The New York Herald Newspaper, December 28, 1848, Page 2

+ OOOO eee NEW YORK HERALD. Nassau sts. Northwest corner of Fulton JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, ry day, treo cente per the MORNING. EDITION ts ‘ulished ot N o'clock. A.M. and distributed before breakfast; fie frst AFTERNOON EDITION can be had of the newsboys at i o'clock, P, M, and the second AFTERNOON EDITION at 2H SiR WEKKLY HERALD—Bvery Saturday, for cireula- | tion on the Ame ican Continent cents per copy, $3 193% per annum, Every steam packet day fer European circulation, Sper annum, to include the post ge, The European edition trill be prented in the Pr.nch and Englishlangwiges. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowory—Gevxvixre—Dn. Du- wee roce ane Hunts Dineen Tus GoLn SexKEan BROADWAY THRATRE, Broadway —Mowtx Cnusro, NATIONAL THEATRE, Chatham Square—Vinersivs—Na- non FoR AN Houn—Harirquin. BURTON'S THEA’ Chambers street—-Pareren's Ar PRENTICR—CALIFORSIA xs—Wrers's Barnum? BROADWAY CIRCUS, Near Spring street—Equarrnian- tam, Ro. MECHANICS’ HALL, Broadway, Near Broome—Camusty’s Minsraxs's—Erwiorian Sincine. MELODEON —Vineria SzRexapERs. SOCLETY LIBRARY—Casrnsii’s Mrvsrners, ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, Bowery—Van Ampvnon’s Granp Menacenix, STUYVESANT INSTITUTE, Broadway, near Bleeoker street New Onuaans Scnuwapeny Erusortan Oonomnre. STOPPANI BALL, corner of Broadway and Walker street— Ware's Srrexapene—Brnsorian Bincine. LYCEUM, Chatham Square—Keme's Pawromnes, &o. New York, Thursday, December 28, 1845. Actual Circulation of the Herald, Deo. 27, Wedmesday...........++++ 20,448 copies, blication commenced yesterday a¢ 20 PR ny 4 MPelsct, tnd Aaamed ot 15 minutes past 7 o'clock, Circulation of the other Leading Morning Journals, Courier and Enquirer, (daily). Journal of Commerce...... Another California Herald. ‘We shall publish another Catironsia Heravp ina fow days. It will contain all the additional intelligence that may arrive from the Gold Region, and be illus- trated with two or three new and valuable maps. pb apes siete ee meets 0 3 * Movements of the Ultras.—Petticoat Poltti- | clans.—Proposed Dissolution of the Union, For the first tme in the history of the republic, since the adoption of the present constitution, and | the organization of the existing form of govern- ment, the ultra factions of both the North and the South have come openly before the world with a distinct proposition fer a dissolution of the Union, | unless their antagonistic and irreconcileable theo- | ries with regard to the slave population of the South, shall be carried into effect by the legis- lation of Congress. The crisis, therefore, is not remote when all the moderate people, of every sec- ton of the republic, must, deliberately and calmly, assume such a determined position and basis of action as will preserve the union of the States un- der the existing national constitution, and trans- mit that invaluable legacy unimpaired to their children and posterity. A meeting has recently been held in Washing. ton, composed of members from the Southern States exclusively, in which preliminary action has been taken, deliberately looking to the alter- native of a dissolution of the Union, or the admis- sion of slavery into the territories of New Mexico and California. A convention of an opposite cha- racter has just been held in Philadelphia, at which the same deliberate announcement was also made, that unless some mode to abolish slavery in the Southern States were at once adopted, the other alternative of a peaceable dissolution of the Union should be carried into effect. Brief reports of the | doings ard announcements of both these opposing factions—the one in Washington, composed of members of both houses of Congress, and from different Southern States, and the other in Phila- delphia, composed of popular delegates from va- rious parts of the Union—will be found, to-day, in another portion of this sheet. These, however, are but the beginnings of the oprosite and irreconci'eable movements which have resulted from the recent agitation of the slavery question, both in the North and the South. Though both these movements spring from widely different sections of the country, and from the most antegonistic and hostile aims and views of policy with regard to the slave population, yet strange to say, they both present the singular conjunction of the most cordial concurrence in the same alternatives—either the adoption of the:r diametrically opposite modes of disposing of this vexed question, or the complete dissolution of this happy and glorious confederacy. The Southern movement appears to be headed by some of the leading members of Congress—Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Foote, Mr. Metcalfe, and others, in- discriminately taken from both the old party di- visions into which public opinion in this country has been heretofore separated. Mr. Calnoun and Mr. Foote, wath all those associated with them— able, eminent, and patriotic men—appear to be en- deavoring to organize a sectional party to repre- Sent the interests of the Southern States exclu- sively, and for the purpose of effecting the exten- sion of slavery into the territories of New Mexico and California, and its continuance in the District of Columbia. If they cannot effect this, they have made up their minds to bring about the other alternative, of the dissolution of the Union, and a complete separation in due time from the Northern free States. Lueretia Mott and her associates, with the prominent free soilers and abolitionists, are the leaders of the other faction. This lady may have running in her veins some of th® blood of her Roman namesake, though, from the unseemly, unfeminine and indelicate ex- @ age, or to come forward with a complete change of performance. It was to be expected, therefore, that a woman of Lucy’s spirit would not die with- out a sign ; and accordingly the unsuccessful piece was withdrawn, and the highly attractive and po- Pular, though not novel, anti-slavery opera was brought out in Philadelphia, with an entire change cf performers, and new scenery and decora- tions. The Roman Lucretia, by the wrongs she endured, and the tragical and suicidal death she suffered, kindled the flames of rebellion, changed ‘he form of government in her day, and founded a republic. Our Yankee Lucretia is, no doubt, am- bitious tofollow the example of her great proto- type ; and impelled by the overbearing insolence of the Southern Tarquins, can no longer restrain herself from ringing the tocsin of revolution, dis- solving the bungling constitution of our forefathers, and abolishing the present national confederacy. Lucretia the first raised a republic. Lucretia the second isbent on ruining one. In these days of political voleanic eruptions, we would serious- 'y recommend the friends of the constitution to keep their eye on Lucy, and see that she has no eucidal dagger concealed under her clothes; for if she should take it into her head to complete the parallel, there is no knowing but she might get & Brutus, or a brute of some sort or other, to avenge her wrongs and involve us in all the horrors of anarchy and insurrection. These movements, hewever, whatever ridicule -| and apprehension they may excite, from the serio- comic combination of characters engaged in'them, involve the abandonment of former party lines, the entire disorganization of all the existing political connections, and the adoption of such a course and such a policy that must, if some means of preven tion and moderation be not taken by the rest of the country, eventually lead to the destruction of the fairest fabric of a republic which the sun, from the first day of its shining, ever yet enlightened. According to the appearance of things in the present Congress, and the developement of public opinion in the free States, there seems to be no rational probability that there will be, during the Present session, any government established in New Mexico or California; neither 18 it at all pro- bable that there will be much expedition in legis- ‘ation, with regard to the slave population in the Distriet ot Columbia. Beyond these points, the compromises of the con- stitution restrict the action of Congress. The ultras of the North, however, want to amend the constitution in order to reach the slaves of the South, while the ultras of the South contend for such a constructien of it as the representatives of the free States will, probably, never sanction under the present developement of public opinion among their constituents. The recent organiza- tion of a free soil party, under the auspices of a disappointed politician, 18 merely a step *in the | progress of that fanaticism and ultraism which are beginning to develope themselves more fully sinc® | the recent Presidential election. But the friends of the constitution, as it exists-- of the government, as it has been conducted—ot the new administration, when it shall develope its future policy, will be called upon in the event of this movement assuming a more formidable aspect, to meet such startling issues and menacing agita- tion with firmness, resolution, and moderation. Tosuppose, in thisenlightened age, that such aglo- rious and magnificent fabric of human government as the confederacy of the United States, will, in consequence of the political contentions of two great parties, be dissolved like a dream ; that every element of civilization in the country will be at once uprooted, and the thirty great component parts of this vast republic be torn asunder, and given over to the horrors of intestine war, on ac- count of the socal position of the three millions of colored population in the Southern States, is to suppose that the world has reached the most ad- vanced point of human progress, and that on this continent we are ready, under the influence and promptings of disappointed men and 1ll-con- ditioned women, to go back to the habits of barbaric life, and the contests of the early and savage ages of the world. These men and women—(for the women in the North, to the shame and scandal of the sex, are always mixed in such agitations,)—may be very respectable, in @ social point ef view, in the various neighborhoods where they reside; but the intelligent and really respectable portion of the community at large, must be made aware of their dangerous machina- tions, in order to estimate them and their projects in the proper light, and form a correct judgment of those movements which, if not nipped in the bud, may lead to much national injury and degra- dation. Slavery in the Southern States may be anano- malous condition of that race of human beings among whom it exists; but have the humanity- mongers, and the broad phylactered hypocrites of the Van Buren school, and the notoriety-seeking itinerants, with Lucretia Mott as their prima don- ma, no commisseration nor powels of compassion for the white slaves of the North—the sickly, hard-wrought and ill-paid needle-women of all our great Northern cities; and the thinly-clad, badly-fed, and miserably-housed floating porula- tion that is to be found at all our large factories and manufaciuring establishments in the North; and in the employment, perhaps, of some of those very people who are making such an outcry about the condition of the slaves? Such a sympathetic movement would not probably serve the pur; pose of these agitators so well. It would re. quire something more than a mere expression of cheap benevolence; and would not touch the tender hearts of pious old women with half the sensibility that a well-told narrative of the effects of slavery, nicely garnished with whips and wheals, usually excites. Besides, it would be impossible to rally a party on such a plat§ form. There would be no bone of contention—no piece de resistance on which to fasten the tooth of faction. It would never give any claim to the pot- house politicians and the corrupt place-hunters for the favor and patronage of the federal government hibition she has been lately making of herself be- {ore the world, on the subject of slavery, the rights | of women, and other old maidenish crotchets and | dicsynerasies peculiar to that interesting class of | And as for poor Miss Lucy, she would probably find that, like the “rights-of-woman” movement, it would not “ draw.” The condition, however, of the British West In- the human race, we have great doubts of the con- | dies, from the abolition of slavery, ought toinduce s®nguimity. This stump advocate of the rights of | these philanthropiets to pause in their fanatic women, however, with her socialist violators of | career. All these beautiful islands have been re- the Christian dignity and position of womankind | duced by such a measure to a state of barbarism, and the divinely established order of society, throw | graduaily approximating to the same state of down the gauntlet with proper Amazonian spint to | savagery amidst which the colored race lived in their male counterparts of the South, and make the | the interior of Africa. We are persuaded that same declaration and adopt the same basis of | practically the condition of the slaves at the South action for the dissolution of the Union, if steps be not immediately taken, not only to prevent the extension of slavery to New Mexico and Califor- nie, and to remove it from the District of Colum- bia, but for its total unqualified and instantaneous abolition from the Southern States. Whata pity it is that Lucretia and her body guard had not another Brutus to avenge the wrongs they are now ufiering trom the horrible indignities and restric- tions of male monsters, proud Tarquins, and South’ em slaveholders! Miss Lucretia 1s a great wo- men, end has raised e great dust wherever she has pursued her peregripations, throughout the country. As one of our classical popular poets bewutifully expresses it— “She nebber go to trabbel But rhe make ® mighty mark Her footstep in the grave! You might see it im the dark Unfortunately, however, for Miss Lucy, her chente, 80 far, have had no reason to be proud of her advocacy mibine miganth: Jadies ot this ¢ tion with this m male brutes, true to their po aad her companions os obj c laughter and derive taunts, In thiss With the exception of a few fe- and compulsory nuns, the r all connee- ; and as for the ure, they regard her of uscontrolla te et thin j ‘ is necessary to the existing state of society there ; and that when the white race has increased, as it willdo to a certain point, slavery, as a distinct so- cial instituson, and as a separate and particular feature of Southern society, will gradually disap- pear, as ithas done in the Northern States, and as the Indians themselves make way before the ad- vences of the Anglo-Saxon race, in whatever re- gion they have come 1n contact. jut the natural and graaual progression of the different branches of the human race, does no! and never did, satisfy the fanatics, bigots, and en- thusiasts of the world. These movements are based either upon corrupt or mistaken motives ; und the objects aimed at cannot be effected by the means proposed. They are, in short, akia to the usual “ams” of the day, and those theories which agitate the philosophers, not only of this continent, but eleo of the old. What, then, isto be done to preserve the integri- ty of the Union from such assaults, to advance the growth of this mighty republic, that stands at the head of the civilized nations of the world ~wash- ed by two great oceans, stationed at equal dis- tances between two great Continents—aud com- bining the elements of both? What is to be our ultimate destiny? Itis not given to man to pro, 2 Costabaty apon the fyture; but any |, human judgment must be favorable, if it be formed from a consideration of what has been done in the past history of the republic, and the late indica, tions which have been given of its future progrese. We have just elevated a great, and good, and determined man to the highest office at our dis- posal; and he has been borne aloft to that dis- tinguished position on the shoulders of the people, in opposition to all the old factions who were arrayed against him. There are also good sense and resolution in those who elected him, to stand by him in all his difficulues, and sustain him in all his efforts for the good of the country ; and the masses of the people, who constitute this irresisti- ble phalanx, will present a barrier of adamant to the movements and machinations of the ultras of all parties, and will keep, preserve, and defend the integrity of this great republican confederacy, with its existing government and institutions, against all invaders, all fanatics, all ultras, and all disappointed politicians, male or female, under whatever guise they may assume, or to whatever chicanery they may resort to effect their unholy designs, Let Congress, then, pursue its course with calm. ness, good sense, and moderation. There is as yet nothing to fear. Desiderium peccatorum peribit. Reporting In Congress—The Organ of the New Administration. A very petulant, apologetic, lugubrious, but, on the whole, rather amusing article, appeared on Monday last, in the Natzonal Intelligencer, a news- paper issued at the seat of government, to about fourteen hundred subscribers. This article 1s chiefly devoted to the subject of reporting in Coa- gress, and affects to present a reply to certain re- marks and strictures published in the Evenmg Post, of this city. {tis evident enough, however, that the real design of the article 1s to avert some of the consequences, if possible, of that revolution in the whole business of reporting in Congress, which the independent newspaper press of the country has, within the last year or two, so auspi- ciously commenced. A decisive blow has been struck, at least at one gigantic abuse which had grown up under the federal government; we mean that extraordinary system of fraud and corruption which has been heretofore so snugly ensconced under the covert of the “ public printing.” Hence this last “ speech and confession ” of the Intelli- gencer, which occupies, with its half dozen post- scripe, very nearly seven columns of that delectable sheet, constituting, we might say, the “seven penitential psalms” of an expiring corruption. The Jncellagencer complains that a certain portion of the pressof this country has made false and calum- nious charges against its fair reputation; and an- nounces its object to be the exposure of the “glaring falsehood” and “flagrant malignity” of all those ras- cally editors who have ventured to doubt the wis- dom and justice of hiring the Washington journals to report the proceedings of Congress, at the rate of “fifteen dollars a column.” Very lugubrious is this ancient recipient of pauper relief, on ac- count of these slanders. Indeed, the editor waxes quite wrathful, and flounces about in a chundering passion, very much in the style of the indignant virago, of equivocal fame, in one of the old English comedies, who calls heaven and earth to testify to her irreproacable chastity. The innocent reader, untaught in the ways of cor- ruption at Washington, might very well be imposed upon by all this show of virtuous indignation on the part of the Washingtoneditor. But those who have merely glanced at the real facts of the case, are not to be so easily bamboozled. The magni- tude of the sums paid to the proprietors ot the Jn- telligencer, out of the public treasury, during the last twenty years, is almost incredible. Millions and millions of the public money have been aquan- dered upon the party organs at Washington, under the name of payment tor performing the printing of Congress. One hundred thousand dollars of clear profit has been repeatedly realized from the printing of a single document. Blair& Rives, of the Globe, reaped a fortune of half a million during the ad- ministrations of Jackson and Van Buren. {n two years Ritchie and Heiss, of the Union, realized seventy-five thousand dollars a piece. At the lowest estimate, Gales & Seaton, of the Intelli- gencer, have received one million of dollars in the shape of profits cn the printing of Congress. We speak by the book. We have the data before us. The facts which establish this astounding system of newspaper corruption are incontrovertible and damning. So grossly iniquitous, indeed, had this system of sustaining the mercenary organs at Washington at last become, that even political partizans themselves were ashamed ot it; and at the commencement ot the present Congress, the public printing was given out by contract, to the lowest bidder. Probably one hundred and fifty thousaad dollars have thus been saved to the national trea- eury This explains the rabid ferocity with which the party organs at Washington now assail the new reform project of reporting the proceedings of Congress. The Congressional reports which were made by the Washington journals, were of the most inac- curate and unsatisfactery character. Year after year, the complaints, on account of the meagre and paltry reports, were unceasing in both branches of Congress. Repeated efforts were made to estab- lish an independent and adequate system; but they were defeated by the influence of the organs, and their unscrupulous friends, The independent sys- tem ot reporting the Senate debates, introduced by a gentleman connectcd with the Herald estab- lishment, was the first practical movement in this work of needed reform. It has afforded some experience of the salutary working of an indc- pendent plan of reporting; and will, in all proba- bility, be followed up by the adoption of a some- what similar plan for both houses. It is quite evident that Congress is tired of the system of pensioning newspapers in the city of Washington, who boast, as does the Intelligencer, of expending “from four or five to ten thousand dollars a year,” for their reports of the proceedings of Congress, while they were in receipt of from one hundred and fifty to three hundred thousand dollars a year, voted to them under the guise of reimbursing them for their reporting expenditures! There is only one proper method of securing faithful reports of the American Congress, and obtaining for these reports the desired degree of publicity. Let Congress appoint a sufficient number of competent reporters, at a fixed yearly salary, and on an efficient organization. The reports should be printed daily, in document form, at the city of Washington ; and provisions should aleo be made for their publication in such papers as might be fixed onin Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. In this way an authentic record would be provided, both for permanent preserva- tion, and universal publicity. In fact, this 1s the plan which now meets with favor amongst the intelligent and independent members of Congress. The American Congress has now assumed greatly avgmented importance abroad. It is highly de- sirable that its debates and proceedings should be disseminated on the other side of the Atlantic. When the publication is confined to the Washing- ton journals, that degree 0! diffusion 13 of course out of the question. Pray, how many persons, at home or abroad, ever heard of the Intelligencer or Union, except through the medium of the leading journals of our great cities? No, no, Congress, if it desires to reach the great masses of our own people, and the public and the press abroad, must seek a vehicle of commupication in the great, widely diffused, independent journals of our chief cities. Congressmen know this very well; and they will, sooner or later, adopt the action which this knowledge points out to them, as at once necessary for the security and extension of their ovnfeme, and the fame of our American Con- gress itself, Ae for the Washington editors, t vec shim the men and est feel ngs. Mr. Gales isa very worthy old gentleman. He is extremely benevolent ; and gives, or used to give, excellent suppers. He presides at a dinner with much grace and dignity. His partner, Mr. Seaton, is also.a very worthy man. He, too, gives, orused to give, excellent suppers. He, too, pre- sides at a dinner with much grace and digaity.— Both have a compassionate regard for the bodily comfort of Congressmen. They have wined, and dined, and feted both houses of Congress, from time immemorial, They ought to receive their reward. They are both in the vale of years. We see no reason why they should not be selected as keepers of anew Congressional eating-house,or re- fectory—not a common affair, bu: an elegant and genteel establishment, not far from the Capitol— a thing whichis much needed in that delightfuy and classic locality. Mr. Gales is just the man to | conduct with success the financial affairs of such | an establishment, and Mr. Seaton would do the honors of the table with all the ease and grace of a Chesterfield; while both would, day after day, | enjoy the boundless delight of making scores of Congressmen happy. After all, in this business there is, as usual with Washington schemers, something behind the curtain. A desperate struggle 1s going en with re- epect to the organship under the new admunistra- tion, The Eastern whigs ‘are moving heaven and | earth to keep their antediluvian friends of the Jn- | telligencer out of the water, in order that they may be foreed on General Taylor as his organ. On | the other hand, Mr. Bullitt has taken the field, | and his friends are not idle. Great is the alarm and great the jealousy of these opposite interests. | Hence Mr. Ashmun, and others of that ilk, will | doubtless fight hard to get something through Con- gress to give “aid and comfort” to the Intelligen- cer, This is the secret of all the fuss, alarm and | anxiety about the Congressional reporting. What | General Taylor may himself do, is notso certain, | though the philosophers on both sides seem to think that that is but a small matter. We shall gee ; but in the meantime, in this quarrel for the organship, we go for ‘Bullitt and Bragger.” California—its Destiny and Consequences. It 18 beyond all question that gold and silver, in almost mexhaustible stores, exist in Califoraia; and that crowds of people, from the four quarters of the world, will rush there, with the view of se- curing the advantages which have thus so suddenly been brought to light. To establish order there, and to protect life and property, a government is essential, and Congress ought at once to establish such a system as will have that desired effect. The time 1s pressing, and the occasion demands prompt action. The Wilmot proviso need not occupy their time, for the question whether slavery shall or shall not exist there, will be decifed in the negative by the emigrants from the tree states, who are flocking thither in such great numbers, before they can dis- cuss it and arrive at a conclusion. The fact, 1s that circumstances, totally unlooked for and wholly un- expected, will decide this qzestion, and take it out of the hands of the members of Congress, long before they shall have relieved themselves of the tremendously long and pufly speeches and ar- guments which they compiled and manufac- tured during the recess, mot for the pur- pose of deciding the question on fair, equitable, and moderate grounds, but with the view of manufac- turing political capital for themselves, and, as has been remarked, of making their constituents be- jieve that they are in earnest. Let Congress, therefore, go to work and establish a government that will meet the emergencies of the case, and, our word for it, the Wilmot proviso question will be decided and set at rest for ever, without their assistance. Next in importance to establishing a goverr- vernment for California, is the formation of a con- nection between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It we take into consideration the geopraphical po- sition of the United States, and the natural con- formation of the continent, it is really a disgrace to the United States, and a practical demial of the the enterprise, liberality, and progress, which our people possess, that this connection er communi- cation has not been formed long since. The mat- ter has come up before them, in the application from Mr. Aspinwall and his associates, fora contract 10 carry the mails, &c.,&c, of the government across the Isthmus of Panama, they being possess. ed of the right to construct a railroad across the continent at that point. Letthis be done at once— Jet the members throw to the winds ail minor con- siderations—let them discard petty nvalries and frivolities, and give their attention to the main thing. 7 But we would not have it supposed, by urging, as we do, Congress to make this contract, that we have discarded our views, and the feasibility, practicability, and absolute necessity which exist for our having a great national railroad that will connect our navigable rivers on the Atlantic coast with the waters of the Pacific. That road mus; be built, and the sooner it {shall be commenced the better. We must have a railroad across our own territory, to connect the two extremes of our possessions, When that shall have been com. pleted, a revolution in the commerce of the whole world will have been achieved, and the manifold advantages which that revolution will develope, will accrue to the United States, although indi- rectly 1t will confer favors on the whole of the rest of the world. The idea in this country and in this age, of sailing a distance of seventeen thousand miles, go as to round Cape Horn and reach our wes- tern territory, is when we Know that the distance ina direct line is only five thousand—one-half of which is of navigable waters—is certainly absurd, Yet so it is—and until it be not so, we may as well boast a little less than we do of our enterprise.— When that direct communication aeross our own soil 1s completed, the position in the commercial world which is now occupied by London, and the influence which that capital exercises, will be transferred to New York, which city will become the great centre of commerce—the [great lever which wall move the whole world beside. In connection with this subject, it may be as well to make a passing remark on the various statements and misgivings put forth by per. sone, on the ultimate effects which those great auniferous discoveries will have on the des- tiny of the United States, Some of them are ex- eceding gloomy and bluish. Because Spain, as & nation, was ruined by her discoveries of wealth in her American possessions, it is supposed that the same fate is in reserve for us. It must be recol. | 80m, President, pro, tem., took the chair, and called the | calling on the President for information as to the lected, however, that Spain speculated in those things as a nation, and that the government had a monopoly of them; but it will not be so with the United States. Our government will not work yhose newly discovered mines; but it will (and we hope soon) throw them open to the people. Our government, therefore, will be uninflenced by them. Again, those discoveries and the general progress of civilization will give an impetus to com- merce throughout the world. More money—more gold and silver will be required for this increased commerce, and for the increased consumption which it will call into life. The whole of Asia lies open to us, and nature invites us to trade with that region, The Empire of Japan has yet be tapped’ af we may use the expression, by American enter. prise; and China, with her three hundred millions of people, has to become one of our greatest markets. But the subject 1s as inexhaustible as the mines themeelves. It is clear that, to fulfil our destiny, we must have a government extended over Cali- fornia, at an early day, without reference to the Wilmot proviso; we must have a railroad across the continent; and we think there is no reason for supposing that, in this age of the world, a people like those of the United States, animated as they are by a spirit of enterprise and adventure, which j8 always active and never quiescent, are to be reduced to the condition which Spain occupies, ing. Groceriee—Thore in a | TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE. ie an ‘of fish te eae Eeet TaUTT in the martate iy is ve | Ceca apap tender. ‘There is 16 fost of water in the chan THIRTIETH CONGRESS. end itis svillrising. ve, SECOND SESSION. Bacty Deo. 27, 1848. 1 — Howard street flour is held at . wheat remaiag Senate, unchanged, white eprn is selling pretty freely at 460, Wasuina ron, Dec. 27, 1848. and yellow at Sic. ' THE OFENiNG, The Senate met at the usual hoar, when Mr Atchi- members to order. Prayer vas then offered up by the Rev. Mr. Slicer, and the business of the dey com- menoed. MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS. Numerous memorials and petitions were presented and referred. NEW LAND OFFICE IN MISSOURI, Agreeably to previous notice, Mr. Benton asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill, which was read twice, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Commit- tee on Public Lands. The bill related to the estab- lishment of a new land office in Missouri. WASHINGTON AND ALEXANDRIA STEAM PACKET COMPANY | Mr. Benton also introduced a bill in faver of the continuing in force the act incorporating the Wash- ington and Alexandria Steam Packet Company. A debate sprung up, in which various members par. ticipated. The bill was then, on motion, postponed. cOasT suRVEr. Mr. Davis, of Miseissippi, submitted a resolution amount of expenses incurred in the coast survey, which ‘was adopted. PURCHASE OF LANDS, Mr. Jonnson, of Louisiana, moved to take up the bill Felating to the purchase of the land on which the Light House stands at the mouth of the Mississippi: which motion was agreed to, . Messrs. Jonnson and Bext spoke in favor of the bill ®nd Mesers. Dix, Wescott, and others, in opposition. House of Representatives. ‘Wasuinaton, Deo. 27, 1848. The members convened at 12, when the Speaker re- sumed his seat. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. After prayer and the reading of the journal, the Speaker announced the first thing in order on his table to be Mr. Stewart’s motion to reconsider the vote passing Mr. Gott’s resolution respecting the traffic in slaves in the District of Columbia. Mr. Stewart, of Michigan, being entitled to the floor, addressed the House in opposition to the agitators atthe North and South. In his opinion, he said, the question of abolition in the District should not rest entirely with the people of the said District, He ab- horred the institution, but doubted the power of Con- | gress to destroy the property of the people in the said | District. He sald that Gott’s resolution colncided ex- | actly with his own views. | Mr. Vinton, of Ohio, moved to postpone the question two weeks. Mr. Wentwoat, of Illinois, said the motion to re- | consider had been debated enough, and moved to lay | it on the table. | The yeasand nays were demanded, and resulted in the negative by the following vote:—yens 58, nays 109. Mr. Satu, of Indiana, proposedan amendment to Gott’s resolution, instructing the committee on the District of Columbia to inquire into the expediency of framing a law to prevent slaves from being brought | from other Statesinto the District and sold. | Mr. Vinton renewed his motion to postpone the question till this day two weeks, which was carried. SIGNING OF BILLS. The Speaker then signed sundry bills. THE MILEAGE STATEMENT, Mr. SawreR, of Obio, brought up the Tribune's re- cent statement of mileage. He said that gross injustice had been done him, in charging that he had obtained an excess of $200, while Mr. Schenck, his colleague, was charged with taking only $2 excess. Much con- | fusion and laughter prevailed, and many explanations and repartees ensued. Mr. Tuanen, of Ilinois, complained for himself, and | of the slander charging the Speaker, (Mr. Wintrop,) | with petit lareency in taking an excess of $14. Affairs in Washington. ‘Wasuinatox, Dec. 27, 1848, There are now three inches of snow upon the ground and it is still falling. No action has been taken as yet | om Lewis Cass, Jr.’s nomination. William F. Purcell has been appointed Judge of the Orphans’ Court in this city. | The Cholera in New Orleans. New Onveans, Dec. 93, 1848. | Since my last despatch, which was dated the 20th inst., three days ago, there have been admitted to the Charity Hospital seventy-nine cases of Asiatic cho- lera. Out of the number, there have been many deaths, the precise number, however, | have not ascer- tained. The fatal malady has also commenced its ra- | vages in the higher walks of life, and, within the same | period mentioned above, has terminated fatally with | three of our merchants. The whole community is | greatly alarmed and excited. The Board of Heaith | has had a meeting, and pronounced it unequivcea ly | anepidemie known as the real Asiatic cholera. Thay recommend forcibly and justly,'the strict use of pre- cautionary measures, not only publicly by the autho- | rities, but caution all persons to be careful in their de portment and eautious in their habits of living. ‘The weather, which was unusually warm ard un- seasonable, has become cooler, which, it is hopcd, will be more conducive to health. The Cholera at Mobile, Ricumonp, Deo. 26, 1848. Information has been received hore, that thers had been one case of cholera and one death at Mobile, The Cholera at Memphis. Crncinnatt, Deo, 26, 1848, A telegraphic despatch has been received here this evening, dated Memphis, Deo. 21st, which says, that two boats touched there on Sunday night, from New Orleans, having cholera eases on board. There had been two deaths among the passengers on board of one ofthe boate. The Weather in Baltimore; Battimons, Dec. 27—P. M. nowing all day, and it is now six inches . Affairs in Pittsburg. Pirrspuro, Dec. 27, 1848. Senator Hannegan is at present in our city, detained on account of illness. A delegation of Chippewa In- dians is here, bound for Washington to implore Con- gress to allow them to remain on the public lands, they promising civilization. Captain Heron has been nomi- nated by the whigs of this city for the office of Mayor, The Ohio River, Cimermmatr, Dec, 26, 1848, The merehants aleng the levee are beginning to feel alarmed at the rapid rise in theriver. Since Sunday, | the river has risen five feet three inches, and is still | rising as I close this despatch, Great Freshet on the Wabash River. Vincennes, (Indiana), Deo. 26, 1848, There has been a great freshet in the Wabash river. The damege do: hroughout the valley is immense. Fences, barns, hay-stacks and outhouses have been Swept away§ The banksof the Wabash Canal have | also been destroyed in a number of places. The loss | is estimated at $70,000. The Ohio Legislature, Covumn 0, 25, 1848, Nothing further of importance has been done in the Ohio Legislature. Both houses have adjourned over until Thursday. Salling ofthe Royal Mail Steamship Magara: Boston, Deo. 27, 1848, ‘The stearship Niagara sailed from her wharf at 12 o’olock to-day. She carries out thirty-one passengers for Liverpool, and two for Halifax. Among the former, is 8. Wetmore, Jr., lady, and servant ; MoCormack Finlayscn, Charles Collagan, H. H. Slipper, G. P. Wet more, and George Roth, of New York. She has no spe- cle on board. Markets. New Onreans, Doo. 23—P. M. The demand for cotton continues fair, and quote- tons rteady. The sales of the day reach 2,000 baies.— | the sales are only Jorn is in fair re- 46 cents, In pro- Molasses, with- nd. hanged, ther as rs mee er as jar Market dull; sales in price or demand. Whisi bis. at 16 ote, per gallon. Boston, Dec 37, 1843. PR pe aagn ary etaee Thee Pn ie et as knie $8 e eales not exceeding 1, ass fe for the whole ‘sasert ment of common brands; and a wit Tax Law’s Deray.—The value of criminal justice 18 in its promptitude in liberating the in- nocent, and its inflexibility in punishing the guil. ty. A singular habeas corpus case recently came before Judge Edmonds, the legal points involved in which could be determined in half an hour.— Twowomen of the name of Martin were arrested on the charge of stealing a quantity of gold from @ gentleman’s bureau. The usual course of justice was arrested by a writ of habeas corpus, returna- ble before Judge Edmonds. It was argued by men of talent and intelligence, but has ever since remained on the private docket of that venerable functionary. What is the meaning of this ? What is the cause of the delay? Wake up, Judge, and liberate the parties, or allow the most important regulations of society to take their due course.— Delay in granting justice frequently amounts to denial ot 1t. Sincunar Spzgcu or A MURDERER UNDER THE GaLLows.—A strange speech was made by Eppeey who murdered a neighbor of his in Virginia, jus before he was launched into the other world. From the latest information received from him, probably through the intercession of the clergy, he was satisfied that the unfortunate man whom he had murdered was in heaven; and he was equally convinced that the golden doors of that happy coum try were open for his admittance, as soon as his soul took its flight from his body, when the latter was executed at the gallows. If such impious opinions were to prevail to a great extent, murder and its punishment would be the readiest pass to eternal felicity in another world. Tue Frencu Consut in Trovste.—A French corvette left Port au Prince, about the Ist inst.. with the Consul of that port on board, for Aux Cayes. France at Aux Cayes, it appears, had suffered some | indignities,and the flag of his country was grossly insulted, whether by the government or the people we did not learn. The corvette was sent down at the request of the Consul, that he might be pro tected from further insult. Monument To Tux LATE DeWitt Cuinton.—Tho generous patriots of the day have been talking for twenty,years about such a work, but the first stone has not yet been laid. The best monument which DeWitt Clinton can ever have, will be the memory of his life and character reposing in the hearts of his countrymen. Dinner To Cox. Duncan.—We have received the following: “The dinner to Col. Duncan will be given at the Astor House, this afternoon, at 6 o’olock, “E, VINCENT, « J. W. EBMONDS “H.C, SHUMWAY, and others, & Deo. 28.” ‘Arrangements."* Intelligence. Tue Cuorera.—The following is the report of the Health Officer at Quarantine:— “ Quarantine. Dec. 27, 1848. “ His Honor tHe Mayor:—Two but no new cases, have occurred at pital since the report of yesterday. Respectfally, “ALEX. B. WHITING, Health Officer.’” No cases in the city. Taat Hore ww Tarmity Prace.—' the Street Inspector was, several da: @ dangerous hole, which has, for s Trinity place, near Liberty +treet; and, as yet, it has not been attended to. Certainly, the fact of sucha mantrap cannot be known to the Alderman of the First ward, or he would not suffer it to remain. Ifthe ee of no use to the people living in its vi- cinity, why not take it up, and fillin the well? The lives one who pass itat night are constantly im danger; and should jany one be injured by falling late it, the Corporation would be liable for heavy damages, which would certainly be sued for and recovered, Those having charge of such work, know full well that the Common Council are; comstantly called onfand obliged to Pay damages for the negligence of those they place in office to superintend such matters, and it is strange they will keep men who PAY no regard what- ever to their duties. It isto be hoped the matter of filling in this dangerous place will no longer be delayed, lest some eerious, and, perhaps, fatal accident ocour. Funera:. or Lixut. Rarrxaty.—Another of those valiant spirits who fought so nobly for the honor of the flog of their country, in the Iate war with Mexico, has passed to “that bourne whenee no traveller re- turns.” Lieut John Rafferty. of the New York Volunteers, was interred Patrick’s Cathedral, with military hono e Bax- ter Blues and Forbes Assoo’a‘ion, ths mewbers of which companies he had long been intimately oon- Dect vice an aed the funeral in full uniform, and aid the tribute of respect t » their departed fri fe hed ercaped all the dam ers of the war, tered to the bosom of his family in health, brow cap pekwab the laurels of f.m+; bata severe attention of im alled to ®)oung man of promise, and had won for himself the esteem ofa large circle of friends, Tur Hupson River Brockaven with Iox.—Th® Fasrengers who left this city on and night, for Albany, were, in conse: obliged to land at Hudson, and tal their point of destination. The sudden cha: weather last night, will, probably, tend to open « pag- sage for the boats to a point further up the river, Movements of Individuals. Arrivals yesterday at the Irvin, Salvador de Yturbi nd two indi W. Hilliard, Alabama; Major Swords, U. 8. Lit ton, Baltimore; S. P. Moses, Washington; J. J. Ww #, District Columbia ; Major Ripley, U. 8, A.; H. Parksdale, St. Johns; D. P. Groves, California, Court Calendar for This Day, Surenion Couns — 6, 106, 25, 2, 39, 19.74, 149, 64, 44, 122, 67, 92. 9, 125,78, 118, 161, 162, 163. 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 160, 170, 171, 172. Distress tn THE Coat Reaion.—The Pottaville (Pa.) Miner's Jow nal of Saturday says:—We un- derstand thatthere 13 an unusual degree of suffer- ing in this region. So disastrous has been the business, that many of the working men are de= prived of the wages due them, and their families are absolutely suffering from want, ArporntMENT BY THE Prestpeyt.—William FY Purcell, of Washington, to be Judge of the Or- hans? Court, for the county of Washington, in the District of Columbza, in the place of Nathaniel P, Causin, resigned. California Goods selling off below cost.< The wrcpeater, of the well known cstablishment, 100 Broadway, ity opp. Chutes, will retire from business in Febraag nL naive stock is now teing retaikd below to nee took bereae Me oe lig ot a oruin em 'granta, such as Ten faversacks, Wate 5 it citated Fire Arms! Fire Six Barrel Revolvers, and ever Murkets, Blunderbussea, Bowie Guns, double and ringle barre 8 ti—California Rifles, other deeoription of Pi ives, anda full assortment for sale low, by B. JOSEPH, 74 Maiden lane, Tam still selling off my Overcoats at most unprecedented low prices. It must be understood that these Coats are fresh mado, and ¢uitable for the first class of wesrera: prices vary from $10 to $14; the usual priecs from sé iy ta My goods must all bo gol8 before the let Jan, &5. The LA street, California Gold Mines.--Persons intend to embork for that region, will d 2 and ravply themeelves with French boots, at {rom $3'60 io —" ‘water proof boots from $4 50 to $6, at Jones’, 14 Ana Who goes to Callfornia without a Tent, will sleep in the air—This being true, miners and others fee Trovide themeelves with Inia Rubber Fonts, Air Beda, lows, Cam, ots, 1 Boots, Gold pie 9 ee a Ep ° 5 for for ale nt phates FAR ape euebalue, © California.—Boots fer the Mintog Region boot Gi ¥ fi to Fi $Ldtv orally S6and $1 imother cheap stron. Ploe e Boots Ld find every thingin the Hine at equally Toa roe Fait Perpetual Gi Oversh: 7 pe a joss shoe: lyoar’s Teen ec heretoie ho" Taveot Froneh ot sold at the lowest Overshoes—All the various ene: cei aera an tthe foe Ao ee SOUDYRAR RUBB Dl hb oegeb “heaped ire of ae Five Dollar with » quant wn an a wil Eaton Abe Cloaks from niiosis enh os ‘Rover seen, corner Nassau and Bookman streets, $5 Bult Store, ‘Those who wish to Guard against Colds Trervtore of Bila Tom pt Parr Flour —The reoeipta are light. $3 76 to $3 87}¢ per bbl. Grai: without change ‘The market remains Provisions—The demend is increas. | geese cae Seite Urs OS ty. The representative of the republic of °