Election returns of 1838. As a matter of refe- I had made their escape in one of the Indian canoes, rence the following table of the result of the elec-and arrived at Tea Table Key, in the immedia's tion which took place in 1838 will be convenient vicinity. [Charleston Courier of the 20th inst. now to compare with. The following letter from our attentive correspondent at Key West, gives some additional particulars of the horrid massacre: COUNTIES. Whig. Adm. Miller. H. Rp's. Senate. 1 1 Key West, August 1840. DEAR SIRS: We were alarmed on the morning of the 8th instant, by the arrival here of a great part of the inhabitants of Key Vacas. They bad their homes in consequence of the arrival of a sma boat, with some negroes from Indian Key, on the morning of the 7th, who reported that a number of 0 Indians had landed on Indian Key, immediately after the moon had gone down; they think from 169 to 150 in number, that morning, and had murdered all of its inhabitants, and burnt their houses. A party from this, immediately went on board of the 10 wrecking sloop Vevilia, and started. They had not proceeded many miles, when they encountere the wrecking schooner Gen. Washington, direct from Indian Key, whose captain informed them, that it was unnecessary for them to proceed further as all of the houses, except one, owned and occopied by Mr. Charles Howe, inspector of customs, 02 were destroyed-and that the Indians had left the Island about 10 o'clock, A. M. of the 7th, taking away all that they wanted, in the boats belonging 0 1 to the Key. It appears, so soon as the alarm was given by the yells of the Indians, Mr. Houser and wife, and Mr. Howe, wife and five children. 0 were successful in making their escape, and went to Tea Table Key, which is about one mile and a 20 0 1 515 W. A. W. A. 1 510 0 25 1 634 3 0 1 547 2 0 124 0 15 881 806 0 1 Garrard-George B. Mason. Green-Wm. N. Marshall and Aaron Harding. Hopkins-Hiram H. Smith. Henderson-Thomas Towles, jr. Harrison-Aiex'r H. Innis and Hugh Newell. Hardin-John Cofer and James W. Hays. Hart-George Craddock. Henry-Charles T. Chilton. Hickman-John Shaw. Jefferson-Wm. R. Vance and Warrick Miller. Jessamine-Tucker Woodson. Kenton-John A. Goodson. Knox and Harlan-Green Adams. Louisville city-W. F. Bullock and J. Rudd. Livingston-Joseph Watts. Lincoln-David Shanks. Laurel-Mark Watkins. Lawrence and Carter-Green V. Goble. Lewis Mandley Trussell. Logan-J. W. Davidson and S. W. Atkinson. Muhlenburg-B. E. Pittman. Mason-T. M. Forman and C. A. Marshall. Montgomery-James Bruton. Monroe-William G. Howard. St. Francois Washington Madison-W. Chenault and Jefferson Williams. Mercer-Elijah Gabbert and Thomas P. Moore. Oldham-E. M. Taylor. 305 255 1 0 298 1 1 02 192 799 808 0 2 0 half. Dr. Perrine, wife and three children remained in their house for a short time, when the doctor we to the cupalo and spoke to the Indians in Spanish, but it is supposed they then shot him, for be wai His lady, with her two daughters not again seen. and son, retreated to the Turtle Crawl, near the house, watched their opportunity, and while the Indians were plundering, started in a boat for an old hulk, lying about two hundred yards from the Key, where they remained until day-light, when they were taken away by a boat from Tea Table Kev. Mr. John Motte, master of the wrecking sloop Key West, with his wife, two children and his mother, retired for the purpose of secreting them in the privy; but poor unfortunate peopás, they were soon dragged out, and Mr. Motte and 1 wife were shot-the mother escaping to the water, 1 by which she was saved-they then dashed out the brains of the two infants against the rocks, and lett 01 them with the corpses of the parents. As the bouse of Dr. P. was burnt, his body must have been consumed in it. A lad about 12 years old, brother f 1 Mrs. E. Smith, hid himself in the cistern of M Houseman's house-with a carpenter named Blocks -the latter was saved, but much burnt; the lad 1 perished in the flames. The only other person ca the Key, at the time of the attack, burt, was Mr. Otis, a carpenter-he was wounded by a rifle balk which has been extracted and he is doing well. At Tea Table Key, a U. S. post, about one mile and a half from Indian Key, there were about 12 invalids, in charge of a doctor of the U. S. army. The rest of the detachment of marines, under command c 594 1 2 0 Morgan and Breathitt-J. W. South. Crawford Meade-James D. Perciful. St. Louis Cole Gasconade Miller 205 276 0 1 McCracken-Robert Fletcher. 323 0 12 Pulaski 454 456 O 15 Nicholas-John Raymon. Nelson-James P. Hardin and Thomas Speed. Pettis 146 135 216 Ohio and Hancock-John H. McHenry. Owen-Joseph W. Rowlett, Indian Key destroyed, and the inhabitants butchered by the Indians.-Again it becomes our melancho-lieut. Sloan, had left about 48 hours before, in the ly duty to record the cold blooded butchery of men, U. S. schooner Wave, for Cape Romano, to join the women and children, by the sanguinary Seminoles. expedition of boats in the everglades, under comAgain has the treacherous savages bathed their mand of lieut. com'g McLaughlin. Nevertheless, tomahawks and scalping knives hilt deep in human the doctor, so soon as he heard of the attack, with blood, burning houses and destroying property, and five of his invalids and Mr. Houseman, pushed tobeen allowed deliberately to retire in security towards the scene of action, with a barge, in which their fastnesses, to prepare for another attack on was mounted a gun, which they discharged, on apthe defenceless inhabitants of Florida. whenever a proaching the place-it recoiled and went overfavorable opportunity shall offer. These scenes may, and probably will be reiterated time and again, unless some more energetic measures are adopted to drive them from the territory, or the inhabitants flee from their homes and country, leaving the Indians to haul off. in undisputed possession. General Harrison. While surrounded by all that is most flattering to a noble heart, fame, the certain evidence of the love and esteem of his countrymen, and the sure prospect of the richest and most glo. rious reward which they can bestow upon him for his past faithful and devoted services to his country, private griefs hang heavily upon his spirit. Heaven, The following persons were on the Key at the as if to remind him of the emptiness of earthly ho- The intelligence of this most disastrous occur-attack-Mr. Houseman and wife, Mr. Charles nors, is visiting him with afilictions in the domestic rence was brought to this port by captain Kenyon, Howe, wife and 5 children, Dr. Perrine, wife and 3 | circle. He has buried, since 1835, three sons; re- of the schooner Victoria, arrived at quarantine children, Mrs. Elliott Smith, child, brother and cently he had consigned to the grave another, a yesterday from Key West. He states that a wreck-mother, John Motte, wife and 3 children, Messrs. young and promising son, just entering the age of ing vessel arrived at Key West, from Indian Key, Otis, Blocks and Glass, carpenters, Mr. Goodhue, manhood; his youngest and only remaining one is 7th inst. with a few of the survivors, who stated clerk of Mr. Houseman, 8 inen, crew of wrecking suffering from a severe wound; his wife, the parti-that a number of Indians in their canoes, attacked sloop Key West, and some 10 or 12 negroes, the cipator in all the varied vicissitudes of joy and sor-Indian Key on the night of the 5th instant, and after latter all saved. Out of this number, Mr. Motte, row of his eventful life, still continues dangerously murdering part of the inhabitants, and filling their wife and 2 children, are destroyed, and Dr. Perrine ill, and, it is feared, is about to be taken from him. canoes with plunder, burnt the whole settlement, and the brother of Mrs. Smith, with all of the consisting of about 30 houses, dwellings and stores. houses, except one of Mr. Howe's. A boat in The Indians remained until noon on the following charge of Charles Stuart, was immediately sent The St. Louis Bulletin of the 17th says that ac-day, when they left for the main. The survivors from this place with the news to Cape Florida, and cording to the latest information, the members elect were concealed during this time under a wharf, and one from this to Cape Romano, with the hopes that of the legislature stand as follows: 46 whigs and 49 left immediately after the Indians departed for Key some of the Indians might be intercepted on their Van Burenites in the house. The senate will stand West. Our informant, not having conversed with return. Charles Stuart and one other man had been 15 whigs and 18 Van Burenites. any of the survivors, is unable to give us a more a bunting, and were in the act of landing on Indian detailed account. It was stated at Key West, that Key, when they were warned by the yells of the some two or three of the inhabitants of Indian Key savages in time to make their escape. MISSOURI. [N. Y. Express. In 52 counties heard from the majority for the Van Buren candidate for governor is 4,667. Mr. Howe's family and the rest of the unfortunate sufferers, are on board of the wrecking sebr. Sylph, at Indian Key, awaiting clothes, provisions, &c. from this, all of which have been sent them by the sloop Vevilia, capt. Wood. This is rather an imperfect account, but all of the facts are strictly stated. day; as also at Hudson, Durham, Hunter, Prattsville, Catskill and Owego, N. Y. lahassee will maintain the peace and order of the on and after trial ineffectual. we repeat after the Portland Advertiser, that it "continued for three hours, with no diminution of power and interest on the part of the orator, and none of attention or patience on the part of the audience." Excitement at Tallahassee. There has been an unpleasant state of affairs, of which the Tallahassee Star of the 11th gives an account, by which it appears that the Van Buren convention held at Ockockney, in the beginning of August, thought proper to resolve that the whigs of Florida were in league with the northern abolitionists, at which the party became indignant. The resolution was published in the Floridian, and the writer's name being demanded by some of the aggrieved party We consider the introduction of an armed force was, after some hesitation disclosed by the editor of that paper. Pending the discussion, gov. Reid under your orders into our city, as a violation of the called into Tallahassee some military companies in constitution of the United States, subversive of the the service of the United States on the frontier, and liberty of our citizens, at home and abroad. Your At Bennington, Vermont, a whig convention asstationed them round the governer's house, estab-excellency has been pleased to state in your letter At this the of 4th inst. "that the public peace was yesterday in sembled on the 14th instant. It is stated that more lishing centinals all over the town. citizens became very indignant, and a large meeting repeated instances violated;" we presuine your ex- than ten thousand persons were present. The proconvened in the evening, and a committee was ap cellency has not made this statement on your own cession was several miles in length. One of the pointed who remonstrated with the governor on this knowledge but on such information as you have re- many attractions was a wagon containing nearly one course, declaring that there was no danger of a ceived. We call for proof of these repeated instances hundred ladies, drawn by twelve horses. It was the of a breach of the peace, and requesting that the of our violated laws, which are charged to have oc- sixty-second anniversary of the glorious battle of troops might be withdrawn. They represented that curred here on the 3d inst. We assure your excel- Bennington, when the hardy militia of New Hamp the territorial government had no right to call these lency you have been imposed on by the fears of shire and Vermont, commanded by the intripid and troops from the defence of the frontier, as the citi- some timid persons, or some whose malice or desire patriotic Stark, achieved a noble victory over a zen soldiery of the city was amply sufficient to is only to traduce our fellow citizens; except some strong detachment from the army of gen. Burgoyne. quell all trouble if the mayor had seen any resis- hasty and passionate words that, on the 3d instant, This vast assemblage was addressed by col. Stone, tance to make the presence of the military necessa- passed between some of our citizens, we know of of New York, N. P. Tallmadge, gen. Jas. Wilson, ry. The Star says: "The committee after many nothing else that could have brought an armed force and also by a revolutionary hero, Lewis Hurd, who in our city. We know of no attempt at violence on bore a part in the battle of Bennington. delays, obtained an audience of his excellency.They delivered their message. The governor re- the part of any of our citizens, but your own officer, plied, that he was responsible to the president, and major Elias E. Blackburn, on this day, Aug. 5th, not to the people of Florida for his measures-and attempted, by showing his Bowie knife, and by an making a bow to the committee, turned upon his insulting and menacing manner and language, to heel and retired to his private apartments. After intimidate our citizens. this cavalier treatment, the committee wrote a note to his excellency, with the view of obtained his reasons in writing. The following is his response: a At Utica, New York, the whig state convention was held on the 12th inst. the correspondent of the Madisonian says twenty-six thousand persons were present. A correspondent of the True American says: If our peaceable citizens are to be arrested by the The delegates from their respective towns displayed soldiers under your orders, in the streets, while variety of banners, with devices and mottoes, log pursuing their ordinary business, or seeking social cabins, forts, balls, (six feet in diameter), a descripTallahassee, 4th Aug. 1840. intercourse with each other; if they are to be threat- tion of which would occupy a column of the Ame GENTLEMEN: Understanding that you desire a ened by armed sentinels if they do not stop; if our rican, and which would give a more lively and just reply, in writing, to your application of this after-citizens are, like criminals, to be conducted before conception of the feeling of the people in this part noon, I have to inform you, that although I do not the officer of your guard before they are permitted of the state, than could be done in any other manadmit your right to question me about the employ to go about their own business; if they are not per- ner. I am compelled, however, to omit any notice ment of the militia, of which I am chief magistrate, mitted to see you and learn the cause of their arrest; of this part of the ceremonial of the day, except in we are indeed under a military despotism unknown two or three instances. The Whitestone delegates, yet my republican principles forbid me to refuse an hitherto in the United States. Sir, we protest, on one of the most numerous and respectable, had five answer to any application of my fellow citizens. I state then, to you, that the public peace was the part of our citizens against this exercise of mi- painted banners; one of them represented Washyesterday, in repeated instances, violated; that there litary force over them. We claim all the rights of ington presenting Harrison with his first commisare those in this community who seem to consider citizenship, and these rights our duty as freemension; the figures nearly as large as life-the resemthe pistol and the Bowie knife as the laws of the will compel us to maintain and defend from all in-blance admirable, and the painting a truly handsome land; and that I am determined, as governor of Flo-sult and violence, come from what quarter it may specimen of the art. The other side represented rida, to assert and maintain the supremacy of the laws. The volunteers are in Tallahassee, therefore, not to violate the public peace, but to protect it.. I am respectfully, our ob't servant, ROBERT REYMOND REID, gov. of Florida. Messrs. Hayward, Hackley, Randolph and Cope You, sir, are as safe in this city as you would be Harrison as a hunter, with a fox in his hard, and in Washington, under the immediate protection of opposite to him an Indian chief in full dress, with the president of the United States, and we pledge the motto, "Whitestone-Schenondoah's hunting ourselves that yourself and family and friends, re-ground in '83-Harrison's in 1840." Under the quire not protection from the military force under fox" was the motto, "he has caught the fox." your command from any other enemy but the savage Schenondoah you will recollect, was a famous chief foe of our country. Entertaining these opinions, and confident they are those of our fellow citizens, we respectfully request that the military now in When the substance of this answer become this city may be sent to the frontier to protect our known, the people began to assemble in considera- fellow citizens who are in actual danger, and where ble force; the drums were beat; arms collected; ar- their services are necessary. This course we hope tillery brought out and charged, and things began you will approve, and at once remove from our city to look serious. Remonstrance was however, again the only real cause that can produce serious disor-fested no less ingenuity in design, than taste in the tried with the governor, by the citizens before pro-der and violence. Your obedient servants, land, of the committee. ceeding to the last resort. After a protracted nego. tiation he consented to send the troops away, and on their departure the excitement subsided. The following is the letter addressed to the governor by the committee for the removal of the troops. Tallahassee, 5th Aug. 1840. To his excellency, Robert Reymond Reid, governor of the territory of Florida: WM. P. DUVAL, D. F. WILSON, T. HEZEAU, A. M. GATLIN, L. H. BRYANT, POLITICS OF THE DAY. Committee SIR: As a committee on the part of the citizens of Tallahassee, we lay before your excellency the To furnish the readers of the Register with an idea affidavits of Levi Carlton, T. Bezeau, David F. of the doings of the two political parties at this Wilson, Lewis H. Bryant, Waller, W. Taylor and time, arrayed as they are throughout the length of Charles Quayle, all of whom are citizens of Talla- this vast republic upon the presidential question, it hassee, but one, who resides in the county of Madi- is only necessary to abridge from the formidable son. These depositions prove that an armed force, now in the service of the United States, have been called to Tallahassee, and as you avow by your order, "to maintain the supremacy of the laws." column upon column with which the public journals continuing a tour through the northwestern states. The citizens of this place have met to inquire into the causes that have induced your excellency THE VICE PRESIDENT, Richard M. Johnson, is to call into our city a military force, (that had been provided for the defence of citizens on the frontier), and after due examination we have not been able to hear of any disorder or violation of the peace, except some angry words that passed between two of our citizens a day or two since, and There has been a great gathering of Van Buren which has passed away without any violence. We men at Lockport, New York, on the 15th instant, can assure your excellency that the citizens of Tal- and a similar one at Bennington, Vt. on the same of the Oneidas, and the motto was suggested by a execution; they were the work of a young artist in viction of the momentous truths that he uttered. General Solomon Van Rensselaer, on his return from the west was here introduced to the people by Mr. Spencer, with appropriate and happy allusions to his services in the late war. He was received in the most enthusiastic manner, with cheers and acclamation." Mr. Webster had on the day previous, addressed a large meeting at Morristown, N. Y. The convention was organized. John Lee, president; captain Henry Culler, Joseph West, Dr. Thos. Springer, Wilson Hays, vice presidents; Richard Johnson, secretary. The principal speakers were Edward A. Lynch, At Macon, Georgia, the whig state convention assembled on the 13th inst. within an enclosure near the city, a portion of which had been appropriated to the ladies. It is conjectured that there were at least twelve thousand persons within the enclosure. Some of the papers say that there were from 18 to 20,000 persons present. W. C. Preston. The assembly was organized by the election of the hon. Jno. McPherson Berrien, as president of the convention, by acclamation, and by the appoint. ment of five gentlemen as secretaries. The proceedings were opened with prayer by the rev. Mr. Pierce, after which judge Berrien briefly addressed the people. He was followed by Mr. Preston, at the close of whose eloquent remarks a procession was formed, and an adjournment to the table an nounced. The description of the assemblage and procession occupies several columns of the Macon Journal. line, the effect was wonderfully exciting. The whole | crammed into it, suffered exceedingly from the heat is now divided. And ever and anon as some faprocession entered Chandler's square, about 1 and crowd. Here, however, Mr. Webster resumed vorite motto or some striking emblem would catch o'clock. The speaking commenced about half past and concluded his remarkable address-remarkable the eyes of the throng of spectators, a deafening 1 o'clock. Mr. Joshua A. Spencer in a very touch- as well for the force and irresistible clearness with shout gave token of their approbation. And al ing and elegant address introduced Mr. Tallmadge which he stated both facts and arguments, and from the while sonorous metal,' in the shape of two to the multitude; he was greeted with three cheers the entire absence of all imputation of bad motives pieces of artillery, were thundering forth their "marthat must have been heard for miles. I shall not of opponents. tial sounds.'" attempt to give you any sketch of this address. It was one of the most effective and really eloquent addresses, that I have ever heard. It was a history At Saratoga it had been understood for a week of the policy of the administration during the last three years. A more searching review you have past that on the 16th Daniel Webster would address never heard nor one more faithful to the facts. It was the people at length on the present condition and of Frederick; Wm. Price, of Hagerstown; Wm. interspersed with anecdotes so apt and pointed, that political prospects of the country, and from early they drew cheer after cheer from the audience. Mr. morn until the hour appointed for the meeting, the Orton, of Indiana; Messrs. Wallis, Richardson, Tallmadge spoke about an hour and a half, and I people came thronging in from all quarters to listen Charles H. Pitts and Reverdy Johnson, of Baltican assure you that no man was ever listened to in after 3 o'clock the multitude assembled in the beau- sprout" as he is termed. to the great champion of the constitution. Shortly more; and Win. Cost Johnson, the "Cotocton this country with more profound attention, or pro-tiful grove just beyond the Congress Spring, and duced by the force of eloquence alone, a deeper con- then Mr. Webster came forward, and after the heart-stirring cheers with which he was greeted had subsided, commenced his address to an audience of over seven thousand persons. Mr. Webster spoke for three hours and a half-until indeed the gathering shades of evening and physical exhaustion compelled him to desist-and we can safely Delegations from every county of the state attendsay that we have never yet listened to an address ed, besides many hundreds of persons from many Mr. Stanly, of North Carolina, followed the intro- which combined in itself so many varied excellen- other parts of the union. Many of the eloquent duction of general Van Rensselaer in one of thecies-such clear illustration, such conclusive argumen of the day were there, and addressed the peomost admirable popular addresses that you can ima- ments, such touching pathos, as this admirable ad-ple on the occasion; amongst them we notice the gine. He was quite out of health, and as I sup- dress of Mr. Webster's. Nor was there any thing names of the hon. Julius C. Alford, and the hon. posed, unable to speak any length of time, but for about it to which the most fastidious opponent could at least one hour he kept the immense audience ri-object-no invective-no imputation of base moveted around him. There was a novelty, both in tives-no torturing of facts or discoloring of opihis manner and language, but it was really enchant nions to strengthen his own or weaken his adversaing. Mr. Hiram Ketchum, of New York, followed ry's cause. The facts he introduced were all matMr. S. in a luminous exposition of the nature of the ter of record-the projects and opinions of the adcredit system. ministration party, he inferred, or left his audience Mr. Alfred Kelley, of Ohio, followed, and gave us to infer, from their own printed speeches and docuone of the finest specimens of Buckeye oratory that ments; and as for the motives which prompted these has ever been heard in this state. It was, indeed, measures of the federal government they were left admirable in its tone, and produced a succession of to be judged of by their fruits. Perhaps the chief responses from the people that made the welkin beauty of the speech was its perfect adaptation to ring." A son of Mr. Daniel Webster was next intro- the intellect of every man who heard him. We do duced, who came there to apologize for the unavoid not believe that there was a single individual in that able absence of his father. He not only did this in vast assembly, who did not carry away with him a a very appropriate and handsome manner, but gave deep impression of what Mr. Webster said; and this us a sketch of the political "life and times" in Illi- impression was the more vivid, and will be the nois, from which state he came. No man is more more enduring, because every argument he advancvenerated in the county of Oneida than Daniel Web-ed and every illustration he employed could be ster; and you may imagine the reception of the son grasped by the most ordinary capacity. But there of "such a sire." I thought at one time that they were about this speech too some touches of as true! "After the procession arrived at the grove, the would have taken him froin the stand, so lively was oratory as ever sprang from human lips. There meeting was organized by appointing gov. Trimble, the curiosity, and so much excited were the hearers was an allusion, which, falling naturally and in the president, with twelve vice president and was ad when his name was announced. He spoke about most unstudied manner from his lips, suspended for dressed by the very able member of congress from forty minutes, and to the purpose. He gave us clear the moment every breath, and brought tears to the Chillicothe, col. Bond, and then, in succession, by insight into western life and feeling, and left the eyes of the sternest among his auditors. It was W. W. Southgate and gen. R. Collins, of Kentucky, stand, followed by cheer after cheer. Mr. Southard when he spoke of the log cabin, half hidden in the and that venerable political patriarch of the west, closed the exercises in one of the most brilliant ap snow drifts of New Hampshire, and looking out Jeremiah Morrow, who, in a plain, sensible and appeals that it has ever been my fortune to listen to. from her frontier hills upon a wilderness then un-propriate speech, demonstrated the departure of our I left him speaking at 7 o'clock in the evening, and broken by a single human habitation between itself present rulers from all the well established doctrines I am informed that his address was one of the most and the walls of Quebec, which his father's hands of the democratic party in the days of Jefferson, Mamasterly dissections of the principles and policy of had reared, and where in early life that father had dison and Monroe, and also testified to his long acthe government that has ever been heard in this toiled and struggled that he might give his children quaintance with gen. Harrison, an entire confidence state. Between the speeches there were a number a better education and fit them for a higher station, in his fitness in every respect for the office of chief of log cabin songs, in which a large portion of the than it had been his lot to enjoy. But we do injus- magistrate of the union. Several other speakers audience joined with the liveliest sympathy. tice to the speaker and to the sentiment in attempt delighted the audience, and the meeting closed in ing to give this beautiful passage in his speech in harmony, resolved to conquor-and conquor they any but his own language. We are happy in the will." belief that not only this, but every part of Mr. Web- At Lancaster, Ohio, on the 11th inst._ a whig Mr. Miller, of Morris, then introduced Mr. Webster's address will be accurately reported and pub-meeting took place which the Western Post says ster. "Friends," said Mr. Miller, "in the dark and lished without delay. We can only say in conclu- was attended by "more than twenty thousand freedoubtful period which preceded the Declaration of sion that we drew the most favorable auguries from men," "of the citizens of Perry, at least one thouIndependence, when silence, deep and anxious, per- the numbers and characters of the great meeting on sand arrived by 7 o'clock in the morning. The vaded the convention, some one said we want to Wednesday of the onward progress of the good buildings of the beautiful town was literally covered hear from Massachusetts, and they did hear from cause in Saratoga as every where else. We would with flags." Massachusetts-from Lexington and from Bunker that every elector of the union had been at Saratoga Hill. So now, when gloom is settling upon the and within reach of Mr. Webster's voice. country, and men are anxiously asking themselves what shall be done to avert impending calamity, we again desire to hear from Massachusetts; and the echoes from Lexington and Bunker Hill will find responsive echoes from the mountains of New Jersey. I introduce to you, fellow citizens, Daniel At Stanhope, N. Y. a meeting of upwards of 3,000 whigs assembled and were addressed by D. B. Og. den, esq. Webster. [Albany Adv. The whig barbacue at Middletown, Maryland, on the 14th inst. is represented by the papers as having been one of the most imposing exhibitions ever witnessed of the kind in that section. About five hundred attended from Frederick-a large number from Jefferson. The principal part of two days, and until late at night of the first, was appropriated to the orators who addressed the people, and were received with enthusiastic applause. At Hillsborough. On the 30th ult. a log cabin was erected at Hillsborough, Highland co. Ohio. The following is from the Maysville Eagle: THE NEGRO WITNESS CASE. Letter from Mr. Van Buren to Eugene Burras, of Jamestown, Martin county, N. Carolina. Washington, April 4, 1840. SIR: I have received your letter, asking me, for yourself and in behalf of the citizens of Martin county, North Carolina, to give you a statement of the case of lieutenant Hooe of the navy, with my views upon the subject; a request with which I do not hesitate to comply. Mr. Webster was received with deafening cheers, "But what shall we say of Washington county," and immediately entered upon one of those clear, says the Examiner-"We cannot applaud, as it decalm, thorough and masterly reviews of the condi- serves, the zeal which brought out on this occasion, It appears from the official report of the case made tion of the country, and of the nature and tendency so many hundreds of the whigs of that noble coun- by the secretary of the navy to congress, that lieuof the measures of the administration, which he ty. The line of their procession, as it turned the tenant Hooe was tried by a court martial upon sealone can make. It was a source of most unfeign curve in the road at the western extremity of the veral charges, portions of which were for causing ed regret and disappointment-a disappointment town, wearied the eye that waited to see its termi- several persons to be flogged on board of the United felt deeply, we are sure, by the whole audience, nation. On, on they came; on horseback and in States ship Vandalia, in disregard of the internal reamong whom were many administration men-that carriages-young men and old-the youth whose gulations of said ship, and in direct violation of the after Mr. W. had been speaking about half an hour, pride it will hereafter be that his first vote was giv-act for the better government of the navy; that he the rain, which had occasionally fallen before, pour-en for old Tippecanoe, and his white headed sire was acquitted upon a portion of the charges, and con. ed down in torrents, and rendered it impossible to who remembers when old Tippecanoe was de-victed upon the residue; that in the course of his trial continue the meeting in the open air. fending the infant settlements of the west. On two colored seamen belonging to the crew of the An adjournment was made to a large building in they came, with banners and flags floating in the vessel on board of which he was serving, were of the neighborhood, but that could not contain one-breeze, and mottoes and devices illustrative of the fered as witnesses to substantiate a portion of the fourth of those assembled; and those who were characteristics of the parties by which the country charges; that they were objected to by lieutenant I Hooe, but admitted by the court, a majority of which regarded as rules of decision in trials at common evidence, it not being competent in the courts of was composed of southern officers; that the pro- law in the courts of the United States in cases where this state for negroes to testify against white perceedings of the court martial were referred by the they apply. The consequence of this provision in sons), left the room-the collector proceeded, howsecretary of the navy, in the absence of the attor- respect to this particular question is, that when the ever, to take the testimony, and after closing the ney general, to the attorney for this district, a native federal courts sit in a state where by its own laws, same, forwarded it to Washington the whole of of a slaveholding state, and subsequently to the at- colored persons are prohibited from testifying against which I presume you can find in the office of the torney general himself, for their opinion in regard white persons, they are excluded in those courts; secretary of the treasury. A copy of one of the to the objection, which had been made on the trial and when the state laws admit them in the state negro depositions I now have before me. Mr. as to the competency of the colored witnesses; that courts, they are admitted in the federal courts also. Murch had his commission taken from him-the these gentlemen united in the opinion that inasmuch Such has been the uniform practice under the act testimony having been laid before the president and as the testimony given by those witnesses was not and all excitement upon the subject has been by that "approved by him." So unexpected was this decimaterial to the question of the guilt or innocence of means avoided. But this applies only of the judi- sion to Mr. Murch, and indeed to every one who lieutenant Hooe, in respect to the charges upon cial tribunals of the country. The law of courts knew the character of the testimony adduced against which he had been convicted, (that question having martial has not been framed with so much care. him, that Mr. Murch thought it proper to appeal been decided upon other testimony), the objection Their proceedings have been exclusively regulated directly to the president for reinstatement-he did raised to their competency ought to have no influ- by acts of congress without reference to state laws so both personally and by letter. ence with the secretary in passing upon the finding or state usages. Those acts have never prohibited To impress more fully upon the minds of the powof the court; that the sentence of the court, by the introduction of colored persons as witnesses; anders that be at Washington the injustice done him, Mr. which lieutenant Hooe was directed "to be dismissed hence their frequent admission in that capacity, par- Murch forwarded to the secretary of the treasury from the West India squadron, after having been ticularly in naval courts martial, some of them al- a deposition of one of the negroes, taken at the nereprimanded in general orders by the secretary of most invariably forming a portion of every ship's gro's own request, after his discharge from the cutthe navy," was thereupon approved by the secre- crew. If it be wrong to admit them, the fault is in ter, by a magistrate of the town of New Castle-in tary; and that, upon an appeal to me by lieut. Hooe, the law, and the remedy is to be found only in its which he states that what he testified to before col. I declined to interfere with the decision. alteration. It is surely not necessary that I should Whiteley, the collector, was false-"that he was The simple question presented by these proceed- say to you, sir, that this cannot be accomplished by compelled by threats made by capt. Nones to give ings, was whether the admission of illegal evidence me. Were I either to disregard the law as it stands, such testimony," &c. &c. Upon the receipt of this (assuming it to be so) to substantiate parts only of when a case for doing so was presented, or to at- desposition by Mr. Woodbury, the secretary of the the charges, ought to be allowed to invalidate the tempt to change its operation, there would indeed be treasury, he informed Mr. Murch in substance, by finding of the court in regard to those charges which a cause for complaint and denunciation. But whilst letter, "that this testimony of the negro could not were established to the satisfaction of the court by I have not the constitutional power to alter the law, go to rebut his first deposition, but might be made other and unquestioned evidence; in other words, have no hesitation in saying that I have not been the ground work of new proceedings against capt. whether lieutenant Hooe ought to be suffered to able to discovered a sufficient reason why the rule Nones,"-(I have not the letter before me, and avoid the consequences of a conviction upon proof which prevails with the consent and approbation of therefore, merely give the substance). To which admitted to be legal, and deemed to be sufficient, all in the judicial, should not be extended to the mi- Mr. Murch, under date of September 10, 1839, because the public prosecutor attempted to sustain litary tribunals of the country. The legislation of made the following reply, after acknowledging the other charges against him by proof which the ac- congress necessary to accomplish that object would receipt of Mr. Woodbury's letter of the 6th instantcused claimed to be illegal. The court martial be very simple, it being only necessary to provide he says, "I have to say that the affidavit of Wm. Kork thought not the law officers of the government that the rules, in regard to the admission of wit- (negro) was sent to the department, not for the purthought not the secretary of the navy thought not nesses in this particular, should be the same in both pose of commencing new proceedings against capt. -and I sustained their united opinion. No princi- classes of courts. Some special enactment in re- Nones, or any other person, but with the object of ple is better established in courts of law than that a gard to courts martial held at sea, and out of the ju- showing to the department the character of the new trial will never be granted on the ground of the risdiction of any state, might be necessary, but could evidence on which my dismissal had been foundintroduction of illegal testimony, when the verdict easily be adjusted. ed." Several letters were written to the departcomplained of is fully sustained by proof to which ment and to the president by the friends of Mr. there was no objection; the common sense and jusMurch, and I think a formal remonstrance sent by tice of which rule will be at once obvious to every his counsel to the treasury department. On the 4th ingenuous mind. of January, 1840, the secretary of the treasury This disposes of the case of lieutenant Hooe; as wrote to me, (who had addressed a letter directly to far as it was passed upon either by the navy depart-ty, N. Carolina. the president in regard to Mr. Murch), as follows: ment or myself. But it does not, as you will per"sir in reply to your letter of the 27th ult. to the ceive, touch the question as to the legality of permitting free blacks to testify against white persons known every where that the testimony of negroes is lieut. Murch was dismissed from the revenue serANOTHER WITNESS CASE. It is probably well president of the United States, which has been referred to this department, I would inform you that in naval courts martial. It is obviously not so much not admitted in the courts of the slave states in prose vice, by the president, on satisfactory evidence of the individual case, as the general principle, which cutions against white persons. The consequences improper conduct, which though the charges and has excited your attention, and it is therefore due of making such testimony competent in such cases, to you to give you a wider view of the subject. By and where the institution of slavery exists, can be proof have been once or twice re-examined, has your state laws, blacks are prohibited from testify easily imagined by any person of common sense. never been satifactorily rebutted or explained." ing against white men. You very naturally, as well If the Hooe case was a strong one for the south These proceedings are now matter of record, or from that consideration as from your own feelings, against Mr. Van Buren, we have now to present ought to be, in the treasury department. Copies of look with repugnance upon their admission as wit-one which seems to us still stronger, and which most of which I took the precaution at the time to nesses before the federal tribunals. The first ques- seems to have been attended with other circum-retain. If you think any good can be had by pubtion is whether the law, as it now stands, authorises stances not at all creditable to Mr. Van Buren's ablishing it, please do so, and make whatever remarks their admission; and if it does, the next is, whether stract sense of justice. The letter below detailing you may think proper. I will only add that no the law ought to be, and how it can be, changed. the circumstances of the case was transmitted to us officer, however high or honest, is safe for a moThere is no act of congress which prohibits the ad- by a gentleman well known in the nation, whose ment, if the government is to tolerate negroes, unmission of colored persons as witnesses in courts name, if published, we are sure would be a suffi- der the immediate control of an officer, to give martial. It is believed that the practice of permit-cient warrant for reposing in the statement entire testimony against another whom he has thought ting them to testify, has been uniform, and I have credit. We do not, as at present advised, feel at proper to prefer charges against. not found that the question has ever before been liberty to append the name which is signed to the brought up for decision. Indeed, I did not perceive manuscript, although we have no doubt the author that, except by the accused, the illegality of their would, if necessary, permit his name to be made admission is even now objected to in any quarter. The officers constituting the court, a large majority Public, or do whatever else should be required to establish the facts briefly stated in the following of whom were southern gentlemen of highly reletter. [Madisonian. spectable standing, cognizant of all their rights, and in no sense, liable to the imputation of being indis- DEAR SIR: That the south may be informed corNew Castle county, (Del.) Aug. 3, 1840. posed to sustain them, did not, it appears, hesitate as to the legality of the testimony. The district attorney, Mr. Key, declares the witnesses to have been competent as the law now stands. The judiciary committee-composed of professional gentle It is thus seen that efforts designed to be useful in the matter should be directed to congress, and not to the executive. I am, sir, very respectfully, your M. VAN BUREN. obedient servant. To Mr. Eugene Burras, Jamestown, Martin coun rectly, in regard to Mr. Van Buren, I send you for in June, 1839. men, at least a majority of whoin could not be sus- P. S. You will perceive that Woodbury was willing for Murch to make the deposition of the negro Kork, sufficient ground to commence proceedings upon against Nones. PENNSYLVANIA ADMINISTRATION CONVENTION. From the Lancaster Intelligencer. The fifth day of August, 1840, was a great day. It has already passed into a proverb. The thousands of freemen who met here then to swear feally to their democratic faith, have trampled upon, like the dust under their crowded feet, the best hopes of the British whigs. They have left an impression behind, and carried with them a feeling which foretoken alike victory in Pennsylvania and triumph in the union. They have settled the question, which British whiggery, through its forked tongues, has dared to call uncertain. They have shewn, like the "mene tekel" on the palace-walls of Belshazzar, the inevitable destiny of a party which, in its unholy longings after power and place, appeals to the brute passions of the mob, not to the intelligence of the people. They have exploded and refuted the calumny which has declared the people tired of their principles-thus proving themselves not only unchanged but unchangeable. From the green hills of old Pennsylvania-from her quiet valleys-het luxuriant fields-her country and her town-the rushing thousands came. tried hearts of the Keystone state were here, gathering together to preserve her from pollution and sacrilege. The hard hands and the distance. The gathering of Wednesday last was emphati- 13,000; Franklin, that he had addressed many a loco | tion, that spoke from the hearts of the enthusiastic cally the very largest political assemblage that ever foco meeting, and abused general Harrison, when multitude, of the wilful calumnies which have been came together in the union! It was old Pennsylva- the crowd was greater; and the fat chap of the heaped upon the head of that distinguished man-a nia herself! It was her democracy in its true, na Union, that it was a decided failure! The great testimonial, too, of his worth as a man, bis public tural, unadorned garb: her steadfast mechanics and body of the party, however, agreed that the loco services as a statesman, and his devoted adherence to farmers and workingmen were here, and there was focos did pretty well-they had fifteen thousand those principles, in defending which he has made not one eye that did not flash with enthusiasm as present, which, coming within one-half the distance himself so prominent in the eyes of his countrymen. the word of rich promise came rolling from the lips. of the truth, is worthy of record. We have spoken When he appeared upon the stand, and took his seat Every county spoke, through her assembled dele- to dozens of such. (in the characteristic hickory chair borne by the gates, in bold unshaken confidence of the part which Sadsbury township delegation) the deafening plau it intended to take next fall in behalf of our eternal dits seemed like the roar of thunder to those at a principles, and every delegate had some especially glad tidings to add to the glorious prospect. Nothing marred the harmony of the whole, but the great mass moved on to its goal with smiling faces and laughing eyes, the blue welkin fairly quivering to the thundering shouts of a free, harmonious, but insulted people. God bless their honest hearts! the country is in no danger while they stand, like a wall of fire, round its institutions and its laws. Nature itself seemed to have declared in favor of the people. For weeks before, not a drop of rain, save an occasional half-earnest shower, blessed the parched earth with its refreshing influence, but on the Monday and Tuesday evenings before the convention, the very windows of Heaven were opened, and the fruits and grains of the season looked glad under the genial blessings. About 12 o'clock, the vast numbers began to form in procession-the delegates from the state in Orange street, and those from the country in east Vine street. From Lancaster county alone, there were over four thousand delegates, while from the state so universal was the feeling and the enthusiasm in favor of the good cause, that far Erie caught up the spirit and stood first in the ranks! The numbers were so great that, for some time, no arrangement could be effected. At last by the vigilance and promptitude of captain Findley, the chief marshal, and his staff, the line of state delegates was formed, and was soon joined by the immense division of the Lancaster county democracy, under colonel Frazier and his staff. At one o'clock the whole line moved off. The cheering having subsided, he proceeded to address a few words to them. He observed, that never in his life had he enjoyed any thing which gave him more heartfelt gratification and pleasure than to him the unexpected and unsought honor of presiding over that vast assemblage of people. Never, never bad they been engaged in a contest of so much importance as the present. This immense multitude had collected spontaneously for the purpose of consulting on the best interests of the republic. Every man had come here at his own expense, without receiving contributions from the The procession was between two and three miles banks of the conntry, or from wealthy whig speculong, formed in platoons of eight, and consumed lators or brokers. In the war of the revolution, when we were feeble, when we were comparativeprecisely one hour in passing. There were in proThe delegates began to arrive on Tuesday after- cession one hundred and sixty banners, besides in-ly powerless, we bearded the British lion, and then noon and evening. An overflowing meeting of our numerable flags. We cannot pretend to give the achieved the independence of our country. And citizens and a number of delegates from a distance, one-fifth of the number. Language must fail itself during the late war, we manfully maintained the assembled in the court house in the evening, at if we did not want for the space. The spectacle struggle with Great Britain in defence of our rights, which James Cameron, esq. presided, but on account viewed from a distance was sublime. It literally and we came out of it victoriously, and with a chaof the dense crowd outside, it was found impossible verified the scriptural allusion of an "army with racter much more exalted than we had heretofore to proceed, and an adjournment to the Market banners," For miles nothing was to be seen but enjoyed in the eyes of the world. We knew how to square was effected, where addresses of a most elo-people, while the most of the houses, the trees, and oppose an open foe, and were at all times prepared. The native courage of Americans always impelled quent character were delivered by Charles Brown, every elevated spot, were filled with eager specta- them to meet the enemy boldly and fearlessly in the esq. of Philadelphia, H. H. Van Amringe, esq. of tors, gazing at the only standing army recognized Allegheny, col. James M. Porter, of Northampton, in a free government-a community of freemen ga- open field. But, he would ask, in what condition J. K. Kane, esq. of Philadelphia, and R. M. Broad-thered under their own vine and fig tree, to express They had to contend with a sly, cunning, insidious were the democracy of the country now placed? head, esq. of Northampton. Col. Porter's speech their own sentiments. The very children caught was excellent, particularly in that part in which he fire from the general enthusiasm; and as each thun and powerful enemy-an enemy that had nine haspledged himself that old Northampton would give a dering shout went up from the congregated thou-dred fortresses scattered throughout the country, majority of three thousand for Van Buren and John sands in honor of their principles, it was re-echoed denominated banks, which it is the democratic poson. "Do you hear that, boys." by the tiny voices of these embryo republicans.licy to reform, and they were endeavoring, in conThe morning of the glorious fifth broke in upon bright smiles to the glorious scene. Flags hung power in such a manner as would lead to the subEvery window was filled with ladies, lending their cert, and by their united efforts, to use their money a clear sky, while the extreme heat of the sun was tempered by a delightful breeze from the northwest. suspended from private houses and from the demo- version of the liberties of the country. What prinFrom 5 until 10 o'clock in the morning the dele-cratic hotels, and at the young men's democratic ciples, he desired to know, did the whigs avow? gates from the county and the state, by hundreds head quarters, (Mr. Leed's hotel), a beautiful arch, What did they declare? None at all. But they and by thousands, poured in by car loads, by wagon extending from one side of the street to the other, thought that the people, patriotic and intelligent as was erected. It attracted general adiniration, and they were, were to be seduced from their principles loads, in gigs, carriages, sulkeys, carts, on horseback and on foot. We never saw such a spectacle. was not unworthy of it. Above floated the flag of by the ridiculous cry of hard cider and log cabins. our country, while below a beautiful transparency They believed the people to be fools, but the people It seemed like a gathering of the inmates of every containing likenesses of Van Buren, Johnson, Bu knew them to be fools. The people were not to be hamlet in the commonwealth. Every ten minutes chanan and Porter, were suspended; the arch itself gulled by all this ridiculous mummery and nonan engine with its immense cargo of human beings deceived by it. Mr. B. in conclusion, called upon sense. They saw through it all, and would not be their gay banners floating from the cars, and their the assemblage to cherish and preserve the princithrilling music pealing aloud the note of triumph came snorting and puffing, under its extra weight. ples of liberty as free-born citizens of a free repubto the depot. Thirteen trains from one section of lic, and added that after the convention should have the state alone are estimated to have arrived, each been organized and before it closed, it was his inAt half-past two o'clock, the vast body reached tention to address it at length. one made up of fifteen or twenty cars, and each car capable of holding sixty or eighty passengers. The the spot selected for their deliberations--the orchard Here, population of Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware and of Mr. John Williams, in Bethelstown. Montgomery seemed to be all here. The avocations again, the immense multitude was developed in full of life seemed to have been laid aside for the day, proportion, looking rather like an army bent on and every democrat to have roused to the work.- some glorious victory, than as a quiet assemblage of From Lebanon, Northampton, Berks, Cumberland people pledged to the rescue of their best interests and other counties, the delegates came in carriages; and dearest rights. Not that there were gleaming more than two hundred alone came, by this means, bayonets or nodding plumes, but the regularity with from Lebanon. While from York, Adams, Frank- which the immense column preserved its order, the lin, Dauphin, the river counties, the counties to the desire that animated every heart to contribute to the north and northwest, the representation was count union and harmony of the occasion, and the absence less-it defied human ingenuity to master. Like of all tumult and disorder-all these betokened the unnumbered masses that followed the fortunes spirit that defied even discipline to overreach. of Peter the hermit to leave their bones bleaching According to notice given, a committee, consiston the plains of Nice, (though animated by a dif-ing of one person appointed from each county referent and less infatuated zeal), they were bent to presented, whose duty it was to select the presiachieve one end-to compass one triumph-to over-dent of the day a vice president, and a secretary from throw one enemy. "Each valley, each sequestured glen, Mustered its little horde of men, That met as torrents from the height, In highland vales their streams unite, Still gathering, as they pour along, A voice more loud, a tide more strong." "From winding glen, from upland brown, They poured each hardy tenant down." Casting our eyes up the main street from the court house we observed side-walks and streets swarming with masses of people-at one end the County of Lancaster spilling out her population, and at another the state pouring in her most liberal con tributions. The false prophets of British whiggery stood at our street corners biting their finger's ends, and wearing most yard-long faces, or peering, like peeping Tom, of Coventry, from some convenient nook, away from "the public eye." Queer things are reported of some of these gentlemen. Ehler is said to have sworn that there was not more than trimmed with evergreens and filled with mottoes a Forty-one vice presidents and thirty-one secretaries were appointed. Loud and repeated calls being made for Mr. Dallas, that gentleman came forward and was introduced by Mr. Buchanan, and addressed the meeting. Mr. J. M. Porter, from the committee, reported the resolutions as follows, which were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we cordially approve of the no. mination of MARTIN VAN BUREN, of New York, for president, and RICHARD M. JOHNSON, of Kentucky, for vice president of the United States, as the candidates of the democratic party of the union. Resolved, That in MARTIN VAN BUREN Wwe re cognize the able and enlightened statesman, the been faithful to the cause of the people. The Keyexperienced and practical democrat, who has always stone state will record her attachment to the principles and policy of his administration, by an over each country, together with the appointment of com- Resolved, That in RICHARD M. JOHNSON, we recognise the war worn veteran, whose numerous Of the committees on resolutions, Wm. Taughin-scars are ample certificates that when his country baugh, of Adams, was chairman. Of the committee on address, Wm. McCurdy, of Adams, was chairman. called, he sought the post of danger, and whose long services in the councils of the nation, furnish abundant evidence of his experience in the civil administration of our government. Arrived on the ground, the immense assemblage was called to order, in a few appropriate remarks, Resolved, That we highly approve of the passage by general John Davis, of Bucks county, chairman of the independent treasury bill by the congress of of the committee appointed by the different delega- the United States. We consider it a second Declations to report officers of the convention and com- tion of Independence, a measure calculated to carry mittees on address and resolutions. He announced out the principles of democracy, and to restore in that the committee, in pursuance of the duty which practice the long abandoned principles of the federal had been assigned them, had unanimously chosen constitution, by effecting a complete separation of Pennsylvania's favorite son, JAMES BUCHANAN, the the government from the banks entrusting the cuspresident of the convention. This announcement tody of the public money to responsible officerswas received with thunders of applause-a refuta- preventing the banking institutions of the country 1 |