DES ARc'cifpjL
_I- c. MORRILL, EDITOR.
desarc, arkansas7~
SATURDAY.DEC. 18,1858.
President’s Message.—On Tuesday
morning we presented our readers with
the President’s Message. We are under
" renewed obligations” to our friends of
the Memphis Bulletin for their promptness
in furnishing us with our extra’s, ready
printed for circulation; as also, to the
officers of the steamer Admiral for the
•afe delivery of the package.
Telegraph Line in Arkansas.—Mr.
H. A. Montgomery, of Memphis, well
known in connection with various tele
graphic enterprises, arrived here a few
days since on his way to Little Rock, to
perfect arrangements for the building of a
telegraph line from Memphis to Little
Rock, with a branch of the same to Helena.
The cost of the contemplated line and
branch, it is said, will not exceed $25,000.
As Des Arc is on or near an air line from
Memphis to Little Rock, our people will
have an opportunity of aiding in this new
and important enterprise. We can safely
affirm thaL they are both ready and wil
ling to take their full share of stock. As
the line will be a “ paying institution.” no
one need be backward ns to taking stock.
The government dispatches alone will go
far towards making it paying stock. The
Memphis Appeal says that Mr. Mont
gomery is the great telegraphic builder of
that section. He built the line along the
iVTftmnhis nnH Pltfirlucinn n 11 ro a<l tRo
line from Memphis to Hickman and Cairo
—that from Memphis to Panola and oth
ers. He is a thorough-going business
man and intimately acquainted with all the
details of telegraphing and telegraph
building.
We are pleased that the introduction of
telegraphing in Arkansas is in the hands
Mr. Montgomery.
_ _
The Memphis Enquirer announ
ces that Hon. Jere. Clemens, of Ala
bama, has become permanently connected
with that paper, and will assume the chief
editorial control of it about the 20th inst.
Thh Overland Mail to the Pa
cific.—J. T. Trezevant, Esq., in a com
munication published in the Memphis J.Ip
peal, shows conclusively that great injus
tice has been done the Memphis end of
the “Overland Pacific Mail Line,” in the
non-reception of mails and passengers,
while the St. Louis end of the same line
has been regularly supplied by the con
tractors. Mr. Trezevant says:
But the liberal ideas of the Postmaster Gen
eral about making Memphis one of the Missis
sippi valley termini of this enterprise, are ren
dered really futile by the conduct and manage
ment of Butterfield & Co., the contractors.
It surely was as practicable to stock the
line from Fort Smith to Memphis, as from
Fort Smith to St.-Louis, for it is nearer from
that diverging point to Memphis than to St.
Louis. There was no more necessity for sub
letting the Memphis line than was for sublet
ting the St. Louis line. Yet it was done; and
when remonstrance was made, and orders is
sued from the Post Office department. Butter
field’s reply was along plausible explanation,
and an earnest promise to correct the gross
injustice done to this end of the service. Yet,
in the face of all this, the telegraph still con
tinues to make the regular announcement to the
citizens of Memphis, that Ihe “ overland mail
has arrived at St. Louis;” when it is known
to all that this mail ought to reach Memphis
at least a day earlier than St. Louis. What is
the consequence? Why, no traveler going or
coming to. or from California by the overland
route, will think of coining by Memphis, for
the chances of making the connections at
Fort Smith are all against him.
All mis outrage to our rights will continue
with renewed protests, apologies and promises,
-until Butterfield will so manage matters as to
get Congress to do away with the Memphis
connection entirely, and let him confine his
contract to the St. Louis line. Last winter
and spring this course was apprehended, and
the indications are that it will yet be done,
despite the liberal wishes ami remonstrances
of the Post Office Department.
Mr. Trezevant suggests a public meet
ing of the citizens of Memphis, to pro
test agaiust this palpable evasion of the
duty imposed upon the contractors by the
Postmaster General. So far, so good.
But there are some other facts in connec
tion with this matter which we will briefly
state.
The distance from Memphis to Fort
Smith is 300 miles direct, by land, via
Des Arc. The Overland Mail has been
carried through several times in less than
70 hours, via Little Rock, which is 27
miles from the 35th parallel or direct route
to I ort Smith. But this was at a sea
son of the year when the roads were good.
The contractors. Messrs. Butterfield &
Co., can never succeed in delivering their
mails promptly the year round, unless they
procure a good steamboat to run from
Memphis to Des Arc, for at least six
months in the year. This boat can make
tbe run in 35 hours, and connect here
with their stages for Fort Smith. The
carrying of the Overland Mail via Little
Rock is 54 miles out of the way, and is
an outrage that the General Government
should no longer countenance. We have
no fears of the route being changed from
Des Arc, for every exertion has been made j
to accomplish it that was in the power of (
those who are afraid of the future pros- 1
pects of our town. We are on the direct 1
line to the Pacific—the route that all men 1
of mature judgment define as tbe only r
feasible one for the erection of the Pacific
Railroad upon. The sub-contractors un- t
der Butterfield &. Co., promptly selected 1
the 35th parallel as Iht route upon which '
to carry the Overland Mail, and should
they see fit to displace them, there is no
alternative left but to continue the mail
over the same route, with the exception
of the 64 miles to Little Rock and back,
and the running of a steamer six months
in the year from Memphis to Des Arc.
Hon. S. A. Douglas.—This political
hero, who voted with John Bel! and John
J. Crittenden on the Lecompton question,
and was found cheek-by-jowl with free
soilers and opponents of the democratic
party during the last session of Congress,
addressed the people of Memphis on the
29th ult. The speech, judging from its
general lone as published, contains noth
ing seriously objectionable, so far as tone
and temper are concerned Those who
heard it, say that it was almost a repetition
of his Freeport nnd other Illinois speech
es—and while many of the positions are
in consonance with the principles of South
ern men and Democrats, yet there are
others which deserve and will receive the
condemnation of all right thinking men.
Speaking of Judge Douglas’ speech, the
Memphis Avalanche says:
“ But, seriously, we are rejoiced that
Stephen A. Douglas visited Memphis.
He did not make a friend by his speech,
while it caused many to falter and waver.
His speech was a fanfaronnde of vague
nnd indefinite generalities, that all parties
can endorse, except his “ squatter sover
eignty” views, which find no response in
the hearts of the Southern people. It is
evident that Douglas is playing a deep
and treacherous game. He is at sea
without chart or compass, anxiously wait
ing for something to turn up. He knows
the power of Democracy, nnd is loath to
cut loose from the party that warmed him
into life. Mr. Douglas has lost his pres
tige with the party, and can never regain
the high place he once occupied in the af
fections of the people; but by years of
_A_A A~.*l_I •__ J.* . I
1'iiuvui ion mm v>uvuiiio|iviat uc|<vn uuuiil lit;
may rpgain much of the confidence which
he has so unworthily betrayed.”
Free Neoroes and Mulattoes.—
We most heartily endorse the following
conclusions of the Helena State Rights
Democrat, in reference to this pestifer
ous class of the population of Arkansas.
Instead of sending free negroes to Libe
ria, the South should urge the re-opening
of the slave trade, and wipe out front her
statute books every line that permits free
negroes and mulattoes to remain ..within
her borders.
“ A great diversity of opinion seems to exist
among members of the Legislature, as to the
proper plan for ridding the State of free ne
groes and mulattoes. Some are for sending
them to Liberia, others for hiring them out
from year to year. We think both these pro
jects totally inadequate. As for the Liberian
proposition, it is impracticable, and, if prac
ticable, would be wrong, sending the free ne
gro to a region where he would certainly re
lapse into barbarism. On the other hand, we
regard the hiring-out scheme,—the penalty
for statutory vagrancy,—as equally inefficient.
By collusion with morbidly philanthropic
persons, free negroes would be but nominally
hired, and would prove a greater curse than
ever.
If gentlemen wish to rid the State of this
pest, let them legislate to the purpose. There
is but one mode of doing this. Provide that
all free negroes and free mulattoes found in
the State after January 1st, 1800, shall be ar
rested by the sheriff or by citizens, without
warrant.' and confined in jail. Give them then
thirty days in which to select a master, if
they neglect this, sell them to the highest bid
der, as slaves for life, and apply the pro
ceeds to school purposes. That would ac
complish the object—nothing less stringent
will. Tho subject needs the knife,—not a
salve or an ointment.
--
The Department or the Interior.
—Tho Washington Union concludes a
long article in reference to the variety and
magnitude of business conducted in this
great department with the following well
merited compliment to the lion. Jacob
Thompson:
The Interior office, as is well known, is
now conducted by Hon. Jacob Thompson :
and those who meat all conversant with j
its afliitrs will bear ready testimony to the
industry fidelity, and ability with which it
is administered by him. We would not
be invidious, nor willingly reflect upon his
predecessors, but it is nevertheless due to
a sensible public officer to say that Mr.
Thompson has been most fortunate in
mastering all the details of his Depart
ment, and in executing the great variety
of high duties devolved upon him with a
fairness, an energy, and ability which
have commanded nlmost universal praise.
Discreet in every act, faithful and devoted
to every duty, intelligent in every decis
ion, courteous in his intercourse, he has
been able to win the confidence of the
whole country, and the respect and ad
miration of the democratic party, of which
he is and has ever been a true member.
Fire in Memphis.—The old City Ho
tel, situated on Winchester street, between
Main and Front Row, was entirely, con
sumed on Saturday morning last.
Several attempts have been made, du
ring the week, to burn the offices of the
Mvalancht and Enquirer. If these vile -
incendaries can be caught, we suggest
that they be handed over to a committee
of Journeyman Printers, who will, doubt- J
less, hang up their forms by a string, t
and measure their foul matter by rule, k
prepatory to placing it carefully in a box. s
Destructive Fire at Cairo III.—
A fire occurred at Cairo, on the night of d
the 8th inst., which destroyed property to c
the amount of S100.000. r
Marriage of Kindred.—A bill has passed I
the House of Representatives of the Georgia
Legislature, by a vote of fifty-six to fifty-two,
prohibiting the intermarriage of first cousins, t
inder a severe penalty, and cutting off the in- (
jeritance of issue. The preamble to the bill
isserts that many deformations of mind and I
rody are of congenital origin, from the prac
tice of near kindred intermarrying with each
5th er. ' a
-The Governor of Texas has forwarded
i protest to the Governor of Louisiana, against r
the draining of Cross Lake, which lies in the d
latter State, betweeu Lake Caddo and Shreve- j n
port, as injurious to the interests of Eastern J
Texas. a
i
IMPORTANT STATE PAPERS.
REPORTOFTHE HEADS OF DEPART
MENTS.
We publish below a synopsis of the
Annual Reports of Postmaster-General
Brown, and Secretaries Thompson and
Floyd.
All the matter of general interest con
tained in this report is summed up in the
statements of revenue and expenditures
for the past year, which are given as fol
lows:
POSTMASTER-GENERAL HUOWN’s REPORT.
The expenditures of the depart
ment in the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1858, amounted to...$12,722,470 10
For transportation of inland
mails including payments to
route agents, local agents and
mail messengers . 7,821.556 83
For transportation of foreign mails, to wit:
New York to Liver
pool....$38,758 48
New York to Bremen 00,585 93
New York to Havre • -99.828 19
Charleston to Havana 60,000 00
New Orleans to Vera
Cruz.. 29,058 88
Aspinwall to Panama 100.000 00
- 424,407 34
Total ..$8,246,054 17
For compensation to postmasters 2,335,016 28
For clerks in post offices. 918,272 73
For ship, steamboat, and way
letters •. 16,613 38
For office furniture for post
offices. 2,927 70
For advertising. 128 034 92
For mail bags • •.............. 38 464 19
For blanks • ..,. 106,277 76
For mail locks, keys, and office
stamps..... 3,480 09
For mail depredations and spe
_ cial agents. 73.527 01
For postage stamps and stamped
envelopes... 93,019 10
Por dead letters claimed... 98
For wrapping paper. 59,229 67
For payments to letter carriers 174,038 10
For miscellaneous payments., 193,544 02
For payments for balances due
on British mails. 282,406 17
For payments for balances due
on Bremen mails. 2,859 14
For payments for balances due
on Hamburg mails. 1,366 13
For payments for balances due
on French mails . 26,343 47
Total of expenditures.$12,722,470 01
If there be added to the above $91 90 lost by
bad debts, and the sum of $925 35 gained on
the suspense account be substracted, then the
net amount of expenditures will be $12,721,
036 56, as adjusted in the Auditor’s Office.
The gross revenue for the year 1858, Inclu
ding receipts from letter carriers and from
foreign postages, amounted to $7,486,792 86.
as stated below:
Letter postage, received in
mcney..$1,904,290 0C
Received for postage stamps and
envelopes sold . 5,786,314 03
Received for postage on news
papers and pamphlets. 991 976 90
Received for postage for regis
tered letters . 28,145 16
Received for flues. 85 0C
Received on account of emolu
ments. . 80,044 96
Received from letter carriers.... 174,038 10
Received from dead letters un
claimed.. 3,410 66
Miscellaneous receipts. 3,87S 92
Total revenue...$7,186,792 86
To the gross revenue above stated is to be
added the permanent annual appropriations,
amounting to $700,OoO granted to this depart
ment by the acts of March 3, 1347, and March
6, 1851, for the transportation and delivery of
free mail mail matter for Congress and (he
Executive Departments, thus making the
whole revenue of the year amount to $8,186,
792 80, which falls short of the expenditures,
as adjusted on the Auditor’s books, of $4,534.
843 70.
1 beg leave to invite attention to the full and
highly satisfactory report of the Auditor,
hereto aopended, and marked. From this in
teresting document, 1 derive the following
brief synopsis of the financial operations of
the Department in the past fiscal year:
The balance standing to the
credit of the Department, on
the 30th Juiie, 1857, was.... $1,163,866 05
The receipts for the Department
from all sources during the
year 1858, including a gain of
$925 35 on the suspense ac
count, amounted to. 7,487,718 21
The amount of the various ap
propriations drawn from the
Treasury during the year was 4,679,270 71
Making thetotal of receipts 13,330,874 97
The whole amount of expendi
tures in the year,including $91
90 for accounts closed by bad
debts, was. 12.722,561 91
Leaving to the credit of the de
paj liiichi. un uit* lSLjiii v. nuts.010 uc
REPORT OP SECRETARY THOMPSON.
The report of the Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Oilice covers a period of five quar
ters, ending September 30, 1858, and gives s
full and satisfactory statement of the proceed
ings of the Land Department of the Govern
ment upon the subject of its varied and com
plicated jurisdiction:
During that period there
were..... 15,209,376 acres.
Of the public lands survey
ed; which, with the for
mer surveys, made a quan
tity of...-.. 61,951,041 acres.
Of the public lands surveyed
and ready for maiket on
the 30th September, 1858,
which had never been of
fered at public sale..
During the same [eriod there
were sold for cash... 4,804,9*19 16-100
From which was realized $2,
534.192 20.
Located with military land
warrants. 6,983.110 acres
And reported under swamp
land grants. 140,158,508 acres.
Makrngan aggregate of cash
sales, land w arrants, loca-r
tions and swamp selec
of-.1,418,359,454 acres
Very few lands have been offered at pub’ic
sale during the period of the report. The
wish to sell for cash, and, as far as possible,
relieve the Treasury, was outweighed and
overcome by the desire, on the part of the
Executive, to deal in the most liberal manner
with the settlers upon the public lands.
Amendments of the pre-emption laws are
recommended, with a view to uniformity in
:he system, and to settle disputed rights, and
o minute controversy in litigated cases.
The public surveys have progressed rapidly,
ceeping in advance, in ino.-t localities, of tire
ettlements.
REPORT OF SECRETARY FLOYD.
This report covers a wide range, and
Iwells at considerable length upon the
>perations of the army during the year in
egard to the Indians in Texas and on the
Pacific.
On the subject of National Defenses,
he report recommends the procurement
Dy Congress of some few additional “key
points" on the Atlantic seaboard, the gov
ernmental possession of which he considers
t matter of necessity. The report recom
mends the purchase of one thousand ad
litional camels for the use of tile artny.
Hie report also recommends the itmnedi
ite payment of all volunteers heretofore
or at present engaged in repressing In
dian hostilities. Upon the subject of Ex
penditures of the Array, the Secretary
says:
I have attempted as far as possible to meet
your just wishes in reducing the expenditures
of the army, and the estimates of the next fis
cal year are less than the appropriations ol
the last by the sum of $9,160,488 32. They
are less than the estimates laid before you at
the last session of Congress by the sum of $2,
735.408 55. They amount in the aggregate to
$18,000,090 28, and I entertain a strong hope
that the expenditures may be still further re
duced in the course of another year.
It affords me pleasure to say that notwith
standing the Indian wars in Washington, New
Mexico and Texas, all of which were unfore
seen and unexpected, still, unless there shall
be further and larger demands for expenditures
in suppressing other Indian hostilities, addi
tional to those already incurred in Washing
ton Territory, New jifexico and Texas, then
will be no necessity for asking appropriations
in the shape of a deficiency bill.
MEXICO—‘-IHeIsICK MAN” OF 0UE
CONTINENT.
A very able article, in the Decembei
number of DeBow's Review, concludes
thus: “ We have but to will it, and Mexi
co is ours. She knows from the past
how utterly incapable she is to resist us.’
Ever word of this declaration is paten
truth. Mexico is deplorably fallen, im
becile and helpless. Something must bt
done, and will be done by others, if noi
by the United States, to prevent the fata
pestilence, which scourges her people
from becoming irremediable. She now
stands a " Ron in the way” of the path o
progress. Without responsibility, and
without the will or power to remedy ant
wrongs she may inflict upon other nations
she is a living cancer—a festering sort
upon the body of civilization. The spin
of the Monroe Doctrine requires that ou
Government should take immediate step
to relieve the world, and ourselves par
ticularly, of her diseased and plague-gene
rating condition.
She is emphatically one of those case
that would justify intervention and guardi
anship. The voice of the civilized worh
and the interests of enlightened progres
cry aloud for a statesman-like solution o
Lnm A_.. tJ... .* I' ' .
statesmen, who can seize the helm of he
destiny and pilot her into a port of safety
Have we no plan by which we can avoii
entanglement with her anarchical factions
and at the same time cut the Gordian kno
of revolution, bloodshed and rapine the
has bound her limbs? It is not a ques
tion of fillibusterism, but of simple dutv
that devolves upon us. If the United
Slates has not statesmanship, vigor anc
sagacity enough to solve the question
England and France will, and thus colo
nize and subject to their sway the faires
portion of our continent. Let our states
men bestir themselves, and set the ball it
motion. It is a question of great import
worth a thousand Kansas questions,
Where is the sagacity of Southern states
manship that it slumbers thus long ? Wil
it ever exhaust its energies upon abstrac
tions.—("Memphis Appeal.
The South Carolina Senatorship,
The Hon. James Chesnut, jr., has beer
chosen U. S. Senator from South Caroli
na, on the tenth ballot. His term wil
commence in March, 1859, and extend tc
1865. Col. Chesnut is now President of
the State Senate. He is a statesman ol
ability and experience, but hardly rank?
in intellect with such men as Hammond,
Memminger, Boyce and Adams. He is
a conservative of the Hammond school,
although perhaps not indorsing all of the
views of the distinguished South Caroli
nian. The election to fill the vacancy oc
casioned by the death-of Senator Evans
( whose term would have expired next
March) was to follow the choice of Sena
tors for the long term. The names of
Messs. Gilmer Simms, W. J. Grayson
and John Izard Middleton were men
tioned in this connection. It is a curious
fact that no less than six gentlemen have
filled Mr. Calhoun’s seat since his death
in 1850, viz : Messrs. Elmore, De Sas
sure, Rhett, Barnwell, Evans and Hayne.
The Legislature is about to elect the sev
enth, and Col. Chesnut will make the
eighth.
--♦ » «.
T_ C. . .... T1-. d_
and Speech of Mr. Mazyck—The in
terest felt in the case of the slaver Echo,
about to be tried in the Federal Court in
this district has made itself manifest thus
early in the Senate of the Staff*, in the
following resolutions introduced into that
body by Senator Mazyck:
Resolved, That the Constitution of the
United States contains no grant of power
to regulate, prevent or restrict commerce
among foreign relations; and, therefore,
all acts of Congress purporting to prohibit
or interfere with the slave trade, between
foreign countries, are unconstitutional, and
have no rightful force or effect.
Resolved, That the act of Congress de
claring the slave trade to be piracy, if it
be understood as affirming that it is piracy
in the nature of things, and in the sense
of the Constitution, affirms what is not
true; and inasmuch as it purports and in
ends to convert into piracy what is not so
in the nature of things, and in the sense
of the Constitution, the said act is uncon
stitutional, null and void.
By a vote of twenty-five yeas to fifteen
lays, the resolutions were referred to the
Committee on Federal Relations.—[Co
umbia Caroliuian, Nov 27th.
Winn Cat Banks of Georgia.—
Every now and then we meet with a note
an some of these Banks. The Chronicle
and Sentinel, of Augusta, Ga.. says:
To protect the people against these
Swindling Shops, we publish a list of them,
not one of which we deem worthy of con
fidence or credit. Let every man, who
Jesires to protect himself against loss pre
serve this 1 ist, and refuse the bills of ail
the Banks named, when ever offered:
Merchant’s Bank. Macon.
Interior Bank, Griffin.
LaGrange Bank, LaGrange.
North Western Bank, Ringold.
Bank of Greensboro’, Greensboro'.
Planters’ and Mechanics’ Bunk Dalton.
Broke.—Manufacturers’ aud Meelian
cs Bank, Columbus.
Exchange Bank, Griffin.
Southern Bank, Bainbridge.
Cherokee Insurance and Banking Coin
any, Dalton. .
4 # 4—
—■—Hon. J. W. Bridpes, of Alabama, Hied
t his residence tirar Camden on the 2bth nit i
Arkansas Legislature.
[sYNorsis of proceedings ]
SENATE.
Monday, December 6, 1858.
Mr. McCulloch presented the petition of the
Grand Temple of Honor and Temperance for
an act of incorporation of the Grand and sub
ordinate temples. He also introduced Senate
bill No. 85, to incorporate the grand and sub
ordinate temples of Honor and Temperance in
this State. Read twice and referred to the
committeee on the judiciary.
On motion of Mr. Davies, House bill No.
188, to amend the act incorporating the town
of Pocahontas, was taken up, read three times
and passed.
Mr. Gaines, from the committee on the ju
diciary, recommended the passage of Senate
bill No. 79, to authorize the several county
courts to examine and burn old county scrip
and ballots ; which was read a third time and
passed.
Mr. Clark introduced Senate bill No. 92, to
incorporate the White river, Dardanelle and
Fort Smith Railroad company. Read twice
and referred to the committee on internal im
provements.
The amendments to the constitution of this
State proposed by the last General Assembly,
providing that no county now established by
law shall be deemed or considered unconstitu
tional on account of its containing a less num
ber of square miles than 900, was read and the
vote thereon stood : ayes 17, nays 3.
The amendment proposed to the constitution
by the last General Assembly, providing that
the State of Arkansas shall not be sued in any
of her courts ; was read and the vote stood i
yeas 17, nays 3.
Thursday, December 9.—On motion ol
Mr. McCreery, House bill No. 79, for the re
lief of Emily Sophonia Quarle3, was taken up.
. read three times and passed.
On motion of Mr. Humphreys, the Senate
then went into committee of the whole, on
Judge Floyd’s bill to exclude free negroes from
the State, which was amended, when the com
mittee rose and the amendments were adopted
1 by the Senate.
1 Saturday, December 11.—The discussion
1 on the free negro bill was continued, Mr.
• Clark speaking in favor of its passage, and
. Mr. Askew against it, whhn, on his motion, it
’ was referred to a select committee of four
' Senators. The President appointed as such
■ committee, Messrs. Floyd, Askew, Clark and
Craighead.
. HOUSE.
’ Tuesday, December 7.—Mr. Edwards of
■ fered a resolution in relation to the grant of
I swamp and overflowed lands lying within the
i different railrord reservations in this State,
[• and that a portion of the swamp lands are
claimed by said companies, and returned by
■ road lands, a greater part of which lands so
! returned to the office of the register at Little
| Itock, are swamp lands to all intents and pur
poses, within the meaning of the grants, and
i thereby depriving the State of those valuable
: funds, and settlers of their improvements
; thereon ; therefore
Resolved, That a select committee of
three be appointed to investigate the matter
I and report the result of their labors to this
House ; which was read and adopted.
Mr. Stuart, from the committee on ways
and means, recommended thatit is not expe
1 dient at this time for the State to take any ac
tion towards the establishment of an insane
. asylum, and ask that they may be discharged
from the further consideration of the subject;
which was read and adopted.
Wednesday, Dec. 8.—-Mr. McCatnmon,
from the joint committee on the landed inter
ests of the State, made an additional report,
which was accompanied with two bills to
carry out the objects of the report; and House
bill No. 197, "to enable purchasers of certain
swamp lands to obtain deeds from the State
and for other purposeswhich was read
twice and referred to the committee on the
judiciary. House bill No. 198, “concerning
the revenue arising from the taxation of
swamp and overflowed lands;” was read twice
and referred to the same committee.
Substitute House bill No. 91, “to confer
power upon the circuit courts of this State to
constitute legal heirs;” was taken up and read
the second and third time and passed.
Thursday, Dec. 9.—Mr. Johnson of St.
Francis, offered the following joint resolution
No. 40, proposed amendment to the constitu
tion :
Resolved by the General Assembly of the
State of Arkansas, That the following amend
ment be proposed to the constitution of the
State of Arkansas, viz : That the 29th section
of the 4th article of the constitution be so
amended as to allow the counties of St. Fran
cis and Jackson to be reduced to seven hun
dred square miles, and that a new county -may
be formed out of the counties of St. Francis
and Jackson, composing any number of square
miles not less than five hundred; which was
read the first time.
Mr. Griffin, from the committee on internal
improvements, reported back House bill No.
198, concerning the internal improvement fund
of White county,and recommended the pas
sage of the bill; which was read, and adopted,
and bill ordered to a third reading.
Friday, Dec. 10.—Mr. Burns presented a
petition of 89 citizens of Searcy county, rela
! ting to an act of 181G, declaring the Buffalo
Fork of White river a navigable stream, and
praying the repeal of said law; which was
without reading, on his further motion, refer
icu t-u iub cumumi.ee on me judiciary.
Mr. McRae presented the petition of 04
citizens of White county, for damages for a
change in a levee in said county, which was
without reading, on his further motion, refer
red to the committee on petitions and mem
orials.
House resolved itself into committee of the
whole on House bill No 204, “for the relief
of the counties of Monroe. Washington, La
fayette, Prairie, Marion, Yell..Poinsett, Jack
son, Montgomery. Crawford. Saline, St. Fran
cis, Perry, and White,” was taken up—Mr. T.
C. Anderson in the chair. The bill was read
and the third time and passed.
' House bill No. 98, ‘‘to increase the pay of
witnesses in the counties of Columbia, Lafay
ette, St. Francis, Hot Springs, White, Ashley,
Marion, Jackson, Yell. Prairie and Sevier,”
read the third time and passed.
Saturday, Dec. it.—The House then re
solved itself into committee of the whole, on
House bill No. 147, “to remove the free ne
groes and mulattoes from this State.” Mr. Hill
in the chair. After a short time spent therein,
committee rose, and through their chairman
reported, that the committee of the whole
House have had House bill No. 147, “to re
move the free negroes and mulattoes from this
State,” under consideration, and have rose and
instructed me to ask leave to sit again on next
Monday week, at 10 o’clock, a. m., which (vas
read and adopted.
Mr. Hammond introduced House bill No
297, “to authorize the clerk of the Circuit
Court of Jackson comity to transcribe certain
records of his office;” which was read three
times and passed.
Tour Overland Routes to the Pa
cific.—One ieature of Mr. Buchanan’s
policy is of unimpeachable popularity.
This is the establishment of a set of con
tinental mail routes—not a single one, but
several of them—through our own terri
tory to the Pacific. Each of these lines
is not only a happy and enduring band of
mter-Stale harmony, but it is the cheapest
and surest means of Indian repression.
Every regularly traveled route is equal to
a series of forts, and are ten times as val
uable, and may be had at a twentieth the
outlay of a regular military post.
01 ihe four overland routes now settled |
upon, the St. Louis Republican su-s the
Souther,n_one will be open all the year,
md the other three for summer travel. !
These routes belt the continent in paral- I
els so judiciously distributed by the care :
Postmaster-General Brown that each j
jreat division of the Union is now brought (
nto stage and railroad connection with all i
he others. Nations have sung “ Te J
Deums” for infinitely less valuable tri- .
imphs.—[Washington States.
M. F. COOPER,
I»ES ARC, ARKANSAS,
OPPOSITE THE JACKSON HOUSE,
DEALER IX
w AND £
DRY GOODS, o
05 •<
BOOTS, SHOES, HATS, CAPS, AND
READY-MADE CLOTHING,
dec 18-tf.
Proclamation by the tJovcrnor.
$200 Reward.
Whf.rf.as, It lias been represented to me
that in Des Arc township Jackson county, or;
the 15th day of November, 1858, one William
Combs murdered his father-in-law Wren Car
ter. and has fled from justice and is now run
ning at large.
Now, therefore, I, ELIAS N. CONWAY
Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue
of tile authority in me vested by law, do here
by offer a reward of two hundred dollars
for the arrest and delivery of the said William
Combs to the sheriff of Jackson county, Ar
kansas, so that justice in this behalf may be
had and the laws executed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the State
[l. s. ] of Arkansas to be affixed this 26th day
of Nov., 1858.
ELIAS N. CONWAY.
By the Governor:
David B. Greer, Secretary of State.
Description of William Combs the murder
er : “ He is about six feet or over high, dark
pnmnlprfpil. dark hair ami pups, ami darU
beard, spare mode, and will weigh about 160
pounds, and is about 30 or 35 years old, wore
off a kind of dove colored coat with small
stripes and an old white hat, and carried off a
rifle gun with percushion lock and single
trigger and a piece of the stock near the muz
zle split off—the gun was large in the bore,
be also carried off a leather shot pouch. Said
Combs speaks tolerably slow and very gross,
and rather on the negro order.”
DISSOLUTION!
THE firm of McLaren, Quisenberry & Co.,
is this day dissolved by mutual consent.
Those indebted to the firm will please call and
pay their indebtedness without delay, those
who we owe will please present their claims
for payment, Mr. Quisenberry and Mr. James
McLaren will be absent for a while. Mr.
George McLaren will be found at the old
stand ready to settle any business of the firm,
those who owe us for Goods bought this year,
are entitled to credit until the25th inst., when
we feel satisfied they will, without hesitation,
pay their accounts, as we must close up our
business to enable each partner to control his
means. We sincerely hope all will pay us, and
none force the necessity and expense of bring
ing suit, which must be done in ail cases without
a solitary exception if this notice is disregard
ed. Very many of our friends still owe ns for
Goods bought last year, some of whom seem to
be unconcerned about it, while we suffer. We
only mean what we say, our business must
BE SETTLED UP WITHOUT DELAY.
JOHN H. QUISENBERRY,
GEORGE McLAREN,
james McLaren.
Des Arc, Ark., Dec. 13th 1858.
The undersigned will continue the
business at the old stand, and solicit a contin
uance of the patronage of the public.
deel8-lm.] G. Sc J. McLAREN.
g. & J. McLaren,
DEALERS IN
Staple aitii -Taney Pry (Saoiis,
Ready-Made Clothing, Boots, Shoes,
HATS, QUEENSWARE, HARDWARE,
Stationery, Medicines, S>\., Sic.
—also—
RECEIVING, FORWARDING AND
COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
ded8] DES ARC, ARKANSAS.
JtlcMrincs—TITctJichtcs.
JUST received, a general assortment of pop
ular patent and other kinds of Medicines,
usually called for, for family use, together with
liruslies, Perfumery,
anti many little articles under tins Head; all
of which we will sell as cheap as can be had
elsewhere by retail, and warrant all to be fresh
and genuine.
decl8 G. it J. McLaren.
Clocks, Jewelry, and Notions.
WE have just received a lot of one-day
and eight-day Clocks—also an assort
ment of Breast-Pins, Ear-Rings, Finger-Rings,
Watch-Guards, Keys,
G-old Foils,
Beads, Accordeons, Fiddles, and Yankee No
tions, in great variety. Call and see.
decl8 G. & J McLaren.
Qucensware and Glassware.
JUST RECEIVED, a general assortment of
Glassware, Queensware, and Stoneware,
and for sale by
decl8 G. & J. McLaren.
I.auderdalc Factory Agency.
JUST RECEIVED, direct from the Lauder
dale Factory, in Alabama, ten bales of
Osnaburgs,
and a lot of s p U ll Cotton, for sale.
decl8 G. & J. McLaren.
Hats and Bonnets.
WE have just received a general as
sortment of Hats and Bonnets, and
for sale by
dec 18 G. & J. McLaren.
Books and Stationery.
JU^T received, a general nssort
ln<‘"tol:' BOOKS and 8TATJ0N
wiirnt,^ ERY—full in every department
usually required in this country; for sale
cheap,by
dec 18 G. & J. McLaren.
BOOTS AND SHOESr
BH Just received, and on hand, two
^ AJ f B thousand dollars’ worth of Boots
SL and Shoes, embracing almost every
kind that could be desired, for Gen
lemen, Ladies, Misses, Boys, and Children;
it prices to suit every one.
decl8 G. J. McLaren.
handles, Soap, Tobacco, &c.
FUST RECEIVED, a general assort
J inent of good and common Tobacco, Ci
ars, Snuff, Soap, Candles. Buckets, Tubs,
(rooms,Tea, Nails, Turpentine, Pepper, Spice,
itarch. Soda, Indigo, Madder. Shot, Lead,
’owder. Caps, Flints, Lemon Syrup, Catsup,
’epper Sauce. Pickles, Rope, Nutmegs, Stone
raie. Wash-boards, Sifters, Baskets, Wrap
dug Paper, Twine. Window Glass, Sash, Put
y. Shoe Pegs. Sugar Stands, Glass Jars, Beer
ottles. Yeast Powders, &c., for sale as cheap
s the cheapest, on credit, or for cash, by
declS G. it J. McLaren.
Citizen Office For Sale.
OTHER business claiming onr attention
makes it necessary that we should dispose
of the Citizen Office. The paper bas been
published over four years, and has a pavine
patronage. The subscription list, advertising
job work, See., is inferior to no establishment
in the State, for the length of time the office
has been established. Possession given on the
1st day of January 1859.
(^“Persons wishing to purchase are invi
ted to call and examine the material, &c_
Those at a distance will address the under
signed. J. C. MORRILL,
Des Arc, Ark.
G3?* Also, a half interest in the building
and premises occupied as the “ Citizen Print
ing Office,” will be sold on reasonable terms.
sept25. J. C. MORRILL.
SALE O? LOTS
IN
BUFFALO CITY.
THE undersigned will commence th« sals
of Lots in
BUFFALO CITY j
OjY THE SECOND MONDAY IS
JANUARY, 1859,
TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER,
TERMS—One-fourth cash; balance on a
credit of twelve month-, without security, ex
cept such as the lots afford.
Buffalo City is situated on the South side of
White River, seventy miles by land and on*,
hundred and fifteen miles bv water aboveBatee
viHe, Arkansas, at the foot of the Buffalo
Shoals, eleven miles above the mouth of the
North Fork, and one mile above the mouth of j
the Buffalo Fork of White River, at the head
of reliable navigation on White River, about
two hundred and fifty miles by land from St.
Louis, one hundred and twenty from Little
Rock, two hundred miles from Memphis, one
hundred and fifty miles from Fort Smith,
ninety-five miles from Jacksonport. and one
hundred and forty miles from Des Arc. Buf
falo City is accessible for good size steam
boats most of the year, and small boats of
very light draught nearly or quite all the year.
By a glance at a map of Arkansas, per
sons can see at once the destiny of Buffalo
City, situated as it is, at the foot of the Buffa
lo Shoals, the head of reliable navigation on
White river, surrounded by a very large ex
tent of fertile settled country, commanding an
immense wacon trade west and north-west
from one hundred and twenty-five to one hun
dred and seventy-five miles, and on the north
one hundred miles, and on the south and south
west, from fifty to seventy-five miles. This
vast extent of high, healthy country is unsur
passed in fertility in the west. Uninterrupted
by speculators, lands are very cheap, produ
cing wheat, corn, oats, tobacco, etc., equal to
any part of the United States; and for the
raising of hogs, cattle, horses, mules, sheep,
etc., is scarcely to be equalled anywhere, the
truth of which is fully demonstrated from the
fact that emigration, of the most substantial
and desirable character, has been pouring
into this region of country for the last few
years by thousands, from every part of the
Union, and from information received, the
emigration will continue unprecedented in
almost any part of the globe The wants of
this vast country, so rapidly settling up, makes
it absolutely necessary that a trading point be
established at the most accessible point nearest
and most convenient to the masses on the
beautiful and ever navigable ’White river.
Buffalo City being situated at the foot cf
Buffalo Shoals, the head of reliable uav,
tion on White river, is the place selected ly
nature itself for a trading point for that im
mense country. Nature has said to naviga
tors, here is the great Buffalo Shoals: thus far
you shall go up this beautiful stieam and no
farther; hence Buffalo City took its name.
Had tins natural site for a city been judiciously i
laid off' in 'lots and sold some years ago, as the
present proprietor will do immediately, it
would unquestionably have been a place by
this time of no small qote. The undersigned,
having become sole proprietor of the grounds
and buildings by purchase, in part from Win.
Byers, of Batcsvilln, and in part of the estate
of Win. Tunstall, of Jacksonport, Arkansas,
and further, in part by entry in the United
States Government Land-Office, at a heavy
outlay of money, is determined to lav it off
immediately in real city style, fronting the
river in convenient size lots and blocks, with
wide front row, as well as wide streets and
alleys; also, squares for public buildings
and promenades, etc., etc. The river being
straight, the banks having a gradual descent,
not subject to cave, with deep water close up
to the shore, with the beautiful level ricii
grounds all above overflow,combined with the
beautiful scenery partly surrounding the town,
and pure spring water gushing out near at
hand, and never-failing cold pure healthy well
water to be had in any part of the town, with
fine woods convenient, combined with many
advantages and conveniences, with the health
fulness of the place, makes, beyond a doubt,
the prospects at this point for a city, in fact,
far superior to any other point in all this re
gion of country, and inferior to no point on
»»iiii-K iivci, ui uuy uinei in me oiare or Ar
kansas.
Mail facilities must and will no doubt soon
be extended by steamboat up While river from
Jacksonport to Buffalo City, (it already having
been extended from Jacksonport up Black
river to Pocahontas.) When this is done it
furnishes transportation for freight and pas
sengers out to the Mississippi river the year
round, justifying at once the establishment of
various stage lines from Buffalo City to the
interior, north and north-west, west, south amt
south-west. These things arc no fiction, but
the conclusions of those best acquainted with
the country ; men of sound mind and judgment.
Two boats are now preparing to run from
Jacksonport to Buffalo City, connecting with
the regular New Orleans, Memphis and Na
poleon packtts.
To persons desiring to settle in Buffalo
City, we say don’t pay any attention to thos*
who would try to discourage you, who stand
out as “ living monuments” of a “ masterly in
activity,” to denounce everything as “ visiona
ry” that seems new to their sleepy intellects,
and who war upon the moving spirit of tire
day, and would, if they could, strangle every
enterprise, lock the wheels of advancement to
a “stand still,” and block up all avenues of
trade and commerce. They but thereby prove
their utter ignorance of the facts and devel
opments of the present age, “ and their own
unfitness for the times.”
A good site, also $300 worth of lots will be
given for the immediate establishment of r
good Saw-Mill, and a good site and $500 worth
of lots will be given for the establishment of »
first class Flouring Mill, at Buffalo City. A
oetter location for such business cannot be
found anywhere.
The sale of Lots is to be made in good fa:
ind without reserve. Lots can be had at pri
vate sale.
For further particulars, address, for the
oresent, “Agent Buffalo City Lots, Buffa
o City,” or the undersigned.
John h. «ii i*if\th:ijItV,
oct30-ts Des Arc, Arkai sas.
liistdeT '
Jewelry, Silver-Ware.
SUNS, RIFLES, AND EQUIPMENTS
-ALSO—
J1CCORDEONS, CUTLERY,
ASHING TACKLE AND GUNSMITHS’ MATERIAI-t
Shelby Street—below Union.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,
or New Work made to order—Repairing
lone at short notice. novl3-ly
Take Notice!
A LL persons are hereby notified, not tc
ex any timber, on our Lots, in the u>.wn°'
Des Arc. as wk shall surely enforce the
,aw, if they do.
febil-tf.J FRITH & JACKSON