The New York Herald Newspaper, February 1, 1844, Page 2

HERALD. NEW YORK “TO MEWSPAPKIt AGHNTS. Free ‘1rad- ie Sewspapers From and after this date, we shall supply, directly from this office, all Newsrarer Acrxts throughout the United States with such quantities of the NEW YORK HERALD, daily or weehly, a8 they may order, payable by draft, or other remittance, alwayy in advance. Hitherto we have refused to supply any Agents in cities and towns, except certain special and sole agents, but from the policy of these agents, and the great pressure f om others to open a free trade in the Hervld, we have reso!ved to break up the system of exclusive agency and to give the preference, on all occasions, only to those who will make the greatest effyrt in increasing their business, supplying the demands of the public. Price of the y $140 per bundied—ol the Weekly #4 per hundred Henaco Ovrice, 30th January, 194. The News from Europe—Expected Revolu We are daily expecting the receipt of some im- portant news trom Europ, in relation to the mat- kets and commercial matters generally, by some of the packet ships now on their way. But the most isteresting intelligence will probubly be received by the next steamer, which sails from Liverpool ou the 4th of February. The State trials are now in progress at Dublin, and they may have terminated by that time. ‘The character of the intelligence received by the last steamer bas prepared us for almost any result, any contingency, or any kind of an outbreak. That intelligence—derived from public and private sources—communicated a va- riety of important facts, showing the disturbed condition of Ireland, the various conspiracies on foot—tae murders perpetrated—and the violent ani- mosities between the contending religious sects. Every thing, indeed, by all accounts, seemed to be favorable to some great simultaneous outbreak in that island, and from the strong sympathetic feeling existing, similar eruptions throughout the empire must in that case follow. Although O'Connell and the leaders of the Re- peal movement, as well as the Viceroy and the government—being inspired with mutual suspicion and dread—are laboring to preserve peace and or- der, yet as the trials approached, and the crisis which was for the first time to bring the repealers indirect collision with the government, come on, who can tell to what an infuriated, oppressed, down-trodden peasantry, animated by the rankest feeling of religious animosity, may have been driven? The statement which our private corres- pondent gave us, in relation to plots and conspira- cies, seem to be confirmed by several articles in the Dublin papers which we have received since— particularly Saunders’ News Letter. And although * persons on the spot are much intimidated by the present aspect of affairs, and may somewhat exag- gerate their accounts, yet, in a great revolutionary crisis in any nation, sometimes all exaggeration falls far short of the reality, which was repeatedly instanced in the case of France during the various phases of her revoluti If, therefore, these trials should terminate in any outbreak in Ireland, we may expect to see a simi- lar outbreak in other parts of the kingdom; and as the next steamer will bring out the news, either one way or the other, the greatest interest will be felt till she arrives. More Deratcations.—We find the following notice of an additional defalcation in Wall street in the Commercial of yesterday afternoon :— “A Deratcation Disctosen.—The third teller of the Merchants’ Bank, consid! himself on his death bed, sent for the cashier of the bank on Monday evening, and in anticipation of the discovery of his defalcation at the examination of the bank accounts, acknowledged that he hat defrauded the bank to the amunnt of fe-nty thousand dollars; which deficiency is now ascertained to be exact- ly the sma abstracted we name of the third teller is Mr. Kissam ” Ilere is another evidence of the contaminating infuences of Wall streei, that have for the past several years extended from the Presidents of Banks to the porters—from Collectors of the Port to tide waiters—from District Attorneys to Deputy Marshals—and from City Collectors to Clerks in the Mayor's office. Mr. Samuel A. Kissam has been engaged in this bank for the past twelve or thirteen years, and has borne a uniform good character for honesty. hut in.the meantime has been secretly aud indu:- triously engaged in robbing the stockholders of the bank that give him employment, uatil the sum has amounted to $20,000. For the past year his health has been on the decline, cuon- sumption being the seat of disease, but daily has his fears of exposure caused his attendance at the bank, even when unable to stand at his desk. The recent examination of accounts of the se- eral banks, preparatory to the annual report, has caused many a twang of conscience and many a sleepless night among the numerous officers con- nected with the binks of Wall street. This anti- cip ted investigation is supposed to have preyed so deeply upon the mind of Kissam, in connexion with hisfveble health, that on Monday he was confined to his house, and sent for John J Palmer, Esq., Cashier of the Bank, to whom he made a fall disclosure of his detaleation, or robbery, which upon investigation was found tw amount to twenty thousand dollars. He is now supposed to be on his dying bed, and the ex- sure may be truly classified as a death- ed revelation. Should he survive, however, no fears need be entertained on his part of punishment by criminal prosecution, as no individual yet guilty has suffered in that manner in this city,” Cuse af- ter case has been presented to our criminal autho- rities—Grand Jury after Grand Jury have been ap- pealed to by unfortunate stockholders for justice, and in but one or two instances that we can remem- ber, has even an indictment been found against of- <= parties. i The first and most prominent that led the way to these public robberies, were government agents of this city, who, have laughed justice to scorn, and defied the civil laws to compel them to disgorge the funds that the people at large have thus lost — Then followed bank cashiers and insurance clerks, bank tellers and city collectors, until the mass thus dishonestly absorbed would amount to mil- lions. These philosophers stand roundly ‘ indebt- ed,” as they term it, to the dear people, over a mil- lion. Redfield, of the Commercial Bank, others of other banks plump $100,000 due the stockhol- ders; Nicoll, ot the Life and Trust, and Scher- merhorn of the Mutual Insurance, full $25,000 ; Henry Lott, of the Etna, and the’ last death-bed revelations of Kissam, from 8) to $100,000. Thus making an aggregate of inillions, to say nothing of Tom Lloyd, Joha Ahern, and Jem Ward, who merely plucked the city Corporation to the tune of some $150,009, which the tax payers of this city must make good at their leisure. Not- withstanding that there is law. sufficient to send these men, or the most of them, where they could, by hard labor, restore to the peo- ple of the State a small tithe of interest on the amount thus obtained, yet but one, John Ahern, has ever been tried for their offences, and he was acquitted ona technical point raised by his coun- sel. Let.a poor devil of a grocer’s clerk take a few shillings from his employer’s money drawer, and he is forthwith arrested, dragged to the Tombs, tried, convicted, and sent to the Penitentiary al- most in the brief time we are recording it; but if the sum is thousands, the arm of justice is stayed, and the perpetrators walk the streets, fearing not the vengeance of the law, and caring naught for the denunciations of those they have tobbed, as long aa criminal prosecution can be battled off by the influence of wealth and friends,. What a mock- ry of our laws hy. those uppointed to administer em | a $ Tuosr Arpott'snevrs.—It was currently reported last evening, that thy appointment of McVean for Surrogai@ of this.eity, and Smith for Judge of the Marine? Court, would be rejected by the Senate. Abraham Morrill, Esq, late Pi is a prominent c rth act named offiee. Mr. Packenna Minisren.—The Vestal, a tine fast sailing tyenty-gix gun man-of- war, which is, it is said, to bring Mr. Packenaam | to this country, was neatly readyifor sea at Ports- mouth, at the last accounts. From Boston Pavers received last night we learn that Boston Harbor was frozen over as far down as the Nartows oh Tuesday. The Daily Mail inti- mates that the Sieamer Britannia could hurdly be cut out of the ice, in which she was firnly locked, in tims to leave for Liverpool on the day adver tised_for her departure, Lispenard Stewart's Heply to Wateon Webb—singular Developments in Lega- en. nd Newspapers. We publish in this day’s paper the very calm, temperate, and conclusive reply of Lispenard Stew- art, Exy , to the statements promulgated recently in the Courier & Enquirer, by James Watson Webb, Ex-Colonel in the New York Militia, in relation to the Stewart will case, and his connection there- with. We have also in our possession a copy of the brochure which contains all the evidence, affi- davits, statements, and Mr. Webb's own letters, establishing the truth of Mr. Stewart's reply—part of which we may publish if called for hereafter by any exigency. This reply contains some very curious develop- meuts in morals, newspapers, money, legacies, editors, blood horses, conservatories, dogs, and poli 3. rst, it appears at once, that this Mr. Watson Webb had been loaned $50,000 out of the Stewart estate, to enable him to establish the Courier & Enquirer, and that over $30,000 was never paid back at all—$14,000 or $15,000 being suak entirely, and lost to the Stewart estate, and the rest settled by Master Watson’s taking the benefit of the act. It further appears that the whole Stewart estate is only valued at about $200,000, and therefore, that James Watson Webb, in getting that $30,000, got his whole share to which he would have been entitled under any legacy. This is certainly a very plain and simple. state- ment—and seems to be conclusively established.— Why, then, should he want to get the property of others? Anothertactstrikes us. It seems that it required an expenditure of $50,000 to establish the Courier and Enquirer—or that this immense sum of mo- ney was absolutely sunk, positively annihilated, be- fore that paper began to pay any income over its expenses, besides the hard labor of several years. This may give those persons ambitious of conduc- ting newspapers, some idea of the difficulty of es- tablishing newspapers. It is true we established the Herald, which is now far more widely circulated and more profitable than the Courier, on something less than $500, but we combined with that small capital, energy, industry, economy, morals, hones- ty, integrity, temperance, early rising—all of which united in forming a compouud of genius, that ne- ver will be estimated till long after we are dead and gone. In 1832, after its revolution in politics, the Cou- rier and Enquirer began to pay, and in a short time it became the leauing journal of the old class of journals, and yielded about $20,000 clear profit per annum for several years. During those progperous years, before 1837, Webb could have paid all his debts to the Stewart estate, and lived elegantly besides; but he was ambitious, vain, credulous, and carried too much sail for his ballast. He launched out into all kinds of splen- did hving—with house in town—country house— stables and blood-horses—dogs—old wines—con- servatories—exotic plants—elegant dinners—and what not. The virtuous and pious financiers of Wall street got around him—duped and deceived him—engage? him in all sorts of stock transactions —all of which gradually led him astray, until he broke down entirely, and had to take the benefit of the act for debts equal to $200,000. ‘These trials, losses, and blasting of hopes, ought to have taught him modesty, industry and econo- my—but we fear they won't. His recent course towards his father-in-law’s amiable and respectable fumily, is anything bu just, brotherly, or even gentlemanly. Since he got clear of his debts, he has, it is said, regained the proprietorship of his paper, by a loan of a large sum of money from the friends of Mr. Webster, in order to secure him in the succession after Mr. Clay; but he begins again, under his renovated state, to cut as greata dash in his style of living and high pretensions as he did in 1833—"4—5—and "6—and if he does not take’care, he may come out as unfortunate in the next as he did in the last re- valsion We always liked Webb a devilish sight better than we could thaideccitful old Jew, Noah. Webb fas several redeeming points—occusionally and fit- tully we acknowledge—but still, time and study might fix them in his conduct. His vehement de- sire to get a portion of the Stewart estate now, srises from his ambition to set up to be agreat man in Union Syaare—to be a leader among the whigs —a very Hercules among the dirty politicians of the Jay. But his ambition should not make him for- get his obligations, and duty, «nd affection towards the amiuble family of his deceased father-in-law. His paper, the Courier and Enquirer, is not what it was. Its hey-day is past. Its decline, and the decline of all large papers, has begun. It cannot live in the face of the never-tiring—never-ending competition of the Herald, Tribune, and papers of our class.— But Webb, by economy and prudence, and modes- ty, and justice, can delay the final extinction of his paper, and make a very handsome fortune out of it before inevitable fate overtakes it. In our last voyage to Europe, his eldest son, a youth of seven- teen, wasa fellow passenger in the same ship with us, and a more amiable, intelligent, gentlemanly youth, we never remember to have seen. For the sake of his amiable family—of his fine children— of his own reputation—of the peace of his connec- tions, we would advise Webb to reflect seriously whether he has not already sowed an abundance of wild oats—whether it is not time to come to his second, sober senses—and whether, if he needs must quarrel, why he should not confine his quar- rels to Greeley and Fourierism—to Bishop Onder- donk and Puseyism—and to Van Buren and loco- focoism. Do, Webb, do. Morr or Werr’s ‘ Consistency.”—We are presented in yesterday’s Courier with a rematka- bly amusing specimen of Colonel Webb's consis- tency—that consistency of which he iss o fond of talking, and which was very signally displayed in his treatment of the United States Bank. The leading article of the Courier of yesterday is a ra- ther severe exposure of the illegality of the conduct of the “ American Letter Mail Company.” This company is denounced, in no measured terms, as guilty of gross violation of the law, and the exclu- sive right of this Government to the monopoly of conveying letters, is vindicated with considerable vehemence. This is all very well, but in the very next column we find a paragraph intended to help along one Mr. Hale, who has his ‘ Post office in the same building with the Courier & Enquirer, and who is very diligently engaged in the very same business for the transaction of which the “ Letter Mail Company” are so severely denounced by our consistent contemporary. Can any one help us to unriddle this mysiery? As to the general question, the Colonel is quite right. The Convention which formed the Constitu- tion meant to give the exclusive right to the Gene- ral Government. And although Lysander Spooner may suppose that he can establish post offices and post roads, and carry the mails, he will find that he will be defeated. Even had he the talent of hi§ tolerably gifted and wise namesake Lysander, of Corinth, he could not succeed, no more than Webb can succeed in being ‘ consistent,” albeit he works so hard. Unver-Sueri Te Mr. John J. V. Westervelt, late Under Sheriff, and for a long time Deputy Sheriff, has opened an office, No. 77 Nas sau street, Where he solieits business as agent for the service of all legal papers, landlords’ warrants, and the collection of sleb,,Jcc, My, W. is wo | well known to the” profession aud the public asan active, intelligent officer, that, it is only necessary for as to refer to his eifealar in another column, We wish him, sueces*, and commend his services to oar frienda’and the public Great Sacer or Harbware.—Jacob S. Platt, No. 21 Platt street, will sell at auction to-day, one of the most extensive stocks of hardware and cutlery ever offered in this city. Rerortixa 1x Coxcuess—Tne Recent Scexss TueRk.—The party prints, generally, both here an! throzghout the Union, appear tobe discharg- ing the full vial of (heir wrath upon Weller, Lager- soll, and others, for the part they took in the recent seencs which have so palpably disgraced the capi- tal of the nation, and particularly the House of Representatives. Unquestionably the conduct of Mr. Weller was entirely disreputable, but we can- not see by what process of reasoning, the counter- conduct of Shriver, the correspondent of the Balti- more Patriot, either before or after the scene in the house, can be excused. We will not permit any of the culprits to escape. Blackguardism must not be allowed a rag to cover it from merited castiga- tion—no, not even the poor dirty rag of an unscru- pulous party journal. It is very well known that during the last few years, many of the vilest party papers, both whig und lecofoco, but particularly the whig journals, have maintained, or rather retained at Washington a corps of mere “letter writers,” whose vocation is not to report with fidelity and accuracy, but to misrepresent, abtse and calumniate the opponeat> of the party in whose service their Billingsgate and blackguardism are enlisted. The falsity, malignity and impertinence of the statements furnished by these creatures, have indeed become quite prover- bial. In this business of wholesule slander, and ca- lumny the Baltimore Patriot, the United States Gazette, the Courier and Enquirer, the Boston At- las, the Richmond Whig and the Louisville Journal have always succeeded in gaining the highest point in profligacy and licentiousness The grossness and indecency manifested by some of these letter writers have been of the most glaring and outrageous cha- racter ; and if the recent outbreak in the House is tobe exposed and censured as it ought to be, jus- tice requites that the whole extent and nature of the calumnies poured out upon the locofoce party by these papers, for a series of years past, should be taken into consideration. The locofoco party has also kept a set of “letter writers,” but somehow or other there does appear to be more decency in that class than in the others, who it is amusing to remark, are continually call- ing out, in the midst of all their filth, that to them belongs ‘‘all the decency.” The sympathy and condolence expressed by these miserable party journals, with merely ofte of the offending parties at Washington, are therefore utterly preposterous and absurd. And the remedy which the “letter writer” and his friends adopted, asking to shoot, or kill, or maim Mr. Weller, because he took his singular mode of satisfaction, is just on a par with the rest of their conduct. It is perfectly in keeping with the malignant, assassin-like manner in which these letter writers are accustomed to treat the character of the members of the House of Repre- sentatives. There is, therefore, some shadow of excuse for Mr. Cave Johnson’s proposition to ex- pel from the House all reporters and letter writers, except those connected with the Washington pa- pers. Yet such a wholesale way of getting rid of a very obnoxious evil, would be altogether unjust, and we have no doubt that the ‘ sober second thought” will lead Mr. Cave Jehnson to make the proper distinction between these miserable party hacks, the “ letter writers,” and the regiilar report- ers for journals either at Washington or in any of the large cities. For our own part, we can, in spite of all the ca- lumny thrown out against us, point with the ut- most confidence to the manner in which our re- porters have uniformly conducted their business. The reports published in the Herald have been more free from errors of all kind, more faithful, more generally satisfactory than those even which have appeared in the Washington papers. ‘Thir has been admitted, even in the Capitol, by distin- guished members cf both patties. We take our ground, then, on this acknowledged excellence and fidelity of our reports of Congressional proceedings, and we never shall yield one iota of that liberty of the press, guaranteed by the Constitution itself, but which would be rudely and violently broken by the adoption of any such proposition as that pre- sented’ by Mr. Cave Johnson. “We entlrely-cuin- cide with that gentleman in his just indignation at the outrageous conduct of the letter-writers—men as destitute of talent as of principle, being generally miserable, broken down party hacks, who are too lazy and too stupid to earn their bread by honest and independent labor; and who, under the pre- tence of connexion with some obscure or some fithy party print, get into the House of Represen- tatives, and endeavor by bullying blackguardism, or truckling toad-eating, and lying as they are bid, to pick upa living at Washington. Mr. Johnson wishes very properly to get rid of these vermin But ke surely cannot intend to make the foolish attempt of depriving the country of the benefit of the important and laborious services of the respect- able reporters. However, if he do go to the full extent of his proposition, and even if the House sustain him, our reporters will go to the gallery, and continue to give, in the same style of superiority as at present, full, comprehensive, faithful and graphic reports of all the proceedings in the House of Re- presentatives. It is singular enough—and whilst we are speak- ing of this matter, we may as well notice it—not asingle paper in Washington ever attempted to give full and authentic daily reports of congressional pro- ceedings until driven into it by our enterprise and activity. And uniformly we have maintained a superiority in our reports in peint of accuracy, de- tail and graphic interest. It has very frequently been remarked by competent judges that the re- ports in the Washington papers, are often slovenly and inaccurate. But we believe we can point to our reports as being quite unexceptionable. Ina few instances—a very few—there may have’been a trifling verbal inaccuracy, but their general cha- racter for fidelity and excellence has been always maintained. And so it will continue. Latest rrom New Or1eans.—Owing to the most extraordinary delay of the mails from the extreme south, eleven now being due, we are con- strained to give news from New Orleans as if that place was a foreign city or nation. We received yesterday afternoon by the way of Louisville, advices from New Orleans to the 18th inst. inclusive, six days later than we have direct. They give us, however, very little news. The markets we give in another column, Ole Bull and Vieux Temps were both in New Orleans. Ole Bull appeared at the St. Charles, and Vieux Temps at the Orleans Theatre, on the 17th, for the first time. Russell was also there ; also, Yankee Hill and Placide. We have no accounts of their success, but presume the violins have car- ried all before them. Perrault, the former Cashier of the New Orleans Citizens’ Bank, has been acquitted The steamers Alex. Scott and Cahawba, going from Mobile to New Orleans, run into each other onthe 1th inst. Both were damaged; part of the cargo of the CG. was thrown over to keep her from sinking. Jndge Porter, of the U.S. Senate, died at St. Marx, La , on the 13th inst. Filty yards of the Levee in front of Free Town, So unicipality, sunk into the river on the ‘th inst. Marrs ror Evrore.—We learn that Adams & Co.’s Express coach ca route for Boston, was two hours ahead ofthe other expresses at the fourth change of horses. Lraistatune.—Nothing of consequence occur red on Monday on nee ened Navan —The frigate Raritan, Capt. Gregory, siiled last night or w il to-day. “The tweaty- ix men who deserted returned to their duty yes terday morning. ‘They were carried off on an ice i sand, , Pe! ; New Horse Bazaar.—By an. advertisement in another column it will be seen that Wm. Cowan, formerly of the Horse Bazaar, in Crosby street, has associated himself with Thomas H. Dilks, to carry on the above business at 189 and 191 Mercer street. BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL. ;- Important from Washington. Our accounts from Washington last night are deeply interesting. Tn his second speech on the tariff, Mr. MeDuflic has broached entire new ground—made a new and important issue, that will change the whole course of discussion in Congress, and of political move- meats throughout the country, Another crisis has been created by the South Carolina statesmen, which will produce great excitement—it is an issue between a separation of the Union into three Repub- lics on one side—or the entire abandonment of the protective systen and abolition agitation on the other side. This is the new issue proposed by Mr. McIuttie in closing his brilliant speech en Monday—an issue that will be seized by the whigsof both Houses, and manufactured into a crisis on which to pre- serve the present tariff and to elect Henry Clay. Jt is now'understood that the discussion on the tariff, on this new absorbing point, will be con- tinued in the Senate—and may break out soon in the House with great violence. The Calhoun party will move cn masse in this new direction, and probably drag the whole locofoco party, Van Bu- ren and all, into the vast whirlpool of destruction along with them. Mr McDuffie is a second Calhoun, and, in his particular way, is the greatest, ablest, most eloquent, most comprehensive statesman now in either house of Congress. All the rest are pigmies to this vast intellectual giant. The whole battle is now changed—and we may look for thunder of all kinds in a few day. Mr. Rantoul, of Boston, is at Washington, in time to submit hisstifl’neck to theguillotine. When Postmaster Graham coming home to attend to his business ? Mr. Weller, of Ohio, has refused to fight with Shriver or any of his friends—the latter has posted him as a “‘coward” and “‘no gentleman” at Balti- more—rather stale news, however—all Pickwick- ians, all! ‘Washington. (Correspondence of the Herald.] Wasnincton, Monday, Jan. 29. The President has made no appointment yet of Secretary of the Navy—nor is he likely to make one until the Senate shall be pleased to act defini- tively upon the Cabinet appointments already betore them. He cannot appoint discreetly until they shall act. Eor example—suppose there are two men from one State—one of whom 1s well qualified for Secretary of the Navy, and the other for Secretary of the Treasury. Of course he will appoint but one fron a State. “How can he make a_ prudent deci- sion until he knows what vacancies in the cabinet are likely to occur? There are other supposable rdses-#iIOE may exist as facts—showing the ne- cessity of action on the part of the Senate. The Constitution makes it their duty to act, nor can they with impunity make unnecessary delay. In their desire to take advantage of the present state of things for political eflect, the Senate are approximating to a revolution in the Governmen* They are grasping at executive prerogatives. ‘ .¢ Constitution gives to the President the ex¢ susive power of appointment—and limits to the S«.ate th power simply to confirm or reject. But te line of political policy now and lately pursued by th. Se- nate, indicates a desire on their part to u..cgate to themselves the power of appointment as well as of “*advice and consent,” by controlling the, action of the President, and dictating to him his duty. Should he obey their dictation, there is at once a revolution in the Government. But, thank God, in his decision, firmness, and independence, there canbe no distrust; noristhere any fear of a revolu- tion from his yielding executive prerogatives to Se- natorial usurpation. ‘The Senate has leave to act. _ There is an occasional-scent of war perceptible inthe Washington atmosphere. The scent comes across the Atlantic. It seems the President's Mes- sage has given deep oflence to the English Govern- ment. A letter hus been received here from our minister, Mr. Everett, which states that the toue of the entire British, press is belligerent. It endea- vors to rouse up the spirit of war in the minds of the British. It is agentle hint that the United tates will be better off with half of Oregon, than with none of itatall, It is equivalent to a threat to the American Executive, to the American Con- gress, and to the American people. And we are called_upon to decide whether we are seared or not, I sen reason to believe, that President Ty- ler has the most implicit confidence in the nego- ciating powers of Captain Stockton’s newly in- vented talking irons, and if Lord Aberdeen has lightest preference to negociating with Cap- tain Stockton, rather than with a oh Tyler, he has only to intimate the same to Mr. Everett, and his wishes will be promptly complied with. —Presi- dent Tvler well never relinquish the mouth of the Columbia—and should he consent, for the sake of yeace to “twist the line a little,” he will do what two-thirds of the present Senate will never ratify. ba Wasmneton, Jan. 30, 184. Mr. Porter isrejecied. Done in executive ses- sion thisday. Only three or fuur votes in his favor. lt is positively declared by the Senators that they did not vote upon political considerations. It is said that one of Mr. Porter's relatives in the Sen- ate asked to be excused from voting, and was ex- cused. They say they voted from principle, and xound moral consiaerations. Of the two Senators from Pennsylvania, probably Mr. Sturgeon, was de- cidedly opposed to Mr. Porter, althongh he may not have suid much; and Mr. Buchanan probably took no conspicuous part. The votes in his favor may have been as much from sympathy as any thing else. Thus this long agony is ended precise- ly as L have often predicted. Your late article in the Herald calling upon. the Senate to act upon these appointments, has evident’ ly produced a very powerful and wholesome effect. wane correct expression of public sentiment.— The Senate see it. They have already acted upon Mr. Porter’s case, and you may expect a very spee- dy action upon the case of Mr. Spencer. The Sen- ate dare not “hang him up.” Vubliec indignation would come down, uponthem too strong. I shall expect their action in his ease every day until it is done. And the probability is that they will reject him. Snceh is understood to be the state of feeling in the Senate to-day. If such be the event, the Presi y four great appointments to mal Minister to France, Judge upon the Supreme Bench, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of War. This throws the whole country all into excitement again—all upon the qui vive. y What a curious and extraordinary state of thing: A President without either a Cabinet, or a Con- gress, ora party; a Congress without unity, like two cats tied together by the tail and hung across aclothes line ; two great political parties both with- outa President, each fighting for rival candidates, while the balance of power is effectually held against them both by one made President by the act of God, and equally denounced by both politi- cal parties ; a Senate striving to usurp Executive prerogatives by controlling appointments; and a Fionse, whose history is daily recorded in the New York Herald. Task if tnis country has ever seen a time when greater temptations were held @ut for political bribery and corruption ? | I apprised you some time ago, in advance of all other publications, that a treaty had been conclud- ed with Mexico respecting the settlement of Ame- rican claims. This treaty was confirmed to-day by the Senate, with one amendment. The treaty provides for the settlement of these claims by com- missioners, who were to meet at Mexico. The amendment of the Senate requires them to meet at Washington. a A The President gives his second levee tonight. lent will have TWENTY-KIGHTH CONGRESS. FIRST SESSION. Senate. Wasiunartox, 20th January, 184. Pveric Lenger.—Mr. Buonanan presented a pe- tition from Swain, Abel, and Simmons, publishers ot the Ledger, for payment of an uncancelled United States Treasury Note Retnencument.—Mr, Waiaur presented resolu- tions from the New York State Legislature, recom- mending to Congress, that they adopt a line of economy and retrenchment. Gew. Tackson’s: Five.Mr.. Berrien reported a bill tor the refunding of this fine, provided that it sha!l not be construed as expressing or implying censure upon Judge Hall. 5 Provate Cratt.--Of Daniel Trehart, of Va.— ARNAGIN reported against this claim for remu- neraiioa for the hurniag of hiv barn,in the Revo- Jutionary wary ‘The pro‘a: and con's, were argued pro by Mesers, Nives and ‘Archer, con. by Mr. Jai- nagin, both at langth, especialiyahe pew Crivivats.—Mr. Be von presented the: follow ing vesolutton := Resolved, As the opinion of the Senate, dent of the Wnited States onght to give notice to the go’ ernment of Great Britain for the immediate terminati of the 10th article of the Treaty of 1912, being the article for the surrender of fugitive crimingls. Resolved, That acopy of this resolution be delivered to the President, ine doe ‘that the Presi Staves Coanurrixne Crine.—Mr. Benton tented the following:— Resolved, That the President be requested to communi cate to the Senate, the information, if any, which may be in the Departinent of State in relation to slaves commit ‘ing crimes, and escaping from the Untted Staces to the British dominions, since the ratification of the ‘Treaty of 1342, and the refusal of the British authorities to give them up ; also, that he communicate to the Senate, the information, if ‘any such is possessed by him, of the con- stinction which the British government puts upon the said article in its relation to slaves committing crimes in po mand States, and taking refuge in the British do- minions. —He was ready to go on with it, but G0 into Executive zession. Mr. MeDevrte gave notice, that in order to remove all ditliculties in the way of this discussion, he had prepared an amendment to the resolution now before the Senate, to abolish the “ act of £2” altogether. ‘The Senate immediately went into Executive session. 2 P. M.—Mr. McDurriris continuing hisspeech. The most interesting part of the panorama is some eracisitele bright eyes, handsome forms and be- witching faces, in the gallery. And scarcely less interesting is the attitude of many honorable and venerable senators upon the. floor below. They sre geste reclined in their seats, in the easiest position for hearing the Hon, Speaker—a position which happily brings the line of vision direetly up- onthe aforesaid bewitching faces in the gallery. It is attitude at once paying double duty to elo-| quence and to beauty. I have never seen so many eye-glasses employed by the Senators before in| listening to any speech. ¥ Mr. McDurrig makesa very strong point in sup- posing the whole United States to be the pro- perty of one man—one great barony—administered and governed by one will. In that case, would the proprietor deem it for his interest to exclude the manufactures of other countries 1 Would he. impose duties? What would be his motive? Would he not do as all other men do—buy as cheap as he can, and sell as high as he can—with as few embar- rassments to trade as possible? Mr. McD. here went on at great length to consider the United States as three reat confederaci stead of twenty-six—-Southern, fastern, and Western. Hethen examined the various nterests ofeach. Would the West, in that case, in the spirit of patriotism ¢: their trade to the Eastern con- bos iy 4 and there pay 20, 30, or 40 percent more for their goods than they could ‘get the same for in England ? Inthe case of the three coufederacies which he has su posed, the South would not pay a single dollar towards the support of the East, The Yvest would thrive. ‘The Fast would suffer, and he reduced to poverty and distress | What god has produced these great changes? None. It has simply been produced by allowing the people to ex- ercise their own natural right of self-government—simply by restoring to them their natural and inalienable rights Ifhe had not overdrawn Ld gedey then how great is the temptation which is held out to these oppressed States te curse the Union, and to induce them to with- draw from it altogether. "Chere is a point beyond which oppression will not be endured. Mr. Evans remarked that he regretted yery much that Mr. MoD. had said many thh to stir up ill feelings to- wane this Union. He desi therefore, tv make a brief veply. Sexarons proposed an adjournment. Mr. Ancien thought this debate irregular sltogether, and said he should move to lay the subject on the table, after Mr. Evans’ speech, Mr. Haywann said if Mr. Archer did not make that mo- | tion now, he would—and did make it. The motion was put, but no one voted in the aifirma- tive, and it was lost. The subject was finally postponed till to-morrow. ‘The Senate then went into Executive Session. Larex.—The Senate did nothing of any public -inter- est in Secret Seesion. House of Representatives Wasurxeton, Tuesday Night, Jan. 30. Tue 2st Rute—Peririon vor 4 Divorck—Navy Ala t . YARDS. he first business in order to-day was the debate the 2istrule. Mr. Houston wished to make some reports. Mr. Avams objected to all but the regular busi- ne 8. Mr. Stizxs said—I have already said, sir, and shown by reference to Hatsell’s Parhamentary pr cedents, that the British House of Commons te ected petitions against various subje and an ong them petitions against taxation in vanous fo. ns. Now, sir, as gentlemen have referred us to Ex gland for our rule of action on the subject of pe- tit ms, willthey tell us upon what principle it was thy t petitions against taxes were uniformly reject- ed The answer is evident. Because taxes were ne: ssary to the support of the British Government. Bu, sir, is there nothing else that is necessary for the support of a government besides taxes? Can any government in the world exist a moment with- out them? And yet, will you place dollars and cent: in the seale against faith and honor? And, str, ere not the faith and honor of the nation pledged to the subject of slavery? Wovld the stave-holding States have ever entered this Union? Would our forefathers of the South have ever signed the Constitution, unless their nights had been secured by that instrament? And will not this Union be dissolved, whenever the government instead of protecting, plunders them of their rights and of their properiy?. Yes, sir, slavery and the Constitution have flourished together—their exi+ ence is the saine—it is inseparable—and if folly and madness destroy the one, the other wiil follow it to the tomb. But to return. I have shown that Parliament was in the, constant ractice of rejecting petitions; the intelligent ramers of the Constitution were familiar with this t; and in guarding our country against the evils of such legislation as the Riot Act, in protecting the great right of petition, their omission to provide that petitions should be received, is evidence irr sistible and conclusive, that the reception of peti- tions was never intended to be embraced in the amendment or comprehended under the right of petition, According to the letter of the Constitu- tion, this rule is not a violation of it, because no law i3 passed, or contemplated ; according to its spirit it is not violated, because the object of the amendnient was simply to prevent the passage of such acts as those of George the Ist, and Charles the 2d, and because the practice of r ng peti- tions, which was commenced in which was familiar to the framers of the C tion was not provided against. ‘This rule is nota violation of the Constitution, then; it is not a vio- lation of the right of petition, yet, sir, it is argued that instead of searching the Constitution to ascer- ain what are the rights of petition, we must ac- cording to the gentleman from New York (Beards- ley) throw the Constitution aside, and go back to England—to the Bill of Rights, which grew out of the Revolution of 1688—to the British Parliament, in order to ascertain those rights. What,sir? A citizen of tha United States—the freest country in the world, as the gentleman from North Carolina says, to run away from his own country and fly to England. in order to enjoy perfect freedom! 1 leave the gentleman from New York to reconcile himself with the | gentleman from Tennessee, his associate in feeling upon this subject. I leave him toexplain to that member how it is that a citizen of the freest country in the world can throw aside the cons:itutien of his conntry, and seek a cover for his rights, a shelter fer his liberties behind the acts of a British Parliament But why, sir, should we o back for instruction to England, as the gentleman from ‘ew York said. Is there any analogy between either the government or the people of Englasd and our own? In England, all power is in the government ; here it is in the people. “There the Parliament, humanly speaking, is om- i Here, our Congress is limited in i's powers to a subjects, murked out end defined by a writ- ution, In Great Britain the sovereign holds independent of the people, and so do the mem bers of the House of Lords. If arbitrary and unjust laws are instituted by the Government, the people, however nnanimous against them, have no remedy but in a humble petition for their abolition. Here, the members of the Go- vernment are directly responsible to the people, hold their office subject to the popular will, and if unfaithful to their trusts, they are removed, and more faithful servants cho- sen in their places. It results, therefore, that whilst in monarchical governments the right to petition the rulers is the highest or ultimate right of the subject in se- curing him from molestation and tyranny at the hands of his Government; here the right dwindles into compara tive insignificance, being only a right tu petition onrown servants todo that which we may command them to do, or discharge them for not roe In shart, the people of y & England are listened to only when they speak in tho humble tone of petition. In America, they will be heard through the authoritative’ voice of instruction! What does this right of petition embrace? What would these petitioners have! The right peaceably to asremble ? Do we propose to dis- turb that right ? No. The right then to prepare a tion? Do we propose to prevent them ? No. The right to present their petition to this body ? Do we oppose that right? Sir, this question has not yet been fairly met. Gentlemen argue as U ong we denied the right of peti- tion. We make no such denial. We are as warm advo- cates of the right of petition as any pevsons on this floor. We know the importance of that right. and would not touch it We are willing that gentlemen shall exercise the right to as full an extent, at least, as is enjoyed in England ; forthat seems to be the summit of their ambi- tion! But we come to an issue with them as to the limits and extent of that right. What are these? There must be some point at which the right of petition ends, and that of legislating begins. Where does this right to peti- tion end ? Just where the right of legislation commences. Legislation cannot go back and interfere with petitio nor can petition extend forward and interfere with legis lation. The right of legislation commences at the moment the House is informed of the nature of the petition, If y have aright to go one step further, and say we shall receive, they have inst as much right to say that we shall refer, and that we shall grant. ‘The right of legislation—the action of the House commences with the presentation, and the refusal to accept ia no inter. fevenco with that right. We do not propose to dictate to petitioners in any way or maaner that can affect their rights, nor do we mean to allow them to inter- fere with ours—to usurp legislative powers, or to dictate to usin what way or maauer our duties shall be pertorm. od, Mr, Wise rose and asked Mr. Stiles to yield the floor for afew moments, that he might by on anecdote filustrate the stranze noions which some petitioners kad on this subject of the right of petition, and their singular idea of gress onght to do for them. ave way tor the explanation. have this very morning, sir, rece ing this House to legisicte Ey by his wifeare his or not, and to say what recompens shall be paid him provided they are somebody else's chil- dren. (| the eyes of almost all the mombers were turn dies’ gallery, where a nu- Jn pe- tween a rs of langhter, tothe merous collection of very beautiful women were assem- | np and‘arming ships, you diminish pro ¢anto the ameunt o} - | bled, who seemed to a terest in this nh peters tity) iT, Wise—If the House will all petition, to illustrate the ts ate (Shout eal and cries of “Go on; read it, ‘The settine, cone as follows :— “York County, Pa. Jan 19, brepoigaa of the Senate son of the House orem sentatives in Congress assembled: Your petitioner praya ur honorable body to be devorced from? Letisia rate for the reason ofa dece; tion being practiced on him, in which he fathered other people's childien, whieh he has jfound ont to his sorow since, and to make good his losses which he has sustained on account of doing so for loss of property, $300u, for the last five yeors—loss time and fetuige my hesye compleatly taken away. Both night and day ‘I am kipt without imployment and without any thing to help myself $ pray wishing you health aud happiness, “1 remain yours respec'fully. “WM. HARVEY.” It is impossible to depict thescene which occurred on Wise’s reading this precions morceau, ‘The roars of laugh- ter were deafening; the ladies in the gallery joined in, and the emphasis given by Wise on the words “iatigue,” “em- ployment.” “night and day,” threw many of the members ‘almost into convulsive fits of} Wisx—This petition, sir, i ing letter :. “Sip “ You will do me the fa’ to atend to the petition if their should be any more evidence wanting to show (how she has got children without me being the ferther) | will come tocongress if I can raise ony thing and make oath to prove it to the best of my ability and knowledge and would now do it at this time but I cannot raise it to pay my expenres, I have sent sore papers to Mr. Benton heretofore if you could see them they would assist very mue! d 1 think satisfy the house of the Jnstness of the claim also. 1 hope you will urge it through an rapidly a9 prudence and circumstances will admit,'and inform me of the progress in the mean time “and believe me yours vi Wise, Wis: and he will ever ghter. companied hy the follow: erry Respectful. ¥ WMSHARVEY. “ Hon, Mr. Buchanan. “Hon. Henry A. Wise.” Here the laughter increased, and many of the members cried out, “Oh, that is too rich.” ‘Wisr—Now, sir, this is postmarked, and has every evi- dence of being a bona side petition, and thus this Houre is called on to-exercise juriadiction, and decide as to who is the father of certain chiliren under certain circumstan- ces, and to award damages on account of—(Here the rest was lost inthe roars of laughter that followed ) Some further remarks were made in relation to the sub- ject of the 21st rule, when a motion war made by Mr. Pan- MENTER to go into Committee of the Whole. Mr. Huaues, of Missouri, suggested that the next busi- ness in order was the subject of the Oregon sation. A motion was made that the Houxe take up but after ome desultory conversation, the Hou to entertain that question at this time. Mr Panmewren suggested that Bill No. 4. providing for transfer of Navy Appropriations, by which the poor dis- charged workmen at the various Navy Yards throughout the country might be relieved, with their wives ond fami- lies, from their sufferings, during the inclemcney of the present severe winter, ought to be the first question taken up at this time. THE WORKS AT OUR NAVY YARDS. The House then resolved itself into Committee of the Whole ; and on motion of Mr. Parmenren, took wp Bill No. 4. is the Bill authorising the transfer of $200 0¢0 of monies not expended in one bronch of the Department, to another branch in order to complete the sloops-of war n the stocks at the different Navy Yards, or put them in euch a state of forwerdness that they will not suffer any injury fro weather. Mr. Ca of 8. ©, was called to the Chair, Kay (Chairman, of the Committee on Ways and Means) said—He hoped this Bill making the transfer would now be allowed to pass the House, ‘The $200.000 ich it proposed to transfer from one branch of the Na- val Service to another, was not wanted at all at preseut in the former, and it was very much wanted at the Jatter place—the Navy Yards, ‘The Bill merely gavethe Secre- tary the power, under the direction of the President.which he’ formerly possessed ; and only for a limited time; Anring the remainder of the present fiscal year, All the other branches of the Government have this power of transferring money from one branch of a Department to another; the Secretary of War. of the Trencury, and the Postmaster General, all have this power. It appears that of the $1,000 000 appropriated by Congresa last session for the navy yards, for the bnilving and repairing ships, the whole sum was ecpended by Mr Upsher in the first three months of the Calendar year! J admit that there has been a most improvident expenditure in the Navy Department. bat still we must tranfer this money in order to prevent the country from snstaming a great loss in ships unfiniah- ed And the longer we deley this the worse it will be; for I find that of $52,312 that was in the Navv Department on the Ist of January. there are now only $200 left This power to transfer will lead to no abuse, it will only ena- ble the Department to pay off its debts ~The linbilitics of the Department at this time ore $787,000 iacurred bevond the anpropriations that have heen made for prospective liabilities. Of this snm about $120 000 will be wanted du- ring the halance of the present fiscal year.and the remain- ing $90 000 for the completion ofthe ships on the stocks. Why then should this House hesitate to make the tranfer? Whether they have been incurred legally or not, the oe have been incurred,and the country have got to pay them. Mr Cave Jonsson azain olyected strongly to making this transfer, hich the henéreds of poor leborers (who, with their wives and children are suffering all the rigors of winter) could be set to work in. our Navy Yards, But he turned his back on tha reporters, and ad- dressed the members at his side, so that he could not be heard mt the desk. ‘i ee Mr Brixexrruore said] am.oppored. tem: the extravagunee of the late Secrohtey of the Nec ihe ground for a new dewand Administrative economy is not our business; but economy jn appropriations is our Unsiness; aud we ought to let the Department know that when once we assert a principle that we will adhere to it Sir, we are not in any immediate want of a Navy. Itis trne that we ave bullying poor Mexico. and from present appearances disposed to back out of a just claim against England; hut we have no very urgent want of nw Navy at this time Gentlemen say that the Navy fonght its way into favor ; yes, but that was 20 yenve ago : and if it was to come to usnow with as bright and as polished a face as it had then. Vd be disposed to make liberal appro- priations for it. But there's a want of efficieney—a want cf energy—a want of character—a want of a proper moral fone abont the Navy at this time. ‘The excrescences want to he cnt off, and this can only be dene by fasting and starvation. Mr. Panwenten—Sir, it is not because this transfer is asked for by the Department, but becouse the necessities of the service require itihat the Noval Committee wish to have it mate, Of the $720,000 present Liabilities of the Department, almost every dollar wae incurred prior to the passage of the last Appropriation Bill Of the $200,FCO ed to he transferred, $125.00 rust goto pav debts and $75,000 to finish our vessels on the stocks, It was thought by building ships of war, that it wonid save the employment of frigates, which would be much cheap er, for the relative cost er yene of keeping the different sized men of wer afloat, 8 follow: A 74 gun ship,.. ont A Ist class frigate,. Au ‘A sloop of war, Ist clasi Do 2d class,. Do 3d clas A brig 6 ‘A schooner * ‘A steamer, sizc of } Do Lg on, « 56,300 Thus, by building and employing sloop rinstecd of frigates, the government considered that a great saving might be expected in the Revenues of the Depariment.— In accordance with this we have now :— One sloop of war at Portrmouth, (requires about) $8 000 do do Boston, (nearly finished) 3,000 do do New York, (halfcoppere’) 5,000 do do Philadelphia, ‘ ‘00 do do Washington, (frame vy 25,000 do do Norfolk, (out of door 15,000 $60,000 ‘These sums are required to put these sloops in such a state that they shall not suffer by exposure or delay. $0 also soine small sum is required at Pensacola for the re- pairs of the West India Squadron. Barxanp asked, by whut authority or by what law the Secretary had been authorised to build these sloops. Mr Pansminter —By that discretionary power, which is vested in the secretary und President who deemed it necessary, or because it was much cheaper to employ sloops than frigates. To show how necessary it was that this transfer should be made at ence, I would state that even a bill of exchange drawn on the department for the repairs of one of our men of war in a foreign port, cannot be honored by the department at this time! At the great rope walk at Charlestown, where there is abundance of raw material, the works are stopped, although there is not rigging enough to supply the present wants of the navy. The sloop of war Saratoga, that came home a wreck, must have remained a wreck to ime, (had the money been all gone) for want of this power to transfer All these consiverations, therefore, require that this bill should | lecew Otherwise the credit of the country will suffer; the laborers will suffer; and much public property will be destroyed fur want of a small outlay to put it 4 such a ton forwardness that exposure and delay will not in- ure it, Mr. Buack, of Georgia, said—This Bill is to limit the powerto transfer, and to strike ont the authority which has been abused. And yet, Sir, I see the very men who oppose it are the very mén that aro anxious to settle Ore. gon; these men want te cut duwn the Navy Do so, end how are we to ag Oregon. If you maroh an arm across the Rocky Mountains, thousands and thousands will perish by the way, How ‘much more desirable is it to have your Navy float in triumph at the mouth of the Colombia River.” fam not sure that] shall vote for the settlement of the. brat ot und lam very sure that I shall | not unless Texas is alo added. And I om sure that Ore- | on will not be worth the millions of blood and treasure that muat be lavished pon it, unless we have an efficient Navy. This bill is a bill of limitations and restriction: ar oppose it when you mre as much and more power to Gen, Jackson and Mr Van Buren? We rrant Navy in the Pacific, and in the Atlantic, on our southern shores, Rely on it that eupporting a Navy is the cheap. est mode of repli peace afer ait Mr. Horxins said this was strictly an appropriation jut und therefore ho was opposed ‘to it, in ite present ape. ‘aid—This is merely a Bill, Sir, to tranfer itte y, already appropriated, from where it ia not want- er, to where it ig; to he spent for repairs and building. — {tis a Bill to chock abuses. To expend as muca money | mo a8 We can at once upon onr ships of war, and put them in | astate so that they will take na injury, and will be fit fur sea as soon as possible, Not to follow out the plon that has been alopied by other administrations of ex- ponding & much as possible upon Dock Yords and Navy Yardy just previous to an election: pntiing on at that time as many ren as you can find room for in the yard—o tat you can have adarge number of voters rou ly todrive np to the polls on the day of election (Langh- ter) The money you appropriated for one branch of the service was noténough- it has given out. Shall you not to say whether the children borne | inake up the deficit by taking that which is lying idle at ano her spot ? Allowing the government to be as corrupt vs you say, is it not better to take this idle money away ‘vom such & corrupt set, and spond it for proper purposes ‘fyou expend this idle money for wear and tear and fitting i ‘4 1 ee