Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 16th August 1851, Edition Town of 2, Page 768, Untitled Article

Page 768
Page 4
4 of 24

On this page

  • Text (3)

      Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    • Untitled Article

      Untitled Article

    • Untitled Article

      Untitled Article

    • Untitled Article

      Untitled Article

  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      more than a month's later intelligence than that received by the Bosphorus , the war on the frontier seems to have undergone but little change . The most important fact communicated by this arrival is the insurrection of the Hottentots at Theopolis , who rose en masse on the 30 th of May , and assisted by a party of Kat River rebels , murdered all the Fingoes , Major-General Somerset was fortunately in Graham's Town , and brought down upon the enemy a strong force , when many of the rebels were slain , end the others sought shelter in the bush , leaving a quantity of grain behind them , and 630 head of cattle . Sir Harry Smith remained at King William s Town , from which he had despatched several patrolling parties into the enemy ' s country , the result of which was that a few Kafirs were killed , some of their huts

      destroyed , and a number of cattle captured . This was all that the troops could effect with the scanty means the Governor had at command . The force of Sir Harry Smith was just sufficient to keep the Kafirs in check , but totally unable to reduce them to subjection . The inefficient state of the army was not unknown to the enemy , who in consequence grew more bold in their operations , while they also increased in numbers . This aspect of the 6 tate of hostilities was most disheartening to the colonists , who could see no probability of their termination unless the Governor should receive such strong reinforcements as would enable him to march into the field and commence active operations . The skirmishing that had taken place was admitted to have been more nr less favourable to the colonial arms ; but it was felt

      that while such a system of warfare was not only vexatious , but harassing , it could lead to no decisive results—at the same time Sir Harry was gradually losing some of his bravest officers , instance Field Cornet Gray , Field Cornet Bouwer , and Field Cornet Albertse , who were all struck down within a month . It was said that Sir Harry Smith was about to march through the Amatola Mountains—the strong hold of the Kafirs .

      Untitled Article

      THE STRANGER IN " THE STATES . " New Orleans , Louisiana , June , 1851 . My dear Sir , —The heat of this southern climate is now upon us ; and as this is my first year in latitude 30 degrees , I feel very languid and dull . What with the endeavour to keep myself cool during the day , with the thermometer at 93 degrees or 94 degrees in the shade , and the effort to rid myself of the horrid musquitos during the night time , I am kept so busy that I can scarcely- get a chance to write to you . Even now these destructive blood-sucking insects are ** cozen , " " cozen , " ' cozening , " around me in thousands , and in another half hour my flesh will be covered with "bumps" from their attacks .

      New Orleans has again become almost lifeless . Its busy population who crowd the city in winter have flown to more salubrious climes ; silence now reigns where the hum of business prevailed but a short time since , and the tout ensemble is " dull , stale , and unprofitable" enough . The groaning of the high-pressure steam-boats seems to sound sadly upon the dreary waste ; the houses of amusement are nearly all closed ; and the inhabitants have much difficulty in getting over the dull time that hangs upon their hands .

      In returning from a short trip through Louisiana and Mississippi , I find that the crops are by no means in a flourishing condition . The cotton was driven rather late before it could be planted , and then some sharp frosts blighted it a good deal . The terrible effects of the overflow of tbo Mississippi are still felt in many places : a good deal of tbo sugarcane was completely spoiled . The weather is now dry , and the ground is baked almost uh hard aa a brick , so that the crops can make but little headway . Corn , however , upon the whole , in 1 jousiana and Mississippi , will yield an average production for this part of the country . At present , fcuru are

      entertained of another overflow , a » the up-river paperH state that tho rivers are all full , and part of the country in Illinois and Missouri is inundated . Under these circumstances , planters are iu anything but high glee . Lust year the planters did not reap more than the fourth of a crop , in consequence of the high water ; mid , for the two preceding years , they were badly enough off from the Haine cuuho . In the Mwamp , the layt year ' s water-mark I huw to be eight Or tea feet high on the trees , inileH from any

      river ; and thin year tho inaila were frequentl y curried in canoea on the water upon the roudH . It is fearful to contemplate tluy annual overflow ; and without Hciunce can invent Home preventive , the Hwamp-landH will be worth next to nothing . The Mi » Hisnippi , during the months of March and April , i . s a perfect « ea , and you can form no idea of the grandeur of tho Hcene , attended with iuohI disastrous consequences . Powerful levees are broken down , crevaHHCH arc formed , and tho liquid clement rushes with terrific violence towardu thc ( j | ulf . Oi

      lato the " I ' ather of Wiitern " ban become a perfect terror to the inhubitantu , and it is Hoinewhut interesting to nee men daily watching the rim ; or full with the utmost anxiety . The stopping up of beverul natural outlets for surplus water in the various parts of tbo valley , has caused the Mississippi to swell more than formerly , and rendered its witters at pre ~ Hunt uncontrollable . Ah yo u stand upon one of the hi tf h bluffs , and view the silent gusli of tho water , the mind i « filled with various contemplations . There you will moo vomo tremendous logs carried down tho

      bed of the stream , and there also numbers of rafts borne by the current for southern markets , with up-country produce , as the men on board , with their rough and devil-may-care appearance , bask in their little shanty , and appear to enjoy le dolce far niente . There too you see the castle-like steam-boats driving along , whilst their " smoke stacks " give forth the black volumes from the " fire-knots . Ihen perhaps you will see two of these monsters get abreast for a race— -immediately all steam is put on ; pinewood or " knots " does not give heat enough—bacon , lard , pitch , and every combustible matter is put into the furnace , whilst those on board may hear one of the well-known captains exclaim in his nasal twang

      ;" Rosin up thar ; engineer , down wi' the safetyvalves . Give her goes . Gents who haven ' t stepp'd to Captain's office to settle had better go aft to ladies cabin , jist till we beat this bar boat or bu ' st . Fire up , boys ! Let her rip ! Let her rip !" And off they go , struggling against the current , like spirited horses with heavy loads . Oh ! it is exciting . "But the danger—the danger ! " exclaim the English . The American thinks of no such thing , but philosophises with " darn the difference ;" and so he goes through life . The principal question under discussion in Louisiana is the creation of new railroads . Several meetings have been held in New Orleans and the lower Mississippi towns , but the people only appear to " resolve and re-resolve and die the same . " Plans

      without end have been suggested , adopted , and condemned . The Tehuantepec affair has turned out but a bubble now fairly burst , and no railway will be conducted in that part of the world at present . The speculation has been bolstered up for some time to suit party purposes . The last proposition is to erect a line to Opelousas , 160 miles west . The scheme has no sooner received sanction than opposition is raised , as the Orlenians are fearful that another town will spring up in opposition to them on the west side of the river , where it is proposed to make the terminus depot . The advocates of the scheme meanwhile are pleasing themselves with the most absurd speculations ; for they calculate that this 160 miles will , in a little time , be extended across the fertile prairies of Texas , to California and the Pacific ; and that they shall have direct communication from New Orleans

      to India and China ! This is the way the people are for ever dreaming in the south ; their minds are capable of conceiving anything , but their energy and perseverance is not worth a " Brummagem sixpence . " Years have elapsed since the introduction of railways into this country , and for years the Orlenians have been talking of constructing lines ; yet , you will be surprised to hear , that in this ( one of the busiest cities in the world for six months out of the twelve ) there is but one line of railway , six miles long ! not for business or any useful purpose , but just to accommodate pleasure-seekers to the Lake Pontchartrain ! The mercantile greatness of New Orleans has been created

      by its favourable position on the Mississippi , and it is only since the yielding up of Louisiana by the French to the Americans , that the Yankees have established mercantile houses in the city . They have already nearly effectually rooted out the ancient population ; and as they have branches in the North , where their homes are , they are now but too anxious to divert traffic to more convenient places in the North . Already they are successful , for New Orleans is declining in its commerce in tho face of a vastly increasing population in the valley . There are scarcely any permanent residences in New Orleans . Tho merchants , therefore , live in the large hotels , in

      a semi-domestic way , for six months in the winter time , and hence the reason , for the tremendous hotels you have heard of . The North , too , are busy in currying out all sorts of improvements , liuilways directly with the South are made ; and ere long 1 feel pretty confident thut New Orleans will be spoken of as a place that was wonderful for its commerce , ita vices , its crimes , and its pleasures . But , altogether , the South is in no way self-dependent ; it looks even now more ; like a province than a portion of the United States . The ; food has to be brought from the North ,

      although on every plantation it could be produced ul most spontaneously . Manufacturing is never dreamt of . All sorts of clothes , and pork , beef , flour , butter , eggs , &c . &c , all have to come from the North to a greater or less degree ;; yet with this dependence they are eternally boasting of their " cliivulrio bearing , " their independence , their honour , and their patriotism ; and 1 unsure you the leading men do " strut and fret their hour upon thentage" no mistake : in illustration , a " tournament . " was got up in the olden style iu South Carolina , about a fortnight since .

      With regard to the Cuban affairs what do the Englinh think i I suppose they scarcely know what to think . Thin is simply how matters stand . Cuba would be to the South what Californium to the North , an invaluuble acquisition . A strong position for defence , a lovely nnd fertile country , and an extension of ulavery , are objects not to be despised hy the Southerners . Do not think that an idea of ultimate conquest is given up . Anns are ready , and winked at by the Houthcrncro ; money in ready , and men are iu ubundttneo—un opportunity is nil that ia

      desired . President Filjmore deserves praise for th energy he bestowed in preventing a disgraceful fe scent upon the island a short time since . The Southern papers are inflaming the public mind by publication of specimens , as they call them , of Spanish tyranny over the Cubans ; and on the island there is a secret patriot printing-press kept for the purposes of the invaders . In the political world , things to a stra nger ' s eye look ominous enough , and party spirit is running high The cry of Whig and Democrat in the South has given place to Union and Disunion ; and although the former is a strong party , yet the latter is by no means a mean one . South Carolina has declared for

      secession—the cause is advocated vrifh . a good deal of success in Georgia , Alabama , and Mississi ppi . j n what all this may result God only knows ; for whilst ultraism is rising in the South for slavery , ultrais m is gaining ground in the North against it . It is im . possible for this state of things to continue for many years . The hot blood of the Southerners is beginning to be aroused ; already they see themselves onu generalled in the loss of California , Utah , and New Mexico ( virtually ) , and the abolition of the slave trade in the district of Columbia . The compromise

      which effected this change gave to the South the Fugitive Slave Bill , which of course is worth nothing ; for even if the slaves could be returned , it costs more to reclaim them than they are worth . Beyond its present limits slavery cannot be extended one foot , it is fastened and perfectly hemmed in . Abolition is marching with giant-like strides . Tirginia is half abolition , Maryland has expressed herself careless , Kentucky is' exceedingly liberal , and Tennessee is fast falling from her prejudices . The only outlet , therefore , is Texas .

      It is astonishing to see men here pass day after day , and week after week , nay , month after month , in public speaking , in one place after another . A five or six hours' speech is a trifle—they boast lengthened orations , and I heard the qualities of a man discussed the other day by his being able to speak ten hours in succession ! The rivals insult each other , and injured honour can only be satisfied by a duel . A newspaper printed a few miles up the river ( Vicksburg ) has had three editors shot in succession in duelling . The

      other day an affair of honour came off in Mississippi . Two persons , named Gen . Smith and Gen . Freeman , both candidates , insulted each other , and met with due ceremony . They were unfortunate shots ( or , perhaps , I should say fortunate ) , for they fired five times , and then both escaped without damage—but Southern honour was appeased , and they went to canvassing again like good fellows . Yours , Lindsev . P . S . I have just got a file of St . Louis papers . The up-river is at a stand , and the water is expected to subside in a few days . This will be a great relief to many , and things will begin to look better . We have had a few cases of cholera , but the West may be said to be healthy . Those who suffered have been imprudent in eating loads of vegetables , drinking , &c .

      Untitled Article

      NEWSPAPER STAMPS . nrcrouT of tub selkct commjttee . The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the present state and operation of the law relatiu to newspaper stamps , ulso into the law and regui - tions relative to the transmission of newspapers . aim other publications by post , and to report iu opinion thereupon to the House , and who wore > . nempowered to report the minutes of evidence iu before them to the House , have considered the « tors to them referred , und have agreed to tho ion

      ing report : — 44 In conformity with the object for which your committee was appointed , they huve examined w ' fl ,. competent to give information upon the mate oi ^ affecting newspaper stamps and the o P . atl 0 n , fHre law upon the newspaper press und the public we ' t " Your committee have further taken evidence r ^ . | it ( , ing the transmission of newspapers and other I matter by the Post office . . „ j ,, 1 h ( h 1 " Upon the interpretation which the lioard o ^ " Upontiie interpretation wnicu mo ^>;— il < li l " w » ¦

      , Revenue put upon the law , and the practice . ^^ been purHued by that department , your COHini ' of the examined the solicitor and tho a » 8 »» lant' - fz ,, nt <» f board . Among the witnesses practically co « „ rn the detaib involved in the publication oi «^ fc ^ s , your committee have examined the manager " w ,. nil « - one of the editors of the Daily News , ami ou ' , vill (; i ; il men connected with the metropolitan and tin ; I ^ , „ , press ; and upon tho policy of imposing a tH tliroi'K ' the diffusion of a knowledge of current even ^^ , 1 () newspapers they hav « examined several ge . »

      huve f ^ iven attention to the subject . u ( . (( ,, n <' " The duty on newspapers is imposed » y 7 William IV ., o . 7 « , and is as follows : — n n ,, y " For every sheet or other piece of paper w newspaper shall be printed , Id . imp 01 " ' 1 " A further additional duty of R and Id- * m l j ,, in case the paper exceeds certain size . " » i the act . . , jiic . uiT' ' ' " These additional duties are practically n « . j " On supplements not exceeding u cei-tn nbi-i " These duties are declared to bo payable njaen' *' " 1 . Any paper containing public "^ VnitodISM ' or occurrences printed in any part of tUo W \» dom , to be dispersed und made public .

      Untitled Article

      768 €% * ULttfiftt * [ Saturday , I - —^— " ' ' ¦—————*—M ^^——^—¦—————— __ _ | ( ¦

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 16, 1851, page 768, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1896/page/4/