The New York Herald Newspaper, November 29, 1869, Page 4

4 ority which this route possesses over others, which Jl present insurmountable obstacles to the con- atraction of acanal." To Dr. Cullen's preference for this route over all others we attach no particular value; it was natural that he should defend and praise what we may not inappropriately term his m discovery. Still, much attention must be paid orn language. Certainly nothing can be more explicit than his words. That his statements are “mere assertions, unaccompanied by notes or méa- surements,” we admit and regret with Admiral Fitz Roy and Admiral Davis; but the fact does not prove him guilty of intentional falsehood, nor the victim of halluctoation. That his report differs from the ex- riences of Prevost and Gisborne arises from the fact, wich we will hereafter show, that both these last named genllemen did not follow the track laid down by Dr. Cullen, but diverged widely from it. The plan of Dr. Callen, a8 given in hts “Isthmus of Darien Ship Cana is clear, lucid and sunmis- takeabie. It commenced from Port Escosces and the Channel of Sarssard, in Caledonia Bay, on the janie side, through the plain and the depressions of the Cordiileras to the Jnnetion of the rivers savana and Lara; down (he Savana to ifs mouth in the Gulf of San Miguel, on the Pacific side. He claims that no locks are necessary on tus Toute; no dams required; no artical harbors, piers apd embankments—noriing but a simple cut for a distance of twenty-eight miles, the remaining eleven comprising the river Savana, which 1s of great depth and width, The greatest depth of cutting necessary 1s slated at “150 feet for scarcely two miles. No dredging or depressing of rivers, or other works, Would be requirsd. ‘rhe canal could be made Davie gavle for ships of the greatest depth, and by this route the transit could be effected in six hours.” Dr. Cullen estimated the cost of such a canal—which he projected thirty feet deep and 140 feet in width at the bovtom—at $40,000,000, With regard to the harbors on both sides of the isthmus tere 18 but one opinion, and that is un- limited in their praise. On the Atlantic Port kscosces und Lie channel of the Sarssard, in Cate- donia bay, have “an extent of eleven miles of safe anchorage in all winds, and great depth of water.” Pasalng over to the Paciic we tind the Guifof san Miguel, into which flows the Boca Chica, one of the mouths of the Savana, capable of holaing the ship- ping of the world and well protected from the dan- gers of baci weather. Thus it Would appear that in the matter of harbors too much cannot be writien ip Tavor of 1 Toute, BXPLORAT!ONS OF GISBORNE, PREVOST AND OTITERS, In Humboldv’s “Aspecis of Nature’ he refera “almost with bitterness’ to the long delayed em- Ployment of our means for obtaiuing precis surements of the isthmuses. ina letter addre: wo Dr. Cullen, and dated June 4, 185%, tae great man thinker wrote as follows regarding the proposed canal on tie San Miguel route;—"The undertaking ig by no Means avove the inteilectual and matertal ower Which civilized nations have attained to, ‘he Work should be one to last for ever; it should not commence with @ canal with locks, like the maguiti ontan canal; tt must be a really Oceanic canal, without loc a free passage Irom sea lo sea, ucross Which the speed of the navigation Will be modified but not mtertupsed py the difference In height and non-coincidence ef the tides.” Hum- boldt also expressed the opinion that the Isthmus of Darien was beter adapted vo the construction of @ canal “than any other portion of the entire neck” of land. Ainau, who paid much attention to the subject, eciares his belief that the Sau Miguel ts the most Practicabie route. He says that at this point the Cordilieras descend a great deal, and are really but “@ range Of hilis or isolated peaks, the bases of which ure intersectea by ravines Which point out to rthe true route of the canal.” And he though on mere rumour, that “the Indians in tue neigibourhood of Caledonia Bay make use of these passuges.’’ Admural Fitz Roy, too, an authority cauitled to the highest consideration, ex- mM the Most emphatic terms in canal across this part of the isthmus, Mr. Gisborne, an h surveyor, maue an ex- Ploration of the region, entering at Caledonia Bay, pushed through the country unul he reached the Summit of the Cordilleras, when he returned and abandoned the undertaking. In his report to the Royal Geog AL povieiy he says that he ascer- tathed the summit of the level to be 150 teet, formed dy anatrow rauge of hilis and gradually rismg plains at the foot of es Further on’ he that “there is every Treason to believe thata more detailed examination of tus division of Waters will Tesuit in a considerably lower summit being found.” We have dy sketched roads followed by Dampier, Wafer aid over buccaneers in 1630, and the course pursued by L ant Milla, of the Spanish army, in 1738, as well as regular explora- tors. We now arri at the expedition of Com- mander Prevost, of the Britis Navy. Phe imterest excited by t n influenced the British go ve survey of the isth- Mus. According Ub of December, 1353, the war vessel Virago passed throagh the cuannel of Boca Chica and anchored in five fathoms of water in the Savana river. On the samme day Commander Prevost, accompanied by Mr. Willian Kennish, the Well known Civil engineer, of Ne ded to the village of Chapixana, ayra river. Here they remained until the 19th, when the entire exploring party started tu boats and went up the Savana river to te village of Puerto del Princips, a distance of twenty miles, and on the following day, alter going up two mies aud finding that the boats could xo no further, established a permanent depo! The next day they commenced We overiana jour- hey, traveling 12 a north-northeast direction, through dense forests, which shut out the light that objects at @ distance of twenty yards could hardiy be seen. For ten days they travelled over a “fine, fertile, well watered plain, at no time over fifty 1eet above the jevel of the sea.” On December 3u they reached a large river Nowing east, some 300 feet in width, and not laid down in any of their maps. New Year's day Mr. Kennish and five men forded this stream, travelled tree nules over & broken cousiry, when they came up with another river flowing ‘in the same direction through the mountains. Through oue of the gaps in the Cordil- Jeras he caught a glimpse of the Atlantic ocean some Sx or seven mules uistant in a northeast dire: ton. ‘The next day the party made an ascent of the mountain, at tie bottom of which a river of con- sSiaerable Maguttude was seen flowing north, trom which direction the Conciusion was Tormed that 1t emptied into the Atlantic. On January 4 this river Was lost sight of, but auother was discovered owing northeast; it was traced for two miles over a mag- nificent waterfaii, aud a3 t became evident that it also feil into the Atlantic the party started on their return, the provisions being nearly extiausted, At humerous points on tue rouve pursued ranchos had been esiabilsned, at No. lu of which four meu daa been leit. On re: ig this the 5 was found deserted aud ropved, aud petween ranchos Nos. 9 and § the dead bodies oi three of tue men were dis- covered; the boly of the fourth man was not found, They hau ail veen evidently muraered by the abori- gines, who regard wit isy every at vempt at e. piormg + fhe party n his official vost 8a tre of the few mites dy ex ’ pauie my duty to 2y, sul teeing coufldent isious allowed us we report of “although duding ou Cordilieras, and, t b of the object of my Bearwi ceeded th join tt that ti 8 survey Cor should ¢ ed the Atlantic shores and una wing One of the soverai nivers or sw appear 1st ia this range of li) ain pasaages to the sea."? But the w by thing 18 the statement that while tue exploration demunstrated the exist ence of level ground tylug between tle river + Sud the hills on te ALivatic stae, the repo Mapé of ir. Culien and Mr, Gisborne were of very title service, We experience of the party differing materiaily (rom these. Nuw we can woderstand this statement as applied to Dr. Cullen, but it seems in- explicable When applied to Mr. Gisborne, whose route Commander 1revost’s Own map shows hun to have substantially followed. With regard to Dr. Guilen, a mere giance at the map will show that Prevost did not follow his route. The former tra- velied from the condnence of the Savana aud Lara rivers in @ Straight northeast direction; the latier pushed up the Savana above its consuence with the Lava, and parsued @ somewhat sinuous Course in @ Lorth-noriticast direction. Cullen's road led him , at Port Escosees, m Caledonia Bay. Had Prevost been able to maxe te entire transit of the isthinus he Would have appeared on the shores of the Atlantic somewhere in the northease vicinity of Gtenaja de ’utrigundt, or opposite Cayo Arenas, some iniles northwest of Port Liscos Thus, 1t cannot be said that Prevost disputed Cuilen’s state ment regarding the couparatively low ground be- Sween the oceaus, even though We may feel inclined (which few persons do) vo believe that tus informa. tion Was derived irom rumor and not from actual experience. About the time that Prevost’s expedition returned one sent by the United States started. it was com- Nanded by Lieutenant Strain in the war vessel Cyane. ‘The exploring party started from Caledonia Buy on the 20un ol January, 1554, and “trough it called out @ remarkable display of courage and en- durance, under the most feariul trials,” was moat un- fortunate in its results, Jn one official report of this expedition, now before us, the writer, evidently Yaboring under much excitement, pronounces the siatements of Cullen and Gisborne exploded and the Pro, fora cenal wopracticable. He declares the veo & Wass Of precipitous Mountains, the streams intain torrents, @ summit level of 1,200 to vet to overcome, and the entire istimus tra- versed by ridged parallel to Its Course and pierced Ouly by streams at great elevations. We need say notaing more of the expedition; it Was worse than fruiuess, its offect was to discourage ali operations Mm this direction for several years, and it Was HOt Until Lsé4 that another organized effort was mas made for a solution of this probiem of inter. oceanic cominunication. During this year M. Bour- diol, a French civil engineer, Was employed by the ‘overnment of France to explore the Isthmus of Varien. ‘The route he took was almost the same as ‘What of the Spantéh efMicer, Milla, Tbis party num- vered twenty-tive persons, including one Indian and Ave negroes, ani the course followed “ay from the Mouth of the Lara across the isthmus to the river Chuquanaque, which be reached at @ point a little Delow the Sucuvu, Here he was obliged to turn back, all the natives having abandoned 1m, through Sear of the hostile aborigines (the Bravos), on the Borthern slope of the Cordilieras.’ since then there have bee no expiorations that we are aware of, and We must attribute the failure of Bourdiol to reach the Aviantic to the unnecessarily long route he traversed, Whose siauosities alone would make it almost impracticable. However, as it lay m the Same region of country we shai ‘say nothing to ite fale el preferring to await the development of vents arising from the iavora of we forthgoing exploring expedition, THROUGH THE BROAD VALLEY OF TAR ATRATO, Before entering upon & detailed account of the explorations made in the valley of the Atrato it will be Tound ifiteresting to note the causes which oper- teu in introdacing this rouve to prominence. Ag & back a# tne sixteenth century it waa rumored a6 On casy transit [rom OCewd v0 OccaD Oxtaed on moulin same to the NEW YORK H ERALD. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1869.—TRIP. LE SHEET. the main land of what ts now the republilo of Colom- bia, near the neck of land foruing the istamus of Darwen, and finding au entrance ta the gall of thas name. Alter the discovery of the Atrato river the attention of the Spaniards was alrected to thervalley aud some feeble efforts were nade Go disgover either & surat or some other water connection between the oceans, We haye seen low the jealous fears of the Spanish King induced him to pronibit the navi- gation of the Atfato on pain of death, thus, with Mauch effectiveness, excluding adventurous mea from endeavoring the solution of a great problem, Nevertheless, the attenuon of scientific men was Ire- quently directed to the valley, aud, by some means, not clearly stated, a rumor became current that a con- nection was actually made. Humboldt, if “Essat Politique,” publisued in Parts in 1811, says that saci connection Was made by @ priest of Novita, in arayine of the Raspadura, who united this river to the waters of the San Juan by means of a short canal, Which Was navigable in heavy rains, and tat “canoes, loaded with cocoa, have passed from ove sea to the other.” The explorations of Trautwine, Kennisi and Michler haye quite exploded Ss rumor, they having by actuai observauons demonstrated the impossibility of its truth. At any rate (he most careful search has failed to discover the faintest evideuce of the existence of &canalin auy part of the valley, either near to or distant from tue itaspadura or otuer river, We may therefore assert positively that nO canal Was ever constructed by the #00d priest of Noyita, whose very exisvence 13 en- Veloped in such @ Maze OF conjecture as to make It aisy &luatter of much doubt. Humboldt also ex- pressed the opinion that the bay of Capica, Wiicll It Qa8 been proposed to make the westera terminus of te canal on this route, and which 1s sit- uated hear the entrance to the bay of Panama, in latitude 6 degrees 40 minutes noréh, and loagi- tude 77 Gegrees 50 minutes west, “ought to be tor tae new Contunent what Suez was for Asia.” The prominence given to the Atrato valley Dy Humboidt actracied tae atvention of Mr. F. M. Kel- ley, of New York, & gentleman whose devotion to the project of Connectng the oceans, whose tireless energy in making expiorations, aud whose labors 1p obtaining for the world the most valuable informa- on, Lave won for bim a@ foremost position in the ranks of those wao have devoted their time to the subjeck. To this gentieuan we are indebted Lor tle dirst accurate survey of the Atrato valley. Aided by friends, Who shared with him tae expense, he em- poyed the services of Mr. J. U. Prautwine, the weil Known engineer of Philadeiphia, to survey a route. this was in isot. la November of the same year, alter some Ume spent m explorauions, he reported a plan tor a canal by Way ol tue rivers Atrato and San Juan, Mr, ‘frautwine proposed to enter the Atraiw river fromthe Gull of Darien, through one of its called Boca Coquito, ascending tb, to Quibdo, adistance of 220 miles; thence to ascend the river Quito (4 continuation of the Atrato) to the confu- ence of the Certiqui and san Pablo; from the latter to Lae Raspadura and Santa Monica, and from me head of canoe navigation, Av this point it was proposed ‘to coustruct a caual to the river San Juan, which flows into the Paciilc Mr. ‘irautwine examined several triputaries of the Atrato, luciuding the Pato, the Bauuo (to reach Wwe latter he crosseu the dividing ridge of the Cordilie- ras), tue Pepé and the Surucco, before selecting (ue route named. Aithough he believed this the wust practicable route, Air, Trantivine fairly stated that it was open to serious Objection, ‘Tue most serious was tiat the river San Juan, at the point at which it Was desired to unite it to the Santa Monica, 1s lu2 Jeet below the head waters of the Atrato; and the liability Of the course to “Irequent and extensive innundations preciuded tue possibilty of constructing a canal upou a system of dams and locks.’ Mr. ‘Trautwine represeuted the Country ag visited vy almost dally rains, Subsequentiy he made another survey of the route, during which he navigated ¢h San Juan river to its mouth ia the bay of Curambira, on the Pacuic coast. He admitted that it was quite possible to construct @ canai and gave his plan av sength and with much Cleurness, but thougit the cost, Which he estimated at $520,000,000, destroyed the ieasipility of the project, Mr. Kelley, though morufed at the unfavorable report of \ur. Trautwine, Was not disheartened, He hud carefully studied al the maps and works de- seripiive of the valiey that be could find, and he re- mained firmly of the opmion that 1 contained an easy route. During the year following (1853) the Atlantic and Paciie Canal Company was formed, with ir. Kelley as the leading spirit nit, Under its pices Mr, James U. Lane was sent out wilh tustructioas to explore the Atrato and find a con- Dection with it aud the rivers Andagada, Pato or Baudo, Lise Mr, frautwine, ne entered at the Boca Coguito mouth, ascended the river to Quibdo, and trom thence went up the Pato to tue head of canoe navigation. Mr. Lane then crossed over the try lo the naviguble waters of the Baudo, which he followed for one and three quarter miies, then pass- ing over the qividing ridge struck the gan Juan. This was the route he thought practicable. At the Same tlme he expressed regret that he did not examine @ route acr & Jarge lake situated about fifty miles up the Atrato and directly opposite the river Sucio, ag from information received he thought that at this place “a suip canal could be obtained through without lock- ing, and with the deepest cut not more than 100 jees to the bottom of the canal for a distance of not more than fifteen miles.” In 1854 Mr. Lane was directed to make anower tour, Sickness, however, prevented lis making explorations in person much of the time, He was thus compelled to depend upon invormavion from the natives. and upon the strength of their statements reported in favor of a canal up the straits to the Truaudo river and from thence to the San Juan, Whie Mr, Lane was thus engaged Mr. William Kennish, wno accompanted Preyost’s expedition, as already stated, was, by direction of Mr. Kelley, exploring the same valley ia ano.uer direction, His instructions were to commence operations on the Pacific side, in accordance with what Humboldt had been told, to the e: Cuph miles, canal, =} ct that ‘from the Bay of astward, fora distance of fifteen or eighteen the ground was level and suitabie fofa ich would terminate in the river Napipi."’ presentations made to Humboldt stated sr that the Cordilleras ts entirely broken en this part of the coast and the Atrato valley. Kennish started along the coast and “to the Mr northward of Punta Ardita met with a remarkable depression opposite that portion of the coast which lies to the southward of that point, and vetween that and Punta Marzo.”’ Opposite this depression he discovered an inlet which he named and ts now known as Kelley's Inlet, large in size, with grear depth of water ana weil protected. into this the river Paracuchicht hows. Landing here, Mr. Ken- nishand his party pegan their explorations, en- deavoring to reach the Atrato by the shortest route, Tne course of tue stre: west of What is known as the watershed, was porsued, the summit of the of 540 feet, the descent over a series of falls to the Nerqua river. was followed to the Truando; thence the the Atrato’ and thus crossed the mountain crossed at a heigh made In his 1, Was ano 5 ort Mr. Kennisi pr 10n Of a canal or “new river aqueduct,” to flow from the lagoons of the river Atrato into the Pacific, forming an uninterrupted connection with the Atlantic, suit- forthe largest ships, and with a current of it two tailes aa hour. The course, as indicated vas be from the mouth of the Atrato on de, tO Kelley’s Inlet, on the peninsula of Paracuchichi, on tne Pacific. According to bis plans it wonld be necessary to have a jetty or line of pilings on both sides of che entrance to the mouth of the Atrato; from theace to the confluence of the Truando no works would be required, excepting ci s were found necessary to prevent the wash mentary partic into the main prison. He roposed to turn the course of the river Nerqua. But the most conspicuous feature in the plan of Mr. Kennish was that which provided for the construc- tion of a great tunnel eleven maties and 1,630 yards in jength, the top to be ninety ieet above high water mark. The most objectionable feature in the plan is this tunnel. That the engineering skill of tue day 13 ade- quate to such @ work admits of no doubt. Subter- ranean passages of great length have deen made in both aucient and modern times, The celebrated tunnel between the Lake of Celano and the river Garigiiano (anclently Lake Fucinus and the river Liris), constructed during the reign of the Emperor Clandins, and in modern days the tunnel through the Alps, at Mont Cenis, and another tarough Mont St. Gothard, both still unfinished, and of great length, acquaint us not only with the feasibility of avating @ passage through the Cordilleras, but 80 with the comparatively few diticuities that attend constroction. But it must be borne in mind that none of the tunnels that existed In ancient aays, or that now exist, can be compared with the pro: posed work. According to Mr. Kennish’s plan about 125 feet of earth would have to be excavated, from the bottom to the top of the tunnel, and cer- tainly not jess than 100 fect in widin. Reduce these figures into square yards, and one readily discovers the magnitude of the undertaking. Let us, by ali means, Hemonstrate beyond a doubt the impossi- bility of constructing @ canal without @ tunnel before pursuing a route requiring one. When the hecessity for one ts proven unavoidable then let us choose t or test. 4 The explorations of the Atrato by Trantivine, Lane and Kenntsh, and thetr reports, attracted auch gen- eral attention that Congress appropriated a sum of money to be devoted to @ further survey. This led to the expedition under Lieutenant Michler, the re- sults of which we #iiall not detail, as they corrob rated in ail respects the rep of previous ex ers. ‘The topography of this region was accu and firlly obt , the mup ria, & al now in ives of the Department able War at y ashington, and it ts novlikely that furcher explora- u of this route will be made. With a full Know. Ty aua the Inhabitants, who are, tolke the aborigines of Darien aud Panama, Very doctic and tractable in character and quite friendly to surangers, another survey can hardly be considered essenual. THE PRESENT UNDERTAKING. For several yeurs aiter the expedition under Michier returned nothing was done by the United Sigtes towards opening imteroceaaic communica- ton, Our recent wer effectually prevented any movement in thas direction from 1461 to 1465, and in the excitement of the Ume the public lost sight of the project. But after the restoraiion of peave Ib was again agitated, and late in December ot 1468, after much preiiminary manwuvring, Secretary Seward, by authority of President Johnson, sent Mr. Oushing to the United States of Colombia to negotiate a treaty between the governments for the construction of @ Canal across the Isthmus. ‘This treaty was concluded on the i4th of January of the present year. It provides jor the Unived States to survey a route and ruct @ canal at sach olnts a8 they nay see M6, and to keep a military joree of not exceeding 600 wen on the caual alter its completion. it must not be constructed across the ronte of the Panama kaiiroad without the consent of the railroad com- pany. The republic of Colombia appropriaws ail the territory, imoluding Jand, ocean and tributary waters, besides ten miles of waste aad we Would retwark unimproved lands on each alde of the canal through- oUt its enuire length; alvernate water fronts not ex- ceeding 3,300 yards, however, to be owned by each government, Colombia not to undertake or aliow the opening of any other interoceanic canal, or any railway, without the United States consent. ing. All expenses and damages ure to be paid by the United States, whose government stall have the sole control of tie canal. ‘I'weive years from the day of its going Into operation Colombia Shall receive ten per cet of the met proceeds annu- ally, and twenty-iive per cent annually after te capital expended shall have been reimbursed to the United States, such payment to be made semi-annu- ply in New York, Colombia to retain political con- ‘ol over the canal and territory appertaining thereto, butthe United states to have free passage for troops, war munitions and War vessels,except when engaged in war, at Which time it shail be rigorously closed to all nations alike, The grant is to continue for 100 years from the day tae canal goes Into operation, When it 18 to be Crausferred to Colombia, without payment being required for any fortifications, wails, &c., the trausier, in fact, to be utterly and avsolutely rhe above condensation gives the material points in the treaty. Lhere are some other articles of a tainor and general character, not worth particular mention, ‘The treaty was, in due course of tme, Subinibted to the Senate of Colombia, which body, on March 1, rejected it by a large majority, Morilying as the circumstance was tis result was not unex: pected. The partisans of Mosquera, the expelled President, worked vigorously, and they are said to have been aided by Mnglish and French influence, At the recent election in Colombia, however, the ad- herents of Mosquera were badly beaten, and it 13 believed that a iarge majority of the new Congress favor the treaty. On the 15th of October the Legis- lature of Panama adopted a resolution requesting tue national Senate to reconsider their rejection and ac- cept the treaty. We trust and beifeve the Senate Ld comply with the request. We cannot believe wae legisiators of Colombia so hopelessly bind to the beat interests of ther coun- try as to pursue any other course. ‘ne treaty does not alfect the integrity of the republic; it, Indeed, expressly recognizes and guar- antees every political rignt of Colombia. Uniess. thereiore. the Colombian senate is indifferent vo the future development, greatness and power of the land 1t rules we can contidently look for the early rec sideration of 10s past action and tue prompt ratilica- tion of the treaty by as large ® majority as that wich rejectea it in March Last. THE PREPARING EPPEDITION. In his report of 1836 Admiral Davis dwells with emphasis on the absolute necessity of completely aud thorougiily equipping every future explorig &nd surveying expediuon. He urges the providing of provisions iv a coucentraced form, 80 as to enable Pardes to make explorations ior many days. Hitherto waif the failures and incomplete surveys recorded are attributable solely Co the giving out of tood, whicu presented an msurmountabie ovstacle to fur- ther operations and compelled a return to the suips. Means should be provided for “ciearing the Way through the dense aud matted undergrowtl by steel gud by lire.’ Last, and really equal in import- auce to provisions, 1s the necessity for making sulta- bie preparations ‘ior encouncering the hosulity of the indian bravos who inhaoit the Atlantic decitvity.”? Icis to be hoped that the government is adopting Uiese recommendations of Admiral Davis in 18 pre- parations for the present expedition. Nothing should be neglecced that may, to the smfilest extent, ald in achieving success. Without detriment to the coun- Uy we can reaauy spare 609 ‘soldiers to eifectually protect the eayineers from the hostile avorigines. ‘ue war vessel Nipsic, Commander Selfridge, which has been ordered vo convey tue party to tue Isthmus aud to ald in the survey, answers admirably for the purpose. She 18 a fourta rate screw steamer, Of 593 tous, Old measurement, carries five guns, and has been for some time past attached to the North Ate lantic Suuadron. Her oiicers aud men are, conse- quentiy by this time well inured to tue tropical climate. At the Brooklyn Navy Yard the storesnip Guard 13 fitting out lor the purpose of conveying the provisions, tents, scientilic apparatus and, we suppose, the wmulitary force accompanying the expe- dition, The Guard 1s a third tate vessel of 10,46 old measurement, and, until a short time ago, tue storeslip of the Kuropean squauron. Like tue Nipsic, she 1s, im every respect, admirably adapted 10 the purpose for which sue is fittiug out, foe ames of tue ouicers Who Wil command te surveying party has not yet transpired, out we pre- Suime Ubat those sent out will be men of apility aud pluck—men who will neither be disheartened by real vr apparent diilicalties, nor daunted by dangers, Let us, then, repeat and particulariy impress upon the guvernment the policy of making the ampiest preparauvns. Every precaution conducive to suc- cess suguld be adopted; the last cousideration suould be the expense. WHY THE PROVOSKD CANAL WILL BE SUPERIOR TO THAT OF SUBZ. Having sketched tae various projects and explora- tious lovking to iue construction of w canal, we shail proceed prieiy to discuss an muportant sub- ject Connected therewith. When the engineers of tue Panama Railroad surveyed tbe route of Wat thoroughiare tuey estadlished the fact “that the dilfereuce between the main level of the two Ines 18 eluier NOTUINg OF SO Sigil as co present no obstacle lo the construction of a canal.” Previous Ww thas tac Opiniog Was entertained tuat the Pacific Was considerably higuer than the Auaauc., Hum- boldt held tis oOpimion, but thouguc it rather lavourabie to the canal project wan otherwise, Referring Wo it he wrote in 1809 that it would create alternate currents which would enaole Meets to pass througa at different tunes—those bound from the AUlanue wo the Wacuic during the ebb tide of tae latier, and those trom we Pacitic to the Atlaniio dur.ag tae dood tide of tie .ormer.”’ It would aiso have (ue beueiicial effect of washing out the bed of the c@uai; aad by @ gradual process of widening aud deepeling the canal would oe couverted tate & sUralb. : 1 having Deon deflnitely ascertained that there is no materi aiference io the heights of the two oveans, Whatever of anxiety might uve been enter- taiued, in spite of Humboidt’s assurance of advan- luge, are uw Wholly dissipated. The only question is, Uheretore, Of What beucit will a canal across the Adicrican isthmus ve now that the Suez canal is complete’ Lf we coasider American commerce alone tue peueilt Will al onve be perce.ved. Lhe passage of che Canal Will by no means be confined to Vesseis traciug with the Hast indies. Admirat Davis, Wiose report We have several times reierred to, pre: pared tavies sowing the trade of tne United states tout Would pass through the Isthuaus of Panama. They emoraced the Uutch Hast Indies, Britisn Auecraua aud New Zealand, britisi Bast ludies, French Kast [pdies, ball of Grenada, Central America, Chile, Sauawien Isiands, Cling Pactic, California and bs of our ucuador, other ports in Asia aud the t United States. ‘The value <ports aid imports to and from these piaces a3 $194, 168,937, Including ships aggregating 85 Lone, ‘Tie Saving im money tuut would resuii, he Catimated at $05,095,930, Bat tbs was not ail, England and France would aiso be com. peed to use the Caual for a trade wohicu jointly, in i506 for England aud in 1867 for France, was valued &b $257,500, 106 for exports, Imports and ships, aggre- gullug 1,152,020 tons; Lie saving ik tnoney, oy Wansit ou the new route, Was estimated at $12,154,278, thus, ju the turee greates’ commercial nations and other couniries, estunated at $16,402,000, tae total trade arfected by the canal would amount to $47,831,140, wud Cle savings elected Wo $49,580,203. We need nov say that the trade of tue United states with the Havious of the Paciic would be inmensely increased by the canal, In the tables referred to tn the foregoing para- graph, Adiuiral Davis has exviuded tue trade of Eugiaud and France Witt the Hast Indies. In so. doug he evidently yielded to the Suez Canal the whole of this commer But it must be borne in mind that we passage across the Pacific ig tar superior to that across tne Ked Sea, the daugers atteuding the navigation of which every person acquainted with geography 1s Tamillar with, We need not refer w the alternations of land and sea breezes for a consider- able belt aiong the coasi, to tue suaden squails to which the Red Sea 19 subject, to its numerous shal- low reefs and to the thousand other dangers and disadvantages which attend 18 navigation. These have quite recenuly been frequently reierred toi conneciion with the Suez Canal. On the otner hand, the route through @ canal on the Isthmus of Darien is unexceptionavle—not @ single fault can be*round with tt. Tnere are the great trade winds which never vary and which Sir J. Dairympie in his memoirs quauitly tells us carried ships from the bay ol Panama to we sast Indies “at above a hun- dred miles a day.”” And this, too, at a time when iL Was considered no little seat jor a ship to sail “above an hundred mies a da; ‘To and fro, to the East Indies aud from the bast Indies, tnese winds are ever biowing, forming, 48 1t were, the very wings of commerce, very seluom heightened to danger vy storms—tne very atest of ali winds, Whose gevera! good temper, ever abstaining from too violent agiiation of the waters, gave to the oceat Wey traverse tae name of Pactic. js if, then, preposterous to express a belief in the possivility of a portion of the Buropean trade with the Bast Indies pasting trough the canal of tho Awerican Istumus? Js it paluting the picture ia too roseate a line to belleve it not unlikely that the merchant vessels from Liverpool wil tnd it safer, aud iually more profitable, to fulfil the dream of Columbus by making their voyages by this projected route? tanc We would uot lessen the value or impor. of the Suez Caual one iota. It is a great & conception aduirably executed by the o genius of man. That it will be pecuniary profitable, we have no doupt, Buy it does not pos- sess Lhe elements of Compeution With a Cunal across the Isthmus of Darien. DISTANCR SHORTENED AND TIME SAVED, A sketch of the proposed canal across the Isth- mus of Darien Would be incomplete if we negievted tu record the saving of Ume and distance. below we ive @tavle of distances by mues, which explains tel — | | | ge) 3) 88 os & | ba 5 2] be eure 3 i ane PH Calentia. 23,000) 13/400 4,190) 9,600 Canton. 21,000) 10,600{ 8,900] 10,900 Shang 22,000 15,400] 9)6.0) 11,600 Valparaiso = | 14900) 4500] | 8100 ty ~ | 18,600) 3,500, — | 10,000 — | tasuo| Ly f00 16,00] 000} — | 14,000 bal ~ | Wee, $800) — | 14,000 M \ 15,000] 4,000) = | 14,000 15,0) 4,500 14,000 8 — | 19,00 5000) = | 14,000 wi 13,740) LL, iu0] 8, M 14,9401 13,79 390 £ The above Agures speak for themmelvos, oud (rom them we can readily learn the number of days saved in making either by steamers or by satling vessels. é saving gives us an immense advantage over Great Britain and France tn the Pacific. Witn the canal once opened nothing short of our own lack of ens cao prevent us irom controlling the entire trade of South America and the tslands of the Pacific. Nor are our commercial rivals ignorant of this fact. At a meeting of the Society of Arts, John street, Adelphi, London, in 1853, Mr. A. G. Findlay read a paper on the ae of @ ship canal across the isthmus of Darien, This gave mse to much de- bate, during which the Rev. Mr. Nicholay, of Kings College, spoke in opposition to the project, because he believed that if 1¢ was carried out ‘a large por- tion of the commerce of the Pacific would be monopo- lized by the United States" to the detriment of Great Britain, And this opinion found a large number of sympathizers. Undoubtedly Mr, Nicholay was correct. A FEW PARTING WORDS. The end of @ most agreeable task has come, To review a subject so Vast as that of the project for counecting ,the oceans of the Atlantic and Pacific within the Imited space afforded by a newspaper article naturally Occasioned the leaving out ot ond interesting details, That which has called for some forty or tifty volumes cannot be crowded in a few narrow columns, But the reader will find every- thing of importance in this article; no salient points have been ignored, no vital elementa neglected—at at least nol Knowingly. And if the perusal of this brief history of a single subject, extenaing back- wards for nearly 400 years, awakens tn the reader amore than ordinary interest in the consummation of the present work, 1t will be beneficial not only to him but to the country at large, TREASURY POLICY—MUSTAKE, To ThE Eprror oF THE HERALD:— A few days since there was published in @ morn- ing paper a letter purporting to have been written by E. R. Hoar, & member of President Grant’s Cabinet. The letter may be noticed upon the ground ‘that itemanates from a public functionary, and, therefore, may contain some indication of the pro- posed policy of the administration. If all the mem- bers of the government are represented by tho Attorney General then we have indeed fallen upon evil times, The capacity of the man on this subject may be found printed in italics and in these words, “We should have treated the currency as we did our armies, regarding the volunteers and greenbacks alike a8 necessities of war, to be dispensed with as fast as possible on the return of peace. I think we made @ great mistake in not doingso. That the shortest method was the safest and best. That the only way to reach the object is by a steady and per- sistent contraction of the currency, a painful pro- cess whenever it comes, no doubt, but harder and worse lor us the longer it is delayed,” He ihen adds the following truismt:—“My views on the subject are of little importance to anybody.”? Here is a letter published by the person to whom itis written for the purpose of adding to his own consequence, without any reflection as to the bave- ful effect it may have upon the matertal interests of our country. ‘his letter contains the same un. reasoning assertions we have tried to meet ta these letters with an array of facts that cannot be controverted. Why does this official advocate contraction? What harm has our coined paper done, or what is it doing to demand at the hands of Congress such summary tredtment? Has i¢ depreciated in cur- rent value? How ts the fact shown? Coal has ad- vanced to $11 per ton, as we suppose, but Mr. Hoar will say that it is our coimed paper that has de- creased in value. Is thisso? Ask the Western farmer—How ts it that your wheat 1s at $1 10; cora, 85c.; flour, $5? Does this prove that the vaiue of the greenback has increased in value? Gold rises and falls in our market; does the greenback rise and fall with it? A member of a Cabinet shoula try to get at facts and weigh his words before uttering them in so public a manner. Ho would serve the people’s money as we served the volunteers—turn them out at once. But the coined paper of our coun- try should be dealt with In the same manneras our volunteers. We paid them off when they were dis- banded. Will our worthy Attorney General tell ns how we can pay olf our coined paper? Where ts the gold by which it can be paid off? Your wisdom has aecided that our bonded debt must be paid in gold, Surely, then, our coimed paper must be paid in gold. You say “the shortest way is the best'’to specie payments, Theu why not pay off our greenvacks at “ouce i gold? You say this contraction will be a painfal process, Then why try t? What good would follow to the country if your plan could be carried out? Have you estimated the loss and gain? Js there any gain equal to the loss? You will admit, like all otners Who advocate your policy, that great and irrepara- ble injury must flow from contraction, but you all fail to show any, the very least, advantage the country will gain by it, Show us the advantages we are to derive from this proposed calamity, You 3 prices will fali—of course they will; but what wiil that benefit the debtor? Have debtors no rights that creditors are bound to respect? Are you aware Unat the money borrowers, the debtors, are the real business or producing class? Creditors do not need your aid. They, the money lenders, have a way of taking care of themseives. The great producmg interests will be (ype tina by your policy, Specie par would take fromthe produce twenty Pper,cent of values, but a contraction of fifty per cent of coined paper would render everything unsala- pe because borrower and lender Would be pow- erless. Are you aware that the produce of the great West is hardly in @ movabie condition with gold and ex- change at $1 27? ‘Then what can you suppose would be the condition with exchange and gos at par? Ifa barrel of flour is worth now but five dollars, how much willit be worth if you deduct twenty per cent? Itis impossible for the farmers of the West to raise, manufacture and send to our market four for four dollars per barrel. Then specie par would stop all trade with the West. Even unwatered stock 1g railroads would pay no interest, Indeed, the rail- road and other interests must return tothe condi- on they were in prior to the late war. When the war commenced tie ratiroads of the West were pay- ing no interest on their bonds—many did not pay running expenses, and none paid dividends. Your CLsot par would stop all freight and travel and ring the West back to its condition before the war. Do you desire this? Specie par would be stagna- ton, and stagnation would soon lead to astrugg!s for a relief in every legisiative body in the country, and then the bent bow will fly back with a jerk that may send some officials back to the obscurity from whence they unmeritoriously sprang. Instead of this yearning for hard cash, try to assist the labor and general industry of our country. Let well enough alone, at least until you know by what law the currency of the country is governed. Almost every farmer and producer North, South, Fast and West knows that nothing will benefit the price of exportable produce 80 soon as a rise in tne price of gold and eXchange. Go to work, then, and put a stop to saies of gold, to lower tts price. Do what you can to advance exchange and sold to 150, then you will see real prosperity; all produce would be in motion, your farmers would grow rick: your Tatiroads would pay dividends on watered stocks; your laborers, mechanics, merchants, manufactur- ers and shipowners would rejoice; your taxes and tari(fs would increase, and the burden of the people woald be light. This prosperity can be created very easily when our Congress shall understand that our credit 1s unimpaired and that it is the price of gold, not the value Of our coined paper that fluctuates tn the market, JONATHAN OLDBUCK, FREE BANKING. To vHe Eprror or THe HRRALD:— Your correspondent, Jonathan Oldbuck has fallen nto a most egregious error in his communication published on Saturday, which I am sorry for, since his arguments inthe main have been so sound, What we really want may be stated in a few words, and was stated by me (I think in your columns) two years ago:— First—A repeal of the Legal Tender act; con- tracts, after a fixed day, to be based upon coin, un- legs otherwise expressed. Second—The assumption by the government of all the currency. Third—A free banking law which will permit any Person to deposit United States bonds and get an equivalent amount of currency, forieiting mean- while the interest on the bonds. This will create an elastic currency, regulated in volume by the demand, as shown by the rate of in- terest, and bring about specie payments simultane- ously With the rise Of our bonds to par in gold. JEFFREY URBAN, THE HEGRO EXODUS FAOM VIRGINIA. {From the Lynchburg (Va.) Advertiser, Nov. 26.) ‘The press of Virginis every day attracting atten- tion to the immense exodus of negroes from the State. The importance of this movement in its Various bearings cannot be overestimated, We have jong considered it certain to take place, and as fur- aishing the true solution of the labor question 80 lar as this State is concerned, That the vacuum in the labor supply of Virginia thus produced wili never be again supplied by hireling labor we consider abso- lutely certain, and it 1s equally certain that this yacuum will be filled by the smail farmers of the Norton, who are already heat into the State. The most obvious effect of this change in the labor of the State will be the rapid subdivision of large and ill. quitivated plantations into small and highty cuiti- vate farms, Radical changes in the staples of pro- duction as well as the mode of cultivation, and above ail a vast increase In the price of land will also necessarily follow. The difference between the State densely peopled with intelligent aud enter- prising whites, and vitalized by the influx of North- rn and foreign capital, and the State without capt- tal, and dependent for labor on the negro hireling, 1s beyona calculation. Another less obvious but equaily certain result of the southward movement of the hegroes will be a similar movement by a very large portion of the white Virginian population. Al- ready the beginnings of thi e discovered in our business ana correspondence with land buyers and sellers. Many of our large landholders are 90 wed- ded to the Te that they wili employ no other kind of labor, and ag the negroes leave tne State those “old masters” will follow tn their wake, and both Will profit by the change. Virginia has been formed by nature for @ great manufaccuring, mining and ayricuitural State, and these movements of popula- tion point to # speedy realization of the great des- tiny un store for bor, THE =PARAGUAYAN WAR, THE ALLIANCE AGAINST LOPEZ. Sympathy of the Colombian People for Paraguay. The Brazilian Minister of War Wants Sixty Thousand Men and tho People Opposed to It. Appeal to the Public Press for Action A, the Brazilian Alliance. The Mercantil del Plata publishes the following arti- cle on the war question, which we translate for the benefit of our readers: Perplexed in the interior questions that have lately transpired in this country, such as the triple crisis tn banking, commerce and finance, and, moreover, the revolution that terminated so unexpectedly in Manzangano, the press has not noticed the great question which has bound the republic with such close fetters, and in the solution of which the des- tiny of these countries, enfeebled by the war that 13 being carried on against Paraguay, is doubtiess wrapt, No independent writer, no patriot, can ignore that they are nattonal interests. ‘I'he war, provoked and carried on by those who hide them- selves under @ lying mask of liberalism, is but falsi- fying the great republican principles which, in bet- ter times, gave our name sucha high standing in the eyes of all civilized nations, Preoccupied, we repeat, by questions that have arisen among ourselves or around us, the press has not cast glance towards more distant points, in order to take a view of the vast cacampments where the tents of the imperial legions of Brazil are pitched, after having converted the fertile plains of a sister republic into a huge cemetery, In wlucn lid the bodies of thousands of Orientals and Argen- tines, and over whose bones they now wish to raise @ monument tothe ambition of a monarch, The great question to be solved by independent journai- ists and by the republics of La Plata is not that tue more or les3 easy arrangement of our contrary ideas, which ust be deferred when the voice of patriowsm outcries that of _per- sonal interests; but the settlement, the definite settlement of the problem, which neither squadrong nor bayonets have yet met with, in the unjust and bloody war brougut about between us and Para- guay by Brazil—a warin which it has shown tts abie but perfidious, policy, casting intrigues into our midst which are forbidden by national decorum and wiich should’ not be tolerated by patriotism. How long will this war last, and till when are these republics to remain bound to the iniquitous treaty? Until the objects of the alliance are gained, as stipulated in article eighteen, objects that must remain con- cealed as expressed in the same article, Facis havo already demonstrated the objects sought to be gained by the alliance—that 18, Brazil intends the conquest of Paraguay, ignoring and trampling on American rights, in which sad task the govern- ments of the republics are efficaciously assisting; and facts also demonstrate that the conquest is im- possible, because it 1s opposed by the heroic republicans, who have rendered powerless the ‘igantic étorts made to subjugate them during the ast five yeara by the Powers bound together for the consummation of this evil work. At least, 1s it humane to continue @ war in which the extraordi- nary etforts made to gain thatevil object have only tended to destroy these republics and enfeeble the links of their nationality? Is the alliance to be eternal, and must the republics forever continue to march at the side of the empire and assist it in con- quering Paraguay, taking possession of the rivers and extending its territory to the south or its un- healthy climate? The press, however, must make a pause in the treatment of the iamtly questions, which now _pre- occupy it, and give preference to the war in Para- guay, which ts aquestion not only of actuality, but also of tue future of these countries, a question on which they are staking eltner their nationality or their territorial integrity. It is not necessary to repeat the history of tnis immense struggle iu order to state that it must be brought to a conclusion, and that the press must contribute to this much desired end, that 1s, if i wishes tne country to return to the glorious paths of labor and progress in which we existed vefore Brazil fettered us to its ambition, tiereby prevent- ing by its traditional tdeas of domiaton, under the shadow of liverty, the unfurling of the salutary principles of union and justice prociaimed by the constitution. if the press remains silent, we repeat, the work of disposing of our country’s future will be continued. By advocating peace it will ob- tain for tae people & future of reparation and grandeur. However, we shall see, Sympathy of the People of Colombia With the Couse of Paraguay—Presentation of a National Testimonial—Action of the Brazilian Minister. Ata meeting of the Chamber of Representatives of the republic of Colombia it was approved that a testimonial should be drawn up and presented to the noble republic of Paraguay, indicating the national appreciation of “the unfailing constancy and the indomitable valor with which the Para- guayans defend their sovereignty, their indepen. dence and their liberty.’? On learning the facta menacing note was handed tothe Minister of For- eign Affairs by the Resident Minister of Brazil in Bogota, demanding full explanations. The Minister of Foreiga Affairs replied that uo action of the Cham- bers in that direction could alter the relations between the two countries, such act not being the expression of the national Congress, accurding to its constitution. Ali people have aright to expresa their sympathies, and, as a matter of course, have their preferences. he government of the United States of Colombia had decided to matntain a strict neutrality in the War, and any national expression of sympathy for either of the beliigereat partes Would not aifect its resolution. . The Brazilian Rudget—The Peaple Opposed to the Farther Persecution of Lopez—iligh Taxes—Depreciation ef Property—Bad Pros pects. - {From the Standard and River Plate News, Buenos Ayres, Oct. 3.) The dedate on the budget for tho ensuing year has afforded an isight lato the state of Brazilian finances; which doubtless will interest our readers. ‘he Brazuian Finance Minister has drawn up his estimates for the ensning yéar, based upon two sup- positions. First—that the war is over, and second,’ that the revenue cannot be Increased by further taxation. Tgking the “conto dereis” at the present rate of exchhnge, say eighty pounds sterling, the Minister's budget gives the following tigures:— Sterling. Interest on public debt. Department Hacienda Foreign affairs. Agricultui oe War and marine. Total...... 2. £1,678,000 Estimated revenue 6,340,000 Deficit. seeeees £796,000 When the tmmense expenses of the Paraguayan war are duly considered, it will, indeed, appear astonishing that the deficit should be so trilling, and the Finance Minister would find little difficuity in passing his budget but that the War Minister makes @ cali lor 60;000 men, which meets with the most de- cided opposition trom the whole country. This, of course, will augment the national disbursements some 16,000 contos, or say 1,200,000 pounds sterling, which tn the present crippled stave of the treasury 18 & Very serious item; moreover, as some of the sena- tors have very aptly observed, the measure ts highly impolitic, thasmuch 9 tt will cause uneasiness among the neiguboring countries; ati!l the measure, 4t appears, has been resolvedon at the War Office, aud unless tho Legislature refuses to sanction the vove there can be littie doubt ag to tts being carried out, It is Significant for the River Plate public to know that the Minwter from his bench publicly stated in the house that the Paraguayan war may be regarded as virtually concluded. The whole empire clamors for peace, property has fallen, failures in every town, the bankrupt courts fuil, and all this is laid to the prolongea continuance of the Paragnayan war, Senor Suvelra da Mota and Senor Sayao Lo- dato attacked in the severest terms the conduct of the government respecting the war, and also re- apecting Sefior Paranhos, who is charged with dra’ lug goid from Montevideo when he should have drawn for depreciated paper on Kto. The subject of Brazilian finances affords a very wide Held for comment, ‘the last specie loan made tn So by the government was subscribed for at par, and -day commands a premium, aud from wel: informed parties we gather thati{ the government Was to again enter the market ag & borrower another Joan would at once be subscribed for and taken up al par. This speaks weli for the patriotism aud natiouality of the people; butit is indeed melancholy fo contemplate the check that this splendid country has received by this unhappy Paraguayan war. Well might the Brazilians baye consented to have given Lopez a throne and @ diadem to escape the Verrible consequences of tne fatal triple alliance. Look at Brazil before the war and you lave a counterpart of tue United States before the war with the South—a treasury overflowing, light ta: insignificant public debt, and ea tals moneys all fuding their way into lasting and beneficial enter- prises, such ag the Dom Pedro Il. Ratiway, the arsenal, dry docks, telegraphs, colonies, &c. Look at Brazil to-day and you vehoid young nation saddled with @ monstrous public debt, the joterest on which alone is greater than the whole revenue of the Argentine repubiic—iazendas 4 serted, taxation stretched to its utmost Innit, failures and ruin in every market, and the productug eie- ments fof the nation so crippled by the recrulung officer that Brazil, to regain her position, must now recruit farmers and taborers ta Europe aud in Asia to til: her mexhaustible soil. Dearly bought indeed i her experience, aud posterity must pay for he error, ‘Thore are but two things wanting to drive Brazil completely to the dogs, to wink tue country so far ae tain to mountain, from hilitop to hilltop. ‘The first od already Eanoee. (oe becond fatuated pol present error of deci country ta now clared ag: since made, when ties as lon: lives or exist i nm his victory ia existence, and witO all the [ee of the allies, with his batteries levelled, his cil occupied, his ships sunken, and hig army ann hilated, he can from the hilltops of his native coun- try shout ‘Victory’—for he lives—aud point to the budget now under discussion a8 the best proof of Brazilian defeat, THE RECENT OUTRAGES IN TENNESSEE. Negroes Attacked by a Body of Masked Whites—Their Repulse, with a Loss of Two Killed and Two Wounded—Subsequent Lynching of Hive of the Negroes. [From the Memphis Avalanche, Nov. 25.] A series of tragic cvents took place out here in Obion county last Saturday, Sunday and Monday, in which six persons lost their lives, and two others were very seriously wounded. ‘The simple particu- lars of the little war were detailed to us last might by arehable genticinan, nawed Willis Jones, upon Whose plantation, in Obion county, some of the blood Was shed and the tragedy had its origin. He was accompanied by J. H. Wells, another citizen of Obion county, who has a large plantation near ‘Troy. Mr. Jones 18 @ merchant as weil as planter, and lives ab Tiptonville, in the above named county, On his Plantation there are two groups of cubins—one at he north end and the other at the south end—and situated avout a mile or so apart. In these cabins gels his colored men, most of them bis former slaves, Mr. Jones represents that country, and particularly his part of it, as beg a very profitabie place for farming, and labor as very scarce; 1a fact, there Was quite a rivairy about lavor, There is also another circumstance Which seems to have no little influence in bringing about whatever of ill-feeliag existed there {roi which the present fearful tragedy resuited. On account of the land being naturally rich, and consequently very valuable, a number of while men, who own no land themselves, are very desirous of rb, 4 Many of the planters do nos Wish to rent out their land, preferring to work it themselves by hiring negroes, whose labor they find protitable. The landiess farmers do not like this, and trequently show their resentment in a very rude manner. It 1s not ceriain that the present difficulty originated 10 this way, but, in the absence of any other apparent cause, 1b becomes necessary to make this explanation, ag it may serve to throw some light on the bloody events, On last Monday week, late in the night, a gang of six masked Men Went to the group of cabins at the northern extremity of Mr. Jones’ plantation, took out one of the colored men and laid him on the ground, asif they were about to whip him. They took the arms which they found in the cavin, wite the view of confiscating them. A son of Mr. Jones, who happened to be at the cabins, ran and told his father how thiags were. He went immediately to the scene, and remoustrated with the intruders, ‘bey alleged as their reason for tne extraordinary proceeding that the negroes liad arms, that they no right to have tuem and would not ve allowed to keep them. Mr. Jones dnally persuaded them to go oi, remarking, in his conversation with the princl- pal man of the gang, that his negroes were peace- able, that they interfered with no one, and that he would bot allow any one to interfere with them or disturb them in the peaceable pursuit of thelr proper business. They then left the piace, and Mr. Jones retired to bis own dwelling. in about two or three hours afterwards they again returned. It was now about one or two in Lhe morning, and as they passed the cabins they commended tiring. According to instructions received from Mr. Jones the negroes returned the fre and beat the fellows away. Thus ended the first encounter, without any bloodshed. Mr. Jones, whois an eminently respectable cttt- zen, and evidently & man not to be tried with, had formed the determination to ‘protect,’ as he says, his “colored men irom all outrage.” He was a strong Southern man himself all through the war, had three sous in the Confederate army, and he felt it his duty to see that his people were not molested in any way, and he resoived that they should not, 80 he encouraged his six negroes to resist every attempt that might be made to interiere with bis rights, He taught them that no man, white or biack, had any right or pretext to go to their cabins at the dead of night and pester tiem. When the negroes leit that tuey bad the morai support of thew employer a8 weil ‘as that of other respectabie pianters in the nelghbornood, they became coura- geous and resolved to defend themselves. The week, however passed oi! wranquiily enough, and no fears of a repetition of the visit were eulertained until Saturday alcernoon, when unaccountable riding up and down the road was observed. ‘This, with ouher signs of an uuusuai character, aroused the tears of the negroes and of Mr. Jones. They became con- vinced thata visit would be pald that night, and preparations were made acco) le ‘The cabin in which they assenipied ts @ Qoubdie-log, with @ passage in the middie, same a8 those com- monly seen in the country. dir. Jones, with a young. man named Albert Nall, & son of Mr. R, 0. Nall, for- merly a member of the Legislature, were in the cabin at the time, sitting at the fire. In the other end of the cabin were two work negroes armed with guns. They began to think that no visit would be made that night, when the door, behind which was nothing but a brick, was shoved open, and three men stepped in some i00t or two, and commenced blazing away at the group uround the fire. ‘The fire was re- turped with spirit, and the three men reeled back discomfited, he negroes in the other wing of the cabin, being roused up by the sound of firing, opened their door and iired a voiley into the retreating @s- sailants. Youug .Nall jumped in between the comvaiants and calied on both parties to stop. ‘This produced @ cessation of hostiiti during Wiich one of the maskers was capturea, Would have been shot by a negro but for the interpo- sition of Nall, whose mission was for peace. He was allowed to go aud join his companions, some fifty yards away across afield, Inthe figat a man called Robert Dickenson was sbot in the face and kuled instanuy. ie lived seven miles off across tae Kentucky line, and was respectably connected. He Was avout twenty years old, One of those mortally wounded was bis cousia, Benjamin Becham, from the same neighborhood and about the same age. It may be proper to state here that durmg the war the fatiier aud grandlather and five browwers and sisters of Dickenson were murdered by some negro Union soldiers. The recoliection of such @ bioudy deed may bave had some indueace upon the present disturbances, ‘Lis was on Saturday night. The people about Jones’ were weil aware after Unis that a great excite. ment would be raised and taat tue negrues would be in great danger. Joues himself was for Keeping them where they were and bravi very danger and resisting every assault, Knowing Vhat he was in the right; bat the advice and remonstrances of friends whom he respected induced him te change his mind, and: he allowed the negroes to go into the Woods, woere they remained all night and returned in the Morning. ‘ On Sunday the place was surrounded and three of the hegroes were captured tu the woods, Supse- qfhentiy three more Were taken, and in company with two gentiemen named Hines and somgothers, who undertook to be responsible for tn saiety, the whole six were marched off to the county jail at Troy, twenty-five mules distant. Aiter crossing Reetloot river they haited at the Kev. J. Black- sueur’s, thinking they were out of all dan- ger. They were not long there, however, when they were surrounded by an_ infuriatea mob, who demanded tnesix prisoners. It would be entirely Vain to resist this passionate crowd, so tl prisoners were ail given up save one, who was not @ participant in the previous fights. ‘hey were taken some distance from the place and five of them rid- died through and ian with pistol bullets, with- out even the pretence of atrial, never dreaming of the possibility of a person being among them who had nothing at all to do with the other butchery. On Sunday and Monday tne excitement all over the country was intense, and numbers of people flocked to the scene of the first tragedy. A number of Mr. Jones’ neighbors told him that he ought to leave the neighborhood for atime. te was unwill- ingto doso, He alieged that he had done nothing but his duty in the Whole business; was willing submit to the law; Was prepared to have his le ia vestigated before a proper tribunal, and he did not think it proper in # man of his standing to fly trom ius Lome like @ malefacior. When the mother of Dickenson came along, & very fine type of matronly beauty aud tak mde of course the scene was extremely moving. She bewailed the loss of her boy in the most asecting maoner; in glowing yet terrible language ed te mind the fact of her husband and her father and five of ner ebiidren ect | murdered by negroes some years ago, and now the last of her offspring ana the Nower of the family lay cold and stiff at her feet, butchered by the same diabolical hands, By language like this she iafamed the crowd to such @ degree tuat the friends of Mr. Jones bad real grounds for expressing their fear of his life, They at length prevatied on him to leave in company with a deputy sheri. Monday morning they got om the Lousvitie, twenty miles below Tiptonville, aud came to Memptis. This ts the simple truth about one of the most sanguinary tragedies that Las dis graced the annals of West Tennessee, ‘Tre GLOVORSTER (Mass,) Fismenies.—The flating season of 1369 18 about over, aad the Gloucester ad- verliser gays It hag proved a moderately successful one, but tle numerous Josses, together With he stim mackerel catch at the bay, will have a tendency to make the balance come on the wrong side of the ledger in taany instances; still, many of the feet have done weil, and the good trips, a8 & general toing, Will offset the poor oues, Bo that most of tho firms Will not be losers to any great extent, The George's fishing proved quite disastrous in the early art of the season, OWing to the losses by the gate of ‘arch 5, but those vessels which pursued tne bust. ness the cutire seagon have done weil, The Grand Bank and Western fieets have mostly made very | remunerative voy: though — there had been quite a@ sacrifice of Iife and pro- perty. Tue Cape North fishing, thougn more ex- tensively followed than usual, proved almost an entire iailure, owing to bad weatuer. ‘The bag mackerel flect has (ene very poorly, but the shore fleet prospered better than lasi season. The aggre- ve catch of both i & littie more than last year. ne seining business has proved very remunerativa and the Newfoundiand herring business was quite successial. ‘The losses of lie and property the resent season have been much larger than last, wolve vessels and sixty-one men having been lost, against three voagcls aud (uiriv.eaven men lass seusou.