Edgefield advertiser. (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, January 13, 1847, Image 2
Somae Important Faces connected whitjr the
Disevmyof Gun:Coton
O the 14th or October last, immediate
ly btrlearniog'tat-Cotton had been'con-.
verted.inta-an explosive material, Proes
ToW* Eltet,-a~f the f~uonth Carolina Onilege,'
discovered the process which, (weeks af
terwards.) wss published by Otto. This
process consisted. in, the employment of
very stiong NitiAcid.'
On the 31st of' October, Prof. ElIet
disco'vdedfibe ,rocess which he subse
quently found to be identical with that of
MchQnbein,,sud Which consists in the em
ployment of a mixture of strong Nitric
and Sulphuric Acids ; but Dr. Ellet at
orce discarded this process, as he fad the
former one, for the reasop, thait it was too
cditly.
On the 10th- of November. Dr. Ellet
employed-Saipetre dissolved in Sulphuric
Acid, as a cheap aid easy way of procu
ring the desired result, and on the 10th of
November be psa using such solutions
with entire success and great economy in
preparing the Gun Cotton.
Thn esseuial- feature of this last pro
cess, (which ho has'since'imp roved by the
rubstitudien of Nitrate of Soda for Saltpe
tro.i -onsists in dispensing with the em
ployntt of a previously prepare I and
costly Nitric -Acid, which was regarded as
an objectionable feature'in :the other pro
cess. It i quite certain that Gunu Cutnou
. made by Prof. Ellet's process, can be of
forded at least 70 per cent cheaper than
by any other thus far discovered.
If the experiments made at the Ordi
nance Department in Washington are to
he relied upon,-Gun Cot ton mado by Prof.
* Ellot's process is vastly superior to, that
which was used.in-these experiments, and
which it is well known, was made by
Schonbein's process.
Dr. Ellei's, process, as we understand
it, furnishes an article which has the fol
lowing properties. It differs but little in
appearance from ordinary cotton,;-it does
not explode at temperatures below 3730
Farenheit-It requires- very violent per
cussion to explode it, so that there can be
no danger in using i- arising from this
sorce. It bears exposure to the sun, the
air, rain, dew or frost, with )ut change or
deterioration. In proof of this, we would
state, thai portions of it have been lying
on the roof of an otbuilding since the
20th ayof November exposed to every
?i4iibp.heri 'ssitude, which are. now as
gnid aswhe i prepared. When used
properly-in fire arms, it leaves tno moisture
Wits solid residue is almost iuappreciable.
and does not soil the piece.
We havermadp this statement from a
sense of justice to Dr. Ellet. and becauw
eircumstanccs would seem to indicate, if
we mistake-not, the existence of soetto in
fluence in'asbingto-, unfavorable to his
discovery, which be both unjust and .un
generous.. We sincerely hope that events
may prove that these- apprehensions-are
'undless.-Palmet Banur.
-e ,~ t t e e . c bcaare
mentsthat foflo e~i, even whenaOt.p
pared in strict conformit to the mode pre
scribedby that gentleman,we:hjve deemed
it expedient to re-publish the precise pro
ccss by ,which he now prepaes-ta .
What Dr. Ellet claims asa' discovery,
and wit!, we learn, ask aipatent for, con.
.is t immersing Cottotn and other vege
table substances to a state of suitably
inmiaute. division, in :a liqilid which .is
formed by dissolving eithe'rounimori Salt
.petre,or the Nitrade of Soda in good Oil
of Vitrol- for a certain length of time
then washing it freely it; water-subse
quently in water cotainmrg a minute
quantity of Aqua Amnciiouia, and final3y
drjing it
To produce the Explosive, or Gun
Cotton of good quaitwy, one part tby weight
of Satpetre, is iisolved at common temn
peratures, in two and one half parts by
weightt of Oil of Vitriol, iit a broad and
-shallow vessel, and the Cotuontis-tntrodu
ced in as large qu:tuntaies as can be
thoroughly wet by the liquid. It ts left
in this condition for a period of from half
an hour to an hour and a half, varying
with the temperature, c., mnd then is to
be tnoroughly wased- with large quanwi
ties of water, until its new taste is re
moved. It is finally washed with water
- - containing so small a quantity of Aqita
Ammoni.a as to be barely perceptible to
the taste- The operation is completed b~y
. drying the substanco either by a steamt
heat, or bty exposulre to the air.-The' pro
*- portions of Saltp.:tre and Oil of Vitrol
above stated, ridmit of considerable varia
tion. Thtequanttties given-t. htowever-. are
consid'ered very conivenient foi use. The
proce-s may be varied also by su.\iecting~
the Cotnon previotus to washing it witht
.water, to suitable pressure.. ulherety a
portion of - he soutionf canr tbe "r.eed on:
-end used in a scondt popehAa('-a
Tile Naita oi Sod.:I MI." Osedi wahj
advantagc in preparncg in (60 Cotton.
*Igis a cheappr article than Saltpetre, and
ca be used in small quanties to produce
the samei resuit. Prof. Edlet claimq as
part of his discovery, the usa of' Nitrate of
Soda as wellas that of Sah petre io soln.
tion in Oil ofVttriol. Hei moreovet claims
as we stated sonme weeks ago, the inven- 1
tion of a new Sabine mixture in comnposi- I
tion, which is of high value as a muauure
for agricultural uses, and which catn be
applied with great advantage also in the
manufacture of Alum and.other Chemical'
-compounds of extensive use- in t he A rts.
. By addiug to the waters -which haver
been used for washing the cotton -or other !
-vegetable .substance emnployed, marl, or
any other form of limestone-honOecahos, I
-or unburned bones,. in proper quantity, s
-andievaporating, a substance is formed of 5
yery high value as a manure. The quan- g
-tity oiti manure is many times greater e
than. hatef the cotton employed. The ti
matters which Dr. Eliet claitms as being g
of his own indpendent discovery, may.
therefore be statrd 'as followe :t
1st. The eniploydtent of Saltpetre at
dissolved iri OilVj iraas a materiul a~
for converting com'pon cotton into' Gun eci
cotton. . . fBI
2d l'hie employmeuIoNisraite of Soda I g
dissolvsd in Oil of Vteo1 for -ithi same l
3d. The final wishing in wayter eon
adning'Aq a Ammonia.
4th. The preparationof tin :-article
highly iervieeabl&o agriciltire as an .in
cidental product of the manufacture of Gon
Conaon by hbig process.
-Stb. The.preparation of an article. can
sable of being employed with advantage
in the manufacture ofAlum. which article
is also an incidental product of the Gut
Cotton by his process.-Paltetuo Ban.
From tie N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
APPROACH TO THE CITY OF MUEXico.
If a march to the Mexican capial. from
Vera Cruz as the starting point. is deter
mined on by the great military sages at
Washington, we all have an interes' in
knowing what is to lie encountered on the
road. The following itinerary, as it may
be called, has been made tip from authen
tic sonrces, and is believed tobe accurate.
Vera Cru.-The city of Vera Cruz is
walled round, with a fort at each extrem
ity of the watsr front : the walls on the
land side are loopho!ed for muskery.
Parapet guns have been recently mounted
on the walls. The city walls are very
thick, of coral rock ; the walls of the hou
ses are ususlly 26 feet thick, and the roofs
are flat. Each house has a cistern or cis
terns of rain water. The city is well
paved.
From Vera Cru to Mexico -About ten
miles from Vera Crtz is a stream 200
yards wide, crossed at a ferry in scows, or
by swimming horses over.. The next
stream, about 30 miles from Vera Cruz. is
fordable. and is also spanned by a wooden
bridge.called Pcucnte del Rey (the King's
bridge,) and also the cational bridge. Near
it on the right is an eminence of about 60
feet, on v-hich is a. fort, completely cor
manditng the approach and bridge.
Be:ween these -bridges and Jalapa the
road passes near several -heights. from
which the natives can annoy invaders on
the raad.
City of Jalapa.-This city stands nn
very elevated ground, yet for many miles
the ascent is quite gradual. From the
city Vera Cruz is visible, as is also the
sea, 90 miles distant. The city itself is
upon a high hill-highest in the centre, so
that the streets incline conaiderably ; so
much so that tin wheeled vehicle ran pass
along any of them except the main street.
or road, which has a considerable rise and
descent. The city is surrounded by a
wall, and has a strongly built Church near
the Western gate, which could ie conver
ted ittlo a citadel. The streets arc paved.
The houses, as in other Mexican towns. arc
ofstone, with flat ro'ofs and iron barred
windows. Opposite the ciiy,'on the left
of the road. is a hill fton: which the road
night be annoyed and- shees thrown into
the town For the distance of si. or se
ven tni!cs b~efore reaching.the tnu the
road is a handsome. and stibstantial st'ue'
ture of chaquered pave-ent, and must
have been very costly. -
Perote.-At the base of a high mount,
bearing the same name, some distance
from the road on the lefi, is a cluster of
ho::ses, with a Church, called Pernte.
Cityof Perok--Oppoyite;'onrthe.i
of. the -radi, andicommaiding ti
encircedi by a deep dry fosse-or dii.cli
TIre miinentrance is bygoing overa che
rauar de frize by a -.stile, descending some
twenty five or -thirty stone steps to the
b: tion of the fosse and crossing it to the
gares. which are-ou a level with uhe hot
tny of Puleba.-This city is *walid
aind fortied. It is huilt of s'.one and the
ctr'.en nro well paved. Contaic.ns bu1
JQ00,(000 inhabitnts. H ere tsnte~r is abiun
da~nt, but from ghbe national bridas to thi..
city no warer cto be obtained -the noiires
subrstitng pulqui -as a heverage.
I'rom , ;ihapa mo Pueblda thu-re arcee.c::
stounal i:igtits near th-- roeid, w"hich. if for
tified, mrn; annoy in uad ers. In ,,; frotn
W'ra Cruz to Piuebla liha is :nhe case-the
traverl blinvg asltniately o ;etr broad utnnh.
strurted roua-ts. anid tnarromw paemes. cam
mnan ted by iirights. T he ro-i! pa-e
through Pu. 'a. Tfhe Pur4/auo~s hatve a
rteutli-ir character ; they are ennning nud
couragecuq, atnd th- most c:Cpert roun.-r*
and aswas-ztns throughout Mexico. where
there i' no lack of such. If an oflf-ndler i.s
brought hefore an alcade, anty wher' else.
arid is known or ascertained to be a Poe
ha no, hi. con'ienaiuion is cure. Cordot'a.
A small walled and garrisoned town.
through which the road passes. fieyond
Putebla the road is good till it reachens 'he
mountain of Cordova, about ihe mtidhway
between the former and1 tile cy7 -f Mtexi
co. where the ascent is very ruggred and
sleecp, thotugh without defiles. Near dhe
r-ovtd. at the ieet of this mttntain, pnsse~s
the R~io Fro. or cold river, which has it,
rise in rthe nueighboring mnountain of Pu
;pocam;petl, 17.000) feet atbove the level
w~alheu A work cn somie of the heights
r)t Pop.ocatap,-:tl wuild romm uand the road.
Aiter-leavmng thie muounttain of (Cordoval
the road is good and unuubstructedl, wit h
pienty or water to the city ot Mexico.
j r aever-ei mnib-s betn.re rencening that cit3
be road is delightful, passirg bet ween; par
;Ilti canails and rows of Lombhardy popp
a rs.
TJize Lake of T'excuco -TisInkccncom
n.-nce~ on thte right or the rioad. inear tte
ity, into which its waters are calrriedr iv \
anal, the latter serving al-so to drain I,.
uttters. &c., into the lake. Tue so cuall
akre is a large, long and very irre~rularly
hiaped basin, shallow, anid containiing, no
nerous small isl~inds anad covere-d Iby my
ia ts of wild dlucks. Trhe deptrh of water
aries with die seatson ; in the rainy tontths
Lie basin is tilled. and then it assumes 'be
pp~earance of a large lake. Beinug the re
eptacle of all the draintings from the city
is very filthy. Tlho oaual from thte city
asses through it, fed by its waters, five or
x miles in a south east direction to the
r~allfortofChalco, at the extreme mrar
in of the basin in that direction. This
anal is used fir transporting produce into
te city, anid for pleasure excursions in
undolas, &c.
City of Mexico.-Like all other Mexi
an ctties this .has walls and houses of I
one, with flaatroofs. &c. It is well paved; I
gutter fourfeet wide. passes throngh the I
tutre of each street. covered by broad flag I
anes, remnovenble at pleasure. -Alf the C
ttters are drained into th.e canal or lake.r
be city has many large and strong Chum
sa ntrI other geat kbthdue asil,- .on- nt
vaoted into fortresses. If its*alsswere
Fbrid rnountld witli caii nnd'
well garrisoned, it.could mk 'e aoraijit
bie resistonce to beseigers.
During the festival days, which are very
numerrous. the haciendas for tweeyy or
thfirty miiles around rend ito the cty not
less than 10,000 mounted peasantryef the
better class, most expert horsemead:They
are courageous, and skilful.. in. the use of
lance, lasso and mrachere, which isf rge
and heavy knife. Nothii more ard
be necessary than for the padres ino o firth
into the streets .f th. principal cities, ar
ticularly Pue bla anda lenico, elevate--tieir
crosses a nd, appeal to the bigotry ofithe
population, to rally an immense-force of
bold, active and desperate meb tiho
would make fierce resistance to an. inva
sion. And if invaders should force their
way in assassinations by the hane so
mary expert murderers, would soo 'make.
fearful inroads on their numbers.
The N. 0. Delta, whieh has donte its
full share of fault finding with theTPresi
dent for allowing Santa Anna Totreturn
unmolested to Mexico, in its issue pf the
24th inst., admits that in all probability
that step vgill turn out favorable tolpeace.
We quote the Delha's remarks, whieh-pre
sent a very sensible view of the risition
and plans of the Mexican Geieiral
But we are not prepared,-olidmit,
"with the lights now before' us.' s M-r.
Van Buren used to-say when callei ot- to
give an opinion on the subject ofal tarif4
that Santa Anna will- not bene puw rfnl
instrument in bringing about a satisfactory
peace. Those-who are stronger dos ctes
of peace than we pretend to lie; who
would justify -any means to prncid co,
may yet have to retract their 3eo na
tion of ir. Polk's conduce in flair.
The remark in the messag ,..r
mains to be seen whether is .may
riot prove to be favorable .jimri ad
justient of the existing -di may
yet prove true, - and in case ea, the
lois's of peace, who liaie so I~redly
prononnced the conduct of te President
as weak and blundering, may fi6 cause
to change their tone into one d: compli.
menrof Mr. Pflk' hugaciry.
All the i-itcrests and feelitbgs manta
Alta are opposed 'o the edti rrdn ace of
this wa-r with the United Sjt . liis
large estates, his interest in the eke, in
the mercanile enterprises of. tb u'niry,
his private monied resources,-- ich he
watches with an eye scarcelykl keen
rind vigilant than that which'ts, "upon
the "fleeting favor" of theer who
support-him, are seriously ditiiT slied in
vai:e and reduced tn income i, 'fIii war.
Besides, he known better than-fii' man
in Mexico, save Altonte, . i private
counsellor and unfailing fries he. vast
resources and resistless powetn iasJni
on. -He laughs in his sleeg.at ~;giupia
I followers when he liears*hetir 1 d' bravos
over his high-soundiniup.oisain ens, in
whicb be deelares his 'ieter 40, - to
carry the g'ar to thebauks o7V .tine.
But on the pasiOus add Ri othis.
mnass'he 'depead. for to. the
conisrider iainst''Ifie, ;wealhi-,
en'thusiauir it) defeihe of"h e 'uiry eel
leeis tigether a large army tiree undred
miles fromithe enemy, and. prepares Po
great effort.-But soon -the valor of tt,s
Mexican levies w ill grow cold, thi supplies
wll coie in slow, desertiots will be fre
quent, and the romaoce aud'ititerest of the
whole afi'tir will ev.:porate it a :.oke.
The evacuatnon of st' imiporiant a post as
Tampico. can only be explained by sup
pOSing2 thmt santa Atnna, to promote his
pacific views., wishes to gives the [Jrdteei
states anchl posi on, as would redncee the9
cotntesit to the i~sue oft a Smge desper-sie
battle to he foughtt befo~re .mt JLuidwei;
korowing th.at 31 exicamt ntrcune and firmr
ness wouhl not stand s'.ch an issue, ani
wh Ien it a pproiached thait, a heir t hough:
wodsoon lie "benit ott peace." Anty
othe' viw wnt-di do injustice io Santa
Anna's stigachyv; for .vhat generail, w ith
t he eiiglt'.est psretentio:n. tojudgmnent. skill
'ir exptertence, wiould int a countty. so ad1
mriratbly adapted for defensive wuirfare at.
Miexico, where at every villaae stream and
motnnitain pass, a smtal botdy oft mn
mitght keep at bay, or seriodsly damnage a
large mtvadting tore, would collect ie
fores into tone solid biody. and gniet ly
await until an enemns of superior mean~s
and courage shall think proper -to attack
fromnt Mlotety, thai Gen. Tiuitir enter
toins the opint 'hit the ii am isconcludled
anrd t hat Congress will under thinftiluenice
of Sanrt: Atuaa. a, soon as it ztieer, de
clars ini .., v.or of pitiee.
. Fromt the XV 0. Picay/une, Jan. %.
F ROM ThlhE .- E-A r 01" i A11.
I.afler from I 'ampico -Iruportant from~
Gien. W~ori--uoneentrutjon of Truoops
Namai' Anti..
Th %tasar Vrivnia. Captain S-rith
ari'iv-ur last e ccong- fromt TIa-tpicni, via
idraz.- intst, having left the Br azos
othe 27th tilt. T'he brig Empriessrio, I
(;i:aun Coilhots, w-ich sailedl from Tam-i
piicot on the 26mo, also arriveri last ntighit<
By the'se vealjs wi. haive .P'-ived lette.r,
fromt Mr. Lumnsden, .t '1 aenei, e'ime 'it 1
which we gave below.- fn:. '.,n:oin all
alhe intellbgence brought fromt TIampico,.
anid cleat up some points itt the raccotants
previously eeceived Which appeared ob
sentre.
We have coniversed with a gentleman
whto ennm passeniger in thie Virginia. fromin
Brazsa, anid who is ahrmect fromn M~onierey. r
lie kintdly furuishediu5 witht the following(
infommationi, iwhichi is highly imnportant, if
there he no error in the accouts.-They l
wets fully credited'at the Brnzos. and are ni
:onifirnied by Capit- Brower, of the schr.
ERobert Mills, who arrived last evening ai
rom that piort. s
An '-xpress from Gen. Worth.- at Sal- it
illt,, arrived at Monterey on Wednesday, i4
lie .16th of Deceimber.. It brought tne x'
ews that Gen Worth had1 learned through
is spies that Sants Anna:'was -Withtin ia
bree day.s' march of Saltillo, at this head bi
f an army of tweti''or thirty thousand C
men.--Te express bore a ca-ll upon Gen. fr
'aylnr for'reiniforcements.: Gen. Taylor~ a
nd hiim staff had left Monterey... the .i...
15th ull,-the day before the ospress or
rived-tor Victoria to join his command,
which was-two days'. march in advaine
of him.
Gen. Butler, in commlnd at Monterey,
immediately sent off despatches in Gen.
,Marshall. at Cumargo, and Gen. Patter
son at Matamoros, to send forward without
delay all the troops they could spare from
their commauds.
Getn. Paterson hai left Monterey only
the day before the news reached that pla .e
It was at once fornsardedl to him, and
upon learning its purport, our infornant
states that he immediately started on his
return with the view to proceed to Monte
rev.
It was reported at Tampico on the 25th
as will he seen from the 1ostcript to Mr
Lumsden's last letter that portion of Gen.
Patterson's cominand had entered Victo
ria. bu. it is not mintiondd that the Gen
eral himself had arrived, sit that we cat'
not judge hone tathe news faom the two
sources may conflict.
The -express reported at Matanoras
that the road 1rom Monterey to Catnargo
was lined with troops-regutars and viol
unteers-on their march to :Monterey,
having been previously ordered up Our
informant says there were four regttents
upon the road. The route from Mounte
rey is infested by predatory bands ot ru-u
eheros, by which the travelling is reudered
insecure. One train had been attacked a
few days before nor mfornant passed over
the road, as hail also several small 1arties
and some few men had been killed and
wounded.
We need not say that this news posses
ses the highest interest. As we wright we
have only verbal re: aris ii regard to it,
but hope so receiva this tmornig our cur
respondence from the army. Tere is no
intitmsic irnprobabtdiiv in Santa Ain i's
movcrttettts, atid he possesses the energy
and skill claimed for him, notii'ng appears
more likely than that he should fall like a
thunderbolt upon some point in our ex
tended line and hope to crush ts. But
we have every confidence in the vigil3tc.;
of Gen. Vorth, :nd his uhi it} to hoh'l the
enemy in coeck until Gen. Wool and Ge:.
Taylor arrive to his support. M, e await
firrher intelligence nin the utn.st intt
rest.
Editorial Gorrespondence of the Picayune.
T A M P IO. Dec. 19, 1846.
. I wrote you a very hasty scrawl yes
terday, and I will now add a hew lines.
It has been tnygood fortune to meet here
several officers of the Nav;- with n hot I
had the hionr of an old cq'taiutance, an
from intelligence rtceived through them I
can give you fur the infurmatiom of their
numerous friends at home, o'niething of
the tritediate movements of that portion
of the seta-dron now here, consisttng of
the fullowing vessels;-Steamer Spitfire,
Corn. 'I'at'nll; gunboats Reefer, Lieut.
Sterret; Petrel. i'ltdshipman Perry; m.
oats, .Lieut. Hazard; ind revenue schr..
.Ewing. Capt. Moor.-'he first . four.
named are to sail soon for Anton Lizardo;
the latter for Brazos Santiago. The het
healt4 prevails on board all hese vessels.
.Khe. wi iassiube.arrivef i New Or
aiid: itelligent, arf is in every -respec1
fitted r ihis station. One of the ist acts
of Gal.. Gates, previoulsly in command oi
this past, was to remove a fellow- named
.Labruere, from his otlice as auctioneer.
for rftusing to take up arms and turn out
with the ch zens the other dav whrn they
tiad ttu' alarmi of which I infortned you
yesterd:;y. ''Served limt right.
Vour-. &c. F. A. L.
rSTILL L.ATF:R.
D v thi::rri val au a Iate houicr hbut night
oif ; he U. $. steamer Edhh, Capt Cooii
lard, we httie three days1 liner doeits fr*om
lH5a5 .Mamii-2'- She leff .Braz s 'ii rhe
310th *il., andI bringes contfirmiatiin of iudei
reportedi arth-atce of Santa Anna wsitht -a
huatge force on1 Mat tlo. It was rep~ortedf
tht the Mlextcan armny was ntearly 30.000
stroig.
UWen Gen. Worti's express reaichedl
Mo:sir.-y. Gen Taylor hadt ol', gont
six or eight mtiles on hiq manrch t. Victoria
iudl- te troops tinder GJenerails Tw ig
and Quit mian wsere hot twelve mniles in
.udvaice ()rdrr wrv immediaj~tely' in.
ed to this di isrinm to retrace i's -nepis. and
prceed at o-'re to Saitillo.
IBefore the express reached (Camatrgo,
lien L ane had started for Sahtillo with
nii comm m-t~~his 'rm on the :20 I,. tien.
3l1arshall set out next mi.rntng. i:kme.
with~ hti tie remnaittter oif the focs wvit h
him cne exceptin or Capt.. Iloniter andtl
Swartwout's commands, which were lefi
proteet thant poimt. 'rThe troops fromni
[Xmnnr2o wirt- on a forced itnreh. t'
reach SaltillIo in time for a hiatri , reports
tas inz proevailed for severi'a datys before
iositive td vices were received of the moove
Tifntq of Santa A nnui.
G'r'. Wotol was ninety imileq from SalI
illo at the I tit ailvices ftron hitm, ani it
s I! upttntedhe li-udjoiio**' Gen, W~orth
..e- .'. rn.- eI t he fuf Ynm .
ThI-r- v-a C rmor that 'Sata Annai
Oi's thr' r> athod 17,000 man~t betweeni
;"n. Wonrtht and Gen. Taylor. to prevet
junction of the Atmerican forces. Thtis
eport was not. iredijied, nor do--s it seem
robable that it is trn--. as the. main romi
if Mtonterey passes thuro,;h~ suatilio.
['here is, a circuiton- mont- .,in roaid wihic-h
v-aids Sotillo. hot i: i< nmt f,asvorab~e :
he manth of an enemy, and is itmpracti
able for o'rdntance.
I t was th~e im pression of Lientl--man whto
amei passetngers in the Ed'ii i, and with
rhiom 'se have coniversed, that a hatrie
.ens f~ouht aibotnt the 25th utit. It rwas
htongbit. howisever, that Gen. Ta vior haud
iachedl Satillo befoi-r.e lthttrtime,'a ni also
eni. Twvitg's. Gen. Quitt'man .Gn. Hit- I
~r's anud Getn. Wool's commat~nids. It wats
kewise hoped that the lroops fromo Ca
tarco wotuld al so nerive at Sitnil lo in good
'asomn. If thtese experctaitions were re
lized, Gen. Taylor hadl about seven ihon
nd men to Oppose Samau Annmua. Our
formnant,, think tha.-t Santta Atinn's :nmy
-as overrated ; but tno positive know ledge~
is had of his exnct numbiiers.
The -whole valley of the iRio Grantde
as in a state of great firmet. A ppre
masions of an attack were entertained at
omargo, 3luntamnoro9 anid oilier pointg, -
oim the ranchcoros under Canales. 'rhe I
ithdrawal of si tmany troops fromu the
ne*lf h alyexoe odne.
At Matamaros, Col. Clark has called upoj
the citzens to enrol themnselvesrser
vice, and at the Brazos 3en..Jessup had
d.ne the same thing. BothT:these points
were sadly deficient in both men and erms.
it was thought Canales had.2000 men un
der him, and that the large supply of goods
at Matamoros. and the exposed condition
of that city, might quicken his courage.
Gen. Sctt arrived at the Brazos on the
28th ult. The following day he proceeded
to the mouth of the itio Grande, and was
yet at that place when the Edith left,
waiting the arrival of the horses belong
ing to the regiment of mounted riflemen,
when it was understood he.would proceed
immediately up the river to Camargo.
Capt. Wayne has been transferred from
the staff of Maj. Genl. Jessup to that
Gets. Scott. and was to accon
on his tour of observation.
The steamship Alabama wa off the
Brazos when the Edith sailed, nd will
probably bring us more definite intelli.
gence in a few days-the Eud' a was
also ther, so that we may count u on an,
arrival very soon.
Tne Edith brought over a large n ail;
hot owing to the latiees of the lourno 'her
arrival, it % as not sent to the post o ce.
She encountered great gales from the sot? h
and east. stud yet made the passage in fifm
V- lionrs. Anutigst her passengers were
Maj. E. S. Iat wkins, 7th Infantry ; Capt.
J. G. Todd, of Texas; J. .\.'Cowan, 2nd
Nntucky legiment. and Capt. Twitchell
of the same regiment; ,Messrs. Clemeats,
H ar'ison, &c.
The news leaves a painful anxiety to
learn the progress of events. Tho im
pression anongst 'hr passengers that a
battle hal been fought was so strong that
we have .almost imhibed the belief.
It was believed that an express had
been sent to eon. Patterson. cnunterman -
ditig his march in the direction of Victoria.
UsEs OF DctiPt.NING Tor SoIL:
It seems to tie supposed. by many who
talk about the deepening the soil, that the
first purpose of it is, to allow the roots of
plants to run deep ; and by some, that if
this is not the object there can he hardly
any other. This notion is neilher confined
to the advocates nor opponents of the
doctrine of deep tillage. It is but a little
itne since several different men have.
maintained, in our hcaritig, that it was of
no use to plough or dig deep, because the
roots of plants run near the surface of the
earth. While tvedo riot subscribe to the
conclusion here drawn. we suspect the fact
to be as stated, to a far greater extent
than tpany suppose.
Till of late, in giving directious for
planting out asparagus roots, the cultiva.
tors have required the earth to be trench
ed to the depth of two feet, and the plants
to be set with their roots p-crpendicular,
the lower cxtremsitiesrf them being buried
at least 15 inches below the surface, and
lest they should ncline to go too deep,
the bottom of the trenches imust .be filled
with. brick or stone, forming a pavement
deep in the soil. The whole of this prac
tice was flutded on the idea that td roots
of this plant wereever delving downwards.
to the centre of the earth, apd the, soil
-m; becsti rrd andearicbed ilorwbr
~theirjour . ''
*So of griape vind~s--a-great ised bfuues~
stones, brick bats. and what not: mbst be
forned'; because the rots of vines were
always straying downward as iuch.uas.it":
top was reaching npward. Of late the
tfiscovery has been made that the roots of
grape vites do not rttt dieep, b'ut they are
crecpinig towartd the surfatce, like those
ampihibioust animals which lie so nr-ar tbk
surface of the waster that the~ air can find
ready ancess to their ltong-.
Nori'could we ever satisfy ourselves that
thae4ati of asparagus ;aiue any such pre
dilectio . for the interior of' the globe na.
some mnain~i. We always find them
nt'ar the~ surlier, especiatlly wshen their hed
has tieen deeply tilled.
It thiese facts ar~e so, is thtere any
se .ini tiluing so iieep, and may we ntit
cnneour culture to tite surface- ? B~ tno
mteants. iTie nteces-ity of dee~p tillauge (does
not1 rest on iese tfacts, be tiey one or the
otaer.
&one of the miore general requisites of
a soii ate, 1st, a ii ni of ioud for the plants
it sustins, consisting of' thtose mineral
cunstat neints and those organic matters
adatptedl to feed titm. 2d, atn evenness of
temper:itcre. 3d, such a cunstcture as1
can lie eaisily permiuted by moisture and
air. 4rntdiiih such a mechianical detnsity
as will allow the easy passage of' roots
through it, and at the sarne ime htold thec
roots to tir pilaces antd aiffourd themt tieir
niet in 0st feiciet q uan tities.
'The reason fir tie fiirst of th'ie is read
i'y seti. rThe seroitd is ittit so quickly
comnprehtended ; huti the faict is, that a soil
witich has un been stirred for a lonig t imer
b~eciimes a reiiy uidcnotr of' heat. 11 ence
its tropferatture is afhected wvitht every~
:hiange ot atosputure, wsith tbis difrercnc el
-that tihe cold below~ conrots t miuchi ea
tier thanthe iic.eat trum atove. Frequent
alteraions of heartitand cold, such as are
:emmtonii to the early part of the season,
1cr. very itnjiriously uponl growing vegeta
ion. If the soil is s . cotistructed as to
miaaitn an evetn temperature, it may, to
g,-eat extent, coiu-teract the efrect of the I
huirng.-s of i le atmoisphere, btit it is a(Tec. t
ed by all ihirse changes it is obivious that
;egetianon must5 suff'er in piropiortiotn. It is
shi thi' obser ationi of any on,: that a
oil whi is tthoroughly andi iieeply tilled c
s far better fitted to mnailtatin an evenI
emtperature. thant otte which is only nio
-edi toi a slhtllow depth. T1he third qual.
Iy is obvtotus ; a dleeply tilled soil is moist
ii a dry aitte. anid cotmpatrat ively (fry in at
Iihi 'neh. Tue touirthi ~n ly trequires it to
e observedl that i'io light soil is not fa.
'nr4bler i thle iest growth of vegetation.
lenice the use oh rollers, aind pressure ap. f
lied im varIiorus wuys to tbring the earlih I
1to a reaisunatble compaiict state after p)uI- j
erZailiont.
N ons. it is reasonable to suppose-nor
oly itn accoirdnce witht facts-shat wsith
deep rich culture, rte roots of planits-t
rail seek tie surface of tho earthI, but that~:i
iey wilsooiner' seek it in such a soil thatn '
I a poior antd shoial one. A soil of thle t~
rnst named qfuattties dries far less at thei
irface tian tile latter. Of couirse roots
ave less occasiont to go downward tor
toistur'e. Tihe soil, too being tmelfo w and
bptward wbith ie moisture, iuiteal;' lc
ging theroots to delve downward rose
ing it. . r 5'.
We-see, then, that deep culture, sofa ";.1
from resting on the fact of the. deep per
mention or-oots, is supported by the.cqu
trary fact.-Prairie Farmer.
"Y
EDGEFIELD C.1
WEDNESDAY..JANDVART 13, 1817,
Cold Wcather.-Afler having bad.sgyeral.
days of warm giusant wreather, on Thpraa~
last, there Wasa considerable change:. There
was a heavy fall of rain, and the thermometet
stink rapidly. Thursday night ivas,ezcesive
ly cold, and on Friday nornina.the 'thermo4
meter stood at 19 at sunrise. Duringdtbe
whole day, it did not rise above 22 degrees:
.attrJay was also very cold.
T O COMPANIES MORE .FOR THE
PALMETTO REGIMENT.
A 1t r this Regiment had been filed,.widtia
pronptltipde that reflected great credit upor-thie
State; the8ecretary of War having been in
formed that.. fine company had been organ. -
ized in Newberry, ahd another aearly'filled 1n
Edgcfield, rcgrtsled that these companies
shou ld be e ompleted, and added to the Paline-i
to Regiment of Ve.lunteers from tjis State.
Under, this reqnest. we are gratified to- learn
that the Ed -lieaJ Company. held a mieiti
on Sattidny last, at liichardson's, placed'at
its head. as Captain, Coll ,OLuve Towuts,
and met here yesterday to recruit.: We-'trust
that this further call npon 1he gallantry of
Old Edgcfie!d, will he responded to, as becomes
her. tihe has signa'ized herself. by her Cowr
pany of 96 Bnys, now on the roue to tae' set
of war, and she now has the op uity tfa .
cover herself with still 'higher honor It-wil
he seen fro.n the proceedings of Capt.
Company published in this days' paper. th .
that brave and popular.officer ind his comp
ny, will remain here a few days to complete
their organizatioi and fill up het .ranksiiiih a
few recrtits,.still wanting. 'Ve hope that he
nnmhers will be filled to overfiwving; i
citizens 'here will make arraneienis ~for
paying proper respect to the-Volu'teessond
Friday nexr, and thepublic at large are invited
to attend. -
At a meeting of the Butler Guards, the
following proce.dings were had :
. Whereas, The Govarnnr '.f'Son6 7U
olina has heen atflhiorized'bf hege
of' Wtr to acceptile s'erices of-ti
puny of folunteers from $wber Vqt
of eot any--dm : Egefiek r$1a b
the n e :
lrguti -tni ot~li"te:tiwq
lt. Resolved That the call ofo e
try-for troops fop tis alexican War
call upon our pafriotidm, wihich' will znt
be disregrded.
2nd.-Resolved. That Elgelield has not
forgot ten the Alamo, and although l'has
stenz her *'96 Boys" itnto tlle field, she will
honor this additional call upon her.
3d. Resolced. That we adopt the. n.ame
ofthe "luiler Guardis," and that Satur
uday next, if or ranks are filled, we will
take uip the line of mara.
The Poor House ina Edgefeldd Distri.-4i s
known to many of onr readers, that the Cow
mnissioners of thle Poor ini our District, ivere
tihorized to rell the old Poor hionse, and the
lanid or. wiichi it was sitnated. They have ac
corduingly disposed ol the property,. and they
puirchasyd dnring the last year. a tract sof Jand
in the pincy woods aboult three aid a half
miles distanit from this place. This tract is in
at very healthy section of country, is well wood
ed. is tolernbly fertile in the qnality eithe soil.'.
aind will pr')bably in time produce a suffiiei
:y of proviio~ns for the paupers. l'hi I~t
piuichpea of the Commissioners adjoins lands '
if Wr. Avery Bland, and is 'situated .aboat
b'ree'fonrths of a mile' from: the Newberry
road. Not lung Smnce, we paid a -visi to the
new Poor Hlouse.and made at partjetlexam
nation of the premises. The builings are,
ivery excellent framncd dwellinug for' the Su
ierinitendeint, twojgind arnd comfortabhefamned.
uonuse., for the pariels, wltJi~a kitcihen and din*
nig room attached; 'Aliai rovided with fire
tiaces. T .i'o other.hiousei ia-tldpanpcrs are
ow being buiilt, and wvill lbe ready ~when they
re needid. Besides tbese buidings; tliero 'is
nit nuber of out houses ef substaitiah charac
er. All thesec buildings.were constructed for
reasonable price. There is'1 a well of wa
er on the premises, which though not very
alhatable is useful for othier purposes. At thme.
mue of our visit. the nimber of paupers,
monted to twelve. Au addition to- thin num,
er hias since been made. The situation ap -
eared to us to be quaite.comifirtable. These
ditem whlo are aot a'tirely disabled, areen5
loyed on the farm, whichi the Comuisissiaberag
re opening, and in -other useful avo6 tiens.
'he Comnsiorners have passed a resointiert
pay no pensions, biut to -require all the-paug.
ers in the: District, who may make applica .
on to them for aid,to reside at the Poor House.
'his ill diminish the expense of providlq
ir the poo~r ta a considerabla texteet.- The
board will hereafter hold, its. meetings atte
'nor Homie., -
The South Camtinuin.--Txe pro riet oIof
uis Journal now pitblishba -semi weekly sheet,,
ttho low pric~e ofthiee dallars per annum.-.
'hiis sterling Dienocratic paper is well kinown
many of our readers,anteannt hatt rece ive
icreased patronage..
TheD.Teificky exitiitg pbreen
less al n ai h og e
resentaives,'taskinSd