Mr. William Ragland, of Virginia, who died in 1849, by his last will and testament emancipated all his slaves, 90 in number, leaving to them also the plantation upon which he had resided: or, in case it should be made illegal for them to remain upon it, the estate was to be sold, and the proceeds to be employed in settling the slaves elsewhere. The property thus bequeathed is stated to be worth $50,000. The will was contested by the relatives of the testator, but its validity has been established by the Supreme Court sitting at Richmond.
Soundings have been made by the officers of the navy, from which it appears that the depth of water in the Gulf of Mexico is about a mile, and that of the Great Atlantic basin, from the capes of Virginia to the Island of Madeira, about five and a half miles.
There is no little excitement in portions of Texas, arising from the escape of slaves into Mexico, and the refusal of the Mexican authorities to surrender them. The number of fugitives is said to amount to 2000. Threats are made of seizing them by an armed force.
At a conference held by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, with the Sioux and other Indian tribes, with a view to effect a treaty, a repast was given to these genuine Native American Red Republicans. The following are the names of the guests: Hawk-that-hunts-walking, Sound-of-earth-walking, Red-Eagle, Good-Thunder, The-Wounded, Arrow, Big Fire, The-Crow, Goes-Flying, Sham-Boy, Eagle Head, Iron-Toe-Nails, Big-Cloud, Brown-Cloud, Round-Wind, War-Club-of-big-Voice, Earth, Makes-his-Track.
The first book printed in the State of New York was the Constitution of the State. It was printed in 1777 by Samuel Loudon, at Fishkill. A copy of this very rare edition is in possession of Hon. G.C. Verplanck.
SOUTHERN AMERICA.
From Mexico our intelligence continues to be of the most gloomy character. We have accounts of risings and insurrections in various States, which do not seem to be parts of any general system, but isolated and unconnected outbreaks, arising from the decay of all settled authority. The Government is terribly distressed for the pecuniary means of carrying on its operations. The Minister of Finance has addressed a circular to the Governors of the different States, asking them to co-operate in the measures he has proposed for the supply of the necessities of Government. He has proposed a plan for augmenting the revenues, which has been favorably reported upon by committees of both Houses. He proposes a territorial impost; a general capitation tax; an augmented duty upon the circulation and export of silver; and a duty upon the consumption of tobacco. The foreign creditors of the Government grow clamorous for their dues. The British Minister notifies the Government that unless prompt measures are taken, so that he shall be enabled to transmit by the next packet intelligence of a satisfactory arrangement with the English creditors, decisive measures will be resorted to. The French and Spanish Ministers, in order not to lose their share of the spoil, in the event of the total wreck of the ship of state, give notice that their Governments will follow, in this respect, the example of the British. In the mean time the relations of Mexico and the United States are liable at any moment to take a hostile turn, owing to the action of the Mexican Government in annulling the grant made to Garray, in relation to the Tehuantepec Railway, whose rights have passed into the hands of American citizens. As this affair is likely to prove of ultimate importance, we present a statement, involving, as we believe, all the essential facts of the case: In March, 1842, Santa Anna being President, a grant of land and valuable privileges was made to Don José Garray, to enable him to establish steam communication across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the possession of his rights being guaranteed to his successors, whether natives or foreigners. In February, 1843, Bravo being President, an order was issued that Garray should be put in possession of the lands promised him, which was done. In October of the same year, Santa Anna being again President, a decree was issued, stating that Garray had completed his surveys, and ordering the departments in which the work was situated to furnish him with 300 convicts to carry on the work. In December of the same year, the time for commencing the works, which was to expire July 1, 1844, was extended for one year. During the course of the year 1845, Garray asked for a further extension of time, and certain additional exemptions and privileges. While his request was under favorable consideration by the Mexican Congress, a revolution occurred in Mexico, by which Salas was invested with supreme dictatorial power. He issued a decree still further extending the time for the commencement of the work till November 5, 1848, previous to which period, it is claimed by the Company that the work had been actually commenced: this statement, however, is disputed; it being asserted that for months afterward the first blow of a spade had not been struck. Meanwhile in 1846-47, Garray had transferred his right to Manning and Mackintosh, British subjects residing in Mexico, the transfer being recognized by the Mexican Government. During the negotiations for peace between Mexico and the United States, the sum of $15,000,000 was offered by the latter for the right of way across the Isthmus, which was declined, on the ground that the right had been already disposed of. Thereupon Mr. P.A. Hargous, an American citizen, purchased the right of Manning and Mackintosh, and formed a company to carry on the work. Apprehensive of obstacles arising from the instability of the Mexican Government, the Company made overtures for the purpose of placing the work under the joint protection of the American and Mexican Governments; and also desired to make new surveys, not feeling full confidence in those which had been made. A treaty was drawn up in accordance with the request; this draft not being satisfactory, it was returned to Mexico to be amended. In the mean time a new Government had been inaugurated, with whom a new treaty was negotiated, which was accepted by the Company, whose acceptance was made a condition precedent to the ratification. This treaty was ratified by the United States Senate, and transmitted to Mexico for ratification. In the meanwhile, a change took place in the policy of the Mexican Government, who doubtless began to look with apprehension upon the bestowal of so extensive privileges upon Americans. A law was passed annulling the decree of Salas, by which a delay of two years was granted for the commencement of the work, on the ground that he had no power to make such a decree, involving as it did a virtual grant of a considerable amount of the territory of the nation. If the decree of Salas was annulled, the grant to Garray became invalid, because the work had not been commenced at the prescribed time. The Company contend, on their part, that the decree of Salas, under which they hold their claim, was passed by the actual Government of the country, all of whose other acts have been recognized as of binding force; and that under this decree they have made large expenditures. They manifest a determination to persevere in the accomplishment of the enterprise, in spite of all the force which the Mexican Government can bring against them. Communications, the purport of which has not transpired, have been made by the Government of the United States to that of Mexico, in relation to this subject. The American Minister, Mr. Letcher, who has been long detained from his post by ill-health will probably soon return to Mexico, when it is hoped that this vexatious and intricate affair may be peaceably arranged.
From South America there is little of special interest. A Brazilian fleet has made its appearance on the river Plata, but have as yet made no demonstrations from which their designs can be inferred. A blockade of the ports of the Argentine Republic is thought probable. In Chili the approaching elections were the occasion of no little excitement. The right of suffrage is vested in Chilians by birth or naturalization, who possess a certain amount of property or income, are able to read and write, and have attained the age of 25 years, if unmarried, or 21 years, if married. Efforts are made to introduce railroad communication in Chili and Peru. In New Granada, the imposition of a forced loan by Government has occasioned some revolutionary symptoms, confined apparently to the southern provinces. The Panama papers of July 21, hint that any attempt to levy the loan in that city would be the signal of insurrection, "as it was the firm determination of many of the natives, as well as the foreign population, not to allow a soldier to enter the gates of Panama for the purpose of executing the obnoxious decree." The same papers contain accounts of horrible atrocities committed in the revolted provinces. Yet the general condition of the State is represented to be flourishing; the revenue showing a large increase above that of the previous year.
In Jamaica great complaints are made of the deficiency of labor, owing to which, one-third of the produce will be lost, for the want of labor necessary to secure it. Public attention is directed to the free colored population of the United States, of whom it is said "America could supply a hundred thousand of these, every one of whom would be useful as an inhabitant, if he were not valuable as an agriculturist; and if none but the really industrious were engaged to emigrate, we are of opinion that a most valuable addition might be made to the population of Jamaica." A letter from Mr. Clay to a gentleman in London is published, favoring the project, though he fears that considerable difficulty would be experienced in inducing them to emigrate. He also calls the attention of the West Indians to the fact that the Chinese who have been brought to Cuba, and elsewhere, form a very valuable class of laborers. A portion of the Baptist Society having become dissatisfied with their pastor, and being unable to dissolve the connection, attempted to demolish the Mission House and Chapel; but were prevented by the authorities, aided by the military. Twenty-seven of the rioters were tried and convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary for terms of from three to nine months. The house of the pastor was afterward attacked, and his furniture destroyed.
In Cuba an insurrection broke out in the early part of July at Puerto Principe, in the eastern part of the island. On the 4th a pronunciamiento was issued, signed by three individuals, purporting to be the manifesto of the Liberating Society of Puerto Principe. In the glowing style which seems natural to the Spanish-American race, it sets forth the grievances of the Cubans, which are doubtless but too real; enumerates the resources for resistance at their disposal, among which are the unanimous determination of the Cubans of all colors; aid from the kindred races in South America; sympathy and assistance from the United States; and a climate hostile to European troops. The island of Cuba is therefore declared free and independent; and the islanders affirmed to owe no allegiance except to those who, awaiting the general suffrage of the people, charge themselves with the civil and military command. The report of these proceedings caused great alarm and excitement at Havana; but we have yet no means of forming any decisive opinion as to the extent of the rising. On the one hand, the official bulletins of the Government represent it as a trifling affair which was at once put down; giving full particulars of names, dates, and places. The same mails which bring these dispatches, are loaded down with letters from the same places, and of the same dates, announcing a general rising; that the troops of the Government are every where defeated, and deserting to the popular cause. The Cuban exiles in this country profess to put implicit faith in the reliability of these accounts, which they say are confirmed by secret letters. At present the probability is that the movement has been unsuccessful.