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Newspaper
Richmond Mail
Location
Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
Date
May 15, 1854
Page
2
The Richmond Mail circulation is large and growing with a semi weekly country edition benefiting advertisers. This item announces the Monday morning edition dated May 15 1854.
A Richmond merchant argues the city must act to protect the Southwest trade from diversion via Lynchburg and Petersburg. He urges a direct rail link to Lynchburg or an extension of the Virginia and Tennessee Road, warning that Fredericksburg and Alexandria will contest the trade once Gordonsville connections open. The editors note Petersburg leads in improvements while Richmond relies on a canal, risking lighter goods traffic to rival cities. 1854.
The piece urges Richmond to boost prosperity by advancing capital and industry, comparing to New York's combined canal and rail system. It calls for an air-line railroad to Lynchburg and argues self-preservation demands active public spirit to retain and grow commerce against other Virginia cities. The tone critiques quiet indifference and urges deliberate investigation by readers.
Thomas Raines of Lancaster County killed himself Monday after telling his mother he would shoot himself and play backgammon with Ben Walker, who had died by his own hand recently. He fired a pistol loaded with balls, discharging it into his body, leaving him weltering in blood.
Mr. Morton of Florids reported to the Senate from the Committee on Agriculture in favor of purchasing Mount Vernon and establishing an agricultural school under military academy style governance. He said it would save Washington's home from desecration and ruin while aiding the agricultural sector with government support.
A St Louis medical convention festival featured eating and speaking events. Congress considers admitting Oregon as a state with a constitutional convention planned by Oregon’s legislature. By 1856 Oregon may be the thirty second state, with population over 40,000 and growing emigration. Report notes mining, farming strength, and rapid population growth since 1850. Virginia and Tennessee Railroad cars to reach New River this week.
Legislation in Pennsylvania clears Erie rail contention by authorizing the Cleveland Painesville and Ashtabula Railroad to build from the Ohio line to Erie and connect with a legal Erie line. The bill requires a $500,000 Erie Sunbury capitalization, a harbor branch within two years, and travel through the Buffalo and Cleveland line without prior Erie station delays. It also shifts the Erie Sunbury terminus outward, easing connections.
The National Intelligencer cites a New York Times letter claiming our minister exceeded instructions in the Black Warrior affair demanding recall of the Captain General of Cuba. The letter to the Spanish Foreign Affairs minister allegedly insulted him, jeopardizing any favorable adjustment.
A British commission of intelligent gentlemen connected with the army is visiting Springfield to study armory operations. Reports say England will abandon the contract system for arms manufacture and adopt a government workshop model similar to the American system.
The 25th, 26th and 27th of October next have been fixed on by the United States Agricultural Society for holding its first Cattle Convention in Springfield, Ohio. The amount of premiums is $6,000, and competition to all without restriction. Twenty acres of ground have been enclosed, and more than 300 stalls will be prepared for the shelter of cattle.
The vessel has been raised from the bottom where she lay at first Jeld and moved closer to the Jersey shore. She now lies in nine feet less water than before and it is hoped she will be afloat in another tide or two.
Mrs Hayes, on trial for weeks in a New York court for the murder of Dr Lutener, has been acquitted. The evidence was not sufficient to fix the murder on her with certainty.
Late advices from Texas state that residents of Waco freed Dr Steiner from Lieut Anderson who was transporting him to Fort Graham for a court martial. In Petersburg, Thomas Grinston was dragged through machinery for about fifty revolutions while attempting to belt a wheel, but survived with bruises and no broken bones. Thomas H Benton is named as a candidate for re election to the U S House in St Louis district and also for the Senate at large, per the St Louis Democrat.
The Russian American Company holds a million dollars in San Francisco as profits from Sitka sales. No safe method exists to transfer funds to St. Petersburg, so the firm keeps the money on deposit in the United States.
A report states five years will be needed to complete the six war steamers recently authorized for sea. It notes the four steamers authorized in 1847 took until summer 1852 to reach the sea, with none sailing before then. Also mentions a new paper named Young America started at Portsmouth Virginia.
The Lynchburg and Tennessee Railroad directors, with the editor of the Lynchburg Express and guests, toured Christiansburg. They praised the engineers and contractors, noted tunnels and heavy cuts between Big Spring and Christiansburg, and expected New River by June with Wytheville reached by September for a fall trade. Double crews work on Wythe county beds, aiming for a September Wytheville trip.
The New Market crowd gathered for the Post Stake event with four entries: Fanny Fern the desnut mare ridden by Hare, Major Doswell’s gray gelding, One-eyed Joe, and Ellen Evans ridden by N. dO Green, plus a unnamed chestnut colt. Fanny Fern won in two heats, leading from the first mile. heat times 3.46 and 3.48. The track set a speed mark, with two miles in 3:43 rarely beaten on that course.
The Baltimore Sun notes believed government information on Spain may block U S policy in Cuba. Public sentiment could push for hostile measures if soured by Soule. a war message from the President looms before the Nebraska contest ends. Senate debate on the veto message opened strongly by Mr Badger.
Washington speculation pins tariff overhaul doubts on Treasury Secretary and Ways and Means chairman. No bill expected to be reported this session, or if reported, unlikely to pass the House.
The Borland Treaty with Nicaragua is being thoroughly altered to remove objectionable provisions. Nicaragua’s minister, Mr. Marcoletta, negotiates under government orders, and the treaty will be submitted to the Senate in a form acceptable to Nicaragua and favorable to American interests.
Saturday night before last Owen was stabbed near Danville by Linn. Owen was in danger but not mortally hurt, as The Danville Register prints in a new dress. The Portsmouth Transcript notes two more negro men missing, suspected to have escaped on Friday. Mrs Mary Prewett, widow editor of a Mississippi paper, nominates Milliard Fillmore for the Presidency.
As S2gena no Sumarer Mupierye, Carter's Spanish Mixture stands pre eminent above all others. Its action on the blood and liver, its cleansing of humors, and its harmless but remarkable effects are vouched for by Richmond citizens and others. A single bottle's trial will convince the most sceptical.
Summary of dispatches dated May 12 describing April actions near Kualafat and Dobredsha fortifications. Russians retreat after three hours with 500 casualties. Omar Pasha concentrates at Shumla. Reports of Turkish defences, Greek expulsions, Napier fleet divisions, and mutiny trials of sailors from Sovereign of the Seas. Drowned passengers including Sir Robert Peel. Coventry/Heypt corn export rescission. evacuations of Krajova, Albania, and Herzegovina planned with Austrian support. Paskiewitch press for Silistria attack. Captain Foote drowned in the Baltic.
In Easton Pa on May 12 Judge McCartney sentenced the Haston Conspirators. Daniel Lechenan fined 2500 dollars and three months in county jail. Dr Field fined 2000 dollars and one year in the Penitentiary. Stevenson, turned state's evidence, fined one dollar and one year in the Penitentiary. Deck proclaimed his innocence as the crowded courthouse heard the verdict. They faced charges of conspiring to extort money from Benjamin Green.
In PatNnavinLe Ohio on May 10 a boiler at Gray & Co Steam Saw Mill two miles west exploded, tearing the building apart. Engineer Mr. Mateson was killed in a brutal manner, proprietor Mr. Gray was badly bruised and scalded, and a two year old Mateson child suffered a fatal head fracture. Large boiler fragments were found far from the site. Mateson leaves a wife and two children. The blast is believed to have been caused by low boiler water.
The Nebraska excitement at New York grows with a mass meeting planned in the Park tomorrow. Many prominent Democrats have signed the call and distinguished speakers have been invited. The meeting is expected to be very large.
The bark Thorndike, from Key Arenas with guano, is ashore at Cape Henry near Cape Henry. Boston reports the captain has come for help to lighten the vessel. The ship was gotten off without unloading, but is leaking and will sail tomorrow for Baltimore.
The flour market today shows light supply with 1 000 bushels Wheat offered and sales of white flour at 2.08 to 2.12 per barrel, family flour at 2.12. Corn offerings reach about 10 000 bushels with white 0.73 to 0.75 and yellow 0.74 to 0.75. Oats steady 0.52 to 0.55. Rye no trades. Merchants' Exchange notes 500 barrels of flour at 8.37 and 300 at 8.265. market quiet with slight declines and light activity.
The Isabel brought Savannah dates to May 8. The Captain General’s course won Spanish approval and a new decree authorizing searches for enslaved people on plantations went into effect. Jesuits reportedly wield influence and are pursuing marriages between whites and black slaves.
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