Proclamation of the Governor of Martinique

Citizens of Martinique,-

The earthquake of the 8th of February has laid Point a Petre in ruins, and such as remain of her unfortunate inhabitants, are without bread and without shelter. We thank Providence that we are permitted to send them help in this awful calamity. On the receipt of the news of this distressing event, the inhabitants of Part Royal and other villages, repaired to the spot with food and clothing. The nights of the 9th and 10th were passed in loading the steam frigate Gomer with provisions and other necessaries belonging to the government, and she was immediately dispatched in aid of the distressed. A subscription is now opened for the sufferers, and all receipts will be placed in the hands M. Liot, Treasurer.

Du Valdailly,

Governor of Martinique,

(Correspondent of the Richmond Palladium.)

Eight miles below this place, on the other side of the river, is Nauvoo, the city of the Prophet. It is beautifully situated, on a point formed by a broad and sweeping bend of the river. The ground rises in successive benches of several feet in height, each bench extending back some distance, forming a level piece of table land to the next bench. On the last and highest bench, which is level with the surrounding [surrounding] country, stands the Temple, which is to be a magnificent building. The basement only is raised. The town site is six miles long and two or three wide, being a circular strip following the curve of the river. Nothing can be more beautiful than the situation of the city of saints. It contains at least 10,000 inhabitants, and as motley a crowd as you can imagine.

There is but little of the prophet or saint in Joe's exterior. He is a large, powerfully built man, and I believe is reckoned to be a social, good natured, good hearted, clever fellow, with a nerve of iron, an eye of fire, a heart of stone, and a head full of all sorts of things. Let him alone and he is your friend, but it is dangerous to trifle with him. Much has been said about the Mormons, but after all they are like other men, and their prophet is a man like unto us all. There is nothing in their belief that is incredible, except it be the inspiration of their prophet, and that I must be permitted to doubt. The greatest difference between them and the Methodists is, that they have more of the spirit than the followers of Wesley. When a Methodist would shout, a Mormon would prophesy, when the former would cry "glory," the latter would speak in unknown tongues. When one would pray over a sick brother, the other would lay on his hands and heal him-if he could.

[When the Methodist faith fails him respecting some parts of the Bible, and he has recourse to the spiritualizing system to get along, the Mormon swallows all down, just as it stands, like the whale swallowed Jonah, hat and shoes; the former worships a God without body, parts or passions, while the latter worships the same being

that Moses speaks of seeing his back parts, beholding his face, and being angry with the wicked every day. The Mormon is always prepared to give you some reason for every thing connected with his religion, whilst the other worships he knows not what.] You have doubtless heard of the thievish propensities of the Mormons. They are not such great rascals as they are represented. Much stealing is done on their credit, of which they are not guilty. They have been charged in this world with much of which there will be no record against them in the next. My sheet is drawing to a close, and I must pull in my horns. I could discourse of many matters to you had I room. You have heard of the late treaty, by which a new purchase has been made of the Indians;-that is all the rage here now, and all the world is bound for the "New Purchase." Thousands, I verily believe, are ready to start for that untried region, as soon as the gates are opened which will be on the 12th of May next. The river has been frozen over solid for more than three months, so that teams have crossed on it constantly. We have had good sleighing most of that time. We have cold dry winters here, but no changes from wet to dry.

Yours, &c. D

To the Editor of the Boston Weekly Bee: