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fellow JumI to ?ay. But stop; I will rend it to you.** So saying, L. opened ? smell writing desk, and took out i couple of fetters, one of which looked as if il had lain for ages in a tobacco chest. This he dtifMded,- and began to iead. But ae be allowed mo to copy the letter, 1 will give the reader an exact transcript of If,' and the answer to it. / " My dear Mrs- Dinah, 1 take this opertunity of writing unto you, hoping these few lines may find you well, dear mrs. my heart is fasenaled, with your charms, dear mrs. you must pardon my boldness for sending you these few lines, oh dear mra. I want to come ray my auresses to you. jny ue?r mrs. wold hare come myself, but my dear I sold not sec you at no convenient time, oh dear inrs. 1 like you very much. 1 think if I cold only get you for my beloved my heart wold leap for ioy to contemplate on it. dont be ofendeo at my leu-Y. my heart is drawn aside from all others for thee, my poor soul wishes for your love, to prevent it from doing harm. my pen is poor, my*eyea do foil, . my love to you shall never fail CSSAK R. JL. went on with his narration. "'Well* said 1, 'Dinah, you must answer this letter.* " Oh Lordy, Mass Charley, I aint got ?ny thing to say that would do him any good, and, any how, 1 should have to think awhile before I could give him my mind.* '"Very well, then, think about it until to-morrow night, and then "otne to me, and I will write an answer for you.* 44 At the annotated time. Dinah tanned , ? r' i at my door, came in, and continued, for a minute or two, in a brown, or as my good father used to say, when he noticed any thing of the kind in the servants, a black study. 441 interrupted her, by saying, 4 Well Dinah, what have you thought, by this time, to say to Caesar?4 44 4Why I suppose I must begin by saying, IIow do you do Mr. R.7* 441 took the pen and wrote word for word, as she dictated, and a very good letter she made of it. 41 How do you do, Mr. R.7 I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines to you, hardly knowing what to say. 1 have said so much that 1 hardly think it worth my while to say any more. I thought old coals had died away, hut 1 find they are kindling agin. I shouldn't have put myself to so much trouble to write to you, only I thought to render you a little satisfaction, I would. 1 haven't seen you for the last six months past, and yet we live so short a ways from each other as what we do. You mention in your letter, hopin that I am well. But I've not been well for the last four weeks past--chills and fever every other day. Your not having been to see me and me sick, gives me to believe there's not much faith in your love, though you say you love me as hard as eight horses can eat the bark off a black jack tree. But I think if wc could see each other face to face, we could talk to each other better about these matters. I have turned you off seven times, hut you told me you would never give i up till you die. I am sorry to see you so deep in love, ami its hard to love and not be loved agin. But if I was in your place 1 would give it up as a bad job. I hardly know what to say. But you know you wasn't o widower two months before you come to see me, and I think where you forget one female so quick, you are liable to forget another. Therefore, I think it best my way, to keep my head out of the lialter. You've told me you've laid and shed tearstill twelve o'clock at night thinking of my hardhcartedness. I dont know whether I had better give you my word or not, but I suppose I had, and I think it would be taking worse for better to have you. And I say these words hoping they will drive home to your heart. 1 dont know what else to say, but I would rather see you and have a chat with you than to read your writing. You is a very bashful man, I know; hut you always call me a very bold woman, and so, if you'll come to my residence, I'll be ready for any discourse you may please to put i r vciurc inc. DINAH L?" L. continued. " 'That will do very well Dinah,* said I, 'but you see I have written it on this jough piece of paper. You must let me transcribe it for you on a whole 6 leet. Come back in an hour, and I will give it you.* "This prom.ise I honestly meant to fulfil, but hardly had she left the roujn, when a mischievous thought crossed rne, and I determined to write Csesar, as if she had repented of her ' hardheartedncss' and concluded to accept him. I did so: wrote to him that she had only reje. ted him to test his attachment, and assigned on the next night a meeting. I then bean d the letter, directed it, and when site came in, persuaded her to give me Caesar's letter, to pay mo for iny trouble. I ha v. , as you see, preserv <yl it, with hers, as a literary curiousity. Suspecting nothing, she took the one 1 had written, and sent it as directed. "Tho next dav. durinir mv hunt. 1 asked Charles if lie was as sly as he iisc<] ' to be before I went to college; and then I told him Caesar is coming to-night to court Dinah. You must hide under the kitchen window, and tell me, what they do. Only do your work ivejl, and you shall haven Aew breastpin. * The next morning I summoned Chailrs the library."'? 'Just at thi? moment the identical pei* * ^4r ^ loitge of whom we were speaking made! his appearance, with an armful of wood. L. arose and remarked, * But here he is in the very nick of lime. I hare a little business that reauires my presence, and while I am gone he can tell you the story himself, lie can do it far better than 1 can." * | Rightly conjuring that L. had left the room to remove all restraint from Charles, f slipped a small piece of silver into his hand to increase his freedom, and proceeded to ask him if he had forgotten all about Cesar and Dinah's courtship. '* D'n know, Massa; good while ago since that night/' k 11 Well, you can tell me what they did, can't your' "Lord Amighty, Massn, do no many things as 1 can't think of, tickular as I liked to died a-lauj?hing" " What did Caesar do when he first went in?" 4* lie run i?p to Dinah, and he ketched her round the waist, and squeezed her tell ;I thought she wouldn't have to wear cossetts for a year. And then he kissed her, as if he was gwine to kiss her face off." 1 "And what did Dinah do!" said I, I laughing. 44 She looked as she kind o' didn't know what to make on it at first, so she didn't do nothin till he let loose of her." 44 What did she do then?" 44 She jist drew'd herself up, and fetch'd .him sien a wipe longside of the head, jand then the sparks came out of his eyes !?o, if dhev hadn't been on the hearth they'd a set*the house a-fire." j 44 How did Cajsar like that?" 44 Well, it sort o* raised his Afric.kv, at first, but that didn't last I ng. tie went right awav to 'spostulatin with her, and suyio how could she be so cruel." 44 Did Dinah seem disposed to relent?" I " Well, ra'aly Massa, he talk so fast, and she talk so fast, that I couldn't rightly ; make out what they said. She'd scold, and he'd h?g; but it didn't make no odds, she went on scoldin. At last he g-in to get raal mad, loo, and said how it was a queer way for a woman t?? tell a man she'd marry him, and then make so much fuss cause lie showed how glad he was. '' 'Who said she'd marry you, you ugly brute?" said aunt Dinah. '"You did,* said he, 'and I got the letter this mornin, and have got it yet/ ** 'It's a lie,' scremed aunt Dinah. "And then thev went to talkin low so as I couldn't hear them, qnly they seemed to he splainin about the letter: he said I what was in it, and she said what she told j to be put in it, and she knew Mass Charlev wouldn't write anything she didn't tell him to. Jist as she said that, Caesar jumped up with his teeth sot, and his nails stickin in his hands, and jist as he got out o' the door, he shook his fist towards the hig house; and sort o' said 'tween his iteeth, " 'Mauss Charley! cuss him!' " I Q. E. D. I From the Charleston Courier GREAT FIRE. ONE THIKD UF CHARLESTON IN RUINS. About 9 o'clock on Friday evening last, the citizens of Charleston were alarmed by the sound of the fi c hells, and the cry given that il was in Kiug-st. a part of the city which,?from the great quantity of wooden buildings with which it is literally lined, from Tradd to Boundary-st. on each side with here and there a brick house, and occasionally one intended to be semi-fire-prgof,?was always considered to be the most dangerous place for a conflagration to commence, and where, too was stored a large portion of the most valuable dry goods in the city. When we arrived at the place where the (ire commenced, the flames had just made their appearance in the rear of a small shed or building, adjoining the house, North west corner of Beresfbrd and King sts., and but n few minutes elapsed before the three or four other houses, and the house on the South West corner otBeresford-st. were also in flames. The fire then commenced roaring and leaping from different points, as well 'in a horizontal direction as in the air, with a vigor and virulence, which was truly appalling, and it being known to all that there was an untbua> scarcity of water, it was apparent to any observer that the apparatus of the Engineer, for blowing up of houses, and the application of fire hooks, were the principal means to be depended or for battling with the destructive and devouring element. Fire hooks, we believe, were used in but few if any instances, and we arc under the impiession that there is not h sufficient number of them, or that their usefulness in pulling down small buildings is undervalued. The Principal Engineer was absent, but bis assistant, Mr. Frederick Schnierle, was promptly on the ground I with the aperatus, and with a courage, | coolness and efficiency, not to be surpassed, and seldom equalled, commenced ope: rations; and continued unremittingly employed, until his life became the sacifice. | The fire now rapidly extended up King st. on both sides, and down Markcl-st to Meeting-st. with the most unconirolible rapidity. The engii.es were literally powci less, except in a few instances?that of saving the Theatre, perhaps, as prominent as any otner. Alter passing down Markct-st. (hoih sides of which, as far as Church-tit., inarke's included, were destroyed) it look a North-Easterly direction the wind bt ing from the South-Wcst, hut blowing moderately, and extended in thai direction to the Sugar Refinery on Anson st. thence down Anson to llasel-st., thence due East to the water, leaving but a few * r . m buildings Hasell and Societyexcept! Mr. Stoney's residence, on llasell-st. and Mr. Hey ward's house 01 the corner of East liny and Snciety-st. and the large steam mill of Mr. Bennett. Liberty-st. was the boundury above King-st. on the' Northern line, and St. Philip to the West, a row of front buildings being left on the West side of that ami Archdale-st., inclui ding at least one-fourth of the centre of our beautiful and flourishing city, and dejstroyingour very splendid new Hotel, the pride of the citizens, and nearly ren' dy for the reception of hoarders, the new Masonic Hall, at the West end of the I Market; the brick work of which was t nearly finished, and somewhat injuring the new Theatre. The. loss of Property is variously estimated, but from what we can ascertain it will be in the vicinity of THREE MIL LlONH Ob' DOLLARS, of which one. half is probably insured. We have made every exertion in ourj power to obtain a correct list of the buildings destroyed, and names of the sufferers, having had several persons cmploj'ed in thai duty throughout the whole of yesterday. A list of such as could be ascertained, was completed at a lute hour last evening, und a part of it placed in type, but it was ion ad impossible to get more than one half in this morning's pap?r, and ' we came to the couclusion to de.'er it until the whole appeared, which will be in to-morrow's Courier. We were largely out of the way (in an ' extra issued on Saturday afternoon last) in our estimate that the Insurance Offices would pay hut 50 per cetit of their losses This estimate was made ut a time of confus on, when it was impossible to obtain , correct information. We now learn that the Charleston Insurance ami Trust Company will pay in full, the Union Insurance company nearly, if not quite all, and the Tire urn! Marine 75 p? r cent if not mure. The two agencies of Georgia Companies, in this city, are interested, as we understand, to the amount of about eighty-live thousand -'ollars; their losses of course will all be paid. An advertisement of the Trust Company announces that claims will be pau! as soon as presented. It affords us sincere gratification to slate that the Hotel was insured to the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars. 20.000 each in five different offices. and, therefore, this splendid dificc will surely rise, Phoenix-like from its ashes, to ornament Charleston, or we mistake the spirit that animates our people. During ihe course of the conflagration, a building used as a store house, at Ker's ! wharf, foot of Laurens* street, (formerly | Norton's Rice Mill) took fire from some cause unknown, and burnt to the ground ?loss $5,000, no insurance. The steam packet Neptune, lying at that wharf was in iininent danger, but fortunately, was extricated from her perilous situation, and anchored in safety in the stieam. We cannot help remarking, that in the blowing up of buildings, there was not, in our opinion, sufficient judgment used, or there was too much feur of responsibility exhibited. It appeared to us, that orders were seldom given te destroy a li-?usc in this way, until it was either on fire, or the flames in such proximity, that the execution of the order was almost useles. We were not actors, hut spectators, and, therefore, feel convinced that many will say that our personal exertions at the time, would have been of more use lliun our after opinions; but still we deem it a duty to remark that there were times \\ hen had the engineers been directed to destroy houses some considerable distance from the point where lite flames were raging with undisputed sway, employed persons to drag away the combustibles, and the engines to play on the adjouiuing houses, instead of wasting water where it could not possibly have done the least-good, the conflagration would have been earlier arrested, and a va-t amount of property saved. Another suggestion is also offered. that idle persons, particularly negroes, should he forced to keep away from places where their presence only obstructs the operations of those who are actively engaged in saving property, or extinguishing the fire. The idle negroes were, in many cases, insubordinate?the great body of thern, however, industrious, energetic, and very useful. We have endeavored above, to give such a description and statement of this great calamity, as was in our power, as far as| the 1 ss of property is concerned. We; now come to the melancholy task of recording the GREAT LOSS OF LIFE that has been sustained, and which has plunged many of our most worthy and respectable families in the deepest distress. We commence with that of Col. Chas. J. Steedman, Naval Ofliccr of the port, a gentleman, Jong known as one ol" our I most uotive and public spirited citizens, and who, on ibis calamitous occasion, distinguished himself, previous to bis death, by his cool, energetic and fearless,conduct having a^sisn d in Mowing tip a number of buildings, and making himself prominently useful, in numerous instances. Th" powder, in cassoons, prepared lor use,! gave out early in the right, and after that, | powder in kegs was employed, which is always 11 dangerous pr- cess. Col. Steedman entered a house on the East side of East-hav, near II tsell-sl., in company with Mr. M. F. Turley, a mulatto hoy, and several other persons, with two kegs of powder, for the purpose of bloningjt , up, placing one in each room?one of i them exploded, anu blew up the building, | while the three above mentioned persons wero within?Mr. Turley was immediately picked up, very much injured, but it Is believed will eventually recover, though probably much crippled. Persons imwe? diately ran to the wreck to extricate Col. S. and the boy; while so engaged?Capt. Duff, of the ship Herald, reported ii) the evening paper as killed, being on the roof?the second cask exploded, and lifted the roof up several feet, but fortunately wunoui any injury to unpt. u. wno is ai this moment stunding near us, in good health. Col. 8. was then taken out, but life was extinct. It is believed that he was killed by the second explosion, as some say he wus heard to mnke an exclamation after the house fell: The body of the boy was not obtaiued, but consumed in the building. Mr. Schnierle lost his life in blowing up the house at the corner of Liberty and Kiug-st., he also employing a keg of powder, in the same manner as Col. Steedman. After the house fell, the most strenuous exertions were made to get him out, and it was effected in a short time, and while he was alive, but most terribly burn ed and mutilated. He spoke collectedly, tj those who took hold of him, was carried home, aud lived some hulf hour after he reached there; his afflicted family having the-melancholy consolation of hearing him converse before he breathed his last. He died in his perfect senses, conscious from the first moment that his life could not be preserved. His loss will be severely felt and deeply regretted. At same explosion that deprived Mr. S. of life, Mr. John S. Peart, was also struck dead, probably by being thrown against something, and inwardly injured, as there did not appear to be any wounds externally that would have prove fatal. He breathed but a few moments after being taken up. A colored man was also killed at the same lime. Mr. Robert Munroe, who kept a Seed Store, in Kiug-st., was found dead, on Saturday morning, having cither been burned up in his store, or some part of the ruins falling on him. He was most dreadfullv lacerated. and dismembered. One white man, we learn, fell down and was taken up and caricd into a house iu Market-st. dead, having, it is believed died from mere fright, or perhaps from apoplexy. We did not learn his name. Mr. John I). Brown was so severely hurl at the cornor Market and Church ats. that his life is despaired of; we could not ascertain how the accident occurred. These are all the fatal, or probably fatalcases, that have yet come to our knowledge. Several persons have received wounds, some of them pretty severe, and there may possibly be some other lives lost, not yet ascertained, but we hope not. Capt. Southwick of the sclir. Empire, arrived Saturday evening, stales that he saw the light of the fire at 3 o'clock on that morning, when 25 miles south ol Savannah, being in a direct line, about eighty miles from this city. We have in our possession, a cinder, apparently the remains of a piece of burnt linen or ?Hk, which was pi< k? (i i.tj on morning of the fire, by a planter, 15 miles distant from Charleston, where the light was distantly seen and the noise of blowing up of liou >? O IIV U1 14 We omitted to mention in the proper place, that the new stores, on iheoZci burnt district, escaped with hardly any damage, and m the course <.f a very short period will withoutd? u. i? tupi.-n i, .win mcupied. The splendid store of Messrs. Ripley, Miller <5& Co. at the corner of King and Society-street will also again be re-built, and that with the utmost expedition. We have given to our readers above, all the details we could collect of this awful visitation of Providence upon us. VVc have heard the regrets of the rich, that their wealth have taken wings and flown from their grasp. We have heard the complaints of those who were in comfortable circumstances, and in a fair road to prosperity, that they had to commence the world anew. We have seen the poor man rrrinvin/r # 1? q lite? oil ????? .-1 l.t ? .nut in*j u 11 trua jjuiic, UII11 IIJS wife and children left without a place to lay their head, or covering for their bodies ?and we have heard, loo, the wails of the widow and orphan, that ihey had not wherewith to satisfy the cravings of hunger. All this have we heard, and with all do we deeply, most s.ncerely sympathise. But while we have listened to these complaints, the consoling reflection comes with a strong and overpowering conviction that the Almighty has not thus chastised his people without an eye to their relief. The rich have the means of again amassing wealth still open to them. He who has saved suflicient for present wants, should he thankful for what is left. The poor, and the widow, and the orphan, are under the protection of a Providence, and live* in a cominut ity that will not stiller them to want. Away then villi despondence. anil linjtl/ililitwr run./.! 'IV. j . 5 > (; ?-? m u ?U\ that they are useless is not enough?they ate itnpiopcr, injurious, aye wicked; anil no truly industrious, firm and virtuous man will allow vain rejrrets for the past, 10 take foot-hold in his breast; but rather redouble his exertions to repair, what useless murmurs would only render more afflictive. The renovation and restoration of our fair city is now the all engrossing topic. A public meeting of our citizens, it will be seen, is to be held to-morrow, to take he subject under consideration, and we confidently predict that live years from ibis time, aud the present calamity will be forgotton, as far as the losses of the citizens are cone>fned* The indomitable spirit of the people of Charleston will not be repressed; ami the burnt district will be rebuilt, not with miserable, low, temporary wooden houses, but with tied large brick buildings, on wide, airy streets, at once ornamenting the city, and affording proper facilities and accommodations^ for the transaction of business. To effect this object, too propositions have been suggested in our hearing.? Bo?h contemplate the assemblage of the Legislature forthwith, thut the credit of the State should be put ill requisition.? One that a loan of a sufficient sum should be obtained in Europe, which could now be effected at a very low rate of interest, and put into the hands of owners of lots i at the same rate, in enable them to build up their houses?the other that the whole people of the State?for in the "prosperity of Charleston the whole State is interested?should at once come forward and pay two years taxes in advance, thus making the contribution fall equally on every individual who holds property. These suggestions are merely noted, hastily, as much as to show that the most spirited feeling is abroad, and that measures are to be instantly taken to repair our disaster, as for any other purpose.? Let no man falter?let none)hold back or hesitate. He who would be guilty of either is a recreant to Sauth-Carolina?to Churleston?and to humanity. From New Orleans. From the N. Orleans Com. Bulletin, April 28. TAMPICO BLOCKADED. The schr. Sarah Ann, Bontcmps, master, which left this port a few days sincu for Tampico, with a valuable cargo of dry goods, and ihirty-lwo passengers, arrived off her place of destination 22d inst., where she was boarded by a boat from a French brig of war, of twenty lour guns, and informed that she could proceed no further under penalty of being sunk,?nor allowed to have ail)' communication with the shore. The papers of the schr. were endorsed by ihejioarding officer, and, allho' Cupt. Houtcmps pleaded a scarcity of provisions and a large number of passengers, there was no alternative, but to return, which he providentially accomplished in four days. We must infer from these proceedings, that the Government of Mexico has refused or neelectcd to arrange ihn rlnimc of the French, within ihc stipulated period, (15th inst.) and the Grand Nation is determined to have that satisfaction lor insults offered her Hag, which becomes a nation jealous of its citizens' rights and its own dignity. IMPORTANT FROM TEXAS. By the steam packet Colmrti i.i, ('apt. Wright, thirty-seven hours from Galveston, we have copies of the Houston Telegraph to the tilst inst., extracts from which will be found in our columns. Congress met on the Oth inst. and was opened with an address by the Vice President, M. R. Lamar. President Houston was prevented, by severe indisposition, from making his communication in person. I The most important item which we can ! glean from the proceedings is a resolution, jin the Senate on the 17th, proposing to f withdrew. linrnndif irmnllv- ttw> nnt!iin? for annexation to the United .States. The petition was laid upon the table; but private letters received in this city by the Columbia, state that it subsequently passed that body. We trust that this rumor is unfounded. We are loath to believe that the Texian Government, or any branch of it would act with so much precipitancy in a matter so important in its relations?affecting, cither for weal or woe, all the future history of that Republic. TEXIAN CONGRESS. adjourned session 2d session. 11 ouston, April 9th, 1833. The Hon. M. 11. Lamar, President of the Senate, addressed the body in a manner easy, eloquent, and impressive. Gentlemen of the Senate?In greeting VAIl An I lw* ??**? ? ^ 1 " * ' ' juu tm iiiv i i suiiijuiuii ui your legislative duties, I am happy in having so many causes of congratulation to oiler, and so few subjects of discontent to lay before you. We arc in the enjoyment of undisturbed repose, and in the progress of the most rapid advancement. No enemy appears on our borders. Peace, plenty and prosperity pervade the land. Our citizens, industrious and orderly?yielding a ready obedience to the laws are quietly pursuing their various avocations, greatly to their individual advantage, and equally conducive to the general welfare and national glory. Amidst these blessings, let us remember the Great fountain of Benevolence from whom they flow, and ever hear in mind, that their continuance must depend upon fidelity to our country, and gratitude to God. Recently there have been some nianiP . ... - - lesianons oi a disposition 011 the part oi the Mexican government, to recommence hostilities. Independently of the vessels of war which arc supposed to be hovering on our coast, ihe President of Mexico, in his recent annual speech to the National' Congress, announces the progress of his preparations foi another invasion of our country. Ilis views seems to be sanctioned and sustained by that body; and were it not for the exhausted and distracted condition of the counlrt, we might be called again to rebuke in the battle field, an insolent and sanguinary foe, who seeks to rear upon our beautiful plains, an enduring monument of their desolation. It rests with Congress to determine whntde