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