It has more probably been because the changes | seventeen passed Assistant Surgeons, fifty-three have succeeded each other with such rapidity, as Assistant surgeons, fifty-one Pursers, thirteen almost to rival the movements of their pen. However, it is not too late yet; and I sincerely chaplains, one hundred and ninety-one passed hope that either or both of them will ere long Midshipmen, two hundred and thirty-one Midfurnish the generations to come with those de- shipmen, twenty-nine Masters, seventeen Profes lightful descriptions which they are so well quali-sors of Mathematics and teachers of naval fied to give, of the original state of a country schools, thirty-two boatswains, thirty-seven gunthat has been so rapidly forced to change her form and attire, under the influence of increasing ners, twenty-four carpenters, and twenty-five sail population. Yes; I hope to read, ere I close my makers. earthly career, accounts from those delightful waters of the progress of civilization in our western country. They will speak of the Clarks, the Croghans, the Boones, and other men of great enterprise. They will analyze, as it were, each component part, and the country as it once existed, and will render the picture as it ought to be, immortal. STATISTICS. Audobon. FROM among a great many valuable statistics contained in a neatly printed and well arranged pamphlet, compiled by Mr. W. H. Hadley, we have culled the following: UNITED STATES ARMY. The Marine corps consists of one Colonel-commandant, one Lieutenant-colonel, four Majors, thirteen Captains, twenty first Lieutenants, twenty second Lieutenants. There are in the navy, finished and in progress, eleven ships of the line, three of which carry seventy-four guns each; seven, eighty guns, and one (Pennsylvania) one hundred and twenty guns. There are fourteen first class frigates, forty-four guns each; two second class frigates, each twenty-six guns; one Razee, fifty-four guns; twenty-one sloops of war, twelve carrying twenty guns each, two eighteen guns, and six sixteen guns; four brigs, ten guns each; eight schooners, four carrying ten guns, one four guns, the remainder, number unknown; seven steam ships. Commissioned officers of the navy are divided According to official reports, the United States into the following ranks and denominations:army in January, 1840, amounted to twelve thou- Commodores commanding squadrons; Captains sand five hundred and fifty seven men. Its general commanding frigates and vessels of twenty guns; organization is:-a General staff, Medical depart- Masters-commandant, commanding sloops, Lieument, Pay department, Purchasing department, tenant-commanders rank with Brigadier-generals; Corps of Engineers, Corps of Topographical Masters-commandant rank with Majors; and Engineers, Ordnance department, two regiments Lieutenants in the navy, rank with Captains in the of Dragoons, four regiments of Artillery, eight army. regiments of Infantry. The principal officers are:-one Major-General, two Brigadier-Generals, one Adjutant-General, seventeen Colonels, eighteen LieutenantColonels, twenty-six Majors, one hundred and seventy-two Captains, two hundred and eight first Lieutenants. Total number of non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, is eleven thousand eight hundred and four. RAILROADS AND CANALS. There are in the United States, sixty-five railroads, traversing a distance of four thousand five hundred and twenty-three miles. There are forty-two canals traversing a distance of three thousand four hundred and sixty-eight miles. This includes the number of railroads and canals finished and in progress. INDIAN WARRIORS. The estimated number of Indian warriors be The total number of militia in the United States, is about one million, four hundred thousand. The militia comprises all able-bodied white males from eighteen to forty-five years old; and when called into actual service, they longing to tribes removed by government west receive the same pay as the regular army. UNITED STATES NAVY. of Missouri and Arkansas, is sixteen thousand three hundred and ten. The number of warriors belonging to indigenous tribes located immediately west of the said states, is one thousand five The Navy of the United States contains the hundred and forty-four. The number of warriors following officers :-fifty-five Captains of the of indigenous tribes within striking distance of higher grade, fifty-five Commanders, two hun- the western frontier, is forty-three thousand dred and ninety Lieutenants, sixty-one Surgeons, three hundred and eighty-five. Total number Midshipmen, two hundred and thre sors of Mathematics and tamen ners, twenty-four carpenters, and ten makers. The Marine corps consists of one mandant, one Lieutenant-colonel for thirteen Captains, twenty first Lieuten second Lieutenants. 541 of warriors, sixty-one thousand two hundred and the seeds of a fortune with better hopes of an early thirty-nine. POST OFFICE. Total amount of receipts for postage, and plentiful harvest than in this despised colony of British Guiana; nor is there a soil that ever was blessed by the sun and the rains of heaven, in which a poor man, without any thing but his The following statement of the condition of health and strength of body and mind, could comschools, thirty-two boatswains, trods, exhibits a fair picture of the rapid growth of peculiarly fitted for giving employment to all the Post Office Department at two different peri-mence, on which he would more certainly become comfortable and independent than on this. It is the nation and the extension of business. The in- ages of both sexes. The poor of Ireland, Encrease of business, etc., of other departments of gland and Scotland, who have large families, in government, as well as in individual enterprise, thousands of instances cannot avail themselves has been in about the same ratio. In 1790, there of the assistance of their children in the prosecu tion of their labor, because, in country districts were in the United States :particularly, where agriculture is the chief emPost offices, 75 ployment, strong hands are required, and of these $37,935 there is generally a superabundance, so that the $32,140 young and the weak are deprived of the opportunity of contributing toward their own support; 1,875 but if a thousand poor laboring men, each with 9,375 ten of a family, should arrive in this colony, they could get work for every one of them that was 12,780 able to pluck a coffee berry or pull a weed out of the provision grounds. The animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, vie with each other $4,476,638 in the abundance, and in the obsequiousness of $4,624,117 their presentation. In the former two, particu133,999 larly, human agency is required rather to check Miles of annual mail transportation, 34,496,878 than to increase their prolific qualities; and in and subdue the redundancy of the productions, The extent of mail transportation, stated above, the latter, if we are to believe the testimony of is exclusive of the distance it is carried by steam- naturalists and scientific travellers who have in There are in the navy, finished andin eleven ships of the line, three of whe seventy-four guns each; seven, eig one (Pennsylvania) one hundred and There are fourteen first class frigates in guns each; two second class fem twenty-six guns; one Razee, firi twenty-one sloops of war, twelve ca guns each, two eighteen guns, and e guns; four brigs, ten guns each; eig four carrying ten guns, one four mainder, number unknown; seven ste Commissioned officers of the navy Extent of Post roads in miles, Miles of annual mail transportation, In 1839, or half a century later, there were :— Total amount of receipts for Total expenditures, Extent of Post roads in miles, nto the following ranks and detos boats and other vessels. The business is con- vestigated the subject, there are numerous rich ducted in the Post Master General's office, by and extensive mines of the precious metals, con-ommanding frigates and vessels of himself, his three assistants, and fifty-six clerks cealed only by a superstratum, which could be Commodores commanding squadres and messengers, whose aggregate salaries amount Let us go forth into the woods, and at every step we are enant-commanders rank with Brigade to $79,000; and in the Auditor's office, by him- introduced to new scenes of beauty; flowers of Tasters-commandant rank with self and fifty-two clerks and messengers, whose varied hue and dimensions salute us with their ieutenants in the navy, rank with Cap aggregate salaries amount to $64,980. my. RAILROADS AND CANALS There are in the United States, sit ads, traversing a distance of four e hundred and twenty-three miles ty-two canals traversing a distance usand four hundred and sixty-ey' is includes the number of railroad: shed and in progress. INDIAN WARRIORS. The communications received in the different offices, REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. There were living in 1839, thirty-two thousand nine hundred and twenty-five soldiers of the revolutionary army, who received pensions from government. The estimated number of Indian wari ing to tribes removed by governmen Missouri and Arkansas, is sixteen t e hundred and ten. The number of v nging to indigenous tribes located i est of the said states, is one thos red and forty-four. The number digenous tribes within striking western frontier. is forty-three and eighty-fre. To PICTURE OF BRITISH GUIANA. delightful and health-giving fragrance; around finest and most durable timber in the world, and us stand the mighty and majestic trunks of the over our heads wave in refreshing shade their undecaying foliage; and ever and anon, as they move to and fro in graceful oscillations, they discover to the beholder the dazzling plumage of the individuals of the feathered tribe, for the beauty and grandeur of which this colony is so distinguished. Every aged tree is clasped about with its parasites and climbing plants, as an affectionate family cling to the counsel and support of their aged and venerable parents. The whole forest is embalmed with spice, and the fields are carpeted with eternal green." A RELIC OF ANCIENT DAYS. The following curious relic of bygone days is copied from the minutes or records of the Corpo"The Commissioners of Albany to the Gover THE following is from a Demerara paper:-ration of Albany:- "1 January 1680-1 "According to former practices in this season to the adventurer; and there is not a province "Hon'd Sir of the year, we have sent this post to acquaint you hear, it may be, will be that a company has form how all affairs are here, with us, Which is Thanks ed to go out and establish a colony on the Gult be to God, all in peace & quietnesse. The Lord of California. The best harbors on the Pacific continue to you the same thro your whole gov- are found in the Peninsula of California, while ernment. We doubt not but you have seen the the amenity of the climate and the richness of Dreadfull Comett Starr it appeared in the South the soil is not surpassed by the garden spots of west on ye 9th of December last about two o clock the earth. In natural advantages, even Texas, in ye afternoon fair Sunn Shynne weather a little with all its boasted agricultural facilities, would above the Sun which takes its course more noth- not compare with the regions round about Calierly and was seen ye Sunday night after, about fornia. It is the paradise of North America. twy light, with a very fyery tail or Streamer in ye The possession of the country is nominally in west to ye great astonishment of all spectators Mexico. The territory, however, is unoccupied, and is now seen every night in clear weather- and in a wild state, with the exception of a few "Undoubtedly God threatens us with Dreadful small settlements separated by remote distance. punishments if we do not repent-We wou'd have There, then, is the finest country on the globe, caused ye domine to proclaim a day of fasting open to the first occupants. We should not be and humiliation to-morrow to be kept-the 12th surprised soon to hear of our adventurous pioneers day of January in ye town of Albany and Depen- in the west moving to that remote quarter. It is dencies, if we thought our power and authority not much farther off than Texas used to be, when did extend so far, and would have been well re- the first settlement of the young Republic was ceived by yourself, for all persons ought to hum-made. ble themselves in such a time and pray to God to withdraw his righteous Judgments from us as he did to Ninevah-Therefore if you would be pleased to grant your approbation we would willingly cause a day of fasting and humiliation to be kept, if it were monthly-whose answer we shall expect by the Bearer. Wee cannot forbear to acquaint you of a very great Scearcity of Corn throughout our jurisdiction which is ten times more than was expected now when ye people Come to thrash, So it is supposed there will scearce be Corn to supply ye inhabitants here with bread "This is all at present wishing you and your Council a happy New Year shall break off and remain. "Your humble and obed't Servants Ye Commiss'rs of Albany. "Mr. THOMAS ASHTON Commander J PROVOST J BLEECKER H VAN NESS "Extraordinary Vegarderinge gehonden is January A D 1680-1. "The Indian Wattowit must have a blanket and shirt at New York." "A yankee colony, then, would be a great acquisition to Mexico, if the government were disposed to receive them kindly. At any rate the point is so distant from the settled provinces of Mexico, that the intruders might remain safe from molestation. Mexico is too busy in keeping her own unruly population in subjection to find time to be troubling herself about a small American settlement in a remote corner of her dominions. The fact is becoming obvious that Mexico cannot long retain a hold of her unwieldy domain. Great Britain or France will ere long be stretching their hands towards California, if we do not. The plan of a colony on the Gulf, we think is not a bad one. Like the colony planted in Texas, twenty years ago, it would prove to be a prolific germ, that would grow rapidly, and soon expand into a flourishing and powerful republic. The time has perhaps not quite arrived for the accomplishment of the scheme, but the day cannot be far off when the Anglo-Saxon settlements will be seen planted on the shores of the Pacific. The Mexicans will never muster enterprise and industry enough to settle and subdue the country. To a harder and more civilized race will belong the glory of founding an empire of Federal Republican states along the Pacific coast, extending from the extremity of California to the boundary of the Oregon Territory." CALIFORNIA. CONSIDERABLE attention is at this time turned toward California, a region of country contiguous to the southwestern boundary of the Oregon territory, large portions of which are said to be of the most fertile character. In a late number of a western paper, we find the following remarks relative to the occupation of this region. "We notice the Arkansas papers begin to talk about annexing the province of California to the Western Territory. The next news we shall Ir has been ascertained by a committee ap pointed to procure and report statistical information relative to the cultivation of tobacco in the five hundred thousand souls engaged in the manUnited States, that there are about one million ufacture and cultivation of tobacco in the United States: one million of whom are in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. Allowing the population of all the States to be fifteen millions, then it appears that one tenth of our people are in some way engaged in the tobacco business, either as cultivators or manufacturers. hear, it may be, will be that a comm sed to go out and establish a car of California. The best barbers are found in the Peninsula of C the amenity of the climate and the the soil is not surpassed by te pas AMERICAN SCENERY, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF CANANDAIGUA LAKE, AFTER leaving Rushville, about eight miles from 543 music, rendered almost sepulchral by the rocky walls environing the deep and faintly-lighted bottom of the dell, which "gathered and rolled back" in wildly-mournful echoings the deep-toned murmurs of the milk-white and agitated waters. After a pleasant walk in a northwestwardly direction from the cascade, we reached another fall that surpassed anything that ever presented ar ings and productive farms, extending to the itself in a poetic dream. The curving abutments bases of the shielding hills. About six miles from of rock, embracing a massed and slate-paved a Naples, the sun, with the soft lustre of the sea- area of eighty feet, gave an unnatural intonation son, hung above the forest-tops, emitting rays to the voice. Huge layers of rock, loosened by like light streaming through the painted glass of the frosts of countless winters and the dissolving small settlements separated by reman old castle. The outlines of the hills from rains of so many springs, had crumbled away at There, then, is the finest country east to west, to the traveller below, presented a the base making a recess that was continually open to the first occupants. We truly picturesque appearance. Their declivities wet by the spray of the miniature cataracts, falsurprised soon to hear of our adventuro were intersected by deep gorges, through which ling from the height of forty feet or more over in the west moving to that remote are small streams descended with hollow murmurings wave-worn and naked crags, savage in their rugnot much farther off than Teras use to the shaded valley. The lake, which is a per- ged outlines and vast proportions. the first settlement of the young fect gem, was hidden from sight by their lofty A grotto large enough for the occupancy of made. sides, darkened by evergreens and the pendent two individuals, of square dimensions, penetraboughs of the weeping elm. Far in the distance ted into the rocky wall about sixteen feet, and towered the upland ridges, fringed with sylvan in a storm the hunter could conceal himself in its giants, that seemed to me like palisades fixed slab-roofed chamber, and be effectually shielded by Nature to guard her secrets from the assaults from the howling wind, and the beating raindrops. The Egerian sibyl would have found of Day. there an abiding place, equal, in wild loveliness and quiet sublimity, to her immortal haunt-and thought of the lines of Byron— "A yankee colony, then, would be quisition to Mexico, if the governed posed to receive them kindly. A point is so distant from the setted Mexico, that the intruders might reas molestation. Mexico is too busy in We left our horses with a friend, and wandered own unruly population in subject up a glen that extended in an eastwardly direction to be troubling herself about a sta from his house. Its course was sinuous, and the settlement in a remote corner of bes walk was difficult, owing to the tangled underThe fact is becoming obvious that Me growth and the massive blocks of slate piled up| long retain a hold of her unweis Britain or France will ere log Great eir hands towards in the rudest magnificence. We at last reached I "This cave was surely shaped for the greeting Of an enamored goddess, and the cell Haunted by holy love." A waterfall, look down upon her wondrous works beneath. a bad one. Like the colony plant beautiful by a few dwarf pines rooted in the hol- shelving rocks, in the clefts of which immense The plan of a colony on the Gulf, we several hundred feet, whose sides were made bed of the stream, was rendered picturesque by into a flourishing and powerful reps to the visitations of the dying sun. germ, that would grow rapidly, and over the abyss, forming an impenetrable barrier ing rude observatories for the lover of Nature to time has perhaps not quite arrived in with its gurgling melody, trickled down the The sunbeams fell with a softened radiance upon far off when the Anglo-Saxon series of tranquillity. The timid woodcock now and shifting drapery of gold, and a dreamy, autumnal plishment of the scheme, but the mountain, awakening in the mind a deep feeling the scene, tipping the feathery foam with a mellow, seen planted on the shores of the F then whirred by us, and our voices startled the haze hung its blue curtain upon the hills. On Justry enough to settle and sube place of concealment where an anchorite might the brow of a perilous precipice about two hunhe glory of founding an empire of fed patriot bid defiance to the bloodhound of evergreens, Beemed the lookout place of the rom the extremity of California to the encircling and overbrowing bluffs, were reduced an immense furrow had been ploughed by some Mexicans will never muster enterp To a harder and more civilized. ublican states along the Pacific coas of the Oregon Territory." Ir has been ascertained by a comm partridge from his sequestered cover. It was a pitch his tent, a robber elude pursuit, or a hunt tyranny. The trees, far above on the rim of the by distance to the slight proportions of the ointed to procure and report statistic which a fragment of rock, dislodged by its own on relative to the cultivation of tobac nited States, that there are about re hundred thousand souls engaged facture and cultivation of tobacco in weight from the bed of ages, rolled down, with tates: one million of whom are in the haunt as well as amid the rapids of Niagara. llowing the population of all the S teen millions, then it appears that In company with some friends who were with me, I thridded the twilight mazes of a gully lying southwest from the village of Naples, until I the southwest side a table-rock, projecting from dred feet above the dell and covered with dwarf "Genius loci." About fifty feet from the fall, convulsion of the elements, that had borne down trees of ponderous growth, the mossy skeletons of which, lay like gigantic warriors overthrown in battle, in the deep, lone glen, indifferent to the sun that once gleamed upon their bark-mailed trunks, and the winds that once sported with their emerald crests. On the southwest side, a rock, of slab-like form and about eighty feet above the bed of the stream, shot out from the side of the bank upbearing a natural mound of earth, of conical form overspread with a thick carpeting of pale moss, and from its apex a small cedar grew in rich luxuriance, like a funeral tree planted by Nature on the grave of some perished Dryad. In a southeastwardly direction from this beautiful feature r people are in some way e arrived at one of the most beautiful cataracts in the scene, a natural tower made by ledges of bacco business, either as culti ors. that ever gladdened the eye of the rapt painter or rock of circular formation, rose from the bottom of the gully covered with vines and creeping plants, that resembled the ivied banner that hung from the crumbling battlements of monastic or baronial ruins. At the point of egress from the circular area the sides of the dell incline toward each other, and the trees growing thereon intermingle their branches forming a thickly-matted and verdant canopy. New Yorker. CAVERN AT TRENTON FALLS. It has long been known, that there has existed in the vicinity of these falls, a cave of considerable extent, although it has never been fully explored. On the first of this month, in connexion with a number of young gentlemen from Oneida Institute, we examined it more extensively than had before been done. Its entrance is to be found at a distance of perhaps a mile and a half from the recess, directly upon the creek, on the west side, and about two hundred yards from its bank. It is in a field owned by Stephen Buffington, and has immediately around it a clump of bushes. ate of lime, which being crystalline, presents, by the reflection of the light, a handsome appearance. Soon it expands more, and passes an apartment of considerable dimensions. Here all our toil was rewarded: our eyes were gratified with the sight of stalactites, hanging in numbers from the roof, and running in ridges like little columns along the sides. The whole surface of the rock, and the pebbles on the floor, are covered with an incrustation, white in some parts, and brown in others, presenting an appearance truly beautiful. The stillness which reigns in this deep part of the cavern, in connexion with the thought that we are separated from the living world above by such depth of solid rock, produces a peculiarly solemn impression on the mind, while the reverberation of our voices, returning upon our own ears in greatly magnified notes, causes a very singular sensation. Passing still onward, the passage continues for many yards, of various dimensions, and as we crawled along, a pleasant sound as of falling water fell upon our ears; and, indeed, we soon entered a cavern larger than either of those we had seen, from the side of which, issues a living spring, or a brook, which, like the one we followed, has found its way from the surface of the earth, and here falls from a ravine, in a perfect sheet, like a casade in minia ture. This cavern was more beautiful than the for mer. Its sparry roof and walls, and its white peb bles, with the water reflecting in its fall the light of our candles, and breaking the profound stillness which would otherwise prevail, produce an effect altogether pleasant and more easily imagined than described. The rill makes its way through the rock to the creek, but cannot be followed more than twenty feet from this cascade, the way being then closed by large stones. At this point bones were found, indicating it to have been the resort of beasts of prey. On starting to come out, our first impulse was to make extensive depredations on the encrus. ed walls and roof, but the recollection of the nar rowness of the passage prevented, and we contented ourselves with taking one or two pieces of a foot or more in length, which we brought out singly; and filling a bag with smaller pieces, which we rolled along in the path before us, we arrived safe at the mouth of the cave, having been absent two and a Before entering, we entirely changed our dress, putting on old clothes which we had provided for the occasion, and took in our hands candles, hammers, matches, &c.-(a preparation which was afterward found to be essential to safety.) We also left at the mouth some persons to build a fire, (a precaution which we would also recommend to others for their comfort on coming out) It is not convenient for more than three or four persons to enter at a time. Each one should carry a candle or other light, as it greatly facilitates the progress, and a single one is every moment liable to be extinguished. We We were able to enter by stooping slightly; but the passage immediately contracts, so that but one person can pass at a time, and that only upon his hands and knees. The way is arched in the rock above, and has in its bottom a fissure of considerable depth, in which flows a stream of pure water. It is nearly horizontal, in a direction towards the creek, and uniform in size, except here and there, when it is partially closed by pieces of rock which have fallen from above. At a distance of about ten yards from the mouth, this passage opens into the upper part of a circular room, about twelve feet in depth, which, from its figure has been called "the Bottle." It presents nothing very remarkable. As-half hours. cending from this, the passage is continued forward The whole distance we estimated at three hunof the same forin, and in the same direction as be-dred feet; the air was pure, and although cold and fore, for a distance of thirty yards, when it is firmly damp, our constant exercise kept up free circulation, closed by rocks. Here, however, the fissure in its and we sustained no injury, except the bruises refloor is enlarged in several places. Through one ceived by our heads from the rocks. Thus, in of these openings we found a passage; and descend- addition to the well-known grandeur and beauty of ing in the posture of a chimney-sweep, through a the works of the Author of nature seen in this vicin space of fifteen feet, we came to the channel of the ity, we have viewed another curiosity fully equal to brook. Following this we found a straight and the former, giving to the spot new interest and narrow route, in form and course like the one above, greater variety. True, it is difficult of access, but for forty yards. Through this it is necessary to go those who enter it, will be richly paid for their on the hands and knees a part of the distance, and labour: the lovers of adventure, by the novelty of occasionally lie flat down and crawl like a serpent, so romantick a journey into the bowels of the carrying one arm before with the candle, and apply-earth; the mineralogist, by the rare and curious ing the other closely to the side of the body, and even specimens which he will add to his cabinet. with this expedient, a person of greater than ordinary WHITESBOROUGH, July 5, 1836. size might stick fast in the passage, and be unable to extricate himself without assistance. At length, the way becomes wider and higher, and its sides begin to be covered with an incrustation of carbon D. B. To enrich my mind and purify my heart; to keep my tongue still and my arm active; to eat slowly and sleep quickly: this is all my philosophy. |