The New York Herald Newspaper, January 21, 1850, Page 6

THRILLING NARRATW = oF The Destructicn by Fire,’at Sca, OF THE SHIP CALEB GRIMSH A‘. The following thrilling narrative of the destruc- tion of the Caleb Grimshaw, is copied from the London Times, for which paper it was furnished by a cabin passenger. We have simply given the narrative, leaving out the severe animadversions ‘on the conduct of Captain Hoxie daring the fright- ful conflagration :— Sm—As | believe no detailed account of the destruction by fire of the ship Caleb Grimshaw, with the loss of 101 passengers, has yet beeu before the public, 1 enclose you the particulars, which, coming trom an eyewitness of the melan- choly event, and who writes from notes taken at the ime, may be interesting to those who had frends or relatives on board, and which I hope, sir, you will find worth inserting in your valuable journal. In compliance with your rules, I enclose my card, and remain, sir, yours, &c., IN, Dec. 19. A Canin Passencen. The Caleb Grimshaw sailed from Liverpool on the 23d of last October, with a geueral cargo, be- sides 100 tons of coal, and, | believe, 600 or 700 tons of iron. She carried 427 passengers, includ- ing sx in the cabin; the crew numbered 18, with four mates, there being also a steward and stew- ardess, the captain, his wile and child, a doctor, and two cooks—in ull, 457 souls. For nearly three weeks we experienced nothing but contrary winds and calms, and the first fair wind we met with was on the day the fire was discovered— Sunday, the 1th of November. It was the first day we bud our studding sails set. Our latitude the day before was 41 deg. 8 min. N ; longitude, 36 deg. W. At the time the accident eccurred we were in longitude about 37 deg. 30 min. W. At nine o’clock, P.M, the ship being under all sail, going about two ku the alarm of fire was given, smoke being obser eend from the tore hi way. Io a few minutes all was con- fusion; the steerage passengers rushed up from their berths, and cai att on the quarterdeck lying and kneeling down in all directions, 1 feding the exertions of the crew, and hardly lowing the commands of the captain to be heard above their cries. A large ft castle deck was immeciately manned, and a hose fastened to it, which played down between decks. By this means, aud the employment of the ship's buckets, there was soon a considerable quan- tity of water between decks, but stll no abate- ment of the smoke. It was now evident the fire, was in the lower hold; the hatchway, which had been caulked and pitehed over when leaving Liverpool, was theretore opened, when im- mediately thick volumes of smoke ascended. The hose was now directed down this hatehway, fresh hands were summoned to the pump, and in aboutan hour, the smoke appearing \o decrease, Mr. Hoxie, the first mate, volunteercd to go down and try if he could see the fire A_rope was accordingly tied round his body, but he had hardly been lowered below the batchway when he called out, and was immediately hauled up again, quite inseasible from the smoke. Lis report, when after several mi- nutes he recovered, was very discouraging; he said she was all on fire below. "The exertions of those at the pump Were redoubled, and a constant stream of water directed below. Several of the passen- ers volunteered their services, but a great man ad to be driven from among the women end chile dren, where they lay growuing and erying. While the captain and mates were forward a number of the Reteengers gotinto the larboard quarter boat, and lowered her. She wasimmediately swamped, andabout 12. were drowned. Shortly after the alarm ot fire the man at the wheel deserted his post, and he, the boatswain, the second cook, with one or two others of the cre having placed two compasses and some provisions and water in the stern boat, got into her, lowered her, aud remain- edin her astern ot the vessel, to which they did not return tor several days. As soon as the force pump end buckets were regularly at work most of. the sail was taken im, and the ship hove aback. By this time it was about wight, and quite calm, and hed the vesee! had a gun board it ought to have been fired all tie might through; but, strange to way, she Was totally unproy ided with cannon, nor do | think she had rockets or blue lights either —at least, none were burat There were two large tanks of water on the main deck, each containing 1,100 gallons, hese the passengers stove in, the mp on the fore- in spiie Cupiain’s exeruiens to pre= vent them. They said he fire must be put St. About 2 o'clock in the morning » the 12th, as the smoke was not ob uctewse, the first alarm subsided and the most part falling wt, the starl pund veered w the stern boat wi ree of the crew in hi y loweied, end the oth uorter boat, whieh had been ewan, by the first mate aud One or two also passed astern and thee men plac while all the boats were picvided with oare, provisions and water having aleo been placed ineach = Dawn disclosed ascene of confusion—the qaarter deck covered with filth, in which were | en and chile dren ip ali direeuons, whi emoke sui! continued to ar trating slowly ito the ed to launch th mg boat, while others the smoke being ear the mainmast pat Was launched he captain's wife were set to Work about 9 a.m and passed aste and child were lowered first oat of his state room window, through which were also passed some com passes, charts, We, and then ti lowered over the stera « on the scene be: tushed to the © room, ne him wo numbers crowded round the stern, where the second mate yed lowering the ladies into the long Te were to be seen at their pra: while husbands and w: bin pas the vessel. e painful ins state the conduct of English ly. While the English generally seemed to await their fate in silent re+ Signation, the lrish w joud in their lamenta- tions, noiwithstendin st a priest had been em- ployed giving them abe li the night and morning. A remar f their extreme love ot life was exty itls, who lower- elves by a rope honging ever the stern, they Were tod that they would not be admitied into the boat; were, however, » after bewg let "g in_the water "eu dusing the ish’, an the long boat was shi bin phssengers among the lost. I regret that I do now their pore d nor those of ut of the miss- to as over her bows and sides, being muc! not heavily laden. She had 25 or 26 on ee her, | ing. I believe nothing was saved by any one. anda deal of useless lumber besides, which | Everything went down the vessel—all the might have been thrown overboard. In the even- | passengers’ property, with a cargo to the value of ing they nailed an old cover of a sail along the 000. wale, and drew it over the boat, covering her To the chief mate, Mr. Hoxie, a young man only a tent; this kept off a good many heavy seas, | 22 years of age, all praise is due, for, under Provi- and doubtless saved us from being swamped seve- | dence, it was mainly owing to his unwearied exer- ral times in the course ef the night. As it was, | tions that the vessel was kept afloat and our lives bemug quite wet through by the rain, which poured | preserved until we fell in with the Sarah. This tearless young man remained on board as long as he could be of any service, and this at the risk of his life, which was attempted several times. Most of the crew, too, behaved well throughout; and I am sorry I do not know thenamesof some to whose exertions 1 was a witness. down in torrents, yy the sea continually wash- ing over us, we snore a miserable night. On Thursday morning, the 5th, the wind being favor- able, the mates and crew begged of the captain to t_ the ship about, and steer for the Azores. This ¢ at last consented to do, and this day we made a run of some 80 or 90 miles. At noon we were in latitude 41 33 N., longitude 36 45 W. As it was blowing rather hard, we lay to again during the Gnegen ecient Astonia, Oregon Territory, September 17, 1849. Particulars of the Loss of the Pilot-boat Hackstaff, and Sufferings of the Crew and Passengers, &c. In my last, 1 mentioned that I should leave the next day for Oregon, but did not until Monday, July 23d. We sailed from the bay in the pilot-boat Hackstaff, with twenty-four passengers, and ex- pected to arrive here in about ten or twelve days, atthe farthest. But we were sadly disappointed. It was blowing heavy when we lett, and increased to a gale. This continued for nine days, with a very bad- sea running, out of all character for the wind. But the Hacksiaff rode like a duck, and, though she was wet, we got along with some com- fort. The only cause for anxiety, then, was the sickness of Captain White, who, the second day out, was taken down with fever and severe diarr- hoa. He was for some days in a very low state. ‘The weather was very thick and foggy, and on the seventh day out, we turned her head for the land, hoping, with the coust aboard, we should get out of the poe weather. This gale was from the N. N. W.—the usual course of the winds here for uight. "Eras , the 16th.—We made sail again this mor- ning at dawn, but by 9 A. M., it fell nearly calm. Early this morning some of us went back to the vessel, prefernng anything to remaining ia the long boat, where we had lain four days and nights, side by side, without being able to change our position, and completely wet through. In the courte of the forenoon, the rest of the passengers were taken out of her, the captain still remaining, with his wife and child, the doctor, steward an stewardess and the crew of the boat. Ail bore their suffermgs without a murmur. Between 9 and 10 A. M., the man on the look out saw a sail; the ship was immediately put about, and stoo after her; but there being very little wind, the. second mate, with five hands, went off in one of the boats to try and overtake her. In about two hours we made herout a bark, standing west by north. We followed her until nearly 2 P. M., when, thinking she meant to avoid us, the ship was put about again on her former course. In a few minutes, we observed the bark coming round after us. The fact was, she had not seen our fla: of distress, which was in the mizen ngging, until we hed turned our stern to her. She now bore her approach. as on us, While we bg het a a She came up to us at 3 1. M., and proved to be | six months inthe year. On the tenth day out, we the British bark Sarah, Captain Cook, from Lon- made the land ; bat here acalm sinedited, accom- panied by thick weather, which beggars all de- scription. The sea ran as high as itdid in the gale, with not a breath of wind to steady the vessel. Our situation at that time was about as uacomfort- able as it well could be. We could scarcely stand on deck, or elsewhere. Our sails were split, the mast hoops dropped from the sails, the reef points were thrashed into so much tow, and I expected to see the masts pitched out of her; aud, to add to our misfortunes, it was found that our stock of water would be gone. On the 5th of August, we were at the mouth of the Clamet river, and sent a boat ashore to get a supply of water ; but were met by so large a body of hostile Indians, that 1t would have been the height ot folly to_atternpt landing. They met us naked, were painted, and fully armed, and bid us defiance. On the 7th, we made the mouth of the Rouge river, distant about on miles north of the Clamet, which Wilkes calls by its Indian name onhis chart. Here the captain, who was recovering from his sickness, went ashore in the boat, and on finding a good harbor inside, and plenty of water on the bar, ieolved to run the vessel im, as it would greatly expedite matters ; our boats being obliged to go two or three miles to get the water. v Whether the captain noticed the tide or not, when sounding the bar, I do not know; but after getting on board, an hour elapsed betore getting under weigh. The tide had fallen one or two feet. ‘This fact, connected with another—that of mistak- ing the channel a few feet, in crossing the bar— don, for Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, a timber vessel, in ballsst. Being informed of our situation, and as it wes toe rough to take off any persons that night, Captain Cook directed us to keep him com- pany, both vessels showing lights. At dusk, he picked up the second mate and crew of the boat, vhich had gone after him in the morning ; also in the long boat, (who bad a narrow escape while getting on bourd,) and those in one of the quarter boats. These three boats were lost that night—the stern was dragged out of one, and the others were swamped. As darkness set in the wind increased to a gale, and our situation 12 the Caleb Grimshaw was perilous in the extreme. Every moment we expected to go down; the ves- sel rolled in a fearful manner, dipping her studding- fail booms quite under water, while at nearly every roll the sea came ia on the quarter-deck, and some times even finto the wheel-house. To add to our cespair, about three o’clock in the morning we lost sight of the Serah’s light, and were thus left to ourselves, without sextant, chronometer, chart, or anything to guide us. At length morning broke, when, to our great joy, we discovered the Sarah five or six miles ahead of us. We carried on after her for several hours, afraid she was going to leave us, when, ebout two o'clock, P. M., she shortened sail, and in en hour we came up with her. The sea having gone down a lutle, she lowered two boats, end by dusk had taken off the burning vessel one hundred and thirty-three persons, including most of the women. It was not judged safe to at- tempt the transfer of any more during the night, so ‘s < the boats were taken up, and we shaped our —— proved fatal to us. The vessel struck on the bar, af Viera, shes : on and in ten minutes was jailed up on the beach, or the Caleb Grimshaw was far astern of us. We = < Be not bilge. 1 expend she, would. kept on our course all day, and lost sight ot her in | ¢ aia Paithes tore — vey doe = hed the afternoon ; we, therefore, lay to during the | °O0id‘be boarded w th dey f a eee olen night, showing a lantern, and on Monday morning, | Tide to prevent the veosel from ba aged the 19th, eaw her about nine miles off on our lee | T#Ge to prevent the vessel from working up on the bow, lying to. By ten A. M. we were up with thore ; but there was so much sea on, that we her, and, telling her to follow us, we pursued our | CoUld not getthe anchors out with the boat, chough course. While ing her, the peor creatures on | We Came near swamping her two or three times, in board ealled ont for « Water! water!” but, as the the attest. As page the passengers lett, the feu was too high to risk a boat, nothing could ve | Wdians boarded her, and commenced pillaging. Cone to alleviate their sufierings. She followed ua | .o., Putco to tie shore the passengers’ trunks, also pretty well under her fore aud main topsails, fore- | 8°M€ Lows hick lour. As the vessel had driven up sail, and foretopmast staysail; the crew were too | ‘© Beatly high water mark, it was evident that she weak to make more sail on her. She seemed | Covld not be got off, except by the regular process much shaken this moraing; the masts were all | Of launching. There seemed no aiternative but to loose, the mainmast especially, which shook se- | bandon her. This we did, taking with us some yeral_ feet trom side to side as’ the vessel rolled. | Hovisions, and such articles of clothing as we The fore topyallant sail, too, was blown toribbons. | hought we could carry, but not such as we should Tuesday, es 2Hith.—The sea was still running 9 lig ey we Known the country through too high to attempt removing the rest ot the pas- | Which we hed to travel. Our mistake was in sengers; but, early this morning a boat was sent on taking Son much clothing, and loading ourselves board with the eecond mate and seven fresh hands, | 1) tier burn’ ye days who soon made enil on her—setting the mainsail, | '° ge _ y ager a1. Our passen- iain topgallant sail, and mizen topsail. The boat | §°™8 hice eh about Ii , pounds of gold brought off the five men who had been on board rag Bs eidiseabie low. "Bet non og tiny the wreck, They had a sad tale to tell; on Sun- | Ting we had to climb ae token wees — day night 20 died, last night 16, and four more this sol but, th rds ge tons en into tye morning, Though most of these perished from | ! a + yg hen pgp 1 Sggeseity cel thirst, it ie jrobsble some had polsoned themselve + apna of hed, pon for WF an dee tate as they had broken into the doctot’s room, ani 4 drank nodes and whatever other liquors they While at the wreck the Indians became more it B ave troublesome, and showed their good will by shoot- found there. At 11 A. M. we saw land, abou “ ing at us from the north side of the Tier} and wa eyed our rifles were wet and not in condition for use, it P. M. we were under the lee of the island, and was deemed prudent toevacuate the spot. So we croesed the river in our which we then aban- doned, foolishly, 1 think, encamped about half a mile from the wreck. Any the passengers was a man who had been in the country before, and he undertook to pilot us out, but such piloting I wish to be saved from for all future time. We thould have gone up the coast to the Umpqua, or tlee struck . E. course for it; but instead of this, we followed this “a distant, which proved to be Flo the boats were employed all night removing the people from the burning vessel; which task was ae completed by 5 o'clock in the morning of Wednesday, the 2ist, when the first mate and men who had been employed in it removed 1 hatches, and ehortly after the fla burst ou The ship burnt from the stern forward, the mize tmast falling first, and then the mainmast, which fell before the flames reaghed the main topgallant sail. ‘The last we saw of her was about 10 A. M.; man about 12 days. _ By this she was then some two miles southwest of Flores. foe Hine freon! fratifigation and relief, he ac- he country 18 80 Impossible to see mule at any time. burning the prat- mountains, set- pocket compass, We made but little progress this day, the wind being agai . As there were but six small casks of water on board, and provisions for one week, the people had to be put on short allow- ance ; all that could be atlorded each person was halt a pint of water and half a biscuit, covered with smoke that it more than the distance of hall This is caused by the Ind: ries, which extend to the forests on fire. M: morning | which I bought in New York, now for the fi and evening. id me a en ing ha aah |My ewe i Sc Bix 4 4 ren, having died in the night, The poor people though there min eel at al ae same were all crowded together on the main deck, quite | tai - had to climb, the noes do exposed to the weather, which fortunately was not | rool mg bh 4 yoy ps every inch we travelled was on our course, and much gained. This journey across the moun’ is one that I shall not foes to describe. Their steepness, sometimes scarcely varied ten degrees so cold, or no doubt many more would have perished | in their then weak state, several not having tasted water from the Sunday till the Wednesday morning. It feil nearly calm about noon, but in the afternoon a breeze sorung 0 fav rable thatfwe were just pm geo covered wie cor - bag able to lay our course for Payal. On the moray + 4 ot Friday, the 23d, we found ourselves about 12 | 80d the trees of a size that would be incredible in miles to the leeward of the island, with the wied eon vale phon wasted apngel to drink we right aginst us. We were all that ay and aight | Then the impossibilit ‘of ode be b to get it. by p to windward, when at lenght, on Satur- OF eee ae pL emeetens quam h, about noon, we made the harbour of uty of provisions to last us any a of time, , at Which time there were only two small . when we were enough to get them, caused y were pearly exhaused. Four of the too, got in, and two wives on board, having base- deserted their wives im the burning vessel — hen the writer left the ship for the long boat, sa floor Was quite warm, and smoke was up through the seams of the deck, #0 that the fire wae evidently extending to the after part ofthe vessel Ip the afterroon the captain came off, and was put on board the long boat. On his leaving the vessel's #We the poor creatures on board set up a general cry, “Oh, captain, dear, save us! save us!” He told them he was not goin; to leave them, and that he would stay by the vessel to the last Before he leit, the crew had made two more rafts; one of these was lounched, and about 30 peteens goton it, when, fearing it would be overcrowded, they cut themeelves adntt, and soon after hoisted a small sail aod went off to the-east- ward before the wind = It is most probable they all perished in a day or two, as, although they feds barrel of beet and one of pork, they thad very Little water, and | believe no bread. All Monday night and all Tuesday and Tuesday gett ibe ship lay to will the boats astern. On lay morn: the chief mate came off in one of the Boaws brought some provisions anda small tin-Vessel of water for the long boat. They had passed a terrible wight on board. No sooner had the captain left than the steerage passengers Tushed into the cabin, cot and broke open ali the trunks and boxes they could lay hands on, and Titled them et their contents They found two caees ot brandy and afew bottles of wine, after having consumed which they became very riotous, attackirg the firet mate and seme of the crew, who hed grew! cifficulty in preserving their lives. They sucerrced if taking two guns from them, and threw them overboard, aud huviag atmed them. selves with pi and Kuve hept these infuriated eavagrs at bay until the eter course of the day the bovis browyht us off Mattrasees, blankets, and leaves of the eabi which were laid along the bottom ot the boat, a which wery very welcome, as she was leaky, and shipped s0 much water over her sides that two men were kept constantly bailing her out On Wednreday, the Lith, © cask of bread was brought ve; the crew had found a cask of flour the evening before, aud the cook was employed | baking it the whole night. This was very ac- Ceptabie, ne we had no bread in the long boat and had been subsisting on a little cake an cheese, with a few pickles. About 9A. M, the ship was equared awey before the wind, and ri on ali day about porh by west, towing the b efter her Why they did not run her for the Az the day befere, when the wind was favorable seems very strange. She had now nine feet water in her bold, but still the emoke ascended oo the hatches, though they had been covered m Again to viher the fire as much as + ble. We obeerved « good deal of amoke also is suing from the cobw wind and from the vea- | filaters im the stern. On ‘doesday might she | lay to, the captain considering it unsafe to carry | # of water remaining, and 2 ewt. of bread, | “80 eufler much with hunger. These, and the rtly after we dropped anchor. We were now | Constant w forthe packs on our backs, ony mee pom on pee to rie hove on ep ee ges — fi thle ha eonine | jor five days. ¢ British Consul i iatel d sent us off bread and water, while from the reed jo usta) the winter, instead of summer, we must have staid where we were until spring, or made our way aleng the coast. , At length, on the 27th of August, being the twen- tieth day of our journey, we struck the wagon road of the Umpqua valley. The next day we met in ot ween from Oregon, on their way to forma. When we met them we had not the mouthful of anything to eat, and for some $ previous spignet root aud berries had been rm Mr. Dabney, we received a present of srengee aod = the S0ch , G Next cay, Sunday, the 25th, was employed in get tng woter aud pro Le vc on board, and takingofl about 100 persons to the lazaretto; and the ship was brovgbt a httle further in the harbor in the course of the day. This evening a small bark, the Clora ©. Bell, suiled for New York ; her ca; tain oflered to take eight cabin passengers, but only two were allowed to Oapt. Hox: & his | principal food. They liberally supplied us self, taking his wife a ch, steward end pa | a food, and —_ of A he made quite sick ardees, ond first second mates. An elderly | 0Y Over eal ere we broke up into amall pare ties. Twas fortunate enough to procure a horse | of some French people who were packing through | to California. I mounted my animal bare-backed, intreated to be allowed to lady, @ cabin passenger, , cused londay, the 26th, nearly one hundred more was re! is were oo off to the lazaretio} and, owing to the | beech Tog gt Fw nO bridle, and repeuiag, ocamjaimte of Captain Cook about the | Eis where arrived om the Ook of Sake aah state the people were in, lying exposed on the | po \ decks, we were informed that our quarantine would be over the next morning. It having come on to blow fresh from the southwest, an additional anchor and chain cable were brought from the shore, which were let go i the afternoon. The wind still mereasing, we let go another anchor; but at dark the gale blowing still harder, we begaa | to drag all three anchors. At l0o’clock P. M., we fereed our beet chain cable, and, during the next hour and a half dragged our others about five hundred yards. Our danger was now imminent, a8 the breakers could be seen almost under our stern, and we were driving nght on a frightlul lee ri 5 ey 4 until Capt. White arrived, | came down to t! in three days, in a canoe, and am now waiting the arrival of the brig Forest, to | goto San Francisco. This trp has been an expensive one to me, not | that my loss in hard dollars has been so great, but the frespentive profits of my up and down cargo | think weuld have amounted to three or four thou- sand dollars. martes F. Hvonrs Our Maryland Correspondence. Eveton, Md , January 11, 1950 Appearance of Elkton—Sales of Land—The Sea- —, a thonght it — 4 perieh thas, having son, &e escaped destruction so lately, to be sactiticed t nl ., thore absurd quarantine teen and harder otill, | Elkton, the chief town or capitol of Ceci! coun- that Captain Cook should die a vicum to his hu- | ty, is, as the geography bookssay, beantifully vita menity im saving ovr lives. Just after he had come down to tell the ladies to get up and dress them- selves, and when five minutes more would have seen us on the rocks, the wind suddenly chopped round to west, and the vessel was saved. It was found next on weighing anchor for the purpose of get ihe vessel to safer moorings, further im the har r, that both the flakes of one of the two remaining anchors were breken. On Tuesday, the 27th, the reme:ader of the pas- sencere were taken ashore, where we experienced and attention from the consuls could equal the Kindness of Mr. Dabney, ular. ated at the confluence of the Big and Lite bm Creek, and on the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad, 47 miles southwest of the for- mer, and 56 northeast of the latter place It has population of about 1,500 inhabitants, end numbers among it, tore: court house, demy, and four churches—a pre: copal, a methodist and a catholic, (J is not quite completed. For some ume p town appeared to be on the stand still in reg to improvements, but within the last year or ¢ # spirit of enterprise has been awakened, severa houses have gone up, and business is going on quite lively. Heome ef your enterprisi kees would “squat” in there make a fortnne wh afew years, improving lend Hunde malty aw jail, an acae rmore than two weeks suffering and t the riskgot starvation, and, as it of chipwreck to himeelf and *56 harman beings were saved by Cock’s noble and praiseworthy ‘wo were missing when all were afterwards crew, the liv neeans of Ca industrious yan- got on hoard the Sarah eeht died on the passage stg] 6 ee ee went off Ret Ore ny lund in the world, 1s a lir the raft the day after the t € ident, 40 perished from w of water and food, | '9 end manure. A tract of 100 acres was evld to- about 12 were drownee by swamping of the | % for @4 200. quarter boat remain were probably he season hes been aj smothered in Ail the cabin passengers | OPP one for this laitece ving bad no treemng were saved. The doctor reported four second cq | eather yet. But the time of bright sunstine awa singing is now past, and old winter has come at last in real earnest. nd neste arefull ot saow.” are snow.’ for the feathery flakes came dewn thick and fast esterday evening and last night, and the ground - now covered to the depth ef some eight inches, and the sleigh bells are riaging out their merry jungle in every direction. Our Frankfort Correspondence, FrankFort oN THE Maine, Dec. 1, 1849. The War Among the Diplomats—The Recall of Mr. Donelson, the American Minster, §c., Sey. Se. The war is still raging here among the diploma- tists, and whether despotism, with its iron grasp, or a liberal form of government, is to rule Germa- ny, no one can, at present, determine. Ru: and Austria are warring against every principal of ceding to the people apy rights or liberal institu- tions. Prussia seems to yield a sluggish half con- sent to revive the central government, and has de- creed that a new election shall be held for the cen- qral diet. Still we are not satisfied that the King 18 sincere, a8 it would at once bring him into colli- sion with Russia and Austria. Ata crisis like this, when liberal representatives were required to sustain those who were strug- gling for the rights of man, it is perfectly incom- prehensible how the administration of General Taylor could have committed such a fatal act as to reca!! Major Donelson, minister from the Umted States. Major Donelson was the people's cham- pion of fre edom here, end he wag no less the favor ite of the ministers of the Franktort: government; and atthe moment when bis influence was most felt and wanted, the administration at Washing ton recalled tim from his post, and have, as tar as in their power, eided to overthrow the Liberal government of Germany. ‘To the democratic yarty, under Mr. Potk’s ad- ministration, for placing Major Donelson as their representative here, all Germans of liberal princi ples, fee! deeply indebted; but every one who loves the * Fath ive General Teylor’s adiministrat’ nat noble re presentative. As upOrtaut pos sition Major Dene!son filied, the following will show. ‘ Last falla natoralized American, a citizen of Pennsylvania, who had resided ten years at Har- risburg, as punter, was arrested at Baden tor being connected with the liberal party of insurgents. He was tried by a court martial, and sentenced to be shot, byt found means to communicate his situa- tion to Mejor Donelgon, who immediately filled up @ passport to the United States for the condemned individual, which he placed in the hands of the Minister of Foreign Afliirs at Frankfort, with a note to his Excellency, thet the person condemned to death must not be injured, but that he should expect the passport then in his Excellency’s hands to be forwarded to him, and permission given him to leave Germany. Major Donelson’s request, was immediately complied with, and the lile of this American citizen saved. This looked as if there was a central governs ment at Frankfort, which had power to save the ite of an American citizen, and a minister with sufficient influence to accomplish at. Jt was at this time, when we had not another minister in Europe, north of Eosin, that Major Doneleon wes re-called by Mr. Clayton, General Taylor's Secretary of State; and I call on every Germen who leves the “Fatherland,” to remem- ber this act of despotism, to gratify Austria, Rus- sia, and the tyrant Haynau. When the time ar- rives to deposit their votes, let them veto men who can be guilty of euch conduct. Our lowa Correspondence, Cuiton County, (Iowa,) Dec. 4, 1849. Aspect of Iowa—The Resources of the State—The Railroad Fever—The Projected Lines—The Road to the Pacific. As your paper always contains everything of in- terest that takes place in the couatry, I have thought that an occasional letter from the “Hawk- Eye State” will not prove unacceptable to you. Towa is, as is well known, situated at the ex- treme northwest of the Union, and is, one exception, the youngest sister of the racy. Her territory comprises nearly 54,000 square miles, lying between 40 degrees 40 minutes, and 41 de- grees 10 minutes north latitude, having the Upper Mississippi for her eastern bouni id th SMigeone, river partly on the eg The surface 18 mostly level, with here ere @ gen- ue undulation of not more than 50 rpendicu- arrise. Timber is scarce, ex ir fe northern pes but coals of a superior q have recently en discovered in the south seetion of the State. The great lead region Illinois extends ardly into this State, overa tract of country, fs far as diecovered) of 1,500 square miles. he present 9 prener ise ted at 150,000 souls, who are settled principally counties adjacent to the Mississippi, and om the southern border ot the State; but as co le accessions are be- ing made every day, by emigration from the old world, as well ‘as from other States, the tide is rolling Phere as the bd of empire takes its wey.” Numerous ri tributaries of the Missis- sippiand Murourisdvain ais beautitul country; and as the popu reases, they will tind it not only neceseery, but advantageous to themselves, to im- prove the navigation of these streams, and thereby put themselves in communication with the great cities eee yalicy of the Mississippi, and thence to the pe 6 The principal topic of conversation, indeed the great menia that is prevailing here, is the railroad fever, It has slumbered since 1539, but has now broken out afresh, not only in old but new places, ‘The most extravagant schemes are daily hatched; one cannot peruse a newspaper without finding some newly projected line of te in faet, the whole country is railroad mad. It pervades all classes alike; where betore the attention of speca- lators and capitalists alone were directed, now the farmers and all are taking part in it. Not that the agriculturist, and all persons not speculators and capitalists, thould not engage in it, | do not mean to inter; for improvements are Geolaned for the many, and not for the few, and should be constructe and paid for by the many; but what I mean to con- vey is, that all hands are engaged in building costles or roads in the air, for these projects can never, at the present day, be carried out. No ene presumes to suppose for a moment, that the man of moderate means should not be allowed to invest his money in an enterprise ot this nature; but when every little village of half a dozen houses, and a score or two of population, speak serious- 7 of a breach road from any line to their par- ticular city (on paper), one is disposed either to ry at the absurdity, or grieve that, should euch a hair-brained venture be undertaken, in- evitable loss will follow all connected with this would-be enterprise. Lver emee the people of Ohio, very wisely, thought it proper to connect their importantelake ports with the Ohio river, and establish one or more railways between these two highways of na- Vigation, the population of the minor towns and embryo cities along the Missiesippt, have been en- deavoring to imitate the example ‘of the foru a should write) thoroughly eclipse them, structing railroads from the Westera Lek “Father of Rivers.” Were these small towns to unite their resources, and by their joint action completeand open one road, it undoubiedly would be advantageous to all concerned; bot when each sets up for itself, and wishes to be a termimus of the great “Atlantic Railway,” the thing becomes prepotterous and absurd. The towa of Dubuque, which is in the centre of the lead region, seems to be the great nest, where these gy eugs are hatebed. The first of these musi m lines (for to ey vy any other term would be untrue) 1s to con- neet that city with New York! Whether this contemplated road will pursue a direct course to the metropolis of the East, we are not informed; bet it 1s to be wih Galen, a city about twenty 5 is definitely express id a New Yorker epenk of a “New w Orleans” line, via Paterson, N. | The cecond scheme is tqextend this wygantie road re Counen Biufle, on tH Missouri river, dix 30 noles ine straight line, and passing through w vbebited tract of country, but me pied by the See and Fox tribes of third aud smallest lowe may be course of time, when the popat end is dempned te unite thie eam rants i, y of Da vque’ with the Mississippi at rhe t f Keokuk feot of the lower rapids). This we undoutte be ao important highway, whee (he niver de bot at the when all the energies ected in advecati The people of Iinois wavy State debt for rite pleted; they should tegen Nothiag ruin with « prodigens fare has it, “coum out of has now an uninterrupted ton wih Sr Lours, va the file wer te Ottawn, thence by cenal to Lake ns bot thre os nev + only for a eertay the yee Now she seeks to onite herself, lewd. wit the heed of a eo riwers and the je ot nd of the coctern side of rely ovging the establishment of @ themselves with the lakes, by ineans of ap nsion westward of the Chicago youd. The “Ré@ek Island aad Lasalle Railroad Company” have mpt now a mere paper existence ; itis not a visi matter; but all the population eS Gee al a pg subscriptions spine, The lineyes determined on, will be about seventy-five mileg long, and its estimated cost one million dollars. Before tha grousd will be broken,, ene must be bubseribed, which will complete road ready he rails. More than one-third of this sum hag been obtained with very little diffi- eulty. This is the mght way to commence an un- dertaking of so Tmpportant 4 nature; and small towns should waivénforever the question of making their particular poingthe terminus. é igculation here, containing the d from St. ! great route will uitlately be opened, no one " ubts; for it is that which wi benefit the nation," “a making this country the thoroughfare bet jurope and China. It will ve constructed not by it will therefore be Dot a local, but a national, en- terprige. a8. suggested, is to strke the Missouri river at Council Bluffs; should that point rossing place on that stream, day, we may expect to see a line of railway: ting Chicago via Kock {sland, with that point. thing is feasible; Council Blufis is almost ina line west from Chicago; and when the of Iowa will warrant it, the road will en. No one place, for two r eouth of Rock Island, could’ suitable site for a bridge to cross the Mississippi; and shall have been opened in connection with those already in progress the traveller may journey from the Empire City tothe far-famed Missouri river in feur deye! theneetto Sen Franeiseo in five days more! The dist Blufls, by the lake in direct line 1,150; not quit enfic. ‘The magnette telegraph is finished as far as Kock Island, and have instant communication with the Atlantic tes at the present ume, How long will it be before we can travel in three days ute, 13 about 1,600 miles, and trem the Hudson t@the “Father of Rivers?” More hon 4 Our Malpe Correspondence. Wargkvi.te, Mame, Dec. 30, 1849. The Situation of Waterville—The Androscoggin and Kennebec Railroad, §c. §c. As your paperis national in its character and circulation, perhaps an account of some things which happe: down here in Maine, will not be unacceptable to you, or uninteresting to your readers. ‘4 Waterville is'situated on the Kennebec, at Ticon nic Falls, about twenty miles above Augusta, and nearly a hundred from the mouth of the river. In past years, during six months in the year, while General Frost has his embargo on the Ken- nebec, we have been cut off from all intercourse with othe: States, except by staging and trucking to Por 4 distance of eighty-two miles; but, on Tuesdays the 27th ult., we put the embargo at defiance, and raised the blockade, never to be put on im, On that day, the geass and Ker Railroad was opened to Waterviile. This, a8 perhaps you are aware, branches off from the Al ic and ‘St. Lawrence Railroad, at Dan- ville, a distance of twenty-seven miles from Port- jand. o years ago last July, the ground had not mn broken, and now the 18 agri to yon- Waterville, a distance of me pena miles. sidering that it has been built almost wholly by country capital, at atime unexampled in our his- toryfor pressure in the money market, and that thé Metropolitan influence and capital of our State have been engaged in a rival enterprise, and inthe deadjiest hostility to this, the directors and stock- holders of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rail- road certainly deserve great praise for their energy, shill, and perseverance, mm prosecuting, and so soon nsummating, this enterprise, 80 momentous to er section of the State, and, in fact, to the whole State and nation. res nie This road is the longest that isin operation in Maine, and comprises one-tourth of the whole length of railroads in Maine. It runs through a rich farming country, to which it, of course, be aces # ready and constant market. It drains one of the richest freight sections in New pg) as it turns the products of the rich valley of the Upper Kennebec from Bangor towards the West. It will be, for the present, decidedly a freight road; but, as Soon shall be extended to Bangor, and from thence still further east, it will command all the travel from the provinces, and become the great thoroughfare ot the State. It runs as near the central portion of the State as a road can run, and is destined to become the outlet of all the northern portion of the St The continuation of the road to Bangor is already chartered, under the name of the Penobscotand Kennebec Railroad. Thecomple- tion and opening of the Androscogginand Kennebec Railroad have excited an interest and 4 determina- tion among the inhabitants of Penobscot Valley, that their road must be built, and immediately too. When this shall be finished, there will be, with the exception of seventy miles staging from Woodstock to Mattawamkeag, a continnous line from St. Johns, through the centre of Maine, to Portland, paca ‘ork, and from thence God knows where! So much for the bearing this road has on the State and National interests. Its importance to our local interests is, perhaps,much greater. Water- Ville has an immense water power: there is probabl. not its rival in Maine, and scarcely in New England, in this respect. Wath the Kennebec on one side, end & large stream, the outlet of some ten or a dozen large ponds, on the other, and both of them having a large fall as they pass this place, Waterville has resources as yet undeveloped, and hitherto shut out from the World, which can support all the man- wtactories in Massachusetts put together. The opening of this road has given an impulse towards improving these natural advantages, and thongh the place is now laboring under the edlvcts of the immenge exertions it made to build the road, still you will soon hear of other thi indicating the eae growth and prosperity of this favored, thriv- ing town. he stockholders of the road, and citizens of Waterville aud vicinity, celebrated the opening of the road im an appropriate manner. The travel on the road, since its opening, sur- pasres all expectation. In conclusion, Mr. Editor, if any of you Gothamutes, next summer, wish fora beautiful pleasure route, letthem tke the cars in New York, and come all the way down East in them—take @ glance at our eplendid scenery, and when they urrive here among us, we will furnish as good fishing places, as beautiful ponds tor sailing, end as good hunting grounds as can be found ia New England, or the old York State. Our Canadian Correspondence. Montreat, January 13, 1850. The Annexation Movement—The (Quebec Election —Affaws in Upper Caneda—Tie Season in Montreal. Since the departure of the last Roya! mail steamer for Europe, the anaexation movement has slowly, yet surely, gained considerably with the Canadians. Instead of dying out, and proving amere temporary effervescence, opinion as was anticipated by most men, it on the contrary has taken a deep root in the public mind, and will at the fitting e be the means of causing great Ormenic changes in our constitution. In Lower Coneda, aloe the British constituencies have declered their adherence to it, and the French Ceneciens are gradually aiming at the eame goal. Woh thece letter, the progress of the movement is far slower than to have been expected, showing that the bloody deeds of 1837 and 1834 have notentirely faced away from their recollec- they will not pledge or commit themselves by oral Gemonstratio, but quietly at the polls give proofe of ther tri hip for the movement. The coming elec or the city of Quebec isa vet in point. In cousequence of the Appointment Mr Chabot to the Ministry, « fresh weit been istued for the election of a member of parlia- ment for Quebee city, The candidates are Mr. ree, ond Mr Legare, an annexatioa- 'y not im that interest. Notwith- rtending thet the party has been taken with sut- ee, bot expectiog an election so soon, " thereby weak, he will be return- +d, end (he election prove a triumph to the cause Mir Legere will be supported by half ot the count; thebrco, end on equal portion of the Freac Conedien vetes, ‘The British connection ¥ out ot Uloy to the ministry, will not be polled. The were ct the Feereh Canadians will not pledge he vee to Mr. Legare; but the general opinion . thet be will receive theireordeal support. Mr. La- fontoine w ver be returned for Moutreal again. I tea feet, the neat eivie elections for this ma- capelity, oli on 2d of March next, will +ebo my essertion. The candidates in the field rihe munietpal election are, one or other, annex- | cn coteorantis, The annexationists will carry it. | Lere will be fightiog, and serious enough, too; but wil be betwee the Orangemen and those who were assoerated with them in the riots of April. he Inch Komen Cetholies, of course, support the j cyeehewms. The Freneh Canadians will exercise cor nebte in penser, es they almost all live in the borbe by themselves, and neveramalgemate with be old country people The ministerial i werk smonwst them ; bat bard times and self-go- |. pecent wil prevail, "These votes are for annexa- fier Th unty of sheflord, at present re; noted } oy Mr Dee sud, @ Cabinet minister, is also show. » en ihewnt tiene e Law yh cause. So mach ther Mr Drommond left his duties to pay it a t, aed came back disgusted. Shefford isin the coe To wnebips. Lipper Canada, the ery for retreachment and few States, but by the many; | whenever such a road | ce from New York to Council | half way to the Pa | Louis to San | | “dlimeks, = the i another Cabi- in be returned for Ox- 1 th two rides of the line. Mr. pet Hinister, wu eid " x ford. Notwithstandii at he entertained his Fupporters to a | hinted at the probability of the much lke or” reform being at last stemmed by hue paney 5 it was all to no purpose. Mr. Van- eittart, persecuted by the party on account of his conservative principles and conduct as returni officer at the tact election for this couaty, beard the lion in his den. Mr. V. went into the banquet room, and in along speech amidst cheers and hiss- es, showed up. Mr. Hincks in great style. The the Ministry 1s the poine of ruin, and know it. Mr. Cameron, lately one of them, has retired, and for the same reason that rats leavi sinking . He has come out and openly charged the Ministry with desiring. to increase the public expenditure, rather than les sen it, He states that he offered to take a higher situation in the Cabinet than he held, for n: r ope half what the party who held it before receiv- ed. The ministry would not consent. They in- timated that they ceuld not afford to give up any valuable office at the present time. Mr. Cameron retired in disgust, and is now a popular man. The League and Annexationists have at forced the Ministry into a corner, and it is now stated that a scheme of retrenchment in the expen- diture of the country is in course of concoc im and will ere long be laid before the country. It will be sweeping, but wen’t touch the salaries of the Ministry. Clerks will be done away with, and the salaries of others will be cut down to nothing. ‘This will not appease the popular clamor; it wil onlp add to dis already. cried out at, Execlleney ontinues to disseian those gentle- men holding offices of honor under the crown, that have signed the address to the people of Canada, Montreal is exceedingly gay—balls and parties every night. Toronto, on the other hand, is ex- ceedingiy dull, and the’ Torontonians now lament ly. their fol Our Madeira Correspondence. Maperra, Dec. 1, 1849. Steam between Madeira and England—Living on the Island—Amerwcan Visiters—Naval News— Vistt of Sir Henry Bulwer en route to Washing- ton—Appearance of a Royal Russian. I have just time to drop you a few lines before the mail closes for England, which is carried by the regular sailing packet between this island and Southampton twice a month, by which way letters are carried to the United States. Ing from the city of Funchal, which is situated on the south side of the island, and is the only port where vessels land passengers ; it contains about 30,000 inhabitants. As you know, the island is celebrated for its wines and delightful climate. The vintage closed about eix weeks ago, and there is not to be found a single grape upon the island, in any state, for they do not preserve them here. We have plenty ot tropical fruits at this season, such as oranges, fige, bananas, and many of the same kinds that you raise in the northern and middle States, such as pears, peaches and apples. The same vegeta- bles are raised here that are in America ; peas, po- tatoes, carrots, onions, and lettuce, some of which yield two, three, and even four crops a year, in the open air. The climate does not vary more than five degrees from September to May ; the mercury Panay to Fabrenheit’s thermometer) ranging rom 65 to 70 du the entire 24 hours of the day end night, making it one of the best places in the world for invalids who have any thing of a pulmo- nary predisposition in their complaints. ma- nity of the visiters here are English, consequent- ly the public houses are English, and their tables are well supplied with excellent food, includin all the substantials and luxuries that you meet wi at the Astor or Irving House, in New York. The price of board is $50 to $75 per month; no extra charges fer private tables, or wines, which are sup- pets abundance, of the several varieties, just asyoufancy. The hest old Madeira wine is worth here, at whol + $2 per gallon. There are some kinds which are never-exported, which are very fine table wines. Evurybody drinks wine, and no one thinks of getting drunk. : i There are now only thirteen American visitera on the island, viz: Mr. Burton, of Philadelphia ; Mr. Blandy, of New York; Lieut. Armstroag and lady, who arrived in the brig Plymouth on the 12th ult., and were 38 days coming from New York, their vestel leaking 80 much as to oblige them to keep the pumps at work night and day, soon after leaving , American coast, in consequence of a severe gale % the vessel. The bark. - Corning, of New York, 2! days Passage, arrived on the 22d ult., with seven pase sengers for boner viz: Ly ra Denio, lady and two ae tica; Dr. Collins and lady, of New York city, and Mr. Benedict, of Clevelénd, Ohio. The E. Corning six other passengers for Rio Janeiro, where she was bound. The oongeme Gory the highest roe. of, bark Sorning, Tr captain, Asa A. Corning. was called one of the best models and handsome est American vessel ever came into this port, thus causing some curiosity among the natives. On the 16th ult. the U.S. sloop Portemouth are rived from the Mediterranean, where she had been to get Commodore ire; , and stopped here on her way to the coast of Africa, where the commo- dore Wyggring 10 bare. his squadron on that sta- non. The ers were looking extremely well, and I judge felt so, from what | saw of them during their stay here. The commodore ts a natured looking Connéetieut Yankee, though as brave as @ lion, and suid he would let the “boys” havea little play spell at Madera before going to their unpleasant and unhealthy station. Ow the 20h ult., H B's steamer Hecate, of the voyal navy, arrived here tor coals, on her way to the United States with Sir Henry Bulwer Lytton, the English Minister. He was accompanied by his lady, and several others, It was proposed to have a grand pic nie ata place called Palbeiro, a private park, containing several hundred acres, which is situated eome tour miles trom the towa, on @ mountain. On Monday morning, ihe 26th ult., the cavaleade started from the towa, coasist- ing of about one hundred ladies and ge mounted on horseback, (lor there is nota ie on the island, or vehicle on wheels, of By and thore who could not ride on horsebiek were carned in ps by the native Porciguese. The company all arrived at the yout 12 o'clock, M., and, after dismow restiag @ while, they remounted ond spent hour ndiag about the F sarong’ Viewing the beautiful trees, plants and flowers, when they returned w the sum mer heuse, and hed a dence on the green eward. A fine bend of music was in attendance, and the Ame- rglish and Kuse ed tlemen from the different nations representen the party. They bad a mayaificent dinner spread under the trees, which did more t uonal prejudices than all that were everheld. There is 1» cheer to bring out the better ot the beurt. Perhaps some temperance hk rs might have been ous) to say that they all got happy toge- ther, without distinction of rank of We have areal live Kassiun Prince came in July last, with a Kaseian steam: tecompabied with « long train of atiaches. He is the Duke of Leuchtemberg, and married the dangh- ter of Nicholas, Emperor of Kussta. Ue is about forty years of age, aod has been quite a wild fellow, they say, in his younger days, which has impaired his health—tor the Tecovery of which he came here, end Ieft his wife at home to take care of the bilnes. He is the son of Eugene, and grand: Jowe- phine, N: con's first wite. eu to the Queen of tugal, and brother of + ness of ow of the late on F who was jagal b yoleon, 1a proclaimed Einp- ror, , and Don Pedro IV, of Porvugal, when he wee King of that country. The Russian officers who are stay: Prince are the finest « , wha heavy | of bes attaches with hem hee om and lady, Mons. Movs ty 19 an ele id piercing ey their wives with them, first aude de camp, Prince Bragy Count Kiowek: and his eeeretary, eerd and lady. The lav ‘ant asd accomplished G. Sreed at the pie nie with ove of us ofheers trom the Avornen Rewancanue Niv Florida Sentime contains nation, by a committe: the river Waeisen, in ing ite capacity for a w ing purposes, end the yw Ont of it with the St Marks by # canal = T water at the head of the riverthiriy-iwo te the bigh water im the St. Marke, at N Thé Sentinel describes the Wrciser ti the natural curiosities almost yeculiat to Florida It takes its rise, like the Waky in springs of tremendous volume, forming an inwacnse oama with bold shores, from whicn itravsina S 8 KB. direction, in a deep and broad stream, about four. teen milea,to a swamp, where mont of it dia through 4 sebterronean channel, by which it 1s dies ed into the Gulf. This river ie dard to coutaia @ greater volume of water than the Potomast of Jomes river, aud, like all rivers having # similar rise in FI affected newher by drought wor steady, naiform and unvary- ing current all the year. Any coneriva!+ amovact of water-power can be obtained by means of the canal proposed, and it will not only be natailing, bat onvarying The committee are of opinioo that more than ten times the water power of Lowell can be found there, at a small expense. tot the exami- . of ae Tam now wnit- . —