Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 48, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 May 1848 — Page 2

3nMauq 0tntc Sentinel. KTttWAL VICItAWCE 1 THE rICK OF LIltETT. ' I.IIAAIMCIS, 3IAV 18, 1S4S.

Our Terms. v The following will hereafter be the permanent terms of the Weekly Indiana Slate Sentinel: OrPayments to be made always in advance. One copy, one year, $2.00 Three copies, one year, ö.OO ?ive copies, one year, ? ...... 8.00 Ten copies, one year, - .......i.. ...... . .15.00 Twenty copies, one year, 20.00 Semi-Weekly. (Published three times a week during the session.) One copy, $-00 j Three copies, 10.00 One copy during the session, 1.00 rilCüIUOTZAL EL.ECTOKS. SESATOIIAU ROBKRT DALE OWEN, of Poiey County. tBt.NEZER M. CHAMBERLAIN, of Kikhart county. nsraicT.- - 1. NATHANIEL ALBERION, of Harrison county. 2. CYRUS L. DUNHAM, of Wasbmgton coonty. 3. WILLIAM M. McCARTY, of Franklin eounty.4. CHARLES H. TEST, of Wtyne county. 6. JAMES HITCH EV, of Johnsoo county. 6. GEORGE W. CA RR, of Lawrence county. 7. HENRY SECREST, of Putnam county. 8. DANIEL MACE, of Tippecanoe county, f. GRAHAM N. FITCH, of das county. 1(1 ANDREW J. HARLAN, of Grant county. Democratic Stale Central Committee. LIVINGSTON DL'NLAP, DAVID REYNOLDS, JAMES P. DRAKE, GEO. A. CHAPMAN, E N. SHIM ER, WM. SULLIVAN, - CHARLES MAYER. Democratic County Committee. Centn J P. CHAPMAN, S. VV. NORRIS. POWELL HOWLAND. Deronr D. L. McFARLAND. Fri JACOB SPRINGER. Lawrenc J. PERRY, Sau Prr-H. P. TODD. Pik ADAM WRIGHT. Warren K. N. SHIM ER. WathingtonZLUAH JAMES. Way JAMES JOHNSON. (7"See first page Semi-Weekly. To Correspondents. P. J, St. Omer. If yon will hare your long litt directed to on penon. we will furnish tkrtt wwt eitra copies, your list contains 43 names, and the amount sent covers only 40. We dont expert to maka an jthinr in the way of profit!, and are willing to pay a li'tle to save lavr and expense. H. G. F., City of Mexico. Tha Junior beinf absent, yoar letter has been I aa led over to the Lodge, which will, ao doubt, promptly attend to it. A citizen of "Old Clark." When giving advice to others, is it right to commit the same act against 'which you inveigh T What kind of a game is it, to write to tha P. 31. a communication, and direct it on the inside to "Mr. Editor," not eien your name, and forgtt to pny tha pottage T We doat know which is the craziest . "Jol Jo I" or "A citizest' Fire. Our city had a narrow escape on Sunday from a must extensive conflagration. About 3 o'clock, P. M., the second story of J. Little &. Co. 's extensive commission store was discovered to be on fire. The lower floor was principally occupied by A. Franco, whose stock consisted of a large amount of ready made clothing, lite larger portion of which was saved. The fire then communicated to the store east, occupied by S. J. Wade, druggist, and tenanted by Dr. J. Ramsey and family. The buildings are destroyed, and the walla will probably have to come down. They were owned by S. W. Nortis, Esq., and are partially insured. The Messrs. Little & Co. lost a heavy stock of goods, but were insured to considerable extent. The loss will not probably cause them to suspend business, as a portion of their poods were kept in a separate warehouse. IVlr. Franco had no insurance, it is understood. A large loss was busts ined by Mr. Wade, but to what amount is not ascertained. He was insured to the amount of some $2000 only. Messrs. Owsley & Co., and others east in the same block, will sustain considerable damage in the removal of their goods, as will also Messrs. Kellogg & Davidson, on the west, (slight) and Mr. . Hedderly, whose damage is considerable. It is not conjectured how the fire originated. The fire companies were in attendance, and, with the assistance of the citizens, rendered good service. Several ladies, to their praise be it mentioned, entered the ranks, and did excellently. May this fire cause our citizens to use diligence and caution. And while on this subject, we would impress on all our people, more especially store keepers, the absolute necessity of keeping their rear premises clear of straw and other combustibles. There is no excuse for the piles they allow thus to accumulate, and duty to themselves as well as their neighbors, should cause thern to abate tbe nuisance. The Telegraph. On Friday afternoon of last week, the battery at this place was put in operation by the superintendent, Mr. Delano, and the first com muoiration was had with Richmond. Owing to some disarrangement in tbe wire, nothing was done east of that point. As soon as we had a chance, for the crowd was "some," we forwarded the following: 'The 'Old CockV compliment to the Jeffersonian and Palladium. Would say more if the crowd was n"t so great." In a few minutes, we received the following; Richmond, May 12, 1849, 8 p. m. G. A. Chapman : D. P. Hulloway presents his com pliment to the 'Old Cock, and hopes when he com mencea the operation of skinning coons he may find the fl'or to shake so a? to have the same effect. Tbe allusion to the floor is probably mention that was made in some other communication, which was the fact in the office, caused by the crowd. On Saturday morning, we waited for the Richmond office to reply to our battery, in hopes to learn 6ome thing from the east. As soon as in operation, we sent the following : "Chapman wishes to know why you do not rise earlier in Richmond 1 And where is the Jeffersonian !" To which we received the following: 44 We are very early risers here ; and the editor of the Jefferso nian has gene to Baltimore to the Convention. The whole time elapsed in sending and receiving the foregoing, was one and a half minutes ! Some idea may thus be formed of the facilities of intercourse by this wonder-working instrument. The same information is conveyed all over the union, when the wires are in order ; and hence the people of the west will discover that we can be far iu advance of eastern papers in regard to news. And if they wish to encourage their own papers, as. well ss the Telegraph itself, they rou-t liberally patronize the former. that they may be enabled to meet the increased out lay. We hope they will take due notice and govern themselves accordingly. Tm Te leg ila ph .We regret that accidents to the wires east of Jhis city has prevented us having, as yet, full communication with the eastern cities. This is attributable, in some instances, from branches of trees falling on it ; but lately, some ignorant scoundrel, rays the Cambridge Reveille, to gratify his pro pensity for doing private injury, broke the Telegraph wire eleven miles west of this place. ' An injury of any kind to prevent communication on the line, is, by the law, punishable by imprison ment in the Penitentiary ; and the law will be rigidly enforced in every instance, where the offender may be detected. We hope, if the Company will not offer a reward for the detection of such miserable devils, that the editors on the line will. An example made cf the pitiful scamps would have a good effect, frrWhat is the " Merchants Exchange" Cornea

ny doing 1 It is time to act, if they Lire Dot don to. J

. Yucatan Mr. Calhoun. We give the following articl, from the Cincinnati Enquirer, as presenting Mr. Calhccn and his policy on this important subject the dreadful situation of the white and mixed inhabitants of Yucatan in a true light ' How ever present to the mind of Mr. Calhoun, engrossing all its faculties, and literally consuming its energies, is the topic of slavery. It is literally the "be all, and end all" of his public acts. Every question must be judged by it, and every movement of the great masses of mankind, of states or of nations that points to the freedom of the people, is looked upon with an eye of suspicion and jealousy. And while this champion of slavery, as a political institution, thus watches, and guides and directs it, those of other sections who do not desire to witness its extension, are termed, whenever they manifest their opin'Ima, agitators of the public peace and tranquility. When the message of the President, in regard to the position of Yucatan, was read in the Senate, Mr. Calhoun took occasion, upon the question of its reference, to avow his opposition to its suggestions ; and clearly indicated that his course was prompted by bis views upon his own special topic. - Had the propriety of giving aid been based exclusively on the question of humanity, he would have been disposed to go very far. But there were suggestions in the message, with which he did not concur, and the tendency of which was to lead us to dangerous results, lie pointed out the sufferings which had fallen on Yucatan, as the unavoidable consequence of elevating a race, closely allied to the class of slaves, to an equality of rights and privileges with the white race. The Tcsult is, that they are turning upon and murdering their benefactors. If the experiment, in Yucatan, of endeavoring to civilize the Indian race has failed in producing its expected and desired consequence, we cannot see in that fact any reason why the savages should be permitted to overrun the country, and exterminate the white race. It would be an exceedingly cold and selfish policy to say to that, or any other people, you have extended your philanthropy and practical freedom too far ; and the consequences, even unto annihilation, be upon your own heads. Such may be the policy of Mr. Calhoun, dictated, not by the promptings of his heart, but the teachings of the peculiar institution that he represents ; but it is not that of the people at large. Mr. Calhoun, in this matter, has allowed his fears to outrun his judgment. He has manifested that southern opposition to extending any aid to a suffering people, which he takes the first occasion to shape to the desired end, is based upon the idea of slavery alone. He can have no fears that even if "dominion and sovereignty," of the State of Yucatan should be acquired, either temporarily or permanently, that any race other than our own would be permitted, under our long established policy, to wield its government, or mould its institutions. The actual trouble is, that negro slavery does not exist there now, and can never exist, under the "dominion and sovereignty" of any nation. Were this fact reversed, Mr. Calhoun's sympathies would be as free and as active s those of any other statesman in the land, and he would have few objections to the temporary or permanent acquisition of the country. Some of the Washington letter writers have charged upon the administration that it was governed by this same policy in protracting a notice of Mr. Sierra's application. We have patiently awaited the official refutation of these charges. We felt assured that it would come, in the action of the Executive, and we are equally confident that Mr. Cobb is correct in his statement, that the documents, when published, will fully explain and justify the delay that has occurred. The President has given, in his message, the true reason for extending any aid in our power to this unfortunate people ; and indicates the correct policy of our government touching the interference of other nations upon this continent. While we sustain these reasons, and justify this policy, the matter of slavery has not entered, and does not now form any part of our motives. We rather regret that it has been introduced, and promises to form, either wholly or partially, the ground of action upon the part of others. In this instance, at least, the agitatiori does not come from those who are continually charged with producing it; and while we deprecate its interference with this topic, those who thus thrust it in will have little claim to sympathy, if they find themselves losers by the operation. And while the whigs in Congress are generally opposing any relief to this distressed people, which, by-the-bye, can be made a help and relief to our own army in tbe field, we rejoice to see even one whig editor who dares to speak patriotically, and in a tone which will be responded to by the American Nation. We allude to the New York Courier & Enquirer, from which we copy the following comments and letter. As a specimen of the atrocities committed and the necessity of the case, we refer to our papers of May 10, and 13. From the New York Courier and Enquirer. We entreat of all good men in Congress to act promptly and efficiently in behalf of the suffering victims of savage vengeance. Heed not the coldblooded, cowardly counsels of those who are ever pretending to be belter than their neighbors, but who, in the hour of trial, are always found wanting ; and do not let the interested and selfish advice of men who look only to the political aspect of a question, stay the hand of mercy raised in defence of suffering humanity. Two thousand men sent by our government, in compliance with the prayer of the suffering Yucatecoes, will be all the aid required ; and the curses of the defenceless mothers and helpless children of Yucatan will be richly merited by those who will not, in this their hour of suffering, extend to them the aid necessary to save them from extermination. New Yosk, May 1, 184S. Siat Although a stranger to you, I trust you will excuse my waiving all ceremony in addressing you on a subject of painful interest, aud to which, as the chairman of the Committee od Foieigu Relatione, your attention 1 at this time especially diiected. 1 have just ariivcd from Yucatan, and have eeen in the public pa pet a the message of the President of tbe United Mates, communicated to tbe Senate on tbe 29th Ultimo, announcing tbe dreadful situation of the white inhabitants of Yucatan ; which message waa accompanied by communications from the government cf the latter country, repiesenting the deplorable condition to which they bad been reduced by the mure than aavage cruelties to which they are incessantly exposed. 1 am, of course, unaware of the details of the representations that have been made to our government on tbia subject but I beg most respectfully to represent to you, that I kuow myself, from must painful observation, that no language can possibly exaggerate or faithfully depict the desperate condition to which the inhabitants are now reduced, threatening the actual extermination of tbe white and mixed races, unless the most speedy assistance is reodered by some foieign power. A large majority of the interior towns, villages, and plantations are already in tbe possession of the aavagea, aod their inhabitants either butchered or flying for their lives to the seacoast The Indians spars neither age, sex, nor condition, butchering with the spirit of demons helpless infania and venerable adults, adding to the horrors of death the most exquisite -refinements of cruelty, with tbe mot infamous outrages it is possible to imagine. I left Sisal, tbe port of Nieiida.on the 6th ultimo ; and although it is a mere village, containing a few hundred inhabitants, in peaceable times, thousands are at present congregated there, of all ages, sexes, and conditions, tbe vast majority of wuom are women aod children, houseless and desolate ; depiived in most cases of tbe most ordinary necessaiiei of life. Tha rich have been made poor, and the poor are reduced to a situation too horrible to contemplate. The city of Merida is toon expected to fall into the hands of the savages the most eanguine supposing, at the time Of my leaving, that it could-not hold out more than aixty daya longer. 1 write this to you solely out of comraisseiation and sympathy for the people of Yucatan, and earnestly hope tome meant may be devised (speedily) to stay the work of butchery, which is now devastating the land. One thousand brave volunteers, such tt we had in Mexico, would Is sufficient, in my opinion, for the district of Merida and that aection of the country, and tha same number at Campeachj, to scatter tbete tavtget, and effectually reduce thern to submission. Tha total population of Yucatan, according to tbe last census, was about 604,000, not 60,000 of whom are whites and mixi-dj and they are to icatteied over tbe coontry that tbey cannot make effectual resistance if they bad tbe dispssition. A concert of action at tha commencement of the difficulties would have prevented this great trouble. Unfortunately for humanity, this could not be brought about, thanks to the ioteimioable disseotiona among tha politicians of the country but can we, aa a Christian people, hold ourselves guiltleil, if (taking advantage, if you please, of their upineness, inaction, or criminality,) we quietly fold our arms, aod acs a neighboring nation, one by one, butchered before our eyes, without railing an arm to aavo there from their tavags foei, the ferocity of whom exceeds by far anything I have sver read concerning tbe North American Indiana. Delays are always dsngerous in this instance it it death. 1 trust that you will pardon the libeity I have taken, and excuse my warmth, whtcb it but the expression of my feelings dictated bj bumiaity. (

I have the honor to remain your moit obedient servant, WILLIAM SWEETSERV Mailt r of tbe brig Vancouver. Hon. Edwaxd A. Hajjeoan, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C. Extract of a letter of Capt. John Fentley, matter of the American barque Wave, dated Sisal, 4th and 6th April, 1S48. The state of this country is bow much won than wben I left in Febiuary last, on tbe pievioui voyage. I have beta truly astonished to aes ao many people aitting about on the former ruins of this place people who bar Dot a plac of shelter, and who have fled fiom different tettlementt. My head Is almost turned by what I tee and the tad talee I hear. Half naked women and cbildreo are running about. It forma a eight that must be seen before it can be conceived. I give Meiidatwo months before it is attacked by the Iodiaoi. The Spanish sailiog-maeter who it bere allows but twenty days. Many families from Meriia are already bera j but when the bulk of ita white population begins, to flee, then the confusion will be to gieat that many will be drowned in trying to gel on board of tbe vessels and tha canoes. Io short, I cannot find words to express the atate in which the people are bere. When I shall go home, or where I shall go, I cannot tell ; but don't be surpused if I should take a cargo of women and children. There is ao much misery all about here that I can write no more. The above letter is addressed to his consignees New York.

From Gov. Skunk's Veto Message. Sound Views on Ilatilting. A theory has been advocated and put into practice, in some of the states, called FREE BANKING. It is based, in part, upon specie, and in part upon State stocks, hypothecated with the government. In other words, banks become the creditors of the commonwealth, by purchasing her bonds; these are deposited with the government, aud the government endorses, and returns to the brokers, notes prepared for circulation to an equal amount. I can perceive no grounds for confidence in this system. It must explode in a country where it is adopted to any considerable extent, whenever a revulsion occurs to test its stability ; for it is a deviation from true principles. Sound and safe banking can only be based and conducted on money gold and silver. Neither individuals or banks can lend that which they have not ; and if they lend credit in the shape of bank notes, without the means to redeem them in gold and silver, they commit a fraud upon the community, as they lend and put in circulation that which is not money, nor the repre sentative of money. If this system of converting 6tate 6tock into bank ing capital, and hypothecating it as a security for tbe payment of bank issues, were not a delusion, mort gages upon real estate might be used for the same purpose, which would afford an equal, if not a better security, for the payment of a note ; and by this process, the whole value of the real estate of the coun try might be converted into banking capital, and the people into a nation of bankers. This proposition shows that tbe whole scheme is illusory and unsound. Free banking, in its legitimate sense, is the right which every man enjoys, to lend his own money to whom he pleases. It is the exchange of money for securities, to repay with interest it involves no fic titious increase of the circulation, but may be carried on to an indefinite extent without affecting the cur rency. This is the free banking which has at all times supplied, and does now supply, the wants of a large proportion of borrowers, and commends itself to general confidence and approval, by its simplicity and adaptation to the circumstances of the people. St. Giles, London. Tbe following is a description of a single lane, called Church Lane, in the city of London, within the limits of St. Giles. Not long since the London Statistical Society appointed a com mittee to examine the sanitory condition of this lane. A member of that committee furnished the London correspondent of the Christian Citizen (Elihu Burritt's paper) with the following facts : The lane is 300 feet long, and contains 32 houses. It is lighted by three gas lights, and water is supplied three times a week, but no tanks or tubs were to be found. I will simply give two or three houses that he visited, as a fair average of the whole. Many things arc too disgusting to enter the columns of a newspaper, and therefore I shall only give some of the leading facts. 1 he first house that the committee visited contained 45 persons, only 6 rooms and 12 beds ! windows broken in filth abundant. In the second there were 56 persons and only 13 beds. In the third there were bl and si beds, averaging nearly 7 persons to a bed. And these of all ages. sexes and conditions. This is as horrible a state of things as ever one could imagine to exist, and as it is a real, stern fact, there is no virtue in shutting one's eyes to it. A majority of the windows were broken, and the cold night wind could not Iail to sweep in and inflict colds and consumptions upon the inmates. The occupations of this miserable class are of great va riety some are fruit dealers, some sweeps, some knife grinders, some mendicant', some crossing sweepers, some street singers, and many thieves and prostitutes. The committee say in their report :-in these wretched dwellings all ages and both sexes, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, grown up brothers and sisters, stranger adult males and females, and swarms of children the sick, the dying, and the dead, are herded together with a pioximity and mutual pressure which the brutes would resist; where it is physically impossil le to preserve the ordinary decencies of life, where all sense of propriety and self-respect must be lo6t. Such is the state of Church Lane ! Would that it were alone in its notoriety ! Alas ! there are many others quite as bad. Hut how much these poverty stricken things are to blame for their state is a solemn question to answer. A "Jim Crow" Jump. Until very recently, Cas sius M. Clay, of Kentucky, and a relative of Henry Clay, was one of the adored of the Whig party ; and right good service did he render in the cause of his namesake. Then, the whig press, from one end of the country to the other, were loud in his praise, ex cepting perhaps a few in the interests of the slave holders. Since he has had the temerity to find fault and call in question the consistency of the "Embodi ment," lo ! the whole kennel are at his heels, and no fice" ever snapped with a greater noise than our cotemporary of the C rawfordsville People's Press. In a column of words, strangely jumbled together, we find the Press making the following summary, viz: That Cassius M. Clay has been "Alternately, a Slaveholder, Emancipator, AntiWar man, Warrior, Captain, Coward, and Tra ducer." This is pretty strong language ; and how far it goes to evince whig principles or whig gratitude, is left for that party to determine. Oration on the Dentil or J. q. Adams. The committee appointed for the purpose, by a meeting of the citizens of Indianapolis, having obtained the consent of Ex-Governor Wallace to deliver an eulogy on this distinguished Statesman, hereby notify the public generally, that tlje appropriate services will be performed on Wednesday, the 24th ihst., at 10 o'clock, A. M., at the 1st. Presbyterian Church, (Mr. Gurley's,) where all are invited to attend. From the high character and acknowledged talents of Gov. Wallace, we doubt not an eulogy worthy the occasion will be delivered. And we trust that no political differences may cause any to remain away. A statesman one highly honored among men a pillar of republicanism has fallen 1 Shall we not reverence his memory ! 07" The full returns of the Virginia electiofThave not yet come to hand, but enough is known to say that the democrats have a majority in both branches of the Legislature. Last year, the whig majority in the House was ten ; this year the democratic majority is two making a gain of twelve. The democratic majority in the Senate has also been increased. Where is Mr. Bottst There are always blackguards enough in every community to give a noisy reception to a kindred spirit. JjouisviÜe Journal. What a loud tour Prentice might make over the world, then. Boston Post. The Aqueduct over the Allegheny river, some thirty milos from Pittsburgh, has been destroyed by fire. (&-Sco notice of Liberty Coavention.

For the State Senttnel. Lafayette and Indianapolis Kailrond. No. I. rUBLIC BEARINGS AND RELATIONS OF TBE ROAD. I take the pen to discuss, in brief, one section the one specified above of the great channel of intef communication which is to put a new face upon the agriculture, the trade, and the civil and social condition of all central Indiana. It will be readily apprehended that I refer to it as a link in the long contemplated route from Madison to Lake Michigan. That which the wonderful .enterprise of Clinton performed for western New York, all that the Erie Rrilroad is destined to realise for the southern tier of counties in that State, what the gigantic Western Railroad of Massachusetts has begun to effect for that remarkable

commonwealth, nay, what the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad is steadily advancing to consummate on the southern section of this very route through La fayette to the lakes will all be realized in the heart and bosom of this rich and spacious State of Indiana. It might almost be called the bosom route of the State from its position, its relations, its necessity, and the degree of expectation and confidence with which it has loug been regarded. lhe eye that is turned upon the recion southward from Indianapolis to the extreme of the State, in that direction, may take in a view that is rich with real ized benefits, and richer still with slich as are justly anticipated. There, where the cumbrous waron and the deep mud road have given place to the facile methods of modern art, where minutes now perform the work of hours and dimes of dollars, every farmer feels the advantage of a nearer market, every branch of trade and industry participates in the benefits to agriculture, and the soil itself experiences a stimulus and growing value. Next turn northward and observe how large an opportunity is spread out between this and the Wabash, and vet more between the Wabash and the lakes, for the widest dissemination of a like prosperity. This great trunk, whose roots are watered by the Ohio, but whose top is to be looked for as far up as the south shore of the Michigan, will bear after all, perhaps, its most abundant benefits upon its branches. On both sides, at moderate intervals and through all its length, branches will shoot out to every county seat, making each a place of bar ter, exchange and transfer, fur all the region to which it lies central, bo far as wagon roads or plank ways can radiate around it. Letween the Ohio and the Wahash alone, ten or twelve such branches may be expected ; of which number a part have commenced their growth already. Thus a complete system of drainage for surplus products and of influx for needful foreign commodi ties, will pervade a belt lying north and south, and of sixty to seventy miles breadth, through the very heart of this State. Every man, whether residing within or without it, who has, in the compass of that belt, land, or connections in business, or agencies, is in reach of the beneficial operations of this work. But, while these circumstances and relations create the strongest public motives for the execution of the work, they supply also the pecuniary means. Ihey insure the great profitableness of the stock and open an inducement to capitalists for prompt investment. Three great channels of communication, east and west, between the Mississippi and the sea-board, exist, a or are in a course ol being opened, riret may do mentioned the Ohio river, with the artificial works parallel to, or leading eastward from it. Next, is one from St. Louis, or Alton, to Lake Erie. The third lies far in the north, having for its links the Buffalo and Mississippi Railroad and that front Chicago to Galena. Crossing, from south to north, theso three great routes, nature points out, with equal distinct ness, three others, one in Ohio, one in Indiana, and one in Illinois. The intermediate of these last three is none other than the identical route of whoso merits I am attempting a brief and partial analysis. The high appreciation obtaining in behalf of this . Ohio eiver and Michigan kotjte, as it might be" termed, is evident by the communications occasionally . and spontaneously made from intellieent observers at a distance. For instance, the President of the Union Railroad from Chicago to Galena, W. B. Ogden, Esq., writes as follows, and I take liberty to quote his language: "Since my journey over the intermediate country between this (Chicago) and Indianapolis, my interest in a connection with your road has increased. If you succeed in building your road from Lafayette to Indianapolis at once, and we succeed, under the provision just granted by the Legislature, in building a road from Chicago to N. Buffalo, via Michigan City as I trust we shall with a branch to Laporte, J the distarice will then be so short between tlie two roads, and the interests of Chicago and of the Michigan central road will be so great in completing the connection, that I think it might almost be counted upon as a thing certain to follow, and without delay. " We have no way in winter, or in very low water in summer, of reaching St. Louis, Kentucky, New Orleans, or any part of the Mississippi-valley half so conveniently or expeditiously as we could do via Michigan City, Lafayette, Indianapolis, Madison and the Ohio river, provided we had a continuous line of railroad from this to Madison. And it would be our route in winter, if not at all times, to Cincinnati and Washington City, unless some more direct line be built, and some years must elapse before there is." How speedily then, let me resume, shall this important, this essential route be occupied? particularly that link now in active progress from Indianapolis to Lafayette ! Every mind replies, as speedily as possible. And how 6peedily may that bei What, moreover, are the measures requisite to, and the means available for, such an immediate occupation 1 These inquiries will form the Bubject of my next number. A. C. T. Great Fire and Loss of Life at Detroit. On Tuesday May 9th, the .city of Detroit was visited by a most terrible fire, which destroyed a large amount of property. The fire originated in a large store house on the bank of the river, and was caused by sparks from the propeller St. Joseph, then firing up. Three hundred buildings were burned, and between three and four hundred families were made houseless. The part of the city between Bates and Randolph streets, where the fire originated, was mostly occupied by old frame buildings. As the fire swept upward, towards Jefferson Avenue, the buildings were of a better character, and among those consumed was Wales's Hotel, the finest in the city. Barnes's hotel and the Indiana House were also burned. The total loss is estimated at between $200,000 and $300,000. During the fire, the wind was blowing a fresh breeze and so rapidly did the flames spread, that an engine was so surrounded by-them that the men working it were compelled to ny for life, leaving their engine to be consumed by the fire. The Cleveland papers which give later accounts, say that one woman, and one or two children, are known to have perished in tho flames. The amount insured is not known. fty It will be remembered that some time since we noticed the arrival of n new engine from Philadelphia, which was to be employed in taking the cars up the plane of the railroad at this city. This engine is upon an entirely new principle, requiring a cog track between the two tracks which support the wheels. Some two or three hundred yards of this track has been put down on the plane, and we understand that a trial of the power of the new engine was made during the early part of the week. A load of sixty tons was attached to tho new engine, and wAh this enormous weight she moved off as if it were but a box of wafers. Other freight not being convenient, the locomotive Clinton" was attached, and all her power applied to pulling down hiü. But the new engine was not to be stalled she pulled her load of sixty tons and the Clinton (with all her power applied in an opposite direction) up the entire length of the cog work. When we inform our readers that tho Clinton is a most powerful locomotive, and the one used in taking the passenger train up the plane, they can form some idea of the power of the new locomotive. From this trial it will be seen that the experiment of building an engine to be used on the plane has been entirely successful. Madison Courier. The printers of Rome have a way of manifesting joy peculiar to themselves. We notice from an English paper that on the day after intelligence of the new Sardinian, Tuscan, and Neapolitan constitutions were received, all the Roman newspapers were printed with red ink, as a sigu of rejoicing. An important case is now being investigated before an ecclesiastical court in New Haven, Connecticut. A young lady charges that the Rev. Mr, Hardy "put his arm around her waist, drew her to a sofa, and trotted bor on his knee." Mr. II. stoutly denies the i charge.

I For the Sentinel.

Gen. Taylor's Letter to Itis IJrotncr-ln-law, dipt. Allison, stated April 22d, l4. The Editor of the Journal says this "must silence forever all doubts and all cavils in regard to his political opinions." He takes upon himself, it is true, the name of a uhig "I am" says he "a whig." But what are the principles which, in his opinion, attach to the name! He says ''upon the lubject cf tho tariff, the currency, the improvement of our great highways, rivers, lakes and harbors, the will of tbe people as expressed through their representatives iu Congress ought to be respected and carried out by tbe Executive." The President, then, in order to be a whig, must go with the majority ! If tho people are in tavor ot a high protective larin, aisational iianfc, a system of internal improvements, the President must carry out these principles. But if "the will of the people" should oppose these measures, should favor a revenue tariff, a subtreasury, and all the doctrines of the Democratic party then what then! Why this whig considers himself bound, if President, to cabby out the principles of the Democratic Party ! This, then, is Gen. Taylor's whiggery ! Satisfactory, no doubt, to the Editor of the Journal ! Gen. Taylor says "I am not sufficiently familiar with all the minute details of political legislation to give solemn pledges to exert my influence, if I were President, to carry out this, or defeat thJrtTiTisure," thus acknowledging he has no principles of his own ; and .therefore, in absence of other rules, although a Whig, he goes with the majority ! Crude impres sions," says the uen. "on matters ot policy which ma) be right to-day and wrong to-morrow, are not peri a pa the best test of fitness for office. One who cannot be trusted without pledges, cannot be confided in merely on account of them.' Those grave questions, then, questions, which separate the two great political parties, as far as is the East from the West, principles, one set of which have ever been con sidered by the "oracles" of the Whiff party and "great expounders of the Constitution" as of vital importance to the well-being of the country, even essential to our national existence, are treated as "matters" which should be "carried out by the executive' as the Ißucluations of party may dictate ! Matters which may "be right to-day and wrong to-morrow ! Matters which are to be "trusted without pledges, in the bands of a President who acknowledges he has never giwm sufficient attention to the subject of national polrlics to form an opinion on the principles which divide the parties ; but who "pledges" only, to go with the, majority ! Summary: I am a Whig ; I am ignorant of party politics ; I will carry out the will of the whigs if they are in the majority. But if the democrats be in the majority, I will, in regard to "a tariff, the currency, and internal improvements," carry out their will! Trust me without pledges: one of these questions may be right to-day ; but if the majority change, will be wrong to-morrow ! Condescension ! ! ! I am a Whig ! I go with the majority ! ! ! ONE OF THE PEOPLE. Brig. Gen. Joseph Lane. If I were to select a fine specimen of a backwoodeman (says Cist's Advertiser,) it should be Joseph Lane. I would take a foreigner, if in my power, 00 miles to visit Lane, as an admirable illustrations of the workings of our political and social institution. I know nothing of his early history, and presume it to be that of thousands in the west. I know him only as a farmer and wood merchant, on the banks of the Ohio, in which character I first made his acquaintance. He came on board the S. B. Andrew Jackson, to receive pay for a lot of wood sold the boat, and was introduced to me by Capt. rckert. lie wore a blanket coat, and his general appearance was that of a backwoodsman, but had not conversed with him five minutes, betöre 1 set him down as a man ot so ordinary cast. Later, and more intimate acquaintance confirmed my judgement, and in his late military career in Mex ico, he has shone conspicuous for gallantry and good conduct, even in the galaxy of heroes which the war with Mexico has brought to public notice. It may not be amiss to state, how he obtained his military appointment, taken, as he was, from the farm, to lead armies to victory. y When it became tho duty of the President Co make the appointment of Brigadier General, it was felt by every western member of Congress to be a prize for his constituents. Probably some fatty names had been handed in to the President, accordingly. Robert Dale Owen, in whose district Lane resides, entertaining no such local pride, would probably not have furnished any name, but for a suggestion to that effect, from one ot the Indiana benators, 'who do you intend recom mending V Why,' said Mr. Owen, I had not thought of offering a name. Ibere are no applications to me from my own district, but if you think it due to it, to offer a name, 1 shall hand in that ot Jo Lane. The Senator approved of the choice, and it was ac cordingly suggested. The President, as usual, said he would give it his favorable consideration. A lew days afterwards, Mr. Uwen was transacting some nrivata business at the White House. After it was through 'By the bye, Mr. Owen,' observed the Presi dent, 4 1 shall have to appoint your tnend L.ane to the .. a i iirigadier Generalship, l nope you nave weil consia ered your recommendation, lor -the omce is a very responsible one. I know nothing,' replied Mr, Owen, 'of Lane's military talents, but there are about him those elements of character, which in all times of difficulty prompts every one to rally, instinctively. around him as leader. This has been tbe case in ear ly days, when lawless men infested the river border. Whether on shore' or among boatmen on the river, Lane was the man relied on to keep such men in or der, and he was always found equal to every emer gency. I would select him lor the omce betöre any other man I know, If I had the appointment to make.' Lane was appointed. The sequel is history, and lustified the penetrative judgment or Mr. Uwen Lane has developed qualities which place him in the front rank of military service. When the news "of the battle of Euena Vista reach ed Washington, Mr. Owen called on Presinent Polk. Well, sir, exclaimed he, what, do you think of our hoosier generali Ah ! said the President, with la. quiet smile, Mr. Owen, you are safe out of that scrape ! lTliIte Water Canal. The Board of Directors of the White Water Valley Canal, met in this place on Monday last for the trans action of the general business of the Company, and for the purpose of disposing of the stock of such Stockholders as had not paid in their assessments. Among the orders of the Board was one authorizing the engineer of the Company to direct the contractor of the Laurel aqueduct to proceed with the work on the same so soon as the citizens of Cambridge City and vicinity raise 1000, the citizens of thifttown and vicinity $1000, and the citizens of Laure and vicinity $500, to be appropriated to repairing said aqueduct; and that one-half the tolls at the offices at Cambridge and Laurel be pledged until the construction of said aqueduct be fully paid for; and also that the tolls be pledged after the 1st day of January next, until the advances of said citizens be paid. Tuesday being the day set for selling delinquent stock, for failure to pay the assessment, the Board proceeded to the sale, when upwards of 700 shares were sold. We believe it was all purchased by Mr. A. B. Conwell of this place. The Stockholders have leave to redeem the stock sold, by paying the amount of assessment with, ten per cent, damage on the same, providing it is paid within sixty daya from the day of sale. About $33,000 of the assessed tax was paid on Monday and Tuesday; and the first estimate upon the contracts recently let by the Company, is to be paid some time this week. " Geo. Holland, Esq, who was elected a member of the Board at its last meeting, declined to serve, and James Rariden, of Cambridge, was chosen to fill the vacancy. We congratulate the members of the Board and the friends of the Canal throughout the country, at the cheering prospect there is at this time that the Canal will be speedily repaired and navigation opened. The majority of the Stockholders have como up nobly and paid their assessments, and we confidently expect that much of the stock sold will be redeemed before the expiration of the sixty days. , Nothing is now wanting but more bands to do the work. The contractors will push the work with renewed vigor, under the assurance that the estimates will be regularly paid. Connerstille Telegraph. The reduced rates of postage at New Orleans have greatly increased the receipts. The postages collected in the quarter ending March 31st, 1348, were $27,083. The same quarter in 1817, $21,115. In-, , crease nearly $6000.

fjy- Under sentence of the supreme criminal tribunal, confirmed by the Emperor, two Poles, Theophilus Wiszniewski and Joseph Kapuscinski, were executed at Leopul in August last. They had been convicted of Lese Majeste, the modern translation of which, is Love of Country. Tbe particulars of the scene given in the Gazette de Nuremburg are very interesting. At the stroke of six, under tbe protection of a strong military escort, and between two hedges of soldiers, the car wbich earned the two ccndecDed, set out from tbt prison lowaida the place of execution. Even during tb preceding day, it bad been impossible in all Leopol lo procure tb least flowei for any turn. All tho windows, all tbe balconies of the streets through which tbe procession was to pass, were filled with spectators of both aexes, in deep mourning ; but aa soon as the authorities perceived so atrikiog a demonstra

tion ol sympathy lor tbe victims, tbey made the procession deviate from the intended route, and. instead of following tb boulevaids, go down the by-st reels. In this war ther deprived the public rnanifettation of ita most imposing char acter ; out wnen tbe car reached (he place or execution, it had to force ita way through an immense and compact crowd. Not an inhabitant of the town, who bad not hastened to aee the victims for the last timet not one but taw them, not criminals, but maityra for the Politb cause. iSolbmg could drive back tb crowd that pressed from all parts; neither tbe fear of daner, nor the naked tabret and lowered bayonets, nor the brutalities of the agents of tbs police. Fiona all sides crowds and nosegays of flowers steeped in teara, were thrown to the criminals. Tb most nu merous testimonies of sympathy were addressed to Wiiziewski in his quality of EmmUsary at the Emigration. This man, of a fine and noble Dhvsioenomv. oreserved a calm and intrepid expieshioo, both during the reading of the aentence and on the scaffold ; and captivated in tbe highest degree tbe heaita of the bystanders. Endowed with a less imposing ap pearance Kapuscinski displayed, however no less energy. Both supported death with tbe greatest courage and tbe roost edifying resignation. Kapuscinski exclaimed "God bleaa Poland !" Aud Wiszniewski cried out to tbe crowd, "Let not our death discourage you I On tbe contrary, let it serve aa an example how to die for your country !' And when the cord was passed round their necks, both cried again "Li'd t&I'oland;" Tbt roll of the drums biudeied tbe bjstankrt from hearing the remainder of tbe exhoitationa wbich even to tbeir last moments they addressed to the people, who. in spite of the assembled troops and the presence of the authori ties ceased not an instant to raise the cry of "Life to Poland!" Pruning Fruit Trees. We may not be able to give satisfactory reason for preferring May to March, for trimming apple trees. Most Farmers, however, agree that the sooner the wound is healed the better, and that it is not of service to draw forth much sap at the wound. Now, it is certain that a wound never begins to heal till the tree has put forth its leaf. It has no means to form new wood until it has leaves, for tbe sap that forma new wood passes through the leaf. From the time of trimming, then, to the forming of the leaf, the wound is exposed to the weather, and the process of healing has not commenced. There is a critical time in July, between the first and second growth of the season when the sap will run from the wound and discolur the bark for a foot or more below it; we notice this in pruning nursery trees, and we think trimming in July not judicious. As to the comparative waste of 6ap in March and May, we call the attention of our readers to practice of tapping the maple for the purpose of gathering sap. All know that no eap can be gathered la May, and not much in April in our latitude. Sap runs most freely in March. For this reason we never trim grape vines in March. But after the leaf ia formed the vine will not bleed. Indianapolis. Verily we have fallen upon strange times when the heretofore strong whig city of Indianapolis elects an entire democratic council, as was done at the recent election in that city ; all workinz en, too, who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow, and whj, consequently, feel the burden of heavy taxes, when imposed for unnecessary puiposes. Among the newly elected city fathers is our friend the senior Chapman of the Sentinel, who, we perceive, is also a candidate before the democratic county conven tion lor Representative. George was defeated a year ago for councilman, and now he is elected : he was defeated last August for Representative, may we not confidently anticipate that he will be elected next Au gust! Floyd sends greeting to Marion and hopes that her democratic Representative will meet three staunch der.ocats from that county one of whom should certtinly be G. A. C. The "premonitory symptoms," as the doctors eay, are certainly excellent in both counties. Aew Albany Democrat. Gen. Taylor's Opinions of the Mexican Wae. Some citizens of Quincy, Illinois, appointed a com mittee to nsk Geucral Taylor's opinions of the Mexi can war. lhe hero or that war replied to this com mittee promptly, and in the following manner, which is almost as explicit as his opinions upon other great questions. "lo you, gentlemen, as the committee appointed by the meeting, I have respectfully to reply, that I cannot feel that I am permitted at this time to respond to your inquiry in other terms than those which assert the obligations of all who hold military authority in any country, to put their shoulders to the wheel and do all they can to bring about a speedy peace. "These expressions, 1 trust, will be deemed sunicient for declining to express any opinion in regard to the justness and propriety of the war in which tho country is engaged." Steam Passage to Uiter California. Itis stated in the New York Journal, of Commerce that Messrs. Howland and Aspinwall, in furtherance of their already extensive operations on the shores of the Pacific, having obtained the government mail contract, are constructing three steamers which are to ply monthly between Panama and Oregon, touching at the prominent ports of California. These steamers are to commence running next winter, in connection with one from New York to Chagrcs at the Isthmus. When these arrangements shall have taken effect, the passage from New York to San Francisco, in Upper California, can be made in thirty days. It occupies about four months. The time consumed in crossing the Isthmus seldom exceeds thirty hours. Remuneration of Different Trades. Wages per day ef a hand-loom weaver, 70 cents ; a shoemaker, 90 cents ; a tailor, 90 cents ; an agricultural laborer, 75 cents; a sheriff of Philadelphia, $30; the President of tbe United States, C3 : a Senator of the United States, $9 and mileage ; a Major General $11, with rations for fifteen men, and horses; a Commodore, $11; a private soldier, 50 cents; a sailor before the mast, 50 cents. Is not flour as necessary as a President's Message, clothes as sheriff's writs, houses as Senator's harangues, and the private's bayonot as the sword of the General ? 03 Capt. Rousseau, who was in the second Indiana Regiment at Buena Vista, and now the Senator from Greene county, is one of the Whig electors for this State. Capt. R. declared last winter that if Mr. Clay was nominated, he would resign; and that if Gen. Taylor did not correct his report, he would not support him. The General has not corrected bis report, and Mr. Clay will probably be the nominee. Who does tbe Captain go in for now 1 Madison Courier. The plank road from Rome to Oswego, New York, has been completed, and a line of splendid coaches established upon it fare $2. These plank roads must create a very pleasant variety in travelling. Coaches are driven rapidly over them, the papers say at the rate of ten miles an hour. Dr. Johnson remarked, of editors, that "they are expected to feel for every one but themselves ; to correct public abuses, and private ones also, without giving offence; to sustain the difficulties of others, without regard to their own ; to condemn improper measures of every one and no one at the same time." Interesting Statistics. In the State of New York, it is estimated that there are now 4,300 preachers, 4,000 doctors, 3,500 lawyers, 125,000 mechanics, 13,000 manufacturers, 51,000 merchant;, 253,000 farmers, and 4,800 taverns. Railroads w the United States. There aro about 5,800 miles of Railroad now completed and io use in the United States. These have all been built within 17 years, at an expense of one hundred and twenty-two millions of dollars. We were much amused a few days since, with a little boy, upon whom his mother was inflicting personal chastisement, saying" Give roe two or three licks more, mother I don't think I can behave well, yet," Fact! During my visit, there was living on Woahoo, (Sandwich Islands) a woman of twelve years of age, who had already prisented to an English husband three thriving pledges of connubial love. Simpson's Overland Journey Round the World.