The Charlotte Journal

EDITOR'S CORRESPONDENCE.

Washington City, Feb. 2, 1841.

Dear Sir: The President transmitted to Congress a few days ago, the Report of the Director of the Mint in relation to its operations during the year 1840, and from which I glean the following facts—

The whole amount of coinage of all descriptions at the Mint and its branches is $3,426,631. The whole number of pieces of all denominations coined at all the Mint establishments is 10,558,696. The gold coined at the Mint in Philadelphia amounted to $1,207,437; but as only $316,760 of gold, derived from the mines of the United States, was deposited during the year, the difference between the deposit of domestic gold and the whole amount coined (which is $1,130,677) must have been of foreign gold. At New Orleans the coinage in gold was $14,550. but it is not stated whether any portion of it was from the mines of the United States. The presumption is, that it was all foreign gold. At Charlotte, the coinage in gold amounted to $127,055, and at Dahlonega to $123,310. The amount of coinage in gold from mines in the U. States at the several Mints will stand, as near as we can arrive at it, as follows, viz:

Mint at Philadelphia, $176,766

do. Charlotte, 127,055

do. Dahlonega, 123,310

do. New Orleans, 000,000

$427,131

Thus it will be perceived, that the whole amount of domestic gold coined during the last year was $427,131. If the coinage exhibited the precise amount of gold extracted from our mines, the foregoing statement would show that mining in the United States was a beggarly business. The amount coined falls no doubt vastly short of the amount obtained from the mines. We know that a very large amount is consigned by the Jewelers, and it is not improbable that a considerable amount is carried abroad. Of one thing I am very certain, that our mines are capable of producing an infinitely greater quantity, and that we do not extract from the ore one-half the gold it contains, from the want of experience and proper machinery. All that we require to remedy the defects is capital, and I am happy to have it in my power to state, that there is a strong probability of this desideratum being soon supplied, so far as the mines in the vicinity of Charlotte are concerned.

The discussion in the Senate upon the preemption Bill has continued during the past week with increased interest, and the Senate Chamber has been crowded every day to overflowing. Messrs. Southard, Tallmadge, Clay of Kentucky, Wright, Webster, Mangum and Calhoun, all enchained the attention of immense assemblages by the most powerful efforts of which the human genius is capable. Mr. Mangum was never more cogent and eloquent—indeed, public opinion, taking his speech as a whole, awards to it the palm over all others. This is high praise, but not adulation I assure you—I do not trust myself to give you my own opinion upon the subject, but merely communicate what others say, and that too of all parties. A passage at arms took place between Mr Calhoun and Mr. Mangum, which redounded greatly to the credit of our Senator

The House of Representatives is still engaged in the discussion of the Treasury Note Bill. Mr. Wise made a three days' speech upon it, which has given some displeasure to our friends and great joy to the Loco Focos. Mr Wise opposes any increase of the Tariff. the distribution of the Public Lands, and the call of an extra session. Mr. Wise's speech was distinguished for great ability. The Madisonian in speaking of his course says, "Mr. Wise is independent and independence is one of the privileges for which we contended in the late contest"

The Hon. John Hill, during the last session addressed very indecent and vulgar letter to one of his constituents, which has been circulated among the members of Congress in printed form I blush to think that any Representative of the good old North State should possess so little dignity, and know so little of the proprieties of civilized life, as to have written such a letter. It is universally condemned.

The Theatre in this place meets with but little encouragement. Indeed, all over the country Theatricals appear to be at a low ebb, and popular lectures upon scientific subjects are superseding them in public favor. The National Institution for the promotion of Science, which has recently been established in this city, enrolls among its members, most of the prominent men of the country. A series of gratuitous lectures are now in the course of being delivered by distinguished scholars from different parts of the Union. These lectures will doubtless be productive of much good. On Saturday evening last, I had the gratification of listening to Professor Hallowell of Alexandria. He delivered a very interesting and useful lecture upon vegetable Physiology and the uses of vegetables. In the course of his lecture he mentioned, that the most vital part of the tree was between the stem and the roots, and that the reason so few trees lived on being transplanted was, the unnatural depth at which they were usually buried. A tree should never be planted any deeper than its natural growth, and one should try to preserve, as much as possible, its original aspect, that is, place the bark that faced the south to the south, and let it have in all respects as near as possible the same exposure.

Great Britain has reduced the Emperor of China to terms. Many in England and this country, who speculated largely in tea upon the presumption of a protracted war, will be ruined In Africa, Great Britain has been equally successful. and Mehemet Ali is now but little better than a British slave. Against what country her ambition will next direct her arms cannot be foretold soon but seeing her extending her conquests in every direction, and knowing that she persists in claiming a portion of our territory, we should put ourselves in a state of defence, so that in the event of her attacking us we may be prepared to teach her, as we have heretofore done, that it is vain for her to attempt to subdue a nation of freemen

How does it happen that letters and papers from Charlotte do not reach this place under ten or twelve days

Very respectfully, &c. &c. &c.