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. TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM-] "THE X-nxo 13 op Iiibbrtt XS HTXIIIITAIJ vies-niA-TJOE.'* IFAYABLE IN ADVANCI1. BY DAVIS & CREWS. ABBEVILLE, S. C\, THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 2, 1857. viit. vur ^ ^ >).. XT rt-l ? .. I j >i?? mi J.HU/ i/ni aru j/t'lia. SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN CENTRAL AMERICA. BY Dtt. J. H. SIGUIl. V * THE PLAIN OF LEOX AND ITS VT.ODCCTIOXS. I Tbo plain of Leon is n plateau of im- . mouse extent, stretching north ami west j from the Western shores of Lake Managua to tho port of Kealejo on the Pacific, ami j the Eastern Real, an arm of tho (ln!f of ( Fensqca, almost due noith. North and eask?1t is-bounded by the niuo volcanoes of j " Ihe Mambios, beyond which another plain : * of similar clovaufiu and climate stretches j ?w?v 111 ji nortu-castcriy direction, unlit il: breaks in billows of lnxrinnt vegetation . \ngflinst tbe rocky bases of the mountains of , .'" Nueva Segovia. 7 Of the plain of Leon proper, the city of; Leon forms the geographical as well astlie political centre, lying equidistant between the Lake of Managua and the Pacific Ocean, i . It is one of the largest cities in Central , . ? i America?the largest in the State of Nica- , ? ragua ; and possesses a population of twen- ; ty-five thousand souls, including (he Sub- j liaba or Indian suburb in the estimate.? j . . It8 cathedral ??f San Pedro is the finest; publip edifice in the country ; and the social gn.t nni;.:....l S - ' 1 1 o.iu j.w.mv.ii Mil IMII lillll'C <>l llie place Wntll.J well "entitle it to a more elahoratH descrip- i * tion, had not the ground luen already occupied by Mr. S'juit-r, who Ihis devoteil nearly a hundred p ages of his invaluable | work on the people, scenery and iiioini- I menls of Nicaragua, to an < xhanstive |>io- ! ' ture of all the more interesting features of| the capital. Referring our readers, therefore, to Mr. j ... t Squier, for all such information as they may ! ^ desire about the city, ?v sdiall coidiuu our- < selves in the present chapter to an exposi tion of those agricultural resources which ' must eventually restore ibis plateau to a commercial importance even higher than ! that of which the ravages of civil war! and the gfiK-ral insecurity of property, have temporarily deprived it. The general surface of the plain is a ta- j i.i? ? i ..# i-. i t i - uic IIIIK# wi irnil^lWiMiUMli ? I! Vd'HIlif* I j with <lcll"- of the ricln-st- luxuriance and | ' beauty. The heaven which arc-lies ii, ilu- > 1 ring the greater putt of the year is of mi- \ e.Iosded 1*1 no, and tlie ?!?! (sphere lias a j ' purity which enables on<\ with a glass. to j 1 distinguish small oI>j<-c!s, as a live, or tin; j ' ' mast. < uf a ship, at an iueivdildu di>lati<-(a. | ' Compared to (irenada, ilN elim.-ite ishealthv | 1 in the extreitit*; and with a wry moderate J ' degree of eautioti, as to the ti-e of fruit and jf , exposure at unseasonable hours, the lot- | 1 eigtier may soj.iiirn in this plain as safely j * j*is iti must other parts of the world ; the J 1 soil, as a general rule, is extremely fertile I ' and luxuriant, and even on its higher slopes j ' coni<l only liu ealle-l poor when contrasted willi the exceeding j'n lnic-s <?t* the bottom lands out of whjcli tile accliviiu-.s art: lifted, j * Comparing tlie Very poorest soil of ihu j 1 plateau with the beM, fanning lands of the | 1 United States, wis fear wu should get dcri- j*' dedly tlie worst of it. Tito whole plain i* j ' a luxuriant pasture ground, and so abun- ' dant and'nnlritioiis is the gr.is*. that, if de 1 voted to cattle breeding alone, a snflii-i>-iii ' quantity of hides might he raised to supply \ tl.e whole cotisuniption of the United ' States! And surelv, after such an estimate, ' it must l?e tlie fault of the inhabitants them6elves if they are short of beef. 1 Under such a government as may easily ' . bo contemplated in the<>r?t hut of which, in prnctic^ there seams now less hope ilmu 1 everithe'\vho|? of this .magnificent fitthl ' + injght he devoted to those more valuable I productions, such as sugar, cotton, indigo 1 und rice-. for uli of whic.h it is perhaps hitler adapted' by .climate, character and soil, 11 .any other- spot of equal extent to be , f found upon the continent. 1 The HUgaf yane wart introduced into this 1 country from the VCestJndies, hut may he ' ? s-.i!.- ' /<; vvuoiiicivu fill |)HMSUCIIOII, mm H . very different plant *o niiy to'l?u fi>itn<l nt ' ^ * present in tlio WcH-I'tdm.Isdnn'i , il grow- f fug i)) 11c)i larger mid ' ? greater p*"<?jVfni??n,.'mtcidiJiriiie'^iiuijtla r jlfau Unit <?f . It nuty (je. cur ' fivioe-.H yeiir, requiring tr?lixp!;miing 1 pnly ^nce'in nevciror eight v<*hir,* widens ID !c8S fwutid^regions.it IIUMI liu replanted v on account cif'-tlie exhaustion 'of. Hie nyi), } 0~ f -j + 4t *?.im * * it ' , ilireo or four'yeiiffc. Indeed, we Tiavp | " evn gwu sugar ~inm^ iroin c?uo? wjioye " , V ' ' t . T' ? H* . 4 1 f ^ir^r i\i ' -_.l ;_ Jij groivs to :vn average height of twenty foot, i and produces cotton of a long and strong staple, very similar to that known in cominereo as the Sea Isiland, hut not so fine and flossy in its text tire. It can he grown i to great advantage, no reqniriring trans- i plantation for many years, nnd tli? only at- I temioii requsite to the plant, l?y pruning. . < within convenient dimension* for tiie gath- : erers. The other or imported species is the green seed, the same essentially as that of ( our own Southern States, only made more prolific, by change of climate and soil.? i In quality it will compare favorably wh1,, ( the host growths of Mississippi. ( Indigo of the finest Qii-Vilv, nrid commandinir the hiirhc-'t tn-i??e r. i w . j-.-vxo, ur-w I IWIIIIVJIIV M In he produced here in enormous quantities j 1 fur exportation, and could again he made | < the staple of u splendid trade, provided the I < proper description of laborers could !> ? i i found. The processes of manufacturing this dye arc extremely delicate, and require < almost ceaseless attention, so lliat tlie ha- i liitual indolence of the natives, joined with the uncertain tenure of all property, have ' together paralyzed, for the time heing, this i most important hrain-.Ii of industry. I L sr-jn indigo estates, with dams, aque- I duet-, vats. and all the requisite machinery, t ato now i uniting to waste through the I i - ?-> 1 1 , iiiiiii a souii'u govern- I nieiit lias given guarantees to capital, can i these lie again nwule productive. Let us ; Impu?tlioiii>li it seems hoping against hope ti ?that ilio lime tor such an event is not for > Jistant. v Iiice is also indigenous, an<l of a fair l>ut I' i<?t superior ipialitv. The grain is not. so l! urge or white as that of Carolina, l>nl its 1 .isle is good and its nutritions propel tics a nilv equal. Ii would prohalilv lie culiiva- H .ml t>? a tit 11 t'h greater extent in Nicaragua, K ml for the fact lliat Smii Salvador produces ' ni'l exports it In quantities, ami at a price ' vliich reiiilercoiup tilion useless. The cur- t eiii price in that Stale sehloin exceeds one ' K?llar ami a half the hundred weight; hut j 11 me dollar insif tn? ii r u?v; alt VI?'I!?I3 111 he av?*r;ijjtt qualities. < ' Ol' tlto foregoing productions, however, 1 mly such small quantities are actually pro- L luceil as t<> satis!}' the hoiu<? ilemainl; l>u: 1 ;ne!t portions ol' the plateau as have ' -ultivatcil, sulliciently pmvu the fertility of .Iivj whole, ami demonstrate, i-vpii to tin- v liost care loss eve, the inexhaustible wealth j \hieh agriculture, pursin-i| under a staph* '' ;ovornment, and with mr-Ii lahor as wmthl '' ollow immigration, is hern capable of he- ' .towing. At present this region, so prolific v nature, when not wholly neglected, is iparsely colonize! villi cattle; the ahun- ,l lance of the earth has entailed on the in- '' lahiiants, the <:nr*e of ignorance and tlic ^ light of slo'tli ; and they recognize no ' wauls beyond llie inrre.animal necessities, " which may las gratified l<y plucking the n ijn.ntancoiis finit. There is no incentive t?? 1 a.lastly where properly is insecure; and ^ litis we b'di<?hl one of the fairest legions in lie world almost Hhindoned to that pois- J"1 noils vegetal i<'II which a proper course of " nilivation could easily uproot. Many ?-pe- " ies til' poisonous plants, unknown to the est of the earth, are here found r sono? of 1 .hem, .when nsed in small quantities and :i villi proper caution, possess rare medical 11 pialitif.s. and will prol>al>lv mike a valui- 1 .fe addition io tlit; phurmaeo|rt?ia, when " le.ienco shall have exuetly determined their tature, properties'aiul use. * * * * In the city of Leon ami the ruined ha iendas,' which dot the plains around, we " lavo evidence of that former condition of " jrosperity which truly entitled this locality ? n .pnrti'chlar*U? ho willed the-'4 Paradise of c' Mahomethut the horrors of civil and ? icrvile war protracted from, generation to '' reu'erati?fn? ami breaking out with fresh . 'rulence when we had reasonable hopes a hat ill I wyt over?the worst pasdons ihe 1' iuman heart, undisciplined by any eduea- l' iftojmd rendered furious by )>JlaiTdefeat? a hese 1i<*vm mv<-i?t ilio R? ? " |.? ...v r uic iiiiu r .tVord, and presented, from time to time, P is fortune fluctuated, rucIi outrages * ?ml v oli l?>th stilus, an starfd, \yo.l>e- e irvjp, Without a parallel in the history of ^ ]rtf'Sv..r!ilj ? ' , T ' L<>i>kiux Iwk upon the pnge of history, vo i-erts-e t?? tyorrddr at tlfat connected iiulo- l' ufteu itbieh r?fu><es<to exert it?elf for tlie 'P itta*minv?it'of any permanent wealth; there P ire t<?o.i?ut^: rerordx In/ore us <if canes* in '* vidoli *he J> >ftf?essiufi of pi'o|i$rty was con* " ij<!ovu<^ ju-t c;lbs<i of ilealfiV ill. order that ^ hjp- ity*r<Lercrsflight* have th*. benefit o? rt - - * . .. *> - a v. .? ? Jte>er.^?nui B'JWgi infHjX .of. Colotil*HJ *' nuwr c<" ' letoS't/Vuhe can tlm .*i>ntufiiJ torpor tl k* ifi iti'f 1*1111 r "/'jjjffi'fo it 11 ?'nr| nuy ?|uMr^4?l? 'o mmu?toii?i4 t>e^M*1iWr?r nntil.lh* rtnofif- * (.M'of llie' ton tit ry ;*ro jdnct5<1 fhnliir tlie <-are to >f ra * u1 f^janstrong cr^u^h u? y jnnrrfeUi* ' gWoMion c*wi<K jt;*t en<tuah to ?? 1>n?IH)rty HMtl ime!W4fSj;tG p Men fl^UHeivea ^)d families wuiiin iu ? iwwhi v-'< .; , ' -; . M ^luuAt^nre far from a conxumma- ? Jon fotijhpfrqnt *eems p/olmMe. ?i >i?l tfite i* H'^Wbn #* l?y?wi Wemm He*. n Ire tojlnciiM. ffilMtiit it >* t. Stttt Provbjgiiceacnni|ot 'I *ie if nbe lorU?ft. ad| tpo*i fertile h feopa^. oU tfie world sfMjumF7?n?W * Igrtjftftlfe abode of * miwnibje, iostfficUu#' # I0pohiti6:>. who tarn \^c y&sfngs of tjbffy tl ^ * ,. * " *- r irtrtf^Mi||fMI''""1 1 '"fo'111'"" *"' soil into :i curse, and allow so many things j require*! for the benefit of the remainder of j e the human family to run to waste. "Man- I j ifest Destiny" will one 'Jay turn her eagle ; l_ L?yo to the solution of this problem, which, j v if fairly met, would not he diflieult; and s having the highest respect for that mysteri- . < dus power, we lay our private conjectures , t it her feet, and appeal to her deeisioy, j with as much cotifidenco as diu Pjiu1, to ' e Jicsar's ***** r Among the Maple productions of Nica- c ragm?. not one arises to greater perfection or s Sould bo cultivated to more advantage than j i coffee. | v This plant is a beautiful ever green, ' c growing from twenty to twenty-five feet j s liigh, and is covered in due season with : v .'lusters of ilowers. four or in I - duster, which exhale tlic most agreeable f. noma. I The berries in which the coffee seels arc <1 iMic.loseil, are round ami of a dark red hue, i i little less llian an inch in diameter, and I when ripe possessing a tlavor not unplcas- I mt. The seeds are enclosed in a thin fila- ti nent or bag, which separates them from s lie gelatinous pulp of the berry, and lliis ? ilameni must be left around them until af- i ,er separation from the pulp, and lliey have a teen thoroughly dried. i( The plant is raised from the berry, which h nust I??i fully ripe and sown immediately a iflcr it has been gathered. Two months c ifter sowing, the young phi els are set out in ii mvs, and at distances suited to the soil in t. k1 hit'll they are intended lo grow. In the t< inv, rich lauds, where llie tree attains its ti ;reatest siz-*, the due proportion would o i u about four hundred trees to the I: ere; while on mountains, or shelving a copes, six hundred lo the acre might he a afely set. The cultivation after this is easy, o cijuiiin;* nothing more than ilu.t the soil >e kept free from wwls; in the second year it lie live will commence to hear, Imt cannot r; >e considered as having arrived jit its full ii uaturiiy milil the fourth. sj ll is generally asserted that the Araliian f, tl'ee is superior in quality to that produced t| n any other part of llic world; and while w once.ling' (lit: (act that it may !<e so, wealnjjetlier deny that the superiority is inlie- ,, etit in the coffee. Willi equal care and ? itetitioii, the average crop of Nicaragua u i I r. ? : - > - ll, anil llie crop (>l till! ] (] Vest In.lies would fully equal it, it' tli? i ai laiiters there would look more to the ! |, u.iliiy and ie-.s to the quantity of the js dry. u For tiio commercial Mipciioiity of Ara- t| >ian Coffye, three reasons may l>e rightly i| >sigucd: First, the soil, which is ?lrv, ami // mt, ami light; conditions essential to the tl lerfeet development of the herrv. Second- m y, the Araldan tree is allowed to jjrow as inltire made it, whereas, in the West Indies |< ml elsewhere, it is a common practice to 0 rim and train the branches into a denser ;i< rowlh; by this means the tree ntfcupiea :4, ;*ss space and produces more fruit ; but the f, ii\'s of the sun are excluded from all the <y llier beriics uliii-li nmci ? : .. v.,..,,.,., ,? |, uain uuripciied. Thirdly, in Arabia the (| mil is not gathered until bo nciTecllv ripe |, lint it falls down when the tree is shaken. H I'ler which the seeds arc removed to a sitat ion where they can lie perfectly dried in g lie shade, on mats of a peculiar texture ai da pled tn draw out and in hi bo all super- p iioii* ni(ii>turo. n Now, in the West Indies, this last opera- h ion eanuot lie perfectly performed, for llio <) ir, though hot, is damp, oml tlie seeds can- ai ol he dried for exportation except in ovens, n, r iimler ihe rays of the sun, by both or n< ither of which processes th?i finer essence is f the flavor is exhaled. Besides, though ic planters of the West Imlies are aware, u, -niii long experience, that coflee grown on tc light soil, and on ilry ami elevated slopes v< rotluces by far the finest-flavored berries, |j liey also know that the berries so grown hi re small, and that a treo so situated will n< rixlm-o less than half what it would if <>| lanted in the moist rich loam of the lower si alleys. Tliey, therefore, under the inflir itco of a short-sighted policy, go in for jj, nantity rather than quality, and find it to j(( lieir interest, as they conceive, to raise the Sl irgest crop, however fiat and insipid, from j)( je richest soil they can devote lo such a nrpose. As a proof that quality would ay them better than jnoere quantity in the io mor run. if ihev wouU onlv ci?i.ltf ; . ?- ?J J "" r 1/1 v mention that the coffee grown on the <j'1 brl R->viil mouutaiimof Jamaica commands ' higher price in Etir<ij?ean market* even w nip the very finest brands of Mocha. w In fact, we may lake it n* a rule, lljat in r>ff< e the flavor hold* an inve'ite ratio to 1,1 19 hulk V *'?' throughout Nicaragua tlie Iteration of this natural law tuny be ole ),; i?rr#d' In the rich syil nf the plains?tho in offite it h?t fknlv of a larger grain, hut 4'r jeld* ^?r mofe bounteously than in Arabia r the West-IndW?a tree in full beanos !!'. - . . ' , ~7 .. *- . , . ft' rduiM'iiig from .bve to eight pouudA annuIlv.. But on?the high lands of the country, oi diere the flavor will comj^re .advantages u*ly with thfr-best Arabian; the herftek titer liich.srtiaHer nnd sounder, awl tTrb *eeds of S deeper green. The berries showld nevef > Allinvul until ll?p - * ill th? torri* <16 not re?b tljo hl^iM b ^a^Sir.^r * _ >ri foci ion until one or two years after gathring; l>ut this, so far as our individual exlerieneegoes, is wrong. Let the seeds be ful * 1 y ripe when pulled, and dry them carcfuliv without exposure to the diiect action of the un ; and after that it is immaterial wheth- ' r you use ll'em ill tin} first month or tlio i ' liirii"th. In packing and preserving tlie coffee ' ;rcat cam should also lie used ; for the bcries are great absorbents, and if placed in ontaet with fi-h, oil, sugar or any other ubstance that has moisture, will rapi-Uy ^ " -? me uiivur ui uiose articles?a taint k'hicli no length of timo nor roasting pro- * ess can afterwards eradicate. It often , truck us that it would he well not to dicst the seeds of th<* filament in which they re encased utitil the article was required >r immediate use; this shell would comilelelv protect the soed from contact with leleterious ga*es, and might aid, in retaintig those volatile essences which form the , >odv of the aromatic flavor. * * * Since "... I lie fiist introduction of coffee as a hevarswe, t uany and elaborate have heen the discusions to which its imputed effects have givu rise; hut it is not so generally known liat in certain parts of the world it is eaten | s a food?ill which capacity, if Mr. Bruce, 1 ml more recent African explorers are to he C t eliyved, it throws our boasted "pemican" ltog?:ther in the shade. They t?^ll us that t ertain nations of Africa bavins; to traverse j n mouse deserts, carry nothing with tlieni > eat save pulverized eofloe mixed with hut r, and rolled up ii>to the form of a g'gati- j i?- pill. One of ihe-e pills, ahout the size fa hilliard hall, will keep a man, says Mr. ( li uee, in hotter strength and spirits during ( whole day's inarch under a burning sun ; ml over scorching sands, than would a loaf f bread or a full meal of meat. * * * * ? 11 The history ofvollee would he extremely t iteresting had we leisure to ^ive even a ^ ipid sketch of the means by which it was j i trod need into such general use; but our j lace is limited, and the suhjert would be | |( >reign t?? our Work. Suilice it to sav that ! .. iosc divines and r?li?jions denominations lin now extol its adoption as an aid to tliu s ?t:d alis'.iiu iK-c movement, should not re- t| lain ignorant I hat il has often been de- |, nunced on religious grounds, with a rancor ? hirh did not cease without bloodshed. In sj irand Cairo, as carl}' as 1525, its advocates ^ nd opponents turned out in battle array: s, ill the feud was seltcd l?v the Chief Magirate, who invited the chiefs and the conHiding factious to a peaceable discussin of ie nieiiu pro and con. In order to ?s>i?l ii'ir deliberations, he placeil the corpus dccti before each in the shape of a bowl of ^ ie cmhrosial bevel-age; and as lite aroma j, scended in curling fumes, the brows of the c, iiii-cclleeites relaxeil, and they could not c, ?sist the temptation whiih the cunning Q .vernor had prepaied. In Constantinople, ? > well, it had to encounter both religions l( nil political ojiposiiions ; and?such is the |, uce of truth?the unaide<l berry triumphed i tj vor 11 in iiuiifil c? ri.nrri li . - - " * ?*? L?U IIIUSl n r>we?fill engines of delusion. Religion took t| i?i lend in this war, and condemned its use ccause llie faithful are forbidden in the t| [mail to eat u coal as food. Y The supporters of this view took the j, round that coffee, when roasted, is a coal: * ' c< nd so the coffee houses were dosed under j enalties, the least of whi?h was die hastiado. 13ui a more sensible old Mnfti, who s| ad, it is safe to presume, a taste for the ^ L'lieious beverage?called heaven and earth in! all the powers of the chemistry to wit- |(l oss that the heiry in il< drinkable form is r>t a coal, and never ran ho a coal until it S( hiirued to a cinder, in wlii?*h form, he | mfessed, no good Mal^omtucdau should I c se it; ami as the people pretty strongly .| >ok the old MnftiV side? the question in fn- y ? of cuilce was carried in tlie teeth of re- j|( gums and political bigotry, and the coffee- p Duse on the hanks of the Uosphorous were lr ?ain thrown open to lite imminent delight j? "all who had a proper Appreciation of sen- j, hie enjoyment. s. In Sweden, too, there was a hot contenon?the anti-fcoffeeites alleging that the .'Verage gave rue to forbidden desires and tli forth, and it was ruining the morals of the pi joplo by undermining the national love of la jer! ' r| On the other hand, many eminent plvs- ni logist and physicians are vehement in its raise. Uiilour declare* that ? it l>ani<die* . ire, laugugr and nnxiely?give* iIioa? who f ' ink it a pleasing coiiPciou?iie#H of their vn well hi?iug ami dill'iiae* through the h?>le frame a vivifying and delightful oj armih." <, |D It i? undoubtedly one of the Atrongcst isiiifcctiiig agent* and fthould he used uniniuin^ly in MluatipiJR where malaria or niHgioiis disease ^.prevalent. It is hI.w ghly favorable t?/rRe *ocial virtue, pro- 1a iot<?H cheerful conversation, sharpen* I ho at ipacity for wit, Rinooths away the wrinkle*. 0j 'deep thought jyid-poaiiewes-many other . ImirahUF projMjrri*'*, without one kno^ * ul well*atl**>ted deleterious cofi sequence, ' ? ' The irntli i? tfmt it'oneratM -h _ -T - . - . ? "jrr'V r?>. U>eM?>t of iintwin^ itor ihe revere, a? grwlidg to tlie- refemu of their iit<livi?lu?l si tp*fW<a, We will concise thin iHjrrm<i^>|C1. . 1 . V . .?ih!, JProm the South-Sole Democrat. THE FUTURE OF VIRGINIA. :iIE CHARLESTON MEKCUKY AND TIIE NEW j(( YORK IIF.IIALD. We addressed ourselves, in our article of . "i yesterday, to considerations touching I lie ^ nanner in which the " Northern Virginia j Immigrant Ai< 1 Society" proposes, through Is organ, the Hon. Mr. Thayer, to "relieve, ^ esuscitate and regenerate old Virginia." It , tli s now our business to refer at some length o tho results which, its is supposed, will j low from this grand emigrant aid project. Iln? ? " ?. >.iiiviniw ujioii iiiu immediate >bject of litis aiticle. it may he well to prenise lliat the arguments adduced by the \Tcw York Herald and (.lie Charleston Mt_-r- ^ sury, in relation to tlie future of Virginia, tie strikingly coincident. The Ilcrald an- . . ll> icipates the sudden and almost magical liange of Virginia into a froe State. We ^ iave onlv lowland still and watch tlie rapid sos<: uiion of tlie problem. Heeordmg to Bennett. t lie Mercury does not think that tlie meta- ! ' norphosis will take place quite as soon as "1 he Herald predicts, but that " liy the naural order of things and in the course of ' inn*," this result will he reached. Both ^ tapers agree as to the cartaiu and inevita- | ?le destiny of Virginia?the onlv difference ; >f opinion being merely a question of! !" into. I 1 Wo will submit the question to our oo- | temporaries ??f the Mnreury, it" the company | *5' n which they ?ro found on this subject Iocs noL entitle us to the presumption to hat their position is not impregnable. The l" leraUl is proverbially inaccurate in all its tatemeiits of matters of fact, anil is en- ''' irely unworthy of credit in the discussion >f jrravrt iun>?li..iie t-l hi . r .... ... .... Min,v,ttn- iiiu aunni cuil* lilinn of tlio Southern Stales. We are "Sl killing to hope that the Mercury lias not '' inderlaken to express a decidcl ami ma- 00 tire conviction as to the fillure of Virginia. "-1 Certainly, the declaration that the "pre- h'; omittance of free lahor in Virginia is quite ossible," miht either have heen made very w' josely or after a very laborious and thor- 1,0 ugh investigation. In proposing a reply i some of the assumptions of lite that re- qu peeled journal, we shall presume, of course, llii liat it means what it says. We will frank- tin / confess, bower, that it is somewhat hu* ho liliating to be compelled to define the po- m ition of Virginia iu relation to the slavery lo nc-tiiui, and to defend her from (he iinjus- 111; nspiciou of being a free State in embryo, lie The argument of the Mercury is contained dc . .1.,. i*-li. ? ? I iiiu iwimwuig PXinil'l : Wil "The slave population of Virginia, by t'<? :ie last cciisus, bail inoresod but two per tin i>nt?the while population some fifteen or tin iveuty per cent. Ami, although lliis must lot e regarded as the combined result of the flu Dntinual drain of slaves from Virginia to nu ulouizo and settle the new States, on the in? ne hand, and the influx of white immi- an rants from the North and foreign conn- tlx ies, on the other, yet the fact that slave nu dior Is not nccesssary in that climate, tin- as er the pressure of public opinion from the no cighboring States North, is ominous for sin ie institution." inj Wo agree with our cotemporary that lere is a "continual drain of slaves from 'irginia," and a constant " influx of wliii?. wc nmigrants from tlio North and foreign vvt Mint lie.-," l>ut we cannot allow that either w| rcumstanee ia " ominous for the institu- ( ) on." What <loes the continual drain of aves from Virginia really prove ? Il jl(. roves, Itevond a doubt, thai the institulian t||( firmly rooted in the Stale. Tlio al- tjH ged and the known cause of mj many te] den, is the fact that servants command icli enormous prices. If there was the ast danger of Viruinia becoming n free late, this kind of property would ueeessar , UK y lie diminished greatly in value. There oiiKI !>o n general stampede among slave- J'*'1 nlders?the negro market would fall.? ut 1 lie reverse of all this is known to lie S " up. Negroes n?;ver hrou?hl better prices "r( i Virginia limn now, and, hence, as far ns j*'1 goes, the fact alleged by the Mercury trves rather to demonstrate the stability of ',e ie institution. nt'The exodus of selaves from Virginia? m<; ie small per cent, of inoreaso nmong this ?rtion of our population an shown by the r;" st census, and the high prices which this lecies of property is now commanding, ,na e nil the results of fixed and immutable re8 mnnercial laws. When an owner of Ha nves sees that, by disposing of thorn and ^rti vesting the accruing funds in oilier pur- t,,r iil?, ho i? able to make money by ihe l'10 peration, he will, as a geiiem! thincr. fol- l'lH w tlio suggestions of money-making.? me fherever, the world over, tliuro is .1 de- u 6 and for any kind of property, there will, 11 v ' necessity, bo a supply?either limited or no* rge. Wherever the supply is not \ery ' lundant, and the demand great, the price wal properly is always high. Just so in re- .ma tton to the sale of negroes in Virginia.-"- *ai( lie demand from the cuton growing States rnir necessarily very great, hot only com para- 'itf /u|y few persons desiring to of did iivtm, a? ^matter of eoume, they are en-1 me 4wl< to ren^ae enormous suin?, The Mer-1 ma iry wouhf jfot ooneltfcle, because there ma iw a continual dndnof t6t?iJcco froif, Vir. hln ifrifc tlmt H wouWoWm?ielJ bebbme^n '.ft iti-tobacoo 3l?ttei'"$|kjyUtt0 surprising vrtt '' jjp ;* . A iig,;yhii itXitik ~rr V ***& -M - Tlio " continual drain," of which the ercury speaks, while kept within proper Minds, will he found to benefit instead of ' jilting the itislitiilion of slavery in Vir- 1 nia. It will promote its health fill lies-! 1 1 id utility. It will carry oft' the worst and '' live the best negroes behind. Hut it canit exist much longer. Virginia will soon , if she is not already, in the market f>.r j ' e purchase of slaves. Tobacco, the great ; iple of this Slate, will always erea'e a j 1 maiid for slave labor. It has been proven j ' er and over a^ain that slave labor is es- j 1 iiiiti io mo cultivation of tluit plant. 1 Uut, in onler to show further that there 1 !0< 1 he no apprehension on tin; part <>f the ercury that Virginia will ultimately home a free Slate, we beg leave to ilirect . attention to some very important facts. In 1831, there was a strong feeling in j is Stale in favor of emancipation. The 1 heme was advocated Ur some of our be-t en as entirely feasible and proper. What the f cling now 1 We assert that emailRation has few, if any ilUtingui-hcl snpirters in Virginia. The agitation of tlie j 1 >olitioni?ts has dissipate! all sueli it tests j *in the popular brain. The institution of j iverv i*. tu-ilav. mni-o lir..11?t ?=t..i-i:.i.---? I w . ? cnniuinmru i . 1 the hunts ami minds of Virginians limit ever was. As an evidenco of litis, \v?: Per the Mercury to 1 lie constitution of the | ate, which refuses the master tlitt privilege j cmancipatim; his own slaves, if tliov are I remain in the State, and makes it ohliga- J rv on him to furnish each one with two iimlrcd dollars, if tln-y arc to go <jiiL of ie Slate. With regard to free negroes. ie law expressly declares that ihey shall ) sold into slavery upon returning to ?.hc : ate, with a view of ni;i1.-In<? : ' .V (.UWII IIUIIIO lis it will be seen that Virginia, by inrporating into her constitution the most rid provisions as regards the institution of < iverv, lias hedged it in and thrown up Iwaiks tor its protection ami defence, < ticli some of lier Southern sisters have j I t felt themselves called on, to d >. Is With Viiginia domestic slavery is not a j 1 lestion of "expediencyas n'leged by J! u Melonrv. Slic goes down deeper into e argument than that. She lias addressed 1 rself to tho defence of the institution on 1 iieh higher grounds. Sim believes slaveiy 1 be a social, moral, political and intelbc 1 il blessing to the inferior race. She be ' ves ii ti? 'i ' ' ' "" ? wntcti I'rovulence ' signed tlio negro to occupy. She lias ' itched the workings of freo society, and ' ind it the fruitful source of msird.T, ' lift, debauchery and infidelity. She is, 2 re fore, content to remain with slavery a 1 time yet. All of her traditional in- 1 ence and renown, all of her jrlorious ' . mories, ami all of her h?i?jht hopes, are ieparahly interwoven with that humane * d heaven-directed institution. If, under 1 aso circumstances, 44 the cotton States 1 1st look to themselves alone for defence," * Kii.r.m.On.l 1? ~ >? ?"j? liiu mercury, Virginia can- ' t lut admire their independence, although ' e is denied the honor of lending a help ' I hand. * OFFICE HUNTER. A number of politicians, all of whom re seeking office under the Government, 1 ire sealed on the tavern-porch talking. icn an old toper, named 1) came j to ihem. Now, said D is a pi r i iviia 1 - ItHJllHCIOUS VV(It'll " CMl'IIUll/ t exactly the opposite when ?oher. At } present. time being " tight," lie said If J. i company had no directions he would 1 tliein a -story. They told him to " liiv ay whereupon lie spoke as follows : | "A certain King?don't recollect his S( me?had a philosopher upon whose jtidg ,, nt ho ill way 8 depended, Now, it so 0 ppencd thai ono day tlio King look it v o his head to go a hittiling, and after nmoning his nohlcs, and making all the essary preparations he summoned his ilosopher and asked liim if it would rain, d e philosopher told him it would not, and i and his nobles departed. While jour ying along they met a countryman ' united upon a jaekass ; he advised tlieni p return, 4 for,'said he, 4 it will certainly t' n.' They smiled contemptuously upon y n and passed on. Before they had jjjotie >' nv miles, however, they had reason to ? ;ret not having taken llie rustic's advice. b a heavy tdiower coming up tliev were !' nehed to the skin. When they had re- wl n<?/l 11\ il?^> ir ... nio iving reprimanded P philosopher severely for telling him I t it would he clear when it was not. 41 r< t a countryman.' said lie 'and lie know* L rent deal more than you, for he told mo H vould rain, whereas you told me it would in oi The Ki?g then g?ve the philosopher his 1 w kiug ^Wtpor, and sent for the country-' n, whoinado hi* appearance. 4TeU me,' . I the King, * how you knew U would 'I didn't know it,' *Hid iho rustic, J ^kA8S,to|d#?e; * And how, pray, I . he tell yonf s~ * _ -r-nna III iWtUIIIMI nt. 4 By jgri^king up liit earn, yoUr' ei j?*W.v The King po,^ s$nt ilj$ country- " n away J proofing ihojHokw^, lie placed ? \ Irnfoe office ltu> philosopher 1ih?1 filled. , i inhere'olttened P->s*^~,1ookfrtg,'very j ^ ?lierft U where the King niftdo a mis*iio\? *o !' inquired his Auditor,? <j fy, eyer niope that time,' said fi.i *g?n? on his phi*,4every jncbis wants * .If QStCOi \ " . 1>V. fil?. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. The philanthropists uf the present <1 ay, ivho :uo so eager for the abolition of en piL:tl punishment, mid expend nil their sym |>athy for the hardened criminal, without my regard for the victim whom bo has liurriiid into eternity, or for the misery which he has brought upon the surviving family and friends, appear to confine their new entirely to the efleet of punishment upon the felon himself. They lose sight fiitireb of the necessity of protection to *ociety. They for<ret 'hat everv innm-mii ..1 orderly person in the community,?evciy man, woman, ami child, who is m.>t in iho liahit of violating the laws of God and man, ?has a vital interest in the question, whether they shall l>e protected from the hand of ruflian violence, or de-igiiing malice. It is useless to deny that th- it: are many hardened and wicked dispositions in every co'.uinnnity, upon whom the cheeks ol conscience and the pleadings of hmnaniiy hnv? no influence whatever. To restrain them from the connui^ioii of cruelly anil crime, sotno sanction is necessary beyond moral suasion, or an imprisonment of uncertain duration. '**- ^ Shall the larger class of the innocent ho abandoned to the tender mercies of llioso who have neither mercy nor conscience j? -t or shall the class of the guilty?who, wo hope, are comparatively the smaller?ho kept in restraint t.y a punishment far milder than the falo which they Would inllic.t or haveinllicted upon their victims ? Ono philanthropist wishes the public. mind indoctrinated with tin: true that human life is a ?acred trust, (if which the Divine Being alone has fixed I lie beginning, continuance and end. Cut was not tho murdered victim's life an equally sacred trust? Ami is it not rather a violation of ihat sacred trn.->t to permit a murderer to eseapp, who may put an unnatural end to ten innocent persons, than, by a punishment consonant with the prevailing sentiment of * human justice, in all ages of the world, to <top at oncu and effectually, the murderous . career of one who lias himself profaned the <ncrcd trust. . .. y\'.A'jrain : a man's liheily, the unrestrained ise of his liml'S and faculties, is a sacred rust. A man's pe-sonal immunity from ^ he lash is a sacred Uust. The argument. ^ >roves too much, and would lead ustj^nhulsh every species of punishment or restraint, v ind allow crime to riot. A general jubilee if thieves, rubbers and murderers, would bo be result of these nii!J and philanthropic ^ loclriiics. V The jxissil.ility that a jury may, in soma :ascs, convict an iunoc.cut. man, is an argu- ' .* neut to prove that humim judgment iH faliblo, but not to disprove the necessity of*' .uflicient punishment. An unjust sentence) " " >f imprisonment, or even an unjust censure . if an ecclesiastical tribunal, without secular ?. ^ unishment of any kind, has, in some oases, ^ ... ihortcned the life of the subject of censure, . * ? md within less than the time fixed bv our 1ft i * ? 1 aws for the executionoi a capital sentence; nit no one ever thought of citing these renits as arguments a?niinst. nil ;nnc.li..i!/... O 0 - JMM-MU MVIf * " * " vlialcver in instances of similar charge. , What, after all, is the exercise of the leatli penalty in a State, l>ut the einhut i- ' nent in laws made and execute*! without . ? ~~'' > issii)n, of one of tho fir.it necessities iist riyhts cf men in rinle societies?that of If-ilefence ? In fact, we owe it to ery protection which a civil'zed government ir<>viiles,;by taking the exercise of Lhis right< rom the rash hands of tho injured, nhd. sing it judicially, that pseudo phihinthri^j^Sg^Mfe lists can find a placo to promulgnttvor u hear their <!?>cttines. Tho whole ofOiitiinenl against capital puni.-hmeiit fur jffjjl itirder, is a perversion to unworthy ol^c&^wpv. f a feeling which, if properly direclvd^fP??^ amid lie praiseworthy in its nature.? /? * - - ' ^ Health of London.?The total eaths registered in L'>nilon in the wtetragB KsMH hat ended on Saturday 21st, Jl*k- \viIs .kgPgj J 13. Iii the first week of tills inoiitli.^nS^^n^^ uatha rose to 1,808; with *jc'*vwr?n?;r rag?, l!?c hitler should ho ^ art, in whivh case it witMjgs&frfo j.. " ^ 'lie rMllll nf llin - g.trdslhn present state of the ^ i ust week iho btrUi of 07?.V - " irlrt, ill all l,87^^Hdrw,-wt?r#^l*torw^._ v i London. 'In the ten corVCt^tnding' r the years 184?:5Q'the average ,d^4 as 1,503, ,. . " . *. - ' Echo.?Tka attciwiiu \yuro ofthe opm- * m that echo waft a iniudon, who *a4 *. . inwl awiiy for lovu, till UQIUmv$ UufcdjAC, " oioe was left." 'c Z The flowing quwi^i red in aft out W<?t:ilel>at{ft#i&h5ty Wldoh Ha* V*?