The New York Herald Newspaper, December 15, 1854, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 6686. AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON. ‘Debate on the Nebraska Bill in the House, “OPINIONS OF THE RECENT STATE ELECTIONS. ‘Prepesed Rewards and Punkhmonts ia the Navy. Views on Public Matters Geacrally, ko, &o., ae. s WQUIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS. BEUOND SESSION. Senate. Wasurvatom, Dec. 14, 1854. RXUEF FOR DR. KANE. ‘Me. @ma, (whig) of N. Y., presented the memorial of tbe Chamber of Commerce, New York, praying for an expedition for the relief of Dr. Kane and his party in the + Northera seas. Referred. BILLS PASSED. Mr. Srvarr, (dem.) of Mich., reported a bill increasing » the commission of Registers and Receivers of Public ‘Laads ander the Graduation act of last session. Passed. Mr. Donor, (dem.) of Iowa, reported the House bill ~allowing turther time to those holding Virginia military Jends in Ohio to have the same surveyed sad patented. ~ Passed, MARINE HOSPITAL AT GALENA, ILL. Mx. Sumaps, (dem.) of Ill., introduced a bill pro- ~ widing for a marine hospital at Galena, Ill. THE NEW ORLEANS CUSTOM HOUSE, The Bouse joint resolution modifying the original ‘plan of the custom house at New Orleans, was agreed to. ‘A few unimportant bills were passed. ADJOURNMENT TILL MONDAY. It was ordered that when the Senate adjourn it be ~ ti Monday. ‘THY HOSPITAL TAX ON MERCHANT SEAMEN. Mr. Svuvzr, (free aoil) of Masa. offered a resolution ‘directing that inquiry be made as to the expediency of ‘abolishing the tax on merchant seamen, tnown as «hospital money,” and of allowing them the use of + hospitaty free of all tax. Adopted. Atter seme unimportant business the Senate ad- journed. House of Representatives. Wasuinaton, Dec. 14, 1354. SXPRDITION IN SEARCH OF DR. KANR. ‘Mr. Wuexixr, (dem.) of N, Y., presented a memorial + from the New York Chamber of Commerce, askiag Con- ‘gress to send an expedition in search of Dr Cane to the Arctic regions. Read, and referred to the Committee on ~ Naval Aiairs. LIGHTHOUSE AT CAPE RACE. Mr. Curnna, (dem.) of N. Y., introduced a joiat reso- lution, authorizing the President to adopt measures to » {procure the erection of a first class lighthouse at Cape + Rece. The House then went into Committee of the Who!e on ‘the State of the Union, and took up ‘HE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BIL1—SPIRITKD DEBATE ON THE KANGAS NEBRASKA QUIBTION. Mr. Sraruexs, (whig) of Ga., said it was not his pur- pone to re open discussion on the merits of the Nebras- &a-Kansas bill, but as the gentleman from Indians (Mr. iMace,) yesterday came forward and formally denounced what he sapposed to be the objects of those who sup- «ported that measure, he deemed it his duty to reply to 4 He coamdered the question settled then and now > lonists never move backwards. The passage 0 thas bill was a grand ste] in progress. He did not agre: with Mr, M: fiat the aaa it of the late electiuns in ‘the North demand repeal. ‘True, those results astonish- ved him, and were sprpeiatog to men both in and out of “al ; but he asked gentleman from Indiana how he bad drawn his inierence that they had set the seal of condemmation on the friends of the great popular move- + tment of la-t session. Those elections had nothing with the Nebraska bill. In proof of this he referrel to the ject that from Yennsylvania mea wh) voted for and against it, were returned to the next Congress, and others of the latver class, including . Mr. Chandler, were defeated. The anti-Nobrasta candi- date tor Guvernor of Pennsylvania was elected by 37,- 0 majority, while the canuidate for Canal Commissi>a- -ver, entertaining a contrary view, recoived » majority of 200,000. Look, too, at Massachusetts, where gentlemen bo against the bill were left at home, falling b; + the ‘ing Angel, who was not seen in the night. He Dilinois as the test where the issue was distinctly «made. There were but three members of Congress who --woted for the but the people have returned four. ‘This shows that the measure is popular there. Mr. Warusvang, (whig,) of Ill., inquired what was the , Depnlas: vote for Congressmen ? ;. Sraruuns said the Nebraska candidate for State ‘Treasurer was elected by a majority of 3,000. ‘Mr. Wasupvuryx corrected his friend, faving that Mr. 8 Mr. Miller, who ‘ ‘Sraruxxe——Am I to understand that the anti- Nebraska candidate would have received that majority . df-he had only been known? (Laughter.) Mr. Wasusuryx—A candidate was regularly nominated, . pote nor aad and another was brought out just before -tl ir. it shows he ran before the popular * got hold of him. He must have seen et writing on the — Gerster) ‘Mr. Ricuaxpson, (dem. Il. league speaks candidate ‘ioe defeated ase he was not ‘The facts are against colleague. True, he w votes, but was vi for in all the coun- Shay eed tal hows Iwas known he was candidate. frst candidate, who declined, was nominated as a cxzepublican and jon candidate; and I hesitate not to declare ii he had he would bave been * remained such defeated by ten thousand votes. The last candidate ‘was a sound radical whig, voted for by his own party, «and sought to be run by tne fusionists. Mr. Srxraxuxs resuwed—The popular vote in Illinois ‘Tabernacle and and efforts of the emigration societies pan yarhn to rule the treemen of Kansas, Clark * receive more tran one-third of the popular vote. Tase Jeraey, Indiana and other States, and, either or together, the election went for nothing, 50 oe ome er ary pero core, le che Know Nothings el the wonderful resu! the anti-Nebraskaites. He was inclined to think ith the North Carolina men, who gave tue best explana- said those malcontents who had been disap- obtaining office, and others who thought it to send Soule and Belmont abroad, had tions goas they did; and, further, if any mtitled to the credit, it was the ‘‘ram- . who seem to be carrying the country. (Ex- ‘Cesrive laughter.) He continued, further replyiog to Mr. by saying that tne first question which ad- itwelf to his mind was, Was it right? No mwagure has ever been vetoed, for the reason mever asked for anything calling for ht, and ‘ney hat but they ae i was . slavery should be extonfed, He peo oy perl Ld as the: aod American ye t it i fit eF i He F i the government But Se sach exercise of power as that ‘wolves of Congress, any to whieb the gentleman alluded was a2 abuse of power tantamount to usurpation, Mr. CAMPBELL wi slied the gentleman to answer ‘ yes’? or ‘ne Has Congress the power to exc.ude slavery everywhere? Mr. STePuENS—If Congress pase such @ bill It woall be usurpation, justas much as was the takiag of these aaa and as lord Chatham suid, be “woald resist i Mr. Carnvii—That is not an answer to my questioa. Mr. Stepuyss—It is my answer to toe g-utiemaa, Me. CAMPLELL eal that be shoubt sssume ior the gen. tleman that oes bas the power, sad that it re- solves, in the gentleman's judgment, into mere mutter of expediency. He proce-ded to review Mr. stephens’ course on the bill fur the admission of California, aad — matters, aud asked several question of th» gon- man. Mr. Stxpuexs—I will reply, as I uoderstand the gentle- man is a candidate for the Presidency. Mr. CamPueti—The ipagerses mistakes; Tam a caadi- date for vo office, and 1 was sent here ageinst my per. | sonal desires for the purpose of expusing the inconsis- teucies of that gentleman and others. Mr. Srepaxss—ihe gentleman will find the labor will not pay, if he undertascs to expose iaconsistencies. Mr. referred to Mr. Stephens’ vove in 1945 on the Texas annexation resolutions, which excludsd slav« ry from some purtion of the Territory hereafter to ‘swore to support the constitution of the vouatry.”’ be formed into Staten aid be vute to take away from the people u that Territory the right to esteolish | their own institutions ia their owa vay? He declared the people of a sovereign State xbal ly ot doit, Mr. Srepaxns—Di:i i ever say it wa, in violation of the constitution to give such a vote? Mr. Camrnert—The gentleman lors not <ay anything on that point. Pr, tried to get him to put buasel: ou ths record, Lask him wheth«r hay power to ex- reftarke * x (inn feigned voice, contemptuonsly) — If the gentieman has vot got me to say +0, whers ac bis Pag res ed (Laughter ) ir. CAMPBELL (n like manner)—Hly incoasi-tencics are marked by hiv declaration here to-lay. He is tor letting the people regulate their own aifairs for thomn- selves, but in 1845 voted against it in the Texas ao- pexation resolutions Mr. Steparsx—The gentleman enid that in 1845 T was against permitting the p-ople to act for themselves everywhere. I could not then get the North to agree to the line of 36 80. I voled for the measure, not because I thought it right, but for the sake of union ant mony. I consented to it as a compromise, but I thought the lige ought tu have een extended North as well as South. Mr. Campnet1—I regret the gentleman has not given a better explanation. If I bel’eve! that unter the con: | ution the people have this right, aad that ne Con- ates should take it from them, uo compromise, to save ee ee Unions, should induce me to violate my | oath. Mr. STRPHENS—Does the gentleman mean to say, or in- trmate, that Ihold Congress las the power to deprive the people of that right? Mr. Campsxti—No. But I have seught for two or three years to get the opinion of the gentleman on this constitutional point put upon record. He continue! his remarks upon the sugject of the repeal n the Nebraska bill of the Missou.i compromive, regarding it asa great wrong. and to be resiatet to the bitter end Mr. Wasnaury, (whig) ot Ul nois, wishsd to disahuse the gentleman from Georgia, who asserted there had Wen a Nebraska triumph in Illinois. He was right in stating that the issue was fa made in that State on the Nebraska Kansas bill, at Mr Douglas had spoken on the merits of the bill over the whole State with a zeal worthy of a betier cause; but, instead of the bill being endorsed by the people of the Stare, it was, in fact, repudiated by @ popwar wajority of from 14,000 to 16,000 votes—taking the votes on mem- bers of Congress—and by a large anti-Nebraska majority in the Legislature. The anti-Nebraska inajority in his | own district was seven thousand. The cebate here closed by Imitation. The Committce rose, and the House adjourned. Our Washington Correspondence. ‘Wasutvatox, Dec. 14, 1854, Scene in Congress—Increasing the Pay of Members—New Minister to Bogata—The Wheeling Bridge Case, The dull monotony of the House proceelings yesterday was broken by a spicy little flare up between Messrs. | Hunt, of La., and Joues, of Tenn. There was not exactly a call for “‘coffee and pistols for two,’’ but Mr. Jones that be was no dally, porweshe es aeeliit, and therefore he shoul’ notice 20 one that was. This brought bir. Hant io his feet, very much excited; but after an effort he controlled his feel- ings, and rejoined that be could not believe Mr. J. 80 false to truth and honor as tu apply to him the term “pully” in its common acceptation. But if by bully the gentleman meant the courage to repel an insult, then he properly appreciated his character as a gentleman. He wished not to test the courage of the gentleman from Tennessee, nor would he trample upon him if a coward. This kind consideration on the part of Mr. Hunt seemed to satisfy Mr. J., who ventured no reply. Mr. Badger’s effort in the Senate yesterday, on his proposition to imerease the pay of the Supreme Judges and members of Congress, was one worthy his high character a statesman. But little doubt | exists as to the success of his bill, particularly as we have a Congress pre-disposed to be liberal ia everything relating to the appropriation of money. A large sur- plus is on hand, and it is to be disposed of before the 4th of March next. The next Congress will be opposed to the administration, and opposed to the present ma- jority, and it would never do to bequeaah them a full treasury, upon which to fatten. 1 thea say, that the present session of Congress will b> most liberal in appro- priations, and with the tremendous ou:side pressure whic will be brought to bear ‘‘after the holidays,’ Ua. cle Sam will be made to bleed at every pore. Partie failing toget bills passed durimg the present session Congress, better surrem er all idea of Congressional rehef, for their cases must be truly deplorable. ‘An interesting debate is now progressing before the | United States Supreme Court, relative to the Wheeliag bridge. It will be remembered that, in 1842, the court decited that the State of Virginia could not lawfully erect, orcause to be erected, such a bridge over the Ohio river. An actof Congress was immediately pro- | for American citizens abroad. | trality, that t cured making the Wheeling bridge s post route, and this. it wae cupposed, would settle the question ‘of le- | gality. Not so, however; for the mstion now before the | court puts in issue the constitutionality of the act of Covgreea itself, and we have now, for the first time in the history of our government, that clause of the constitation granting to Congrexs the power to establish post offices and post roads, before the Court for judi- cial consideration. Mr. Stunton, of Pittsburg, appeared for the State of Pennsylvan a, and Mesars Reverdy John- ston, of Maryland, and Russel, of Wheeling, for the city of Wheeling, The arguments in the case have been marked by great power and eloquence. Judge Bowlin, of Missouri, has been nominated and confirmed as Charge to Bogota, viee Hon. Jas. 8. Green, _ resigned. Few men could be sclected better suited to | this office than Judge B., although no man has been more vilified at home and abroad. ‘There is a screw loose somewhere in the mail arrange- ments between ths city and New York. My letters, though regularly mailed, cg fail to reach you in proper time. The office’ here disclaims being at fault, | and say the ~bole mail is regularly forwarded. Can it not de ascertained whose fault It ist Others are com- plaining of the same thing. BE. Wasntsaroy, Dec. 13, 1854. Symptoms of @ Fight in Congress—An Interesting Talle Upon the Floor, vetween Hunt, of Louisiana, and Jones, of Tennessee—The Learned Professions—Effort to In- crease the Salary of Comgressmen—The Russian Minis- ter upon the European War. Another day of this session of Congress has been wasted away in Buncombe emall talk and log rolling. | Important matters are before Congress their consile- ration and decision; but it seems to be a fashion among these iegislators to do nothing till after New Yenr’s. The House of Representatives to-day went into Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, to give a little | turther reflection to the Prosident's message. The mem- Lers love prodigiously to be in Committee of the | Whole, for then, berng relieved from the resutaiat of the rules of the House, they have a wide field for the dis- play of their various talents, and have the opportunity of delivering all sorta of spseches, upon all sorts of sub- jects, A fire-eater branches off on State rights and | Southern sentiments, and the abolitionists on free ne- gtoes and Northern powers, with @ looseness that isa relish to those who go farthest for the liberty of speech. An exhibition of this liberty was had to-day in | the House. Almost everything was discussed—all | sorts of doctrines were advanced—negroes were | handled with and without gloves; but nothing of any importanee to the country resulted from the ses- sion of the entire day. tom should exist of | ever, and therefore a prize cannot be condemned | brought within the jurisdiction of neutral | the consent of the neutral, | the | outrage England was never made to atone, MORNING EDITION—FRIDAY, DECEMBER derere, was false and unworthy of the floor of Congress” ‘The manver and not the words of Mr Hunt, who 1 re puted to be a fighting man, joor, who said ‘he intend nO imsult to the gentle- man from Louisiana, aud wus surprise? to bear bim ryeak as be did. He’ (Mr. Jones) was not s bully, fighting man or a duel! and repud ated them all as not being rvgistered upon catalogue of virtuss."” Mr Hunt again arose, ‘apparently with * his soul io arm: aud eager for a tray.’ After lookiag first this vay aod then that, with defiance in bis eyes, much like Forrest when he strikes terror into the super arount him, by the roll of bis eyes and his frothy at the mouth just as he is about to make Rome howl.” Mr Huut, in substaace, #) ohe—-** This house knows} woubl not will.ogly insult any man (Laying his band pathetically upon his eee What «oes the gentleman mean by saying hy is ne bully or-duellist? (sen ation @moug the w-m vers.) Loes fear sway him, tw he fra! that Lam a cuebiat and inteva bim ant ret If 0, be ewn quiet all bis up- prehensions nud dissipate all bist % © (Evident relief ameng the men of peace) I came here, nut to insult y member ror to taxeaninsult. (Those who approve change thelr position in their seata.)’ Au honorable an! enlightened profession was slandered by the grntleen from Tenne-ree (All the doctors preasot become deeply inierested ) 1 rave spokea my 5 ani jiate the inwiuuation thet | did no asa pehy ess with the desire te browbeat any member of tnia Doly.’’ Mr. Hunt bere took his seat—obs -rvers breathed freely | agnin, ant the dove came back to its seat over the c amber, this little “arrangement” was tie talk for the reat o the day, and pernays is only tue iu'tiative of uveny wor (i the same sort during the cession, Congress i4 a great piece ior men who act as if their Louor was planed upoa aheir sleeve, and every breath of-nded it Atter the above fair of Jones aud Hunt, the Nadras~ hy bill come up mall its maguitu'e, ine notice that « - eiton would be introduced prohibiting slavery morth t i several lon atimation, whicu the representatives in Congress The sam have sgain and again gou- the rounl< o the House and fallen from the lips of all who do any thing in the way of speaning In thetenate the most important act was the itito- duction of a resolution increasing the salary of membol of Congress. Mr. Badger ably spoke for half an hour upon his resolution, wuich was appropriately reterred. He said that clerks in the devartments aud messen, im the House were better paii thas the representativ of States and Congressional constituencies, whe brougat ight and influence into the nation's councils. he Russian Minister here has expressed an opinion that unless Sebastopol was ta, en by the first of Decem- ber, the armies of the allies would be auaihilated. ‘The reinforcements of Prince Mensch: kotf constantly pouring down frum the north would overwhelm tne invaders, un- leas by the firat of winter fortified withio bec NELLA. Wasmnaton, Dec. 12, 1851. The Coal Duties—Speech of Hiram Walbridge—Doings in the Senate—Chance of a Difficulty with Russia— Question of our Obligations and Duties as ¢ Neutral— The Case Considered. In the House to-day General Hiram Walbridge intro- duced his resolution relieving imported coal from duties, and sustained his measure by an able speech. The General was listened to with much attention, and evi- dently produced upon the members who heard him a good impression, which will be felt when the final vote is taken upon this subject. The resolution is now in the hands of the appropriate committee. Amongst the bills of some importance which passed the House to-day was one providing means for the better preservation of life from wrecks along the Jersey coast. Mr. Chandler, of Yennsylvania, addressed the House at some length upon this measure. The great loss of life during the past year on the Jersey seaboard has naturally enough awakened in the public mind a desire that no pains or expense should be spared on the part of our legislators to prevent a recurrence of these sad disasters. It is cheering to humanity that Congress bas goue to’ work upon this subject. Ia the Senate, Senator Jones, of Tennessee, gave no- ties that to-moriow, or as suon thereafter as expedient, he would introduce a bill granting railroad companies three years for the payment of duties on railroad iron. It is extremely doubtful whether this bill will pass the House. Railroad companies, in our country, bave gen- erally become so odious tw the community as moneyed plie have resorted to every means for their own interes 4 the accomplishment of ther own ends, even to the corruption of State Legislatures, that there is but little dixposition to grant them any favor. Senator Seward hone @ resolution, which was re- ferred to a committee, claiming the right of conscieuce ‘his waa, no doubt, don» to tickle the Know Nothings, and will ‘probably be ce- ceived, with this new party, with some favor. When this resolution comes up for discussion we may have upon it the Native American arguments which were e: yected upon the naturalization bill of Senator Adams, Mississippl. The above were about the ouly topies of i terest or importance broached in Congresa to-day. Con- ressmen are taking matters easily just now, and pro- bly will move along at a very slow pace till after New Years, when, it is anticipated here, the excitement of the session will commence. It mat be remembered that the Russian merchant ship Sitka, captured some time since the French and English squadron at Petropauloski, ny Spr eng yg deers the harbor of San Franciaco to be condemao. ed. question arises as to the right of the allies to make ap asylum of a neutral Late in our Territory for the satety of their captures. I learn that the Russian minister will probably make this & point before our gov- ernment and enter a protest, clali that we have no right to permit our ports to become asylum for cap- tured property, and that under the strict laws of neu- captured have a right to ud our protection. A decision will consequently have to be made on this question under the law of nations arising out of the rights and duties of neutrals and their res. ponsibility to belligerent powers. If the recognized principle of el law, so well established, rela- tive to the oftggition of neutrals, sifords protection to the property belligerent in a neutral port, does not the act of th in bringing a prize within the ju- risdiction of ity, release the prize from the cap- tors, and cannot the captured under such circumstan- ces claim the protection of such neutral port? It is true, by s treaty with France, mae, I think, in 1788, we gave her the right to use our ports Jum for ber prizes. But that treaty has si abrogated. and no power has the right to use our ports for that purpose without our cunseat first had and obtained. It is our policy to preserve a strict ob- servance of the laws of neutrality, and # bellig- erent power has no right to force an asylum in one of our ports without our consent. If she does #0, she commits a violation of the laws of neu- trality, which, if we permit, must cause a rupture with the one or force us to become th Thus, if we permit the allies to ma! if ports an asy- lum for captured property, we must either extend the same privilego to Russia, or else break our neutrality b; siding with one or the other of the belligerents. No such pri has been extended to either party, how or prisoners held in a neutral port, without a violation of these laws. The moment that captured property is iy, without , it becomes released, and no right or control over it can be exercised oy the captors without a violation of the laws of neutrality. ‘The case is precisely the same ax thatof a foreign wer arresting « fugitive or prisoner within ity own [eridition. Jong as the prisoner is kept within the mits of that jurisdiction, the right to hold attaches; but the moment the prisoner is carried or escapes be- yond it to the territory of another power with whom there exists no treaty of extradition, hrs pha ia free, and has aright tv demand tne’ proteclion of the neutral power. The allies certainly committed a violation of our terri- tory in bringing a prize into one of our ports, where they could exereise no control, and where they lost al right to adjudicate without a breach of our neutrality A strict observance of the laws of neutrality on our part | wouki, consequently. compel wa to afford protection to the Russian ship and crew, under the cireamstances, or at least not permit the vessel to be condemned, or the crew held as prisoners, without our liability to Rassta. «It is well that our government should at once define 8 position in thie regard, for we oursclv’s have been great sticklers on thia very point of neutrality. The policy of kngland has always never to respect the Tights of neutrals only where she thought it her interest. An instance of the groasest violation of neutrality on of England, which is suggented hy this cane, in that of attaching the private armed brig Geaeral Arm- strong in the neutral port of Fayal, belot to Portu- gal. Jn that care it is true that the Britis t attack- ed the brig while lying in the neutral port, For this except by an apology to the Portuguese authorites. Portugal was called on to indemnify for having permitt-d the viola- tion, and although she was beld responsible for years, yet 10 our disgrace she was let off, by a emit- ling Louis Napoleon to perjure himself ing in favor of Portugal—that the Americans first violated the nevigality ot her port! ques‘ion of neutrality, such as is now presented to our government. {s one Vt cannot observe with too much jealon ence of our neutrality by’all fore igerents a tin hes always been oar friend at clip, end if there are any favors to be shown by thie nt they should be extended to her, and net to less England or the } perjured governinent of France. ‘There ia no use in con- ing the fact that all tne sympathies of the American people are with Russia. — NELLA Co! i the Oo vier and Enquire: res nce of the Cow rf, t “eH Wasuixaton, Dee. 11, ides. with The despatches received this moraing by the tie peeraia to ar of the re m given tte Bouié Pectte, tes ramen and iseonsistent {aformal aud in called Mr Joues to the | unofficial explanations respecting British naval move- ments in tho West Indies. Upon one occasion, the Foreign Secretary said they had no harbor room for the ships which it was necessary to recall from the Baltic, and that «me ot them were ent to the West Indies as the most convenient winter quarters available for them. But he afterwards intimated that the increased force wan required, both asa fivet of observation and action, for that the pre ogsind had Lecome such 4 harum scarum and extraordinary people that it was necessary to take unusual p-ecautions potten them. ‘ Why,’? his lord- ship iv reported to have said—‘‘ why, aftor the excapade of Greytown, and tne petticoat mtssion to Dominica, who eau tell but they will next uudertake to bombard Lomlon, sack Liverpool, and annex Jamaica f”” [Correspondence of the North American, ‘asuixatox, Dec. 11, 1854. The Tarif Question—Cares before the Supreme 'Court— Florida and Georgia Boundary Line. ‘There are inslications tha‘ the party screws are tobe ap- plied in the House and senate in f of the Executive pee, for the reduction of the tariff. The chief reason of solcitude of the administration in the case is the well founded apprehension that it will have Ro to enfgrce its recommendations over the next House of Representatives on this cr ay other subject. The Pre- sicent and his Cabinet, and their co-operative democratic leaders in both Houses, are ambitious of the honor of settling the tariff question on entirely new and original Frinciplea, just as they settled the slavery question by the infamous repeal of the Missouri Compromise. I cannot speak confidently of the prospects of this under- ta. ing, but Ican state, upon sutiicient authority, that he Committee of Ways and Means have not yet detormined to report any dillon the subject. ‘The matter will pro- bably not be taken up in the committee until after the ps7 Ae In the meant me, the House will. be diligent. Weanvassod, to ascertain’ whither © majority can be depended upon to carry through, under the whip aud pur of the previous question, and in obedience to party ani, Anything that may be retalved ‘upon in the purlieus @ ‘ireasury iepartmeut and the council cha the White House. a Lae The bona fide free traders in the Honse will oppose with all their power any settlement of this vexed ques- tion of nativnal and party policy upon the baals of Guthrie's report. They have two reasons for their oppo- etlon. In thy first place they say, under the disguise ota plan for reducing the tariff and diminishing reve- ‘it really panders to the prejudices and fallacies of t tectioni.ts, by retaining the high duties on thone articles upon which the mass of the duties are collected. Furthermore, they are not particularly anxious for any reduction of the revenue at this time. Nearly all tne genuine free traders are traditional democrats. They erefore, anxious to recure Cuba by any aud ever t the disposal of the government. They well know that the objections to that acquisition would be insurmountable and irremovable with a meagerly sup- plied treasury. If it. can be acvomplished at ali, they sre sensible that it can only be done under the stimulus financial plethora. Now the: ive that there has been a reduction of the surplus four millions from highest point some months ago, and it requires no extraordinary acutenvss to discover that before the tor- mination of the fiscal year the revenue will fall sonsid- erably below the average current expenditure. There is yet another reason with a powerful section of the democratic party assumed to be favo trade in opposing the Secretary's piss. Su in @ very important interest in. Louisiana, Florida. The duties on that article are more onerous and less defensi- than any others imposed by the ble, because it is contended that no possible degree of of produce! Boyorn, could raise the capacity el of consumption within the Unived States; a protective duty on this necessary of life must remain a permanent tax on the people. : But one thing is manifest. imposture has nearly come. The end of the free trade All parties are agreed that, | exeept in the one point of revenue, the Walker ad valorem aflair ina cead failure. The country demands legisla- tive protection to its industry against excessive competi- tion from foreign industry.. When and how this ro- sult is to be obtained, are merely questions of conveni- ence and arrangement. The probability js that the whole ill.go over to the next session, and that 1842—the old whig protective tarif!—will be substantially re-enacted. Mr. Dallas was in the Supreme Court to-day, defending ® patent case. Years sit lightly on the. veteran specula- tor in constitutional figments, and the probability is that he will glide quietly into the dusty vale of death with a shadowy consciousness that. the constitution will.soon follow him, ite last and best defemier. Personally, Mr. Dalles is a. most respectable itleman; but no oné can resist the inclination to laught in reflecting upon the constitutional idyosyncrasies of the late Vice President. The business of the Supreme Coart attracts less atten- tion this year than la: Oue of the most important cases to be acted upon at this time isthe Woeeling Bridge su Tam not a: of the precise condition of ut I believe that a motion is to be made judgment and proceed to the execution of the decree. we Court is said to be unani- mously of opinion that the act of Congress, passed with tbe object of arreating the decree, is void and unconsti- tutional, The State of Florida and the United States are parties in a case of disputed boundary which Florida has with Georgia. | Floelda contend that the tras line soperating heron the north from Georgia, is one established by British Commissioners in 1763, immediately after the treaty of peace. ‘This line begins at the junction of the Apalachicola and Ogeechee rivers, aud extemis to the head of the St. Mary’s The point in dispute is, where is the head of the St. Mary’s. Georgia claimsa line thirty miles south of that asserted to have been estab- lished in 1763. The district in dispute, hitherto held by the United States and Florida, contains 1,200,000 acres, part of which hae been sold, and part of which is now in market, as public lands. If the claims of Georgia shall be sustained, the land unsold will be Passed to Georgia, und the general government will be obliged to reimburse the garebeaice ‘or that which it has heretofore disposed ot, Wasuixeron, Dec. 12, 1854. The Homestead Bill. sition of Hunter’s bili for the distribution of the public lands is not well understood. It was fabri- cated in the Senate as a means for evading direct action upon General Dawson’s homestead bill. It is a well contrived scheme for such a purpose, boing made to pass the Senate, but not to becomes law, like the razors which were a shave, though not to be shaved with, and were made to sell and not to be used. It was admitted by the most warm supporters of Hunter's scheme that it was a weak invention to kill the homestead, and quite indefensible as an affirmative and independent measure. It iv called the homestead bse Bhar it contains no single leading provision of the bill which it su led, and might as well be called the Speculation bill, or the Speculator’s bill, or Hunter’s proposals for the Presi- dency. This scheme now lies on the table of the House, as the Senate's substitute ‘or the Homestead. The persons chiefly concerned in Western land speculations before Congress would probably agree to let it remaia there, and all friends of a real homestead plan would rather throw additional clods upon its bead, and bury It for- ever from sight, than aid in reviving it, if they were not ccnfideut of crushing all vitality out of tue project as toon as taken from the Speaker's table. Mr. Dawson, therefore, will allow no opportunity to call up the bill to pass unimproved, and will probably succeed in getting it before the House on Tuesday, the 190h instant. He will ay ner oe amendment or substi- tute, embodying all the distinguishing features .of the original bill rejected by the Senate, except that section which exeludes colored persons {row the benefits of home- stead grants. The other amendment proposed by Mr. Tawson is important. He will move to affix the nomi- nal price of fourteen anda half cents per acre to the longs assigned as a homestead. This will answer, and remove the serious constitutional objection against abso- lute donations. I think that, with these modifications, the homstead bill will pass, and in this shi it will, of course, completely supplant and supersede Hunter's scheme, in which it was merged by the clever intriguers who are respon-ible for that curious, medley {of craft, ingenuity and deception. Hunter's invention was for some time held up by the Vi democracy as a sort of Hercules clay with which to beat the brains out of Know Nothin, but thas been found too light fur the purpose, and has bee dropped. After having been the gathering cry of the anti-Wise faction for some six months, it was not even named in the convention. ‘The Know Nothings laughed at the attempt to divert them from their purpose by so insignificant a side issue. [Correspondence of the Philadelphia Ledger.] Wasmtvaron, Dec. 11, 1554. More in Behalf of the Tarif’. A very earnest move is now making by the Committee 1 Ways and Means to remolel the tariff of 1846, and» bill with be introduced for that purpose. It is, however, a dangerous experiment at this period. The importa- tome lor the fiscal year ending June 20, 1855, will not be equal to those of 185%, and the revenue from customs may fall off from 40 to 50 cent, whilst the expendi- 1uses—ff additions be made to our navy and army, a1 tbe pay of officers increased--may reach seventy mil- Mons of dollars, which would leave # small surplus in the Treasury. ‘While war is going on in Europs, while we are contemplating the acquisition of distant islands— ile commerce apd vavigation are on the point of w going an entire revolution, it ir, to say the least, o: ceedingly hazardous to make experiments on the reve- nue laws, It is proposed to bring the tariff within tl revenue amdarl. Very well; give us another yes and the country will nee what Tt car not be the standard of over t-+diny on the basis of rail- Toad boads of all the r: el or commenced within the last six or + ord must be the standar: the actual production and earnings of the country. Wasntxcton, Dee. 12, 1854, No Indices yet of @ Working Sexton, the Cor tees are at Worl—Passage of the New Jers trodnced Mr. Skelton—Mr, Chandter' Anti 1 and the ‘There are not many indices . ‘The committees are undoubtedly at work, and the Com- mittee of Ways and Means has actual three m4 reported of the regalar tion bills; still, there is not as yet any Eporeci be dip ition in either house to go to work om the unfinished business of the laagsession. If members will not leave off their feuds tame, little the action, 1o morrow to enter the of @ working cession. a oc ee im % 0-1 5 of dueed by ge to empower the er td ® very large majority, 1m spite of 15, 1854. —— the constitutional objections raised to it in « certain uarter. par Sea, Pre ema at wai rt tien, wi ve P awake to prevent sowe tnap judgment of the House in ba to fe revenue heed finneger caer nah he Means is opposed to this species of legiala' there is rome danger of Mr. Houston’s bill being preased on the oor sideration of this House, and perhaps passed. Mr. a a Dill differs —_— from tho bill recom- e 1 it classifies pa CAE Se percent ad valorem, and the lowest five. popular with Southern members, serious 0; ition inthe manufacturing States of the Union The movement, as | have already observed, premature. We do not know what revenue from customs, ina bealthy ition of trade, nor the minimum revenue that may result from a sud- den contraction after an unlimited expansion. We re- quire at least another "s experience ta judge what may bes revenue duty, and what duty may act in the way of protection to the home manufacturer. The | bability w that there will Be an imnmeno fling of fa the revenue from customs duriug the present ¥ and that the next e.tima‘e of revenue duties will ord very little im common with the one now taken as the standard of legislation. ‘The correspondence on the subject of the arrest of the French Consul, Mr. Dillon, at San having been called for in the Senate, the President will, no doubt, send it in. It will be highly croditable to this country, and, at the same time, entirely respectful to our old and cl ally, France. No disrespect was intended—the question being merely whether the con- stitution, which allows a compulsory process in criminal prosecutions to compel testimony in favor of defendant, overiides ® treaty stipulation subsequently enter into, ernot. Gov. Marcy has decided that it does; hence, the Consular Convention between this country ani Trance is, as far as that is concerned, supemetns by the constitution, I bave already explained that point in ne af my letters, before the meeting of Congress. ‘A mex has gone into the Senate to-day in regard te the claim of the executors of Priolean, amounting to ,000, which was passed at the last session, Vouchers have since been found to show that the whole claim has tIready been once paid by the United States. This is anc ther instance showing the necessity of the o<tablish- ment of a Board of Claims, that shall be at the same time a court of record. ‘Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun. t id W. 2 Bt Diffoultics of Our Consul in Paraguay yeogofls op the ol ar t Sroutar Office being Associated ‘with C De le. The difficulties into which Consul Hopkins to ay has been involved, seem to have originated in the jealousy of the natives, Mr. Hopkins gs the head of a segar manufactory in that country. Without entering on the merits of the question, the occurrence is a new proof of the evil consequences attending the participation of cur consuls in industrial and commercial pursuits. These are always viewed with a jealous eye by the citi- zeps of uther countries, who very ceoerally, and perhaps justly, believe that the consular title and position give to the imcumbent advantages in trade of which ordinary merchants and traders are deprived. It is natural enough, foc instance, that foreign manu- facturers dislike exhibiting their invoices toa United States Consul, if they believe‘or suspect him to be an agent for the purchase or manufacture of the same goods; and an exequator withdrawn under such cir- cumstances is hardty a just cause of complaint. ‘The diplomatic and consular bill introduced by Mr. Perkins very properly prohibits our consuls from enter- ing inte commercial pursuits; while it remedies many deficiencies in our consular system, which require the pruning hand of legislation. In France and Germany, and partly, also, in England, consular appointments are looked upoi introductions to diplomatic offices. promotions of that sort being quite frequent. Baron Gerolt, the present Minister frem Prus- sia to the United States, was Prussian Consul in Mexico revious to his promotion to a Minister Plenipotentiary. tween having a reasonable knowledge of commercial relations and carrying on commerce as an active mer- chant there is a wide ditference. Even the British East India Company did not flourish till the governors of beatin rei Probibited from taking a share In commercial pursuits, Naval Bill. ‘The following is the document drawn up by Hon. Thos. 8. Bocock, of Virginia, and now in possession of the Com- mittee on Naval Affairs. It will be presented to the House of Representatives in a day or two:— An Act for the Encouragement of Enlistment, and for » the Leiter Government of Petty Officers and Persons of Inferior Ratings in the Naval Service. Section 1. Be it enacted, that from and after the pas- sage of this act, it shall be the duty of every command- ing officer of any of the vessels of the navy 00 returning from a cruise, to forward immediately on his arrival ia port to the Secretary of the Navy alist of the names of wuch of the crew who enlisted for three years, asin his opinion, on being discharged, are entitled to an ‘‘honor- able discharge,’ a testimonial of fidelity and obe- dience; and that he shall grant the same to such, accord- ig to the form to be prescribed by the Secretary of the avy. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that if any seaman, or- dipary seaman, landsman or boy shall re enlist for three within three months after his discharge, he shall, on presenting his honorable discharge, or in accounting in a satistactory manner for its loss, be entitled to pay during the suid three months equal to that which he would have been entitled to if he lad been employed in actual service. Sec. 3 Be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of commanders of any vessel in the navy, in granting temporary leave of absence and liberty un shore, to ex- ercise carefully a discrimination in favor of the faithfal and obedient. See. 4. Summary courts martial may be ordered upon petty officers and persone of inferior ratings by the com- manders of apy vessel in the navy to which such per- sons belong, for the trial of offeaces which he may deum deserving of greater punishment than the commander of any: vorsel himself is by law authorized to inflict of his own authority, but not sufficient to require trial by general court martial. Sec. 5. Summary courts martial shall consist of three officers not below the rank of passed midshipman, and of some competent persou to act as recorder. Bofore froceeding to trial, the members sball take the follow- ing oath or affirmation, which the Recorder is hereby au- thorized to administer: ‘You, A B, do solemaly swear {or affirm) that you will well and truly try, without prejudice or part ality, the case now depending, aceord- ing to the evidence which shull be adduced, the laws for the government of the navy, and your own conscience, 80 help you God.” After which the Recorder of the Court shall take the following oath or affirmation, which the senior member of the court shall administer:—“You, A B, do solomaly swear, (or affirm,} that you will keep a true record of the evidence which may be given before this court, and of the proceedings thereof, #0 help you God.’ Sec. 6. The commander of a ship shall have authority to order any officer under his command to act as the recorder of summary court martial. Sec. 7. All testimony given before such court shall be given orally on oath or affirmation, which the senior member of the court shall administer. That summary courts martial may sentence pitty of- ficers and persons of inferior ratings to the following punishment, viz. :— 1. Discharge frum the service with bad conduct dis- charge, 2. Solitary confinement in irons, single or double, on bread and water, or diminished rations, provided no such confinement aball excegd thirty day 3. bag? confinement in iruns, single or double, not exceeding thirty dayn. 4. Solitary confinement not ex seeding thirty days. 5. Confinement not exceeding two months. 6. Reduction to next inferior rating. 7. Deprivation of liberty on shore on foreign atation. 8. Extra police dities, and lose of pay not to excad three months, may be added to any of the above-men- tioned puoishmente. See. 8. No wentence of a summary court martia! shal! be carried into effect without the approval of the officer ordering the court; who shall have power to remit in part or altogether, but not te commute any such sen- tence; and {t shall be the duty of any such command- ing officer to remit any part or tho whole of auy sen- tence by a summary court martial, the execution of whieh would, in the opinion of the surgeon or senior me- dical officer on. board, given in writing, produce serious injuries to the health of the person sentences, or, in case hie shall refuse to do so, it stall be his duty to submit the case again to the same ef to another s smmiary eourt martial, Which tial Have power to remit the former panishment, and to assign some other in the place thereof. Sec. 9. The procecdings of summary courts martial shall be conducted with as much conciseness and preci- a ay be consistent with the ends of justice, nnd under such forms and ruler as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy. with the approval of tie Pro- sident ot the United States; and all such prosendings shall be transmitted in the aswal mode t the Navy Le- partment. £ec. 10, Any punishment authorized by this act to be inflicted by a summary court martial may likewise be inflicted by any general court mertial. ‘The New Naturalization Bill in Congress. The following ia the bill introduced into the United States Senate by Mr. Adams, of Mississippi, in reference to the naturalization laws:— Be it enacted, &c., That from and after the passage of this act po alien shail be admitted to become a citizen of the United States unless he shall, at the time of his a) plication to be admitted, declare and prove to the eatis- tection of the court haying jurisdiction of the case, that ne has resided in the Uniteu States twenty-one years at least: provided that any alion who may be a resident of the United States at the dateof this act shall be entitled to all the third condition spreified in jhe first section of the act approved April 24,1802, of which this act is amendatory. Sec, 2, And be it farther enacted, That so much of the third condition specified in the first of the act approved ae 2A, 1802, entitled ‘An act to eniablish a celtorm fu of natai tion and to the acts heretofore passed on that anbject,’’ as conflicts with the first section of this act be and sameis hereby re- pealed. renege Supremus Court or Tax Unree Dec. 12.—James Fugbes. Feq., of Wi was ad an an ettor- ney and counselor of this Co: Nos. 11, 12 and 13-- Jom yh Lavtin, patentee, end Samuel Pactin, assignee, PRIVE TWO CENTS. bey error, t#. James Taggert, Robert Ratcliffe, Johnson and John G. Hewes. ‘Ths arcument of these cases was concluded by Mr. Dallas for the plan- tiffs imerror, Adjourned. Dec. 18.—Hale and T. 8. Van Hocvenbergh ment of py uestration attachment ‘against tts odkcere, exact the decree of peor Com. Stockton and the Know Penne, oot Atuxy McLane Rosarrerr, Esq., W! — Duan Sin—I have received your letter of November 23, and I thank you for the sent of friendly commen dation which it expresses. withdrawh from public life, nevertheless I am nip ecm hins geo the etjan et jem my prin a or my past con at and generous appreciation. Yet it is with re- Juctance that 1 comply with the duty of your sbould "be couatraed into a desire oa letter, leet it [ee dag re-appear on the political arena I have no . The turbulence of political strife has no charms for me; m; tastes, inclinat and happiness lead me to ler tl tranquillity of private life. it as I yr the principles of the American party, when in its infancy, I am unwilling that it should believed now, when it existe in the vigor aes that I have become derelict te those gg ag or that can refuse on any proper occasion avow myself te be an American democrat, or shrink from the fraternal ition of those who espouse my matter under what designation they may have acted. wa sir, fp ig Ag comes, ninee = approved your 8, only strengthened confirmed the 0; ar which I entertained at the period Wi send Ba le tesnciatong, Waaaetidy 3 aod ‘0 your Fr tory, fore, Lanswer say:—I am in favor of confining sll executive and ad- ministrative functions of office to American born. relation to your second interrogatory, I answer that in favor of ‘an extension of the period of residense previous to naturalization, to at least twenty-one ora total repeal of the naturalization laws, as wiador the people may seem fit.”” Dem should no longer be permitted to mann- facture ho: of freshly imported aliens into voters to nullify the voice of Americans inthe ballotbox. The corrupt rivalsbip of parties for the purchase of foreign born voters must cease. It never will cease, however, until the swarms of emigrants who monthly land on ouF shores shall cease to be offered in the tical market to the highest bidder. In avowing the principle that ‘‘Americans alone should rule America,” I do not understand you to ‘Speers the di preschuaens sting: —. born who vA pos- sens tight of vo! 5 ‘ger proportion our adopted fellow-citizens, at least the most in’ among them, I believe ‘are perfectly satisfied that the time bas arrived when our paturalization laws should be altered or repealed. That portion of them which dose not constitute the staple of political traffic, fully a ciate the dignity and high prerogative of sove which they erjoy as American citizens. True to the country of their adoption, they are unwilling to j its institutions to benefit future its, even the land of their own nativity, To your third interrogatory I answer: Being a Chris- tian people, it seems to me that to preserve our posterity in the faith of their fathers, we can do no less than to secure to our children always perfect freedom of access to the e Holy Scriptures, without ‘note or comment.” frankly expressing*this opinion, I mus! also, that I soe with you, that any connection pra LR sectariatism and politics, or between church and State, whether Protestant or Papist, would be to liberiy, and hostile to the spirit and genius of the Ame- rican constitution. You allude to my presentation of petitions, (whilst im the Senate of the United States), in favor of exela- sion of foreign Al ané convi in that subject I will only say. that bad I deemed the wen oan Sig tine 6 eee = evils of im- Tb itty, duly be, propeae's caateetion Uouees tak tem le] my dut 0 pro a Ll such pa ones By which peed Aga: effectually excluded them from our ports. That such s measure of a= tion has not more earnestly been urged upon by the municipal authorities of our great cities, waich are the chief sufferers from the influx of foreign paupers and felons, shows to what extent subservience t> the foreign element has influenced the action of those en- trusted with the public safety. ar ob’t serv’t and friend, RF. IN. ‘The Ocean Bank Euabezalemont Case. EXAMINATION BEFORE JUDGE BEEBE. ‘The preliminary examination in the case of William B. McGuckin, late teller of the Ocean Bank, who is at present in custody ons charge of embezzling the funds of that institution to the amount of between $50,000 and $60,000, was commenced yesterday after- noon before Judge Becbe, Mr. Whiting acting as counsel for the bank, and Messrs. John R. and James T. Brady for the accused. The following is the result of the brief examination heid yeaterday:— avid R. Martin, of 193 Fourth street, was examined wy Mr. Whiting, ‘and testified an follows:—a. Are ere een nr nit Celta Beak OF tie gig ee lew York? . Yen, sir. Q. How long have you been President of that bank? A. Four years, within a very few days, Q. Was Wm. B. McGuckin at any time Rag og. in that bank’ and if so, inwhat capacity? A. was for ag three or four years; he hag been the paying Q. In that capacity what funds bg df the bank came into hie possersion’ A. All the sting notes, all the coin and the daily exchanges. Q. Did all that was generally termed items of the bank come into his possession? A. Yea, ait. Q. Did he of his owe accord, at any time, and if so, when, leave bit jon as such teller? A. On Hicaig of of October, 1854, he left of his owm socor Q. When did you next see him? the itt af Oetober laut. a nee ‘ase to state im narrative order what occurred after McGuckin left the bank on the evening up to the time you saw him, “ee, evening about five A. en 1 him on Saturda: o’elock, at the bank, I asked him ithe bad been instruct- é. ed to put up $25,000 of our circulation, by the cashier, to send to Albany for redemption; his reply was, that be had, and that he was to meet tle cashier on’ Monday: morning at 8 o’clock, to give him the bills. that fact myself. I went to the bank at half; Monday morning, and waited till about minutes past, when Mr. Freeman Loomis cai directors’ room, and said he had some very to communicate; [asked him what it was; bis reply. (holding out the ~*~ of Mr. Mc6uckin’s trank he kept his money items,) that Mr. McGuekin come to the bank, as his cash was short $75, 000; Iasked Mr. Loomis how he knew thi was, that McGuckin told him to say that hi short of his balance on Saturday some $44, the keys that he gave me, and handed cashier, and told him to put Mr. Platt, our at Mr. McGuckin’s desk, as he would probal there that day; Mr. Loomis being very much ex crying, I took him up stairs in s private office, revealed as far as he said he was able, an defalcation. He there stated that constantly in the habit for a year or more fying his et ated checks on the Ocean 8S. &J.S. Dunning’s, for large amounts gis in Mr. Dunning’s office, in the morni ink hours, when had no funds in meet them, and that had gone on from time til the amount that he had used himself $50,000, and for the Dunnings over $20,000, versation was continued some time, but purport of it: I have it written down, bat now, After thin he left, and I saw him times in the course of the day, having req fing McGuckin, and bring him to the bank, [see rd bert an business of the day as nsual. the secon r the duties of firet. Immediately after edaae hare we an examination of the cash accouat of the When Mr. MeGuckin left on Saturday night, his of cash in his own handwriting, called for bank bills of the Ocean and other banks; and - eos Ae hen showing a nk bills, and we found his short $19,71 and we paid that da fraudulent’ abeoks cortlasd a ine This ie fat as we discovered on evening. 1 subsequently found, efter we saw Mr Guckin, that he had charged original @ad rite 10 the amount of $5,200 for the house of & Co, of Philadelphia, and'one charged to the Ocean Bank Salsification of figures, $1,000; to Welden &Painter a end note, both of the 1g the tot 6 , a ‘the thi $104,400 66: Isaw McGucken ‘he Taeaday renit ifter he leit the bank, at the f Cortlandt we walked up an faras Green’ i 5, Ee E see H t i 3 g 3 4 i Fil : | z si gs E wi | : E i : : ie i é i ’ i sie jaghls i : é sr Ta rate S23 s 3 is il au is i z rplel Hts BaEsi YH »o2 HEE Fi ae i z z Ey 2 > i