to
DES ARC, ARKANSAS :
FRIDAY,...MAY 17, 1861.
' Arkansas State Convention.
This body met at Little Rock on the 6th
inst.‘ We have, as yet, seen an account of
but two days of their proceedings in de
tail. These embrace the passage of the
ordinance of secession which we published
on Tuesday last. Our telegraphic des
patches have given an outline of the pro
ceedings, and we learn privately that al
though the Convention has been for sever
al days in secret session, yet, enough is
known to outsiders to satisfy them that the
division that existed at the first meeting
of the body, in March, still exists—in
other words, that although the Union men
have voted for the ordinance of secession,
still they are throwing obstacles in the
way of accomplishing the “entire riddance
of the State” from its connection with the
old regime. Our opinion is, that there are
certain influences brought to bear about
the State Capitol, and upon this Conven
tion, that always have and always will at
tend the assembling of deliberative or Leg
islative bodies at Little Rock. The peo
ple of the State are tired of Little Rock
dictation. If there is a civil or military
office to be filled, some hungry cormorant
can be found, who either lives in Pulaski
county, or is the “special chum” of those
living near the State House, no matter
where he resides.
But these late “ Union loving souls,”
and who have recently become “ rightly
persuaded,” through the force of the peo
ples’ will, have, many of them, been
placed in high places, (sfee the list of
those elected to Montgomery, with but a
single exception, and that is Hon. R. W.
Johnson,) when had they acted with be
coming modesty, they would have refused
the position and made room for those “who
have been weighed in the balance and not
found wanting.” But the election of mem
bers to the Southern Congress will in a
short time be submitted to the people, and
we have no fears but they will deal justly
with a certain class of men, should they
ofler their valuable services to the dear
people.
rr* i _• •. . *
j. muoL mitain iieiu iiiai uie great
mass of the people of Arkansas are inter
ested in, are our mail facilities. If proper
attention is not given to this matter at the
first letting under the new order of things,
Little Rock will again monopolize con
tracts, routes, &c., to the detriment of other
portions of the State. In changing her po
sition as a State, Arkansas must look to
her general interest, and see that design
ing men do not obtain a hearing under the
new government that they are not entitled
to.
Since writing the above we are grati
fied to learn that the Convention has ap
pointed Gov. H. M. Rector, Hon. B. C.
Totten and Capt. C. C. Danley, as a
Military Board for the State.
--
White Man and Negro Hung at
Searcy.—Charles Cavender, formerly of
Oil Trough Bottom, Independence coun
ty, the leader of the proposed insurrection
in White county, and a negro known as
Bill Henry, belonging to Mrs. Sculler,
were hung at Searcy on Saturday last.
Cavender. as we have before stated, was a
Protestant Methodist preacher.
-—♦
Things Worth Knowing.—The fol
lowing are the distances between various
points that are of special interest at this
time:
Philadelphia to Baltimore 98 miles.
Harrisburg « gg u
Harper’s Ferry to “ 81 “
Parkersburg to “ 383 “
Wheeling to « 379 “
Washington to « 38 “
Annapolis to Washington « 38 “
Fredericksburg to “ 70 «
Richmond to “ 130 “
Petersburg to « 152 “
Wilmington, N. C., • “ 378 «
Charleston, S. C., 587 “ |
A Foray to be made on Western
Arkansas.—It is slated, that Geu. Scott
has sent fifty thousand stand of arms to
the marauder and thief, Montgomery, to
make a foray from Kansas on western
Arkansas. W'hether this be true or not,
it behooves those “in authority” in Arkan
sas to bestir themselves. We have the
men, arms and munitions of war, and no
time should be lost in sending a well
mounted force to our Western frontier.—
When it is remembered that four days
travel would bring these marauders to the
White river valley, the necessity of prompt
and immediate action should impress itself
upon all. It is said that Montgomery
boasts he will penetrate to the cotton coun
ties of Arkansas, where he can demand
tribute from the rich planters. The coun
ties intervening between Kansas and the
cotton region will of course be first assail
ed. If the convention, now in session at
Little Rock, is not two busily engaged in
discussing the petty differences between
men, it would be well, perhaps, that they
should attend to the interests and welfare
of the Slate.
We append the following telegraphic
despatce which “speaks for itself:
New York, May 8.—Gen. Lane was
despatched some days ago to Kansas on
important business connected with the Gov
ernment. He will have command of a
large force, and will proceed, as soon as
possible, through the Indian country to
Fort Smith, for the purpose of taking that
post and all others belonging to the Gov
ernment in Missouri and Arkansas.
General Lane stated before leaving
Washington that, with 1,000 men such as
he could bring into the field, he could
_l _iir,
lllUl Ull OMV/UCCUIUM j mi v “vw
tion of the country. Seven hundred men
under his command will be composed of
the same class that served under Mont
gomery.
--
* Can the South Feed Herself.
We have heretofore demonstrated thro’
our columns that the South possessed the
means to feed herself, and that the attempt
of the fanatics of the North to delude their
people with the idle tale that the South is
not self-sustaining, and that by cutting off
supplies they can starve her into submis
sion, is but “drawing the wool over the
eyes” of that infatuated people. The fol
lowing, which we clip from the Memphis
Appeal demonstrates the superiority of the
South over the North, to say nothing of
“King Cotton:”
Not having before us the census returns
of I860, we take for illustration those of
1850, which will answer onr purpose quite
as well. We will contrast by facts and
figures the resources of the two sections,
so far as to ascertain which can maintain
itself in the present conflict the longer.
The slaves Slates in that year raised
7,660,651 bushels of peas and beans,
while the so-called free Slates only raised
518.033 bushels, leaving a balance in fa
vor of the former of 7,142,618 bushels.
In the same year the South raised 37,
136,812 bushels of sweet potatoes, while
the north only raised 1,122,323 bushels,
leaving a balance in our favor of 36,014,*
489 bushels!
The amout of indian corn raised by the
South was about 345,000,000 bushels—
that by the North, 233,000,000. Bal
ance in favor of the South, 112,000,000
We further find that in the same year
the slave States raised 215,312,210 lb3.
of rice—the Northern Stales only raising
500 lbs.
The same statistics show the aggregate
value of live stock then in the Sonth to be
$246,000,000—in the North $293,000
000—or only 47,000,000 in favor of the
latter.
In connection with these facts it is to be
remembered that the South annually pro
duces more than 4,000,000 bales of cotton,
which can command at any time in the
European market $200,000,000 in hard
cash. At the same time she has but 13
000,000 of mouths to feed, while the ene
my.must find food for 18,000,000, or a
number nearly one third larger.
Under such circumstances, the Confed
erate Stales need have no fear of the raw
head and bloody bones cry of being starv
ed by want of resources into defeat. The
crops are better in the South this year, and
more abundant, we believe, than ever
known before. Cotton fields have been
given up to the culture of corn, wheat, and
other provisions, necessary to the support
of armies. We have learned self-reliance
from our enemies, and had our latent en
ergies developed by their attempted op
pression of us. ' We can for the future
raise enough cotton to supply the us»al
amount shipped to foreign ports, and re
fusing to send one bale to yankeedom by
legal interdiction of its sale North of Ma
son and Dixon’s line, can invest in raising
army supplies the labor and capital for
merly employed in cultivating the 1,000,
000 of bales used by them. We will thus
be enabled to keep in the field for the com
ing year one million of men, without half
the accompanying disaster that will befal
the North in maintaining the same num
ber. 1
The more protracted the struggle may
prove therefore, the worse for the enemy.
A consciousness of this important fact has
no doubt impressed our Soethern chieftain
with the advantage accruing from the pur
suance of a Fabian policy. The North,
on the other hand, press vigorously for*
ward to the conflict, well appreciating the
certain fatality of delay. It is impossible,
as time will amply, for her to hold out un
der the pressure of its burdens for the
space of a single year.
-■» ♦ -»
LETTER FROM CAMP RECTOR.
Camp Rector, Mound City, Ark., )
Five Miles above Memphis, >
May 11th, 1861- )
Dear Citizen: Nothing of much im
portance has occurred since I last wrote 'o
you, for you must know that a soldiers
life is the same every where—every day
the same routine of duties to perform and
very rarely a change, so a scarcity of news
is the consequence. But however, I’ll at
tempt to make out a readable letter.
On Tuesday evening after dress parade.
Rev. J. B. Ferguson of Nashville, Tenn.,
delivered one of the most impressive
speeches to the troops I ever listened to.
His burning eloquence and enthusiasm
for our cause—his touching pathos and
earnest manner I’ve rarely seen equalled
by any speaker. He presented unanswer
able arguments, in which he showed
plainly the hypocrisy and fanaticism of the
Northern minions—their lust for power,
and love of gain ; and proved to the hear
er he was well posted in regard to this civil
war waged by the treachery and deceit of
an abolition President against our loved
institutions of the South. He was follow
ed in short but telling speeches by Col.
i v r-» /-I 1 r\ l i
iVACJUie^vjreuercu raiiuu uuu v^ie
burne.
Since my last, one more company has
arrived, the Napoleon Grays from Napo
leon, Ark. They number about 55 and
are a fine looking body of men. ,
The news of the secession of our gal
lant little Siate was received here with un
bounded applause 'and enthusiasm on the
part of the whole camp. All were wait
ing with anxiety and surprise till the news
finally arrived Tuesday evening that she
was disenthralled, Every one expected
the convention would pass an ordinance
of secession, but still none entertained
doubts on the subject, fearing there were
traitors in the camp as was the case with
our convention which met on March 4th.
Every delegate did their duty nobly with
a single exception, and their names will
always be venerated by true Arkansians.
for having cut the Gordian knot which
bound us to a section who were hostile to
our institutions, to our homes and dearest
interests, and everything which consti
tutes southern happiness and southern
prosperity. Arkansas now occupies a
proud position, and one for which her eve
ry son will defend her as long as he has
an arm to raise at her call.
Our old friend, Col. W. W. Wair, is
here acting as Major of our regiment by
temporary appointment. H has had the
arrangements of the camp under his super
vision since his arrival, and has given the
best satisfaction in the General’s depart
ment, which by ins care and attention is
now arranged properly. He is an old
soldier of great experience and skill, and
much is due to him for the good manner
in which everything is arranged and car
ried out. The weather has been exces
sively hot for the past four days and Old
Sol’s rays has poured down upon our de
voted heads with remorseless fury, with
not a breath of air stirring in mid-day,
but the atmosphere is as hot and stifling as
in the tropics. However, we have one
consolation, that it makes us suffer com
paratively little to what it will our enemies,
“Old Abe’s” hired vagabonds of black
republican predelictions when they invade
our soil. The nights however, are cool
enough to require a blanket to keep com
fortable.
The officers in command of this post
are Col. McRae, Gen. Patton and Maj.
Hurley, gentlemen of talent and worth,
and will no doubt crown themselves with
fresh laurels when called to meet the ene
my in the tented field.
One of the artillery companies here are
promised Braggs battery, which is now
at Fort Smith. It is the same battery
that dealt such death and destruction upon
the bloody field of Buena Vista, scattering
like chafT before the winds, the flower of
the Mexican army. This company may
well be proud of the achievements of the
aattery upon the battlefield against the
serried hosts of Mexican chivalry, and a- j
jain when the guns peal forth from their ;
ron mouths the messengers of death, may i
we hope itmay be with the same effect upon
our foe—a foe more fanatical, more lust
ful for power and a more hateful enemy
than the bloodthirsty deceitful greaser.
We number now over six hundred men
and will form the first regiment of Arkan
sas volunteers. The election for our field
officers, Colonel, Major, Lieutenant Colo
nel and Adjutant will take place shortly.
There are a good many aspirants for the
offices, ar,d much electioneering among
the troops is the consequence, but I hope
they will elect such men as are experi
enced and competent so they will not fail
in time of need.
The hours which are kept here in camp
differ materially from those generally in
dulged in by the people of this progressive
age. We rise at reveille 5 o’clock in the
morning, when we answer to roll call and
then prepare our breakfast. We retire
at taps 9£ o’clock at night, when every
candle must be extinguished.
Nearly every night after supper is fin
ished music is produced, and sets are form
ed and as merry and lively dancing as you
ever saw is done here, eve:y one striving
to excel in the real old Virginia break
down step which is the favorite. The
dancing is continued till taps, when ail
cheerfully retite to their tents.
Good order and discipline is equally
preserved herewith any camp in the south
ern service. Every one takes a pleasure
in obeying orders, confident by observing
strict military rule of an easy victory when
we meet our enemies. The idea so prev
alent with some, that to obey superior offi
cers is menial service is fast passing away,
nnr1-<;nnn nil snlHiprs will think anri ricrht
■ — .
ly too, that obeying orders is an honorable
duty.
The ladies visit our camp in great num
bers every day, enlivening it with their
presence and shedding a sunny ray of light
over our monotonous life. At any time of
life, and at youth especially, we love to
see a maiden “fair as the summer’s morn"
adorned with all the graces of her sex,
with purity and innocence beaming from
every lineament of her countenance ; but
to have at this time one of those angelic
beings drop in upon us suddenly it almost
transports us to some fairy land the bright
creation of a poet's dream. It makes our
heart beat faster, and pulse leap like a
flood in our veins to look upon a flaxen
haired, rosy-cheeked, blue eyed lass with
dimpled chin and pouting lips, but more
especially now when we are debarred from
the privilege of pressing that dimpled
hand or kissing those ruby lips—hut I’ll
change the subject.
You may expect to bear from me again
shortly. Yours, Cop.
--
The Steamboat Conflagration at New
Orleans.
The New Orleans Bulletin of the 6th
irist., has the following particulars of the
burning ot eight boats at Algiers, oppo
site that city. The boats destroyed were
of no great value, excepting the Repub*
lie. She was a Memphis packet. The
Madison belongs to Cincinnati:
Bast nicrllt fl! nimlpr nficl Ion
a fire broke out among tbe steamboats ly
ing at Algiers, opposite the foot of Julia
street. The wind was blowing very
strong, and in a few minutes eight steam
boats were enveloped in flames, and quick
ly burped to the water’s edge. The burn
ing hulls of three of the boats broke
loose and floated down the river,
endangering the numerous vessels moored
along the Algiers Levee, and were car
ried_agamst the wharf, opposite the Third
District. At one time there was the ap
pearance of another conflagration, in that
vicinity, where were lying the Surnter
and the Marquis de la Habana—the two
steamers recently purchased by our Go
vernment, aud the Star of the West, but
was soon exlingmshed.
The boats destroyed were the Gen.
Pike, (on which the fire started) the
Telegram, Editor, Madison, Republic,
Texas, Grenada and Dolly YVebb. The
Telegram and the Republic were the most
valuable boats. The Editor was an old
hulk, having no machinery on board.
Several oi the others were small stern
wheelers. The loss cannot be less than
8100,000. Several of the boats were un
der seizure by the Sheriff. The immense
Diy Dock of the Gulf Line Company,
lying immediately below the burning boats,
was in imminent danger, but fortunately
escaped destruction.
Two of the burning boats (as we learn
since writing the above,) drifted against
he shipping in the Third District, severe
y scorching two ships, which would have
Deen destroyed, with much cotton on the
Levee, but for the activity of the firemen,
,vho apprehended a disaster in that direc
lon, and were there as soon as the burn
ng boats. The towboat Baltic was dam
iged, and the towboat Conqueror was de- j
troyed. These are all the particulars ob- «
tamable at the late hour at which \ve*J
We learn the Republic was not (,u ■
in the above conflagration. She \vas'|
ing below the Point, and escaped . i
being injured,
IxeFarcI
FRIDAY-- ... >-.MAY~i7^t :i
WHITE RIVER U. S. MAIL^ j
SEMI-WEEKLY FROM JAUKSONPORt
MEMPHIS VIA. NAPOLEON ^ g
KANAWHA VALLEY,!). B. J>rici,‘ ,,
SAM. HALE,.C. W. Co,SSI
Memphis <$ White River Packet.
COL. MORGAN.W. A. WilM) :
NEW MOON,.John Dkahing, £ j
liew Orleans & White River paev,
A. W. QUARRIER.Redmond, m®
Des Arc Station—Methodi9t Episcor
Church South—H. D. McKinnon, prej(," 1
er in charge. Divine service every Sunday^
11 o’clock ; also, at night.
i — 1 • * —■
Baitist Church—corner of Erwin a
Park streets—Elder Needham Hollas ;
Divine Service every Lord’s Day at 11 o’clocj I
Also, at night.
-.....
Presbyterian Church—corner of Bne(,s|
Vista and Thornhill streets. Rev. D,
GRAy. Preaching every 2d and 4th Sabbau ]
in each month.
-♦
1 (^* Howard M. Gist, Esq., Austin,!;,®
kansas, is our authoiized Agent. He hast, ?1
authority to receive subscriptions, collecta-jH
receipt for monies due the Citizen office,ill
---
Our townsman, J. E. Glenn, has In®
elected Major of 'he Regiment stationed S
Camp Rector. We congi atulate our fritji
on his promotion.
(ETOn the 13th inst., Messrs. BohlcB
Wilson & Co., Memphis, received ice enotji
to last that city two years.
RIVER NEWS, &c.
(£5^” White river and its tributaries aifl
now very high. The bottoms are pretty ge:
erally overflowed and the river still risin; ]
Jacksonport, we learn, is almost entirelyrc-fj
der water.
The Memphis White and Little Rt '
river packet Col. Morgan. Capt. William.A
Wilds, is due from Memphis next Monday.
(£3^” The Kanawha Valley, Capt. Price
from Memphis, passed up yesterday evenisj
bound for Jarksonpoit. She returns, kov
for Memphis, to-morrow morning, llercle,
furnished us with flies-of late papers.
ESr'Fhe New Moon, Capt. John Dearie
passed down y esterday morning, bound ft
Memphis.
• or The u. s. Mail packet Sam. Hale,
due from Napoleon, bound foi Jacksonport,0
Monday night.
anMPCwammwiMSKmiJWHWHinmsmi'nw
MARKETS, &.C.
Citizen Office, Des Abo,)
Friday May 17. 1861. \
DES ARC PRICES CURRENT. I
Corrected Weekly l>y Stewart Sf Bro'iM
Bagging, (Kentucky}.. 17 (5) l'l
(India). 16 (g) Hgf
Bale Rope. 9 (a) kH
Beeswax, per lb. .. 2ft @ 2iB
Bricks, per m... 6 50 @ 7 WH
Brooms per dozen.«. 2 oO (g) 0 ®B
Buckets, painted, per dozen- •• 2 50 @ 0 C«'«
Butter, per lb. 20 @
Bar Iron. 5 @ ill
Bar Soap, per, lb - •*<. 64@ ’|J
Castings. 5 <§ '||
Copperas, per lb *. 5 ifl
Cotfee—Rio. 15 @ 4
Vyuvuumi/C «••••« ... . J.U V-Jf *•
Candles—Tallow per lb. 15 @ 1‘
Star ... 23 ($ #
Cotton. 9 @ ’
Cotton Yarns... 91® lj
Cordage—Manilla. 12)@ ;!i
Chickens, per doz. 2 50 ($ 3^
Com Meal, per bush. 75 @ *
Corn,... 65 @ ®
Drugs and Dye Stuffs
Alum, per lb.<. 8 @ 11
Brimstone.. 6 @
Camphor.. 75 @ ®
Madder.. 20 ® 2;
Indigo... 1 50 @ i
Logwood.. 6 ($
Soda, (B. C.).. 8 ($ 1
Saleratus .. 6J® 13
Eggs, per doz. 12^<9 1}
Flour, perbbl... 5 00 £
Flour, per 100 lbs, in sacks-• • 3 50 ® 3 S
Feathers per lb.... 55® ®
Beef Hides “ “ . 8 @ *
Fruits—
Apples per bush, dried. 1 50 ® 1
Peaches “ “ “... 1 5C @ 1«
Raisins, per box. 3 50 ($ 0 ®
Gunpowder, only at retail, 50 @ jf;
Lime, per bbl.. 1 50 & 1J*
Lead—Bar, per lb... 8 ®
linger per lb. 11 ® J?
jerrnan Steel. 18 @ *
A. B « . 10 @ (J
a .,_ 95 (3) ”
Hollow Ware, per gal.... 12*® !*
Meats— ..
Canv. Hams, per lb.. 14 @ h
Plain do 12 @ *
Shoulders, “ “ . 10 @ "
Middlings “ “ . 15 @
Bulk Pork, . 10 0 1
Pork, fresh . 6 ®
Beef per lb.= . 5J @
Paints and Oils—
Linseed Oil, per gal. 1 00 @
Sperm Oil “ “. 2 25 ® p ■>
Lard Oil, “ “. 1 25 @ * J
White Lead, per keg. 2 50 @ 3
Spanish Brow’n, per lb. 10 @ /
Venitian Red “ “. 15 @
Red Lead per lb. 15 @ „
Mails—lOd-f.. 4 75 I
8d,—6d,—4d,—5d. . 5®5*, §
Holasses, per gal.. 37^®
iugai—Brown, per lb.. 8 ® .:i||
Loaf, per lb. 15® i;rv
Crushed M . 12i® a I
*epper, per lb.. I3i@ <!
lice.... 7 ®