Charleston Courier, "Correspondence of the Courier," August 14, 1850

                        Correspondence of the Courier.

                            BALTIMORE, AUG. 10––9 P.M.

   Our city still continues very healthy, but as the cholera is prevailing to somewhat an alarming extent almost in our immediate neighbourhood yet still our city is free from it, prompt measures should be taken by our city authorities and the citizens also to prevent its ravages amongst us, although our city escaped almost by a miracle last year. Latest accounts from Harper's Ferry and Uniontown state the disease has somewhat abated, but that there was a good deal of sickness yet, the greatest excitement prevailed and the inhabitants were leaving for the country. 

   The weather has been delightful to-day, and from the present appearance of the skies, we will in all probability have rain before morning. 

   By the papers you will have an account of a slave stampede which occurred lately at Washington, and also the capture of some seven or eight runaway slaves at Shrewsbury, Pa. Both of these are works of the abolitionists. The principle actor in the affair at Washington, is a man by the name of General CHAPLIN, of New York, somewhat advanced in age, and known as the editor of a paper called Chaplin's Portfolio, published at Albany New York, he has been residing lately at Washington. The slaves who were with him belong to the Hon. Messrs. STEPHENS and TOOMBS of Georgia respectively, the police of Washington got wind of the affair, and watched the movements of the party, when starting from Washington at night, a posse of police were sent ahead to intercept them a few miles beyond the district line in Maryland. After waiting a short time they were heard coming, and the police immediately held themselves in readiness to arrest them, when they got up to them a fence rail was pushed between the spokes of the hind wheels, and at the same time two men seized the heads of the horses. The inmates of the carriage were somewhat surprised, after which fire arms were freely used on both sides, without having much effect, but a few bruises. The whole party were captured and brought back to the city and lodged in jail. The affair has caused quite an excitement at Washington.

   I learn from Capt. KERWIN, of the brig Fashion, at this port, which arrived yesterday from Ponce, Porto Rico, with dates to 23d ult., that prior to the sailing of his vessel, there were a number of English, French and Dutch merchant vessels in port, which would be obliged to depart in ballast, as the crop of Sugar had all been shipped. Produce was scare and in good demand. Sugar was selling at $3.75 to $4.25, and Molasses at 14 cts. There had been a good deal of rain, and the coming crops were represented as very promising. Accounts from the Islands to the windward had been received, and state that large numbers of vessels had been driven ashore and wrecked during the severe hurricane of the 11th and 12th of July. A young man by the name of STUM, has been arrested by the authorities of Hartford county, suspicioned as being the murder of Mr. HENRY HAMMOND, on Thursday of last week. I learn that the cause of the affair was this: The sister of Mr. STUMP was on a visit to Mr. HAMMOND (who was her uncle) and, by some means or other, HAMMOND persuaded her to become a victim to his artful designs. What makes the case more aggravating to the young girl's parents, is that she is an idiot. A despatch from Washington says, that Mr. MOREHEAD has been appointed in the place of Mr. McLANE, of Kentucky, who declined being a member of the Southern Committee respecting the Slavery and Territorial questions, and that no report has been agreed upon yet.