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Newspaper
Richmond Mail
Location
Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
Date
May 20, 1854
Page
2
The Richmond Mail notes its expanding daily circulation in city and country editions including a large Semi-Weekly country edition. The notice appears in the Saturday morning issue dated May 20, 1854, highlighting advertiser advantages and broad reach.
The Central Railroad reports March and April 1854 gains over 1853, projecting an annual increase of about eighty thousand dollars. The editorial urges swift completion of the line to join the State road at Covington, citing city and state benefits and urging Richmond to subscribe promptly.
Late advices from Mexico indicate Santa Anna is losing ground to Alvares revolutionaries who aim to seize the capital and replace his regime with a new program. Heavy taxes and oppression breed popular unrest, and money from treaties may sustain or topple him. If Mexico’s territory is bought, vast costs ensue. if not, continual revolutions hinder growth. Plus: New York unrest over an Elliott assassination threat and a patent for a Brooklyn type composing machine by William Mitchell.
At the Southern Commercial Convention in Charleston a committee of two from each Southern seaport was appointed to study direct steam packet service to Europe during recess. Members include Myers of Norfolk, Mallory, Trenholm, Mitchell, Swann, Jones, Hallett, Barney, Peters, Oakley, Daniels and others. Meeting location and date not yet fixed. Old Point Comfort on July 4 has been proposed.
A public meeting in King William at Mangohick on the 18th, chaired by Christopher Tompkines with T W Haynes as secretary, urged extending the Central Railroad from Hanover Junction to West Point York River. Richard Fox offered resolutions urging passage of a law for the extension and praising internal improvements while opposing broad tax-funded opposition.
An express train en route to Weldon struck a large ox fourteen miles from Petersburg. The tender stayed on track while the crate mail and smoking car derailed and were demolished. The second passenger coach with many women passengers survived but smashed. No serious injuries, though the mail agent suffered bruises.
Mr Wm H Lewelling inspector of provisions in Norfolk was called by a merchant to inspect 14 kegs of lard from North Carolina. In ten kegs he found bricks rocks billets of heavy wood and flat irons hidden in the middle. This is not the first fraud in lard he has detected recently.
Discussion cites Mr Cutting plan to apply 1850 New Mexico Utah organic law principles to Nebraska and Kansas instead of repealing the Missouri Compromise. Mentioned Atlanta visit of ex President Fillmore and Henry Long, famed fugitive slave case, plus local license rejections in Wayne Mason Norfolk counties and a price increase for the New York Herald and other two cent papers.
The New York and Norfolk Airline Railroad Charter, granted by New Jersey Maryland and Virginia, aims to link New York Philadelphia and Norfolk with a line along the Jersey shore and Delaware Bay to Cape Charles. The route would connect Norfolk to major Southern markets and extend toward New Orleans and the Mississippi River with potential later links to San Francisco via Gulf steamers.
The President sent to the House a report from the Secretary of State detailing correspondence with foreign governments on neutral rights and belligerent claims in the European war. Mr. Marcy stresses the doctrine that free ships make free goods and urges a fixed American rule on privateering in all future wars and ongoing conflict.
The Augusta Constitutionalist recounts Dr Steiner’s rescue by Waco citizens amid a Hill County custody dispute. Lt Anderson and sixteen soldiers allegedly forced entry to seize Steiner before daylight, the Sheriff later claimed him, and a posse arrested Anderson in Fort Graham vicinity, returning Steiner to Hill County jail.
A London Times notice extols John B. Gough as a master of oratory who uses a single theme the life of a drunkard to move audiences. He depicts a journey from childhood through sin to redemption with vivid gestures and dramatic illustrations to provoke moral reflection and social commentary.
A letter alleges French pressure on Kamehameha to dismiss a cabinet member over annexation praise. U.S. consul Chase signals Washington will resist French dictation on internal affairs. The rest notes humorous trials, science notes, proverbs, and various 19th century curiosities, including a Paris chloroform revival claim and a Maltz Prussia gossip item.
The Episcopal Convention met in Lynchburg on Wednesday with Bishop Meade presiding and Bishop Johns present. Forty-nine clergy attended, Rev. A. L. Seabury named secretary pro tem, and Mr. G. M. Carrington elected treasurer pro tem as the convention adjourned. Also noted was James O. Williams elected Treasurer of Citizens Savings Bank of Lynchburg and a valuable horse belonging to Mr. Braxton being set down after breaking its hind leg near Staunton. horse valued at $2.75. In Congress, Douglas signaled a substitute on the judicial bill amid debates on publishing Senate debates. parts were rejected and adopted. House read a presidential message on neutrals and belligerents. Kansas-Nebraska bill debate continued with supporters and opponents named. The House adjourned last night at 11:30.
A violent tornado struck Wheeling yesterday afternoon with lightning and rain. The Ohio River surged like waves as boats were tossed and the Suspension Bridge twisted and fell into the river. The structure collapsed, two cables remaining intact, but no lives were lost.
Reports state cholera erupts in Honduras with about three hundred deaths. Commerce stalls and many flee the country while Boston awaits further dispatches. Also notes Presbyterian and Episcopal conventions in May with sermons, salaries set, and assembly delegates in Burrato and Georgia funded steamship line plans. A Washington letter counts Nebraska Bill supporters and doubts.
Elizabeth J. Galt eldest daughter of the late Dr. Alexander Galt died in Williamsburg on Tuesday morning the 16th instant. The notice records a private family bereavement with no further details.
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