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Newspaper
American Union
Location
Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Feb 12, 1839
Page
3
The paper presents part of a Congress speech by Alexander Duncan of the Hamilton District, lauding its humor and facts while accusing the opposition of deflecting blame to the Administration. Readers are urged to consult the Union for full context and decide for themselves, seeking light on the matter.
A historic ledger lists court sessions in Jefferson and surrounding counties with dates in October, February, June, and November. It also reports scattered election results naming state officials such as Carter B. Harlan and Zachariah Mills, plus local judges in Monroe Warren Shelby and Delaware. The piece surveys a quarrel between Wheeling papers over William C. Rives seeking Senate support and party loyalty.
From Jamaica, dissatisfaction with Governor Sir Lionel Smith over alleged bias toward blacks and resulting unrest. Manumitted population quit work, agriculture waned, indolence and disorder rise. Jamaica news links to politics and resigning rumor. Also reports defalcations by a Whig Sub-Treasurer in a nearby county, contrasted with Swartwout and Price.
Western Literature editors Prentice and Weissenger announce a new quarto newspaper the Louisville Literary News Letter devoted to news science literature and the arts priced at three dollars annually in advance edited by Edmund Flagg author of Rambles in the West the paper aims to serve Louisville and the western public amid a culture push and westward literary growth.
The Philadelphia and Baltimore press excerpt argues Henry A. Wise leads a biased committee aimed at electioneering over the Swartwout defalcation. It contends Wise’s approach will taint the investigation with partisan distortion, while Democrats favor a fair inquiry and oppose reckless partisanship. A Baltimore Chronicle note lauds Governor Porter’s Pennsylvania internal improvement plan, predicting a vast railroad from Pittsburgh to St Louis if western states join, tempting a linked project with Baltimore and Ohio routes.
A Wilmington petition for statewide abolition of slavery is dismissed by a Delaware legislative committee as inappropriate for women. They urge petitioners to focus on domestic duties rather than political reform, while noting notable naval and presidential mentions and news of the Cincinnati Daily News revival.
In New York Senator Tallmadge, a Conservative, secured the Whig caucus nomination on the 30th. The Buckeye Democrat notes a fatal canal accident near Charleston where two laborers were buried by a cave-in, naming John Morgan and another unrecorded. American colleges list eighty eight in the Union with counts for Law, Medical, and Divinity schools and student totals.
At 9 last evening the River again broke up. By 9 this morning, as the paper went to press, the river was covered with floating ice and rising rapidly.
A column reports John Smith of Colombo, Ceylon renouncing Christianity for Mahomedanism. It mocks the Administration’s press influence while noting Gen Stephen Van Rensselaer’s sudden death at dinner. Other items include a Pennsylvanian bill for a 1.2 million loan, Boston fire losses, plan to revive the New York Plaindealer, and Missouri bridge bids. Also mentions Mr Legget’s editorial return, Governor Vance, and a bridge grandeur plan over the Mississippi. A boarding school girl dies mid piano, and Judge Lynch’s vigilante actions spark outrage in Stark county with a Berlin mob roughing a German doctor.
News items report the packet Philadelphia arriving late in New York from Portsmouth, the Liverpool completing a 14 day ten hour voyage, and passengers presenting Capt. Fayer a gold snuff box with a letter praising his vessel. Also noted are foreign newspapers publishing the President's message, grain shortages in London, and Belgium unrest with Holland.
After a lengthy debate the Manchester Chamber of Commerce adopted an amended petition calling for the abolition of the corn duties. The original plea sought corn reform. Orders were sent to Ireland for the embarkation of the 2d Dragoon Guards to England due to disturbances in the Northern counties. They sailed in steam packets for Liverpool. The Bank of Belgium suspended payments, causing alarm in Brussels Antwerp Liege. Creditors granted a three month delay.
The Harrisburg Reporter notes a $147,000 debt alleged to have been incurred by the late Administration to call out troops in Ritner era conflicts. A message to the legislature included Col. Pleasanton’s payroll statement showing this sum as the expenses of the so called war against the people. The piece questions the public reaction to this charge.
The 1838 annual Mint report by Director Patterson covers gold and silver output at Philadelphia and branch mints in Charlotte Dahlonega and New Orleans. Gold coinage totaled 1 809 595 dollars with specific mint allocations and bullion deposits. silver coinage reached 2 333 243 dollars, mostly at Philadelphia, plus 40 243 dollars in dimes at New Orleans. Copper coinage added 63 702 dollars, bringing total coinage to 4 142 838 dollars and branches to 34 296 540. The report notes increased silver coinage in smaller denominations and plans to expand silver change, with 1839 shaping mint activity and North Carolina and Georgia branches to begin silver change coinage.
New Orleans market prices dated January 24 show Mississippi and Louisiana ordinary at 12.4 to 13 cents, Middling 11.4 to 12.4, Fair 13 to 13.4, Good Fair 14.2 to 14.4, Good and Fine 15 to 16 cents. Sugar listed 5 to 6 4, Molasses on plantation 21 to 22 cents, city 28 to 29, Flour superfine 7.75 to 8.00, Whiskey 52 to 5d.
Adam Reed executor files petition in Jefferson County Common Pleas to authorize completion of old land contracts from 1836 1839. The filings name Margaret Parkhill widow of David Parkhill and multiple Parkhill heirs seeking deeds to two parcels in Coshocton and Cross Creek areas, with payment schedules and Becket engagement.
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