Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 32, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 January 1847 — Page 4

Supreme Judge. Yesterday, at" I before 12 o'clock, the Governor

tot to the Senate the came of Thomas L. Smith of New Albany, to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Bench. The nomination was rejected by a vote cf 22 to 2G two democrats, Messrs. Barbour and Stewart, voting with the whig in the negative. Mr. Tatcr was absent on account of sickness. We very much regret til result; because Mr. Smith is one of the most high-minded, honorable and intelligent men with whom it has been our good fortune to meet in Indiana fr many yrnrs. His equanimity of temperament as well as his diversified knowledge 'la general litcfature, politics, and business, as well as law, peculiarly fit him for an able, impar tial and judicious exercise of the duties pertaining to' the Bench cf the Supreme Court. Eut regrets we suppose are useless. At least it would seem so in regard to the action of the present Legislature, on this or any other subject. We hope the time will sometime come, when the people will take iuto their own hands the exercise of such powers as are involved in this case. "Whij; Proscription. There never has been a rr.ore active and bitter spirit of political proscription manifested by any legislative body, within the range of. our observation, than has marked the whole course of the present legislature. And as if the Whilst were not nrosrrintive and bitr.....f . ler enougu.many proicssea democrats nave seemeu 10 evince a disposition on several occasions, to give up advsntages they posseted, and to play into the hands of their opponents. Wc expected this visitation of proscription and bitterness in our own case, and do not feel disposed to complain on account of our griev- - ances; but so indiscriminate a slaughter of all degrees of candidates from the highest to the lowest, can hardly find its parallel in the history of our State. This is the more remarkable from the fact, that The last election showed so great a popular majority against the party whose policy has be-en signalized by this procriptive spirit. The fact is not to be concealed, that the political action of the legislature has been one way, and that of the people has been the other. We trust that this violation of the public will, by an accidental majority, will not be without its Influence upon the democracy of the State, that the will see to it, that divided counsels, and the ambition of candidates, shall not be permitted to deprive them of that . ascendancy in the legislature, which their numbe'rs entitle them to command. We say at parting-, to i e j j: ... . laose represauauves ui uemucrauc uisincis, who "gave their voice against us" and other democratic candidates, that if they can abide the result, and the verdict of the people, so can we. If they can convince them that they have acted as became their representatives, standing in their stead, we shall be greatly mistaken. Meanwhile, we shall pursue our onward course, " unawed by influence and unbribed by gain." Iroloiiitiou of the Session. Yesterday morning in the Senate, a resolution was introduced bv Mr. Millikpn of Dparhnrn. thnt the de- ' bate on the new Butler bill should cease at 12 o'clock, and that the Senate should proceed to vote on the bill. Up to that time the friends of the bill had had free scope, and had consumed a great deal of time in speaking in its favor. Few of the opponents of the measure as it was reported from the House had given their views at length, and it was stated that some thirty different amendments were pending, vitally affecting the great and important measure. The nronosition thus suddenly to cut off dnhate and amnndi i j ments, created much indignation among those who are called the opponents of the new measure; and Mr. Orth declared that he and twenty other Senators were ready to resign their seats, rather than thus be i . .... i mi compelled to suömu to the gag." 1 his resolution was defeated, and another resolution wa3 proposed by the 44 friends," the effect of which was to extend the session to a longer time than had been previously agreed to, and which passed the Senate, and subsc- ' quently the House also. This resolution was the more readily agreed to, on account of the large num. ', ber.of bills, local and general, which otherwise would : - fail to pass for want of time. Had the Butler bill been the only measure depending, the result might j have been different. We hope now, at least, that the new bill will be so amended as to carry out in good fiitb the provisions which it was understood the bill of last year was to accomplish, that is, that the ca- j nil and its lands and revenues should satisfy one half j cf the whole debt, while at the same time no injustice I shall be inflicted upon any class of the creditors of j the State. With this the people will be satisfied ; ' and in our opinion they will be satisfied with nothing .'less. Constitutional Iteforui. We have repeatedly called attention to the growing evils of special legislation, and we are glad that our ..brethren of the press are beginning to respond to the appeals made on behalf of the public interest in this respect. It seems to be the strong prevailing opinion j at oresent. that all laws on the subiect of holding ' o general elections, the assessment and collection of taxes, and the formation of associated companies, should be general and uniform throughout the State. These results cannot be thoroughly secured without a revision of -the constitution, though much may be done even now. A bill has been introduced, provid ing for the formation of associations of various kinds, without an act of incorporation ; and the Legislature seem disposed to resist all efforts to make local exceptions to the mode of holding general elections. This is well as far as it goes, but it is only a part of the reform needed. The coanty boards should be differently constituted, and their powers enlarged. Mary matters of merely local interest, could be far better legislated upon by them, than by the General Assembly. Let power be kept as near the people as possible; let the powers of the townships be enlarged aud those cf the Legislature curtailed, and our word for it, the lairs will be simpler, better, better understood, and more cheerfully acquiesced in, than at present. (rBy a letter from Senator Bright we learn tha Senator Hannegan has been confined to his room for some weeks by rheumatism. This accounts for Mr. Jlannegan'fc absence from his seat in the Senate. He expected to be able to attend the sittings of the Senate in a few days. The letter i dated Jan. 13th. Death or Senator Penntbacker. No business was transacted in either House of Congress on Tues day, the 12th inst., iu consequence of tha death of Senatjr Pc.mybacker, of Virginia, who expired in Washington on that morning. Mr. Archer made the .awvouncemer.t in the Senate and Mr. McDowell in the', House. The usual resolutions of respect were then adopted, and both houses adjourned. .Ths Virginia Regiment. We are gratified to announce, says the Richmond Enquirer, that the Secretary of W ar has agreed to accept two more companies, (making in all twelve,) to be armed with rifles and bayonets, and to act as flankers to the regiment. Virginia will thus furnUb a fine legion. Thomas P. August, Eq., has been appointed adjutant of the Virginia regiment. S tie of flour were nmk at Cincinnati on the lGtb, at from $3.00 to 3.70.

Hall of Representatives,) January Ö, 117. Messrs. Chapvans &. Spann : By publishing the accompanying letter from the Commissioners of the General Land Office, in your weekly, you will confer a favor on the citizens of the Miami Reserve.

Your, &c. W. W. WICK. General Land Office, January 7th, 1547. Sik: In answer to your letter of the 25th tilt., I have the honor to ii.form you, that the construction given by this office to the proviso to the first section .f the act of 3d August, 131Ö, entitled 44 An act to grant the right of pre-emption to actual settlers on the lind acquired by treaty from the Miami Indians in Indiana," is, that the minimum price of all the lands ceded by the Miamies in Indiana, by the treaties of 1S7, ii'oO, and 1Ö-10, is fixed thereby at two dollars per acre, whether claimed by pre-emption or not. Such, certainly, was the intention of Congress in passing this act, for the incrrase in the minimum specified in it, was caused by the fact, that these lands cost the Government considerably more than 1,20-100 per acre. Very respectfully, your ob'tserv't, JAMES II. I'lOER, Acting Com'r. Hon. W. W. Wick, House of Kep's. Below is a letter from Capt. Davis, of the Lawrence County Grays, refuting the charges against Lt. Gov. Panning, made by a few little sheets, who have nothing upon which to carp. It is gratify ing to the friends of Mr. Dunning that men who have personal knowledge in this matter should voluntarily step forward and vindicate him from such foul and small charges of 44 extortion " 44 stealing the name of a volunteer to come home on," &c. While Mr. Dunning does not see proper to notice those things himself, he has papers and letters from individuals in the army, clearing him of all suspicion, whic'i can be seen at any time. These will be received when the army has rested, or the time of service of the soldiers has expired, that time may be had for writing them. We are informed that Mr. Dunning, at the proper time, will show to the public those letters, freeing him from all suspicion. The public sentiment is now right in the matter ; but it i desired to show up to the people the true altitude of those men who make it a business to prey upon the character of others. From the Bedford Sun. CAMP BELKNAP, Dec. Sib, 1346. Sir: For the first time since my departure, I sit down to uddros you a few lines, aud indeed I do not know that 1 should have written you at all, did I not feel it my duty to correct sane of the rumors, or rather incorrect publications, which have made their appearance, in the form of letters from the army, in diü'erent papers ia our State, in regard to Faris C. Dunninjj. It is true that Mr. D. was sometimes about our Sutler's concern, and it is equally true that it is generally believed that he was concerned or interested jn it. But that he is the monster some would make him, is not true. In the first place, Mr. Dunning designed as you know, to come here in the capacity of a soldier. He did not do so, and the facts are simply these. He was at that time a candidate for Lieut. Governor, as is also well known; aud had a string of appointments out, one of which was on the very day that Captain Sluss's company was inspected and mustered into service. iN'ow, you know lie could not attend both places at the same time neither did he, nor any person else, know on what day the company would be mustered. Well, the company was mustered into service, and afterwards Mr. Dunning came and demanded to be enrolled as a private. Uut he was told he could not be received, and for these reasons the company was already mustered into service, and was already larger than the inspecting officer (Colonel Churchill) was willing to receive, he wishing to receive companies of only sixty-four, rank and Jile, and not larger; and he positively refused to muster Mr. D. into the service. This was not the only case of the kind that occurred in the orgauization of the Indiana Brigade. Col. Churchill went still further, and refused to receive any company containing over sixty-four rank and file, any member which had been enrolled on the road to New Albany, or at that place. And after the companies were brought forward for inspection, he would inquire of the captain how many men he had, and if there was over that number, he would ask if any of them had been enrolled on the road to, or at that place, and if so order their names to be stricken olf the roll. Mr. Dunning being thus prevented from coming as a soldier, de termined I suppose, to come in some other capacity. He came, and as far as I am capable of judging, behaved like a gentleman, as I thiuk he is. It is true that when we first got here, and began to inquire the prices of our Sutler's goods, I thought them much too high even to the point of extortion, but since that time I have had some opportunity of knowing the prices of goods among other dealers and have visited the city of Matamoras, and 1 find that there is but little difference in the prices there and among our Sutlers. This was especially the case before Mr. Dunning left here, for all the boys agreed that when he was about the establishment they got the goods much lower than when it was tended by others ; though in truth Sir. Dunning was seldom about the concern, the management of it Icing left almost entirely to .Mr. F. M. Kent (of whom many hard things are said) and who I understood was Mr. Dunning's partner, and bought him out. Now there has been a great deal said about Mr. Dunning's selling whiskey half Rio Grande water, for fivedolIars a gallon, and all that sort of stulF. Any man in his right mind knows this is not so, for all are acquainted with the orders of Gen. Taylor prohibiting even the entrance of spirituous liquor into the mouth of the river that it is seized and made forfeit, the one half the proceeds to the informant, the remaining half to the use of the sick. Is there a man in Indiana who is so green as to believe that Mr. Dunning or any other man would be permitted to Fell whiskey if they were so disposed J surely not. ro sir. Lvery bottle that can be found with the smallest drop of spirits in it, is taken and the owner, if known, subjected to the penalties provided for the offence. Some Persons were permitted to put up tents near those of our Sutler, for the purpose of selling bread and pies to the soldiers, who were accused of smuggling in whiskey and selling it to the men ; and the tents were searched, and the ground near and about them perforated to ascertain the fact ; and some whiskey was found. But all this was after Mr. Dunning had gone home. The way the culprits had to leave 14 these diggins " was rapid, I assure you. The public generally should be slow to form opinions founded on crude and exaggerated letters from the boys in the army. They know that any thing from the army creates quite an excitement at home, and many of them are in the habit of gratifying their personal enmities in this way. I have seen many letters published from here and all with more or less exaggeration, and some indeed utterly unfounded in truth. I will say something now about our situation, and our prospect for active service. The prospect is now tolerably good. Two regiments of our brigade will leave in the course of a few days for Monterey the 2d and 3d. The first is stilt stationed at the mouth of the Rio Grande and is likely to remain there. We now begin to think we shall have some share of the righting, but we once thought it a bad chance. In fact we almost began to think that old Rough and Ready did not know us at all, or that there were any such beings in the world. The boys looked very sour in those times ; you would have thought soino of them would have given forty-five cents out of fifty, aud risk living on the remainder, to have been in the battle of Monterey. All is cheerfulness now, however, and they are much elated with the speedy prospect of moving into the interior of Mexico. I cannot tell you to what point we are going, but think it very probable that we will join (ien. Taylor, and move towards Vera Cruz though I am in the dark at this time. This much is certain, we are to embark on steam boat for Camargo, and go from thence to Saltillo via Monterey by land. Where next I know not. Our regiment is yet in good order ; wo have over seven hundred men and have lost only 31 by death. . The boys in my company are generally well, except some few cases of mumps. We will not be compelled to leave over six for sickness, when we move, and they will be left at Matamorts. As I have nothing further of interest to communicate, I will now close. Yours, &.C. HENRY DAVIS, Capt. Lawrence Grays.

Congress. Senate. January 14. The Committee on Naval Affairs reported a bill for the appointment of Assistant Surgeons in the Navy, and increasing the relative proportion of Surgeons to Seamen. Mr. teuton reported the bill for the addition of ten Regiments to the Army, with amendments relative to the force and description cf trcops the amendments were adopted. Mr Cameron moved an amendment giving a quarter section of land to each soldier who should serve during the present war. This elicited a discussion which was participated in by Messrs. Benton, Cameron, Clayton, Bridge, Corwin, and Crittenden. Further

'consideration of the Army IUI laid over until tomorrow. House. The bill changing the time of holding the ! District Court of the United States in the State ot Alabama was passed. The House then went into committee of the whole on the Oregon bill, and Mr. Burke occupied the floor for sorje time in & defence of the attitude of the South, and of Slavery. Mr. Pettit, of Indiana, followed. Mr. Seaman, of New York, introduced a bill to prevent the importation of foreigners into this couutry. Mr. S. is a 44 Native." Messrs. Editors: The following complimentary notice of my humble self, appeared in the last 44 Wabash Courier," a paper which, as I learn, is printed in that great centre of the great west, the city of Terre Haute: 44 We would recommend the State Sentinel to make every exertion to have its correspondent 44 Nemo," elected President of the 44 Highly Inflated Soft-Sawder Company," as the way in which 44 Nemo" plasters the members of the Legislature fully entitles him to that office with the title of A. S. S." I am delighted to find, that among the improvements of this age of improvement, so useful a society as the one mentioned above has been instituted ; and that as it would seem, Terre Haute has the honor of its foundation. I take it that the object of the article is to convey a modest hint, that a sketch of the editor or his substitute, or both, would be acceptable ; for the sub, is evidently impressed with the idea that I am one ef those philanthropists, who are engaged in the laudable task of elevating the masses;" or in other words, puffinjj men of puerile and mediocre capacity, into something rcscrnblinj respectability. Acting on this hint, I have endeavored to collect such facts as I might, in addition to those that fame has already trumpeted to the world ; and I will give the result in a sketch of TWO HEADS EDITOKIAL. The editor of the Courier, is one of the greatest living1 authors of the present age ; he having produced Stephen Morland, Mount Echo, and E. Worlhington. Who that ever read a book, has not devoured with rapture tfi3 pages of Stephen Morland, a book so replete with the loftiest flights of imagination, the most refined fancies and the finest strokes of wit I What, for instance, can be more facelious than this passage, imprinted on my brain by the burning iron of memory, and which is but a single specimen of the author's felicity of thought and expression ! 44 She knew that I knew that she knew what I meant, and I knew that she knew that I knew what she meant." Did ever Cervantes, Swift or Fielding produce such a gem of wit I Mount Echo has not been given to the world, excepting a few morsels, just to tantalize and whet the keen appetite of public expectation ; but it is not one whit bchir.d its illustrious predecessor, and when its author shall send it forth, it echo will doubtless reverberate to all time. Eut the greatest prodigy of all is E. Worthington. Not a fictitious production, though a novel indeed. Of him it may be said, as of Alexander the great, that he as far outshone his father, as the latter excelled all other! men of his time. If the father is mijor, the son is maximus. If the wit of the father warms and cheers the world, the sallies of the sou, like the fiery chariot driven by Phaeton, burns and schorches it from east to west. In a word, he is the author of the article quoted above, the chastencss of whose style and the purity of its diction, are in perfect keeping with the refinement and elegance of thought which it evinces. Yours to serve, NEMO. E. W. McGaughet. This gentleman has been 44 letting off" in Congress in a tirade of abuse against the administration and the war. Ned's speeches we think will take better among some of his Hendricks county brethren than they will with the members of Congress. The Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia Times refers to his speech, and uses the following language: 44 .Mr. McGaughey, a young member from Indiana, seized the introduction of the army bill as an occasion for indulging in the worn-out, hacknied invectives against the war and the administration, which more sensible persons of his party have U3ed before a dozen times. If Mexico owed us fifty millions of dollars, he would not touch a square acre of her territory in liquidation of the debt not he ; and such men will thrust their crude undigested ideas on the House, to the protraction of important busines. Massachusetts Wui Patriotism. In the Massachusetts Legislature, a few days ago, the Hon. Caleb Cushing asked leave to introduce a resolution appropriating the sum of 20,000 to be expended for the equipment and support of the Mexican volunteers from that State. It was laid on the table by a vote of 171 to 61. The Boston Post states that Mr. Keyes, a whig member of the Massachusetts legislature said " he would cut off his right hand before he would hold it up in favor of any proposition to afford any aid whatever to this infamous war with Mexico." Mr. Bird, another whig member, said 44 he would tell the drivers in this infernal Mexican war, that they were to expect no aid from Massachusetts." The Boston Traveller understands 44 that the American Peace Society have taken 6teps to offer a large premium ($i300) for an impartial but strong and searching review of the Mexican war, in its origin, progress, and results, pecuniary, political and moral ; the werk to be published after the close of the war if it should come to a close soon, and to be circulated generally throughout the land, as a warning against similar evils in future." Yes, and for the same sum (.$500) the American Peace Society would be able to obtain a strong and searching pamphlet against the war of our independence, and some 44 smart " Massachusetts 44 federalist" of the modern breed would be the writer. United States Bane. The annual report of this expired institution states that 44 the Trustees, under the assignments of tho 4th and Cth of Sept., 1S41, have paid off all the judgments which had been obtained against tho bank previous to the preceding rates, as required by the said assignment." In regard to the loans due by the bank in Europe, for which State Stocks and bonds were pledged for their redemption, there has been no material change during the year. - An immense solar spot, about 30,000 miles in diameter, is now visible between the sun's centre aud his eastern limb. Several other spots of less magnitude, which recently crossed the sun's disc, have disappeared. ' Arkansas. Tho Legislature of this Stato hate passed an Act, commonly denominated 44 The Woman's Eill," which exempts all the property of a married woman, real or personal, not received from her husband after coverture, from liability for his debts or contracts

The Tea aud Coffee Uuty. The resolution adopted the other day by the Iloüse of Representatives to the effect that it is inexpedient to lay a duty on It? and cofL'e, dots not appear to us as conclusive as tr; Uie fate of that measure in Congress. It certainly indicates that the House is not yet ready to lay the duty, that os at present advised it is disinclined to it hut it indicates in our opinion nothing more. That disinclination will five wav to any

reasonable argument in fivor of the necessity of such a duty to raise a revenue or to sustain the credit of the government. This may be fairly inferred, we think, from the ex; planation which Mr. Thompson, of Pennsylvania, gave of his vote the next morning. He had voted, he said, for the resolution, but he was still willing to vote for the duty, if it could be made to appear that it was important to the credit of the government that it should be laid. It would be paying a bad compliment to the House to suppose that it does not contain many members os reasonable as Mr. Thompson. The samij inference may also be fairly drawn'from the circumstances under which the resolution was passed. lt was passed without pre-meditation, without consi deration, witaotit discussion. It is one ot those cx tempore proceedings of a deliberative body which is a proper subject of re-consideration: one of those 6teps which such a body never thinks it unbecoming its dignity to retrace; one of those crude and casual expressions of opinion concerning a question not yet examined, to which it does not consider itself bound by any pride of consistency to adhere The argument against the duty on tea and coffee, as we understand it, is that these articles are not at all used by the slaves, who form so large a part of the population of the south, and therefore that the du ty oa their importation would be paid mostly by the people of the north and west. There is a mistake in the premises here. It is not a fact that. tea and coffee are not consumed by the slave population. The house slaves of the soutli use them aud waste them: the field slaves, although they d- not receive thern as part of their daily allowance, procure them by their casual earnings, just as the men among them procure tobacco and.the women their ribbons and other finery in which they flaunt on Sundays. This view of the matter places the duty on tea and coffee upon precisely the same footing with the duty now levied on a long list of other commodities the duty on sugar and molasses the duties on a vast variety of productions which form the food of man, or its condiments, on a thousand fabrics which are made into garments, and a thousand articles which minister to the convenience and comfort of life. The field slaves of the south have their allowance of food in the products of the plantation, and are clothed in the coarsest and cheapest cottons and woolens. If we are to regulate our tariff so as to exempt from taxation what they do not consume, we shall strike from the list of dutiable articles the greater part of the merchandise imported, ßjoks and stationary must bo admitted free for a stronger reason than tea and coffee, fir a slave never reads a book nor drives a quill. The duty on silks must bo taken off without delay ; the duty on foreign fruits, both dried and fresh, must be repealed. Let him who attaches any weight to the argument that a duty on tea and cofiec would bear unequally on the north and the west because the planter of ths soutli docs not issue them in rations to his slaves, take the tariff in his hands, review the list cf duties, and draw a pencil through all to which the same Objection lic3, and see to What a beggarly list of commod'ities he will reduce the sources of revenue from the customs. We have imnoscd a tax on salt, an article of indisnensable necessitv. and of absolutely cnivcrsaLcon - sumption ; we tax sugar, a commodity of more jeneral use than tea and coffee, and the immoderate consumption cf which cannot, as that of tea and coffee sometimes does, degenerate into a vice; we tax iron, the great necessary of civilization, in all its forms ; we tax cloths of woolen and cotton, though indispensable to life;, we tax fuel, though we cannot support existence without it. We think it expedient to tax all these; on many of them we lay the impost without even discussing the question of putting them on the free list. The tax on these things of vital necessity, essential to the simplest form of civilized life. and some of them to the very continuance of life itself j in our climate, is borne without complaint ; but tne moment we talk of laying a moderate impost on a narcotic leaf from China, and a narcotic bean from the Arabian peninsula and the isles of the tropics indulgence of a luxurious and effeminate age the representatives of the people rise up almost to a man, and declare the measure inexpedient; as if, of all articles of general consumption, these alone were too sacred to be subjected to the common contribution to the treasury. This is a kind of superstition that we confess we do not understand. The country is in a condition in which it is important to sustain its credit. How can this be done if the government refuses to avail itself of those resources which are most easy, obvious and productive! To satisfy the public creditor that his debt is safe, he must see that none of those means that make it so are neglected. There is no tax which can more easily be levied JJthan the duty on tea and coTee, none on which the amount of revenue may be more certainly calculated, none the burden of which would be less felt by the people. To increase the duty on the articles already taxed would probably lessen the amount of revenue by discouraging importation. By laying a duty on tea and coffee, a large addition would inevitably be made to our revenue. To reject a proposition for such a duty is the same thing as rejecting the means of placing the credit of the nation oa the firmest possible basis. .V. 11 Ece. Post. The new Constitution cf Wisconsin provides for the security of tho wife's separate property ; also, that the homestead, not exceeding in value one thousand dollars, shall not be sold on execution. Banking is prohibited ; also the circulation of bank notes under the denomination of tea dollars ; and after 1919, un der the denomination of twenty dollars. The ques- j lion of negro suffrage is to be submitted to a direct I vote of the people. Wisconsin. Under the constitution of Wisconsin, the House of Representatives is to consist of 79 members, and the Senate 21, making in all 100. Session to be annual. Members' pay, 2 per day for the first forty days, and $1 per day for the remainder of the session. The Convention recommends a division of the territory. 07"The bill 44 to prevent any married man from becoming security without the consent of his wife," has been reported on adversely by the committee on the Judiciary in the Missouri Legislature, and the House have been ungallant enough to sanction the report. Praiseworthy Munificence. A correspondent of the New York Courier and Enquirer says that he has personally inquired of all houses in the city known as remitters of small sums to Ireland by drafts on that country, and has ascertained that the immigrant Irish population have remitted during the year 1316 eight hundred and eight thousand dollars! Of this sum 175,000 have been remitted within the last two months. 07-The following is an extract of a letter from Monterey : " The Mexican women are very kind to our sick, and pity the wounded much, embracing every opportunity of alleviating their distress and promoting their comfort." Thus it is with women in all countries. Their gentle spirit is ever swayed by the kindliest feelings. It is in the exercise of works of benevolence and charity that she loves to luxuriate. In ministering to the wants of others, she is but obeying the most impulsive instinct of her generous nature. Slddex Death. David Bain, of Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., who was married to Miss Eliza Wallington on the evening of the 23d ult., died on Thursday (the next) night. He retired to bed that evening in ordinarily good health, and during the night his young wife awoke and found him dead by her side. He was about 40 years of age. 0Commodore Morris and Capt. Sailer, of the U S. Navy, arrived at Norfolk on Tuesday.

Ijitcr from the Gulf Squadron.

Capture of Laguna. American rrhoners Rdtastl. Cfimmoilore Perrv arrived at Lairuna on the -TAxi ult., with the steamers Mississippi, Vixen, Tetrel and Bonita, and landed the same Hay ana too uwe hundred pounds of powder, destroyed fifteen cannon, and disarmed about fifty soldiers, although they affected to be favorably disposed to the cause ot Lie Campertchians. The Campcachians had declared themselves entirely independent of Mexico, and had sent three commissioners on the Schooner Sisaln'o, to Coin. Connor, at Anton Lizardo, to request him to desist from any hostile measures against Yucatan, until commissioners could be sent to the government of ih2 United States, to obtain the recognition of the independence of the State. These commissioners left Anton Lizardo oa the 20th, to return, but the result of their conference with Commodore Connor is not known. We regret to learn that Turser Andrew D. Crosby, of the Mississippi, was Lst from on board the Vixen, entering Laguna. He was in the rigjr'mjj of the vessel, as the fidelity of the pilot (a Mexican, the man who was nilotin" the Truxtou. when she was lost at Tuxpan,) was suspected; the vessels giving a heavy lurch, he lost his hold and fell on the deck, and was instantly killed. He was buried with military honors in the ccmelry of the Pritish Consul at Laguna. Passed Midshipman Fitzgerald, formerly of the U. S. schooner Flirt, but now attached to the John Adams, performed a most daring exploit about a week siuce. His vessel was blockading Vera Cruz, and of a dark night he took a boat and eight men with muffled oars, rowed around the Castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, landed, entered the water battery and examined it ; then rowed around sgain, went under the drawbridge, and made a thorough reconnisance of that point. This exploit has proved that men may be landed from boats at night, and Midshipman Fitzgerald ascertained by his reconnisance that the water battery may be easily taken. The Amalio was t.ken offAlvarado, together with the Spanish brig Isabella, both sailing from that port fjr Havana. Commodore Terry, on his return to Anton Lizardo from Laguna with the Mississippi, looked into Tabasco and Alvarado, and found that the fortifications of "both places have been repaired and much strengthened siuce they were attacked by the squadron. At Tabasco there were about 3000 troops, and at Alvarado about 4ÜOD. Notwithstanding these f irmidab'e preparations, the general impression is that Commodere Connor will soon attack that place. ,r On the arrival of öert. J& Vega at v era Lruz on the 15th, all the prisoners from the squadron in the hands cf the enemy were released. K is now ascertained that but eleven of the crew of the brig Somcrs drifted to the main land when she was wreckea, and not eiv?prn. im wna first stated. MidhiDman Holers 41, fcl.ltw.ty ' i v was at Vera Cruz. He had been trtod by the CIVil and military tribunals as a fpy, and had been acquittp.'l hv thr f irmer, hut found ruiltv bv the latter. It was believed, however, that the more favorable VCr diet would prevail, and that he would be liberated. Tampico, Mexico, Dec. 2(3, 1810. The alarm for the safety of the city has subsided Troops are arriving in considerable numbers ; fortihcttions are progressing- rapidly, and we ehall soon be in a position to defy any force that the enemy can i send against us. It appears to me, that the operations 'f the Army and Navy are now more to the purpose tuan at any previous time. Uther posts have been : taken at a jrreat loss of life, and time, and treasure, ' and tho opinion is ventured, that none of them not ; even Monterey perhaps all of them together are or . as much consequence as lampico. lt should be, and : probably will be made the naval as well as the mil: j tary depot for future operations. Tampico is situated oa the left bank of the river of . the same name, eight miles from its mouth. It heads among the mountains, near the city of Mexico, and is said to be navigable about IOU miles up. in t commercial point of vie iv, perhaps this place is in forior to none in Mexico. In the rear of the city is a 6niall lake of pure water, which communicates with the river by a little canal, through which the tide sets. The head of this lake is surrounded by high grounds, overlooking the city and the adjacent country. U11 these grounds and at the loot ot the lake, fortifications are rapidly progressing, and lare number of Mexican laborers are employed on them. This is curious, and I very much doubt whether an invading army at Boston or New York, could cret the xankces to help them fortJy In the revolution, a British oiF.ccr could hardly get a Boston boy to do an errand. The fact is (so far os I can understand it) the middlinir and lower classes desire a change, and this will apply to nine-tenths of the population. Thev are ridden to death by the oriesthocd and aristocracy of the land. Far from being stupid, they are sprightly, shrewd and intelli cent: thev know the nrivilenes ot citizens ol the United States, and long to partake of them. Mv views in relation to the Mexican war ere somewhat changed. I believe it should be vigorously prosecuted, not only to procure justice to ourselves, but to this oppressed people. I believe it should be a war of conouest. This is startling doctrine, but I verily believe that a large majority of this people desire this result. Mind, it should not be done for national a-Tandizemcut. but for the benefit of the conquered. I have not time or room to give all my reasons for comini to this conclusion. I would barely remark, that a monopoly ia religion is as bad, or worse, than a monopoly ia money or property. Here the priests, in connection with the aristocracy of wealth, lord it over the great mass of the people, and 44 grind them to powder." I would conquer the country, and give the people a liberal constitution predicated upon democratic principles and if necessary, sustain that constitution by force of arms. I would give them schools and colleges equal means of acquiring information as well as property at present they possess them not but, above all, 1 would deliver them from the thraldom of a national church. One generation, under a liberal and enlightened government, would accomplish more towards the promotion of the real happiness and interests of this people, than has been effected in all past time. Only think Mexico was conquered and colonized by Cortes, under the then most enlightened and powerful nation in the world, a hundred years before the poor, solitary colony of Pilgrims at Plymouth. This is the finest climate and the richest soil in the world that cold and sterile. Now, what is the relative position of the two countries Mexico and New England ! The contrast is sickening. What is the cause of the difference! What the remedy? And who shall apply it ! Tampico, Dec. 27, 1346. Messes. Editors : We have no news. An alarm is occasionally got up, that the 3Iexicans, like the Philistines, are upon U3," but no one heeds them, and should an attempt be made, even by the whole Mexican army combined, they could not carry the city but at great loss. The President's message has been received, and its views in relation to the war give universal satisfaction. Business is very dull, and adventurers with heavy stocks of goods look blank. No news from the fleet. Yours, truly, M. J. S. A court of inquiry was convened on board the Totomac on the 16th, to investigate the cause of the loss of the brig Somers, recently capsized in a squall off Green Island. The result of the investigation, it was generally understood in the squadron, is an acquittal of the commander, Lieut. Semmes, of all blame for the loss of that vessel. The 6ix or eight of the crew that drifted on shore after the loss cf that unfortunate vessel, were still held as prisoners by the Mexicans. C. L. Dunham. Esq. By an attentive perusal of the proceedings of our State Legislature, since it has been in session, we have noticed that Mr. Ctrus L. Dunham, the representative from Washington county, has been one of the most active and industrious members of that body. As a member of the committee on the judiciary, he has been unceasing in his labors, and prompt in the disposition of such business as came before that committee. We consider Mr. Dunham an able man and a useful legislator, and tho interest of his constituents and of the State will not suffer while power is entrusted in his hands. He is favorably known in this county, and we may here remark that there is a strong disposition on the part of his numerous friends to have him placed upon the track as the next democratic candidate for Congress in this district. If Mr. D. should be the candidate, and bo successful, of which there can be no doubt, he would be an honor to the district and State from which he hailed. Aetf Albany Democrat.

From the Army. The Delta of the 7th inst. says, the United States

transport steamship Alabama arrived last evening from Brazos Santiago, whence she Bailed on the JU inst. She had ou board Gen. Jessup and staff, 30 other cabin passengers and 210 sick and discharged soldiers. All idea of an attack from Santa Anna had vanished. He remained at San Luis Totosi, and would there stand the hazzard of the die. General Taylor countermarched when on his way to Victoria, and was met by Col. May, who with his squadron, had pushed on iu advance, and who informed him of the actual end existing state of things. It turns out that the alarm originated from General Worth having intercepted a letter from the Governor of New Leon to a partisan Mexican General, telling him to advance aud attack Saltillo on a certain day, that he had arranged a plan by which the inhabitants would rise and attack the Americans. And that & lare Cavalry force was reported to be advancing oa the road from San Luis Fotosi. With reference to the letter, Gen. Worth returned it to the writer, telling him that if detected in any similar practice, he should be shot. The cavalry party turned out to be a foraging party, pretty numerous but nothing more. The forces in Saltlllo have been considerably strengthened. The Kentucky and Ohio regiment under Gen. Butler, have gone there, and the Kentucky Cavalry were to inarch on the 23d ult. Monterey, under the command of Col. Garland, is considerably re-inforced. On the road from Camargo to Monterey, the two Indiana Regiments, the Kentucky Cavalry and about seven hundred Begulars were met by our informant. Col. Morgan, of the second regiment of Ohio Volunteers, who has command at Camargo is fortifying that place. The Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee regiments are at Victoria. No Mexican forces were found there. Gen. Wool, with his command, was en route to join Gen. Worth, and when last heard from was within a few miles of Saltillo. Gen. Scott was on his way to the headquarters of Gen. Taylor, which were to be at Victoria. All apprehension of Santa Anna's assuming offensive operations were at an end. He holds the key to Southern Mexico. His force is greatly exaggerated. It is now said positively not to exceed 10tU01) men all told, badly provisioned and a scanty supply of arms and ammunition. He Las' many able otiicers, English, French and German with him. This place he will fortify in the best possible manner, lie here awaits coolly the aoVance of oor troops knowing that we have no force on the other side of the Eio Grande from which he fears an attack. It behooves our Government then to look promptly to it. Too much time has already been wasted sine winter set in. According to our informant, who ks knowingly, 30,000 to -10,000 men subordinate epeal and well disciplined, sliould be thrown into Mexico before WC can hope to conquer an honorable peace. The Alabama brought over the remains of Colonel Watson, of the Baltimore battalion, Capt. Randolph Eidgley.of the Flying Hrtillery, Capt. Isaac Holmes, of The Georgia regiment, Captain Gillespie, of the Texas Rangers, Litut. R. II. Graham, of the U. S. Infantry, Mr. Thomas, of McCulloch'a Rangers, and Mr. Pierson, cf the Baltimore battalion, in charge of the various committees. Lieut. Boyle, of the Baltimore battalion, died on: board the Alabama during the trip. A letter dated at Matamoras, 1st of January, gives as authentic intelligence of what was going on ia that part of Mexico, and of what was reported to ba doinjj, as any we could collect. llobbcries were as frequent as ever in the neighborhood of Mata noras, but the perpetrators were seldom caught. Outrages ix VikgiN'Ia. A Church Assaulted.We lind in the Virginia papers the following account of a series of daring outrages lately committed ia Accomac county, Va. This is the county which Mr. Wise formerly represented, and which he thanked Heaven had not a single newspaper in it. If it had a few of them and some more schools, perhaps there would riot be such outrages to record: A gang of villains had preferred a charge of fraud against Thos. R. Joynes, Esq., and to gratify their malignity, had wantonly f red his barn, and subsequently sent him a note threatening further violence to his property, and that of Judge Scarborough, his son-in-law. Another act of lawlessness had also been perpetrated, lately, on the Sabbath, at Guilford meeting house, where a number of rioters, with a loaded cannon, assembled to inflict a summary punishment upon the Ilcv. Mr. Hargis, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who, at the time, was preaching to a large congregation. The rioters first surrounded the church, commenced discharging fire-arms and throwing stones, which created such alarm and confusion that many left the hou?e of worship, fearing to remain longer. Mr. Hargis, though much disturbed by the proceedings without and the sobbings of defenceless women withm, continued to preach. But the noise increased, while the rioters tore off the wind nv shutters and beat the sides of the house with stakes. Growing mere bold, some at last entered, when Mr. II. requested them to Le seated until he had finished his discourse, when he w-uld willingly give them any required explanation. This they refused to do, but forced themselves up to the pulpit, when the confusion became so great that the congregation had to be dismissed, and Mr. II., with h.s wife, retreated from the house, amidst threats of violence from tho" mob. The offence alleged against Mr. II. is, that his church had refused to withdraw from the Philadelphia conference, and to attach itself to the church, south, and that consequently it favors abolit:onism.Such scenes are truly painful to record, and the au thors should be visited with condign punishment. Singular Musdek Trial. In the Supreme Court of Tennessee recently, a singular murder trial was brought up. The accused, Mrs. Mary Copeland, was convicted in the Overton Circuit Court, of the murder of Ruth Dougherty, both of them belonging to highly respect-' able families. The proof in the case showed that Mrs. Copeland was jealous of Miss Dougherty, and,as the consequence, a most embittered state of feelings was engendered between them. Threats of' personal violence were proved to have been made by each, but on the part of Mrs. Copeland, her threats' had ceased for many months before the fatal rencontre' whilst on the part of Miss Dougherty, they were proved to have been repeated down to the time of her death. The killing occurred on the Sabbath. Mrs.Copeland was on her way to church, evidently seeking to avoid coming in contact with Miss Dougherty but on her way she was intercepted by the deceasedarmed with a heavy hickory club. Ihe proof left it somewhat doubtful how the rencontre commenced. but most probably the deceased a 'tacked the defendant with the club and gave her two blows, one on the head and the other on the arm. The parties then closed, and in the scuffle the defendant stabbed the deceased with a knife, which caused ber immediate death. This is the conclusion to which the Supreme Court arrived, and the Court was of opinion that the killing did not amount to murder, but either to manslaughter or justifiable homicide, and of consequence, the judgment below was reversed, and the cause re manded for a new trial." Charactebjstic Letter. Some of the Washings ton letter-writers have been making very free with the name of Commodore Stewart recently, and attributing remarks and sentiments to him in his late con ference with the President, which no one who knows that gallant officer would ever believe he entertained or uttered. The Commodore has done justice to him self in this matter by publishing the following letter,? To the Editors of the Pennsyleanian. I am clad to find by your paper of the 22d inst., that the Union, of Washington City, has very properly rebuked the licentiousness of the Washington letter-writers, in relation to the Chief Magistrate of this nation and myself. I concur with the Union, that there is not a word of truth in the statement of the letter-writer alluded to, in regard to what passed at the interview which the President did me the honor to give me, on the occasion of my being in Washington lately. I trust I have been an officer too long and to better purose, than to address the Commander-in-chief in the style the letter-writer has assumed. The President well knows an ins own responsi unities, ana wiu ai ways be found equal to their encounter, in preference' to their imposition on others ; and they, the writers, will find the President as free from the dread of re sponsibility, as he is from the dictum of the Wash ington letter-writers. Cha.3. Stewajit.