r the
new constitution. The democrats elected their ticket by a large
majority. The Legislature of Indiana convened at Indianapolis on the 1st
December. Lieutenant Governor James H. Lane took the chair of the
Senate, and John D. Dunn was chosen Secretary. In the House, John W.
Davis (formerly Speaker at Washington, and since Commissioner to China)
was chosen Speaker by a unanimous vote. The Senate of South Carolina has
refused an application from the Federal Government for the sale of the
lighthouse at Bell's Bay. The House of Representatives has again refused
to allow the people to choose Electors of President and Vice President.
The vote was 66 to 48. The Legislature have passed a bill to provide for
the holding of a Secession Convention. The Texas Legislature assembled
at Austin on the 3d. Advices from Galveston state that Colonel Rogers
has succeeded in effecting a treaty with the Camanche Indians, and
recovered twenty-seven white captives from the Camanches, who had been
in bondage among them.

Of accidents and disasters, there have not been so many as in some
previous months. On the morning of November 27, about two o'clock, a
frightful collision took place between the steamers Die Vernon and
Archer, resulting in the loss of the latter vessel, with serious loss of
life. The accident occurred at Enterprise Island, about five miles above
the mouth of Illinois River. The whole number of lives lost by this
catastrophe was thirty-four, of whom ten were deck hands or firemen
engaged on the boat. On Sunday, December 7, the city of Portland was
visited by one of the most destructive conflagrations that ever occurred
in that place. The extent of the conflagration was owing mainly to the
want of water, the tide being down. There were twenty-seven stores
burnt, nine vessels damaged, and over one hundred thousand dollars worth
of merchandise destroyed.

Public Thanksgiving was held this year on the same day in Maine, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee,
Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio,
and Texas.

From British America there is not much intelligence of importance. The
recent elections have resulted favorably for the liberal party. A few
days ago the first vessel passed through the new channel of Lake St.
Peter, wh