De Bow's review [microform]
De Bow, J. D. B. (James Dunwoody Brownson), 1820-1867 | Barnwell, R.G | Bell, Edwin | Burwell, William M. (William MacCreary), 1809-1888
nc^ <mly had a right to the free use of its watert to and from &e sea, bat that we also had a right to a plaoe near its mouth, f6r the transhipment of merchandise, for the loading and unloading and the deposit of goods— and to enforce this right money and men were placed at the disposal of the executive. But gentlemen say that tliis is not a parallel case — ^that then we, a riparian State, wanted to come down ; whereas now, in the case of the Amazon, we are outsiders, and want to go up. We are claiming on the Amazon no more than what we are granting on the Mississippi. The up- per States have established ports of entry there, and we want to go and trade with those ports. In our upper States on the Mississippi, we have also established porta of entry, or rather ports of delivery, with wnich the vessels of any friendly nation whatever may carry on a du-ect trade. The vessels of Brazil, or of France, or of England, entering the custom-house at New- Orleans, are free to go up with their cargoes to Nashville, or to St. Louis, or to Cincinnati, or to any other port of delivery in that magnificent water basin. It has been intimated that it would not be courteous to BrazU were the Convention to express its views with regard to our rights upon the Amaaon. This government has always claimed its right to the navigation of the St Lawrence. Chicago, on the lakes, is a port of entry, where British vessels may come and trade direct; and, so far as we are concerned, French vessels, or the vessels of any other friendly nation with which we have commercial treaties, have guaranteed to them in our ports the nshts and privileges of the most favored nation. Now, then, should the French people desire to open a trade between our lake ports and France, through the St. Lawrence, would it be discourteous to the British Government for them peaceably to assemble and to tell by resolution the people of this country who desire the naviga^ tion of the St. Lawrence, that they, the Frenchmen, desire to trade with us through that channel, and are of opinion that the law of nations and the everlasting principles of fair dealing give them the right to the free use, up and down, of that river, notwithstanding both banks belonged to Great Britain ? Our situation with regard to the upper States of the Amazon presents just such a case. Let us then encourage the people of our gallant little sis- ter republics on that river, who are smoothing the way for us. Let us cheer them by showing them that we sympathize with them in their most noble Solicy, and that we mean to do all that, as good citizens, we may nghtJy o, to assist them in opening that river to the navigation of the world, its banks and its forests to settlement and cultivation. And, afler some discussion, participated in by Messrs. Whittle of Greorgia, Oakey of Louisiana, Clapp of Mississippi, Drew of Florida, Perry of South Carolina, and Polk of Tennessee, The previous question was called and seconded. And the question bein^, '* Shall the main question be now put?'' it was so ordered. And upon put- ting the question, leave was given to withdraw the sixth measure. The question then recurring upon the third resolution, as amended, Mr. N. B. Coleman, of Mississippi, offered the following as a substitute^ viz. : Resolved, — That the Senators and Representatives in Congress, from the States represented in this Convention, be requested to urge upon Congress the importance of the following measures, viz, : 1. The reduction of duties on railroad iron. 2. The passage of an act for the improvement of the merchant service, by encouraging boys to go to sea, and for preventing desertion. 3. To send one or two small steamers up the Amazon, for the purpose of exploring the tributaries of that river, which the States owning them have declared to be free to the commerce and navigation of the whole world. Digitized by VjOOQIC DUTIB0 OH IBON, MBKOHAMT 6SRTICB, THfl AMAZON, JBTO. 405 And that the Goyemment of Bracil be reaiiefted to permit these vessels to make explorations and surreys upon the uiores of the Amazon belonging to Uiat nation. 4. To encourage the establishment of a line of male steamers between some Southern port or ports and the mouth of the Amazon, or some other port of Brazil 5. And also to encourage the establishment of a direct mail route between some Southern port or ports and £urope. Lieut. M. F. Maurj addressed the Conyention as follows: Lieut. Maury rose merely to say that he had no desire to press these res- olutions upon the Convention. He would much rather have tnem discussed, lor he believed the principles contained in them and their preamble would receive force and strength from discussion ; and he would be most happy for them to receive such discussion as he was sure gentlemen in this Con- vention were prepared to gdve them ; but the session was far advanced, much business remained to pe done, and debates were limited to ten min- utes, which precluded the discussion which he so much desired. There- fore he would not press the resolutions at this time, but he would now five notice that, should he *be honored with a place at the next Convention, he would there bring up this subject again, and maintain the doctrine that free waters make free straits. 'And after discussion, participated in by Messrs. James Lyons, of Yirginia, Nelson Tifl, of Georfi:isL, and Macfarland, of Virginia, upon the call of States, the vote appeared as follows, viz. : Yeas — ^Aiabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mary- land, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas — 10. Nays — Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia — 5. The substitute was declared adopted. Upon motion of Mr. B. F. Perry, of South Carolina, the fourth resolution wss stricken out Upon motion of Crovemor Clay, of Alabama, the fifth proposition was strioKen oat. The second report of the committee was then taken up. The first resolution was amended by filling the blank with " one from each State represented in this Convention." The first resolution, as thus amended, was then adopted. The second resolution being under consideration, Mr. Macfarland, of Virginia, moved to amend by striking out from " trade," in the third line, to " by," in the fifth line, which was not adopted. After discussion, participated in by Messrs. Leake, of Virginia, Lyons, of Virginia, Macfarland^ of Virginia, iHie second resolution was adopted. The third resolution bein^ under consideration, Mr. C. P. Gooch, of Virginia, offered the following as a substitute, viz. ; Resolvedj That a committee, consisting of two members from each seaport represented in this Convention, be appointed, for the purpose of inquiring into the expediency of establishing a hue of steam ships between one or more of said seaports and certain port or ports of Europe, with liberty to sit during ^e recess of the Convention, and U) carry into prompt execution such scheme, having the above object in view, as may be agreed on. Raolvedj That the Southern delegation in the Congress of the United States be requested to urge the passage of an act authorizing 'the trans- portation of the United States mails in said steam ships, with such com- ' pensation as has been heretofore allowed to other steam lines for similar serviees. Which was adopted. And the third resolution, so amended, was then adopted. Digitized by VjOOQIC 406 THB OBSAT SOUTVBElf OONTKHTIOir AT CBARLSffTOlf. Tb6 fourth remktion being aadar oontideratioti, After discission, partioipated in by Messrs. G. A. Trenbolna, of Sonth Carolina, G. S. Bryan, of South Carolina, James Lyons, of Virginia, John Cunningham, of South Carohna, T. A. Marshall, of Mississt^^ Aylett^ of Virginia, and Clutter, of Virginia. Mr. Clutter, of Virginia, moved to amend by striking out the words ^'an^ equal.'' Mr. James Lyons^ of Virginia, moved to amend by striking out '' reci- procal." Mr. Nelson Tift, of Georgia, moved as a sub9titute the following, viz. : Besolvedj That this Convention recommend to the Crovemment of the United States to make treaties with foreign governments, providing for tiie admission of tobacco and other Southern products at reduced rates of duty. The question being taken upon Mr. Lyons' amendment-, it was adopted. The question then reourred upon the amendment of Mr. Clntter, and it was adopt-ed. After discussion, participated in by Messrs. T. A. Marshall, of Mississippi, Polk, of Tennessee, and Kufiin, of Geor^a, The question was taken upon the substitute offered by Mr. Hit, which waa not adopted. The question then recurring on the fonrth resolution, as amended, it was adopted. By permission, Mr. A. W. Putnam, of Tennessee, submitted a paper on Mines, Mining, and the Iron Works dT Tennessee, which was ordered to be printed with the journal Iron Works in Tennessee. Believing that all information relative to the development of the natural resources and wealth, the progress of manufactures and t-rade, in any one of the Southern States, will be appropriate and acceptable, and may hd cheer- ing and encouraging, the undersigned, as one of the delegates from the State of Tennessee, appnointed by the Governor, will submit some of the in- formation in his possession, upon some of these branches of industry. The history of the manufiEtcture of iron in Tennessee is a very interesting and instructive one, and would well justify an extended essay, were there not so many subjects to en^^e the time and attention, and so many gen- tlemen who can and may desire to furnish information of greater or equal interest. Iron works were established in East Tennessee before the close of the last century, and some of them have a historical interest which ought not to be overlooked by the annalist. At a very eariy day, I will state it as a somewhat curious fact, that iron was shipped from East Tennessee down four rivers, to find a market. Yes, the iron from East Tennessee was shipped down the Holston river, die Tennessee river, in their lengths, down the Ohio and down the Mississippi rivers, (say near two thousand miles,) to be sold at " the Natchez," and even at New-Orleans — a voyage of two-thirds the length of one across the At- lantic, with much more of labor, of peril, of adventure, of varied interest^ and of profitable instruction. Such early and perilous adventures could only be undertaken and accomplished by suoh noble, gallant and hardy men as were the pioneers of our Western World. The diaries and narra- tives of some of these voyages, or *' flat-boat trips," as they were called, and of the tedious and almost equally dangerous "land trip back through the wilderness,'' as were called the travels from New-Orleans and *'the Natch- ez,'' through the Indian Territories of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Digitized by VjOOQIC TBADB AND MANUFACTURES OF EAST TENNESSEE. 407 Tennessee, are really among the most interesting papers to be gathered up and preserved in State Historical Societies. There are few of these early adventurers now living. Frona the "Mossy Creek Iron Works," and I believe, from another in the same section of East Tennessee, the first shipments of Tennessee iron were made. The merchants engaged in these '* ventures'' were snch men as King and Hillsman — men of wOrth, men of energy, men of high character and deserved confidence and esteem in any community — call them '* men of mark,*' for they have made their marks in and upon a new country, and their posterity should not efface or disgrace them. Wm. Hillsman, who had retired to a few miles from Knoxville, to live in * dignified ease and easy dignity,'' and whom I visited some dye years since, kindly furnished me with narrations of his experiences as a merchant, a river navigator, a supercargo, a salesman, and as a traveller, in the dis- posal of iron and oth«*r articles from East Tennessee, to the then great marts of trade and husiness, known as New Madrid, Walnut Hills, and *^ the Natchez.*' Shipments of iron were made — even nails^io " the Natchez,'' but they would not sell. It was a bad speculation — they would not drive. Such tri- als sharpen men's wits, and since then the Tennesseeans have learned to be much more '' pointed and smooth," instead of so rough and blunt The correspondence and accounts of sales in these transactions bring to notice, or keep in prominent position, one who was recognized as the prince of nierchaats, the king of cotton dealers, who furnished the first paper cur- rency for Mississippi — a circulating medium actually based upon the chief, the staple prodtict of the country. He made " cotton gin receipts" as ready and a safer paper money than was ever furnished by any of the banks of that State— and early Territorial and perhaps State legislation sanctioned the currency. I allude to Abijah Hunt^ who, in perhaps an ill-advised mo- ment and manner, departed from his accustomed sphere and business, to intermeddle with politics, and in opposition to a young and talented lawyer —afterwards Judge, Governor, Senator and citizen, George Poindexter — and lost his life in a duel upon the bar opposite Natchez. But I leave ftirther remarks upon this early manufacture and trade of East Tennessee, and pass to that of the middle portion of the State. Here is a history pecuharly our own, and witn the origin, difficulties, ad- vancement and final triumpn, and continued prosperity and expansion of which, I^wdlnot weary this (Convention. Few, even of the citizens of Middle Tennessee, know how many furnaces (here are, or what amount of iron they make, nor of the value thereof, or number of hands employed, and I doubt not that some will stare, and think that I exaggerate, when I assert Uial there are between forty and fifty furnaces in Middle Tennessee! There are from thirty to thirty-five on the Cumberland river, below Nashville. There are also two extensive rolling mills on the Cumberland river, owned by Woods, Payne & Co., and Hillman, Vanleer & Co., which con- satae, of pig metal, for the manufacture of bar iron, 9,000 tons, which will produce 6,000 tons of rolled, charcoal refined, bar, boiler, sheet, etc., worth S 100 per ton ; 3,000 tons of pig used in making sugar ketiles ; 3,000 tons of pig used in making 2,000 tons of blooms : leaving 33,000 tons pig metal to be sold or shipped. The results may be summed up as follows : 48,000 tons of pig metal. 9,OO0 tons used for thn mauufaature of 6,000 tons rolled, refined, bar, boiler, sheet, and other iron, at $100 per ton, $600,000 SOOOtons pig, used in m^kiog sugar kettles, worth. 2()0 OuO 3.OO0 do. do. do., 2,000 tons blooms, at $75 per ton, 160,000 33,0O0 tons left, to be sold in pig shape, at $38 per ton 1,254,000 $2,204,000 VOI«. XVII. — NO. IV. 6 Digitized by VjOOQ IC 406 THB GREAT flOUTHEKH CONVSNTION AT CHARLESTON. As to the amount of iron made at the furnaces on the Tennessee river and its tributaries, below the Mussle Shoals, I will not adventure a statement There are twelve furnaces there — perhaps more. These are all in that di- rection of the State called Middle Tennessee, and, without attempting to present an estimate of the number of cords of wood, bushels of coal, provi- sions, machinery, wagons, teams, or implements re()uisite to so many and such extensive works, I will leave that to reasonable inference from the fore- going facts, and this other in conclusion, that the furnaces and mills here mentioned give employment to over 10,000 persons. A. W. PUTNIM, JJth gate from NashviUej Tennenee, Mr. Perkins, of Virginia, moved a re-considerution of the second resolution, which was not adopted. The second report, as amended, was then adopted. The third report of the Committee on Resolutions being taken up for con- sideration, The first resolution was adopted. The second resolution was adopted. The third resolution being under consideration, Gov. Chapman, of Alabama, moved to strike out *' as published in the newspapers.'' After discussion, parlicipated in by Governor Chapman, of Alabama, Messrs. Tift, of Georgia, Coleman, of Mississippi, Whittle, of Florida, and Gen. Combs, of Kentucky, Gen. Gadsden addressed the Convention as follows : I do not understand the propositions before the Convention as intended to influence the Senate of the United States on the Mexican treaty, now under the consideration of that honorable body, only so far as that the ter- ritorial boundary agreed on may be made to embrace the right of tcay for a railroad or ihoioughfare between the Atlantic and Pacific, States of this Fede- ration. It may be a satisfaction, however, to have explained how the res- olution now submitted appears in a form so difierent from the one presented by the mover and referred to the committee. The gentleman from Ken- tucky, Gen. Combs, submitted the original to me, with the inquiry as to the probability of obtaining by treaty, from the Mexican government, a right of way for a railroad, which had now become so important to the country at large. My reply was, " Why appeal to the President to do that which has already been performed, and which is now in the province of the Senate to accord ?" for it is well understood that the new boundary line with Mexico was determined and arranged in part, with a view to this important national object. The obligations devolved on the mission to Mexico, were to har- monize all the existing issues between the two governments, and particular- ly those which had arisen binder adverse interpretations of the treaty of Guadalupe. Prominent among these stood the boundary question, which had been greatly complicated by the action of Mr. Bartlelt, who superseded Col. Graham as Commissioner. The mystery which obscured his appoints ment^ said to have been made at the instance of Mr. The violent attacks in the public prints, and in the lobbies at Washington, of the provisions of the treaty, while under consideration by the Commis- sioner, remain unexplained. To the allusion of the gentleman from Tennessee to a telegraphic dispatch of this morning, it may be observed, that there are, and can be, no secrets in the government The treaty, with the very message of the President accompanying it to the Senate, has appeared in what are recognized as the official prints at the capital. Now, the dispatch which has reached this quarter, conveys the astounding fact that the most imposing and violent op- position to the treaty is, that it covers the proper ground for a railway, and acqnires an add-on of territory, which may encourage Southern emigration and occupancy. The question having come up, whether the Convention would recommend the ratification of a provision of the treaty which secures the object of right of way so much appreciated ; or whether this body will rely on the other resolutions of the report to secure the object desired, re- mains with them. The proposition for a charter for a railroad to the Pacific, from the State of Virginia, to be patronised by the other States interested, is not novel, nor witbout precedent. States having common interests may combine under corporations as well as individuals. The Louisville, Charleston, and Cin- cinnati Railroad originated in a charter from the States of South and North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, and for the accomplishment of which each contributed more or less to the capital. On a more general and en- larged system of internal improvements by railways and canals, we )find the States everywhere beoommg copartners with individuals in these en- terprises. Why may not, therefore, (without any apprehensions of political leagues,) the Southern Atlantic States co-operate with those equally inter- ested in the central Valley of the Mississippi, on a grwt highway, by the route most practicable, to the Pacific ? It is but appropriate that the elder sister, and to whom we have always tamed with conndence. should take the lead in this case, and grant such a charter as may invite tne patronage and co-operation of neighbors equally concerned. Such a coiporation, and under the grants of powers made, may treat legitimately with Mexico for a right of way, if denied us, or rejected, after being secured, as it has been by our federal head, to whom the appli- cation is more appropriate than it couid be to Mexico direct The protection of that head is tteneral, and should not be sectional. Gov. Jones, of Tennessee, addressed the Convention as follows: I know that every member of this Convention is intending to reach the same pointy and I submit to this Convention, and to you, sir, whether we are • not treading upon hazardous and dangerous ground? We are attempting to know that which we have no right to know. We are advising upon a subject we have no.right to understand. If newspapers have published this treaty, how can we tell that they have published it correctly ? I have seen three or four publications which profess to be the treaty, and all of them are of a different character. The words of the gentleman from Georgia have wisdom in them. We had better not attempt to legislate upon this subject as a Convention. Whatever may be in it will be communicated to the Soathern people by Southern members in good time. We are asked here to recommend the ratification of the Gadsden treaty. Is there a man here who will undertake to say what the Gadsden treaty is ? Will you take the report of the New- York Herald ? Will you take the report of the Washington Union, or the Tribune, or of forty other newspajfers in the United States ? and come here and ask the Senate of the United Digitized by VjOOQIC 410 BLAV£aT IN ACOOABAlfOE WITH THE If ORAL LAW. States to ratify that which by every principle of honor is a secret ? I do not believe that any one will suspect me of wanting in interest for Uke success of the Pacific Railroad. It is tiie only thing which brought m» here ; bat I am not prepared to vote for the resolution, and I warn gen- tlemen how they attempt to meddle with that of which they can have no certain knowledge. I hope ray friend from Tennessee will withdraw his amemlnient, and I will move to lay the resolution on the table. The Hon. Wm. C. Dawson addressed the Convention a» follows: There is a delicacy about this whole matter, which ought to be stricth observed. It is not necessary for me to say to this Convention that witJi me iSouthem rights and Southern institutious are «»afe ; nor ia it necessary to say that those with whom is placed the power of ratification or reiectioa of a treaty with all tlie facts before them, may be supposed better able to de- cide than you can be; and that, under all the circumstances, nothing can be gained by your recommendation. On this question I see no necessity for agitation or excitement All will come out in proper time. In the meantime, permit me to say that your representatives in Congress, and your senators, I have no doubt, will faithfully discharge their duties, and meet with your approbation. Art. Til— THE INSTITUTION OF SIATERT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF THE lOBAl LAW. Historical monuments of antiquity, (especially those of the early Egyptians,) and scriptural authorities of the most remote date, recognize the existence of slavery as one common feature of general society among the civilized and barbarous nations of the East. The laws of the Hebrew reformed code make various refer- ences of objection to the customs of neighboring nations, which lead us to estimate the reasons of different provisions which pe- culiarize their enactments. The Hebrews were not permitted to enslave their own coun- trymen, or race. They were ordered to take or purchase ser- vants of wandering aborigines, savages, and idolaters. Special laws were enacted to prevent cruel or oppressive treatment of servants, of every description, in order that their physical and moral condition might be ameliorated and react upon their original stock. There is nothing more distinct throughout the moral code than cautious protection for the persons, the property, the feelings of the poorest Hebrew or " stranger." The most indigent were taught to understand that relief di- rected by the law, for them, originated from the same source as the prosperity of those who offered it — in the name and by the instructions of the Divinity. Captives in war and poor debtors were usually bought or sold themselves as servants, such custom prevailing to preserve life, to prevent cruel practices of torture and violent death, common among savages then as now. Digitized by VjOQQIC HBBKEW LAWS AS APPLICABLE TO SLAYERT. 411 The Hebrews were plainly permitted to purchase prisoners from their wild or wandering neighbors ; to instruct them in the arts and manners of agriculture, pastoral and civil life. An ex- press law prohibits the stealing of such servants, for sale ! Another law directs that, where prisoners or slaves ran from their barbarous masters in the neighborhood, into Hebrew terri- tory, they should not be disturbed nor given up, but allowed to settle, liable to the same regulations for moral restraint as the Hebrews were bound by. This is the law modern abolitionists affect to consider applies to the condition of slaves leaving their masters in one State of one country, and fleeing into another State under the same eoQstitution of general government Whereas the precept is addressed to 'the whole body of the Hebrew people, without distinction of tribe, and obviously refers to servants of the stranger. No code of laws is more particular than the Hebrew to pro- tect slave and all other property from undue violence, even of a master, and from the covetousness of his neighbors. The Tenth Commandment specially interdicts such feelings in relation to servants as to other recognized property. The law objecting to the return of a runaway servant could not have been intended to protect a slave in one tribe or State of the Hebrews from his master in another Hebrew State, because special relief is provided for inhumanity to slaves, and because the title to such property is as distinctly admitted as to any other. It was to protect the runaway servant of bordering savages and of strange masters, not influenced by the same moral and social institutions as the Hebrews ! We perceive great distinction between the original intention of the law and that attributed to it by our modern reformers, some of whom would encourage any license to outrage all the principles of mercy, justice and truth, rather than abate any portion of their " vain imaginings !" In order to prove the ground upon which these views are of- fered, we refer to Hebrew history and law, as to those of other ancient nations whose authorities remain among us. The first peculiarity which arrests attention, after the exodus, is the compensation directed to be made to a servant, for the loss of an eye or a tooth, by any hasty impulse of anger in a master. This was a new principle, brought into action under cover of an ancient proverb. *' An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth/* was the law of retaliation common among barbarous nations then as now, which demanded " life for life/' according to the phrase used at Digitized by VjOOQIC 412 BLAVERT IN AjCCORDANGE WITH THE MORAL LAW. that time. Moses employs the saying, but demonstrates very different results by his law of practice f " If a man strike out the eye of a man-servant, or the eye of a maid-servant, that it perish, he shall let him or her go free, for the eye*s sake !" This authorized no retaliation in kind, but a payment, a loss of property obligatory upon the master, to compensate for in- jury by inhumanity to his own servant. A Hebrew master, therefore, was not allowed with impunity to maim his own slave —his acknowledged property — bought with his money of the stranger ! The institution of slavery was thus employed by the Moral Law to introduce more gexhle treatment of servants than was customary among the neighbors of the Hebrews. * Slavery was legalized under general principles of humanity and equity, which included laboring animals as well as laboring men. The son and the daughter, the man-servant and the maid- servant, the ox and the ass, were all regarded by one common law of mercy, of justice, and of truth ! The reformed Code of the Hebrews, like the Constitution of the United States, framed by men taught to respect the principles of the former, allowed the ancient institution of slavery to re- main, looking to the improved condition and intelligence of the masters for those ameliorations incidental to the moral progi-ess of society, under proper instruction and their own experience of history. Among the comparisons of Solomon, there is an expression which appears to authenticate the discrimination we wish to make in reference to the peculiar Hebrew expression : — " If thine enemy hunger, give him bread to eat ; if he be thirsty, give him water to drink ; for thou shalt heap cods of fire upon his head, and the master will reward thee." The practice of heaping coals of fire upon the scalp of an enemy was the practice among savages before the days of Solo- mon, as in our own time. By reference to this cruel custom, he plainly shows the advan- tages of a different kind of retaliation — that by the law of mercy. He also employs a similar old proverb to explain the new truth. This is in strict accordance with the great moral precept of the Hebrew Leviticus : — " Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself!" Moses authorized some distinction between neighbors, but did not allow any differences to restrain men from the ordinary duties of good neighborhood in relation to servants or to catde. " If thou see the ox or the ass of him that hateth thee, lying under his burthen, and wouldst forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him." Digitized by VjOOQIC BEFORMED CODE OF THE HEBREWS. 418 "If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt* surely bring it back to him again.*' In these instances equal provision seems made for moral con- duct towards those who dislike us and for those we dislike. The new instructions point to reconcilements and to peace, instead of tumult, violence, and angry dissensions. Our modern abolition antagonists persuade themselves that si avery is an immorality. The moral laws of God sanction it un4er a wise system of superversion, and slave owners may compare the condition of their servants with those who dispute their possession, and would recklessly confound or suspend all laws. The morality of the Hebrew Scripture, is presented in the form and with the ex- actness of a natural science, and can be proven to accord in utility with other branches of similar knowledge. That moral code was a great reformation over the deceptions and oppressions authorized bt/ the laws of ancient civilized na- tions, as well as over the barbarous manners and customs of neighboring savages, whose practices are vividly represented by descriptions fully according with modern experience. The moral reformation was based upon " three principles," ex- f>lain^d to be characteristic of the Divinity, in whose name these aws were promulgated. Truth was regarded quite as indispensable for law, as mercy and justice. If it is true that slavery was permitted by moral law, we can- not avoid the conclusion that it was a just and a merciful insti- tution, arranged and modified to prevent greater cruelty and in- humanity, and to prepare wild and savage races of men for the milder influences of a peaceful and gradual civilization. These ancient laws evince large experience and careful com- parisons, by frequent references to the practices of other nations. They defer in some points to the ancient customs of the Egyp- tians, among whom the Hebrews resided for several centuries ; yet, with our increased information, we may discover a practical significance, even among the more ceremonial features, and in their absolute utility we can distinguish the groundwork of all modern improvement. An acquaintance with the moral laws contributed largely to the peculiar forms of our own constitution of government, and we daily discover cause to reverence their considerate humanity and their superior wisdom. These moral laws were given for the peculiar advantage of a Southern people, who had obtained their freedom as colonists from the government of another people, to whom they were probably allied by race. They are adapted by their liberality to the special favor of the people of the South. Digitized by VjOOQIC 414 COMMERCE OF MONTEVIDEO IN 1853. Art. TIO.-COIHERCE OF lONTETlDEO IN 18JS. Although after the September revolution, which caused the resignation of the President Don Francisco Giro, and the election of a Provisory Government, the chiefs of the various de- partments of the interior subjected themselves to the new admin- istration, yet it is apparently to be attributed to that fact only, that those belonging to the opposition had no time for prepar- ing resistance and effecting a counter-revolution. Therefore a short time after appeared an axmed corps of insurgents at differ- ent places. The Provisory Government was compelled to send anew troops into the interior, the elections must be suspended, and for two months an exasperated civil war raged with alterna- tive success. According to the last news, Colonel Flores, mem- ber of the Provisory Government, had succeeded in annihilating Lucas Morino, the principal leader of the insurrectional party. Though the great majority of the interior of the country desires peace, though the chiefs of the insurgents succeed only by force m collecting troops, yet there are very little hopes for the re- establishment of peace in the interior, unless one or the other party are entirely destroyed. However, as the daily guerrilla skirmishes lead to no result, and as the insurgents, by tne' very thinly spread population in the Campagne, are enabled even after a defeat to hide themselves for some time, in order to reappear after a short delay at any other point, hopes and wished-for peace will be in vain. In the mean time the country approaches with gigantic steps to ruin, as all confidence has disappeared, and commerce and intercourse for many months have been paralyzed, the emigration of the foreign population to Buenos Ayres increases daily (for 5 months 15 to 20,000), and all prospects for a flourishing state of the Republic, of which there were during the biennial peace many traces visible, are nipped in the bud. By the treaty of October, 1851, Brazil is obliged to guarantee with her power and influence the peace of the Republic, and therefore it is very likely that she will undertake an armed in- tervention, the more, as it seems to be the desire of the modera- dos of both parties, which are expecting the greatest advantages from it. The whole foreign population looks to it as a guaran- tee for their security and property. It is said that Brazil will send by land and by water a sufllicient force to occupy Monte- video and all principal points in the Campagne, to restore order, to watch over the elections, and to support the new administra- tion with money. Should this intervention take place, commerce and intercourse would be certainly re-established ; the Republic, however, would lose her independence, as Brazil would surely Digitized by VjOOQIC THE PUBLIC DEBT-*IAlPORTd BXPO£TS. 415 make use of the offered opportunities. As to the rich natural resources of that country, a few years of peace would be suffi- cient to create again a nourishing state of the whole affairs ; and if the population should increase by immigration, the foreign ele- ments would offer a positive guarantee ibr a stable peace. A consolidation of the enormous debts, which amount to more than 80 millions of dollars, and which recently have increased, is, under the present circumstances, beyond all hope. The rents of the Customs were sold some months ago to a company of foreign merchants, guaranteeing to the Government a monthly revenue of 8130,000. However, that contract has been by the occurrences of the present civil war annulled, and that company administers, by request of the government, the customs for ac- count of the latter, until peace shall be regained, when the con- tract will revive again. The imports were in the first six months of the past year gen- erally large, as the poUtical disturbances in the province of fiue- nos Ayres, and the blockade of that city, concentrated the entire business for the Argentine Republic in Montevideo. But after the July revolution it has been continually decreasing, with the only exception of the most necessary articles, as flour, timber, salt, wines and liquors, as there have been of the latter very small importations, and as in Buenos Ayres very high prices are paid for them. The exports of Montevideo in 1853 were as follows : — Destination. United SUtm. Sngjand Antwerp France Genoa Spain Braril HaTaoa Ox and Cow- hides. Horse- hides. 188,846 37,893 134.687 117,359 146.515 70,002 530 685>735 600 111,7 81,358 83,957 230 200 ^P*i°^,Horse- 13,230, 99,213 7,811 12,104 31,549 4,205 84,540 8,021 865 10,34: 174,03 li 163.407 108,878 Tal- low. 55 1,602 63 132 171 2,023 Wool Bales. Horse Sheepskins hairs, Bal.jiPieces 1,576 2,135 31 760 1,596 Jerked Beef. 973 86 538 379 — 6,0H6 80 19,732 4 '25,440 3ft 42,120 6,028 8,096 I 119(93.378 23,514 17,155 40,669 Art. EL— RESUITS OP THE BRITISH CENSUS OP 1851. The number* of people in Great Britain and the small adjacent Wands, in 1851, was 20,950,477 ; and the men in the army, navy, and merchant service, and East India Company's service, abroad, on the passage out, or round the coasts, belonginiir to Great Britain, amounted, on the same day, to 162,400. The population of Great Britain may, therefore, be set down at twenty- one millions, one hundred and twenty one thousand, nine hundred and sixty- seven (21,121,967). Digitized by VjOOQIC 416 RB8ULT8 OF THE BRITISH OfiNSUi OF 1851. The annexed table exhibits the distribution of the people :— Table I. — Population of Qreai Britain in 1851, Males. Females. Total. England 8,281,734 8,640,154 16,921,888 Scotland 1,376,479 1,513,263 2,888,7« Wales 499,491 606,230 1,006,721 Islands in the British Seas 66,854 76,272 143,126 Anny, NIvy, and Merchant Seamen . . 162,490 162,490 Total 10,386,048 10,735,919 21,121,967 British subjects in foreign States are not included in the gene- ral population, as given in the preceding table, the exiles and foreign subjects in Great Britain being considered a set-off against them. " It is difficult," says the Report, " to form any just conception of these large numbers, for men are rarely seen in large masses, and when seen, their numbers are seldom known. It is only by collecting, as in other cases of measuring, the units into masses, these masses into other masses, and thus ascending progressively to an unit comprehending all others, that the mind attains any adequate notion of such a multitude as a million of men. Thus, from a file of ten persons, which the eye takes in at one view, the mind readily conceives ten such groups, or a hundred ; and again ascending to ten hundred, or a thousand ; to ten thousand, or a myriad ; to ten myriads, or a hundred thousand ; and to ten hundred thousand, or a million — arrives at a conception of the twenty-one millions of people which Great Britain contained within its shores on the night of the 30th of March, 1851. An- other way of arriving at this conception is by considering the numbers in relation to space ; as 4,840 persons might stand with- out crowding on the 4,840 square yards in an acre, 3,097,600 persons would cover a square mile (equal to 640 acres) ; and the twenty-one millions of people in Great Britain, allowing a square yard to each person, would therefore cover seven square miles." " The building of the Great Exhibition in London," continues the Report, "inclosed 18 acres, and 50,000 or 60,000 persons often entered it daily ; on the 9th of October, 93,224 persons fill- ed its floor and galleries, and could almost be surveyed by the eye at one time. Of 100,000 persons, a general notion can therefore be formed by all those who witnessed this spectacle at the Crystal Palace ; it is a greater number than were ever, at one time, in the building, but somewhat less than the ffrcatest number (109,915) that ever entered it on one day, the 7th of Oc- tober. Striking as are the foregoing illustrations of the number of inhabitants in Great Britain, another perhaps is wanting to en- able the popular mind adequately to appreciate 21 millions of people. It is well known that to mass quantity is to conceal bulk ; thus it was stated the other day, that the whole of the vast yields of California and Australia, melted down to a solid mass of gold, would only fill a tolerably sized room ; and so it is with numbers. A general, wishing to conceal the strength of his army, forms it into masses. Now, if all the people of Great Britain had to pass through London in procession, four abreast, and every facility was afford- ed for their free and uninterrupted passage, during 12 hours daily, Sundays excepted, it would take nearly three months for the whole population of Great Britain to file through, at quick march, /owr deep. To count them singly, at the rate of one a second, would take a year and a half, assuming that the same number of hours daily were occupied, and that Sundays also were excepted. It has been stated that, in a future publication, the ages of the population will be given, their condition, and occupations. As regards age, they will be arranged in quinquennial sections, that is, in sections advancing by periods of five years each, from chil- dren in arms to the age of ninety and upwards. The people will tl^enbe classed in sections, as husbands, wives, widowers, widows, bachelors, and spinsters ; again, they will be grouped, first, ac- cording to place of residence, and subsequently, under the coun- tries and counties in which they were bom ; and, finally, they will be arranged in professions or occupations, from the prince to the peasant ; paupers, prisoners, lunatics, and vagrants, being severally grouped : and, as the survey will extend over thousands in more than a thousand different callings, it is evident that, as the greatest exhibitions of modern times only displayed a small part of the produce of the labors of the people, so the visitors to it only represented a fraction of the multitudinous population of these islands, which the enumerators found so variously occupied on the sea, on rivers, and on the coasts ; in the valleys and on the hills ; in cities, towns, villages, and solitary habitations over the face of the country. Digitized by VjOOQIC 418 BBflULTS OF TBB BEITI8H OBITSUS OF 1851. The number of the male population of Great Britain, excluding those absent in foreign countries, was 10,223,556, and the female population 10,735,919 ; consequently the females were in excess of the males by 512,361, or as many as would have filled the Crystal Palace five times over ; how many of these were spin- sters, cannot be known until the second portion of the Census is published. The proportion between the sexes in 1851 was 100 males to 105 females, or about the same as in 1801. The births during the last thirteen years give a reversed pro- portion, viz., 105 boys to 100 girls. How much the change in the proportions, and the subsequent disparity of the numbers in the two sexes, is due to emigration, or to a difference in the de- gree of the dangers and diseases to "which they are respectively exposed, will be discussed when the numbers of males and females living at different periods ol* life are compared. The disparity in the proportions of the sexes is greatest in Scotland, there being no less than 110 females to 100 males in that country. The following table gives the population of Great Britain and the Islands of the British Seas, including the army, navy, and merchant seamen, abroad, as enumerated at each Census, from 1801 to 1851. inclusive : — Table II. — Population qf Oreat Britain as enumerated at each Census^ from 1801 to 1851 inclusive. Years. Mtlet. FemalM. Total. 