Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Scnqtf A" facts. Hon. D. M. Bariinger, late U. S. Minister to Spain, has comraeuced the practice of law in Charlotte, N. C. Queen Victoria has acceded to the request of the Colony of Van Dieman's Land, to change the name of that Islaud and Colouy to Tasmania. Robert Bunyan, Esq., the last male descendant of the author of the Pilgrim's Progress, died at Lincoln, England, on the 17th ult., aged 80. Different sounds travel with different velocities. A call to dinner will run over a ten acre lot in a minute and half, while a summons to work will take from five to ten minutes. The Florida Legislature, which adjourned on the 15th instant, passed a resolution authorizing the inhabitants of West Florida to vote upon the proposition of seceding and uniting themselves with the State of Alabama. The Cincinnati Enquirer thinks the Hou$e of Representees would have been organized on the first day of the session, if it , "had had the interest of the twenty millions of whites at heart, instead of three millions of blacks.'' South Carolina Conference have resolved to sell their interrst, as individuals, in the ^ stock of the South Carolina Rail Road Company, "because the Company would work on the Sabbath day, and they did not wish to partake in making money on the Sabbath." . Washington letter writer says that Col. John C. Fremont is talked of as the Republican candidate for the presidency. He is a na-" tive of South Carolina, a resident of California son-in-law of Co?. Benton, and probably on I good terms with the Benton Blair Van Buren folks generally. The letter of the Washington corresponddht of the Charleston Standard still suggests aaa? ># a Ann/iantntinn nf thannnapr. I I 111C; piKOtUIlibj vi a wavvuwuvtvu w& vuv w?w. vative national vote upon Mr. Orr for Speaker of the House of Representative of the United States. Besides this there is also a suggestion that possibly the national Americans may combine on Mr. Boyce. A writter in the Knickerbocker Magazine suggests that in all probability the bird of - wisdom called owl was intended to be called howl, but the first cockney who 'eard 'im 'oot got h'exasperated and dropped the h'aitch.? II'ornithologists and h'entymologists will please notice and correct their work h'accordingly. A man named Willis has on exhibition ' at New Haven, a machine which he claims to J be the solution of the perpetual motion probr lem. The Palladium says that "the machine certainly goes, and there is no chance, as anybody has yet discovered, of its being moved by any extraneous or concealed force." ^ A correspondent of the New York Tribune says that recently, during the balloting for the Speakership, an old Democrat from Tennessee remarked, "that during" the previous twenty-four hours he had fancid that he could see the form of the immortal Jackson hovering over the assembly, and with all the energy and determination that formerly characterized him, exclaiming, 4 By the Eternal, no more Banks!'>f The richest man in Congress, says a Northern cotemporary, is the Hon. Win. Ai Hwa nf Smith Carolina. His property is ?sti*-imated at two millions of dollars, including over i one thousand negroes! Mr. Aiken is an el- i derly gentleman, active, accomplished and < full of kindness of heart. He is a fair repre- i sentative of a "fine old Southern gentlemen," < and he is highly esteemed for his consistent views and ripe experience. - Mr. Crampton, the English minister ; has officially communicated the cordial congratulation ofhis Govennentto Dr. Kane, and J requested him to communicate to the officers ] and crews who, under his command, so nobly ' attempted to afford to Sir John Franklin and 1 the officers and crews of her Majesty's ships employed on the Arctic expedition the assur- j ance of the sincere gratitude of the British government and people for their generous exertions. r- - A gentleman of Washington city received lately a letter from Portadown, county Armagh, Ireland, making inquiries in relation to the heirs of John White, who emigrated from the county of Armagh, Ireland, somewhere about the year 1814 or 1815, and who is believed to have left two sons, Abner and William. There is about a million and a half of money for the lucky Whites who can "prove property," etc. Among the acts passed by the Legislature at its recent session, was one in reference to the monthly returns of the condition of the several banks. It is enacted that they "shall in future consist of monthly statements of the average weekly condition of the banks, as ascertained on Wednesday of each week, in the several particulars." This will have the effect of reducing the operations of the banks to a much more regular system than heretofore. (Charleston Mercury. A writer has computed that a woman has lost half her chances of marriage at her twentieth year; at twenty-three she has lost three-fourths of her opportunities; and at twenty-sis seven eighths of her chances are "gone. Eighteen hundred and fifty-six will be leap year?that delightful season, when, by common consent, the fair sex can indicate their perference. Luuk at the facts presented above, and then improve the advantages of the coming year. Delays are dangerous. A despatch from Washington says that! Spain has put in possession of this govern raeut proofs that the bark Amelia, now on ' her way from liayti, is intended for a fillibus- ! tcring expedition, and requests that the ex- j tremc penalty of t(i" law for such cases made ] and provided be applied to those on board.? It is also said that the '/ovennnenr have pos- J session of documents which will lead to the arrest and trial of Parker H French, the new Minister from Nicaragua, who has been try- j iug to get himself accredited at Washington. ; The Washington correspondent of the j Richmond Dispatch, under date of the 24th j inst., says: "Mr. Shorter, of Alabama, made j his first speech in the House to-day. He is , - .1 ?rtf nuifh hnvnnrl tliirtv i I years of age. -nd <|iiitu a graceful and pleas- j fi ant speaker. Hut lie lacks discretion. He ' was in favor of expelliug the whole Massa; chusetts representation, because that State | ^H[ had nullified the Fugative Slave Law, and ; 3Ir. Brooks, of.South Carolina, was for disuuion in the event of the Republican party's success; and not only this, but since a struggle H must come, be- was in tavor of inviting it upon that floor?of fighting hand to hand iu the battle between the North and ??The perserevence of Mrs. Gaines, in prosecuting her right to the property of her father, for the last twenty odd years, has been ( equally as heroic and unexampled as the long continued search, against hope, of Lady Franklin for her husband?although interest, per- ' hups, dictated in the one case, and affection in the other. Daniel Clark, the father of Mrs. Gaines, made a will, giving her his vast estates, in 1813. After his death no such will ' was found; but another, according to which the property was appropriated away from her hands. To restore the first will has been her endeavor all this time, although she has never gained an issue directly upon the will till with- ' in the last two years. She has expended thousands of dollars in the matter, living up- | on "hope deferred," sometimes, doubtless, i J/inMiiMnn Vmf nnw shp is about to aiiui/at ?? * -v?? ? receive the treasure?amounting in value to ( several millions of dollars. The press deserv- ] edly congratulates this estimable lady upon . the favorable decree of the Supreme Court of , Louisiana. ] The Carolina Cultivator announces in its last number, that its publisher, Wm. D. < Cooke, Raleigh, has procured the services of < Professor B. S. Hedrick, Professor of Agri- 1 cultural Chemistry in the University of North < Carolina, under whose editorial supervision < the publication will be placed from and ' after the first of next February. This affords 1 a strong guarantee for the future ability and 1 usefulness of the Cultivator. i C|t?0rkMIIf itpirtr.; EDITED BY > SAM'L W. MELTON JOHN L. MILLER. YORKVILLE, S. C. ! THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 3, 1856. THE NEW VOLUME. With this number we enter upon the second volume of the Enquibkb. It is usual to mark the period by a lengthy and labored rehearsal of the events of the 1 year, and a complacent record of its editorial ; achievements; but the custom, so entirely common- 1 place as it is, is perhaps more honored in the breach than in the observance. We cannot and will not refrain, however, from rendering in this instance at least a measure of obedience to the mandate. When we undertook the enterprise involving such an unusual amount of expenditure, although we had knowledge of the temper of the people of our District, our misgivings were not without the shadow of a reason; and our best hopes for sucoess were limited to the expectation of an income sufficient barely to defray the heavy burdens of a new establishment. It is tame to say that our expectations have been more than realized. Our paper has been in existence only a year; and yet, as far as our knowledge ex- i tends, there are but two country-journals in the ( State, and these of mature age, that boast a larger I subscription list! In less than three months from i the commencement, our circulation had increased to ] one thousand copies, and since, the enlargement has ' been steady and sure. To our knowledge, during the j entire year, we have not lost a score of names; and ] in but single instances, and those unworthy of men- j tion and insignificant, have we heard aught of disap- < proval or complaint. Thanks to the generous patron- j age of the businessmen of York, Chester, Rock-Hill ( and Charlotte, our advertising columns have been ] full to overflowing; indeed, our abundance of sue- < cess in this respect has been, we fear, beyond the i pleasure of many n subscriber. We trust, however, < i._.? -.jj ,1 .i.... ,e .l - j-riatai- wn h?r advertising oolumns, the general reader will pardon t the short-coming! To sum up every item in a word, a * ? - j2a l.-? . our income : cienr 01 omce expentmure?, uas utv-?i i efficient to meet more tlian two-thirds of the entire i cost of the establishment. " ( It has not been our wont to indulge, week after week, in vain-glorious boasting: and now, our near ap- c proximation to it is, for more reasons than one, any- t thing but pleasant. The success accorded to our t iournal, which, we donot hesitate to say, is unparalcl- t led in the history of country newspapers in this 1 State, is really not of our winning ; on the country, 1 much must be attributed to the offices of our friends, c whose efforts have been as unremitting as they are j generous and kind. In every corner of our own and in i many portions of our neighboring Districts, these - s kindnesses have been extended to us with an unatint- 1 ed and overflowing hand. To one and all our earnest 1 thanks aro due, and are given with an honest good 1 will. If our humble efforts could but approach our appreciation of these good offices, our duty would be I at least well performed, and we should be content. The Enquirer was designed to be and we have endeavored to make it a family newspaper?such a paper as would find a welcome where the strife of par- . ty and wrangling of politicians are unknown. While our efforts have tended mainly to the development of our home-interests and the discussion of home-af- J fairs, we have not been and shall not be unmindful of the events which mark the political progress of our whole country. Adhering firmly to the old State- * Rights school of tho Democracy, and looking to the 1 period when the principles of our creed will find on C Southern soil a full and glorious illustration, we shall watch for and discuss measures of politics as they are presented, binding ourselves to no party but the 1 party, whatever it may be, truest to the South, and re- 1 serving and exercising the right to withhold our opin- . ions or to give them expression whenever we may ^ choose and, then, in exact accordance with the die- < tates of ourown judgment. It is needless to say that wc enter upon the new year with the most flattering auspices, and with x abundant assurances of a continued prosperity.? j Whatever may be the measure of our success we shall endeavor truthfully and constantly to deserve it. Beyond the mere pecuniary reward which an intelligent people are.ready to afford to an effort earnestly performed, we have incentives to our labor ^ as grateful as they are abundant and strong. Here j we were born and nurtured ; and here we hope that ( the story of our life, down to its last chapter, may , be told. By the weal or woe of our people, by their fortuues and their reverses of fortune, we must and arc willing to abide ; undto the well-being of every , interest which belongs to our native District, we arc linked by all the ties which bind a man to his home ! If ours is to be hereafter but the labor of love, so be it; the task shall be not the less cheerfully and gladly performed. With these w we submit with confidence our , claims t-. tin. culighu-ucd pntronug* of our people.? We trust that for tin- coming year the intercourse between ourseivi s ami -<u' readers will, be fraught mutually with the mo.-i p.casuut and valued incidents : aud with the kindly c- unc i > and congratulations of the season, to each and all we extend the best , wishes for a Ham?y New Vkaii. THE BIBLE SOCIETY. The notice in another column, by Col. Be.vtty, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the District Bible Society, will inform our readers of the annual meeting of the Society, at the Court-House, on Wednesday next. The occasion will be rendered interesting by the address of Hev. Mr. lto-s, who is one of our best men aud ablest preachers, and in every way qualified to do ample justice to his subject. We trust there will be a general attendance, and especially that the ladies, who proverbially are never wcarv in w?il-doit.g, will contribute their presence to the advancement of the worthy cause. OUR EXCURSION TO CHESTER. , Thursday last, we accepted the kind invitation of , mr Chester friends, and, in company with a respecablc dolegation of the Masonic fraternity of our ;own, attended the Celebration of the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, by the Chester Lodge. In their accustomed spirit of accommodation or, perlaps, with their usual keen eyeing of the main :hance, the Railroad company placed an extra train 1 it oar service, which we employed as pleasantly tnd smoothly as ever such favors were enjoyed. Upon our arrival, the members were escorted to the Lodge, and presently the procession was conduc- 1 ted to the Methodist Church, where with the appro- |1 At- - /II A T I priate ceremonies tne omcers 01 toe tntmcr were installed by the Deputy Grand Master, Rev. James D. Gibson. Following this interesting cere- 1 nony, Rev. Mr. Meynardie, the Orator appointed for the occasion, delivered an address, setting forth dearly and in his usual fine style, the nature and ibjects of the institution of Masonry, and, especially, its wide-spread success in all parts of the world. The address contained much that was new and instructive, and, for the benefit of those who value its essons, ought to be preserved in an endurable form. At the conclusion of the exercises, the members >f the Lodge and their guests partook of a sumptuous entertainment at Mr. John L. Carroll's new Hotel, near the Depot. The dinner was fine, lisplaying with the utmost profusion the liberality if Mr. Carroll and the excellent taste and skill of [lis good lady. Many of the Chester ladies, the sisters, wives and daughters of Masons, graced the tabic by their presence, which of itself would have made it a lordly banquet indeed. In the evening, we returned with the most grateful recollection of a kindjand hospitable entertainment, acknowledging each to himself that we were all in all "the better for it" We shall always value these pleasurable interchanges of kindly feeling with our Chester friends, than whom a more genial and warm-hearted community never lived together. May it always be so; and and may the occasions be abundantly multiplied when we can undertake and eniov. here and there, all those delightful offices of friendship and love which should ever mark the intercourse of neighboring peoples. ? MASONIC. In the evening of Thursday last, after the return from Chester, the following members of Philanthopic Lodge, No. 78, in this place, were publicly installed officers for the ensuing year, by the Past "Master, Dr. Alfred Craven:? . RICHARD HARE, W. M. JAMES L. CLARK, S. W. P. B. DARWIN, J. W. ' MILES JOHNSON, S. D. J. ED. JEFFERY8, J. D. LEWIS M. GRIST, Secretary, DANIEL O'LEARY, Treasurer. J. S. LEWIS, Tyler. ' S. J. KUYKENDAL, 1 - . A. CODY, / Ste'cards- ' YORKVTLL.E FEMALE COLLEGE. Our space in the Inst issue was so circumscribed is to deprive us of the pleasure of giving an extend- , ed notice of the Concert by the young ladies of the College, at the commencement of their holiday-season, on Friday before the last. But a word at this tatedate must suffice. The large Hall of the College was well filled by an attentive and appreciation audi- i tory, and to the credit of all the affair went off very landsomely. We have heretofore regretted that the standard of excellence in the Musical Department of die College was not commensurate with the value of this elegant accomplishment; but on this occasion we saw nothing of which to complain. Though the best jerformers of the previous session were absent, we :ould perceive in every piece a very marked improve- 1 nent. The Choruses were admirably sung, and sev- i jral of the minor pieces would have graced well the ? iward to the accomplished teachers, Miss Undeh- < vood and Mr. Kern, the best meed of praise we can ] icstow ; and to the young ladies, all the encourage- 1 nent which such a marked success in their studies i >ught to afford. . i The very large auditory in attendance, their cvi- 1 lent appreciation of the several performances, and he fine style in which the pupils of the College are 1 low prepared to acquit themselves, might Buggest 1 o the Principals the propriety of more frequent ex- 1 libitions. They would certainly present to the young i adies many incentives to increased diligence in this < lepartment, and at the same time tend to establish 1 imong our home-people a higher regard for the real 1 nerits of the school, while the happy re-nnions which s luch occasions would afford might Add much to the 1 imited stock of enjoyment attainable in a town-life ' ike ours. We trust the suggestion, so pertinacious- 1 y made, will not be fruitless. i The exercises of the College will be resumed, i Monday next. i 1 A MERRY CHRISTMAS! The memory of the oldest inhabitant cannot run , jack to the time when the Christmas merry-making i n Yorkvillc was more genial and hearty. Merry J leads, merry hearts, merry eyes, merry hands, mer- ^ y all over, a right merry time we have had of it! t rhe white and red roses, mingling joyfully, the fair 1 lowers of the "Empire" and the "Old North" States, j gratefully dispersing a wealth of beauty and pleas- i ire, and the bouquet crowned with the pyre emblem < >f that blessed institution which binds willing hearts 5 ogether, all have paid willing tribute to the over- j vhelming treasury of our joy ana giaaness, ana j nade of it a season to be marked by an unfading s ecollection. Tuesdaynight the re-union at Mr. Rose's was en- J oyed to the utmost, and went off superbly. This i sveuing, we have the last of them all at Mr. Walk- 1 iR'8. "Come one, come all." It is an old and trite ( layinz that "Christmas comes but once a year"? t leverTheless, it hasli lesson to be improved. Let ' is improve it, and lot the close of the season be as ' oyous as was its commencement! , i SALES AND SALES-DAY. We learn that at the sale of the estate of Mrs. Ma- I ] iy Pettus, on the 27th ult., twenty-five negroes sold | l or the sum of fifteen thousand four hundred dol- | ! ars. Six of these were young children, and two j ] iged negroessold for merely a nominal amount.? [ ] When we consider the scarcity of the medium and, llso, the fact that more than half of the negroes were < sold as unsound, these prices are almost fabulous. ' rhc fact is, we suspect that our friend Vixce McEl- , iiaxey had more effect upon the sales than any con- ] siderations in reference to the money market. It is wonderful what sales a good auctioneer can make, and our friend Mc., affords always a capital exem plification of the fact. It is, to our view, bettor to cmp'oy a thorough-going auctioneer even though at the expense of a dozen prices; therefore, refer to Vixen's advertisement. Next Monday is Sale-day, when he may be expected to appear again in public, and offer several important inducements to buyers. The Commissioner advertises a tract of land cast of the Catawba river, belonging to the estate of Kimbrcll; also, the House Place, the Milliner Tract and tho Mcllwain tract, belonging to the estate of William S. May; also, the Darnal land, east of the Catawba River; and the Farr land, on Broad River. Refer to the advertisements. The following property "will also, be offered : A House and Lot on Liberty Street in Yorkville and one Rockaway, two Buggies, two Carryalls, and one small Wood-Wagon, by Mr. Sxiuer ; six lots on main-street, in the surburbs of the town, by G. W. Lowe; four very likely negroes, belonging to the estate of John Stendman, by Dvdley Jones the Administrator; and two houses and lots, within the corporate limits of the town, by II. H. Wiiitf.ner. In Chester, the Sheriff, W. B. Lieley, will sell the val uftble tract of land, containing twelve hundred acres, belonging to the estate of CoL F. W. Davie ; and in Charlotte, on the same day, Gen. Youno, the agent of A. H. Graham, will sell several tracts lying in Mecklenburg County. Bead the Advertisements. LATEST NEWS.?PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. Just before going to press, the mail of yesterday arrived, bringing several important items of news, which we are compelled to compress into the smallest possible space. On Monday last, the President, wearied with the wrangling in the House, sent his message to the Senate. The House refused to receive it. Very strong ground is taken by the President in his allusion to our quarrels with England in reference to the Central American question and the violation of the neutrality laws, and the President entertains doubts as to the pacific termination of the difficulty. Next are discussedfthe Sound Dues question, of which a liberal view is taken and the Spanish broil, which, he believes, will be settled amicably. The Message recommends a retired list for the army ; the gradual increase of the Navy; the modification of the postage rates ; and the revision and reduction of the tariff rates ; says but little about Kansas, and somewhat more about Nicaragua and Mexico. Upon the slavery question, the Message is sound to the core, denouncing the fanaticism of the Northern States, and adhering to the Democratic Constitutional creed. The receipts of the treasury last year are reported at $05,300,00; expenditures $56,362,000; balance in the Treasury, $18,900,000. We hope to receive the Message in time for our next issue. In the Senate the views in relation to Great Britain were loudlyjipproved. Accounts from Kansas report a riot at Fort Leavenworth on the 15th, between the Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery parties. The ballot boxes were destroyed and the voting stopped. An Anti-Slavery man's house was burnt, and the incendiary having been arrested and lodged in jail, the jail was broken open and the prisoner rescued. Great; excitement prevails along the frontier. Another account says that the border Missourians would not allow the polls to be opened in several places, and that the ballot boxes were destroyod, and the judges maltreated. Late advices from Mexico announce that Alvarez had resigned tho Presidency, and had been succeeded by Gen. Commonfort. A new Ministry had been organized. -r European papers continue to represent the prospects of peace as quite flattering. Austria has submitted propositions to France and England, with the nnOMMnoao nf armnnrt xvhioh fVlft alliOfl nnWAMl. France especially, are disposed ta accept. These proposals 'stipulate : First, To convert the Black Sea into a commercial one, as a substitute for the third of the Vienna four points?excluding forever the navies of all nations from it; and Second, the whole course of the Danube, its mouths included, to be entirely released from Russian control. It is said that Russia will certainly accede to these propositions. , . The Telegraph announces the death of Ex-Senator, J. M. Berrien, at Savannah, Georgia, on Monday. Also, of the eldest Baron Rothschild, at Frankfort on the Maine. Mr. Alcorn a student of the Theological Seminary, Columbia, died suddenly on Tuesday, in the street, ofhemmorhage of the lungs No Speaker has yet boen elected. The House bad adjourned until to-day. The Democrats h^d held a caucus, and resolved to stand to the last by Richardson and their platform. If this is thecourse, Banks, the Abolitionist, will certainly be elected before the end of the week. THE LEGISLATURE?HOME MATTERS. We are glad to see that the press of our State have undertaken to discuss and urge the propriety of extending the period of onr annual sessions of the Legislature. In our correspondence and elsewhere mi nuuuu wrillB jjhbJBtfl PBlLiimiji .mi quently, and now introduce it again in order to give place to an excellent article from the Carolina Times. [t deserves to be read and pondered well; inasmuch is, in our opinion, the reform indicated deserves ruore than any other the immediate and careful attention of our people. " An examination into the unfinished business of the recent session of the General Assembly of this State," says the Times, "will reveal the fact that many measures of importance were not acted on at ill, and others not fully matured. Several private ilaims, involving considerable sums of money, were eft unadjusted, thus inflicting serious loss nnd great lardship upon those immediately interested. Many subjects of a public character, demanding legislation, were not disposed of, but were left over to the lext Legislature, either to be again passed by or to 'Ai.on npwln now hiiRinpqq Tn thin wnv tlinvo iornn. V4VV ~ ? ??'* " ? ?r dly accumulating a vast amount of unfinished busiless, -which is beginning to be felt as a serious public nconveniencc, and a hindrance to sound, careful egislation. "This accumulation of business arises from a vant of time, in which to legislate and not from any emissncss or neglect of their duties on the part of >ur legislators. We are witnesses to the fact, bavngthe very best opportunities of making correct observation, that they labored faithfully, arduously ind unremitingly for the speedy disposal of the pubic business. As is well known,the committees have irst to prepare business for the consideration of the Legislature ; indeed, nearly every measure of legisation is matured in committee. We known that the sommittees did faithful and arduous service in the several spheres of duties assigned to them. "They met early and sat late, and deliberated as ong as their limited time would admit. Each day's ournal will show that the members addressed themselves promptly and industriously to the despatch of :he public business. Yet, notwithstanding all, many )ublic and private interests have not been acted on? lot neglected or overlooked?but simply not matured ; and have been adjourned over to the next session of the General Assembly. It has been the inrariable custom, for many years, to close the session l few days before Christmas. This custom allows :oo short a time for the transaction of legislative lusiness. It afforded time enough in former years, lut it does not now. The legislation of the State is apidly increasing, year by year, and by consequence cquires more time for its proper dispatch, and will require in future still more time. "It is, then, a question of great importance to the people of the State, to lengthen the annual sessions if the General Assembly. Our Legislature should lie convened at an earlier period in each year, and sit until the customary time of adjournment, if the. people would avoid a vast accumulation of unfinished business, and prevent crude, hasty and hurtful legislation. "A bill was introduced for this purpose, by Ool. Cunningham, of Charleston, but was defeated mainly by those who desire to force the transfer of the appointment of electors of President and Vice-President of the United States to the people. The bill provided for the assembling of the Legislature on the First Monday in November, in each year, instead of the Fourth Monday. But, as we have said, it was defeated. The .people will have to take the subject _ i j 1 ? 1? ?i.? in uuuu, uiiu i'ctjuiru un uucruuuu ui iuv vsuuowtution, if they would prevent the evils of an accumulation of unfinished business, or the still greater evils of ill-digested legislation. The subject is one of vast importance, and should receive the attention which its importance demands." "" As far as York is concernod, however, though other sections and the State at large have much of which to make complaint against the rocent session, we should for the present at least be satisfied.? There was more legislation in reference to the local interests of our District than those of any half-dozen other Districts in the State?Charleston, perhaps, excepted. Our members worked faithfully to represent the wants and redress the grievances of their constituents, and with but one or two exceptions succcded admirably. Nearly one-half of the huge ltoad Bill was for the benefit of York; York made a most respectable figure iu the Incorporation Bills, and indeed had a place in almost every other Bill or the Calendar. The most note-worthy of these is the Act in i mendment of our Town-Charter, which we copya this ^sueand to which we would direct the attenth of our readers. It will be seeu that several ij J * important additions have been made to the powers of the council, all of which, we trust, will be carried out thoroughly and to the better. If our space permitted,' we would notice them in detail; this, however, must suffice for the present. OUR CHAPTER OP ACCIDENTS. The chapter of accidents current for the past week contains more than one incident which deserves the recording. First is that which befel the town of Beaufort in this State, the best portion of which was destroyed by a disastrous fire on Saturday night the 22d of December. The Charleston Standard has learned from persons on board the boat TFrtliam Seabrook that "the fire commenced at the west end of Bay street, and crossing over from the south side had destroyed many houses on both, and was only Btopped at the Library building, which was cut away. This was in the best part of the town, and the loss of property was very great. The buildings on this street are generally valuable, and if the flames had not been arrested by the prompt removal of the Library building, it is probable the whole street would have been in ruins." Among others, the houses of Capt. Murray, Mr. Capers, Mr. Cockloft, Mr. Adams, Mrs. Cook, and Mrs. Por*v*of waImaMa rtrtnfonlfl Vhra floo. I tVUUO, IT 1 bit bUC iliVOb IU1UUU10 VUUIVIU?") t? v?v ?VM troyed. No insurance, except to the extent of aboat twenty-five hundred dollars. The Patriot publishes editorially a minute account of an accident on the Greenville and Columbia Rail Road, on Thursday the 20th. The passenger train, which was preciously freighted with a full cargo of legislators returning homewards, was delayed several hours near Allston, and running out of schedule time came in collision with a freight train, near Newberry, crushing the baggage cars and doing heavy damage to the engines. Luckily all the passengers escaped with their lives. Mr. Solicitor Reed and Mr. Weiis, the Mail Agent, was badly hurt?the latter making a narrow escape. The accident furnishes a suggestion which is well put:? "There ought to be a rule of the Company that the freight trains should remain at their proper sations until the passenger trains pass, no matter how long they may be delayed." Tho Charlotte road, too, makes a conspicuous figure in the chapter. Indeed, this "institution" cuts such figures so frequently of late that it might be well to set apart a whole chapter for its exclusive benefit. The first to be mentioned, for which, by the way, no blame is to be attached, is one of the queerest on record. On Christmas-day, a male speoimen of the "peculiar," who had, in a state of superlative inebriety, stretched himself longitudinally on the track, was run over by the train at'full speed, without being in the least disturbed thereby. .Strange to sav! he escaped unhurt with the loss of a very small portion of the "wool on the top of his head." The hero of sach a Aair-breadth escape, without a parallel as it is, ought to have a place in Barnnm's collection ! Another accident occurred on the same road on Saturday lost, which, we regret to learn, resulted much more seriously. The Carolina Times thus speaks of it:? "The passenger train on the Charlotte Railroad due on Saturday afternoon from Charlotte, failed to reach this city until half post eleven o'clock a. m., yesterday, the consequence of a run off one mile this side of the Catawba River. The engine, tender and baggage cars were thrown from the track, and we regret to learn that two negro boys, brakemen, received serious injuries. Allen, the property of Dr. Pride, had one thigh and a leg broken, and otherwise severely injured. A boy, the property of Mrs. Jones, received internal injuries, which it iB feared are of a serious nature. Wm. Litle, Esq., United States Mail Agent, narrowly escaped being trushed to death. The passengers escaped unhurt, and,'apart from the injuries sustained by the brakemen, the accident maybe regarded trifling Mn its consequences." We must felicitate the public sorvice, as well as our friend Col. Litle, upon his happy escape. The Col. is aright jolly, clever sort of a man, and withal a capital officer, and should the road succeed finally in effecting his detriment, the service will sustain a Hwai_tO_t)e equalled only by that of his many friends. We hope his good luck will continue to travel with him. Of course our readers may expect hmxufter many other chapters of the same ilk. This may suffice for the present. EUROPEAN AFFAIRS. The steamship Pacific has arrived, with dates from Liverpool to the 15th of December. The following items embrace the morerimportant features of the news:? Kars had fallen into the hands of 4he Russians, 1 the garrison having been starved out. When Gen. Kenethy escaped from the city, to hasten the advance [ of Omar Pasha, Gen. Williams was sending in a flag ( of truce to offer terms of capitulation. Nothing farther is known, but it is believed tho place had surrendered, the garrison being too weak to cut 1 their way through the Russians. Omar Pasha was j near Kutais, which was held by a strong force of i Russians. , j i In the Crimea, the Russians had attacked the ex- ' tremity of the French lines with 8,000 men, but af- 1 ter an hours' fighting, withdrew. Both armies are f comfortably housed. Tho firing continues between j North and South Sebastopol.. i Russia has negotiated a new loan of 50,000,000 1 roubles. The Austrian army was being reduced to s the peace footing. ' f More rumors regarding jjfcace but certain negotia- s tions made no progress, difficulties arc known to exist in ue English Cabinet. Lords Palmerston and r Panmure urging a continuance of the war, while the r rest of the CabinctfavocNapoleon's suggestions for t peace. / v Cotton opened active but closed quiet at 1-lGd t advance. Sales of theiveek 50,000 Bales, including t: 15,000 to speculators jnd exporters. i, It falls out very stnngely that Louis Napoleon d is now suggesting comsels of peace, and thereupon c Urv n/M.AHn?Anf hfteitntrtn I tuc U1J?J1?U ^UYUUAVUl iHCiWHWi liU IT 3UUUVUIJ' g' and unaccountablyihe aspect of affairs have chan- s ged. But yesterday England was bleeding at every y pore and groaning 'erily with the weight of the 8, burden; while Fracc, elate with victory, asserting ^ the supremacy ait grasping at conquest, decreed n loudly for the wry! It passes our feeble compre- Cl hension. The suggestion comes from France, and jj is first hinted U' France from the Crimea, by the j, Marshal Pelli/eh, who has informed his Majesty jc that another cinpaigu in tho peninsular will prove I r( fatal to the amy, and must not bo sustained. Here, pc an extract frci a letter of the Washington corres- C( pondent of to New York Post comes in aptly, and ra may serve bgive an insight into the secret of these ra strange motmorphoses:?- ir "The lot news from Europe, in official as well as gl in unofficif circles, is deemed to be of unusual significance. It is thought to presage an early disrup- 8* tion of tb alliance between England and France.? The desaato fiaaucial condition of tho latter rov- k, ernmentthe dismal prospect of a famine this winter f among to French people, together with the well 0 known act that there has never been for the last ei half ce?ury a famine without a revolution, or a rev- ti olutioiwilhout a famine, has naturally alarmed and cc disinohed Louis Napoleon to risk any further drains uponis resources, and, accordingly, we find the presfbf Paris chiming in concert for negotiations whU may lead to peace. The withdrawal of the P1 Fr#sh forces in the Crimea at points where they j care of no service, and the demand of Gen. PelissU' who is at Paris, for the complete evacuation of ce tb Crimea by the 100,000 French troops, on the I gund that further operations would be fruitless, ost augur a reversal of the late warlike policy of ?. fc Empire. I observe also that your sagacious cor- V1 ,'spondcnt at Paris predicts the adoption of Pelisler's advice. * "The recent ferocious attack of the London Times 01 apon the French Marshal, charging him with cow- m urdicc and incompetency, and its studied eulogium of England at the expense of her ally-, with its in- ?. sinuations that while, at the end of two years, Eng- . land, which started with such disadvantages in point Ln of a standing army, finds herself in an improved 1 condition to prosecute hostilities, while her coadju- |.r tor, after one prodigions military splurge, by which 1 she was enabled to bag all the glory of the campaign, now ignobly backs out with exhausted resources fe A - = from the stiggle J all theso are indications of impaired cordilitloa tho part of Great Britain. Private ftdvice^u^also been received, confirming this view, in which lis stated that groat chagrin and bitterness a^ ptately expressed among the British officials towardJpcir Imperial ally; and it is regretted Englan4'd not begin the war on her own hook, without ajppting land operations, but limiting herself to tlmore economical, and doubtless, moro glorious mwd of crippling the maritime commerce, and blocking the ports of Russia. In this respect, the spocitionsof your Parisian correspondent are fortified* the most trust-worthy evidence to the snbjectprairable atWrshington." IlVIfcN TROUBLES. We arc beginuinto hearmcreof our Indian troubles. A tclegrapq dispatch, announcing the arrival of Qeorge Zajfrom California, contains this portentous addenda: "The war in the North is progressing with muchiolen'ce. The Indians in Pugent's Sound have ttered into an alliance against the whites." In relon to Gen. Harney's movements in the West, aatter of November 10th says that a council was hel recently with thirty or forty Sioux Indians, in wich the veteran General read out the ultimatum reqi^ing them to come to terms of peace -within the peril of one hundred days, interspersing the commai with declarations to the effect that "it was immimal to him how they act-' ed, as he would just as s*n fight as have peace."? The Indians in the counciexpreseed their convictions decidedly in favor ofihe latter alternative. The news from the Semibles in Florida is of the most startling character, dkl deserves the larger share of attention. The stfcmer Carolina, which arrived in Charleston on Sfcurday from Filatka, brought an extra containing HVe following official information, bearing date at Rrt Brooks, (Fla.r) December 23d, 1856 : - r " An exploring party, undfl the co mmand of Lieut. George L. Hartanff, 2d Artlery, consisting of one sergeant, one corporal, andfleven privates, were suddenly attacked by a parti of Seminole Indians on the 20th, about sixteen flies south east from Fort Simon Drum, that post |ing about forty miles south east fVom Fort Myere.TThe party left Fort Myers on the. morning of the jth instant, and up to the time of attack were engarfd in making a re-examination of the portion of tnBig Cypress Swamp examined by the troops last ijitcr. Three men of the command arrived at Fort Iyers on the night of the 21st. It is supposed thatSLieut. Hartsuff and the remainder of his party ha been killed. Most of tho public animals with t b expedition, some eighteen in number, were alsi Bhot down. Lieut. Hartsuff, when last seen, had < Kb arm broken, and is supposed to have been wouni id in the side. Private Hanna, of company G, 2d Lrtillery, one of the party who escaped, brought the ibove information to Fort Myers. Hanna was wotuied in the abdomen ?not seriously, it is thought.'He left another of the party, private Baker, also -ponded, about eighteen miles from Fort Myers, jpaker gavo out at that point, and could come no yrther. The Indians making the attack -were sime twenty-five or thirty in number. Two oompais of the'2d Artillery were to leave Fort Myera ofthe morning of the 22d instant, in search of LieuS Hartsuff and the missing members of the party. ^ Other movements of the troops in the direction olthe battle ground were ordered immediately on thlreceipt of the information concerning the attack? The above information embrace every thing known officially concerning the attack, i> to the departure of tho Ranger." C05QRESSI0N&. "There are three parties in t| House : 1st, the Black Republicans, who support liiks of Massachusetts, who may be 6et down at 4b present timo as being ready to make every possib| aggression upon the South, exoept the abolition f slavery in the States, at that point they profess tfctop. The leadiug exponent of this party on the floor is the notorious Joshua R. Geddings, of Ohil whose extreme opinions on the slavery question hi hitherto almost insolated him in the House. He itnade the leading spirit, on hia motion the caucus nolnating Banks ; a resolution was passed not to sunort apy man for 'Speaker who would not stand pieced to organize the committees to suit the friends ( freedom. The object of this resolution was to 4ck the leading committees with abolitionists, so t|t the respective committees might report abolitici manifestos and bills; the committee on the districpf Columbia for instance, could report for the abollon of slavery in the district; the committee on tcatories would report the prohibition of slavery ixablie territories ; the committee on commerce, the nohibition of the entire State ocean Blave trade; tk committee on foreign relations, a recommendatiorfor the acknowledgment of the independence of Htji and reception of a minister. Mr. Geddings has a)o made a speech in the House, of the most ultra desdptlon ; among other things, he said the North in tided to abolish slavery in all the territory of the fe<kal government, and that the North did not intend I let the South quit the Union. In the same speed, Geddings furXI : j . til 4- .1 1 At-.?--It- J-*? J uier auiu . x iu mcaiu-vco vir iryiuim. ueieiiu yourselves. I would to God I coulifcroclaim to every slave in Virginia to-day, you hfre the right of self-defence, and when the master itempt to exercise the right of dominion over yoi slay^him as he would slay yourselves." Now tins ?gunge of Ged- . dings is important, not as the opii^n of one man, bat as the leading spirit of those wh rote for Banks. One hundred and seven members ave voted for Banks, who stands upon a comma platform with Geddings. Comment is unnecessary The next party in numbers in the [ouse are those ivbo vote for Richardson of Illinoi consisting of seventeen northern democrats, the 1 lance southern iemocrats in more or less connecti 1 with the democracy. Richardson is one of ie soundest of lorthern men, and stands squarely < the Nebraska ind Kansas bill, and opposition to tl Know Nothing inrty. His vote stands usually at', The. third party is the National I ow Nothing or American party, made up of some 3 southern men, ind some 6 or 0 northern men. Ti j vote for Fuler of Pennsylvania, nis position is defined by limsclf is this, acquiescence in the resent Legislnion of the country on the subject f slavery, wilingness to admit Kansas^tvith or i bout slavery, is the people may determine in fori ng a constituion, and opposition to the renews/ of the slavery igitation. Besides these three pities, there are iome4 or 5 scattering votes, throwijn individuals." The foregoing extract from the fashington corespondent of the Carolina 7Ym<Jwill inform the under sufficiently in regard to the distinctive fcaures and the relative strength of tfc soyeral parties rhose struggle for the mastery hat hus far deferred he organization of the National H ise of Represenatives. For four weeks the lattei as been fraught acessantly, and as yet with no dent. Day after ay, with but little intermission; he time has been onsummcd in ballotting?each jffort marked by imilar results: Banks, 101 to lOrvotes; Richabdon, 67 to 74: Fuller, 30 to 83 Scattering, 0 to 9. ' Ife shall not hazard a conjecture i to the issue when uch elements are at work. Of nis, only, can we e assured: none of those now pbminent can comland a majority of the votes, an/ before an election , an bo effected, the conservativdocmbers of all par- : es must unito upon some onoiwhose past course 1 as been such as to render him Iss obnoxious to ob- j ictions founded purely upon pfrty influences. Our ' jpresentatives, Col. Orr, by hi/acknowledge fitness ' ir the- station, and Mr. joyed by his liberal and j mediatory bearing towards tl| members of the A- ( mrican party, have taken piminent positions a- 1 iong the reserved forces, and l^er-writers represent ' le prospects of each as qui! flattering. Should ^ lcli a result be determined i favor of cither, we mil of course be more than siisfied. Such a result might ere thi> have been attained, at for the ill-advised, selfish fnd unpatriotic action ' the Democratic caucus, in fefcrcnce to the South n members of the Aiuericai party. The Resoluon, which has given such seious and we fear irreincilable offence, reads as f^lows:? Resolved, That the Derao<ratic members of the ousc of Representatives, tknigli in a temporary inority in this body, deem tlisa fit occasion to ten- , ;r to their fellow citizens offtlie whole Union their mrtfelt congratulations on>he triumph, in the refiit elections in several ofihe Northern, Eastern, id Western, as well as Souiern States, of the prinplcs of the Kansas-Nebraita bill, and the doctrine ' civil and religious libyty, which have been so olently assailed by a son-et political order known i the' Know Nothing pajy; and though in a minory, we hold it to bo orf highest duty to preservo lr organization and cmtinue our efforts in the aintenance and defenc of those principles and the institutional rights offevcry section and every class ' citizens against theil opponents of every descripon, whether the so-caled Republicans, Know Nothg or Fusionist8 ; andto this end, we look with conlence to the supporland approbation of all good id truo men?lriendiof the Constitution and the nion throughout the lountry. While we give in ou' adherence to every cardinal aturc of the Democatic creed, we cannot but coni / demn the intemperate zeal and, tinder the circumstances, the stupid folly which characterize this action. True, the resolution announces the well-known 1 and well-defined policy of the party, and in this view fl alone ought not to be objectionable. Under other 1 circumstances, no one, whether friend or foe, would A have doubted the propriety of its adoption. But the very fact that it announces a well-defined and well-known policy rendered its promulgation entirely unnecessary. Coming, as every member had done, from the heat and toil of the canvass, no right motive could have induced them to such an impolitic and uncalled-for action. It muBt have been known that the Democratic party conld not of itself command a majority in the House, and |at the outset the apprehension might reasonably have been entertained that success could only be had eventually at the price of mutual concession nnd compromise. It was the height of folly, then, for the party to rule out thus peremptorily the oniy irienas wnom, outside of tiieir own rartks, tbc/ could claim. The contest is really one ofslavry with anti-slavery, and to this complexion must it come at last. Upon this single proposition is based the creed of the Republican party; and upon it, the conservative men, Democrats of both North and South, and Americans, must make the issue. With but a few base exceptions, they are sound slaverymen, and upon this basis all might and could, but for this unlucky mis-step, have long ere this been united, to a man. This must yet be done; and in order to it, the Democratic party should, with a display of a degree of its wonted patrfofism, recede from a position to which, we. fear, it has been driven solely by an insame and uncalculating spirit of party rancor and that selfish and corrupt clutching after the spoils?the bane of party purity and highborn patriotism. Unless tho olive-branch is thus held out, candor compels ur to say, upon the Democratic party must rest the responsibility. Samsonlike madly and blindly, they will have involved in their own the destruction of all that they were commissioned to preserve, protect and defend bevond the progress of thiB straggle. Of course, the proceedings in both Hpnees are devoid of special interest The political world is at a stand-still, and, until the House is organised, must bo remain. Whenever, the machinery gets into motion, we shall announce the fact, and continue, week after week, to famish our readers with a full and accurate report of the progress of the session. "LET HER SLIDE!" In the National Intellinencor's report of ^^proceedings of the House of Representatives on Mondaylast w? notice the following~ Mr. Boyce, of South Carolina, desired to ask the gentleman from Massachusetts several questions, which he hoped would be answered. He would ask the gentlemen if he was in favor of a restoration of the Missouri restriction, of the entire prohibition of slavery in all the Territories of the United States, of the abolition of slavery tin the District of Columbia, and of the inter-State slave trade; and, further, if he was in fa*or of the Recognition of the independence of H&yti, and of receiving, as a representative to this Government, a black minister, and of the total or partial repeal of the fhgitive slave law ? [Load cries of "order," -order."] Mr. Morgan, of New York, insisted that the gentleman from-Sonth Carolina was out of order. Mr. Washburn, of Maine, hoped he would be allowed the privilege of asking some questions of the gentleman from lllinois, [Mr. Richardson.) Renewed cries of "Call the roll," and much confusion. Mr. Boyce. Does the gentleman from Massachusetts refuse to answer me? Mr. Banks addressed the Clerk; but, there being no question before the House, debate was ruled out of order. Mr. Letcher, of Virginia. I move that the gentleman from Massachusetts be heard as he has taken the floor. Mr. Boyce. One more question, and it is this: Is the gentleman from Massachusetts in favor of an amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery in the States? [Reiterated cries of "order," "order."] Mr. Banks. I know the gentleman from South Carolina well, and I have noticed the votes he has given in this contested election for Speaker. When, the gentleman for whom he has consistently and. honestly voted had an interrogatory propounded to> him, I recollect that that gentlemhn replied, that inasmuch as the interrogator was not a candidate, and therefore had the advantage over him, he would decline to answer. I thought it was well, and I make the same response. [Great laughter.] Air. .Florence desired to offer a resolution which would require immediate action. He desired that it should be read, &o that it might he considered and acted upon after there had been a vote, if gentlemen desired it. He would read it. "To-morrow, the 25th instant, being Christmas"?[loud and prolonged laughter]?"a day held in holy veneration by Christian men as the advent of the Saviour of the world"?[ renewed laughter]?"and. besides, being regarded and kept as a holiday almost universally, it is ordered that, to enable all who desire to participate in the religious observances or secular festivities of the day, the members of the House of Representatives of United States will not assemble again, after an adjournment to-day, until Thursday, the 27th instant, at meridian" [Loud cries of "no," "call the roll," and laughter.] Mr. Florence. Well, let it go. . The Clerk then proceeded to call the roll for a. sixty-eight vote for Speaker. Mr. Brooks, of South Carolina, when his name* was called, before giving his vote, desired to mako a few remarks suggested by the questions propounded to the gentleman from Massachusetts. He thought that in politics, as in every thing else, fair play was a jewel, and,' in due deferenoe to his colleagne, he regarded his questions as illiberal. The gentleman from Massachusetts had announced that in certain contingencies he would be willing to "let the Union slide." The gentleman (said Mr. B.) has assumed the position that if the doctrines of the pro-slavery, and, as I think, constitutional men obtain, 'in that event he (Mr. Banks) will be willing to "let the Union slide." I hesitate not to say that if the gentleman's construction of constitutional power prevails in this country, I, for one, am willing to endorse his sentiment with all my heart, and say "let the Union slide." V He had been charged at home with being a little too nati' nal; and, if he could have a constitutional* Government, God knew that every feeling of hist heart, bis patriotism, his duty to his Maker and his; fellow-men, would impel him to do all he could to * preserve the country. But things were taking ? course which he confessed was music to his ear. It was well for gentlemen to understand each other, and he thought that he began to understand the gentleman from Massachusetts and his colleagues. If they had a fixed determination to carry out their plans, he desired his people to know it. II' they of the South could not have the Government administered as they believed the Constitution required, he desired to say to gentlemen of the North, without threat or taunt, that ho wished them to make the issue here, for he never could understand that kind of patriotism or chivalry which caused a man to leave the hall and go home to his people to make the fight, rhis was the place, and he, for one, was willing to take his stand. If the question was to be decided by arms, they should meet it here like men, and tell their constituents that they were not willing, when langer presented itself, to run to them for protection, but that they, who had been appointed as their standard-bearers, would, like men, assume the responsibility of fighting the battle upon the floor of the House. Atroctoua Outrage. About 1 o'clock on Tuesday, an affray occurred n a tavern at the corner of Calhoun and East Bay street, between a man by the name of Christ and mother by the name of Gibbes. Two gentlemen, _.i rvi 1 m T>... s n rv /.. . aamcu auhuri jl. ounca uuu vxeu. it: wen, who were massing at the time, seeing a crowd around the door, rcry natura'.ly stopped to see what was the matter, [hey went into the tavern and saw Christ, who is the iroprietor of the place, on top of a man, beating him rcry badly with a stout club with a loaded head. rhe gentlemen mode a remark that they did not bink it was right to be beating i nian in that way vhen he was down. Upon this, Christ immediately ittackod them. Mr. Jones received a blow on his iead which knocked him down; Dewett started out bto the street, followed by Christ, who held a large ind powerful bull-dog by the collar. Upon his overaking Dewett he struck him a severe blow, which elled him to the earth; he then let loose the dog up>n him, which bit and lacerated him in a shocking nanner; and every time that Dewett would make an ittempt to rise, he was struck on the head by this lend. Mr. T. C. Hubbell, a gentleman who lives in he vicinity, immediately went and tried to make bis villain stop, and it was not until he told him he vould be hung for it, that he did stop. A few seconds after Mr. Hubbell had made Christ draw off lis dog, auother fiend in hnman shape, by the name J if Vierfelder, came up with another dog, and set him J ipon Dewett, who was lying on the ground bleeding M irofusely from the wounds he had already received. M