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From the N. O. Picayune, Feb. 7. J jLATER FROM MEXICO. The steam ship M'Kim, Capt. JJurthe, arriv. ed on Sunday from Vera Cruz via Tampico having left lha tormer port on the 24th and the latter on the 31st ult. Our accounts by this arrival are as contradictory in regard to peace as the rumors which y come to us ficsm Washington. One of our occasional correspondents who apprised us some lima. Mnun ikn l-ancmliilnn nfimnni'l.inl dos. patches by the sloop of war Saratoga, reiterates his opinion that "peace is made so far at least as thjfrMexicans can make it. What has been done only requires the sanction and approval of the Government." On the other hand, a letter from a distinguished oflicer, dated the 19th, in the city of Mexico, says: "The Mexican Congress has not been able to forma quorum ^,;:aqd peaco is just as far off as ever." We cannot undertake to decide between these contra dictory opinions, but proceed to lay before our rcadej* such letters as wo have received by this arrival. Special Correspondence of the Picayune. Vkr.v Cruz, Jan. 24. The Courier despatched by the English Lc- , Ration arrived here on Saturday, (the 22d.) having left Mexico on tho 18th. Although al- i most everybody regards peace as concluded, yfs I have seen a private letter from a high source , , enticedJo credit, which states that this general ; - t, impression is entitled to] no credit, and that be ? Cannot sqo that we are nearer to it than ever, i 9\ Tim courier sent by Mr. Peoples with the 1 . President's message for the American Star, was murdered a few days since near here on , his return. It is the more to be regretted as he H was one of the best men for that service that could be found. His trip up to Mexico shows ; ^this. , H? was taken into the bushes, stripped , w and shot by the guerrilleros or robbers. ! An expedition under Col. McClelland, 5th i Tennea*ee Volunteers, composed of about 300 t infantry and 200 mounted men, started this ' morning Iq follow up the Orizaba road and try , to cut off*robbers, who are presented to be in j large force on the main road to Puente Nacion- i l A small merchants' train started out last ere. J ning, but it was only a ruse de guerre to draw < them on; and it was ordered back last night, i i and I hope this expedition will succcd ifl throw- , , a fire in their rear, which will teach them to t \ keep their eyes skinned, and a large space heL Iween theui and our trains hereafter. k The *team ship McKim, which takes this, , [look firoyesterday, hut was extinguished with- < . out any .rery serious injury, and was the cause ( r of a few-hours' delay in her departure to-day. f Although I have no very authentic grounds Oto authorise me to say that Gen Lane is moving z f,oo Orizaba with 500 cavalry, itlis positively as- I r , serted that such is the (act by merchants wno ,.ere well informed of all that is going on in the t.jntsrior. t The small-pox has made its appearance here t , And fifteen cases are known to exist in the city, s " but there hi.ve been no additional cases for three t day?, and it is to be hoped that the terrible dis- c Arse will soon take its final leave of us. The . cases reported are o! a very mild form. t j ; Another specimen of Yankee enterprise fs t {.about to be intruduced into the city of the Az- s . tecs in the shape of an omnibus line, which is j , to be established there as soon as the vehicles, ( . which have arrived in Vera Cruz, can reach } that place. I have seen several of them, and i the workmanship throughout will do credit to ( . the makers. c Should peace be declared goon, and the country be evacuated, we shall leave many marks t . of American enterprise behind, and I sincerely ] hope that the example shown during our short | .sojourn] amongst them will stimulate them to j .follow our example, which, with the advantages ? (.which nature has lavished so plentifully upon c ^tbis region of the American continent, would .place Mexico in a few years by the side of the j first nations oftbe earth. Yours truly, ? t ... From an occasional Correspondent. Vera. Cruz, Jam. 24. 1843. i Gentlemen?We are in receipt of news | from the cky of Mexico to the 19lh inst. All < was quiet at the Capital. Peace! Pence! is the i ,?ry. It is generally believed that Gen. Scott < And Mr. TrTst have succeeded in making a < treaty of peace; nothing is known, lor of course all the movements of those high in authority are | kept seoret. Many1 persons of respectibility. , And some high in authority, positively state there | will be peace in three months. The pronun- i ciaraento of the State of San Louis Potosi, i against the Government, and her invitation to < other States opposed to the Government, &c., making peace to send deputies to meet at the i .city of San Louis Potosi, 1 must confess, does < .pot look very much like any permanency in any peaceful arangement made or to bo made | our gallaut general. It has rather a trist \ aspect. i An expedition is undoubtedly on foot against Orizaba, Gen. Lane, with a command of dra- i .goons and Texans, has already left, and will jrrobably reach there belore the expedition i About being organized from this city. Among the many arrivals at this place I was glad fo meet Col. H. L. Kiney, from Texas. Most ot jfoar readers must be aware of the very 'important services rendered by Col. K. to the i ' rmy. His service* in procuring the transpor- | station with which the army marched upon , " ? * j . j?_ i Monterey, nis perilous uuveiuur?*3 carrying urn- j patches for Gen. Taylor, and his activity and j zeal during the seige of Vera Cruz can never, be forgotten by the army. I!is restoration to ' health and return to the army is the source of much joy to a host of warm friends, who can- j not cease to regret that private busincs of the ; greatest importance compelled him to, resign j "bis seat as Senator from the Western district of; : Texas, to* the Senate of the Sate. X. X. j i" > i . ??? Mnrrm Asyluh.?The bills introduced 'by Mr. Burt, Chairman of the Military Committee of the House of Representatives, pro/i- j ding a retired allowance for disabled officers, j and an asylum tor disabled soldiers of the army j -do equal honor to his head and heart. The i - United States present the only instance in the ! ..world in which the disabled officer and soldiers ! r is not provided pay and refuge on being disabled In the service of their country. Let not any ne Wgotted to the principle,right in the abstract, . that pensions are unsuited to a republican gov. ernment, class snch a provision with the pen ion systems which belong to the indiscriminate patronage of monarchial States. If the genius ?of republicanism is inimical to every form of rpubllc support to those whom war has made .physically rfnfit for civil pursuits, then is war itself, its triumphs, its glories and renown no ! less inimical to republics. But if the human' (instrument* for achieving these ends have worn I out their thew# and sinews in the public service, it is the office of national humanity to shelter j j their wnisted frames. We hope that the crown- j S?rW of the s'lorescfo' achievement hiV our ! he providing v Mie.im-j ,-??iior njaugiod sol -.r an- : m <h- 1 (fH'cbr.? > ! PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. Monday, February 7, 1848, Tx Senate.?In the Senate, the President laid before the Senate, a report from the Secretary of War, in compliance with a resolution of the 18th ult. covering a copy ofthe survey and map of New Mexico, made by Lieutenant Abert. A resolution presented by Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, railing on the Postmaster General to report the causes of the recent failures of the mails from New Orleans, <t$*c. was agreed to. The resolution submitted by Mr. Rusk, relative to the purchase of copies DisturnePs Maps of Mexico, was taken up and referred to the Committer on the Library. The resolution submitted by Mr. Benton, calling on the President for information as to the anthoritv bv which certain words relative to the promotion of Cadets were inserted in the Army Register, was agreed to. The Senate took up the hill to divide the district of Arkansas into two Judicial districts, hut, after consideration, it was postponed until lo-nrorrow. The Senate took up a bill amending the act entitled "an Act granting half pay to widows and orphans," where their husbands and fathers have died of wounds received in the military Service ofthe United States; in cases of deceased officers and soldiers ofthe Militia and volunteers, passed July 4,1330. On motion of Mr. Niles, the bill was so amended as to prevent its retroactive operation before the commencement of the war, and limit it to tho duration of the war, and was then passed. Mr. Baldwin, submitted the following: Resolved, That the President ofthe United States be requested to communicate to the Senate, if in possession of the Department of State a copy of the instructions of the Ministerial Counsel ofthe Republic of Mexico to the Commissioners appointed to negotiate with Mr. Trist, dated at Mexico, on or about the 24th Jay of August, 1847, together with the proposals, and projet, ifany submitted by the Mexican Commissioners as the basis of a treaty prior to he-counter projet submitted by them on the 6ih 3ept. 1847, and already communicated to the Senate, and also the proceedings, ifany, which tvere had in relation to said proposal first sub nlttcd, so far as the same may he communicaed consistently with the public interest. The Senate resumed the consideration of the \rmybill, when Mr. Hunter spoke at length in elation to the destinies of our country, in favor >f the bill granting supplies, and in advocacy >fthe withdrawal ofour troops behind a niilita y line resting on the Sierra Madre. Mr. Miller obtained the floor, and the SenL*e went into consideration of Executive busiless. I House of Representatives. Mr. Stephens offered a resolution calling on i he President to communicate to the House, if lot incompatible with the public interests, ill correspondeco with General Taylor, bewcen the 1st and 23d February,, {1847. Alopted. Mr. Hunt introduced a joint resolution of hanks to Gen. Scott, Commander-in-Chief, and hrough him to his officers and men, regulars ind volunteers, for their unifo-n gallantry, &c. n capturing VeraCruz, and at the hatties of 2crro Gordo, San Antonio Contreras, Churu>usco and in front af the city of Mexico, directTig the President to have a gold medal presentid to Gen. Scott, and to communicate to him a ropy of this resolution. The rules were suspended, to allow the inroduction of the resolution, by vote of 161 to 1. Having been three times read and passed, Mr. Henley moved a reconsideration, with a view to imendmen'., by adding, "all of which achievcnents are honorable to our arms, and give ad. litional lustre to our army and navy." Mr. Houston, of Alabama, expressed a wish llso to amend, by including gold medals to all lie Generals engaged in the battles referred to. e o Mr. Bolts moved the previous question on the notion to reconsider, upon which motion Mr. Ilenly asked the yeas arid nays, and they were ordered?yeas 86, nays 113. The yeas and aays, on mol:on of Mr. Haralson, were again ordered on the passage of the resolution, and it was adopted?197 to 1. .Mr. Bolts offered a resolution, calling on the President to state to the House whether any :omrnunication containing a proposition for peace had been received from Mexico, if not incompatible with the public interests. The rules were suspended, and tho resolution adopt?d. Mr. Stephens submitted a joint resolution of thanks to Gen. Taylor, and through him to his officers and men, fir their gallant conduct at Buena Vista, and directing a gold medal to be presented to General T., and a copy of the resolutions to be communicated. Tho resolution was adopted?yeas 183 nays 1. Mr. Wilmot obtained leave to make a person-1 1 r,rr,nnorbwl tn mmmnnt Hll hi capiaimuuci, aiiu |/iuvvcih.ii ?? an attack upon him in tho Union, a fow days since. He was very severe on the editor of the Union and upon Mr. Buchanan, and intimated that tho hostility manifested towards him arose from an unwillingness on his part to attach himself to a particular aspirant for the Presidency. He denied that he had separated himself from the Democratic party* by any act public or private; and that his course here was in obedience to tho known views of his consti uents. He charged Mr. Buchanan with having opposed the late war with Great Britain, and with having been instrumental in defeating the election of Mr. Woodward to the United Slates Senate from Pennsylvania. He examined Mr. Ritchie's political course declaring that he had done more to break down the Democratic party than any other man in the United States?that there were not twentyc? rifihn last House who 11* u i/oauvuiuiiv IIIVIII./VIW v. .... had not been directly or indirectly assailed by him; and that after having, no longer ago than 1837, come like a mendicant upon his knees, begging for admission into the Democratic ranks. In the course of Mr. Wihnot's remarks Mr. Brown, of Pennsylvania, declared that he had good reason for declaring that Mr. W. himself had opposed the election of Mr, Woodward and was in expectation himself, at the time, of being elected to the Uuited States Senate. Mr. W'ilmot denied that he had any 6nch expectation, or that he had opposed tho election of Mr. Woodward, who was his personal and ' -? i -.1 i t.ic political irioiiu?nan v- > <i ...? ......... grown up at his side?and road law in his office. The friends of Mr. Woodward believed that he had been defeated through the influence of Mr. Buchanan. Mr. Thomas, of I'enn., when Mr. Wilmot had concluded, by permission of tho House, replied. Ho defended Mr. Buchanan, denied that he opposed tho war with Great Britain. There was no man in Pennsylvania who was j?...r..?, k ?? ? !?n?none who if oyed a higher repi ; i. | fits fricn I 4:i:t> !\ i. 'v ('*:r ao t" * A would call him, though he had now said much t to forfeit his respect,) was only one among the I whole democratic delegation from Pennsylva- < nia who entertained such sentiments; and in their expressions here, was much safer than he I would be in Pennsylvania. < Mr. Giddings offered a resolution, with a ! long preamble, declaring that the thanks of the people are due to Alhert Gallatin, tor his distinguished efforts in the cause of truth and huma. < nity in the war in which we are now engaged. < Laid on the table?yeas 132, nays 45. I Mr. Houston of Alabama, offered a resolu- < tion calling on the President for all correspon- I deuce, not already published, between Mr. i Trist and all our generals, and the government, if not incompatible with the public intc- 1 rests to communicate the same. Adopted. Adjourned.?Bait. American. i Correspondence of the Courier. < Washington, Peb. 4. At the moment of the adjournment of the t House, this evening, a message was received from the President, communicating in compli- ] ance with a call of the 31st ult., a copy of Gen. 1 Taylor's answer to the letter, dated January 27, 1847, addressed to him by the Secretary of | War. 1 have hardly lime to copy it before the I mail leaves. < Head Quarters, Army of Occupation. ) < Agua Neuva, March 3, 1847 $ I Sir?I have had the honor to receive your 1 communication of January 27, enclosing a ' newspaper slip, and expressing the regret of 1 the Department, that the letter copied into thai slip, and which was*addressed by mysell to ' Major Gen. Gaines, should have been publish- r ed. Although your letter do;s not convey the direct censure of the Department of the President s yet, when it is taken in-consideration with a revival of a paragraph in the regulation of 1825 touching the publication of private letters concerning operations in the f.eld, lam not permitted to doubt that I have become the subject of Executive disapprobation. To any expression of it coming with the authority of the President, I am bound by my duty, and by my respect for his high office, patiently to submit; but lest my silence ishould [be construed into a tacit admis- c sion of the grounds, and conclusions set forth 2 in your communication, I cleem it a duty which T I owe to myself to submit a few remarks in reply. 1 shall be pardoned for speaking plainly. In the first place, the published letter beara 4 upon its face, the most conclusive evidence that 1 it was intended only for a private perusal, and 1 not at all for publication. It was published without my knowledge and contrary to my wish- t es. Surely, I need not say that I am not in the * habit of writing for tho newspapers. The letter was a familiar one, written to an old milita- j, ry friend with|whcm I hare formany years inter, changed opinions on professional subjects. That he should think proper to publish it under = r>ir/-iimstnnr.p?. rntild hcl have been foreseen ' by me. * In the absence of any proof that the publica- * lion was mado with my authority or knowledge, c I may be permitted to say that the quotation in c your letter of 650th paragraph of the superseded regulations of 13*25, in which the terms y "mischievous" and "disgraceful" are employed to characterize certain letters or reports, conveys, though not openly, a measure of rebuke, which, to say the least, is rather harsh, and a which many think not warranted by thepremi- i ses. Again?1 have carefully examined the j letter in question, and I do not admit that it is ' obnoxious to the objections urged in your com- , munication. I see nothing in it which, under 1 the same circumstances, I would not write 1 again. To suppose that it will give the enemy ' valuable information touching bur past or pros- a nective lino of operations, is to know very lit- I lie of the Mexican sources of information, or of their extraordinary sagacity and facilities in keeping constantly apprized of our movements. As to my particular views in regard to the gene- I ral policy to bo pursued towards Mexico, I per- v coivc from the public jonrnals that they are a shared by meny distinguished statesmen, and f also in part by a conspicuous officer of the na- t vy, the publication of whose opinions is not, perhaps, obstructed by any regulations of his department. It is difficult then to imagine that s the diffusion of mine can render any peculiar f aid to the enemy, or especially disincline him "to enter into negotiations for peace." In the conclusion, I would say that it has ( given me great pain to be brought into the po. j sition in which I now find myself with regard to the Department of War and the Government. [ It has not been of my own seeking. But it J cannot be concealed that since the capitulation of Monterey, the confidenco of the Department, and I too much fear of the President, has been gradually withdrawn, and my consideration and 1 usefulness corresponding!) diminished. The ' apparent determination of tlio Department to 1 place me in an altitude antagonistical to |tho Government, has an apt illustratration in tho | well known fable of .Esop. While intrusted j with the command in this quarter, I shall continue to devote all my energies to the public , good, looking for my reward to tho conscious, ness of pure motives and to the final verdict of J impartial history. I ani, sir, respectfully, your obt. serv't. Signed. Z. TAYLOR, Mai. Gcn'l. U.S. A. Comd'g. Hon. W. L. Marcy. Sec. of War. Washington, P. C. Washington, Feb. 8. j The struggle now going on between the Clay and the Taylor wings oftho whig parly, is no. where rnoro violent than here, and in Maryland, and in New.York. It is evident that Mr. Clay has witli him all the old organization of the whig party. He has the leaders. All the leaders profess to prefer him, but some are of the opinion that he is not available, while the rest will adhere to him whether available or not. Every day that may elapse belore the 7th of June, will strengthen Gen. Taylor, as the whig candidate, and it is highly probable that he may receive the nomination. It has been lately suggested, however, that they may, for the sake ol harmony, drop both of these candidates and nominate Judge M'Lean. Wc are loojking, with much eargerness, for the answer ofthe President to .Mr. Bolt's resolution of inquiry, relative to any oflfer of a trea* ty from the Mexican Government, the rumors concerning which come thicker and sironger than ever from private sources in Mexico. The President certainly had no information on tho subject on the 4th inst. What he has since received, or may receive, is another matter. I may add, that the most sagacious men 'here, concur with Mr. Poinsett in tho opinion that there will bo no peace, while tho American armies occupy the interior of Mexico, j We shall also receive from th6 President, in I answer to Mr. G. S. Houston's call, all the let* ! ters of Gens. Scott and Taylor?all the corres' pondenee between Gen. Scott and Mr. Tri*t ? laud all ! it} rtn u ' !! " -I from Mr. f Tj'rt th : Sv.'j V'* T!i:9 puUJi":! tion will dispel all the mystery that hangs ove the relations between the administration an Gen. Scott and Mr. Trist. Mr. Holmes presented, to-day, in the Hous( the memorial from the Chamber of Commerc Charleston, praying the establishment of Branch Mint in that city. The House has taken up the Loan Bill. Mi Vinton conclusively proved to-day, that the sur i>f nine millions ought to be added to the def ;iences of the present and next fiscal year; an that the Secretary of the Treasury must call up an Congress, during the present session, for loan of twenty-five millions instead of sixtee millions. Mr. Clay was in the Senate Chamber to-da but his case not coming up, he did not speak Mr. Clay will probably speak on Thursday, i is now said. Mr. Lover is affording us an agreeable en tertainmenf, in his "Irish Evenings." There was nothing of inte rest in the Senat i.J... ,l? r.n : kU'UOjr| UAUtpi IUO lUlMJWIIIg* The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr Baldwin, was amended, on motion of Mr. Se rier, as follows, to.wit: "And also any correspondence which ma have taken place between Mr. Trial and Gen Scott, or either of those gentlemen with th Government of the IT. ^States, upon the subjec jf the proposed treaty or negotiation betwee ;he U. States and Mexico, at the time of th irrival of Mr. Trisl in Mexico, or subsequent y, or after the subject of the proposals made t VIr. Trist by the Commissioners of Mexico." The resolution was then agreed to. rHECAMDEN JOURNAL Wednesday Morning, February 10, 1848. WILLIAM B. JOHNSTON. EDITOR?" Agricultural Meeting. A meeting of the Wateree Agricultural Societ; vill be held at Swift creek on Thursday, the 24ti net. A punctual attendance is requested. JOHN BOYKIN, Sec'y. The Market, Cotton has been exceedingly dull the past weei rwing to later accounts from England indfeatinj l decline. The Sarah Sands is said to have ar ived with six days later news, advising of a fur her decline of |d. This intelligence was receiv id here on Friday last by telegraph, since whic ime we have had nothing further. The sale nade the past week have been from 5$ to 7f ct? Corn is still selling from 45 to 50 cts.; Oats 3. o 37. Flour 84 75 to ?5 00 per barrel. Fodde rs cts. We have received a few further items of new rrought by the Sarah Sands. The general aspec >f affairs in the cotton trade wts very unfavorable rnd decidedly retrograding. Flour, [Indian cori ma breaasturts naa materially aecunea. in Commission in Ireland was proceeding with it vork and four assassins were executed. Severn leaths had occurred from starvation. The dcatl if Isaac Israeli, in his 82d year, is announced. The Hibernia is hourly expected at New Yor vith eight days later news. Charlotte Mail* We congratulate our readers, on the Lancaste ind Charlotte road, that their mail facilities hav >een increased. The cnlerprizing contractor M UcEwen, having obtained the consent of the De artment to run a tri-weekly mail, leaving here o Uonday, Wednesday and Friday, and from Chai otte on the alternate days of the week. Thi vill likewise be a great convenience to traveller! is they will arrive here from Charlotte in twentj our hours. Coroners Inquest. An inquest was held on Friday afternoon on th jody of Nelson Pettifoot a free colored man, vagoner. He was hauling cotton to the boat yari ind it is supposed, fell off his mule, in a fit, as th irst intimation of the accident was the arrival c he wagon at the boat yard, without the driver. CrThe telegraph is now open to Pctersbur ind consequently, communications, can now b orwarded to New York, Boston die. It has been decided by tin War Department hat the Florida Volunteers, called out to defen Florida against the attack of the Indians, are er itled to the bounty under the act of the 13th Mai 1840. Sonth Carolina Politics. Mr. Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, in reply to an a ack of the Union, last week, avowed his prefci ;nce for Mr, Calhoun for the Presidency. Th ippears to us to be a passing strange declaratio: We clearly perceive that the So jth Carolina delf nation, South Carolina politicians and politic presses are daily becoming mere opposed to tl Administration. There are so few party lint now in existence, it would be difficult to distil guish Whigs from Democrats, else we would ss they all had gone over to the Whig party. M Calhoun and the whole tail ma/ be right in thi opposition to a democratic admiristration, and ce tainiy it wui require a vast amuum ui chh^ihgi ment from the organ, to satisfy the country, wil regard to the objects which it nuw has in view, the prosecution of this war, and in the call for th large increase of men and meanii for that purpos but we feel well assured that the time consume in speech making at the Capital the party bicke ings in and out of Congress, and the conseque want of union among our peoule with regard the mode of putting an end to the war, will mat rially delay this desirable consummation. Unt our people are united on this point there will 1 no peace. When supplies and men were requ red, when we deemed a hearty support of the me sures of the Administration necessary to the ho or of our country, and when Mr. Calhoun's poli* was first developed, we were inclined to belie' that a vigorous prosecution of th e war was thes rest mode of obtaining peace, and we doubted tl wisdom of any "masterly inactivity" in our des ings with the Mexican people, but we are afra n"?N linn lioon vtrrnrniia we were wrongs iuc v?a? nao u?i. ,.6w. prosecuted, men and means have been prompt furnished and to an ample extent, yet the very 1 test intelligence from Mexico, gives us the infc mation, that it is the opinion of some of the highe officers the prospect of peace is as remote now, when the war commenced. It is high time ther tore to pause for reflection, and to consider whet er the views of those who occupy the "South Car lina platform" are not consistent with the soun est reason, and more in accordance with the pri - ' ? r< ,i. ciples and institutions or our uuvciiuucih, m the contrary policy of pushing our conquests to ; extent which will bo equivalent to the utter am hilntion of the national exigence of w.J . J ijs'io . ' bw 'hi* f.p iify'i t. ir down if possible, on some mode of ending this d war, during the present session of Congress, for should it adjourn without this being done, the Presidential Canvass will turn entirely upon this e question, and every day's developements indicate 11 that the multitude will go for absorbing a large portion, if not all of Mexico, and do this too, from * false notions of national honor and pride, j We conclude therefore, that it is not the duty J even ol a democratic press to sustain the administration in its plan for the subjugation of Mexico, o until urn L-nnur nvnrllu thn measure and extent of " - ? * ? J ? n the indemnity it will claim from that country.? The policy of holdmg and taking possession of her 7 territory is dangerous in the extreme, and it will ; not take much argument to make our people be11 lieve that it is our just right to hold the territory we now occupy, or may hereafter take possession of. We hope then, the President will communie cate to Congress the amount of indemnity which he considers just, and the precise security he re . quires for the future. We are not deeply versed in such things, but we cannot see the propriety of withholding this infor.: ation, which if given we 7 think would facilitate any steps proposed for ob' taining an honorable peace. We have arrived at e the conclusion, that such information would speedily unite our people on some mode of action, for p the attainment of that object. Abolition Nulilication. 0 Rhode Island has wheeled into the line of ultra abolition by nullifying the act of Congress of 17t 93, providing for the recovery of fugitive slaves. ( Philadelphia and?Charleston. It appears that there will be two distinct and separate lines of steamships shortly plying between Philadelphia and Charleston. The first ; vessel of the company first organized will be ready lor sea in a few weeks. Both lines have detery mined to build vessels of the first class?after the h model of the Cunard steamers. D* We are iudcb'ed to the Hon. W. Sawyer for a number of speeches and public documents. L' DeBow's Commercial Review. % The February number contains a number of " valuable articles. This periodical deserves, as we " have no doubt it will receive, a liberal support h Sonth-CaroJina Rail Road. s We find in the Charleston papers the Report of i, the Directors of this Road, made at a meeting held 5 during the last week. The length of the Report r prevents us from publishing it entire, but we make such extracts from it, as will be interesting to.our 8 readers: t The Board of Directors of the South Caroli!( na Railroad Company regret that they are not 1 able to present as favorable a statement of the e operations for 1847, as the business transactions for the first six months of the year confidently j encouraged. In October last, a revulsion in the commer1 cial relations between the United States and Great Britain, swept like a tornado over the k land, paralyzing all the moneyed interchanges between our cities and extending to the agricultural interests in the interior. Cotton, the great staple of the South, declined 5 cents per r lb. in value; and this, with other connecting e causes, suspended for a while all the transportar tion of produce, on which the Railroad mostly re! lied at that season for revenue. The effects ol n this derangement in trade cannot be more . strongly presented than by the fact that the 3 freight lists exhibit 62,833 bales of cotton less ? than for the corresponing months of October, November and December of the previous year; and ?49,452 78-100 reduction in the moneyed t* ?1 - L!.L _1 I -1 receipts tor me same ponou; which cieanj shows that all of the deficiency was in down e freights, while the up freight and passage had a been reserved, but not to the augmented extent ^ estimated; and on which, from more enlarged ' connections west, confidence had justly been e reposed. ^ Notwithstanding these sudden and unlookcd for events, the gross rvceipts for the vear amount to 65"i,480 30 The current expenses to 303,091 40 ? And the net revenue to 352,094 90 e Being a fraction less than the ratio of 47 per cent of expenditures to receipts. 352,094 90 From this revenue provision has been made for meeting annual interest on foreign debt, 108,461 77 \ And for payment July dividend, 93,113 75 201,605 52 d , Leaving in reserve, $150,199 33 ^ Applicable to meet in part obligations contracted in the construction of the Camden branch, and to permanent improvements on the track, at depots, at workshops, and for increased locot. motive and car power. These statements show an increase in the jg annual receipis, notwithstanding the deficiencies in the three last, and usually most busy months, of $66,494 05; and an increase in the net revenue of $72,7*22 78 over the previous year of 1846. ie FARES AND FREIGHTS. 33 The subject of fares and freights continue, as they have, to divide public opinion; and a tariff iy to regulate either, with satisfaction to all the r* interest involved, seems almost as complicated o __ |L? ~? C,. rnuonna ond nrntpctinn which "" KS I HO UIIP IV/I IV'VIIUV MMM Y ' r- has agitated Congress. The Direction has be* it- stowed on the subject all the consideration th which theory and practice have suggested. On in freights, it is believed, no important mcdifica,c tion can be made on the one as now classified, e. in a just discrimination is endeavored to be pre* served, according to what the article can bear; observing the rule, in all instances, to reduce on r" domestic produce of Utile value and general connt sumption to the lowest remunerating rate. t0 Fares for passengers is a more difficult subject ?- of adjustment; and as it is the one which seems il to excite interest and inquiry in the community, tie it is brought to your notice for, advice. The ii- Board, in all their action on this subject, have a. admitted the principle that low fares increase n. travel, but that increase of travel is only to be ,y recomended to common carriers by a corresVQ ponding augmentation of revenue. In all localities, therefore, where a reduction of fare ( " stimulates travel to the extent of an increaso of ie revenue, there can bo no disagreement as to il- arinnwl Fxnprimentinff on lilt/ j/Wlltjr IW I/O nuu|/-vu? ?^...| n 'd this basis, the fares on the South Carolina Rail'y road have been successfully reduced and inly creased, until settled down to the chartered a- rates of 5 cents por mile, as the one most ap,r proved in the judgement of a majority of the ,8t Board, as combining the two elements,greatest ag number, consistent with the largest correspone. ding revenue. In all the experiments made on the South ,0 Carolina Railroad, reduction of fare invariably ^ increased numbers, but not to the extent of a corresponding increase of revenue, but produn" ced the opposite result as to number of passenan gers. Tho chartered rates, as now practised, an seem to have accommodated the largest num. ii- her, with a corresponding increase of revenue. !' The report made on the subject, and developing facts aii'ir sol's,therewithsubmitted,that M?fp??-.t> the stockholders may deckle on the advisability of a reduction, which in ifs favorable results is 4r so experimental, that the Board were unwilling at a period when increased revenue was essen* tial to meet the obligations for the rmprotement8 contemplated to sanction or h&Zaffd* With a view to the accommodation of merchants and professional gentlemen, who crserfhflf RoaJ frejquently, and of families for recreatforf/ a class of season and family tickets, at an ex' ceeding low figure, has been established, and these, to a very limited extent, have operated favorably, but not in as great a degree for the interest of the Company as was justly expec* A. , . VCUt . SINKING FUND. The indebtedness of the Company ig 889,562,41; ?2,512,016 of the amount is futxfed at five per cent, and payable in 1866; and $352,552 41 is a floating or Bank obligation loan institution connected with the Railroad company. The amount paid in on the stock represented by the Company is but $75 p?rr share, leaving $25 on each share which be called in at any period deemed advisible~ On the completion of the Camden! Road notr less than 40.000 shares will be repeaented; which at $25, for which each each share ig responsible, amounts to $1,000,000; and whicle deducted from the debt funded, leaves but 527,010 to be provided for by 1866. It ve&M' be very easy to calculate the annual amount of annuity at compound interest, which would extinguish the above debt before the maturity of the bonds,Jand which sum might, no doubt, bo easily appropriated from the annual revenue of the Company hereafter. There is, however, another source which will ybo found more available in a year or two, not merely tor the extinguishment of all the Coin* pany's liabilities, but for objects of any permanent improvements which the increasing busi* ness of the Roads may impose. The inducements of those holding the bonds drawing but 5 percent, interest, or which may be purchased at a discount to exchange the same for a stock capable oi producing from 6 to 8 per cent, wiQ he strong enough to convert the entire fundi of the Company into stock. These two opera* lions, the call upon the stock holders at a mora appropriate period for the additional amount duo on their shares, and the issuing ,new share*,., , . * to he sold at par or to he exchanged for thl . ... bonds of the funded debt, absorbing the same, seems so simple and practicable an operation, long before the debt can mat jre, that the Board of Directors think that the stockholders need have no apprehensions on the subject of a del* , so easily controlled and so plainly to be absorb* ed at the proper time. CAMDEN BRANCH. The construction of the Camden branch w* an obligation imposed in the original charter to the L. C* de C. R. R. Company. The cittond ' of the eastern portion of our State wterfe josrtf and exceedingly importunate on the subject. The Company, however, was in debt to it* J x ^ State (or a loan to the Hamburg Road, and tor the reduced stock to an amount exceeding 500?* 000 dollars, which was due, and which Comptroller had instructions to collect. only resource to have met the same was either to have suspended dividends, or to endeavor^ which at that period was impracticable, to toad it on time. While this debt remained unprovl* ^1 ded for, this Company could not prudently en* gage in any new enterprises. The difficnHioa _ which interposed, were all however, reconciled by an ngreement on the part of the Stato to lund this matured debt at the rate of5 percent, interest, payable in 1866, provided this Compa* ny would undertake the construction of the < Camden Road, the citizens of the adjacent > Districts furnishing in new stock one half of the estimated co3t. The conditions were ae* ceded to by all parties, and are now in the prog, ress of fulfilment. This company has paid hi her proportional subscriptions $105,847,43, and has recently issued bonds, at short dato% drawing 7 per cent interest, to meet the bahtoco of her obligations on this work. The whole** mount will be represented in the Shares of th# Company, constituting the fund from which lb* Bonds, as they mature, may be paid. At the last annual meeting the Board report* ed the. unexpected causes which had grnadf retarded, though they did not suspend, the prog* tpss of the work through the VVateree Swamp. The longest tressel work, and of great eleva* ration, tojavoid the floods of the River, in the U* nited States, being nearly four miles in extent* The delays in winter, the only period wfaeft work could be performed in the swamp in aeon* rity, threw that operation on tbe summer . months, and when the requisite force could Ml be produced at any price. A protracted fall and freedom from frost added to these difficulties; bat the Board arc happy to report that the swamp is now overcome. A lodgement has been made on the opposite bank of tbe Rubicon ?| past obstacles; and that, as the grading ol tbn ... entire bed of the road is nearly completed, and . the most ample provision made in advance for all the materials and iron necessary, there can be no further serious obstacles opposed to tbn most rapid completion of that important foedar or the boulh Carolina Kailroad. The Board, in justice to the Bank of tfcp State, feel called upon to record in this report an act of great liberality and of vast import tance to the credit of thia Company, by which that of South Carolina might have been implicated. The practice has been to remit by tbo October or November steamers the amount nf semiannual dividend on foreign debt duo on 1st January. The revulsion in England, and the derangement in all commercial credits, Mb this Company with means at home, but with an immediate ability to provide for obligation* abroad. Private bills were difficult to be procured, and however responsible the drawor might be esteemed to be at home, the alarming accounts of England did not afford the tame security in the accoptors. Application was made to all the Banks dealing in foreign exchanges, but without success They wodul draw in no amounts and at no retain this extremity the Bank of the State csaa* forward, and under guarantees with whieh fin direction was satisfied, its credit abroad m interposed to protect the English debt, and wkfc the punctuality which had characterized all of the previous foreign engagements of the Company. 4 All which is respectfully submitted, by r JAS. GADDEN, President. k r>... .n ? tl. t>:nv.r?nn/t n .nnkfL A UALliAi IIU X I?" X iitS 1VIVUIIIV1IU Uvpvvil* can has been favored with the following extract ot a letter to a gentleman in that city, from kit brother in Kentucky: "The lamented Capt. Wm. T. Willia, wfca feel at Bucna Vista, was an intimate friend and acquaintance of mine, and was as brave a cool as over went to battle. Ho had three son* ua? der him, one about 17 years old, who, it tasaid fought over and around his father until the dead and wounded wore gono off. When the gallant Captain was found, his little son was found by him, with seven dead Mexicans, and, strange la 'ell, ?he bov wps unhurt."