The Western Texan (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 10, Ed. 1, Thursday, December 23, 1852 Page: 2 of 4
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SHmcm
WESTERN TEXAN.
BAN ANiONIO:
TIIUIIHDAY WCCKMllIin 23 1852.
C It. D. JoitKM.f Tt of Galvetoii U out
uthorllcJ Agent lo receive jiiO receipt for monrjr due
tht office.
Now-YearB Addrcu
As yet our Carrier ha received no nddrcs
and as the time for Its delivery Is drawing nigh
be begins to ftel somewhat uneasy on the sub
jeet. Will not some poetic genius relieve his
anxletyt "We never perpetrated a Hncof poetry
In our life and ofcource don't know how; so
that vc can render film nonskhtancc.
Candidates for Governor.
The following gcnlleracn have been named
as candidates for the office of Governor: Hon
E. M. Pease of Brazoria; Col. M.T. Johnson
of Tarrant county; Hon W.B. Ochiltree of"
Nacogdoches; Hon G. W Smythc of Jasper
county; and Col. Matt. Ward of JetTerhon
Caw County. These are all good men and
true and each has warm and devoted friends
Vet only one of them can be elected. If they
were all to run ft would be extremely doubtful
nslo which would be the lucky man. Such
however will not be the case as they are all
with one exception willing to submit their
claims to the decision of a Democratic State
Convention. We doubt not It will be difficult
for a State Convention to decide where efich one
is possessed not only of ability bur a great
amount of personal popularity. This difficulty
however will be removed if "union harmony
and concession" characterize the deliberations
of that body.
Cakes and Candiei.
Gentle reader you who expect tobc called on
by the juveniles for Chrisiniin treats juft bear
In mind that every variety of cake pastry and
randy of the very best quality can be found
at the confectionary of Mr. John G. Miller.
Wo pcak advisedly on this subject for Mr.
Miller sent us specimens of his many varictlc
and from the way our "little responsibilities"
(Mused them to disappear satisfied us they were
t'xrellent. Those giving parties will find Mr
Miller prepared to accommodate them with
very article in his line on short notice and in
upcrior style. See his advertisement and
-ivchima call.
Southern Ladies' Book.
Some of our Texas cctcmporarle announce
lir receipt of the December r.umber of this
ccllcnt Southern monthly. Owing to some
imc we have not been o fortunate We
iirrct this but hope the mails will bring It
along una of thee days Wo feel a deep inter
"it in this enterprise and arc anxious to hear of
its MICCt'f-fl.
Sudden Change.
Last Sunday and Monday were like May
days and many weru tempted to don their sum-
mer apparel. Our office was uncomfortably
warm with all the windows and door open
Bui during the night of Monday a sudden
change came over the spirit of (he weather
clerk and from summer heat he changed It to
winter cold and this morning instead of linen
coats blankets arc iu demand instead of win
riowand door being oprncd to calch a cooling
draft ibey are closed in order to shut out the
wintry blast of the suddenly got up norther.
Stoves Instead of breezes are in demand. The
result of alt this i wood has rlz which is
another verification of the trite old saying that
"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good."
Fortunately these coM spells do not last long
They only come often cnongh to remind us
thai winter has not become an "absolctc Idea"
even iu the "Sunny South."
Texas Marble.
We learn from the Guheston A'cieiof the Uih
that Maj. Thomas S Smith who conveyed the
Texas Block of marble for the Washington
Monument has returned. He says the Texas
Block was pronounced a finer specimen of mar-
ble than had been received from any of ihe
other States Maj Smith brings with him a
complimentary letter from the Monumental
Committee addreiscii 16' Gov. Bell On the
Texas Block is sculptured the five pointed
Star encircled by a wreath of laurel and oak
leaves with a motto The cotton plant and
sugarcane emblematic of the productions of
our soil occupy the lower corners of the face
of the block.
Largo Focani.
Friend Dealy has sent us a lot of the largest
sized pecans we have ercr seen as a specimen
of five hundred bushels received last week from
the Medina. They are decidedly tame pumpkins
'If not more so Dcnly has done a heuvy
busluess in the pecan line (lit season having
shipped sir or seven thousand bashvis. Who
will now say we have nothing tocxporit Why
we can supply "all the world and the balance
of mankind" with nuts to crack.
E37' The GaUeston .Vein says Gen. M Hunt
has returned after an absence of eight or ten
months In tine health and spirits. He has
devoted most of histlme aud energies to enlht-
ing Northern capital and the most influential
unm of the country in his railroad charter
granted at the last icsslou of our Legislature
in which he has succeeded to a considerable
extent. The main track of this road extends
from Galveston to Bed Bivcr. The number of
miles embraced In lliU charter U estimated at
live hundred and the number of shares Is fif.
teen thousand at 8100 each making $15000-
000. Subscribers are rcqivkedro pay nothing
until ten miles of the road (which Is to be
commenced at Galveston.) are completed when
they are only required to pay S3 on each short
aula like amount on the completion of each
ten miles. This Is a safe investment n't least.
and we think there arc no doubts but that ft
..-
will be profitable. I he General'has opened on
office in Galveston which he calls the ''Central
Ballroad Oillce."
Christmas is Coming
That I a fact it is not uews. As it niil
have como and passed before our next Uue
wc shall in advance wish our readers a "Mehhv
Cuuistmas" With tome this will be a seaton
for sober moral reflection with others a season
of merry-making. We wish them all a good
lime. We had intended to publish a Christ-
mas story for the amusement of our young
readers but It was so carefully laid away that
we were unable to find It. As old Santa CUus
will be certain to-pay. San Antonio a visit we
would advise the little folks to hang up their
blockings near the chimney orhe may forget to
leave them any of his many toys. He is a
merry cftap aud never nrglecls ihe small fry
specimens ofjiuiaanity.
aiHaisias A first rate article was receive! on
jistefdfty by J as; It. Sweet 4. Co. ' Thry are'
Threat waeni CtB i?:r
AM
County Convention
The Democratic Committee for Bexar have
promised us the caU for a County Convention
In time for this weed's paper. They have
determined to call It for an early day In Jan-
uary next. This convention is called for the
purpose of choosing delegates to the State and
DUtrict Conventions which are to ftelect can-
didates for Goveor Lieutenant-Governor and
for Congrcts. One net of delegates will answer
for both conventions as they are to assemble at
Austin on the same day. Some who are good
democrats may look upon lhce conventions as
unnecessary jvhere the democratic party are so
largely In the majority and under this belief
may neglect or refuse to attend the conventions.
To 8uch we would say be not deceived by our
apparent strrtiRth Into Inactivity. This major-
ity can only be kept together and rendered
effective by concert of action. This action
can only be had through organization and the
main lever of organization Is the convention
yMcm 0r making nominations
There arc
now three or more democratic candidates Iu the
field for Governor all equally popular. Sup-
pose their claims are not submitted to ft con-
vention and they all run nnd the democratic
vote of the State Is pretty equally divided
between even three of them. Docs It require
any argument to satisfy any man of common
sense that a whig candidate who can carry the
vote ol'his party stands more than an equal
chance. The same may beiaid In regard to
Ihe candidate for Congress. The prospect Is
that there will be several candidates and with-
out a convention the vote would be pretty
equally divided between them and thus give
the opposition an equal chaucc for success.
Viewing It In (his light we deem conventions
really necessary to the ultimate success of the
democratic cause and we earnestly urg our
fellow democrats to attend our county conven-
tion Bexar Is deeply Interested In the choice
of candidates. We want men of enlarged
views and enlightened understandings men
who hare been tried and not found wanting.
We are now for the first time caHcd upon to
show our hands in regard to the future policy
of the State Previous to the late presidential
campaign we had no political divisions. The
question!! of division have been Houston or
Anti-Hou-iton Annexation or AntbAnncxntfon
the acceptance or rejection nf the ten millions
for the Santa Fo country. Things have now
taken a change The whlgs during the late
campaign organized and set forth a platform
both State nnd National. The democrats In
self-defence must do the same. To enable the
State Convention to carry out the wMics and
sentiments uf the dcmicralic patty of the State
In announcing n platform it Is necessary that
democrats of each county express their views
and sentiments through their county conven-
tions. This will enable the delegate1 to act
advUcdly in the State Convention. We trust
that these conMderallons "rill be sufficient to
induce iho democrats or Bexar to generally
attend the county Convention All are alike
Interested If they honestly believe that the
democratic policy is bet adopted to the gov-
ernment of the country and more ti accordance
with the progressive spirit of the age than that
of ihcir opponents it is their duty yea Imper
ative duty to aid In maintaining ami carrying
out that policy. Thin can only be accom-
plltlicd tij ttic Humiliation nnd election of men
known to he devoted to (he principles and
measures of the democratic party. This result
has heretofore been obtained through conven-
tions of the democratic party. The cause will
produce the same effect in Texas Come then
democrats to the County Convention on the
firct Monday In January and aid in the selec-
tion of true and tried democrats to represent
you In the State and DMi Id Conventions.
Tho Malls' The Malls M
The arrivals of the mail from Indiaunla for
surae time have been very Irregulnr which Is u
source of great annoyance to us. Wo have
borne It patiently for some time with the hope
that it woulJ Improve but instead of (his they
are getting ''no better fast." Whose faull is 111
Wo are assured that Col.Saltmarsh leaves with
the mail as soon as it an Ives at Indianola. If
this be the case then the delay must be charged
to some other source Harris & Morgan adver-
tise to run their steamers between Matagorda
Bay aud New Orleans twice a week If they
do this the fault of the irregularity of the
mails Is nut chargeable to them Upon whom
then is the delay chargeable 1 The postmaster
at Galveston New Orleans or the mails be-
yond the latter city 1 Latt Thursday we had a
letter mall from New Orleans but no papers
from that city or beyond It. On Monday we
had another mall which brought us New York
papers of November 20th and ittlh which have
been detained somewhere on the route bat no
New Orleans papers with the exception of the
UuUetin This U truly annoying as we expect-
ed the President's Message which was received
at Iudfanolj and Victoria louror five days ago.
We sincerely hope that our Mail Agent will
inquire Into these delays nnd have the evil
remedied if possible. To only get n weekly
mall is bad enough at best; but to have our
exchanges scattered along the route aud kept
back until they are a month ol J is a little too
bad. Now the election is over we see no
plausible excuse for these continued delays in
the mails.
Hard to Tlcaso?
Il appears thai borne of our Uasrera Texas
colunpoiarirb are determined not tube pleased
with Ihe public acts of Judge L. D Kvans.
They complaiued blttlcrly because he did nut
rcidgn hi judgeship when nominated as a can-
didate fur the office of Elector. It was not
absolutely necessary that he should do so as his
being u candidate did not render htm Ineligible
for thedUchuryc of the duties-of Judge. After
his election he did resign; the resignation to
take etleci on the Slthof November. It is now
complained lha ihe did not icsfgu soon enough
so asto enable his successor to be elected and
qualified. For this he is denounced as a bung-
ling demagogue audambitlous political .aspi
rants Ttie Judge has certainly (alien upon
evil times. His evil star is in the ascendaut
and lie fears he will never again be able to
meet the expectations of his peculiur political
friends. The only chance for him to get buck
ou the right track Ib to submit himself lo their
advibeuieut. The whlningi of- these fault
tinders wc doubt not trouble hlmbut little.
They arc evidently actuated by other motives
than a desire for the public good.
MT Senator Husk has otrereda resolution
calling for all the correspondence in 1635 be-
I ween the United Slates Government the
Mexicau MluUter and the Hepubllc of Texas
relative to oggessions of the Indians.
"Tiik Litest ?e.M A learned man of
the East writing about "Aucestral I'rlde"
alludes to the Dodge of Venice Hitherto we
had supposed rrancrtobr the la lUpntlleau
M
a
Banks Jn Texas- -Do the People DetUft them?
Ths establishment of banks In Texas has
become a question of considerable Interest and
Is now being pretty generally discussed by the
pressttf the State. Was the establishment of
banks an original question for the first time
Introduced we should make decided opposition
to it) but such ts not the ease. Banks under
various systems have long been (n existence
and their history from the establishment of the
Batik of England down to the present day
shows that their main tendency has been to
concentrate capital In the hands of the few and
Increase its power and Influence This fact
shouKl convince eycy; reflecting mind that
banks ao at war wlth'the Interests of the great
laboring mass. Capital unaided by special
corporate privileges' exercises a dangerous and
oppressive Influence upon the great Industrial
Interests. And beside this tho history of bank-
ing In this country since the destruction of that
monster of corruption the United States Bank
Miuws conclusively that It has been at war with
the best interests of the country. Look at the
many bank failures which were nobctter than
wholesale swindles look nl the numbers that
have been reduced from comparative plenty to
want look at the widows and orphans who
have trusted their all to banks and been rob-
bed Uiok at the thousands and tens of thoUs-
andsof hard working men wjio have been plun-
dered of their hard earnings by trusting them
to the keeping of these institutions. Notwith-
standing all these evils entailed upon the coun-
try by banks they yet have their advocates who
contend that they are a benefit and blessing to
the country. We shall not oppose those who
advocate bank If they will bring for ward a
system that will guard against the evils of
which we complain if they will furnish a
system that will protect the bill holder against
the possibility of loss. If banking can be
reduced to a fair honest and legitimate business
with no more powers or privileges than are
possessed by the merchant and mechanic wc
would not care to sec a bank established In
every (own and village in the State. But we
shall oppose every system thai Is notbased upon
these principles. If banking oannot be con-
ducted honestly and securely lit us have none
of it. Those who desire banks should first
submit the plan they wish adopted before they
ask the people to change (heir organic law so
as to admit banking in the State. Unless an
honest and just system Is submitted it will
never be adopted and a change of the const!-
union wilt be labor in vain. Banking cat cer-
tainly be conducted honestly and safely upon
a system that will secure the nofe holders
against los. Will such a system satisfy (he
advocates of banks 1 Are bankers wiflfne (u
acccplof chartcs that will place their transac-
tions upon the same basis as other branches of
business Will they be satisfied with a fair
legitimate and living Interest for the use of
their money 1 Are they willing to bear an
equal proportion of the burdens of the govern-
ment 1 If they are then wc can see no objec-
tion to the establishment of banks in our State.
From California.
The election for President in California.
resulted in a mnjority of five thousand for Gen
fierce. 'I tic Stat Senate f lands twenty demo-
crats and seven whlgs j the Assembly forty-one
demociats and nineteen whlgs.
Sacramento city has again puttered by fire.
The fire was discovered on the evening of Nov-
ember 2d about eleven o'clock. A meeting
was held In San Kruncisco on the 4th ulf. to"
take steps for the relief of the suiTercrs. The
loss Is estimated at from eight to ten milllou
dollars. Several lives were lot. The people
had gone vigorously to wor Ic to repair the dama
gcs.
Ou tho 7ih of November Marysville was
visited by fire and the amount of properly des-
troyed I estimated at from fifty to scventy-five
thousand dollars.
Ou the 10th a fire originated In the heart of
(he city of San Trancis'.-o. The principal
buildings surrounding were well protected.
The loss is estimated at $I060OGO.
Within eight days after the tire at Sacra
memo S30.000 wero donated in Sau Francisco
for the relief of thr sufferers.
There had also been afire In Napa Valley
among the grain fields another among the
farmertftff Calaveras county and a building
had been burnt at San Diego. These were the
calamities of two weeks.
News from the Rio Grande.
By a letter from Eagle Pass received by a
gentleman in this city we learn that a shott
time since a party of Mexicans run off a lot
of hurscs belonging on the other side of the Ulo
Grande. Ed. Stevens getting wind of the fact
went with a party of his friends and captured
(he horses. He then sent word to the Mexican
commander" that If he would send him his pis-
tol and other articles taken from him at the
time of his arrest and fifty dollars (he horses
would bo delivered up.v It is hardly necessary
lo say that the requfsKron" was speedily com-
piled with Mexican official's should have
learned long ere ibis that the Americans arc
not to be Insulted or imposed upon1 with impun-
ity. They never sutler such things to pass
without retaliation no matter how long they
have to wait for an opportunity.
The same letter states that money is very
scarce and business dull.
A minor has reached here that Carvajal has
taken Matumuros. Kroin the rumor it appears
that Gen. Avalos (ho commander at Mata-
morov wenf with all the force he could muster
agamst Hodrfgues who had driven Governor
Cardenas out of Victoria and taken possession
of the capital and thaf during his absence
Carvajal raised a small' force crossed the river
nnd took peaceable po'sesstoh of Matamoros.
Tho story may be true as we hnd previously
received Intelligence uf the taking of Victoria
by Uodrigues. It was also stated that the
revolutionary party had refused to have either
Carvajal or any American associated with it
in any way. The story needs confirmation
before We place auy reliance in its truth.
That there is a revolution on foot in TamauU-
pas of a very formidable character is quite
true but we anticipate that it wilt end as all
Mexican revolutions do In a failure to accom-
plish anything worthy of a revolution.
Railroad Accident.
On the 00th of last month a train of passen-
gercars was thrown ofl the track of the Camden
branch of (he South Carolina railroad while
proceeding from the Junction towards the
Camden crossing of the Wateree Swamp.
The can were literally broken to pieces in their
fall from the trusel work. The venerable and
well-known Col. Richard Singleton was killed
also his grand son Robert; son of the late
Marion De Veour. The accident was occa-
sioned bya Keavy freshet and overflow of the
livers which loosened the tar.t and culvert
TKct C!artr.'4T; rr r.t
B
Semi-Weekly Line of Steamers.
Wc learn from the last Port Lavaca Com-
mercial that Messrs Harris & Morgan propose
running their steamers twice a week between
ourGulftownsandNew Orleans. Their line
Is composed of the Texas Louisiana Mexico
and Perseverance. This arrangement will
doubtless receive the praise uf a portion of the
publje and the press and may Ihduce the belief
that it Is solely for the accommodation of the
increased trade and travel. We look upon It
however as designed to run the James L. Day
out of the irade. This has ever been their
policy. They have enjoyed a roonopuly for
years hhd will not htiw give it up without a'
desperate struggle. We do not wish to war
against (his company but so long as they con-
tinue their exorbitant rates of fare and freight
which Is hhd has beeh detrimental td the best
interests of Western Texas we deem It odr
duly to oppose them and shall do all in odr
power to encourage and sustain successful
competition. When the trade and travel of
Texas was comparatively small high prices
were necessary lo keep up their line. But now
when this trade and travel his increased four-
fold if hot more then rales should be greatly
reduced. But Instead of this we find the rates
higher on freight than from New York and
Ihey charge more fur freight than Is charged on
the first class boats plying between Louisville
and New Orleans where the distance is more
than twice as fre&t. Harris & Morgan may
deserve credit for llielr perseverance In success-
fully encountering every difficulty nnd over-
coming every obstacle In keeping up their line
of steamers but does any one suppose they
would hate done this had Ihcjr hoi made money
by the Operatioul They were struggling to
build up a monopoly from which they expected
and have received a rich harvest. They suc-
ceeded aud arc determined to keep control of
the monopoly they have created. On other oc-
casions when opposition has been put upon the
trade they have Irwered their rates so as to
run it otf and so soon as they ha'd succeeded
their rates nave again" beeh put up. Now they
have resorted to a new dodge running a seirii
weekly line by which they hope lo run off the
James L. Day. JThls the people of Western
Texas should not permit for they know that
Harris & Morgan's line has been detrimental
to (he best interests of the country. They
should encourage and support (he opposition
even II theyhaveto do1 so for a time at a sacri-
fice. It is known that Harris & Morgan will
make a desperate effort to retain (he monopoly
they have enjoyed for several years and that it
will require considerable backing to success-
fully sustain an opposition line. If Harris. &
Morgan were actuated by a desire to live and
let live we should not hear so many complaints
against their high rale of fnrc nnd bad treat-
ment from' (hce wrVo travel On llielr vessels.
Whenever they cease their cxtorlion dhd bad
treatment of those who aie forced to travel on
their vessels we shall cease to denounce them.
But it matters but little what course they adopt
fur the future ihclrdayof extortion will soon
be brought to a close. The day is not distaul
when we shall have a line of steamers connect-
ing with the New York line at Mobile. Then
our merchants will be placed uptfn an eflual
footing with those of New Orleans and can
receive thelrgoodsinasgoodtimc. Emigrants
will then find it to their advantage to embark
at Mobile Instead of New Orleans and will be
carried cheaper and be better treated than they
are now. yhls will surely be the case. A
movement to this effect U now on foot. Who
fias caused il 1 Who has driven the trade and
travel of Western Texas to seek other markets
and other channels? Harris & Morgan and
(lie merchants of New Orleans. 1'or It is an
acknowledged fact" that freights are cheaper
fiom New fork than from New Orleans; aud
It is well known fiat goods Can be purchased
cheaper and on belief terms in the former than
In the latter market. Theic arc facts known
lo every one who lias examined the subject.
And it Is an acknowledged principle of irate
thai merchants will buy where (hey can buy
cheapest and sell where they can get the beU
price. If New Orleans fails to afford these
advantages in trade she must expect (o lose
her commercial importance. And then when
wr; add the absence of this inducement the
heavy rate of (rcights between her port and
ours is it to be wondered at that our merchants
seek other nnd better markets! They might
have stood the difference in the price between
New York and New Orleans but when Ihey
have lo submit (o the Harris & Morgan extor-
tion It Is piling the agony on a little too heavy.
Trusting to the better time coming we shall
(eave (his company (o the evil of their ways.
They are joined to their Idols dollars and we
are compelled to let them alone;
i -. .I i I. .. - - i.
Texas E&ftger;
This paper recently destroyed by fire at
Washington is to be revived at Austin under
the proprietorship of Messrs Lancaster & Ford
and is to take the place of the South- Western
American Dr. Turd Is to be the editor and Mr
Lancaster the former proprietor of the Ranger
publisher The ability of the former as a wri
ter and the skill energy and enterprlzc of the
latter as publisher is a sufiicleut guarantee
that this new paper wilt be one of the ablest
and neatest in the State We wish the new
firm abundant success.
13T T. J Djviue ha- dhposed of his inter-
est In thiti office.
Messrs. Editors: Allow me to present to
hoso'lutereMed in th; prosperity of our city and
counly the subject of a read from this city to
Presidio del Norte or BOine point on the llio
Grande. The rend leading from thU point to
the interior of Northern Mexico can be short-
ened at lcaa one hundred miles WhUH will he
an immense saving to tho commerce of the
merchants ef Northern Mexico and lo to the
Governmtmt'in' the transportation of troops and
their supplies to the western frontier. The
only claim of the present devious routes made
upon old Indian trails Is the water which I
have no doubt a reconnoUance would show
could be found upon a road nearly straight.
The western portion of our county is at present
very sparsely populated and it a dead weight
upon the county treasury; but let the Govern-
ment open a road through and population
would flow along it lo the frontier and counties l sure I do mysejf but justice in supposing that Mances I should look ubon ilsTncorpora-
able to support themselves would toon be cut none of ray friends or acquaintances would tion into our Union as a very hazardous
off from our western line and be a benefit to ever believe me guilty of sucli a wanton cruel measure. It would' biing into the Coit
us instead of an expense. The benefits of
such a road would be felt immediately and
continually Increase. No objection that is not'
captious can be made to such an appropriation
by the General Government; and the advanta-
ges iu a sectiotial national point are so apparent
that I believe it has only to bo brought to the
notice of Congress to secure it. Shall wc have
it? If we do not represent our wants wc
should not complain of the Govern me nVfornot
relieving them. Let us forward on our' peti-
tions immediately fori Mlrv f hare bat to
afc ar.d r?lr " O
Booth Is Gone.
' rrom tbe charmed council to the festive botfd
Of nU'nUh feeling ilie unbounded lor J j
In whole scclain the loftiest voices vied: pride."
The praised the proud who made his praise their
The scholastic actor the impassioned
delineator of human nature ths man who
depicted Shakspearc's beautiful creaUons has
left us; and so rare a combination of natural
and acquired ability we may in Vain look for
during the present generation.
The rival of Edmund Kean at a time when
the brightest intellects of his native land were
auditory to the dramatic efforts of a ShJdons
and a Keinbte in the zenith of a well-won
European fa rile Booth left the land uf his birth
to find friends home and an Unbounded cele-
brity amid a new people and a new world
among a people whd (if it be parddnable In
their countryman lo commend them) have
never forgotten the noble sehlinlcht of
Churchill that
u Genius' Is of tin country her pure rajr
5 p reads ull u broad and general as tho day."
He who Inspires in the breast of his fellow
man (lie most thorough feeling Uf friendship
and the most ladling attachment may well
be thought no unworthy master of the human
heart; and judged by this standard no rrian
was superior lo Booth In eliciting the fervid
regard of all with whom a long and varied
life brought him in contact. A New Orleans
journal states his age to have been fifty-five.
This probably Is a mistake. Makfnt; a home
In the United States in the year 1825 in the
meridian of his fame ills likely that his age
exceeded sixty years.
Possessed df ah endUHng to'nsiitutibn and
fottUnafelV blending the bilious and nervous:
sanguine In his temperament Booth was always
an indefatigable Mudcnt. Without that fine
physical organization which gave majesty of
demeanor lo many of his young cotcraporaries
(for the generous frankness of his soul the
graceful urbanity of his address deprived
him of a rival) it was Ihe province of Booth
(o hold an undivided empire over the Mind aud
the Heart of the past and th'e present genera-
tion. One who has heard can never forget the
femd father's recognition of his child: Ills Im-
personation of Lear was inimitably beautiful
and touched the heart with instant sympathy:
rray do not mock me:
I am a very fuolUh fund old nmn
Fourscore nnd upward; nml to deal plainly
I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
M4tMnlcs I should know you and knb'w ill's man;
Yet I Htu duiiMful: for I nm luulnly ignorant
What ptucu (his h: and all the &M11 I hate
Remember not these garment; nor 1 know not
Where I did J oil go lust night: Do nut laugh n tine;
I'ur u I am a man I think t!n ludy
To bo my child Cordelia.'
Throughout the whole range of Srialtspedre's
characters Booth was a moat admirable deli
neator. It was for other to act the parts of
Richard and lago it remained for the great
tragedian to personify them to identify himself
with the crealibu of the author and caue us
to forget time place circumstance; leaving to
the understanding and the Imagination nothing
save the personation which was the offspring of
both.
He passed away when Fortune the capri-
cious goddess whoc smiles he had so often
slighted hud wreathed for hhn anew a laureled
crown: He had vMtcd our iarthtr empire; the
waters of the Pacific had washed with golden
sand the fret of Mind's favored child and
)..... 1 r .ii nl Ml T .-I I..... !...
latcall met him. Let in trust that a Bcnefl-1
cent Power has reinovrd him to a sphere of I
eJUicffcefc-sfroubluuslliJinllieoneweliveln.
The Picayune contain some jut and fen-
erous thoughts upon the dumi&e of Junius 13.
Booth:
. . . . . ...
"Thousands of lhoe who reverenced his
mishty control oftftcpWIon. have gone down
to tlieileii! yravf and their very names have
been IbiKutlcu: hut the name of thin magician
of the h'iarl is unalterably associated tvlih legi-
timate lame and a lain il-wreath will ever
encircle it green and Iron as that which wel-
comed young tiooih when Jirsi he burnt u'pun
the London dramatic world and tasked the
transcendent power oven of Edmund ICean to
keep apace witli him.
'rew men have seen more of life in it
strangest phases and mot capricious paths
than J un in-. Brutus !3oih. Anecdote after
anecdote has been told of h i odd humors and
whimsical flights hi-s Angular adventures oil
and on Ihe stage. Let a gentle breath cat a
dim" film over Ihe glass that would reflect his
frailties failings and errors. The regular
buifnc of life hccined too narrow and rigid for
his firy spirit aud wild fdiiey; hence many
wanderings from ihe every day path which
oltener grieved than' o'ffended his ft lends and
admirers.
"Ko man posseted hic'ner qualifies for suc-
cess in hN difficult prolusion A well read
scholar in the ancient glassies and in modern
literature with natural abilities cultivated to a
high degree he was futheimore imbued with
a polished taste that governed his most passion-
ate etforts anil a degree of sound judgment that
restrained him from all exhibitions character-
ized by rant or other dramatic exaggeration.
And above all did he possess to the latent
hour that ardor and Gre of the oul that bril-
liancy and heat of the imagination which
united at one effort like the lightning's flash
illumines the stage as If by a magic stroke and
raises the actor to the brightest niche of the
inspired poet. Nature alone bestows these
precious silts; art cau onlv train them; the
subject of our brirf notice was richly endowed
pe
warmth."
Who is to bo Mayor? This question is to
be seul'eJ on Monday next. C. P. King and
J. M. Devi ne are the opposing candidates.
E2T The "Washington Lone Star of the 18th
regrets to learn that a most horrid murder had
been committed in the town of Gonzales a few
days previous. Particulars not known.
Port Ewull Tr.xis Nov. 2Jlh 1853.
Mr. Euitor: Will you have the kindness
to insert the following in year paper and oblige
a friend.
1 have just learnt thro a tetter from Austin
of the wanton and dastardly hoax played off
in my name upon Mr. G. W. Tankersley. I
allude to the letter written to him some time
since over a forged signature of mine stating
that I had authority from Governor Bell to
raise twocompanies of volunteers and that I
wished him to raise one of them and repair
without delay to'S'an Antonio to be mustered
into the service of the United States I am
hoax as that perpetrated upon Mr. Tankersley;
but still the mers fact that my name was attach-
ed in any way to the letter addressed to him is
calculated to do ine an Injury among strangers.
It would be useless to denounce the author
of this crurl and cowardly hoax fdr one who
would be guilty of such an act' of course woiilil
aerer openly avow it: consequently all that I
cau do Is to assert thro1 your columns that I
had nothing to do directly or indirectly with tho
hoax perpetrated upon Mr.G. V. Taakerslej.
' Yuan sincerely
JOIINC DUVAL.
wiiii mem ; aim wm n n eipuing orea.u weiu u tripartite Convention hi virtue of which
nut nilarne that wil flicker up again at noi.A i.rt.i i ... ... . I
other man's bidding no matter how ardently llie l"'eCbil0ld severally and collective-
or persevcringh he may endeavor to catch its ly disclaim now nnd fur the future all in.
President's Message.
The only copy of this document wo
have received came in the Victoria Advo
cate and that nt sucli a late hour as to
preclude its publication in this week
Unless wo had distributed type already set
frr the paper. U inter these circumstances
wo can only give tho most interesting
portions of it.
In the course of last summer consider-
arable anxiety .was caused foraMiort time
by an olliuiul intimation from tho Govern
ment of Great Britain that orders hnd
beeli given for tho protection of tlio fish-
eries Updh tho coasts of the British prov-
inces in N. America ngaiust the alleged
encroachments of the fishing vessels of
the United States alnl Frnliue.
It was at first apprehended that nil in-
creased naval force had liectl drtlercd to
tho fishing grounds to carry into ciiect
the British interpretation of tlioe provis-
ions in the convention of 1819 iu refer-
ence to tile true intent of which the two
Governments ditfer. It was soon discov-
ered that such wus not the design of
Grc'rft Britdii mid satisfactory explana-
tions of the real objects of tho measure
hUvc been given both here dlid ill Lou-
The unadjusted difference However
between the two governments us to the
interpretation of the first urtiulc of the
Convention of 1818 is still a matter of
considerable importance. American fish-
mg vessels within nine or ten years have
beeli excluded from waters to which they
liiid free uceess.for tweniy-fivo yeursafter
the tiegotiation of the treaty. In lcH3
this exclusion relaxed so fur as concerns
the Way of Futuly but the just and lib-
eral intention of the Ildiriu Government
in compliance wltli what vu think ilie
true construction of the convention to
open all the otlter bays to our fishermen
was abandoned lii eotiseqiieiiee of the op-
position of the colonies. Notwithstanding
this the United States have siueo the
Buy of Ftiudy has been reopened to our
fishermen in 181o pursued the most lib-
eral course towards tile colonial iUhim?
interest. By the revenue law of 13 1G
the duties ou colonial llsh entering our
ports were very greatly reduced and by
tho warehousing act it is iillowcd to to
eiitorn'd in bond without payment of duty.
fin this way colonial tUlt bus acquired
tho monopoly of the export trade in our
marktt and is euteriug to some extent
into the home consumption. These facts
were umon those w filch increased the
sensibility of our fishing interest ut the
movement in question
The affairs of Cuba formed a promi-
nent topic in my last annual mes-
sage. They remain iu an uneasy condi-
tion and a feeling of alarm aud irritation
ou the part of the Cubad authorities ap-
pears to exist. This feeling lias interfered
with tho regular commercial intercourse
between the United States aud the island
and led to some acts of which we have a
right to confp'u'iu. But the Captain i
General of Cuba is clothed with no power I
to treat with foreign governments nor is he I
in any decree utidur thu control of tho I
ii'ini:li 1 inictnr nt Wi eli ttitrliiii A mi
communication which he may hold with '
an agent of a foreign power is informal
'ami matter of courtesy. Anxious to put
nd to exiting iuconvenieuces (which
denied to rest ou a misconception) I di-
rected the nuwiy appointed Minister to
T:... .. ..:ii. 1 1 .... i.:
1U4UU ll 1'' uuvi u ls wy '
VersitJrti. lie wa respectfully received
bv the Captain General who conferred !
with him freely on the recent oucru'reii.
iwa. bur tm n(riimiwtit nrrnn.r.m....t ...rit
effected.
J
In the meantime the refusal of the
Captain' General to allow passengers aud
the mail to be lauded iu certain caea
for a reason which does not furnish iu
the opinion of ihU Government even u
good presumptive ground for Htich a pro-
hibition lias been made the subject of a
serious remonstrance rit Madrid; and I
have no reason to doubt that duo respect
will be paid by tho government o'f Her
Catholic Majesty to the representations
which our Minister has been instructed to
makeou the subject.
It is but justice to the Cnptinu General
to add that his conduct tnwarda the
steamers employed to carry the mails of
tho United States to Havana has with the
exceptions above alluded to been murlted
with kindness aud liberality aud indicates
no general purpose of interfering with the
commercial correspondence and inter-
course between the island and this coun-
try. Early in the present year official notes
wore f reel veil1 from' tho Ministers ol
France aud England inviting tho Gov-
ernment of the United States to become
a party with Great 13'riain and France to
tentiou to obtaiu possession of tho Island
of Cuba aud should bind themselves to
discountenance nil attempts to that effect
on tho part of auy power or individual
whatever. This invitation has been re-
spectfully declined for reasons which
would occupy too much space iu this
communication to state in detail; but
wliich led mo to think that tho proposed
measure would bo of doubtful constitu-
tionality impolitic nnd unavailing. I
have however iu common with several
of my predecessors directed the Ministers
of Franco and England to be asVu'red
thai the United States entertain no do
signs against Cuba; but that ou the con-
trary I should regard its incorporation
into thu Union at the present time fraught
with serious peril.
Were this island comparatively desti-
tute of inhabitants or occupied by a kin-
dred race I should regard it if voluntarily
ceded by Spain as a most desirable ac
quisition ism under existing circdm-
federacy a populatioidof a Verydiffereut'na
tional stock speaking a different language
and not likely tolmrmoulzo wiih'the other
members. It would probably affect' ill' a
prejudicial manner the industrial interests
of tho South ; and it might revive those
conflicts of opinion betweeu tlio different
section's' of the country which lately shook
the Union to its centre aud which have
beeil to happily compromised.
1 he rejection by the Mexican Congress
of the Convention which had been conciu.
ded botweeu that Republic nnd the United
Stales Vor llio protection of a transit Way
across the isthmus of Tehauntepec and
of tho interests of those citizens of tho
United States who had become proprie-
tors of the rights which Mexico had con-
ferred on one of her own citizens iu re-
gard lo that transit has thrown a serious
obstacle iu the way of the attaiumeutof
a very desirable national object. I am1
still willing to hope that the differences t
oil the subject which exist or may hereaf-
ter arise between the Governments will
be nmicnbly adjusted.
'the settlement of the question respect
ing the port of San Juan de Nicaragua
and of the controversy between the Re-
public of Costa Ilica and Nicaragua in
regard to their boundaries was consid-
ered indispensable to the commencement
of the ship cunal between the two oceans-
which was the subject of tho Convention
between the United States and Great
Britain of the li)ih of April 18dU.
Accordingly n proposition for tho 6amo
purpose addressed to the two Govern-
ments iu that quarter aud to the Mos-
quito Indians was agreed to iu April
last by tho Secretary of State nnd thu
Minister of her Brilantc Majesty. Be-
sides the wish to aid in reconciling the
differences of the two republics I en-
gaged in tho negotiation from a desiru
to place the great work of a ship canal
between the two oceans under one juris-
diction and to establish tho important
port of San Juan do Nicaragua under tho
government of a civilized power. Tho
proppsition ill question was assented to
by Costa ltica and the Mosquito Indians.
It lias not proved equally acceptable to
Nicaragua but it is to be hoped that tlio
further negotiations on the subject which
arc hi train will be carried on in that
spirit df conciliation rind compromise
wliich ought always to prevail ou sucli
occasions and that they will lead to a
satisfactory result.
I have thu satisfaction to inform yotl
that the executive trovernment of Vene-
zuela hait acknowledged some claims of
citizeiis of tiie United States wliich have
for many years past been urged by our
Charge d'Alluirs at Caracens. It is hoped
that the same sense of justice will actu-
ate the Congress of that Republic in
providing the menus for their payment.
The recent revolution it) Buenos Ayree.
and the coiifeJerated States having opened
the f)ropeut of nil improved state tbf
things in that quarter tlio Governments
of Great Britain nnd France determined
to negotiate with the chief of the new
Confederacy for the free access of their
commerce to the extensive countries
watered by ilie tributaries of tho Lu Plant;
and they gave a friendly notice of thia
purpose to tho United States that wo
might if we thought proper pursue tho
same course. Iu compliance with this
invitation our Minister at Rio Janeiro
nnd Chnrgu d1 A (fairs at Buenos Ayres
havu been fully authorized to conclude
treaties with the newly organized con-
frdeiation or the States composing it.'
The delays which have taken place in
ys wnicn nave taken n
the formufum of tho new government'
have as yet prevented the execution of
thoe instruction : but there is every
re"f " t0 I0P l iUl lllcS0I vasl conuiriod
Wl!l be vumttaly opened to our com-
uierce.
A treaty of commerce has been con-
cluded between the United States and
I ho Oriental Republic of Uiuguay which'
will l)o laid before the benatu. bhoultl
n . " ' j
l ""veiilwn go into of.erution it will
Pen to. llti0 commercial enterprise of pur
LIII5BLI" a UUHHlfy trrt'ai ejciem ixn
unurpaed iu utituriil resources ; but
fiom winch foreign nations have hitherto'
been inmost wholly excluded.
Tho correspondence of the late Secre-
tary of State with the Peruvian thurgo
d'Alfnir; relative lo tho Lobos Island''
vu communicated to Congress towards7
the close of last Lsion. Since that time
no further investigation ot thu subject
tho doubts wlnili have been entertained
of the title of Pur u to thou Ulnuds have'
been removed: and I havu deemed it
jnt thai the temporary u rung which had
been unintentionally done her from want
of information should bo repaiied by an
unserved acknowledgement of her eov-
creignty. I have the satisfaction to inform you that
ihe course pursued by Peru has been
creditable lo tho liberality of her Govern-
ment. Before it was known by her that
her title would be acknowldded at
Washington l(er Minister of' Foreign
Affairs had authorized our Charge d'Af-
fairs at Lima to announce to the Ameri-
can vessels wliich had' gone to ihe Lobos
for guano that the Peruvian Government
was willim; to freight them on its own
account. This intention hasju'een carried
iuto effect by the Peruvian Minister hero
by an arrangement which is believed to
bo advantageous to the parties hi interest.'
Our settlements on the shores of the
Pacific have already given a great exten-
sion and iu soma respects a new direc-
tion to our commerce in thai ocean. A
direct and rapidly increasing intercourse
has sprung up with Eastern Asia. Tho
waters of the Northern Pacific even into"
Uhe Arctic sea; have of late years been
impiemeu uy our wuatemen The appli-
cation of steam to the general purposes of
navigation is becoming daily more com-"
mon and makes it desirable to obtain fuel
and other necessary supplies at coriven-"
ieut points oh thu route between Asia'4
and our Pacific shores' Our unfortunate"'
countrymen who from time to time suffer
shipwreck on the coasts of the eastern"
seas are entitled to protection. .Besides
liieso specific objects tho general jiros-'
perity of our Stale on the Pacific requires"
that an attempt should bo mad6 to open
tho opposite regions of A?hTfo a mutually
beneficial intercourse. It is obvious that'
this attempt could be made by no power
to so great advaidage as by the United'
States whose constitutional system ex-
eludes every idea of distant colonial
dependencies. I have accordingly been
led to order an appropriate naval force to
Japan under the command of a discreet
and intelligent officer of the highest rank
known toour service llo is instructed to
endeavor to obtain from the govern-
ment of that country some relaxation
of tlio inhospitable and anti-social sys-
tem which it has pursued for about
two centuries.' lie has been directed to
remonstrate hi' tho strongest lamma
against tho cruel treatment to which our
Uhipwrcched mariners' havo often been
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The Western Texan (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 10, Ed. 1, Thursday, December 23, 1852, newspaper, December 23, 1852; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth78303/m1/2/: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.