Maine.—The first organization of the government of the state of Maine, took place on Wednesday, May 31st, at Portland. John Chandler was unanimously chosen Speaker of the Senate, and Benjamin Ames chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives, also unanimously. General William King elected governor, by 20,000 votes out of something over that number, was qualified next day.
Oil Stones.—Within a few weeks past a body of very superior oil-stones has been discovered in the neighbourhood of Easton, (Penn.) We believe they were first discovered on the farm of George Ibrie, Esq. on the river Lehigh, in Williams township. The bed, however, is not confined to that farm alone, but extends to a considerable distance on each side of the Lehigh. They have heretofore been found lying on the surface of the earth, and it is matter of astonishment they were not sooner discovered.—The carpenters of that place have almost entirely substituted them for the Turkey stones heretofore used for setting tools; believing them to be superior to those of Turkey, and infinitely better than those gotten near Oley, which they somewhat resemble in colour.—The discovery is certainly valuable to the mechanics, as the Turkey stones have sold there for 75 or 100 cents, and the Oley stones at 25 cents per lb.
Longevity of the Land Tortoise.—An article dated Sunbury, (Penn.) June 15, says, that as a person was lately rolling logs near Shamokin creek, he discovered a land tortoise, and through curiosity picked it up, when the following engraving was observed upon the under shell:
"Thomas Musgrave, 1712;"
and immediately below, in large capitals,
"ROBERT HUNTER, 1790"—
the former having been engraved 108, and the latter 30 years ago. He engraved his own name below, and set the Recorder of ages at liberty.
Great crop.—A. Mr. Blakeman, at Silver creek, Indiana, has published that he raised last year 1350 bushels of shelled corn on ten acres of newly turned prairie land.
Western navigation.—The Louisiana Advertiser, of the 6th of May, gives the names and destination of twenty-three steam-boats then lying in the port of New Orleans!