Indiana Palladium, Volume 5, Number 46, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 21 November 1829 — Page 1

EQUALITY OF RIGHTS IS NATURE'S PLAN AND FOLLOWING NATURE IS THE MARCH OF MAN. Barlow. Volume V. LAWRENCEBURGH, INDIANA; SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1829. Number 46.

FROM THE SOUTHERN GALAXY. THE ROBBER OF THE WILDERNESS.

The application of steam, to the purposeB oi navigation has been no where .attended with results,at once so useful and magnificent, as upon the gigantic uvera oi tne west. Whether their sources are found among the icv lakes of the north, the rugged passes of the Alleghe ny or me unexplored mountains of the I acme, their accumulated waters, miu gle in the exuberant valley of the Missis iippi, and rush in a united stream far out into the gulf of Mexico. Here then, was a stupendous, but most appropriate arena, offered by nature, upon which to display the great genius of her favored son. These rivers, traversing many degrees of latitude, with irregular courses, rapid currents, and no tides, presented formidable obstacles to the ordinary facilities of navigation; and the productions of various climates, and soils, were almost in vain, offered to the avarice or luxury of their remote borders. Now their exchange is effected with the utmost celerity: voyages that once occupied from 3 to 6 months, are performed within 20 days. For substantial supplies furnished to the southern planter, the farmer returns from the rich mart of New Orleans, laden with the various productions of foreign countries. Sugar ana cotte once rarities in the western fctates, transported with difficulty, and at great cost, are now familiar to ever) family within reach of navigation. A fortnight scarcely elapses from the ripening of the orange, to its appearance at Louisville, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The oyster of Barrataria is carried fresh to every landing on the western waters, and the ice of New-England, allays the thirst of the voyage of the Mississippi and Ohio, through a wilderness of 1500 miles. Ten years ago, the steam engine, was Supposed to have attained its highest etate of improvement: and such a supposition was altogether natural, for an cient magic and miracles, had wrought nothing more wonderful than the conquest of the formidable currents of these rivers in the short period of twenty day s ; accordingly a public dinner, was given at Louisville to the enterprising com mauder, who first made the voyage within that time. Now it is performed easily in ten! The Tecumseh, the Huntress, and half a dozen other steamers, have run the distance in less than nine. The application of this simple, though powerful agent, has wrought a most important change in the commercial prospects of the west: and a moral revolution no less wonderful, and salutary As the name of the discoverer of the mariner's compass, is identified with that period, in which the timid sailor, quitting the coasts, and harbours of his native land, went forth, upon the unknown deep, in pursuit of wealth or glory, 60 the name of Fulton must be as perpetual as the mighty floods he has subdued, and endurtng as those resources ofj wealth and power, he has opened to bis country. The personal security, afforded by the steamboat, to the adventurer upon the Ohio and Mississippi, can only be appreciated by him, who in returning to his family was obliged to encounter the hazards of "the wilderness." The country so denominated, extended at that early period, from a point far within the present limits of the State of Missisfiippi, near to Nashville, in Tennessee, covering a space of 500 miles, inhabited solely by savages, and a few desperate ruffiaus more bloody than they, intent on violence and plunder. A well mounted horseman occupied from 12 o 15 days in performing the journey ; but pedestrians, orming by far, the greater number if 4bey escaped the hand of the robber, and (he pestilence of the swamps, required from 20 to 30. The facilities of Bank paper, and exchange were then unattainable, and each individual, carried the returns of his toil, and enterprise in gold and silver Great temptations were thus held out tb the robber, who concealed in the fast nesses of the forest, perpetrated his acts of violence and cruelty, with little fear of detection. The rich trader in pro duce and slaves, and the poor boatman, bearing back to his family, his hardly earned pittance, were alike the victims of rapacity: and life was Irequently 6a crificed to the passions or fears of the banditti. About the year IS02, the wilderness whs infested by a notorious freebooter, who with two sons, and a few other des perate miscreants were the terror of

rasses of the southern frontier, to the si

lent shores of the Tennessee river, the name of Mason and his band was known and dreaded. Their depredations, be came at length, so frequent and daring that the citizens of the adjoiuing territo lies, were driven to adopt measures for their suppression: but the knowledge o the wilderness, possessed by the banditti their circumspection and enterprise, not surpassed by the savages among whom tney wandered, bailied every aUemp', concerted for their capture. One of hese incidents, as detailed by a colernpory, possesses some interest: and some ofthe individuals composing the party, it is believed, still survive, who will at lesi me general truth or the narrative, though unimportant errors may be ob served, i hey will at all events recol lect the jokes and good sayings, occa sioned by the result of the expedition. A robbery and murder, f more than usual atrocity, had been perpetrated, and a number ol citizens of the then Mis sissippi territory, uoited io a determin ation to pursue the robbers, to bring them to justice or put them to death. Under the command (it is believed) ofthe late Col. B. the party well mounted and armed, commenced their march. Soon after entering the borders of the wilder ness, they came upon the trail of Mason, and ascertained he was but a day or two in advance making towards Pearl river: they pushed on day and night, and did not halt until they came to the river here they found new evidence of a party having preceded them; and they did noi doubt, but that it was lie, of whom they were in pursuit, but men and horses were all in need of rest, and sustenance, they therefore resolved to strip their horses, repose for a few hours, and agaii renew the chase. Tnese preliminaries being disposed of, two of the party strolled to the bank of the r ver, and templed hy the coolness and beauty ofthe stream, went in to bathe. In the course of their gambol, they crossed to the opposite shore, where they encountered an indi vidual, whose society, under present circumstances, afforded them very little satisfaction Mason, aware that he was pursued, anu having ascertained the superior force of bis pursuers, determined to effect by stratagem, what he could not hope to do by open contest. The path into the forest was here narrow, and much beset with undergrowth; and he placed his men in ambush, so that by a sudden onset, the party of Col. B. on entering the woods would be thrown into confusion, aud thus be easily despatched or routed. Chance however produced a success more complete than any he could have anticipated. N sooner had the two naked and unarmed men reached the eastern shore of the Pearl, than Mason rushed upon them, before they could collect their thoughts, or comprehend their danger. lie was a hale athlectic figure, and roughly clad in a leather shirt and legging, common to the Indians and hunters of the frontier. "1 am glad to see you gentlemen" said he, sarcastically ;" and though our meeting did not promise to be quite so friendly, I am just as well satisfied: my arms and ammunition will co3t less than I expected." Hi prisoners were thunderstruck, and totally incapable of reply. Having placed a guard over them. Mason walked deliberately down to the shore, and hail ed the party on the opposite bank, who had witnessed Jhe scene, that has been detailed, in amazement 8c apprehension. As he approached, they instinctively seized their arms "If you approach one step, or raise a rifle'" cried the robber, "you may bid your friends farewell! There is no hope for them, but in your obedience: I want uotbing but security against danger to myself and party, and this I mean to have." " Stack your arms, and deposite your ammunition on me neacn near tne wa ter. 1 will send for them. Any vio lence to my messenger, or the least hesi talion to perform my orders, will prove certain and sudden death to vour com panions. Your compliance will ensure their release, and I pledge my honor as a man, to take no other advantage of my victory." There was no alternative. The arms and ammunition were disposed as Mason directed. I wo of the band were dis patched for them, while a rifle was held to the head of each prisoner. No resis tance was attempted, however, by Col. 13. or his party, and the arms were bought across. The banditti were soon in reaainess ior a march; the prisoner

farewell, and the dreaded Mason, true to his word, was soon lost in the depths

of the wilderness. It is hardly neceesa ry to say, that the pursuers, disarmed, discomfited, and a little chapfallen, made the best of their way back to "the settlements." Subsequent o the occurrences just detailed, the violence and depredations of Mason, became more frequent, and sanguinary. One day found him marauding on the banks of the Pearl; the next proved fatal to the life and fortune ofthe trader, in the midst ofthe wilderness; and before pursuit was organised, the hunter, arrested by the descending sweep ot a solitary vunure, learneu the story ol robbery and blood, on the remote shores of the Mississippi. Treachery, however, at last effected what stratagem, enterprise, and courage bad in vain attempted. Mr. W. a citizen of great respectability, now deceas ed, passing with his sons through the wil derness, was plundered by the banditti. Their lives were however spared, and thev returned. Public feeling was now excited, and the government of the Ter ritory found it necessary to act. Gov. Claiborne accordingly offered a large and liberal reward for the robber Ma son, "dead or alive" The proclamation was widely distributed, and a copy of it reached Mason himself, who indulged in much meiriment upon the occasion. Tw ? ofhis band, however tempted by the large reward, concerted a plan by which they might obtain it. An oppor tunity soon occurred, and whih M t-on, in company only with the two conspirators, was counting out and adjusting some ill-gotten plunder, a tomahawk was ourieu in rns Drain, nis neau was sev i i i t r i i ered from his body and borne in triumph lo Washington, then the seat of Govern ment ofhe Mississippi Territory. The head of Mason was well known, and recognized by many; and identified i i . i by all who had read the proclamation, rom the head so entirely corresponding with the description given of if, and the existence of certain scars and peculiar marks. Some delay however occurred in paying over the reward, owiug to the slender state of the treasury. !n the mean time a great nss-emblaee from all the adjacent country, had taken place to view th grim and ghastly head of the robber chief. They were not less inspi red with a curiosity to see and converse with the individuals whose prowess had delivered the country from so ireat a scourge. Among these spectators were the sons of Mr. W. who unfortunate!) or these traitors, immediately recogni zed them as companions of Mason, in the robbery of their father. It is unnecessary to say, that treache ry met its mst reward, and that lustice was also-satii-fied. The reward was not only withheld, but the robbers were im prisoned, and on the evidence ofthe VV 's, condemned and executed ai Greenville, in Je lerson county, ou the l day of A. D 180 The band of Mason being thus deprived of their leader, and two of its most efficient men, dispersed and fled the country. That vast wilderness, though much contracted by acquisition from the In-li-ans, still presents ample haunts to the bandit; but the genius of Fulton has pointed out a mode of transportation, so safe, efficient, and expeditious, that no inducement is held out to bin.: and the silent forest is uow as safe for the traveller, as the paved streets and crowded walks of the city. There was a iarg . fiie at New York on the 28th ulf. An extensive brewry on Columbia street, and many other neighboring buildings were destroyed. Sierra Leone will probably be abandoned because of its extreme unhealthy ness. A large part of the Europeans there died in the present seas n, and the governor with the rest of the survivors, had retired from the town. Manchester, Barnsley,8zc.'m England, have been recently much disturbed by riotous proceedings of the weavers, who appear to be in a very destitute condition. They destroyed a good deal of property, and set fire to a house. In Barnsley there are 3,703 looms, 170 at full work, 1,580 partially employed, and 1,844 idle. At a meeting ofthe weavers of that place, the following resolution was agreed to "That this meeting views with disgust the conduct of the manufactures in thus persisting in theircontemplated reduction when the manufacturer know that the weavers cannot get a living without par ish relief, with the present prices; there fore, this meeting is of opinion that it is better for the weavers to cease working,

To Revolutionary Soldiers. From the Troy Budget. We gladly call the attention of the public to the annexed. It any thing

can be done, it should be done quickly. The army of the revolution, (with here and there an exception,) is buried beneath the soil which it defended. The lamp of life to the few w ho remain has already burnt down into the socket. If a strong memorial be presented, and a powerful appeal made, it may indue our representations in Congress, to do at least some tardy justice. Will not some individual in this city volunteer his services, for the object here presented? Revolutionary Soldiers. It is in con tempiation to memorialize the ensuing Congress in favour of such Non-Commis sioned Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution, as enlisted for tfiree years, served to the close of the war, and were honorably discharged, and who re ceived no pensions. With this view, it is deemed expedient to ascertain their number. Will some persons in each ofthe United States volunteer in this service, and communicate the result as soon as practicable to James Fairlee, Esq. City Hall, N. Y.? i he parties interested are most likely to he found i. the humbler walks flife. Officers of tee Revolution, and patriot'c citizens, will therefore do well to cm u late this notice: Their patronage iolicited. 1 o the good feeling and liberality of the press towards them, the old Army are much indebted ;and by the gratuitous insertion of this in their respective papers, hditors will conterone more favour (ai d it has much the appearance of being the last,) on a meritorious, but much injured remnant, of that army, who are about to ask of their county, not charily but justice. JYoie Claimants must be panicularto put down their whole time of service, whether in one or more campaigns, and their present places of residence, and pay their postage. r rance appears to be in a state of much political agitation. The honors paid to Lafayette must be regarded as censures on the coodut t of the king and his advisers, who are ultra royalists, ofthe old school imbecile and haughty. They alsi seem to be filled with apprehensions the editors of many newspapers have been arrested the empress of Brazil was refused a passage through France, becaus-e she is the daughter of Beauharnois, and Molierc's play of tar tuffe has been forbidden, because when the line was pronounced in which it is said, "The prince ive serve's a joe avozved to fraud" the people in the theatre universally hissed. "Trifles light as air" show the character of great tilings. The finances are much embarrassed for the demands for profligate purposes are enormous, and those of the "emigrants,71 as they are called, insatiate. But they now command the purse, and do not sp re the nation. The clergy take a full part with the ultras, and hurl anathemas at the people who supply them with the means of luxurious living. Their income is 70 million? of francs a year. The king has 72 aids-de-camp, and seventeen are assigned to the little boy who is called the duke of Bordeaux! All things are on a grand scale ! The liber als, however, have the talents as well as! the physical strength of the kingdom; and, it is believed, will, in some way, bring about a great reformation in the state of affairs. Indeed, it is said that som Very recent changes in the ministry are '"concessions" to them. We add two other small items to shew the timidity of the ultras "The police officers at Paris lately seized in the shops of several distillers, bottles of liqueur, bearing the likeness ofj the duke de Keichstadt, the young Napoleon." "A rumor having prevailed at Dijon, that gen. L,atayette would visit that town, the mayor caused placards to be posted up, forbidding all serenades and ex'raordmary assemblies of persons without permission of the competent author ities, upon pain of the offenders being dealt with according to law." Giants. Charles Hammond, the Irish giant, who was seven feet six inches, without shoes, recently died in England; and there was exhibiting in London, a few months since, a young woman named Melius, a well-formed and beautiful gill, though seven feet high; she was said to be a native of South Carolina, 18 years old, remarkable for the elegant s)mme try of her form and fairness of complex

State of Ireund. Peace has not been given to this coUntr because ofthe emnncipation of the Catholics. The different parties to that great question so misrepresent the facts, that it is difficult to know the true extent of excesses

committed; which seem, however, to be ofa very serious character. The condition of the people of this island, has reminded us of the saying of the Senecas to president Washington, on receiving his reasons why certain lands could not be restored to them, as follows: "Father we have seen your speech on the great paper. It is like the light of the morning to a sick man; he gees it and re j. ices, but is not cured." So emancipa tion, looked up to as a remed) for all grievances, atlords, but little, if any, relief for them. We have before us some extracts from a past -ral address of Dr Doyle, Catholic bishop of Kildare,in which he most ear-ne.-t.'y exhorts all persons, Catholics or Protestants to relinquish their party feuds, and live together in peace and concord; and he conjures them, in the most solemn manner, to amalgamate and mix together," "as breathing the same air, feeding on the same soil, ador ing the same God, and believing in the same Redeemer." The opening of his address is in the following beautiful man ner "I address myself to you all, Catho lics, and Protestants, without distinction; for as before the apostle, the distinction. of Jew and Gentile, Greek and Barbarian; was merged in that of believer aud brother; so all of you, upon whom the name of God is invoked, are equally the object of my solicitude; for each and all of you has Christ died, and for each and all of you I zvould willingly offer up my life, if by so doing I would ensure yout eternal welfare." The doctor's chief purpose appears to be to induce both parties to lay aside their processions, as inseparably con nected with public excitement or breaches cf the peace. Speaking of them, he says "When any thing is justly reputed good or law ful, not only the thing done must be good, but the end or object for w hich it is performed, and all the circumstances attending it, must also be good and lawful. If the thing done be bad or unlawful, the whole performance is evil, even though the object or end for ?ihich it teas done, end the circumstances atitniiiJiiT ii litre ever so tauaaoie sipain u O if the thing done be good and lanfut, but that it is drme for a bad purpose, or attend' ed u-ith bad circumstances , then the whole performance is vitiated; so that in order that any thing be good or lawful, the thing done, the end for which it is clones and all the circumstances attending it. must also be good. For if the work it self, its end, or circumstances, be evilt then the whole performance is evil. Try your party processions in Ireland by this immutable rule of morals, and you will find that they are always and in every place evil and unlawful.". We heartily wish that the good bishop may succeed in quieting the feuds that he speaks of but apprehended that several years must elapse before the halt which vile politics, and a determination to rile, has engendered and kept up between different sects of Christians in Ireland, will be done away. And too ma ny are interested in preventing a reform of abuses; especially the clergy on one hand, endeavoring to return what they never ought to have had ; & on the other, to gain something which the law docs not allow in their favor. Mr. O'Coiinelfs late speech at Cork, would seem to shew very nearly as great a state of discontent as ever was feU in Ireland, except during what is called the "rebellion." He renders no thanka for the emancipation bill as it was forced from the British administration, and appears resolved that nothing shall content him short ofthe opening of a new parliament in the city of Dublin! From what we see, it appears very doubtful whether the emancipation bill will have efftct to quiet or disturb the people cf Ireland. Indeed, some of the high toned opponents of that bill, freely speak ofthe necessity of repealing it for the preservation or oruer: Since the above was prepared, we have met with the following paragraph, showing the preparation of the Orange men, lhe Catholics, if not so well drilled, are quite willing for an affray. "The Orange Lodge of Dublin have thanked Mr. Gerald Tyrell, who headed an Orange procession at Armagh, on the 13th of July, for his conduct on that occasion. Mr. Tyrell writes in reply "I can assure you gentlemen, that I will

of the peaceful traveller. I rem the mo

were dismissed with a good humored

Uiaa work for next to nothing.

'always be found at my post: and that any