The New York Herald Newspaper, February 12, 1851, Page 2

Diary of an Overland Journey through Mexico—Sufferiags and Mortality ef the Party—Description of the Coun- try, de. 7 ‘We present to our readers this morning, the fol- owing very interesting account of a journey across ‘the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, by a party of Ameri- wans, who arrived here within a day or two. It seems they embarked in the Powhattan, Capt. F. Hopkins, at San Francisco for Panama, and that the vesgel got short of wa’er and provisions when she was only twenty days at sea. On the fifteenth of November, during a calm, and when the vesse! was about six miles from land, the cap- fain called for volunteers to man the boat aad pearch for the harbor of Santa Maria, and procure water if possible. Ten of them volunteered to do go. To their surprise and amazement, however, they saw the vessel take advantage of a breeze which sprung wp while they were in the boat, and put to sea again. They were accordingly left on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in a destitute condi- tion. They determined upon making their way to Vera Cruz, which place they succeeded in reach- ing, after undergoing dreadful hardships. Four of the ten died on the way of cholera. At Vera Cruz they fortunately fell in with the expedition which sailed from New Orleams to survey a line of railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, by the members of which they were treated with great kindness. Mr. McPherson, one of the owners of the steamship Alabama, sympathized with them in their misfortunes, provided them with money to purchase clothing, and gave them a free passage to New Orleans. The following is a@ list of the survivors of the expedition :—Lugeae Ring, of New York ; Joseph S. Wyman, Boston ; James Walker, Boston ; William Dupuy, Boston ; James Barker, Boston; |. W. Woodward, Long Island, New York. The general impression is, that the vessel in which they emburked from San Francisco was mot driven to sea; the conduct of the captain is, therefore, unaccountable. The following is the diary — Nov. 224.—W hile lying becalmed, within five or six miles of the shore, Captain Hopkins requested Captain Peleee to pick outa volunteer boat’s crew from among the passengers, and go oa shore to try and find the harbor of Saute Maria, near which port he supposed, from his reckoning, the ship then was. Our object was to water and provision the ship, a8 we had sutlered for want of both for two weeks. Ten of us, including Capt. K., left the vesse! about eight o'clock, A. M,, and pulled for the shore, baving first put in the boat a small breaker of water, and a little hard bread and beef, as we expected to be gone nearly all day. Soon atier leaving the ship a light wind sprung up from off the land, and the ship stood out to eea. ‘She made no signal for us to come oa board, and We supposed they would tack, and staod in and ‘Pick us up; but about twelve o'clock we lost sight of her. After pulling down the coast about three hours longer—the wind by this time blowing a gale, and the sea running very high—we found that our boat could not live long in such weather, and de- termined te put her ashore, which we dared not do, but asa last resource. This we accomplished in safety, through a tremendous surf, and, had our boat not been as well managed as she was, but few of us would have reached the land. Two ot the party immediately climbed to the top of a nigh promontory which imide out inte the sea, but could see nothiog of our ship. They discovered a ran- cho a few miles back in the country, and after hauling our boat far up on the beach, we all started towards it. We found some Mexicans here, who w ery friendly, and of whom we nought some fow! ind eggs, and, returning to the boat, cooked our supper, wrapped ourselves in the few blankets and coat we had brought with us, and lying down am the sand, slept until morning, when we all returned to.the rancho for provisions; and about noon one of eur party went dowa to the beach to see the boat, which he found the wind had blown about sixty yards from where we had left it, and stove it in pieces on the rocks. We remained here till the 25th, and then started for San Mateo, twenty-one miles down the coast, where we arnved about sundown, and were taken by our guide to a house where we could get some and sleep. Our route to this place was part of the way very mountainous, and part oa the sea- Beach. When about half way, we crossed the mouth of the Tehuantepec river, fording it within two hundred yards of its mouth—the water reach- ing to our waists. We saw atleast fifty very large alligators, lying sunnimg themselves on the banks, of swimming luzily along, their noses just poking Up adove the surface of the water. We left San Mateo on the 26th, for Santa Ma- Tia, abou: nine miles farther dowa the coast—tra- veiling neaily the whole distance on the sea beach and @ong a jarge lagoon. The fresh waters here are filea with fish, and on the banks of the rivers ¢ abundance of water fowl, and the country is alive with game. We found Santa Ma- 10 be a smal! town, of about four huadred inha- nts, liviog in cane huts, thatched with palm Jeaves—the only dress of the women being @ cou- ple ot yards of colored cloth, fastened around the want. The men are a little better pro- vided for, wearing large loose trousers, aod over their shoulders a coarse shirt. They ap- pear to be a kind and gentle people, but lazy and indolent—liviag on tortillas, which are hard, thin corn cekes, fish, and such fruit as mature furnishes them. We learned that a Mexi- can surveying party were stationed some nine miles farther down, one of whom spoke English; and ac- | cordingly one of our compaaions started off to see | them, end gain the necessary information for crose- ing the [sthmus 27:h —Wejreturned to.San Mateo, through which town we bad to pass on our route, and on the 28th hired horres aad a guide for the cuy of Tenaun- tepec, twenty-four miles distant. We travelled over @ splendid road, passing through a vey level and beautiful country, but thinly covered with timber, i with ap excellent soil, and yet mot the east fe vation vat within a mile or two of cy, when we saw a few corn plantatiors. | On our arrival in the city we were surrounded by @ great ‘crowd of Indians, women and children, | who gazed at us with aneb curiosity. From what | I could learn we were the first party of Americaas who had croseed the country Everything was fm a siate of confusion; the cholera was raging, and the city was expecting every moment to be atiacked by the forces of Gen. Melendez, an in- sutgent chief, who was at the head of an army of the “ Jochiveca” Indians. Many of the streets and | principal public t were barricaded and for- | tified, end all ser el, as they expressed it, ¢ were taken to the Gover- | niains about All the offices, end nearly all the heads of Spaniards and Mexicans. rt of the town is built of stone; the buildings are low, and like all Spanish buildings, Open on ® court im (he centre, presenting oaly their sides to the street } The Tehauntepec river runs along one side of the | eity, and it is he a very small stream. Upon this the inbabiu depend for all the they use. ( evening we > one of our party, Captain Kellogg, of Hartford, Conn , Woe attacks) by the cholera, and the next morning, 2h, Henry Cram, of Boston, was taken With the same disease, and died in twentyf-our hours. Both of our sick friends had every attea- | tion paid them in_owr power, but in one case all Was cf no avail. The Governor gave us out pase porte to travel through the country, and we accord- ingly purchased our horses, end made the neces sary arrangements to continue our journey. Capt. | Kellogg was very sick, and the Governor promised to send him on to Vera Cruz if he recovered | i On the 20th we left for Chinatan, twenty- seven miles distant, where we atrived about sun- down, having travelled over quite a level country, meet of it covered with a dense chaparel, 4 some forests of small trees. At this town another ot our party, James Wotherspoon, of New- York, wae attacked by the cholera, and we were obliged | to leave him, after making provision for his being taken care of. (On Dec ist we set out for El Bario, twenty- ene miles from thie place. We travelled tll the | middle of the afternoon, over a very rough and bar- | ren country, the trail (for there are no roads across the mountetns) being just wide enough for a single horseman to prse, sometimes leading through the dried up b& of the mountain stream, our horses sty i over the stones and rocks ; at other times running along the verge of high ers, that would make one dizzy to with barely room for our horses to walk and then down steep and narrow cuts that had bern worn by mules and washed out by the Water rufining through them, making just room for a eingle horse to walkt—he walla of earth rose high above our heads on both sides; many places being #0 steep that steps had been worn or cut in the rock to assist the aoimals in clirmbi After we had reached the summit of the mo tains, one of ovr companions was takensick wi ‘the cholera, and unable to proceed ¢ therefore halted, picketed our horses, built a fire, aad made the best arrangemente we could for taking friend. There were ao tante within yuple of leagues, and we had neither medicine Food nor water, One start ed off at once to get some provisions, while the rest collected wood to last 4s through the night. About dusk our ion returned, bringing 4 few “ tortilla,” & calabash of care of ow | commences @ water,which were svon all consumed, and we could getno more. During the night, another was taken rick, and the rest of us were worn dowa and weakened by fatigue and a continued diart! We had but few clothes or blankets, and to aggra- vate our miserable situation, a cold drizzling rain came on, which lasted nearly al! night ; the sick were crying for water, and one of thea 0m stantly begging and entreating us to kill him aa put him out of misery, or to give him @ weapon that he might do it himself. Early in the morning, of the 2d, the remaiuing five pushed onto El Bario. one of the party returning with water and food from the first rancho, and the rest, oa their arrival ia town. immediately sent back a number of men with litters to bring in the sick We remained here wotil the 4th. Leaving ourtwo sick friends with a Spanish merchant. who hid treated us very kindly while there, and who paid every attention to those placed in his care, we ar- rived in San Juan de Guchicopa, 18 miles dis- tant, towards evening. This i an [adiaa town, of about 5,000 inhabitants, living ia cane thatched huts, and in the most primitive manner. The only stone building is the cathedral, which is now nearly in ruins; the roof covering the body ot the church has fallen in, leaving a single arch standing alone, and epanning from wall to wall, at the height of about seventy.gve feet ‘The front part, where is the altar, is suil covered, and is takem care of, theold Padre performing regu- lar services therein. Around the walls, and in cre- vices and om benches, are placed small woodea boxes, open in front, containing little old time-worn and dingy images; before some are buraing caadies, and before some are placed bouquets of flowers, while others again are entirely neglected. The people are entuely ignorant—their priest is their religion; whatever he does is mght; wha: he tells them they do. Here, as in other parts of the isth- mus where we travelled, the dead are buried dress- ed in their beet clothes, the children usually with gurlands of flowers around their heads, wrapped ia a coarse mat, the upper part of the head, aud the feet exposed; and so they are putin the grave. On the 5h we received a letter from Don Luis Calderon, with whom we had left the sick, ac- quainting us of the death of James Wotherspoon, in Chuatan, on the Istins!.; and the 6.b, having bovght provisions to last us several days, which time it would take us to reach a place where we could ain get supplies, we arrived at Boca de! Moute, fifteen miles distant. We remained here uatil the Sth, in consequence of our ** Moros,” with our rovisions, kot arriving in time, and thea set out orthe head of the Coatsacoalco river, twenty. seven miles distant—the tral the wnole distance leading through-a dense forest, over steep hills, and across rapid brooks, sometimes our horses suckiag fast in the deep mire while crossing patches of low land. At evening we reached the river, and found a shed under which we could sleep, and, what was of more consequence, acanoe, which would save us the trouble of building a raft, in which, the next morning, the 9th, we embarked to reach Manititlan, ove hundred and twenty- fiv: miles down the river. p The river is here about one hundred yarda wide, and, just at this point, of considerable depth; but, for fitty or seventy-five mules down, there are many rapids and many bars, reaching nearly acrose the river, leaving a very narrow channel of deep water. The land is high, and both banks covered to the water’s edge with an apparently im- penetrable forest. Further dowa, the river is broader and deeper, and freer from impediments, the land lower, but still thickly covered with tim- ber; game abounds, and birds of the most beautiful and bniliant plumage—macaws, parrots, and tou. cans—flying about, and the larger trees are filled with monkeys, who seemed to regard us with a greatdesl of curiosity as we sailed slong beneath them. At night there wasa continual roaring of tigers on either tide of the river, sounding as it a hundred menageries had been let loose. For the first night on the river we camped on one of the numerous sand-bars, but could get but litte rest, from the quantities of Mosquitoes buzzing around like a swarm of bees. These persevering little fellows would get at us, do what we could, and our only resource was to get up and walk around until so weary that we could sleep in spite of them. The next night we conunued pulling all night, part of the time a heavy rain drenching us to the skin, and about noon of the 1th we reached Minititla. he This 18 & town of about one thous nd inhabitants, eighteen miles from the mouth of the river. We here expected to find a vees | to carry us to Vera Cruz, bat we learned that the only one that had been plying there had been wrecked @ short time before, and our only resource was to go trom here by land; and accordingly we set out the same afternoon for Jaltipan, fifteen miles distant, where we arrived the same evening, after passing through quite a large Indian town. in the morning, 12:h, we hired horses for Sin Juan, on the river of the same name, forty-eight miles distant; and after riding all day, passieg through several Indian towns, we stopped at a rancho @ ehort distance from the trail; ani as we could not arouse the natives we wrapped ourselves in our blankets, laid on the ground under an open she@ and slept ual morning, ae well as the fleas and the cold wind would permit. Early next day we reached the river, having travelled over a level and beautiful country, with a soil rich and fertile, but upeultivated, covered, on many parts, with hea- vy and valuable timber. On the Lith, hired a canoe to carry us down the river a hundred and five miles, and after beiag cramped up in a narrow little “dug out” over twe days, but sailing on 4 mest beautiful river, tarough 4 constant change of scenery that the eye could aot ure of looking at, and meeting many amusing inci- dents, we reached Tlacotalpan, a fiae city, con- taining about #,000 inhabitants, and a place of ecme trade and manufactures. On the 18th, we took passage on board a small Mexican schooner for Vera Cruz, at which city we errived on the 20th. Wefound here the steamer Alabama for New Orleans, via Minititlao, and took eon board of her. At this place we found one of the sick that had been left behind, who hid suffiviently recovered to come on thus far. He brought us information of the death of the two others who had been left sick, making four lost out of the original tea who left thy ip. We arrived in New Orleans on the Lith of Jinua- ry, 1851, happy enough to be once more on Amesi- can ground, 3 eis Our I,thmaus Correspondence. Gatun Station ov Tuk Panama Ratt Roan, H January 23d, 1851. The Progress of the Panama Railroad—Steam- prling—Old Forts, & ‘This is the first of a series of letters I shall from time to time write you, giving you an account of our progress and proceedings on this road. Io the first place, the work, for the first, was commenced about the Ist of December last ; and considering the great disadvantages the company has laboured under, owing to climate aad other causes, not at the mement anticipated, it has progressed with an upparalieled and successful rapidity. The road ‘avy Bay, about twelve miles, east- ward of Chagre d running about seven milescon- | necte with this station, eituated on the Chagres river; | thence running about eight miles connects with the station called Bohio Soijdado, also situated on the river. About two miles from here, the Gatun river, astreem of about three hundred feet wide, and thirty feet deep,will be crossed. The Chagres ill be crossed about one mile thie side of river Gorgona, where the water very shallow. The distance from Novy Bay by railroad roxte to Gorgona 6 miles. You muy as y eure your numerous readers of the Herald that the road will now be compieted in the shortest time possible, and ina very substantial and satisfactory Menner Atthe rate the road is now advancing, a distance of one mile will be fully completed by each and every month, which, compared with the work dose in the United States relatively, will give us en une- vivecal and decided advantag’ of ume as to dura- tion over the former in most ares. There will be from ten to fifteen miles of vile driving, which i# done ia ry expeditious manner, by meane of eteam. There ore at present, five vessels here wmionding piles from New York, they are towed up by mboats The chief engineer ot the work is Col. Totten, a gentleman of most amiable manne od kind disposition. He has been engaged in this country for several years,et Carthagena, in the canal worke, | end ie much experienced in the acience, and re- sources of the country. The superintendent of this station , Gatun, is Mr. Truesdail, atleman of most active batite, efficient and strenuous in the / advancement of the work, kind and attentive to the | men, unceasing in bie eflorts tc nee their com- din fine is both broth ad father to all rom Erie where he bad been engaged fora jong time ontractor and superiatendent of various works, both public and private, and of course poeseases expetionce, and is here @ most valuable acquisition to the company. | shall in my next to you, furnish some statistics of this road and country, which | may become acquainted with inthe mean time. There are various forts on this river, with their casnon and ball etill in them, rown up with trees, kc. They are supposed to be a two hundred years ago, or in the days of Pizarro. As yet, [have not been able to obtain any account of their eRe I shail probably re. main here this season, (Ist June) then shall either return to New. Yorks or go to Panarna, and return to the works of the company next December This is now called the dry and healthy season, although there are some showers every day. The tainy season, as it is enlled, will commence about the middie of May, when it will be impossible to advance the work much until next November. — Most of the men will return to their homes, and come ont again with renewed vigour and strength ‘The thermometer stands now at eighty degregs.— The sicko and fever, ve experience in In fact, lam satisfied that men from the Nort ‘Western pa and especially — better than the natives ; and | thingywill be so ull we have a here consists principally of chills similar to that which people has ichigan, and other Western Stat of the States can stand the climate, at care, avoit exposure to the sun and rson may 3 rough without anv sick- For my part, [ shail try the experiment. Gur Washington Correspondence. Wasuinoron, Feb. 9, 1951. The Presidential Election—The Chamces-- General Scott, §c. After comparing notes, the democrats, North and South, and of the Middle and Western States, have come to the conclusion that it is absolutely necessary for them to present a united front ia all the States of this Union, if the democratic candi- date shall have the smallest chance of success in the next Presidential campaign. They now cal- culate that, without such a union, there is no chance for the democratic candidate to go even into the House, as a whig candidate would be certain of being chosen by the people. The following is the process of reasoning :— Suppesing a candidate is selected who is unpopular North, aad who possibly might lead co a sepirate orgenization of the barnburners. Thea the ultra North having their candidate, the ultra South would run an opposition man of their owa, aad in case three candidates run oa the democratic side, what would be the chance of the regular nominee? He might possibly carry New Hampshire, after a struggle, aad, perhaps, Maine. The rest of New Englend would go whig, by a large majority. New York would go whig, by an overwhelmia: majority. Pennsylvania would be lost on the tanfi, as it was in 1848. Maryland would be whig; and Virginia, with a Southera candid ite running by the side of the nominee of the convention, would be whig, to all imtents and purposes. Mississippi would be whig; Georgia would be whig; and, in all probability, Louisiana and Florida. South Ca- rolina would fight on her own hook; Keatucky would be whig, along with Tennessee; aud Ohio would only be carried with great difficulty. To sum up, the whig candidate, provided he be not an abolitionist or a native American, or tiactured with any oi the prevailing isms of the day, would be sure of carrying the following States;— Marsachusecte, Mississippi, Khode Irland, Kentucky, Vermont, Tennessee, Connecticut, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Penneylvanis, Georgia, Maryland, Florida, Virginta, Missouri. And, perhaps, North Carolina; and would thus be elected by a triumphant majority. If the demo crats want to succeed, the presidential question must not be raised at ail, ‘and: no candidate fixed upon before the national convention has made him. Barnburners and nullifiers must be iavited to join it, anda candidate selected, who shall at last be agreed upon by all as a compromise President, with a distinct understanding, that all who have evtered the convention shal! stand pledged to his support; that a universal amnesty shall be pub- lished; and, that henceforth, no political test shail be applied to any men who is willing to stand by the constitution, and the settlement of the slavery question, as agreed upon at the lust session of Con- ress. Any other course is sure to defeat the lemocratic nominee, whoever he may be. Isee that Gen. Scott is nominated in Indiana. Gen. Scott is evidently a strong man; but his native Americanism and his free soil aluiances will yet kill him. Gov. Seward, by nature a very confid- ing man, is willing to take Gen. Scott for better for worse, asking no questions; but the southern whig members of congress entertain an opposite opipion, and believe {that, just because Gov. Se- ward is satisfied, therefore, itis becoming in them to make the general commit himself on paper. The South were taken in once, and do not wish to be taken in again, and revive the Galphing. If Gen. Scott's answer to the South is not entirely satisfac- tory, an independent southern candidate will be started egainat him, which may prove fatal tothe whig cause. The greater probability, however, is, that the convention will drop Scott,,and nominate either Webster, Clay, or Fillmore. The Nation2/ Invelligencer here tavors the election of Scott; the 2c 18 openly in favor of Webster or Fillmore. he present Congress will not be able to fix ea any presidential candidate. ?. Wasuineton, Feb. 8, 1851. Time Running Short—Work to be Dome— The Public Printing, §c. Mr. Bayly, Chairman of Ways and Means, called the attention of the House to the fact to-day, that the following appropriation bills have yet to be acted upon, to wit :— The Civil and Diplomatic bill. The Army bill. The Navy bill. The Post Office bill. The Fortification bill. The West Point Academy bil}. The Indian bill. The Revolutionary Pension bill. The Naval Pension bill. These are the indispensable annual appropriation bills, necessary to keep the wheels of goverameat in operation, and the 50,000 dependants upon the treasury their stated suyply of bread and but- ter. They have to be passed, and they have all first to pass the House before the Senate can touch any one of them. Inthe meantime, the Senate can amuee iteelf on cheap postages, aad the defici- encies of the last year’s epprop! ms. But we have our misgivings respecting the following sub- jects -— ‘The French Spohation bill of five millioas The Ebony steamship line to Africa, The Kio Janeiro and Philadelphia jiae. The San Francisco and Canton line. The Free Farm biil, for settling every body on —— lands free of cost. hitney’s Pacific Railroad bill. Benton’s magnificent project. The River and Harbor hill. The subject of Home Protection. The bill for a Weetern Armory. And numerous others, public and private, Se- veral of these, however, could be passed readily enough, if the House could get a fair swing at them; but a two-third vote being required to litt @ bill out of ite order, if any member should object, makes the case extremely doubtful. If we get cheap postages and the annual appropriations, we thall be doing very well. All the rest will be clear gain. Cheap postages will elso be clear gain. We understand tbat Mr. Joha C. Hives has se- cured a large share of the publ printing, under contract, for the next Congress, at prices less than Father Ritchie's. if this be Father Ritchie must have made maory or Kives must calculate for indemnity for all losses, under the idea that Mr. Ritchie will be indemmitied. This sort of tional printing office. Wasninoton, February 8, 1851. Mr. Sywier’s Recall from Central America—The Nicaragua Treaty— Reason why it was not act- ed upom—A Brief History of the Affair, and how Macters at present stand A correspondent of the Herald, writing in New York, asks, in speaking of affairs in Central Ame- rica, “ Why was the former Charge (Mr. Squier) withdrawn! or why was he not immediately re. placed?” The latter question might best be an- wered by the Secretary of State; but in the ab- sence of such authority, perbaps the facts of the se may throw some light upon it. In the firet place, Mr. Squier was not removed, in the strict sense of the term, by Mr. Clayton, the ormer Secretary of State. For some time pre- vious to Mr. Squier’s return, Mir. Clayton became convinced that he had not the reqais.te calibre for £0 important end delicate 2 mission he one he was entrusted with; but, nevertheless, as he had displayed energy of a certain kind, nnd a desire to do whet he could, there was no inteation of remov- ing him. It was, however, in contemplation to give him some other position under the govern- it. About this tire Mr. Squier applied tor leave of absence, to return home, which was even him for an indefinite period. Meanwhile (ieneral Tay- lor died: Mr. Squier, impatient that his ser- vices were not called inte instant re: 4 series of letters, reflecting, in v upon the new edmipistration. Of course, after this, all idea of further employing him was neces- sarily abandoned. Had he remained quiet, it is not improbable he would have been appointed to some suitable position So much as to the with- drawal of the former Charge The treaty negotiated by Mr Squier with the government of Nicatagua arrived here in due time, and was sent by President Taylor tothe it waa there referred to the Committee on Helations, enate oreiga d the chairmen of that commitiee, Mr. it once discovered that several P ions conflicted with the terms of the treaty with England, which was also before the Senete for confirmetion at the time, The prinei- was the giviog this coun- the construction of the ng pointed out these defects to Mr. Clayton, that gentleman drew up the neces- eaty emendments, and sent for the Nicaragua charge des affaires, Sevor Carcachee, and repre- sented the difficulty to him would imagine that there would have been but little embarrase- i the matter; nor would there have been if it had been possible to make the Senor comprehend. But the Nicaragua govern- ment had been unfortunate in their selection of a | The covatry, | believe, considers him greater ia diplomatic agent, and after consuming week after week in the vain attempt to make Senor Carcachee understand, Mr. Clayton, in despair, wrote to the authorities of Nicaragua, begging them to either send their charge full and expicit directions, or to send on here some suitable person to negotiate a The Nicaragua goverament took the hint, appointed Senor Marcelletti as charge aes affaires to this country, who it 1s presumed has full wers, aud the necessary ability to complete the usinesa, Thus imatters stoed when Mr. Webster becams Pecvetary of State ; and it is reasonable to sup- se, that, the new. raguan minister, charged expressly to negotiate a full and satisfactory treaty, that he considered it beiter to await his coming, and have a complete understanding of the case before «p> he was daily expecting tae arrival of | the offices and provinces he has filled, than the would expect him to be in a higher post. W' “¥ there is Moe man who would vote or a +6 _ sident, there ere ten who would vote for hii Secretary of State, or Chief Justice of © e United States. “In fact, if 1 am understood," “86 UF he 18 too great aman, inone sense, » teee id ey Ithas been so with Clay. Me bee | have to adopt the policy of th ont, ‘Coll ~g and elect a emall many te eee eee tke church, and the kitchen <i the gree of ‘the have each a small thr wne'ig eit on, and exch be President ot Popes ‘iq “temall way. In this. w. Gen Harrison, wp Van yes Taxinn, 0 . » Gen. > CREO <esTDA9,) and Ms, Folk, were elected, for we bye realy had but three fa aN a Parra { meP\y the greatest men of their times—viz.: Wash- pointing a charge from this couatry, whose prinet- pal business will be to take care that the provisions of the treaty, when made, are carried out properly, Wasurtnaron, Feb. 7, 1851. The Quarrel between Mr Claytowand Mér. Pous- sen— Monsicur Port and Monsieur Domercg’s Tobacco Bowes--A Bill of Relief Reported in the Senate. The quarrel between Mr. Clayton, late Secretary of State, and Mr. Poussin, late French Minister at Washington, on the subject of a quantity of to- bacco reized of certain Frenchmen in Vuebla, Mexico, by the American anny, and appropriated, is a matter of history. ridicule and laughter with which this teapot ex- plosion was received all over the country. The French tobacco merchant most interested, failing to get anything of Mr. @layton, has petitioned the Senate for relief, and the Committee on Claiins has reported a bill of $17,000 The following is the report of the committee, upon which the bill is made out :— The Committee of Claims. to whom was referred the memorial of Den B. Juan Domercq report :— That General Worth, commending the advance of the army under General scott, entered Puebla, in Mexico, in May, 1847, and, finding @ quai 4 bacco stored in that city belonging to & government, caused it to be reized and benefit of the United States. The whole quantity— two thourand and eighty-one bales was accordingly sold at public auction by Major Allen, of the quar- termaster’s department.to Mr L. 3. Hargous at ten dollars ® bale, amounting to twenty thousand eight hundred and ten dollars Mr. Hargous paid Major Allen $6,500 in cash, and the balance in supplies tor the army, for which Major Allen has duly accounted. On the sixth of June following, Mr Hargous sold the 2.081 bales of tobacco to Don B. Juan Domercg, the claimant. for twenty dollars # bale, amounting to forty-one thourand six hupdred and twenty dollars I pears that thirteen hundred ad@ twenty-five bales of this tobacco were, at the times of the sales sforeraid, deposited in the quartel (publio barracks) of | San Jose, occupied by the American troops, and the remainder in other places in the city. It appears, wlro, that two hundred and nineteen bales of the co deposited in other plac the quartel, were, some time in August following. de- posited by the claimant in the house No. 6 second street, of. of Colonel Childs. ‘She thirt two hundred and uineteen bales were locked up, and the claimant had the keys. The claimant alleges—and there is no evidence in the case contradicting his allegation—that the whole quantity of tobacco deposited in each of said places remained there till seized, by order of Colonel Childs, at the time of the siege of Purbia by the guerillas, in September following. At the timeof that siege, Colonel Childs, being informed that the tobacco deposited at No, 6, Becond street, Ban Jose, wan Mexican property, ordered it, aswell as that depesited in the quartel, which he supposed to belong United States, to be taken end used in parapets on the houses, in barricading the streets. and in tortifying the quartel Colonel Childs makes the following statement on this point Heapqvakt, Pusceta. December I certify that, during the rie of tobacco, th be trem a house on therecond square frem Si posed at the time to beleng to M capture; that these bales of to! ricades and breastworks in th houses: that ore, supposed to belong to the Unit end placed on the roof cf thi taken to complete barricad particular narrative of th my testi Pf detore the commission 'HOMAS CHILDS, Colonel U. 8. Army. Mr. William Spencer. the agent and interpreter of Captain Webster, testifies that, “ atter the siege com- ced, he was ordered by Colonel Childs to break op oore of the quartel and hous No. 6 Besond street of Ban Jose, and to use the tobacco in them in oonstructing breastworks, &c., for the defence of the American troops’ * Ali the bales in both houses were turned out, and used during the siege in fortifying the ——s and in barricading the streets '' » This was during the rainy season. and some bules were destroyed spoiled by exposure tothe sun andrain. When tiege was over, the tobacco was agniu deposited in quartel That he put loc! a the doors of the rtel at three different times, the doors were as out. That Ame- directed Quarter- the tobacco hae od by Dector Schadler a: Vice-consul, of Mr. Domeroq’s claim to uJ be stopped, and that all that remained oa band be de- livered to the claimant. Under th‘s order. three hun- dred and twenty-three bales were delivered to the clai t. Boon atterwarde the five huadred bales w bundred and forty-four bales originally deposized in the quarte and house No 6. and lraving a deficiency of seven hundred and bales. etitioner is yo yed or lost in conrequence of and used for purposes of de! laid before the com- that time in P stify that tobacco Hing to seven de arroba The arrobs ix eighth of & b: pounds. Kut no testimony has beet laid 1m to show the price at wholesale or in large quantities pt the sales above referred to—of Quartermaster Allen to Hargous, at $10; of Hargous tothe claimant. Domerey. at $20, of Quertermarter Webster, of the five hundred bales at $22; and of this - purchaser of the rame Sve huadred bales. at $24 the bale. Now. aide from the fact tha, the latter are action prices. aod the former the job- ers’ prices, it must be evident that. in nd dubious state of affairs at that time all quantities of an article Je use, might, and probably that of larg tities ot the a ve doubl not exeved thateum Ia *, the committee report Wasnrveron, Feb. 4, 1851. Who Will be the Nort President? In my laet, [ spoke of I’resident Fillmore. In this letter I shall epeak of Mr. Webster. Yester- day, during the assembling of the two houses of Congrese, to attend the funeral of Mr. Kaufiman,a very impressive spectacle was presented. After the representatives had assembled, and the body of the deceased had been brought in, the Sergeant at Arms annovnced the Senate of the United States, and that dignified body entered. Then followed the Supreme Court, and then came the Preeident and his cabinet. Mr. Fillmore came up the aisle on Webster's arm; and although the former is a very fine looking man, yet a stranger would have undoubtedly taken Webster for the President. He sat in a large crimson velvet chair, in front of the Speaker, and by the side of the Chief Justice. The thick cloud seemed as ever hang over his mountam brain. lis eyes lay back deep in his head; and | could not but observe that half the other eyes in the crowded house, were fastened on him. Some cae neer me remarked, *Look at Welter! he is the greatest man in the pation.” Anoiher, “See Webster's head! God! what a brain" And this is Doniel Webster est head in the nation. | He has the great- no other brain like hie—it 18 vest, grend, iropreenve. Leia the intellectual Colu itive Bat who will vote for him? Where is hiv | ar \ tion would nominete him give him ite majority | W really supp will ever be Presiden: ' And yt, what a l’resident | be would make! What eo inaugural he would sronounce! What messages he would deliver! What 4 cabinet he would gather around him! yposes he | What « sensation would it create among | nations when it was announced that the great orator of America—the greatest of our constitu- | lawyers—the exponent of the constitution— the defender of the integrity of the Union—the the deapatch tothe Austrian Minister, had been elected President of the great republic! And yet I am inclined to believe that Me. Web ster is more appreciated where he is, and for what he has done, than he would be as chief mag It cannot fail to recall the , obacco, he ordered the rale to | foreign | inf.on, Jeflerson and Jackson. Clay’s friends have ‘fied for pad years to place him ia this category; and it is confessed on all sides that he could fill the post as well as any of his prodecessora, And so with Mr Webs:er. But after all, who really feels deeply anxious to have Webster elected? His personal friends _ Some thirgs lie inthe way of Webster’s elec- tion besides his colossal intellectual power. He has the odor of old federalism about him. Tais is not much now, it is true; for even Buchanan once said if he had ‘a drop of democratic blood in his veins he would bambi arm and let it out; and yet Buchanan is thought to be a prety seod demo- crat now. But, for most of his ‘life, Webster has been a local man—a New England statesman; chiefly eloquent about pilgrims, and banks, and a high tariff. It was only at the last session that he came out bold and clear on the broad platforin of the nation, the whole nation, and nothing but the nation. He threw Massachusetts overboard, and embraced the entire republic. Heceased to be a sectional—he became a national man. Now he oc- cupies a very high position—morally etill more grand than politically. Butatter all, he does not excite popular enthusiasm; he is not familiar, warm, enial, attractive or winning. The people do not vel personally attached to him, as ey did to Jack- son or Taylor. He raises no shout where he goes; his neme excites no enthusiasm. His words, like his form and brain, are massive, grand, im; ressive, to fine minds. But they do not quicken the pulses of the masses. Common people do not feel as though they could get nearhim; nobody dares ap- proach the sleeping lion but those who sleep in his cage. He is cold, dark, chilling, forbidding. All this is bad for Webster. And there is more in it, too, than his friends generally think of. His heart has not been with the multitude in their | sympathies, nor with the nation in its progress. He has spent most of his life in trying to stop the ad- vancement of the republic. He fought like Her- cules against the admission of Texas—he wielded his erm like a Titan to embarrass the Mexican war. He has battled free trade at every step. He is more than half an Englishman, too, in every- thing else. His general type of political character has not been American enough; and when it has been American enough, it has been New England. He has generally treated the republic in its virility like achild in swaddling clothes. In a word, he | has never stirred the heart of the people, except conse the last year, and then only because in the assaults on the republic he rushed in to fill the breach. But others were there before him, and fought just as bravely, side by side. This distinc- tion, too, will soon almost cease to be one, for the storm has passed; the danger, at least for the pre- sent, 1s over—all good men did well aad nobly, aad they divide the honor together. Their heada are all green with laurels. The country loves Fill- more, Webster, Clay, Cass, Houston, Foote, Dick- inson, and all who helped sustain the republic while she was reeling to the shock of dissolution. Websier was only one of this noble compaay. This, alone, cannot make him President. hat elee he has to rely on, we_have already considered. It is my opinion that Mr. Webster’s chances are not very bright; for the man who, in my judgment, ie to be our next President, will be either a small mediocre statesman, who can be overshadowed by his cabinet, or ion hearted, independent man, whose name will stir the blood of the millions on the shores of both oceans at once, like the blast of the bugle. Which shall it be, and who is the man? Webster will be likely to lose it, because he is neither the one nor the other. Our Missourt Correspondence. Sr Lovis. February 1, 1551. | Deftat of Sewator Bentom—How it was done—The | Politwal Pulse in Mussowrt—Increasing Prospe- rity of St. Lows, §c., §&c As your humble correspondent predicted, through the columns of the Herald, thiee years azo, Mr. Benton has been beaten in his efforts to become a “ Senator of thirty-six years standing,” instead of ‘thirty ;” and a whig, as I also then predicted, has been elected in his place. Of this I informed you by telegraph, on the date of its occurrence; but ‘* how the thing works,”’ now that the defeat of the free soil party is pretty well known, and how the whigs wear their blushing honors, are | matters of which yourself and readers are not per- haps so well informed as an eye-witness is capable of being. For several days before the termination of bal- loting, it was thought by all parties that no elec- | tion could be effected, and the seat in the Senate would remain vacant until the assembly of anothe, | legivlature. This the Benton men desired, being | convinced that, notwithstanding all the efforts of Col. Benton during his last tour through the State, | to conciliate the whigs, that party determined to remain united on their caucus candidate This they had individually pledged them- solves to do; which, by the way, was very well for Geyer, ae | will explain by and by. The anti- Benton democrats for a time, seemed resolved also to hold out, let the election go by default, and rally their strength fora new struggle two years hence. Many ot them, however, stood pledged to their conetituents to get rid of Col. Beaton atall hazarde, even if the election of a whig became necessary to eflect that purpose. While such were wavering between instruction and inclioation, Mr, Geyer came out with his famous letter, endorsing almost every political principle of the anties, and literally ua- | whigging himself, The leading whigs in the legis- | lature were struck aback at thia, but they were pledged to support him. The anti Beaton men chuckled over bis concessions, and the Benton men became alarmed. This Inter decided the course of the wavering antt-Benton democrats— they could defeat Benton by voting for Geyer, and yet maintain their consistency with their owa ty. The whi too, finding they could elec man of thi party in no other way, emoothed Geyer’s * ap y” (ae they call it,) over, and were willing to accept a name fora thing, and so, atthe fortieth ballot, enough anti Beaton votes were drummed up to give Geyer a a: Under these circumstances you can readily ina gine how the thing “ goes down” with all parties. The whigs, particularly the free soil portion of that party, see that they have nothing to hope from their new senator. He has acknowledged the right of instruction, and repudiated «ppealing to the people. The Bentonites perceive that all is lost, #0 far as their cause in this State is concerned, d are loudly denouncing the anties and whigs, uniting to defeat their darling senator. The Peon apr tee seem to think they have made the best of a doudtful bargain; and hope, now that Benton is out of the way, the democratic party may be eventually united In juetice to the Benton members of the Legislature it must be said that they acted throughout, with one exception, man- fully in the support of their candidate. There was neither twisting nor turning—it was “Ajax,” or nobody. Never has a party obeyed the behests of 8 leader more faithfully than have the followers of Mr. Benton in Missouri. His word has been their distinguished con- sideration.” Neither “thrift,” nor even common courtesy, with them, has often followed “ fawning The * king's name” has been a ‘tower of strength,” but he has fallen—and few there are who care aught for a dethroned monarch. This consideration gives hope to the anti-Benton democrats that the democratic party of this State may again be united; for, Mr. Benton out of the way, there ia little dif- ce between the two wi Ilia friends hav- ing stood by him till the | and witnessed his jation, #0 far as Missouri is concerned, it is may deem their allegiance cancelled, and rather than continue a quarrel about nothing, mnite with the other wing of the democracy to make common war egainst their old opponents, the whige— unleee, indeed, that party should become Geyerized, leave nothing worth fighting for. Indeed, politics seem rapidly tending this way in Missouri. Your Missour: whig ie a far dillerent personage from your “ dyed in the wool” eastern | whig; in illustration of which fact, I will relate an anecdote :— | since an eastern and a western whi Z upon the prospects of the whig ner all the time supposing that he At length being as- hat he indeed was a whig, the eastern whig red, “ well, you may do very well for a whig here, but darn me if you would not be called a loco down East.” While, as I remarked before, Mr. Benton's moat sanguine friends believe him dead and buried po- jitteally, 60 far as Miseourt is concerned, the trae blue free soil portion ot them, St. Louis they | comprise the mass of his follo’ by no means have abandoned the hope that he mee, taken up the Northern eandidate for the Presidency m 1862) That Mr Benton has aspired to thie dia tinction long ego, many of all parties now believe, though I was laughed at, three years ago, for pre- avel dieting, through the Herald, t wae the geme he wes playing. ‘This / then thought | sufheiently shadowed forth by Benton's ” with the free,soil pr: | 4 totes tal ie the | A Step by’ step he je way fory¥e forma- tion of such a in Missouri, but Fhe test of relative stren; ¢ too soon, and his followers have been Belcaied and routed. I am vo prophet;. nor the gon of a prophet, but I think there is not the most remote risk in predicting that Mr. Benton can never get the vote of Missouri for the Presi- dency, nor of any other State acknowledging the constitutional right of slavery. But it seems doubt- ful to me, whether he ever could become the nominee of a convention, whether Northern or na- tional. Were the free soil party of the North suf- ficiently strong to risk another Buffalo race, I im- magine they would not select this distinguished ex-Senator for the trial. They would probably select some more reliable pag—some one that had never bolted. The free soil party has plenty of distinguished men, in whom it can repose implicit confidence. Then why select a man in whom, in the very nature of things, it could not confidently rely. But enough of polities, and perhap3 more than enovgh of this long letter. Of local incidents, { have nothing worthy of especial mention. Things wag On as usual here. The winter his been very mild, until within a few days past, since which it has been quite inclement, and ni vigation is almost entirely suspended, the Mississippi being filled with immense bodies of ice. Our city goes on to improve rapidly, and the statistics of trade for the last year, ehow unexampled prosperity. Real estate is advancing rapidly in value, and it is 2. rare thing to see a store or dwelling uatenanted. Indeed, we shail soow be, if sign’ ne not greatly fail, the New York of the Mississippi Valley. — ARGUS. Our Baitimore Correspondence, Ba.rimore, Feb. 6, 1850. Public School Stutrstus--Sober Teachers—Case oj” Inhumawmity— The lee Trade— Italian Opera, &o. The annual report of the Commissioners of Pub. lic Schools, of Bilimore, shows that the whole number of childreo now in daily attendance, is $7,093, being an incivase of 830 over the number at the time of their last annual report. The whole number of teachers is 119, of whom 34 are men,. end 85 females. Accompanying its report, is ar estirnate showing that the annual cost per pupil, in the Baltimore High School, is $2880, whilst in the Philadelphia High School it $39 34. In the Bal- timore. Female High School, average cost is $18.75, in the Balumore grammar sohoots the cost is $5 63, and in the Philadelphia grammar schools, q7. The Sapeal “Avarsga, boat per pupil, im Balti- more, including High School, was $6 33, and in Philadelphia, $7 42 em: Speaking ot ihe public school reminds me of the fact that one of the principal teachera can be seen every night stroiling f'om tavern to tavern, and en- geged in drinking, wraugling, and wrestliag, up to the small hours or the morning, Above ail other occupations, a school teacher should be a sober man, unless he wishes to hold himself upas an example for his scholars to shun. The Grand Jury have dismissed the charges of improper conduct on the part of Deputy Sherifi, Charies Loran, in ‘he manner of summoning a jury for the triul of # particular case. On Tuesday night. oung female was found, at a late hour, seated on a s'ep in the western section of the city, and curried to the watch house, where, shortly after her arrival, she was delivered of a child. She stated thas she had been living witha lady, who, on discovering that she was about to be confined, drove her forvh, at midnight, to the street. Venly, women’s whumanity to woman is past all comprehension, especially when she has fallen from the paths of viriue The weather has become so mild that all the semblance of wiut-r has disappeared, and a very poor supply of ice has been secured by our dealers, The Italian Opers Company are still here, an propose to give one more mammoth musical enter- teinment on Fridey nigh’, in connection with the Germania Musics! Association, forming a voca! and instrumental force of nearly one hundred. Murdoch commences aa eogagement at the Ma- seum, this eveviog, appea as Claude Melnotte. The Front Street Theatre is still closed, and will probably not be opened until Parodi comes here. Aouw Bey at Paxsacoca —Amin Bey, the agent of the Turkish goverameut, now in our city, ac- companied by Mr. Brown, the dragoman of Amencan legation ut Voastantinople, has just_re- turned trom a visit to the Navy Yard aad fortifica- tions, at Penswcola He left this city, in the mail bout, for Hail’s Lancing, and thence crossed, at night, in the stave coach, over perhaps the most unpleasant route 1 the Union. The character of the road was certaiiy uot calculated to imprese the distinguished Turk; witha very favorable idea of the means of travei in the interior of our coun- try. We wish thot the good people of Baldwin and Escambia couaties would take into serious consideration some method of ameliorating this route; and it is equuliy desirable, for the comfort of travellers, that seme portion of the journey thould be made in dey light, in place of total dark- ness, at present. [tis one long, uninteresting ride of from twelve to titteen hours, in the worst coaches end over the worst road in the South; we @ re that the Bey and hie suit, witl their amiability, id tind nothing to commend ia this transition from Dan to Beersheba. Amin Bey was received at I’+neacola, by Commodore New- ton, as his guest, and was hooored with a salute suitable to bis mission, He expressed himself as highly delighted with hus visit to the Navy Yard, where he received every facility for examining minutely the extensive and very important public works “now vuoder execution there. He was much interested im (he laborious operations of making a permenent wharf; and, in company with the civil engiveer in charge of it, went down in @ diving bell, to witness the me- thod of laying the blocks of granite, some thirt feet under water, ia a peculiar cement, of wi the wharf is being made He also examined closely the process of driving the piles, by steam- power, into the saod, from thirty to forty feet deep : as also the excavation of the bastin for the magnifi- cent flloating dock, which is being constructed. He went over the later, in company with the agents and contractors of the patentee, and wae much struck with the immensity ef the fabric, and the evident utility which it offers to the harber of the yard at Pensacola. After inspecting the Navy Yard, the intelligent Envoy paid a visit to the two fortre commending the entrance to the Bay of Pensacola where he was received by Col. Whiting and bis stefl, wich an appropriate salute. The new fort of Barrancas, be «xamined in detail, and was much gratified aud interesied in the military science rhown in the construcion These statements, as to the observations and opiaions of the Bey,we make “by euthority ; and must add that he ex, a himself mach gratitied by the great kindness and and attention shown hin by Commodore Newton and Col. Whiting, and their officers. Amin Bey, and suit, leave today for Montgomery, ou their wey to Charleston S © We trust that they will be received everywhere with that courtesy and at- tension due to the elevated and commendable ob- ject for which they are nowon a visit to the Unie ted States —Mobile (Alta ) Register Jan. 30. Bannanovs OvrkaGe vron an Jviot Neoro.— A few weeks eiuce an individual in Ghent, Car- roll county, Ky , purchased three negroes—a mo- ther and her two childrea—one of the latter, a girl some eight or eg years of age, being an idiot. In consideration of his taking the idiot child of the hands of the former owner, he got the mother and the other child ata very low price. The child wes given into the hands of an old negro woman, in acabin some distance from the owner's resi- dence, to be taken cara of. Having oceasion, however, for the services of the woman about hie yomens, the idiot was left in the cabin alone. ‘nding ita great burden, he offered to give any one who would teke ita hundred dolfars. This ofler was promptly accepted by a man standing by, who, in his turn, «flered fifty dollare to any one who would take it from him. The offer was acceded to by a third person, who immediately offered twenty-five dollars to wy 8 one to take it on the conditions on which he had done. A customer was not long wan'ing—the bargain was struck, and the twenty-five doilars paid. The fellow into whose hends the idiot Inet tell, in company with another, procerded (othe cabin, some two miles distant, on a cold frosty morning, took the child out, almost naked and barefooted, and drove it before them the whole distance—her feet covered with bleod from having been eut by the hard, frosty giound. The monste:s took the child to a flat, or store boat, ying up there, and for a while amused themselves by pincing her on a het stove with the bare feet, burning them most horribly, and by lighting pieces of paper, and applying it to di ent perts of her body. The owner of the boat comma in, ordered the fellows to leave his mises, which they did. One of the rascals thea procured a skiff, put the child into it, and proceeded down the river. He shortly after returned without the child; and upon being ed what he had done with it, refused to give any satisfaction. A flat boat coming Alocg in ihe course of a few hours, he jumped into it, and has not since been beard of. The child was doubters drowned, or left upon the bank of the river to die. The affair hae created considerable feeling among the eom- munity in which it took flee and the indivi- dual who purchased the family is atly die- tressed. He doubtless offered and paid the $100 in good faith, believing it would be amply sufficient compensation for the trouble of taking care of the idiot. He has offered a reward for the recovery of the child. It is to be hoped that the Wi eon~ cerned im torturing end making way with the idiot will be arrested and severely punished. P. S=Since the above wae written, we find « perearerh in the Madison Banner, in which it ie staied that a fellow named Ross, alias Crawford, hase been arrested «t Madison, supposed to be the scowndrel Who took the girl off in the skiff. He ie o now in jail in that city. — New Albany (Ju) Ledger, Jan. 90.