The New York Herald Newspaper, January 11, 1859, Page 1

y =~) WHOLE NO. 8164. LITERATURE. nen tlilin pA AAR AA AONE pen AON Loe 088 208 tTHE THE Pe >> b> >> ZLATLLL2E Socrscoecy es 3 44 Soeee peed aeneeae it rarer NEW NEW HE ney SEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW ie EW EW hd NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW ph dd i Lie ledalatntedabaletah iabalaiat PEP PReC Pee esc eeceeperepreee reece ea aaa aaa : eet a2: a ree eer Vue Z Asser! = 4 22) telat! BSSost EERE brrsac S22 4H=. GKEAT Zz § ? a wien’ THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS 3 En rt 4 ry i > S| Reith fel i=] ee = Es HHH iofoto fot Seen: Et rd > iS at eet lela Peeee + RKADY, ‘THIS READY! THis MORNING, p ATIKELY, OF ORIGINAL MA, rvER, f OF THE DAY, ite contents will be found Satie Ldiq. A briLiant novel. Llvstratei. By John 4 iita—The Lost One. A tale of the South, Tit . 1. dee a justrated. ‘Rose ii By Minnio Mayflower, 4 ‘eremiar the ons Insteated. By Peltx Falconer, Two Visits. A poem. ay ag Poweil. dotted Thinkings. By Laura Kimer. ‘The Broadway Kelle. ety papell By Ad pl pe Kyle Dallas, ‘The Harp orm. neat , "A sketch from lie. om Paul Prior, 4 poem, F. J.B Watts ths Lad for Me, Bong. Uy etter tee Hive, Boom. By Ada Trevaiion. etch. nley. ‘Cronstug the Street. A sketch. ‘by Sharpetion. Der Besuch, From the German. By George Perry. Phe whole of the above are original, be Perry. Lee eae OND STRIPS” nk Written expreanly Tt challenges "wih any paper te the world for an, wor! elegance of form, Honey. of iia , boauty of Mlnatrations and of, by. It i® the mon Deanuiful pep ubliahed, rig — & greater amount of Amterentin matter than ’ Seeresing ands r uy other pert: abi. FRANK LESLIR, Raitor and Publisher, ‘No, 13 Frankfort street, New York, MORNING EDITION— AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON. Proceedings in Congress During the Past Week. Passage of the French Spoliation Bill in the Senate, &., &e., &o. Our Special Washington Despatch. THE QUESTION OF THE RECEPTION OF THE NEW MINISTER FROM MEXTIOO—REORG ANIZATION OF THE POSTAL SERVICK—A COMMIBSION APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE RUSSIAN FRIGATE GRAND ADMIRAL— VISIT OF A DEPUTATION OF JEWS TO THE PRESI- DENT—HIS DECISION RESPECTING TOR MORTAKA OABE—MR. DOUGLAS’ RECEPTION IN THE SENATE, BTC., ETO. Wasmixoton Jan. 10, 1859. Senor Mata has returned to Wasbiogton, and waits the decision of the President as to hisreception as Minis ter from Mexico. ‘The new phase of aifuirs in Mexico caused by the deposition of Zuloaga, will probably soon @etermine the question. The administration inclines to the belief that a compromise between the church and Kberal parties, now represented by Robles and Jaurez, is probable. It is said, however, by prominent Mosicans of the constitutional party now in Washington, that this is not possible, The government waits the arrival of the Mexican news in detail before further action. The Senate Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads met this morning, and discussed at length the question of the ocean mail service and retrenchment in general. The committee will shortly bring forward a bill arrang ing the wholesystem, not only of the ocean mail service, but that between the Atlantic and Pacific. It is understood the committee will also report in favor of abolishing the franking privilege, and against increasing the postage on letters. The special Pacific Railroad Committee met this morn- ing, but nothing of interest was done. They will proba- bly at the next mecting, on Thursday, act definitely. ‘The Secretary of the Navy, in accordance with the re- commendation of the chairman of the Senate Naval Com- mittee, has appointed two naval constructors and two engincers to visit the Russian frigate Grand Admiral, now nearly completed at New York, with the view of adopting, im the construction of ships for our navy, any new im- provements which that frigate has. A committee of Jews from Philadelphia called on the President and Secretary Cass to-day in regard to thegMor- tara case. The President informed them that his views upon that subject were fully expressed in his letter to their people in New York, and. that he could not depart from the position there taken. ‘They desire the interfe- Yence of. our government, but it is manifest the govern- ment cannot interfefé. - On Mr! Douglas entering the Senate chamber today there was slight but suppressed applause in the galleries. His enemies say it was by arrangement among his friends, Dut it was undoubtedly spontaneous. ‘The potent lobby have not abandoned these diggings for the richer placers at Albany. True, a large force, with Thurlow Weed at their head, are bard at work at the latter place; but then you must recollect that Simonton, Mattison and others under the old free wool compact are here, and past experience shows that they are silent- ly, quietly and effectively pushing their plans. The ope- rations at Albany, 1 think, extend far into the future. They have something in them more important than the mere pocketing of afew-thousands, ‘the subjugation of New York city to black republicanism, and securing the State for Seward in 1860, is the great object aimed at; and the location of Quarantine, building hospitals, &c., must be taken as Thurlow Weed took the Castle Garden coa- tract, “for better or for worse.’ Of course this great object—Seward for the Presidency—is not lost sight of here, aud your advocacy of General Scott worries them nota little. The question is frequently asked, “ What does Bennett mean?’ You can readily see that the Pa- cific Railroad is the hobby Seward has straddled. Gwin and Wilson are also mounted for the race; and, aingular as it may appear, I have strong reason to believe that Gwin and Seward are playing into cach other’s hands. Gouverneur Kemble, of West Point, the administration candidate for Congress in the Westchester district, in your State, is in town. The balance in the treasury, according to last week’s report, WAS......+..++ $3,033,600 Amount of receipts °999,077 Drafts paid.. 1,605,454 Dratts issued 657,613 Amount of in 064 ‘The seventh annual meeting States Agri- cultural Society commences on Wednesday, at the Smith- sonien Institution. Delegates from several State socie- ties and prominent agriculturists are already in Wash- ington. Lieutenant Mowry, of Arizona, has accepted the invita- tion of the New York Geographical Socieiy to lecture be- fore that body, on Arizona and Sonora, on Thursday even- ing, 20th of January. ‘THE GENERAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCH. Wasnncton, Jan. 10, 1859. Some misunderstanding appearing to exist in respect to the telegraphic outline of Mr. Trumbull’s speech on the Pacific Railroad, it may be stated that the Senator advo- cated the construction of a road, central or nearly central to the population and business of the country, and for that purpose wanted Congress to limit it within certain paral- lels of latitude, With reference to his allusion to the whig party, his remarks sought to show that modern demooracy ‘was supported alike by persons who had formerly been whigs and democrats, while republicanism, in the same manner, was sustained by persons from both the former parties, He assumed that both the present parties were new organizations, formed in 1854, on the slavery issue; that modern democracy was as much a new organization ‘as the republican party, and that in taking issue on the slavery question, now the only test of party fealty, both parties are made up indiscriminately without regard to political associations. Mr. Phelps, of Missouri, made an ineffectual effort to-day to have evening scesions in the House for two weeks for general epeech making, bis object being to restrict the debates in the earlier part of the day to legitimate busi- Dees. Intelligence has just been received from Jefferson City that the constitutional amendment limiting the Missouri State debt to thirty millions of dollars will not probably be adopted, but that it is more likely the Legizlature will grant some five millions additional aid to the railroads, by the further issue of State bonds. A Central National Club was organized here to-day, the object of which is to present Jobn Minor Botts as the op- position candidate for the Presidency. Mr. Billinghurst bas given notice in the House of his intention to introduce a bill to abolish the office of First Comptroller, tus devolving its duties upon some othor officer of the Treasury. The Mobile Reyister of Saturday announces the death of Mr. Chos. Fisher, the New Orleans Picayune’s “Firat Pri- vate” correspondent. He was avery popular and pleasing writer. All the Western mails due here have been received, THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION, Senate. Wasninaton, Jan. 10, 1869. FIRST APPEARANCE OF MR, DOUGLAS, Mr. Dovatas, of Til., appeared and took his seat, upon which there was a slight attempt at applause in the gal- lery, THE OLD SOLDIERS’ PENSION NLL. Mr. Casteron, of Pa., presevted a memorial from the citizens of Philadelphia in favor of the passage of the Od Soldiers’ Pension bill. ‘THE HOMESTEAD BILL. Mr. Skwann, of N. Y., presented a memorial from the citfaens of New York in favor of the Homestead bill, ABOLITION OF THE FRANKING PRIVILEGR. Mr. Iverson, of Ga., introduced @ bill abolishing the franking privilege. Referred. THR PRIVATE CALENDAR. Mr. Bicixn, of Pa., proposed to set aside Friday and Saturday of cach week to consider the private calendar. Laid over, NEW SENATOR FROM RHODE BLAND. Mr. Snows, of R. I., presented the crodentials of Mr. Anthony a# Senator from Rhode Island from March next. THR FRENCH @POLIATION KILL Then came up, and Mr, Dayle concluded his spooch against it avd Mr. Crittenden both were historical and of groat lect. ioginnty the bill passed by @ vote of 26) 2), as fol. WE im MAvra.—Mesars. Bates, Bell, Renjamin, "erdorinx a *ollumer, Teombe, Wines? "cares Mewar’, > erty a ee dt atrics. Hari lunter, Iver Kine Mason, Polk, Heid, Rice. Sildelt, Trumbu lee. Mr. Kennedy, of Md., was temporarily absent, but would have voted aye, ‘THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR. After a protracted discussion it was resolved to admit to the floor only Representatives and the Clerk of the House, Foreign Minieters, Heads of ments, Supreme Judges, ex-lresidents, ex- Vice Presidents and ex-Senators, ‘THR MILITARY ACADEMY BILL, dona Appropriation Military Academy bill was then * passed. Adjourned, House of Representatives, Wasmorton, Jan, 10, 1859. Mr. Barxepare, (adm.) of Mise, offered the following, which was sdopted:— Whereas, it bas been announced in foreign journals that the Courts of France and ngland | ave given notice toour govern- mertibatthe cession of Cuba io the United States not be tolerated, even with the coasen of Spal; there‘ore, . Pi @ and here! wested, i bhis Intereste to communicate “Resolved, ‘That the Presiden tort Hone tio correapou@ bermeen ti tosereenens at Frabeo apd paging’ and ou: «wn, relative to the cession o| TH MORTARA A¥WAIR, Mr. Harm, (opp.) of Mé., asked, but failed to obtain leave, to offer & joint reaolution requesting the President to interfere in the Mortara case. ‘THR INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL, The Honse resolved itself into Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union on the Inaian Appropriation bill, Mr. Biarr (opp.) of Mo., offered an amendment that no partof the appropriation for removing the Indians in Washington and Oregon to the reserves, and there tempo- rarily maintaining them, shall be used to purchase arms and ammunition for those Indians. Mr. Puetps, (adm.) of Mo., explained that the Indian Burean did not give guns to hostile Indians, and suggested ®@ provieo that nothing herein shall interfere with the treaty stipulations which weare bound to obey. Mr. Blair’s amendment, thus modified, was adopted, and the bill was laid aside to be reported to the House. The committee proceeded to the conelderation of the President’s annual Message. ‘THR OLD SOLDIERS’ PENSION BILL. Mr. Nicuoxs, (opp.) of Ohio, wished to put on record his protest against the passage of the bill pensioning the sol- diers of the war of 1812, Should it become a law it would entail a curse upon the country. It was for the benefit of mere dependents on the gratuity of the government at the expense of the industrial classes. The revolutionary pension system furnished no precedent for that now pro- pored. Provision already exists for those disabled Te the publicservice. The idea of pensioning men for was not in accordance with our institutions, For a reply to the argument that such pensions would stimulate a spirit of patriotism and provide against the contingency of a large standing army, Mr. Nichols said the young men who rallied to our standard in the Mexican war had no stimulus of tbat kind. Patriotism does not need culture; it overflows in every American heart. According to bis calculation nearly thirteen millions of dollars are required. annually to carry out the provisions of the Ae bs ig ee was anes 2 + mee. one Pe Ir. FEnioN, ; we did not pension teas who entsred the sorviee of Alia nnd the nae, ware fo for service, but provided that if any were while in the line of duty, they should be pensioned the date of the injury, to continue during life. The sub- stitute Lesher to tere Soldiers’ bill was intended to remedy injustice to tbis glass of persons and to out the contract made with them. If the bill had ens. bodied only those who are ndent and in want, he would bave cordially supported it and attached his su! tute as an amendment. OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS. Mr. ANDERSON, (0;p.) Of Mo., said the result of our poli- cy been to submit 0 outrages and iasults until not onl great but the amajller nations trample on our flag and infringe on our U foe and private rights. Itis bigh time for us w assert our, proper. ition and sternly muintain it. Our treatment has been of the most aggravated character, jw can our government expect to be respected unlegs it extends protection to our citizens? He did not know nctions our Minister to Madrid has received, but he_ w it would be the desire of the American people that a demand should be mace for full indemnity for all wrongs. Tt Spain refuse this, out Minister shonid aemhind his’paseports and return Homie, and the government should) send ® squadron and e ‘security for the future. Our selt @cmands such a course, and. he flattered himself this would be the policy of the Executive. It was known ‘that France and England are opposed to the extension of our territory. We want more action and less debate, an re and unalterable necessity for our acquisition of Cuba. Why should there be longer delay? Let us offer a fair, nay, an exorbitant price for the island. If 2 refuse then We sbail bo justiled in the eyes of all na- tions for taking possession of it. Mr. Anderson alluded to the affairs of Central America, advocating the recommen. dation in the President’s meseage, and wishing to arm the Executive with ample power to obtain redregs of our anoes, There being a failure to obtain indemnity Mexico, we should take possession of her territory all 7 ur southern border. We eae the Clay- ton. Bulwer treaty, and irrespective e opinions of fo- Hote, eae haha ca gek ir maintain the Monroe doc- trine. ‘OUR DOMESTIC POLITICAL AFFAIRS. Mr. Wasnscry, (opp.) of Me., characterized the demo- cratic party as an oligarchy, the and representa- tive of the slave Chon gr fully committed to execute their commands. The republican party is the truly democratic ‘ty. In those where it relied on its own principles and energics it is united and impreg- nable. Its fidelity to these is the condition of its success; ithas nothing to gain by avoiding the real issues. He condemed squatter sovereignty, and said it had quashed Cass, Douglas and its other original advocates—an omni- je advocate ion by to it slavery m the Territories, and reprobated the. Scott decision. The struggle of freedom over slavery has barely begun, and hence it becomes the duty of the republican toremain firm, and tn no event lower its high standard of principles. ‘When, after years of uneasiness and apprehension, it be- came apparent tothe of the free States that the s0- called democratic party, ‘been susidized by the slayo- holders, and it was seen that the organizations of the day there was no one which, from its combined ear- nestners aud Hberality, was competent to maintain the cause of liberty and the constitution of the slaveholding oligarchy, they delayed not to call into existence a party for that purpose—and they called it the republican and whet better name cou! have beengiven to it? Itis Suggestive of the better days of the republic; it has an odor of genuine nationality; its aswociations are of liberty order and law; it is the name by which the ai thor of the Declaration of Independence and es of oe wares chose to a) known; it speaks for i and needs no term ‘the party which is worthy to bear it Goad hala every lover of liberty, every hater of » every oppo- aye of bene ‘ranean wasting ha aa or South, in allusion ngers © republican he vindicated its position in reference to Sherivorial sore? pi ig Mos 8 abiding with old Prudence, he wor , where wo Weapons to destroy a mon- ster, throw one of them away. ‘THE INDIAN TION HILL PASSED. The committee rose, and the Indian Appropriation bill ‘was passed, when the House adjourned. EPITOME OF THE FIFTH WEEK’S PROCEED- INGS. THE SENATE'S CHANGE OF QUARTERS—PACIFIC RAIL- ROAD—BUILDING OF TEN WAR STEAMERS—PAY OF NAVAL OFFICERS—EXPENDITURES OF THE GOVERN- MENT—BLACKMAILING OF FICEHOLDERS—FRENCH SPOLIATION BILL—NEW STATES AND TERRITORIES— NIAGARA FALLS SHIP CANAL—INDIAN APPROPRIA- TION BILL—CODIFICATION OF THR REVENUE LAWS—PRIVATE BILLS PASSED—-CALLS FOR INFOR+ MA TION—OBSEQUIES, ETC., ETC. The fifth week of the present session of Congress has not been marked by any very important legislative event. The only proceeding that attracted much interest was that connected with the removal of the Senate from their old chamber, hallowed by the recoilections of forty years, into the now and comparatively spacious hall fitted up for their accommodation in the northern wing of the Capitol, Senator Crittenden, having served the longest in the Se- nate, was selected to deliver a sort of farewell speech on the occasion, and Vice President Breckinridge also deli vered an eloquent and able address, in which he reviewed the history of the United States Senate. The proceedings were very interesting, and the Senate has ordered the printing of fifty thougand copies of the report. VACIMO RAMLBOAD, Since the Senate consummated its change of quarters, (on Tuesday, the 4th inst.,) it has been principally occu- pied in cipcnasing the question of the Pacific Railroad; but it does not seom to have made much progress on this never ending topic. A very important amendment was that offered by Mr. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, on Friday last. Ttwas to refer back tho whole subject to the Committee on Public Lands, with instructions to report back, instead of the propositions now pending, a bill providing for the appointment of three sets of commissioners, to be com: posed of three members each, whose duty it shall be Within the present year to locate a Northern, a Southorn and a Central railroad route to the Pacific, and to report the location and cost of samo respectively to the Pre aident, who shall thereupou enter into contr for the builtin of the roa.e—such coutracts being subject to tho approval of Congress, Nong of tho public lapds are to be .. The weumonts of | “THE NEW YORK HWERAL. TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1859. ‘ ; an when- the government to the contractor at the rate of $10,000 road. This appears position, but hardly be afterall, isis, ot 80 the building of the road fa wanted as it is the getting possession of the lands of the government. ‘THE BUILDING OF TRY WAR BrRAMErs. ‘The Committee on Naval Affairs in the Senate reported on the 4th a bill to authorize the construction of ten smal! war steamers, and it wil probably pass that bo iy with out much difficulty, and without ¢iv i nueh dis- cussion, because the Senate is not respons bie for raising ‘ways and means of the mmment. That isa mat- ‘iay io the control of tbe House, ag ail measures ing revenue Must originate there. It is said, how- that the Seci of the ‘Treasury has exacted a ize from the House Committee on Naval affairs, that the ter for v1 ever, settlers, a $250 per acre, | | corre 'y will not report back this bill until Cougres# stiall have first mace provision for replenisbing the treasury, either by author: a pew loan or by revising and increasing the ‘ ‘PAY OF NAVAL OFFICERS. The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs has also taken a step which, wore the condition of the treasury ten times: ‘worse, would meet thé approval of Congress and of the country. They have reported a bill to increase the psy of the officers of the navy. This bill proposes to add one per cent for each year of service to the present pay of cap- tains and commandeére-on the active list; two per cent for each year of service .to the present pay of lieutenants, masters and passed midabtpmen; and twenty-five per cent to the present compensation of surgeons, pursere and engi- neers. Professors at the Naval Academy are to have the game as those ‘Went Point; and boatswaios, gunners, carpenters and ‘are to have three per cent in- » In connection with the game adopted :. crease to their present: ri oo ee Resolved, a invy comm unics Senate a list of ull of all Kinds, belonging to, or em- "3 the tad States; loyed in conn Together with a Hint of all oy navy, with their com. Bick osleers Gr Gir eompentation, or that of any clus of them, can be reduced without injury to the public service. ‘THE EXPENDITURES OY THE GOVERNMENT. The Senate, which is notoriously a far more reckless and extravagant body than the House, bas nevertheless made @ movement toward reducing the expenditures of the go- vernment. On the 4th inst, Mr. Johnson, of Tenn., intro- duced a resolution ‘Which gave rise to considerable de- and which baa not yet been disposed of:— ed, 7 y q al bers Die te leat sear government of a Biaiea, Ww is fa the following wards, to wit: ‘I Congress ‘to institute a rigid scrutiny to pene whethi expenses in all the departments caa- not be stilt further: ‘and T pi them all the ald in power in pi La, ”” be reterred to the Oom- ed, after frat with, and. ‘all “aid” and in- from ‘and heads of the departments, as indicated in the ee to report & bill reform- ittatone ate i sparta ha aie artments, and: which ‘will reduce te ‘expenditures t0.an honest, rigid, the gov In the course of the discussion which ensued upon it, various propositions were made in the shape of amend- ond the the Congress, and to substi- pa fe penditures,’”’ 80 make e - took ate to Be ‘of New York, that the lat- ter could not, with any consistency, support the bill grant- Pensions of 1812, ‘ofessing a de- wists tettte tah i thie government. i Every one the fate of office holders in the public de] , Custom Houses, Post Offices, and other government positions, is to be unmercifully fleeced by the political vagabonds and strikers of the locality. In New York, for instance, during the pendency of any election or political contest, the officers of Uncle Sam aro made to pay @ pretty large proportion of their monthly salaries, on penalty of having themselves marked as bad members of the party ur as bincle re ‘and: con- uéntly placing themselves in’ every. Neeru; ast ae doe tho sums Of which these ‘efleehol not one-balf finds its way out of the pockets of the strikers ‘and vagabonds aforesaid, who grow rich in a few years on ayaa an pat aot ile oe 8) 1m, aD an en ‘e the fol- lowing resolution was introduced in the Senate on Wednes- day, the Sth inet., by Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts :— Resolved, That a committee of five. beappointed to inquire whether any civil officer, clerk or other io the employ of the government in department of service, since March, 1267, required to contribute a hus salary, pay. Or compensation, in any manner, to defray the Gist period, or whether any such oflcer, clerie or that been removed comply with any such the elicited by Of course the resolution will not be adopted. Indeed there is hardly any necessity for it, for person who is acquainted with public however slightly, knows to what an extent this di 1 and ruinous system is carried on. Officials do not like to have com- promised, as they would be if this pointed. "But Con posed to represent it, and on that take measures w stop it. ‘The only however, would be the passage of @ law making all subordinate government offices tenures during efficien- cy and good behavior. When such a law is on the sta- tutes, not only this evil, but ae another one in our po- itieal system, will be palliated, if not cured, FRENCH SPOLIATION BILL. The bill to provide for the ascertainment and satisfac- tion of claims of American citizens for spoliations commit- ted by the French prior to the 31st day of July, 1801, has been up in the Senate by fits and starts during the week. ‘This bill provides that satiefaction shall be made to an amount not exceeding five millions of dollars, to such citizens of the United States, or to their legal repre- sentatives, as had valid claims to indemnity upon the French government arising out of illegal captures, de- | tentions, farcibte seizures, illegal condemnations and confiscations, committed prior to the ratification of the convention between the United States and the French republic, concluded on the 30th day of September, 1800, the ratifications of which were excl sod on the of July following: Provided, that the provisions t shall not extend to such claims as are stipulated for and embraced in the convention between the Umited States and tbe French republic, concluded on the 30th day of April, 1803, and for the liquidation and payment whereof provision is made in the said convention; nor to such claims as were allowed and paid, in whole or in part, under the provisions of the treaty Between the Unit States and Spain, conclnded on the 22d day of February, 1819; nor to such Claims as were allowed, in whole or in t, under the ri of the treaty between the a and France, concluded on the 4th day of July, 1831. ‘The bill provides for the appointment of three commis- sioners, to ascertain and decide upon the claims presented, and if the aggregate of their awards shall exceed $5,000,000 they shail be paid pro rota, ‘This bill has been before Congrese for the last half cen- tury and more. It was passed several times by one or the other house, fuilmg to receive favorable con sideration in the’ other, Tt was twico passed by both houses—first in 1846 and again in 1854—but was ve- toed euch time by the President of the United States. The claim arises out of certain seizarcs and confiscations made by France on American merchant vessels during the Na- so ware. By our treaty of alliance and amity with ance, of 6th February, 1778, we stipulated to aid France in her necessities, to allow her to carry prizes into our ports and dispose of them there, and particularly to gua- Tarte to her the porseasion of her West India Islands After our own independence was secured, in a great mea sure by the aid of , She had occasion to call upon us to perform our share of the contract. We were not, however, in a condition to do g0. On the contrary, Wash. ington, who was then President, declared the neutrality of the United States, ce could no longer carry her prizes into cot een nor did we protect her in the pos- session of ber West India Islands, most of which she lost through our failure fo zerfoem our part of the treaty. Be- sides this, the vessels in which we shipped corn and provi- sions to France were usually seized by British ships, carried into British ports, and there sold at_such prices a8 left their owners no cause of conmpiaint. France became indignant at our failure to carry out the conditions of the treaty, insinuating that we were in collusion with Eng- land. ‘Sho even di the American Miniater at Vor- sailles, and ignominiousiy refused to receive three com. missionerasent by Pri Adams to treat with her. She also to dome more extreme measures, layin anembarf on American vesse!s in French ports, and commanding her own armed versele to respoct no longe the poutrality which we professed. Her privateers il some of our Vessels a8 prizes, and, in retaliation, Coulis ted the President to issue letiers of marque and re prisa!, and under them our privateers seized no “less than eighty French vessels and carried them as prises into our ports. We were, therefore, more than even with France regard. But finally the treaty of 1300 was nego tated, The second article of that treaty was as follow ‘The Ministers Plenipotentiary of the two Powers, not being able to agree at present respecting the treaty of allianor oa fin February, 1778, /* *® noe on the Indemulties mucunlly die or claimed {0 parties, wil negotiate further on that wubject at» convenient time; and until they may have Agreed on these points the sald treaties and conditions will have uo operation, ‘Thia article was expunged from the treaty by the Sanate of the United State, and tbe remainder of the trowty rat. |. On tbe partof the French government it was rati fled by the First Consul, Napoleon Bonaperie, with this provito:— ‘That the Rtates renounce thels respective pretensions, which are the ol ject af sald article. ‘This modificacion was afterwards assented to by the Senate of the United states, and the treaty tharenpow went into effect. The question is, wre these claims for spolia- tiong valid claims against France at the time of the treaty of 1801? To be valid, they must have been committed while France and the United States were at peace, for no goverpment 16 responsible for the losses of citigens in- in time of war, unless they be afterwards specially But were the relations of France and of tue ed hata thems of, panes, or those of war? So far as oe eo answer to the question is given by the very existence of theso claims for apoliatious. 30 far as we are coucerned, the answer is given by these fuctw:—On the 28th of May, 1798, Comgress passed a iaw authorizing the captore of ull armed vessel: rance that had commited depredations on our commer abenigtit ‘be found hovering op our coast for that pur)» Ou the 18th of June, 1798, Congress passed the vou wuercourse act, prahibiting vessels of the United States from visiting apy of France or her dependencies, and protibtiog apy French vessel, armed or unarmed, from entering any Port of the United States. ‘Phis act, which was limited to & year in its operation, was twice renewed, On the 25th or June, 1798, Congress authorized merchant vessels of the United States to arm and defend theinselves against search, restrait or seizure by French veasels—in other words, authorized the isave of letters of marque and re prisal.” On the 7th July, 1798, Congress abrogated tho treaty of amity and alliance of 1778, and on the Yh July, 1198, Congress authorized the President to grant commis: sions to private armed vessels. On the 28th of February, 1799, Congress provided for an exchange of prisoners; and on the 8d of March, 1799, it directed the President to retaliate on French prisoners for the death or corporeal punishment of any American citizen taken on board the vessels of any Power at war with France, If these acts do not show the existence of war, it would be hard to prove what was war. The Supreme Court of the United States, however, decided in the case of Bas versus Tingy, reported in 4 Dallas, page 87, that the re- Jauons between the two countries were those of war. If, therefore, some of our citizens sustained losses by means of the war they but suffered what all subjects and citizens ar» liable to suffer during hostilities, and bad no legal claim against either government. France never Tecognized the claim, neither did the United States; al- though other claims of a like nature subsequent t that date were mutually cancelled and compensated by subee- quent conventions. In 1865 a bill, the counterpart of that now before the Senate, was passed in both houses. President Pierce, however, vetoed it on the 17th of February. Iu the course of bis Meseage on the subject he said:— sinew sens ee or not accessible to the administra- tion of Mr. _ or Mr. ‘or Mr. Monroe, had pA Se moe a ban Coy Nog nol authority, but as a fact ‘history, that these claims have never, since our existence asa nation, been de ¥ elie Lie Fs Be i iH Hu 3 , i f : i have been at. ‘On the question whether the bill should pass, the dent’s veto to the contrary notwithstanding, the vote stood in the House—yeas, 116; bill failed for at Present session. Buchanan would in that case follow the pre- cedent of his lecessor and veto it, remains to be seen. Certain it is, that his Secretary of State opposed it, and voted against it in the Senate. NEW STATES AND TERRITORIN, ‘It was announced in the House last week by the Chair- man of the Committee on Territories that he was ready to report a bill for the admission ot Oregon, and would avail himself of the first opportunity to 20 The people of Kansas bave by a memorial, presented Mr. Seward, asked for under a constitution at Leavenworth, and said to have been ratified by the people. As the Committee on Territories in either = iy the reps okie ‘stench - cage Doth. will ‘&@ good chance of reuniting Bometicre rin their territorial condition. The Committee on Territories in the House has agreed to report biils for the organization of Dacotah and Arizona ‘Territories, but have decided against a like bill for Colona, the Pike's Peak region, 80 to be cailed in honor of the great Genoese pavi- r. There isa bdl pending since lust session for the organization of Nevada. NIAGARA FALLS CANAL. The Committee on Commerce in the Senate has reported against any action being taken in regard to the proposed ship canal around the Niagara Falls, and bas been dis- charged from its further consideration. ‘THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL. ‘The bill making appropriations for fulfilling certain treaty stipulations with Indian tribes during the year end- ing June 30, 1860, has been under consideration in Com- mittee of the Whole on the State of the Union. A good deal of discussion has been elicited on the subject of maintaining Indians on military reservations, arising out of the fact that the Superintendent in Oregon paid no attention Lepheod bechton ray Ae pena in an ap- propriation for the same year, by which the estimate was reduced find org but went on expending money as if the estimate bad not been reduced, and now comes asking for the other half. CODIFICATION OF THE REVENUE LAWS. The bill reported last session by Mr. John Cochrane, from the Committee on Commerce, for the codification of the revenue laws, was up for action last week, and after 8 few hours discussion it was postponed until the 13th, to allow time for the printing of certain amendments to it. PRIVATE BILLS PASSED. The House went to work on Friday at the private calen- dar, and passed the foilowing bills:— Granting a pension to Mary Blattenberger. For the relief of Abel M. Butler. For the relief of Hannah Little, For the relief of the assignees of Hugh Glenn. For the relief of William F. Wagner. For the relief of Enoch B. Talcott. For the relief of Shade B. Calloway. For the relief of Samuel A. Fairchiids. ¥or the relief of Elias Hall, of Vermont. For the relief of Joseph Hardy and Alton Long. All but the two last are House bills, and have yet to bo acted on by the Senate. The bill for the relief of Flias Hali was amended by striking out a clause giving interest, and will have to go back to the Senate. The last bill oniy requires the signature of the President to become a law. The Senate also passed a joint resolution fur the appoint- ment of two Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and a Dill authorizing the issue of registers to the steamships America and Canada, and w change the names of said steamships. CALLS POR INFORMATION. The Executive Department have been called upon, by resolution of one or the other house, to furnish infor- mation on the following points:— Correspondence with the government of Peru agents on the subject of trade in guano. In regard to the number of officers of each grade of the navy and marine eorps, on and off duty, and the number and rato of vessels of tho navy. That the Committee on the Judiciary inquire whether any amendment to existing laws ought lo be made for the suppression of the African slave trade. For correspondence between the English and American governments of recent date touching the abuses of the ‘American flag in the prosecution of the African slave trade on the coast of Africa, and especially touching the cruise of the Wanderer on coast. In regard to the authority, &., under which the Ad- visory Board of Agriculture of the Patent Office has been convened, In regard to the construction of the naval depot at Bronswick, Ga. As to the expenses of the Supreme Court of the United or its States. In regard to the contract, &c., tor the overland mail ser- vice to the Pacific. FUNERAL ORSEQUIRG. Wednesday last was devoted in both houses to pro- nouncing enlogies on the Inte General Jno. A. Quitman, of Mise, Monday, the 10th, was to be assigned to a like pur- pose in respect of the late Major Thos, L. Harris, of 1. both deceased members of the present House of Repre- eentatives, UNITED STATES SUPREMB COURT. Wasainctos, Jan. 10, 1859. No. 26. Ross Winans vs. The New York and Erie Rail road Company. Error to the Cireuit Court for the North- ern district of New York. Justice Grier delivered the opinion of the Court, affirming the Judgment, with costs, No. 198, ‘The Union Insurance Company vs. J. Blair Ec Error to the Cireuit for the Northern district of New Yi Justice Nelson delivered the opinion of the Court, affirm. ing the judgment, with costs aud interest, No. 9: Dean Richmond vs. The City of Milwaukie et al, Appeul from the District Court of Wisoonsin et al, Jus- tico Taney delivered the opinion of the Court, dismissing the cange tor want of jorisdiction. No, 36. Argument continued for appellee, and concluded for appellants, ‘ k. PRICE TWO CENTS. INTENSE COLD WEATHER. Severe Cold Snap all over the Country—Hy- perborcan Horrors—New York in the Arctic CixclemCurious Phenomena Noticed on the Bivers and Bay—Suffering trom the Cold— A Woman Frozen to Death, &e., &c. The telegraphic deepatches from different parts of the country which we give below tell their own story of the fearfully cold weather which seems to havo visited all of the eastern siope of the continent of North America within the lagt forty-eight hours. The wind bas been direct from the north during that time, and every movement of the air seein (reigbted with all the deadly chill of the byperbo- resn regions. £o far as this city is concerned, for eleven years we bave vot experienced such bitterly cold wea: ther, and the “oldest inhabitanv’ can recall nose more severe in bis time. The wind was not very high yesterday, though it was keenly felt by all who were exposed to its jufluence, from its chill, nipping character; in fact, every puff seemed armed with a search warrant to ind out all the raw, ex- posed or tender spots in the buman anawmy, and they wens ly suceeeded, Ove curious circumetance was noted yesterday morn- ing that excited much comment among those who ob- served it, Before suprise the mercury stood at eight de- grees below zero, and after sunrise the mercury fell wo ten degrees below zero. Usually there is an accession of heat upon the rising of the sun, but this time Old Sol must have become co saturated with cold that he wave it out instead of caloric. During the entire day the mercury was only once above zero, and that was at half. past two o’clock, when it was one degree above zero; in a situation that was not more exposed tho rest of the day it ranged from two to five degrees below zero. ‘The streets were almost deserted by the women, and the men ventured ont as little as possible. All kinds of cloaks, coats and mufflers were brought into requisition without any effect. So intense was the cold that even old stage drivers and car conductors—men who had with- stood cold weatber of all kinds for years—bad to abandon their posts for fear of being frozen or injured. Quite a number of persons had their ears and fingers frostbitten, and ope woman was frozen to death. Early in the day a young man entered the store corner of Fourth avenue and ‘Twenty-third street with his cars frostbitten; the proper remedies were applied, and he left feeling better. A little girl, the daughter of a gentleman residing in the upper part of the city, was sent toschoo!, warmly muffled up; but the child, returned home early in the day with her hands frostbitten, and it required frequent applications of snow and ice before the hands resumed their natural state. We learn that a number of clerks and mechanics residing in the upper part of the city and doing business down town had their eara and noses frostbitten, not baving taken proper precaution before leaving home, which, of course, was ata very early hour in the day, when the cold was most intense. An omnibus driver was taken off his box opposite the Astor House last evening totally helpless from the effects of the severe cold, and it was some time before he was sufficiently revived to take charge of his team. ‘The rivers and bay presented a most curious spectacle during the day. The water has not been very tho- roughly chilled this winter, and was consequently very warm, compared with the atmosphere. When the cold snap came its immediate effect was to set the water soothing, as if subject to the action of fire. A fog, com- posed of the frozen particles of water, was the result, which hung in a dense cloud to the height of one hundred feet all day over the waters which separated New York from the adjoining shores. It isan old saying that you “cannot set the North river on fire;” but Jack Frost knows how to set it boiling at least, as it did yesterday. ‘There is as yet but little ice in the rivers, buta few days such as yesterday will bring immense floes down from where the fresh water ice forms. Altogether, yesterday was a terrible day,and must have caused untold suffering among the poor. It is fearfal weather even for those who have wealth, warm homes, and are comfortably clad; but how unspeakably dreadful most it be for the homeless, the poor, and the thinly lad. Think Of this to-day, all ye who shiver in the cold winds, as you run from your warm houses to your warmer efilces. ‘There were several accidents yesterday owing to the slipperines’ of the ice in the streets, and the neglect o the police to compel householders to scatter ashes on their sidewalks. Ap unknown woman, about nineteen years of age, was found frozen to death in Second avenue, near Fiftieth Street, yesterday moraing. The deceased is supposed to bave been inmate of Bellevue Hospital, who had recently been discharged. The following description of her was given by the police:—Deceased was about ninetoen or twenty years of age, was slight built, mediam height, regular and rather pretty features, black hair braided, tecth regular in the upper jaw, irregular in the lower one, and gray eyes. Coroner Gamble will hold an inquest upon the body of deceased to-day. ‘The gas in the lower part of the city worked badly last evening, and a number of stores and offices were left in darkness in consequence. About one-fourth of the street lamps were extinguished before nine o’clock. For- tunately the night was a moonlight one, or else the evil would have been felt most seriousty. At Fort Washington the thermometer stood as low as ten degrees below zero yesterday morning. At White Plains the mercury fell to eleven degrees below zero. Annexed is a table of the temperature yesterday and last evening, as made up from the thermometer in the HERA oflice:— 6 o'clock A. M. | ape wm « 2 @« 3s « n« TELEGRAPHIC WEATHER REPORTS. JANUARY, 10, 1850. Osweco, N. Y.—Sunrise; foot of snow; thermometer 20° below zero—reported 29° below in the suburbs. Oapmnssunc, N. Y.—Sunrise; thermometer 36° below zero. Warertows, N. Y.—Sunrise; thermometer 30° below zero, Fetrox, N. Y.—Sunrise; thermometer 20° below zero. Puasix, N. Y.—Sunrise; thermometer 32° below zero. Hepeox, N. Y.—Sunrise; thermometer 18° below zero. Troy, N. Y.—Sunrise; thermometer 17° below zero. Berrato, N. Y¥.—Sunrise; thermometer 20° below zero. Postox, Mass.—Sunrise ; thermometer 6° below zero; ten o'clock A. M., zero. PortLaxD, Me.—Sunrise; thermometer 17° below zero. Eastvort, Me.—Sunrise; thermometer 12° below zero; snowing and blowing hard. Baxcor, Me.—Sunrise; thermometer 26° below zero. Mowtreurr, Vt.—Eleven o'clock A, M.; thermometer 17° below zero. ° Bununeton, Vt.—Sunrise; thermometer 32° below zero. Rover's Port, N. Y.—Sunrise; thermometer 38° below zero. Sr. Jonyesvey, Vt.—Sunrise; thermometer 30° below zero. Hornettavitte, N. Y.—Morning, 7 A. M.; thermometer 18° below zero; clear Port Jervis, N. Y.—8 A. M.; thermometer 16° below zero. Denxmx, N. Y.—Clear and cold; about twelve inches of fnow; thermometer at zero, Fura, N. Y.—Thermometer 12° below zero; wind N. Newncna, N. Y.—Clear and very cold; thermometer 8° below zero. PuiLapenrima, Pa.—9 A. M.; thermometer 3*below zero ‘The Ni ‘x prneeay ty: instant jewar! the venerable ex-Chief Justice Hornblower, of ‘gd now fies in a critical situation, from an attack of hemor- rhage of the lungs, which, at his advanced (ot two years) threatens « fatal termination, =e (OMY The Prince Imperial of France may be seen almost every fine afternoon, about three crolvek, play ag im re reserved garden of the Tuileries. The Prince is always — by his gouvernante, and attended by 4 ser- vant, Pe ws tn we AMIVALS. eel rom Glasgow, steamship Gi Caytgnmew Kets, RIM Gretna, Hope by, Capt Win JG Sibbald, and 23 in the DEPARTURES, For Galway, in the steamship Pacifio—Jacoh Wal: B Todd, Lovia Francotte, David B Oliver, George William Lennoreh, William P Hyland, Alfred ig ® 4 Primer, Sirs Blinkhouse, W 4 Toren, J Rrockbaok, Thackwell, Dr H W Bonner, M Gibbin, and 70 in For Savanna, in the ip Pom Sa ae iile, Mrs Showalter, Frances Lewis and 2 ca Be Htewaindere% Siaae J Crim, Taine i Barnes, Jno Hartwell. Stnolley and lady. Edward lavies, Oswald Her! atosrage.