found one with youl n faith and charity at the appearing of Je Pus Christ, we take leave of you, and rettirn rom the work which we have now futfilled o renew our labours with you and amou. you in the Lord. Signed, on behalf of the Convention. JoshUA SoULE, presidents. JAs. O. ANDRW. Thomas 0. Sunmers. Secretary. Louisville, Ky., May 16th, 1845. FARTHER MEXICAN ITEMS. Since our last we have conversed with a very intelligent gentleman-one who has travelled much over Mexico within the last six months-who informs us that business of every kind is excessively dull, bat all confidence is lost, and that a wild State of confusion reigns in almost every section. Nothing, he thinks, will restore perfect order and firm tranquility save the estatishment of a monarchy, and the call of some foreign prince to the throne thus created. The people are becoming more and more unable to govern .themselves anarchy is every day progressing with fearful strides. Murders and robbeties are constantly occurring, and on the most ptblic roadh and in the most public places. But a fen days since Don Manuel Asunzulo, the new Gove.rnor Durango, was robbed within a short distances of Fresmillo, and an . lt and favorite servant-the only one of ht party armed-was kilfed'on the spot. lre was on his way to assume the duties of his office at the time, and the robbes among other things, despoiled hi-'m of , beautiful pearl necklace he had purchased for his wife, and which was valued al near $2000. Asunzulo is spoken of as at officer of superior attainmzents- havint bieen ediucated in this country. The dilt geneecs between Zeralecas and the city of Mexico are robbed daily. and the samei the case on all the pothlic roads. Thouw ands of Santa Anna's old soldiere arn prowling about the coutntry, and as the: have no other meaas of' supiport they rn themselves into hands and-live by pillage ~The poor Governmtent- all this while. with all its talk about subjeetring Te~xas anm declaring war against the United States cannot disperse these brtgauds frotm its very mids1. The entire country is in a political for meut. A strong feelintg manifested in dif erent sections in favor of the Federa C:onstitution of '24, and the.. e.xperitnetn of again trying that system is miuch agita ted. Santa Anna's old frienids andI adher eits, strange as it may seem, are workin zealously to bring this about. Of cours' they hope that something may gron ou oif it which will again pilace their favoiritt in power-the real good of the couummryi tever thought of by them. Then, again we learn that Gomez Fat'ias, always staunch anti unwavering republican, is it favor of thte measure from the hest an< mnost patriotic motives. Many think thu lie will shortly be in power. If this do" happen, he will make strentuous exerliotn to relieve his-country from .misrule ; an< to eilect this his first blow will be agains the rich and itntoleraut religious establish ment which has long weighed like an in ubtus upon the neck of Liberty. Wt are fearful that he cannot succeed.. We notice that one tif the Englisl papers, received by the recent arrivatl chuckles- with great satisfaction over the annotneement that the Mexican Conigres, had declared any one a-traitor'who wojlk propose treating with-Texas lor' her indie petdence. Whlat will the editor say whet he learns that but a week or two after wards, this satme Congress, with the tnl of their former dettunciatory fanfitfonade hardly dry authorized- the President i open negotiations n ith the same Texas asking of him no t.ther obligation that that tho honor of the greist Mexican-natioi should remain, as it always has been; un sullied ! So they go. Six. months or year at farthest, will wind up) the ahI'air of the present Government-what th new one will be is-- more than we can di vidfe. -Lay Consention of the Methodist E Ctnchi in Kentucky.-The Christiant i telligencer, of Georgetown, (Ky.) a Meth odist paper and edited by at clergytmn contains a-call f'or a Conventiomr of tha laity of the Methfodist Episcopal Church to consider the impropriety of the actich of the ministers at the Louisville Conven tion in relation-to the separation of thb body int. Northern and Southern divis ions. This muvement is an extraordinar' one for that body of people, but i' is oni of' the characteristics or the times. Being kissed to death by a pretty girl now tyle "cpita pudehmnt. got aSnttt etv. EDG EFIELD C. H. WEDNESDAY, JOE 35, 1845. Invv -- We will cling to the Pillars of the Temple of Our Liberties. gad if it must fall, we' will per ish amidst the Ruins." Rain -On Thursday last a fine rain fell at .his place, where it was greatly needed. Good rains have fallen in this neinhborhood. 'an'd ether portions of the District. although several plantations are still suffering from drought. DEATH OF GEN. ANDREW JACKSON. We clothe our papei to-day, in mourning, dn .jccot it of the.death of General Adrew Jack ,a,. This illustrious hero, statesman and pa. riot is now n longer among the living, but is reposing in the last resting place appointed for e children of men. In the Janguage of Mr. Calhoun, "this remarkable man had the facul ty of Impressing his own character upon the times in which ,he lived." Since the days of tienerul Washingtonno man has filled so large a.space in the history of our country. No man had warmer friends-=no man had more bitter enemies. Praise and honor have been meted out to him most abundantly.. Faults he tm doubtedly had-let them be buried'wtih hies in the grave. ltcann)t he denied, that he had many high and commanding traits of charac ter. He was a Patriot. He loved his country, and in hi last illness, her glory and her pros perity were ever in his thoughts. Had it been consistent with the will of an all-wise Provi dence, we would have rejoiced to have seen his life prolonged, till the annesation of Texas. 'Wiat happiness woild have been his..coukt he had lived to see one more stat added to our glorious galaxy. But it was not so -to be. The great God hns called him hence, and we shall look upon his face no more. His name alone remains, and the muse of history will chronicle his deeds in her enduring pages. Frum the Nashville Union. Death of Generat Jackson.-Generai Andrew Jackson died) at the fHermitae at 6 o'clock, F. M., on Sunday, the 8th in Stat. ilia funeral takes place to-day at 11 o'clock. He breathed his last quietly, calmly. and with entire resignation, amidst the beloved members of his family aye a few intimate frien: who were present. Death had no terrors for him-lie met him with composure, and witi a full -confi dence that ie was prepared for a better world. Death could not have taken' him by surprise nt any moment for more than a year-he has been ready at all times to they the dread summons. When the ttessetnger finally cante, she old Soldier. Patriot and Christian wts looking out liti his approach. lie is gone, but his memo ry lives, and will continue to live. Gent. Samuel Houson.-T his distin. guished soldier and statesman, from our sister repubtlic of Texas, reached Nash vile on Sunday evenintg. He was imme diately itiformed of the extremely daniger rums illness of'Gen. Jackson, and wihnui 'leliy proceeded to thme H-ermitage. We regret that he reached thiero a few tiinuitee Iafter the Old der-o ex-pired' lie' wa there itt' time to grasp the hnnd ol his friend, btut it was cold itidenth. lH-i' ~a there in time to aid itt closing the eyes ii his friend; hut not to receive the warns welcomec of friendship. Public MWeeting in Charleston.-A numtierons and respectable meetittg of the citizens of Char. It-ston was hmeld on the 18th instant. We coni sider such a measure as very priper on the oc casion of the death of General Andrew .Jack son. In compliance witht resoltins wvhich were introdtuced, a committee of''46 was'ap pninzted to select an Orator to deliver an Ora tioni incotmmemuoration of the life and virtues (of thme deceased. A resolution was passe~d. "that thme Governor he regnested to call the at. tention-of the Legislature to this stubjectrand the Legislature is hereby reqnested to pay, athd Satnso to be paid to the memory of Geb. Jbek s on, such tribute as-niay be deded byvposter imy, worthy of the' State, amnd worthy of the pa triot hero who has left his impression on the age in wvhich he lived." We learn frotn the Mercury of the 21st inst., that the committee appoimnted by the meetmng. to designate a persotn to prononce -a Eulsugy on (beneralJackson, at their session yesterday. unanimously tnminated the lHon. F. HI. El. more, and that he has accepted the noniination. We call attention to thme Pastoral Letter- of lie Cottvention of the Southern: Methodists. which recently assembled at louisville, Ky. From the letter it will be seen, as our readers already know, that at the recent assemblage of this body, the Souithern, and Sozithwestern -Con~ferences wiro organized intodan indepen dent ecclesiastical cotnnect ion. whose juriidic tion ahall be exclusive of all interfemence on the part of the North. The late Conivention fornied sixteen atntual Coniferences, to-wit/ Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia. Holston, North Caro. lina. South Carolina- Georgia.' Tetidlessee, Memphis, Alnbama; Mississippii M-kainsas; Florida, East Texas, West Texai, and the In diati M ission Coniference into -a sopiirate eccle siastical connection, agreeably to the provis ions of the last 'General Conference. Thiu is styled -'The Methodist Episcopal Church, South." The action of th'e Convention has zeceived the approvzl-of the great body of the Southern Methodists, and ofite Southern! people at large. In separating. from theit Northern brethren, the -Conventiont dotmbttess hast discharged a most'solemn duty, leaving the: conseqtuences to God. We trust that increased ..od in the Southern States may be 'he result. We admire the christian spirit which pervaded the assembly at Lonisville;and hope that it will produce a beneficial effect upon all the Meth odist Societies in the Northern States The Hughes Family.-During the past weeps several Concerts were given - by the Hughes family, at this place. We had an opportunity of hearing them, and must say. That we ware highly pleased. The oldest boy, D. E. Hghes. is a brilliant harpist, and elso a fine performer. on the Concertina, a newly invented .instru' ment. The youngest boy, J. 4. Hughes; plays with great skill upon the Violin' and Miss Hughes the very image of a faisy or spiiit of it, sings -sweetly. and plays .well upon 'tle harp. She personates certain characters alo with great spirit and fidelity. Some pieces in particular were executed in a brilliant manne, y these little minstrels, and drew the most rap snrous applause. A large, and fashionable an, ience graced the occasions ou which they per formed, and in the; contptaiy were manyof'tbe' post beautiful of the gentler sex. Election in Ftorida.--Mosely beoaiis lected Governor by a large majority,.UIhvy is elected to Congress by upwards oel700'-mas... jority. The Dempcrats have a considerble majority on joint ballot in the Legistature ' This body met on the 23d instant. Two U. S. Senators will be elected. We have received the first number of the "Sarthern Family Journal,"a neutral paper; published at Hamtburg:by -Messrs.'Wray and Murray, who are practical printers.' The nan. ber before us contaiis much interesting. -rat' ter. original.and selected. We transfe tt . pleasure to our exchinge list, and: hoipe t. the proprietors will receive .a share of puilie patronage. bestructire Fire at Philaddphia. -Veryre cently a desirueiive fire broke out-in the Ac adepny of Pine Arts at Philadelphia, by which manv of the most valuable-paintings by Amer. ican painters aid- Europeans, were destroyed or greatly injured- It was supposed to be the work of an indendiary, - Fire at: Fayetteville. N. C.'-From theesnb joined, it will be seein that a great fire his taken .place at Fayetteville. . The following extract of a letter reh ceived in this town, will aford the reader some idea of the extent of the confiagr4 tion. "FAYETTEVILLIE, N. C. June 13. " now sit'down to comnnunicate, ver distressing intelligence. The whole bust ness part of the town is in ashes! This f morning. about 3 o'cloek, a fire was discovered in the row of warehouses- in the rear of E. Fuller's store; and-thewiid blowing fresih at the time, and the build ings very dry; it spread in diery directiotr, before anything coold be done to arrest its progress. Fire.-The Georgetown- O.bseaer of Saturday last says :-We oiderstand that she large and valuable steam -saw-'mil "wued by Augustus Smith,Esq. on the Waccanaw river, took fire during the high west wind on Wedhef'day last, nd wPas consumed ahlogether,.withb'na djoiri ing building and a harge quantity of sawed S'nber. Loss estimated at e12,00." The beather during the *eek.has been -afosiyely warmi, but, we have been for- di iauately'iited lay three or fotrr.fine show ers, which has materially alter-ed the ap pearance of the gardens, and ocentring in the eveninags, assistedmnuch in adlding~ to hie pleasantness of the nights. Frome.r4 ppearance of' the river, which still con rinues-very low, we presume they have anot had miiueh. if any rain'above us, lately. - Haumburg Re publican. - l're at Georgetowon.-By the Steamer Anson. Capat. White,-arrived last evening from Georgetoawn, we learn that a fire occurred at that place about J0 o'clock, Wedniesday Evening last in the Rice Mill owned lay B. King, J. M. Commander, and J' It. Chirisiiann. Esgrs. The-build ings conisistinig of a- Mill, Bern and.some -Store R oomns, w-ithi about 26,000 bushels' Rough Rlice, were enatirely consumed. -T'he fire was first di,cove'red issuing from the engine room. We are informed that spart of the Rice was insured. but' that -there was no insujrance on the buildiags. -Chtas -.krcury. - L' /itnig.UpnSunday afterhooh asautfour o'clock. 'he'kitchettotf the . Americana Hotl, occupied byR E.R. Hun ter,- Esqc.. in this town, was struck by lightning; the fi'aid passed down the side' ofa chiney, lina the dining room, where it parily demolished a safe -coantaining crockesy ware, &c.bgwhich was consideira bly injured. .The appointment of-the Hron.-Ev~uis Mc'Lane to the Engi Missiotr io'ei ally announced: We copy the'retr of the' Union on the oecasion. tand-en'tirely -agree with the--editor in his praisi.35Mr. _McLnue ranks undonbied amonig ei at metu:of- thie eduniry, and his-expeneoace mn pnblic affairs makes his appointmnent to this responsible .piosi,'e'minently; appropri aie.-Cas. Mercury. - '2he Narch 'of Imnprovemerit.-The ma chinery of two large Stoii:Engines pagt through this: p'e the 'tirer d-ay, zone to' the Cow Pens' Furnacfe,'and the other to Cherokee Iron Works;- to facilitite" be Manufacture of' It'on. AE new Cotton Factory lies lately been establishied. 16 miles north of- tlais pthcf. The Machinery is new and on an improved plan. A'ccomiplishinlg tmore'with the usual modieniUm. A considerable improvement we under stand, bar'beien made at Glebp.Springs for-the aceoi&moduiion of Visitors. - .A nonlberof new and aliliatt buildings are goin6 up in ilhisi Villagdtid others - areunder contract. ofistnte Cherokee-Springs,8-miil#s bhove this, and' and were entertained~ mine fosit and Hostess Mr. Fielding .Ttarand.Lady, in a mannei- which added gyostly to our comfort for the shori time we spent under their hospitable roof, it is but justice to say. tbat verim fortable lodgings catr be hiad i~r