The New York Herald Newspaper, June 27, 1851, Page 3

_ THE WHIG CONVENTION IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE SPIRIT OF THE MEETING. BY MAIL. Our Lancaster - Lancaster, Pa, Juno 24, 1851. ‘Whe Whig State Convention—The Resolutions—The Devate on the Fugitive Slave Law—The Nomina- tions—The Unities and Divisions of the Party— The Prospect, §. ‘The Whig State Convention, for the nomination vf candidates for Governor, Casal Commissioner, -and five Judges for the Supreme Court, assembled hhereto-day. All the counties were represented ac- -oording totheir strength in the Legislature of the State, with the ‘exception of one or two absentee ‘delegates. The importance of the convention is not ‘Confined to the State. From the very generally an- ticipated fact of the formal or substantial nomina- tion of General Scott for the Presidency, this as- ‘semblage has very naturally attracted the attention ~of the whole Union, of all parties, in all the States; and from another fact anticipated, that the conven- tion would evade the endorsement of the Fugitive Slave law, in order to harmonize with General Johnston and the position of General Scott on the Slavery question, importance of the roceedings ‘in th Court House, to-day, can hardly exagge- we Ray elyeesd to a iaare political results. manne Herd A quporary organization of the AFTERNOON SESSION. ‘Convention re-assembled at 3 o’clock. ‘Tho Gommitteo on Organization reported the of- ‘Sicers for the government of the convention, and the report was the chair, delivered him Mr. Ewina, on self of a good whig speech on the State liey of ‘Governor Johnston, sailing, it very high), sand condemning the free trade policy of the national go- ‘veroment, a8 exemplified in the tariff act of 1816, a3 sthe most disastrous policy to Penneylvania—stop- ping her manufactories, and filling ths streets of -her cities with British railroad iron, while her iron ‘forges and furnaces wero lying idle. This is the vact of ’46. It drives the workmen from their ~ forges, furnaces and foundries, and brings the Sherift, only, abundant employment. Free trade, with the sheriff at the back door, wasnot the policy -of Pennsylvania. The chairman spoke of the im- portance of the nominations to be made, and of the ecessity of putting forward such men as would ‘command the support and confidence of the people. On motion of Hon. Cornetius Darragu, @ com- smittee of thirty-three was appointed to dratt reso- dutions for the consideration of the Convention, from which, after the lapse of an hour or so, a series of resolu rted. In the inte tions were re Johnston was re-nom! by sadenelt re, . @ committee was spediiied to wait on bring him up to the Convention. je resolutions adopted will have been published in the For the purpose of illuminating the debate on the fugitive question, we give the resolu- tions again, which relate to the compromises :— 1 5, Resolved, That the government and people of Pean- sylvazie are loyal to the national constitution, au TeaZy at all hazards to ita provisions into effect; to avcert otherwise is a libel upon the fair faine of the citi- ‘gens of the commonwealth. justment measures of the last ly observed and respected by maintain the supremacy of the constitution and laws, has Leen, and is now, one of our cardinal doctrines; and that, while others have faltered, the history of the whig party demonstrates that, in the storms of adversity, or in the sunshine of prosperity, this guiding star of our country’s dope has never been by its action or council. . Resolved. That the opinions of our worthy State Executive on this subject, as expressed in his annual mesrage. meet the cordial approval #f this Convention, und express the views of our constituents, Upon their face these resolutions seem plausible enough ; but while the general declaration of ree- peet for the adjustment measures has met with a very earnest opposition, the endorsement of the views of Governor Johnston, as expressed in his mes- 508 is about equal to the adoption of the frees oil ’ Mr. J. M. Scort, of Philadelphia, a conservative, was not satisfied with these vague avowals of adhe- son to the compromises. He wished to see if the con- vention were in favor of or op to the Fugitive law; and, accordingly, Mr. Scott asked for the read- ing of the eighth resolution, as it appeared in the original dratt, but which was stricken out by the committee. The Crain—Will the gentleman write it out, #0 that we may have it in a definite shape ? Mr Scorr—It is merely with a view to save time that I propose to read the resolution from the re- port of the commistee. It is still upon the Paper, though rejected by the majority of the committee ‘The resolution was copied off by the Secretary, for the gentleman submi:ting it. Mr. Scorr then offered it, as an addition to the catalogue of the committee, to come in as the eighth resosolution, to wit :— . Stesolved, That the provision of the constitution for the rendition of itives held to service or la- bor, demands, and shall receive from our party, a taithful, unequivocal, and anealy enppett. (Cheers and hisses mingled together. veral personas, in various quarters of the house, jumped up and seconded the motion for the adoption of the resolu- tion.) After several other motions simultaneously to lay it on the table, Mr. Darraou suggested that it would expedite business to withdraw the resolution till the report of the committee was adopted. Mr. Scorr declined to act on the suggestion. Mr. Oaie—I have been out on a committee. I did not hear the resolutions reported from the com- sitteo on that subject. | expect to swear by their resolutions, but I should like to hear them read be- fore 1 take the oath ; don’t know what they aro. I ow they go for the constitution—that’s plain oa logan. for the Union; and, perhaps, for the compromises. At allevents, lsuppose we all go for the i Svione eagle. (Laughter.) : ‘The resolutions were again read, and again hissed and applauded. Mr Bex. of Berks, called for the reading of the resolution d to be added to the list, to wit: that relating to the Fugitive Slave law, offered by Mr. Scott. ‘The revolution was again read, amidst mingled bieres and applause. Motion to lay on the table. Mr. Scorr rose to a question of order. He had pot surrendered the floor when the gentleman from lerks (‘Ir ilarper,) moved to lay his resolution on the table ‘The question was debated; but at length all mo- tions interfering with Mr. Scots vere withdrawn, and his right to the floor conceded by the Chair. Mr. Scorr then said he had a few words to sab- mit apon bis motion. np stairs, a series of resolutions were offered. der, order.) He should try to preserve order. tions offered were not his ; nor was the resolu- tion strieken out. Ile could, therefore, urge it the more freely upon the convention, coinciding, as it id, with his sentiments ; and it would be the more sirong!y rceommended if its author's name were koown, or could be made known under the rule. Mr. Seott read the resolution. It was a little more explicit than the fifth, sixth and seventh resola- tient; it declares our full, frank, and manly sup yort to the law cfthe land. It does not assert that [iis law, or any law, shall not or cannot be im- proved, but that, when we find a law on the sta- tute book we shall yield to it not a dilatory obe- sence, bot a reluctant or equivocal support, but a toll, frank, and manly obedience, according to this pevolution. Whoever isthe suthor, I thank him When the committee were Or- for it. It will gi at satisfaction to my section { Ube State not adopted, we shall miss it very mueb. Pass it, and we shall enter heartily lwte the Cetober canvars. Ile knew that this reso- luvion would carry the whole ticket, from first to last. If it is defeated, it will be, to many good and true whige, a source of grief and mortifieatiun. Is wight lead to disaffection, or at least tu apathy, in be whig ranks; and apathy was ofven moro disas- tows than open antipathy. Ile «ver, to abide by a vote of the wd Mr. Preriance, of Butler, had an amendment to offer, which he bad drawn y willing, how- on his knees while the gentleman from Philadelphia was speaking. ihe t it would harmonise the convention, and be ble to the feelings of a large majorit; of the of Pennsylvania. He asked tho read- ing of the resolution of Mr. Scott; after which he moved to amend it by adding to it the tollowing:— Dut that we will avail ourselves of the earliest oppor- forty for (he amendment of that law (the fugitive law) te euch way that. while it shall secure the rights of p operty of the South, it shall be also extended to em- Preece im ite provisions the creat interests of the North, (Mr. Pucviance briedy proposed to declare obe : yro tempore ; but also fro aimended, and that titution shail only be ob big party perma- * protection to in other Mr. Puarviance roll the alleg the whig egitive law fora little nore bounty ‘eonsylvania still har, hing about ony law siraply a ed manly ebedience to a certain prov titetion My. PF . The resolution has reference to the No, ait, it bas reference ooly to the ace repeal. voy whe' Or not; but it was not the other resolutions of to the resolu- \. amendment made the resolution a little better; but he was opposed to both. Are not the resolutions of loyalty to the con- stitution and the laws enough ? or what has coms over us that we shall now begin to basoly truckle to the South, and to bow down to the power of slavery! fges hisses nad ).) eee may pee @ principles of the wi ol nnsylvani heresioret Ma Alle reatent @ city of hii Brotherly Lovet We know whatare’ the feelings of the State; they are in favor of the emancipation of every human being who is a slave. Ani the gentleman from P I proposes # bold, frank and manly obedience to act of Congress for the resteration of fugitive slaves—an act unparalleled in its hardihood and cruelty. (Hisses and a) yplaase.) It picks up the ‘itive on a certificate; it saddles the treasury with expense of sendin; ‘hima away, where he may or may nor get a trial of his right to stents 1 should like to see my friend from Phila- delphia called upon by the slave hunter to help him in catching his fugitive from labor, and then to hear him declare his respect and obedience to this law. On this subject there might be somo ae hensions for the satety the Union in Pai ladelphia; but no such LS oig reg had eve stirred the broad bosom of the State. We might patch sp a string of Southern rosolutions that would help some in the city and county of Phila- delphia; but what will the whigs of the State sa: if we adopt substantively the platform of the Ke: ing Convention? This resolution amounts to th same thing, only it is alittle more artful. Adopt it, and you lose the counties of Menigemery and Lawrence by fifteen hundred votes. short time ago, at every meeting ofjboth parties, declamations were made against the extensionof slavery. What now are we to gain by bowing in the same manner that our opponents are bowing down to the base spirit of slat mt Fillmore, in signing this law, the best he could under the circum- stances, perhay but for all that, the law is ob- noxious to the people of Pennsylvania—it is dis- tasteful, and they will not swallow it. When we pass a see compliment upon the President, bd ug see ae Cm oes | sows to this e resolution, is pting ie rn. Hs hoped it would be stfickea out, nd® tae slik resolution also; because he bell that by the adoption of such a course the election of Johnston would be secured, Mr. Loomis, of Alegheny, contended that there was no necessity for eighth proposed resolution. The fifth and sixth comprehended every obligation to the constitution and the laws. The proposed resolution embraces nothing moro, only it is not quite so strong. was no necessity whatever for it. But he was entirely indifferent whether this additional resolution were passed or not; but he thought it entirely useless. ‘THE SPEECH OF THE DAY. Hon. A.J. Ocie—Mr. President, what beg 4 us here? Who are wet We are, | take it, picked men—the king bees, of Pennsylvania. (Laughter.) The Whig State Convention of Penn- lvania has called us hore, at r, on this ith of June, to nominate a candidate for Gover- nor. Well, we have done that. And to nominate @ candidate for Canal Commissioner. Well, wo ox- pect todo that. And five able men, learned and competent in the law, just and upright, as candi- dates fur Supreme Judges. Well, that’s our busi- ness. And what are we doing now? Ruoning adrift on the nigger question, as sure as you’ro born. (Laughter.) What is Pennsylvania! She is the een of the Union. And what is this Union? ‘It is the proudest republic that ever the sun shone upea—the very proudest. And shall we light a faggot to destroy this Union? No, never 3 with the consent of the people that I re) t. I am a whig—a democratic whi; mocratic that I am sometimes mistaken for a locofoco; some men really seriously think that I am a locofoco. I am a whig, and | go for the constitution as it is, and the Union as it is, all the time. Gentlemen, what is slavery? My constituents, without any merit of my own, sent me to Congress. Well, I to keep my word particularly, as the Dutchman said, whea I give it in writin’. (Laughter.) 1 did give my word. 1 did give it in writin’—and it was against the extension of slavery. And, what's more, I did vote against the ex‘ension of slavery. But I tell you how I felt—it was like the man in Ohio who ‘was riding through the woods one night. He got sleepy, and he thought he would lay down awhile; but he first sect - his fone by hitehi 5 4 to his leg. When the man began to snore, jorse pote alarmed, and sprung off through the woods, ing our friend by ie leg. ** And,” said he, “the critter didn’t make two _ before I found 1 was wrong hitched.” (Immense laugh- ter.) Mr. nt, so it was with mo. I was wrong hitched. Now, sir,I go for the laws of the land, and for the American eagle. And will you hore destroy the F ptsmpec’ fabric r raised by mor hands? ‘Will you sell out your interest for about the value ofthree thousand abolition votes? mj aha BY Fon can’ clon Jenson, Wy targer ‘aajochy ines ou can elect Johnston s jocity a ye have ever had in the State—that is, perhaps. (Laughter) But what is the whig doctrine, or whig platform? Gen. Ilarrison, on his deathbed, endeavored to impress it upon John Tyler, that prince of hypocrites. Just stick up to the “true inciples of the government,” and you will secure ill Johnston a mighty big vote in our county, for one. Let us do this, and never mind the under- grownd current. There is an under-ground current @ running pretty strong, in all this business, Lam subterranean myself. But what do | care your Philadelphia collector, or the Custom House, or any body else, so that hice | principles ave # tained by the reat whig party? “And wh: said the fellow at the time of Noah's ark, “I be- lieve we shan’t have much of a shower after all.” (Laughter.) And what have we to do with the Gettysburg tapeworm, the buck-shot man! Have not these questions been adjusted! ((ireat laugh- they have—(laughter)—“principles and the trne motto. One man is as as another, and a damned sight better. (General laughter.) Then, gentlemen, let us stand by the Union, the constitution, and the American eagle, and the whig party may defy the world. Let us sustain the proud febric of our forefathers, disre- garding the few fanatics here in Lancaster, or else where in the State; and when Gabriel blows his trumpet, we, who have been faithful to the shelt ing wings of the great American eagle, will be pro- passed the soundest men. Mr. President, | am done. ee ee Mr. M’Comns, of Lawrence, was op) additional resolution, or to any trac! ling to the South. The very moment we step beyond the fifth resolution, we confess our sycophancy to the South. After the course which the whig party of the State bas pursued on this question, shall we now, like the locofocos, backwater! ‘The whigs of the west- ern counties would never submit to be traded awa: sod to this to th uth. The little county of Lawrence will give ae good a vote as Somereet, upon a regular and independent whig pl 2 Mr. Oei.n—Yes, she has done it heretofore, expe- cially if there was a free soiler r Mr. M’Comns—Yes, give us the true whig policy, and we can do it Mr. Oair—Well, 1 haven't got much mone but I would like to bet a cool hundred on tha (Laughter—cries of “ order.) Mr. Perviance pleaded the policy of r protection between the North and South, tending that if the North gave ten dollars a head {+ every slave recaptured for the South, they ought to be willing to allow ten dollars a ton on pig metal. He proceeded to enlarge upon the sutfer- ings of Pennayl from the tariff of '45, and the duty of the whig party to protect her great interests, while they are protecting the negro pro- per.y of the South. Ifsome men were to talk less of disunion, and come more to practical would be more to the interests of the peop Mr. Boyer, of Montgomery, thought the amend- ment of the delegate from Philadelphia ill-ad rised. The peorle of Moatgomery county were a law-abid- ing, Union loving Pevple but they loved freedom, and hated slavery. He wished to avoid all appear: anee, then, of subservience or truckling to the South. But he was opposed to the protection of Southern property in exchange for protection of Northern interests, as proposed by the gentloman fiom Butler. Ie was not willing to barter fesh aud blood for dollars and cents. Mr. Bett, called for the previous question on the resolutions. ‘That will not help you. Tho vote will come upon the amendment. ‘The Cuain.-It requires twelve men to second the call for the previous question. Vorces.—Hoye the debate will go on. Don't gag us. This isno gag, by G—d, for you have had talk enough. ‘The twelve mon stood up, and the ayos and noos nal order was rai od whether the question © on the aunon ments, of on the resolu- The Cutain decided, that If the previous question was adopted, the main question would be on the re- solutions reported eeu committee, aud that all amendwponts would bg gut of Mr. Sanversox from the decision of the chair; but after de the question for some time, the appeal was withdrawn. After further eonversation, The Cuaiz announced tho vote to bo upon the previous question. Mr_Sanvexson hoped the Chair would explain the effect of this vote. The Crier said that the effect of tho vote would be to cut off all debate, and to bring the convention directly to a vote upon the resolutions offered by the counmittce, to the exclusion of all amend ants. Mr. SanveRson called for the ayes and noes, and the result was, 71 to 4% in favor of the previous question. [lt seems that a mere majority is sufficient for the previous question, in Pennaylrania } ; a Cuan stated the question to be on the reso- lutions. A Voice—Well, I call the ayes and noes. I | bi vote for such a compromise with free soil as | that uci ‘The on was taken, and the resolations were passed, Y¥2 to 27. Mr. Looms, of the committee, annoureed that the Governor would wait upon the convention at eight o’clock. ‘he convention then proceeded to receivo nomi- nations for Canal Commissioner, and five Supreme Judges. NIGHT MEETING—SPEECH OF GOV. JOUNSTON. At eight o’clock, the convention adjourned to a meoting out of doors, in front of the Court House, with the Governor. He was mounted upon a plat- form, and at once ded to speak to the people, there being some three or four thousand of them in reet. The Governor is consistent. It was the the exact substance of most of his speeches for tho last three years. He urged the importance of good men for Canal Commissioner and Judges; he de- fended his own State policy, came down particularly heavy upon the ruinous and oppressive tariff act of 1846; and on the Compromise measures, he jit. ted his objections to Fugitive Slave law; and while he should it as the law, he looked for- ward with confidence to its modification. It was not, of necessity, a fect law; but, like mat other laws, it was subject to amendment. There a law of Pennsylvania to prevent kidnapping. which operated, of course, to the advantage of runaway javes. This law the Legislature at the last session repealed ; but the Governor failed to sign the bill. He said it was because it was not presented to him until the last hour of the session; but he did not say whether he had time soough or not,in that last hour, to sign it. The failure has, no doubt, been to his advurtage with the free soil people; and, in fact, it was a clever thing, because the election will have to occur before he can be called upon again to sign it. Upon the whole, the position of Governor Johnston is about the same, or not much better, than that of Seward; for if the former is not so ultra against slavery, be is far more im ticable on the t: question, being just about 20 years bohind the time. Mr. er the Governor, made another y speech, and was followed by Mr. Kil- linger, in a very shrewd and earnest exhortation. He declared that Scott was nominated by the whigs to dounteract the influence of Mr. Buchanan in thi State election, in behalfof the democrats. He (Mr. Buchanan) was at the bottom of all the demecratic nominatiuns; he is understood to have cast his for- tunes into the issue of this State election. We have determined to meet him; and the contest not only involves our State ticket, but our candidate for the igor ad We believe that we can carry Scott, and that Scott oancarry us. Such, substan- tially, were the remarks of Mr. Killinger. LAST Day. June 25, 1951. The convention to-day were cocepied. almost ox- clusively inthe selection of idates for Canal Commissioner and the five Judges. John Strehm, of Lancaster, for the Canal Commissioner, defeated the original caucus candidate of the Scott majority, Mr. Lawrence; and the East against the West were also victorious upon the Judges, ly upon the fifth, the contest being narrowed down to Jessup ani Buffington, in which, after a very tight ft, the Western man, Buffington, was defeated. A motion to strike out the sixth resolution—that is, general acquiescence in the moasures of ¢! adjustment—was made, but not tee) to. free soilish whig delegates defined their op) tothe resolution, expressing ti business on th The administ: sition the greatest confi lence, Scott and Johnston, and the and that was the end of the 5 slavery and Presidential question. is complimented over the left— Webster Core th by—Scott is nominated on non-committal pean » to help Johnston out in his election—tho Fugitive Slave law is substantially repudiated—and the F tt and his cabinet, in the South, may make the most of it. Thegreat ob- ject here is to save Pennsylvania. That's all. Lancaster, June 24, 1851, The Whig Convention and its Doings—Administra- tion Politely Tylerized—Re establishment of Gen. Taylor's Platform on the Slavery Question - En- thusiasm for Scott, Sc. §c. The proceedings of the Whig Convention to-day, will, doubtless, cause a very considerable fluttoring at Washington. The whig party of Pennsylvania have virtually, under cover of a back-handed com- pliment, Tylerized the administration, dicarded the Fugitive Slave law, and nominated Gon. Scott upon the noncommittal platform ef Gen. Taylor. But, in every other respest, and particularly upon the tariff question, the new declaration of whig princi- ples, State and national, is fully up to the standard of Henry Clay. It isa stiff, rigid, whig platform, upon the old model of that of ISH, with the ad- dition of @ free soil application of the Fugitive Slave law. ‘The nomination of Gov. Johnson for re-election, to day, was truly enthusiastic and unanimous; there is no question of his being, by all odds, the most available man for the whigs. The reception of the name of Gen. Scott was, also, considerably uproar- ious, nor can there be any mistake about his boing the mnan fer Pennsylvania, above all oth the grand set-to of the presidential oa: } ‘The resolutions from the committeo on the sub- ject, were, of course, out and dried; but, when re- ported, it appeared that the most im it one at this crisis, endorsing and fully pled ing the rty to the faithful » t of tho Fugitive w, had been suffocated in committee. It was not digestible; it was teo much—entirely too much for the convention to swallow, especially when it placed Gen. Scott and Gov. Johnson both in a ver: k ward predicament. Mr. Scott, of Philadelp! convention, made a very bold attempt to restore tho revolution tothe catalogue; he pleaded hard for standing up to the constitution, explicitly and frankly, ana without equivoeation; but it was go. [twas not the thing. Mr. Scott, Mr. San fon, and their Philedelphia detach ment of Gusto House conservatives, were put to silence by the argu- ment of Loomis, gh and others, showing H the resolutions of and that to descend to the particular specification of obedience to the Fugitive Slave law, woull be barely truckling to the South. ‘The Fugitive Slave Lent i ore, ruled out by the previous que the committee's resolutions were adopted, #2 to 27, about the proportion be- ee the friends of Seott, and of Fillmore and ebster. The whig platform of Pennsylvania, for 1952, in- cludes ( t, a high protective tariff, and hoe. i ave law. he three or four ate had to be ap- on slavery worked a. again, particu- Hing out the iron er the State, on ron poured into and sold underthe factories, at prices t From the resolutions and in the speeches of the day, it is very evident, unavailing as it must be, that a p will be made a leading object in the ensuing vase by the whigs. It may he preposterously ab- suid to expect @ better tariff than that of 18%, while it works #0 well for the treasury; but there is a very — Proportion of the working classes of State who are dependent on the iron or coal bw #, and he who most boldly advocates their in- Why not 1 terests is the man for them. ‘The whig candidate for Governor, the whig no minee for the Presidency, and the whig platform, as Inid down by this convention; are, no doubt, the most avai for Pennsylvania that could have been selected. If Johnston can be re-elected, it ix upon his schedule of 1848. Ifthe wi Tennsylvan Il, it is only with am of such grand achievements as shall be eclipse the somewhat rusty glory ot iples; and this military hero's popularity. will to help out the Governot as in 188 A very prominent object of the nomination of s vhnston the benedt of his i Mr. Kellin- Ilouse, vf-doors +peech at the C A that as the Reading bad made all their nominations fur the benefit ¢ compellrd Seett’s nor larity may virtual now y; and but for ¢ { Buchan en, ty of & Jobpeten ation would aot ha as did also the high protective | | and How it is to work, is yet to be illustrated. It is Ktarecipients of Patronage, will enter very chser te of , wi very cheor- fully into the ‘teht for the Governor; nor do the abvlitionists appeat to be conciliated with the oqui- yooa! resolutions on the constitution and the laws. It would seem to be inevitable, that the doings of this convention must work to distract the whigs in this State, and to destroy the party in every South- ern State in the Union. bs Gen. Seott, it is distinctly foreshadowed, will be the whig candidate for 62; that he will be non- committal on slavery and the Fugitive Slave law; id that if he is nominated, it will be by the North, against the South, and the whiga ofthe South. It is also probable that thisumay lead to the putting up, inthe Seath, of u Union candidate by ths ie and Union democrats, and thet Webster or Fill- more may be the man. At all events, this Whig State Convention has largely increased the chances for a scrub race in 1852. The whigs here seem to be confilent of suscess; with here and there a man who swys that Fillmore and Webster have been d—d badly treated; but, upon the whole, they seem to believe that Fillmore is a good soul, and will submit; and, as for Web- ster, he never would answer for Pennsylvania—be- ing not only no soldier, but opposed always to the war. More to-morrow. Ww. BY TELEGRAPH. Laxcanten, Pa., June 26; 1851, ‘The Convention dispersed with » distinct presentiment of defeat in October. The bringing of General Scott into the contest, to help Governor Johnston, is a bad sign—indelicate t» the administration, and impolitic ; but with the defeat of Governor Johnston, it is expected by a few allly people that General Scott will decline, Mr. Webster is out of the question in Penmylvania. ‘The Mormon Murder at Beaver Island, EXAMINATION OF TWO OF THE MURDERERS, (From the Detroit (Mich ) Advertiser, June 21} Tue Peortx vs. H. D. McCun.oen axp Sameer. Gxauam —The defendants in Court, June 10, 1551, in charge of Lyman Granger, deputy sheriff. Tho defendants, by their counsel, pleaded not ilty. Samuel Bennet, sworn:—Says he Loows fendants; they, at the head of about sixty Mor- mons, surrounded our house, on the 7th instant, on Beaver Island, (Bennet’s house;) told us they came to arrest us, and if we did not surrender ourselves, on would take us, dead or alive; we shut the door, and tald them we would not obey Mormon law, King Strang’s law, or any other law, but the laws of our country; I caught w Saran gun, which was loaded with shot; _ wife, who was very much alarmed and excited, took hold of it to wrest it from me, and in this struggle the gun was accidentall discharged; the Mormons then commenced to bi in our howe, and fired in at the window and door several shots; wo managed to keep out of the way of the balls, until they at last broke in the door, and several of them came into the house and ed my brother out doors, and then commenced fre at oy he perigee five balls Sevens Oe ee luring tl ime t! ey were at 5 pied hishandsand implored thea fa thename of the Almighty God, to spare his life; the defendants were git +f orders to fire; they fired several shots at = , and one nearly cut my hand off; my wife ran towards her brother’s house, nearly frantic, when they followed her and drogged her back to the house, and kicked and bruised her ; they my dead brother to the beach, and threw him into his own boat, and compelled me to go into it too; they then put sail toit, and conveyed us to the Haibor, before the Mormon Justice, who issued the warrants for us; my hand was bleeding during that time, and the most of the following night, dur- ing which time | was a peices ; [fainted several times that night from [oss of blood ; that night I overheard Win. McLeod say to McCullogh, (ono of the defendants,) ‘you did one thing wrong, that you did not kill the other fellow, (meaning mysolf,) you ought to kill six others, and I will guaranty you against all Jaw ;” he said eee cut out my brother's heart in my presence, and McLeod washed his hands in the blood ; they heldan inquest on the body; the most of the jurors had beea engaged in murdering my brother; three men, who were not Mormons, would not sign the verdict; the Mor- mons brought in a verdict to clear themselves; I heard the Sefendants say, in January last, that they would kill me and my brother; they (the Mor- mons) are in the habit of annoying us with law suits before their Mormon justicgg; they had us arrested twice, last winter, and mad® us pay seven- ty dollars ‘and somo cents; they bi our two houses, last winter, and agang of them came after- wards, in broad day ho. afc to our house, and took our provisions before our eyes, and we not dar- ing to s them; Strang threatened our lives fre- quently; in uence of being so annoyed, we sent to Strang, and told him if he would give us what we paid the government for our farm,he could ve it; “If your land,” said he, ‘* was not deeded, I would rather have it; 1 de not allow the saints to bey sag land of this despicable government; be. sides, for government land there are no taxes to y; 1 would not pay you anything for ut,” enid he, “you must comply with the kingdom—you must pay me tithes. not, said my brother, poy anything but what we are required to Rj according to the laws of our coun- try. “Well, bennett,” said Strang, “if you do not pay me tithe, mark my words, that you will be 5 e then left him. Cross-examined.—We only fired all og and that was reagent haga by my » when she tried to get it from mo; we had another in the house, but the lock was out of order, no one could get it off; I could have shot some of the Mormons with my double-barrelled gun, if I had tried to; but I knew it would be of no use, as there were too many of them; | do not know whether any of the Mormons were wounded or not; think from the direction of the gun at the time, it could not wound any of them; we did not fire any other ‘un; my brother did not fire; the defendants wore there; their intention was to kill us; the reason that they out the warrant for us is, because we told the Mormon constable, three days before, that it would be no use for them to try to execute Mor- mon laws up there; that the people were bound not to obey them; we did not offer them any resist ance; the man whom they were going to arrest then was about threo milos from our house; we have not lived on our farm since last full, for fear of being murdered by them. i db hereby certify, that the above isa correct statement of the evidence of Samuel Bennet, in the case of the People va. MeCullogh and Graham, for the murder of Thomas Bennet. Cuas. M. O’Mattey, Justice of the Peace. [From the Detroit (Mich) a cee There were ten more persons a and brought down from Beaver Island, yesterday, on the United States steamer Michigan, charged with an attempted robbery of the mail, armed with deadly weapons. There were fourteen witnesses brought down, at the expense of the United States, every one of whom is « witness for the defence—not one was brought down for the prosvcution. The defendant Strang, and his counsel were carried up | and brought back free of expense on board the ommittee covered everything, | Michigan. The depositions of about forty wit- nerres were taken on the island, some thirty of ich were for the defence, free of expense t» them The Commissioner's Court eat twelve hours one day nineteen hours the second—Commissioacr Wilkins holding the Court, Mr. Bates appeariny for the United States, and Col. MeKeynolds an Mr. Strang for the defendants. As there has beon an attempt to prejudge the action of the District Attorney, and get up sympathy for the defendants, and give these arrests a party character, we deem it proper to state: the complaints made to the District Attorney all came from Mormons or State officers who are democrats. The grand jury that fi the indietments were a majority of them » aml only made preventments, after 4 most petient examination. Without speaking of the evidence, we think the trial will show that the vernment officers would have been reereant to Gury to have overlooked the complaints; and no m was ever carried on with more courtesy ess toward the accused From the Detroit Adverticer, Jane 24 | On Sunday last, the United States Marshal reached Detroit, having in his custody, Rice, Mil- ler, Dost, Brown, Willia Townsend, Asa B. cd pas- & counterfeit coin of the United States, and ob- weting United States mails, and for stripping overmment land of timber. The steamer also Geaghs down, at the expense of the government, thirteen witnesses for the prisoners ‘The parties arrested are, or elaim to be, im- portant and influential m the Mormon organi- ion, holding various therein, suca as aposties, high priests and elders. (nthe examina- Strang’s witnesses, that he it was sworn to, by jem prophet, gifted by de ine inepiration and clothed with wal Faculcus powers, among whieh is the gift of One of the witnesses, who calls himself nation upon cath, to Mtraug # iuterrogateries, swore before the Commissioner that “he knew Strang to bea of the earth, gifted, by divine i tion, Vick mircoulons powers, and endowed with dhvine graces” that be (witne oe High Priest, had taken the covenant fro: James (Strang), by #ying hands om the cress, and by ming it. Aad ve 1° ut the witness identified she “cover ant” e him to be the hés«pbemous doou- lore publiched by w., in the testimon *. This witness weut on to say—"l believe © be & prophet, whose inspiration com J he that of heaish am thst be ean f t, "shen Qhepired, b “snk ne He reveals mence of otly.en: | be of other pro- bings of the can speak (rom Pitoereed communi. Yvon bei worn (hed and others, and would wk commasicatigne a lar” | 7} } Colonel Collier, late Collector of San Francis- co, and the Government at Washington. Colonel Collier, late Collector of San Francisco, California, called upon us a day or two since, for the purpose of getting us to correct » mis-stated ent which has been extensively circulated in the news- papers, to the effect that he isa defuulter to the government im @ large amount. Colonel Collier denies the imputation in fofo, and says that the only foundation for the misstatement is the fact that, in his accounts with the government, several items, amounting to a considerable sum in the ag- gregate, have not, as yot, been allowed by the govermment—that their allowance has been sus- pended; but he has no dombt that im dae time, when th eretary of the Treasury shall be informed of all the cireamstances connected with the udminis- tration of the Collectorship of San Francisco, all of these euspended items, as he termed thom, will be allowed. Colonel Collier was appointed Collector of Cali- ‘ornia, at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars a year. As soon as he received his commission he proceeded to San Francisco, and on his arrival there he found three hundred and twelve vessels in port, on board of which were goods to a very large amount. His predecessor, who acted under military authority, having left no books or records of his doings, Colo- nel Collier could not ascertain what cargoes had paid dutics, and what had not. In this dilemma he exercised his best judgment, and the government accuses him of having collected twenty-seven thou- sand dollars too much. This was an error which was inseparable from the situation in which he was placed, having no books, having no assistance of any kind, and, consequently, having to act, not only as Collector, but as Marshal, Judge, Examiner, Ap praiser, and in almost every other capacity. Much blame is attached to Col.Collier, for having forfeited a quantity of brandy which had been taken to San Francisco. Tho following are the circumstances under which tho forfeiture was made: When he left Washington for San Francisco, a copy of the treaty of commerce between France and the United States was put into his hands. By that treaty, French merchants were not allowed to carry on any indirect trade with the United States, or to import into the United States the produsts of any country but their own. Soon after his arrival in San Francisco, - several French vessels reached there with goods and produce from Brazil, Chili, and other places. He inquired of his predecessor if he had heard of any change having been mado in the treaty of commerce between the two countries and was answered in the negative. With the treaty before him—with a number of letters addressed to him by the American merchants, calling upon him to enforce the law, and with copies of protosts issued by American Consuls at the places from which these goods were shipped, Col. Collier seized a large quantity of these goods, which he declared forfeited to the United States, but allowed the vessels to escape. In November of the same year, he wroto tothe Secretary of the Treasury on the subject, and in the following April he received a reply to the effect that, inthe month of July, an arrange. ment had been entered into with France, whizh allowed of the importation of goods in the manner in which they had been imported. Of course, Col. Collier could not have known of this modification of the treaty between the two countries. The re- sponsibility of the proceeding, therefore, rests on the government, for not making him acquainted with the altered state of things at the earliest mo- ment possible. Col. Collier is also accused of not literally follow- ing the rules of the department in certain respects. He did not insist that cargoes should be landed within fifteen days after their arrival, as the law requires. Under the state of things which then ox- isted in San Francisoo, Col. Collier says he did not hesitate to say to the merchants that they might bond their goods on board of their own ships, so that they might not incur the expense of six dollars «ton for landing them, and fifteen dollars per month for each ton, for storage. Under this state of things he did not hesitate to disobey the practice in ordi- nary cases. Among the suspended items of his account, is one for a large sum which was expended for rent. Col. Collier was authorized by the Sesretary of the Treasury to rent a building for a custom house, giving preference to one that was fire-proof. He solicited proposals for such a building as was re- quired. He was offered one at $7,000 a month, and another at $10,000 per month. He leased the $7,000 one for one year, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary disapproved of it at the end of four months, and he left it. A building which was offered to him at $100,000 a year was then finished, and he leased it at $3,000 a month, subject to the Secretary's ap- proval. Of the ront for this building, $28,000 is among the suspended items. Another suspended item is for money expended in building a wharf. Col. Collier, as Collector, re- fused to receive a large quantity of unclaimed lum- ber; but Mr. Rodman, who was sont out as a spo- cial agent of the governmont, insisted that the merchants of San Francisco ought to have the same facilities extended to them as were enjoyed by mer- chants in other parts of the United States. He was obliged, therefore, to assume the keeping of this lumber, and having no place to store it, he was obliged to build a wharf for the purpose. By some means or other the wharf sank into the bay, and with it six or seven hundred tons weight of lumber What was he to do under these ciroumstances t Ile could not awaitinstructions from Washington. Ile accordingly built another wharf, as rapidly as pos- sible, and had the lumber taken out of the water, and piled up safely. The cost of this second wharf is not allowed. Another charge against Col. Collier is, that he did not make quarterly returns of the exponses of his office, and submit them to the Secretary of the Tremury. Under the circumstances which existed at the time in California, it was impossible to com- ply with this rule of the department. He paid his officers at the end of every month, and wrote to the Sceretary of the Treasury that he would be obliged to continue to do #0, or he would not be to keep men in his office, as they were obliged, at that time, to pay their board motey in advance. ‘These are the circumstances under which Col. Collier divcharged his duties as Collector, and the above are some of the charges thathave boon mado against him. Col. Collier went to California with a salary of fifteen hundred dollars a year, and had mo assist- antsatall. As Collector, he had to collect the revenues, As Appraiser, he had to value goods. When he seized goods, he had to aseume the respoa- sibility of Admiralty Judge in deciding upon for- feitures, and he was actually obliged to act as Mar- thal @nd carry his own judgments into effect. How different is the situation of things in California now? T. Butler King has a salary of $10,000 a year; he has an sasistant with a salary of $6,000 or $7,000; a Surveyor with a salary of $6,000; two Appraisers at $6,000 each; two Assistant Appraisers at $4,000 and a District Judge, District Aitorney, Mar- nd other officers are losated there for the pur- ore of carrying the laws into effect. Col. Collier, im the necersity of the case, was obliged to as sume every kind of reeponsibility. Indeed, wo think be has been treated in a very shabby manner by the government. If ho had insisted that the merchants should have unloaded their vessels when be went there, and landed their goods, an immense amount of ev would have been destroyed by the first great fire. ‘The ships in the bay. however, kept thi RY, safe. Mr. Rodman, his succes- ror, saw At to enforce the Custom Home regula- tions in this reepect, and the consequence is, that by the lost great fire, property to the Balue of several f dollars was destroyed, which would hare been savedif Col Collier's phan had been co of allowing the merchante to store thei | aftoat. The Alta Colifornia, in speaking on this | subject, sayes— After the arrival here of Cotonel Coltier, he beoam perfeetly aware of the tek and danger which we em ue if the usval modo of castom Rouse business enoald be rtrictiy entoroed. Ie, therefore, permitted ine mer _————— Goods on were eons ‘an agent who knew as misnons for which neither educst stoma ameteoaee fitted them. This agent. « Mr. Rodman, came, pre tended to see and examine into the custom house are ray nts, and re; Upon the warehouni of this port, j ‘at an opinion and made’t against the evidence of his eyesight that ; abounded im safe, fire- proof Iuildings, snitable for torn ohige merch and phen ee pods. In ence Tate sopest, Colomeb Collier received an unmerited amount of rey finally was rejected by the Sonate for had #0 faithfully and effectually filled, a wise and liberal policy, he had saved mi to the citizens, without a dollar's loss to Another evidence of the petty mann it was expected Colonel Collier should office ax Collector, is the fact that he was to on expenditure of $150 for a safe, in keep the public moneys. He endeavored to chase one at that rate, but without success. was offered one for $1,700, which at public realized $900. Leing restricted, he was therefore, to get on as well as he could, and the public moneys in room, without a and without a safe, having epwerte of dollars in it at a time, and afraid to low gf Fr 2 Sid | ffi i sight of it for a moment, lest it might be Thi ao is was the condition of things age fire broke out in San Francisco, for Colonel Collier’s resolution, the flames in all probability have consumed the C ie, pat the Sramens Sade would have = stolen. As it was, it was witl it di saved both. Three or four hunfred Soon congre- glee round the building, and demanded com ion for assisting him in saving the office. lie wes attacked by these men, and was obliged to oalt upon the officer of the revenue cutter in the harbor for protection, which was mptly rendered. In conclusion, from what we have heard, we think that Colonel Collier was perfectly justified in all he did. He did not hesitate to assume a when it was necessary for him to do so, for the terest of the government and the mercantile com- munity. If he bad been timid, or if he had de clined to disregard, for the time being, the striet letter of the law, chaos would have reigned #u- preme ; the revenue would have been lost; the Yernment would have lost everything ; and tothe value of several millions of dollars have been destroyed by fire. Changes in the Vaiue of Real Estate in the Lower Wards of the City of New York. It is curious to notice the changes which have oc- curred in the value of real estate in the commer- cial part of this city, during the last thirty yearr; and to observe that, notwithstanding the constant increase of the city in wealth and population, euch are the whims and fancies of men of business, some Jocations in the lower wards, where the trade and commerce of this emporium are carried on, are actually valued at less than they were twenty or thirty years since. This is shown by the rate at which such property is constantly sold, or is valued by the assessors for taxes, or the compara- tive rents paid thereon. We propose to give & few instances, as the result of our and observations—first remarking that the in. crease of the value ofreal estate in the lower part of the city has been great in the aggregate, aa might be supposed, from the general removal of families up town, and the conversion of dwelling houses in the lower wards into stores, hotels and boarding houses. The following is the comparative valuation of real estate, as assessed, in the four lower wards, im 1882 and 1819:— if ik 19,312,0 2,014,100 My 000 SRT "900 12/627; 6,731,700 8,090;170 Rebebsccosnsd $46,156,300 963,550,270 Increase value of real estate in these four wards, $17,093,970. A large portion of this increase of value in build- ings, however, may be attributed to the cost of the expensive banking houses, warehouses, and other edifices, which have been erected since the great fire of 1835, and cther improvements which have taken place down town—for it is a fact that there has been a great decline in rents in such streets as Pearl street, Greenwich street, and other sections of the lower wards, within the last twenty years. In Pearl street, for instance, if we compare the rents paid at present, with those obtained for the same warehouses in 1832 and 1831, taking the whole range from l’eck slip to Broad street, we find the decline from fifty to seventy per cent. We may name one #tore in that street, which formerly rent- ed for three thousand dollars, and which now rents for nine hundred dollars only. Pearl street, it is well known, has been for many years the great mart of the dry goods trade, andit is mainly in that business that most of these great changes have taken place; and this decline in rents in Pear! street bas been going on, while the trade in dry goods has increased in common with other branches of commerce. If we inquire into the cause of this apparent anomaly, we believe it will be found mainly in the propensity to change—whioh is common to all human affairs—which causes the influcnce of fashion to operate as well in trade, as in the social concerns of life. The first great change in the course of the city business, which withdrew much of the dry goods and other trade from Peart Street, occurred after the improvements which took place after the great fire of December, 1835, a large number of extensive warchouses having been ereot~ edin othor streets in the First ward, after that event. In consequence, many merchante removed from Pearl street to those locations, somo of which, again, in turn, are losing their share of popularity as favorite stands; and at the prosent time, Hroadway, which, a few years ago, was prin- cipally confined to the retail business, ix the mort fashionable street for the wholesale fancy and staple dry goods trade, and the highest rents in the city are paid for the new aad costly warehouses in that quarter. Fulton, John, Nassau and William streets, may aleo be said to have improved as business str within a few ears. Courtlandt street has materially changed ts character, and property for business purposes im that street, has greatly increasel in value. Dey street is, at present, watengeins great alterationa, by widening the street, and the erection an; us warehouses, caloulated for the whole: trade in various branches. lower part of Greenwich street was formerly ocoupied as residences by some of the most fashions - ble families in tho city. It isnow principally tenant- ed by boarding house keepers, particularly by those who accommodate Germ: dd other igrant-, which har the effect, generally, te drive out the American population. In that part of the city, rents are lower than they were ¢ yeart sites; and dwellin, may now be ”. The following shows the low valuation placed by the Assessors upen some of the dwellings wich street :— honses which then rented for $00, ad for twenty-five per cent levr—say han they would probably have brought thirty years since, or soon after they were erected. They are estimates! by the assessors at from ¢ 000 each; and it appears from the were built, made by prices :— No. 1. John Hone, $10.20 2. Peter Remsen, bled 3. James Byers, 9,730 4. Elbert Anderson, oe 5. Abijah Weston, 10,000 6. Dominick ine. ne 7. Stephen Whitney, 16.000 8. A. Weston, ie 9. Thos. It. Mercein, * 10. Robert Lenox, 11. Jos. Mackwell, 12. John Swartwout, ‘B00 Most of these houses are still o by off New Yorkers, and are considered fachionable rest dences ; but it ix not probable that they can with- stand the progress of improvement and the desire for change, many years longer. It ix certain that the lower part of frond Oreen, State ity, me upiel only for warch nd boarding howees ve stated elonsty show that real yeperous commere ubject to Muctuat Tee } 2 —T) to be foreseen by the most «tre careful observers, bat often governed by the whime and fancies of individuals engaged in trade, or haw~ ing an influence oa the fashiou: and tactves of ip their day and generation | | | street, and y | | | esta, even in the most cities.