National Intelligencer. (Washington [D.C.]), Vol. 47, No. 6867, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 26, 1846 Page: 1 of 4
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Vol. XLVII.
WASHINGTON: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1846.
No: 6867;
PUBLISHED BY GALES & SEATON.
TERMS.
Daily Paper $10 a year—Country Paper $6 a year.
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM ENGLAND.
London, November 26, 1846.
The “ gloomy month of November” has at length
made good its character ; for a fog of a density un-
known to your side of the Atlantic reigns absolute ;
converting noonday into darkness, and rendering
artificial light necessary almost throughout the day.
Writing is entirely out of the question without such
aid. It is literally dangerous for a person not ac-
customed to London to walk the streets on such a
day as this. I thought New York stood pre-emi-
nent for a rush of cabs and omnibuses, but London
far exceeds it. These latter carriages must have
doubled in number since I was here in 1843 ; on
some of the lines they run for Id. per mile, and
they are really better carriages, with better horses,
abler coachmen, and civiller attendance than they
were when they ran at higher prices. But it is
dangerous attempting to cross a street on a day like
this, and were it not for a vigilant and numerous
police, and great care on the part of the drivers,
many accidents must occur—as it is, they very rare-
ly happen. This mammoth city has much im-
proved during the last three years—many of the
crowded thoroughfares have been widened ; open
and airy streets have been cut through districts for-
merly densely filled with the abodes of poverty and
wretchedness ; all the great streets are kept much
cleaner, and a greater air of comfort is visible in
even the alleys and courts, and other quarters in*
habited by the lower ranks of society.
Still much remains to be done in London to ren-
der it, in all its parts, a fit abode for human beings.
Death has swept away there during the last three
months thousands more than it did during the simi-
lar period of any lately preceding year. The at-
tention of the public has been called to the subject,
and it is to be hoped that the Government will in-
stitute some vigorous sanatory regulations for the
consideration of Parliament at its approaching
meeting.
It is a lamentable fact, however, that this increas-
ed mortality has been almost general throughout the
country, as the following table will prove-—the ma-
terials are taken from the report of the Registrar
General, and therefore may be depended on :
Deaths in summer. Quarter.
1845. 1846.
Liverpool.......................2,595 4,090
Manchester.....................2,411 4,248
Sheffield....................... 445 1,039
Sunderland and Newcastle on Tyne,
&c.................. L172 2,313
Perhaps the following extracts from the Regis-
trar’s report may not be unacceptable :
“ The returns of the past quarter prove that nothing effec-
tual has been done to put a stop to the disease, suffering,
and death in which so many thousands perish. The im-
provements, chiefly of a showy, superficial, outside character,
have not reached the homes and habits of the people. The
house and children of a laboring man can only be kept clean
and healthy by the assiduous labor of a well-trained, indus-
trious wife, as any one who has paid the least attention to the
subject is aware. This is overlooked in Lancashire, where
the woman is often engaged in labor from home. The con-
sequence is, that thousands, not only of the children, but of
the men and women themselves, perish of the diseases for-
merly so fatal for the same reasons in barracks, camps, jails,
and ships.”
“How pitiful is the condition of many thousands of chil-
dren born in this world ! Here, in the most advanced nation
of Europe—in one of the largest towns of England—in the midst
of a population unmatched for its energy, industry, manufac-
turing skill—in Manchester, the centre of a victorious agitation
for commercial freedom—aspiring to literary culture—where
Percival wrote and Drlton lived—thirteen thousand three
hundred and sixty-two children perished in seven years over
and above the mortality natural to mankind. These ‘ little
children,’ brought up in unclean dwellings and impure streets,
were left alone long days by their mothers, to breathe the sub-
tle, sickly vapors, soothed by opium, a more * cursed’ distilla-
tion than ‘hebenon ;’ and when assailed by mortal diseases,
their stomachs torn, their bodies convulsed, their brains bewil-
dered, left to die without medical aid—which, like hbpe, should
‘ come to all’—the skilled medical man never being called in
at all, or only summoned to witness the death and sanction
the funeral.”
The registrars in the various districts in the
neighborhood of Liverpool attribute the great in-
crease of deaths to diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera,
and infantile diseases, the mortality having been
greatest amongst children.
London is now said to be “ empty what it will
be when it is “/m//,” I can scarcely imagine; it
appears to me to be at present crowded like an ant-
hill, and the streams of busy bustling mortals which
are passing to and fro in every direction appear
astonishing to a stranger.
The grain market remains pretty much as it was
when I wrote you last; all fears appear to have
subsided as to “ absolute jamine,” which the Times
once insisted was approaching. But England and
the continent together will want all you can spare ;
nevertheless speculators on your side of the water
may buy what they ship for Europe at too high prices
New York. The “Times” now says so much grain, &c.
has been sent from the United States that there is some fear
it may be wanted back again. The conduct of that paper,
however, has been so erratic upon that subject that it is very
little attended to.
The subjects of foreign interest hare which occupy the pub.
lie mind are, the seizure of Cracow by Austria, the matrimo-
nial alliance between France and Spain, and the insurrection
in Portugal. Those of domestic interest are the doing away
the malt duty and the reduction of the duty upon tea. The
stability and ability of the present administration also furnishes
much comment for the daily papers. With respect to the
Cracow affair, some of the journals say that England and
France will join in a solemn protest against the conduct
Austria, and the approval of her proceedings by Russia and
Prussia, as abrogatory of the treaty‘of Vienna, alleging that
the independence of Cracow was one of the agreed conditions
and essentials of European equilibrium ; and that Austria,
Prussia, and Russia were only the protectors of Cracow, but
that Europe was its master ; and that all Europe is concerned
and interested in its condition. Other journalists say that the
seizure of Cracow is only another proof that even solemn trea-
ties are nothing when nations judge it to be their interest
break them; that the infraction of the treaty of Utrecht by
Louis Philippe in the late Spanish marriage has besn met
by the breaking of the treaty of Paris by Austria in seizing
Craco.v ; that France has no right to complain; that Eng
land cannot trust her ; and that she will have nothing to
with her whatever in the business. Others see the fall of M.
Guizot and his administration as at hand ; that a new min-
ister (M. Thiers, for instance) is necessary to restore the
good feeling between England and France ; and that this can
only be brought about by a solemn renunciation on the part of
the Duke de Montpensier, for himself and his heirs, of the
crown of Spain ; and that this step will not be taken whilst
M. Guizot is at the head of affairs. There will be much
discussion upon these matters in.the papers, and many speeches,
sounding high and strong, in Parliament; but they will lead
to nothing more. England’s policy is peace ; and she knows
it, and will pursue it. She will not submit to wrong, but she
will not place herself in a position to receive it, and it will not
be for the inteiest, either real or imagined, of any other coun-
try to do her wro'ng.
The marriage of the Duke de Bordeaux with the Princess
of Modena is also looked upon as an affair very significant of
the present, and not very dimly shadowing forth the future.
There is little doubt but that this marriage was brought about
through the management of Austria; and it is remembered
that the Archduke of Modena was the only sovereign of Eu-
rope who did not acknowledge Louis Philippe on his becom-
ing King of the French. The affairs of Spain are as unset-
tled as ever they have been ; there appears to be something in
the Spanish race which forbids composure or quietness. South
America, as well as old Spain, give strong evidence of this.
Portugal has also caught the infection ; there is something at
work there closely resembling the principles declared by the
people of France at the commencement of their revolution.
This, however, will speedily evaporate as respects Portugal.
Already the Queen’s forces are said to be victorious ; but there
will be more fighting, although, probably, no occasion for the
Queen and Royal Family to seek an asylum at Windsor, as
has been offered them by the Queen of England.
The present liberal-minded Pope is before the times. I
wish the people under his immediate care may be capable of
profiting by his enlightened measures. It is a rare sight, how-
ever, to see a sovereign prince in such a position. Too many
of them have always resisted progress, or yielded to it upon
compulsion. It is a fortunate thing for a people to have a
Governor who will lead the public mind forward in the march
of improvement, but not always a happy condition for the Gov-
ernor himself to be placed in. A weekly English journal,
under the title of the “ Roman Advertiser,” has lately been
published in Rome, and no less than five other papers or pe-
riodicals have been announced to meet the growing demands
of the Italian public. Another great improvement is also
dawning upon Italy, in the establishment of something analo-
gous to municipal corporations.
Some of the London papers are complaining of the Gov-
ernment having suffered France and the United States to fore-
stall the English in opening negotiations for commerce with
the people of Japan. The Morning Chronicle, however,
expresses an opinion that the Japanese are not yet fitted for
commercial intercourse with other nations, and that the efforts
made by the United States and France will prove unsuccessful.
The free-trade party is making great progress in France ;
more than 2,000 members were present at the third public
meeting of the society, held in Paris a few days ago ; many
new members were then admitted ; among others the Duke de
Broglie, M. Dumas, and the Mayor of Boulogne. Mr. Cob-
den, also, as the apostle of free-trade, has been feted in Spain,
at Seville, Cadiz, &c.
Numerous large meetings are being held, in all parts of
England, in relation to the doing away the excise duty upon
malt; the advocates for its repeal arguing that, as the grower
of grain is now left without any protection against the intro-
duction of foreign grain, he ought to be allowed to manufac
ture his own into articles of domestic consumption, without
the operation of any onerous duty. There is certainly much
weight in the argument, and the probability is that John Bull
will shortly both drink his beer and eat his bread untaxed
Strong exertions are also making to induce Ministers to do
away with or very much reduce the duty upon tea. The spe-
cific duty of 2s. 2^d. per lb. upon tea of every description is
certainly a very oppressive and an unfair one, bearing very
hard upon the consumer of the cheaper teas. A very large
and interesting meeting was held lately at Liverpool upon this
subject, and the calculations and the statistics brought forward
by Mr. Brown were very striking. You will see them in the
Economist,” which, I believe, you receive. If you do not
you ought, for it contains, every week, a mass of most im-
portant information, which should be spread widely before
your commercial men.
One thing is certain : If Great Britain does not relax in
levying the present high duty on tea, her trade with China
will soon be destroyed. It has fallen off more than forty per
cent, during the last ten months in the shipment of goods to
that country. This must be the case whilst the present une-
qual system remains in operation. Great Britain taxes the
staple article of China more than than 200 per cent., whilst
her manufactures are admitted into China at a duty of five
per cent.
Some singular facts are stated with respect to the effects of
the diminution of duty upon imported articles here,- for in-
stance, although the duly upon brandy has been much reduc-
ed, the increased consumption has raised the revenue thereon
£16,000. A similar result has taken place with respect to
wine. Mr. Brown states that a reduction of one shilling per
pound on tea would raise the annual consumption from forty-
four millions pounds to probably seventy millions pounds.
With respect to political matters here of a domestic nature,
we are perfectly quiet, excepting so far as relates to rumors
about dissensions in the Cabinet and a probable change of
Ministers ; but the best informed upon the subject seem to re-
gard the whole affair as nothing but rumor. Lord Palmer-
ston and Earl Grey are said to be not upon the best terms ;
and there is, no doubt, some difference of opinion respecting
the opening of the ports, French and Spanish politics, &c.
But nothing can be known as to what takes place in Council,
all the members being sworn to secrecy. A11 these rumors are
piobably nothing but the invention of party, or mere editorial
gossip. Lord Palmerston can never be regarded as a safe
party leader ; the country would have no confidence in any
measures relating to its foreign policy which he might bring
forward in opposition to his colleagues ; he has no power
whatever, either to divide the present Ministry or to form a
new one ; so that no change of men or of measures can arise
from his schemes or designs, admitting he has any, which is
far from probable. Lord John Russell’s administration may
not be the strongest possible, but it is stronger than any other
which can be formed under the present organization of par-
ties, and there is no doubt but that it will receive every neces-
sary support, in all its leading measures, from Sir Robert Peel
and his friends. The ports will not be opened. The Ben-
tincks and Richmonds are silent, the farmers are satisfied, and
Lord John Russell, being now in smooth water, is not likely
to raise a storm by provoking into active hostility the slum-
bering and benumbed antagonism of the agricultural class,
particularly as no pressing necessity, arising from impending
scarcity, renders such a movement imperative.
November 30.—We have no further political movements
or commercial news to notice ; all goes on calmly and smooth-
ly. We are waiting for news from your side relative to the
war in Mexico and the progress of your elections. May I be
allowed to express my satisfaction at the successes of the Whig
party, so far as we have news ? This country may be said,
at the present moment, to be flourishing in all its interests.
The operatives at Manchester and some other places have been
placed upon short work, but this has not arisen from a scarci-
ty of employment, but from a wish of the manufacturers not
to use up their present stock of cotton, and to be driven into
the market for new supplies at the present high price of that
article. They suppose that, by diminishing the present de-
mand for the raw material, they may cause the price to fall.
I think they are mistaken. Cotton must rise, unless the last
crop thereof was above an average, which I think was far from
being the case.
A number of the manufacturers have complained heavily of
the probable ruinous effects of the late reduction of the tariff,
which would allow the importation of foreign articles with
which they thought they could not compete. Already they
have discovered that the policy of Sir Robert Peel, in reducing
the duty upon the raw material, has more than compensated
for the allowed introduction of the manufactured foreign ar-
ticle. The paper-stainers are a strong case in point. French
papers are admitted upon a very small duty; but all the drugs,
paints, dyes, &c. used in its manufacture are admitted with-
out any : the consequence is, that English paper is still man-
ufactured cheaper than the foreign paper can be imported, and
the market is secured whilst the price is lowered to the consu-
mer. So it is in many other articles. Neither my facts nor
my reasoning apply to the policy of the United States. The
two countries are not comprised in the same category; and
probably there is no error of modern times more injurious than
the belief in the existence of maxims of political economy as
applicable in all times and to all countries. [ am more and
more convinced, by every day’s experience, that the time will
come, and that shortly, when political economy, as a general-
ly applicable system of rules, propositions, principles, and con-
clusions, will be exploded, and that each country will found
and establish its own system, applicable to its own wants, po-
sition, and capabilities. Excuse this digression.
It is a fact that the annual exports and imports of Great
Britain have nearly doubled within the last twenty years ; and
it is a stranger fact still, that nearly all the civilized nations of
the earth have increased their annual commerce in about the
same proportion. Notwithstanding this rapid increase and
expansion of the powers of creative industry, all have found
markets for their productions. If any thing can extirpate the
jealousies which States and statesmen have been and still are
induced to entertain towards their neighbors, these facts ought
to do it. A calculation has been made, that, if the annual
aggregate of exports and imports be taken as represented by
the figures 124.8, the commerce of the following countries
would be thus :
Great Britain.........................45.
France........................,.....22.
United States........................13.
Zoll-Verein..........................11.
Austria..............................8.5
Netherlands..........................6.8
Russia...............................6.5
Belgium.............................6.
Sardinia..............................6.
Before I close, let me state, in justice to the English cli-
mate, that the fog, of which I complained in my commence-
ment, has all cleared away, and we are now enjoying clear
and cold, but cheerful and pleasant weather.
December 2.—The only topics of news are the alarming
accounts of the general arming ol the peasantry of Ireland,
A POINT IN THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
FROM THE RICHMOND TIMES, DECEMBER 17.
The President’s justification of his measure ordering Gen.
Taylor to take position on the left bank of the Rio Grands has
been so clearly refuted by the National Intelligencer and other
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
Thursday, December 24, 1846.
IN SENATE.
and .he open trade in and .munition, exhibiting jonrnai, ,ha. the offieial paper h driven .0 .he po.n. of resting | ^
124.8
The astonishing increase of traffic by railroads is worthy of
notice. Take the following facts : The carriage of goods by
the Birmingham, Rugby, and London railroad exceeds two
thousand tons daily, and the total passengers in 1845 was
1,505,317.
Government is about to take some important steps in the
extension of the magnetic telegraph throughout the country
and the spreading its network of nerves through the land, so that
literally a throb at its metropolitan heart may, by the creation
of a system so highly sensitive, be felt almost simultaneously
at any and all of its extremities. All the railway lines of tele-
graph that run to London are to deliver their messages at
common metropolitan station, in the neighborhood of the Royal
Exchange, adjacent to Lloyd’s Room, and workmen are now
engaged in laying down the wires. Government will also es-
tablish the means of communicating instantaneously from
thence, with all the royal palaces, dockyards, garrisons, and
fortresses throughout the kingdom, and all the country lines
are extending in every direction their communication with each
other. The whole is to be under the direction of the Electric-
Telegraph Company, and independent of the railways,
great central barrack for England is about being erected, on
fourteen acres of ground, near Birmingham. At this point,
as at the geographical heart of the country, all the electric
telegraphs, from every part of the United Kingdom, are to be
brought, as it were, to a common centre ; so that, on instan-
taneous intimation from any part, however remote, troops may
be poured along the railway line to any point where their pre-
sence may be necessary in a few hours. An arrangement like
this appears to exceed even the license of fable, and to make
romance commonplace. But it is certainly all practicable, and
will be done.
The discovery of the new planet has excited great attention
among the scientific public, and some controversy has arisen
as respects the priority of discovery ; but I think the question
is settling down in favor of the French astronomer, M. Lever-
rier. Professor Airy says that, “ in the whole history of as-
‘ tronomy, there is nothing comparable to this discovery ; that
‘ it is a movement of the age ; that it has been urged by the
‘ feeling of the scientific world in general, and has been near-
‘ ly perfected by the collateral but independent labors of various
‘ persons possessing the talents or powers best suited to the
‘ different parts of the researches.”
December 1.—The magazines for the month are out; hut,
judging from their tables of contents, I should pronounce them
all to be “flat, stale, and unprofitable.” Colburn’s is the
best, then Frazer’s, then Blackwood’s. The following new
books are announced as in preparation or published :
Bulwer's “ Lucretia, or the Children of Night,” was pub
lished this morning. You will have a quarter-of-a-dollar edi-
tion of it out on your side almost simultaneously with the
receipt of this letter. The third number of Dickens’s “Dom-
bey & Son ” was also issued on Saturday. The “ Exam-
iner” gives an extract from it, and says : “ We remember no
‘ single number, in any of his writings, containing so much
‘ power and variety, such minute and exquisite observation
‘ such comedy and pathos.” I will not venture to express an
opinion in opposition to so correct a critic as Mr. Fonblanque,
but I must be allowed to say that the precocity of Dombey
the younger is entirely beyond the bounds of nature and pro-
bability, and that the characters are not possessed of sufficient
novelty or individuality, and the incidents not yet of so strik
ing a nature as Boz has usually introduced. I have heard
something like this opinion expressed by persons on whose
judgment I have great reliance. Dickens also announces
new Christmas book, to be ready about the 20th instant, to be
called “The Battle of Life, a love story.” Sir H. Nicolas’s
“Life of Sir Christopher Hatton” may, fropi its author and
subject, be looked for with much interest, and be anticipated
as a good book. Bentley announces “ A Canoe Voyage to
the sources of the great northwestern tributary of the Missis-
sippi, called Minnay Sotor, or St. Peter’s river,” by G. W.
Featherstonhaugh ; to be published with maps and plates, in
2 vols. 8vo. There are notices also of the second series of
Lord Campbell’s lives of the Lord Chancellors ; of an exten-
sive work on English etymologies by H. Fox Talbot; and
of a revised edition of Croker’s Boswell’s Life of Johnson, as
being in the press. The American “Journal of Insanity ” is
spoken of in high terms in some of the periodicals, and other
American works have received favorable notices. Lady Bles-
sington’s “ Lionel Durhurst ” is pronounced to be “a most
decided failure.” Mrs. Gore has lately published two new
novels, which do not appear to have added much to her fame.
By-the-by, I perceive that the excellent novel “ Cecil” is now
advertised regularly among her works. It is generally sup-
posed, however, that the late Mr. Beckford furnished nearly
all the materials. Mr. Thackeray, under the designation of
Michael Angelo Titmarsh, has two new works in the press.
One to be published in monthly parts, (like Dickens’s book,)
entitled “Vanity Fair, Pen and Pencil Sketches of English
Society.” The other is rather darkly announced under the
title of “Mrs. Perkins’s Ball, containing portraits and cha-
racters of some of the principal personages there,” to be
“illustrated by twenty-three gorgeous plates of beauty, rank,
and fashion, containing seventy or eighty select portraits of
the friends of Mrs. Perkins.” “Some of the disclosures,”
says the prospectus, “ will be likely to create a tremendous
sensation in certain circles.” Douglas Jerrold (and he is good
authority) speaks in very high terms of a translation from the
Danish of Hans Christian Anderson, entitled “ the Poet's
Bazaar. ”
The continental papers announce the death of the celebrat-
ed Swedish poet Dr. Esaias Tegner, Bishop of Wexio. His
Frithiof’s Saga, Axel, &c. have been translated into most of
the modern languages, and have spread his fame throughout
Europe. The Athenaum, Examiner, and other literary jour-
nals record the death of a very amiable man and talented
writer, Mr. George Darley. I do not think any of his works
have been republished in the United States. The poetical
world rejoices that the veteran Tom Moore has recovered from
a severe indisposition, and is now enjoying good health. Few
men know better how to enjoy it. So much for literary chat.
I None of the quarterlies issue this month.
the most disorganized state of that distressed and suffering
people ; and the increased probability of M. Guizot being
compelled to resign his post at the head of the French Ad-
ministration. Count Mole is named as his successor, and
who will be supported by M. Thiers and his party.
I have great satisfaction in testifying to the rapidly diffus-
ing good and kind feelings which are every where exhibiting
in this community towards the United States, the American
people, and their insitutions. Every where I am congratulated
upon the settlement of the Oregon question, as being the last,
subject which can ever arise likely to stir up bad feelings be-
tween the two countries. I scarcely now hear the subject of
repudiation, which assailed me from every quarter when last
in England, alluded to, or, if alluded to, spoken of with some
degree of knowledge, and in a proper and liberal tone.
Wherever any harsh expressions are heard respecting the Uni-
ted States, they arise from a morbid state of feeling upon the
subject of slavery—a subject upon which the good people are
most profoundly ignorant, and they seem absolutely impene
trable by any ray of light or information which I can throw
upon the subject. Unless I will go all lengths with them in
denouncing every slaveholder as a monster of iniquity, and as
unworthy of Christian fellowship, I am called an advocate of
slavery. I labor on, however, anxious to impress correct ideas
upon the subject, and have in one or two cases, I trust,
ceeded. There is much mischief done here by abolition ora-
tors from the United States, renegades, who seem to delight
in vilifying their native country, and in keeping alive and ad-
ding to the mistakes and misunderstandings whicli exist here
upon this subject. I am met and silenced by references to
these apostates and their speeches and publications. Only
yesterday a friend placed in my hands a pamphlet, entitled
The dissolution of the American Union, demanded by Jus-
tice and Humanity, as the incurable enemy of Liberty,” by
“ Henry C. Wright, of America.” Who this man is I
know not. He is a great talker at public meetings. How
he talks and writes may be judged of by the following short
extracts from his vile farrago of falsehoods and misrepresenta-
tions : “The formation of the existing political Union be-
tween the American States was an insult to God and an
outrage upon man, and its overthrow is demanded by every
consideration of justice and humanity.” “ Slave breeding
is the staple business of Maryland, Virginia, North Caro-
lina, and Kentucky.” “A daily market is kept open in
‘ the District of Columbia (the national capital) for the buy-
ing and selling of slaves, for the convenience of the Presi-
dent, members of Congress, and others.” “In that capital
‘ from ten to fifteen thousand slaves have been sold per an-
‘ num !” A~d pages upon pages of such infamous falsehoods
are palmed upon simple John Bull as correct representations
of affairs in your country. %*
the propriety of that measure upon the single statement that, By Mf DIX . From shil).owners and merchants of the
Congress had extended its legislation beyond the Nueces, and cdy 0f jyew York, asking passage of an act relative to costs
the President was bound to execute its laws. in libels filed by seamen in the United States District Court
The announcement of this position forms the gravamen of, of New York.
the leading article in the Union of Monday night. We cite
some of its expressions :
Congress had legislated over it, (the disputed territory :)
therefore the President was certainly bound to defend it from
invasion, and to execute within it the laws of the United
States.”
“He found the law of the United States extending over
certain territory. He found that territory threatened with in-
vasion. These two facts alone were conclusive as to his con-
stitutional right and duty in the premises. His oath of office
bound him to repel the invasion and to execute the law there.
This doctrine has been a thousand times recognised with re-
ference to territories.”
By Mr. DICKINSON: From Cornelius P. Van Ness,
asking for his share of the goods seized by him while collec-
tor of customs for the district of Vermont, and forfeited for
illegal importation.
By Mr. ATCHISON : From citizens of Mercer county,
Missouri, for a mail route from Teilly to St. Josephs.
By Mr. ARCHER : From Josiah Colston, asking that his
accounts as late purser may be opened and certain allowances
made him.
By Mr. J. M. CLAYTON : From citizens of the State of
Delaware, asking for the adoption of measures to bring the
war with Mexico to a speedy close.
Mr. Clayton, on presenting this petition, observed
that he would be proud to co-operate in obtaining what these
rAMMOTH CHRISTMAS PLUM CAKE.—This
___8 beautiful specimen of art, weighing six hundred pounds,
may be seen at the confectionary store of the subscriber on the
24th instant. Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully invited
to cal., and view this cake monster. After the exhibition, it
will be cut up in quantities to suit purchasers.
I take this occasion to return thanks to my friends and pa-
trons for their liberality, and 1 am satisfied that, with the ad-
ditions I have made in my establishment, I can offer greater
inducements for their continued custom than any other dealer
in my line. Weddings, balls, parties, and private families
can be served with Ice Creams of various flavors, Fruits, Jel-
lies, Blanc-mange, Charlotte Ruse, Polonaise, &c.; also, iced
Lemonade : all at the shortest notice and of the best quality.
I have also an extensive assortment of Christmas Cake,
beautifully ornamented, and composed of the best materials ;
also, all kinds of Fruits, Cakes, Bon-bons, &c. of the rieheot
kinds. Also, a superior article oi uougn uanciy, and every
article usually kept in my line. GEORGE KRAFFT,
corner of 18th street and Penn, avenue, First Ward,
dec 23—3t (Union)
KING’S 1-ACE STORE,
Between 10th and 11 th streets, Pennsylvania avenue.
YTEW GOODS JUST RECEIVED.—Having just re-
iM turned from New York with the richest, cheapest, and
most splendid assortment of Laces, Ribands, and Fancy Goods
that was ever brought to this part of the country, we can offer
the greatest inducements to ladies to give us a call. The fol-
lowing are some of the bargains, viz :
Ladies’ Cravats, 124 cents, worth 50
Good worsted Mits, only 3 cents
Laces and Edgings of all descriptions and at almost any
price
Dress Caps for 50 cts., such as are sold by Milliners at 1.50
Children’s Socks, from 3 to 124 cents per pair
A good assortment of Hosiery, very cheap
Good Pins, 3 cents per paper
Hooks and Eyes, two boxes for 1 cent
7-4 Shawls for 50 cents, sold at other stores for $1
Infants’ Worked Waists and Robes, uncommonly cheap
French Worked Collars and Chemisets, for about one-
half their usual value
Trimmings for Dresses, such as Fringes, Gimps, and
Buttons, at prices which cannot fail to suit
Lace Collars, only 124 cents
Plain and figured Nets of all descriptions, from 6f cents
to $1 per yard
New style fancy Collarets, only'25 cents
Ladies’ worked Muslin Dresses, from 3 to $6, worth from
6 to $20
Lace Cuffs, only 6f cents per pair
Bonnet and Cap Ribands, greatly reduced iu price
A beautiful assortment of French Flowers and Bonnet
Caps, very cheap
Cords and Tassels, 25 cents, worth 50
Black and white Demi Veils, for about 50 per cent, less
than their usual price
A few pieces of very handsome dotted Tarleton Muslin,
for dresses, at 624 cents per yard
One large carton of black Silk Laces, 25 per cent, cheaper
than those imported under the new tariff
Ladies’ Cravats, only' 10 cents
A good assortment of Steel Beads, cheap
Lisle Caps, only two cents
Black Ostrich Feathers, for bonnets, for one-eighth part
of their value
Breakfast Caps, only 25 cents, &e.
With a good variety of Ruches, Spool Cotton
Sewing Silk, Silk Handkerchiefs
Gloves and Mits of all descriptions
Silk Illusion, Hair Plats, Bobbin Edgings
Velvet Ribands, Hair Pins, Tarleton and Swiss Muslins"
Muslin and Cambric Trimmings, ot all descriptions and
prices.
Also, a great variety of other new articles, which we will
sell uncommonly cheap. J. T. & C. KING.
N. B. Branch at Alexandria for one week. dec 23
And again, referring to the resolution of annexation, which petitioners so earnestly desired, viz. the speedy restoration of
provided ,h„. the State of T.x.e should be « forced
to the adjustment by this Government of all questions oj proaciie(i Congress as patriots, and as such they thought it
boundary that may arise with other Governmentsthe their duty to speak in relation to this matter. As for himself,
Union says : he repeated that he would be glad to avail himself of all the
“ Be it so. But this, if it prove any thing at all, only proves [neans "hich raiSbt fbe wdhin his Power to bring about an
that Congress should have been careful about extending their honorable peace.; but in the position in which he stood as
jurisdiction over western Texas. It does not at all touch the ^ator oi the Unfd States he was bound to say that he
question of the President’s legal duty after such jurisdiction f see ^ other way to bring about an honorable peace
over that territory had been so established.” than by fighting out the war. He would therefore, without
J any hesitation, give his support to all measures that might be
Let us then inquire into the force of this last argument to proposed which should be deemed indispensable for carrying
which the champions of Executive usurpation are compelled on the war vigorously. And in saying this, he wished to
to resort. It acquires importance because the President him- j be understood as having reference to the supplies necessary for
self, in his long catalogue of pleas, did not fail to give it a on the war. In furnishing the Executive with the
’ 6 s v . means for the vigorous prosecution of the war, he would be
prominent place. In his late message, after recapitulating the in nQ degree behind him who stood foremost.
various acts by which the Texan Congress nominally extend- He had seen it charged in many of the public prints that
ed its laws beyond the Nueces, giving the poor Mexicanswho there was a party that was hostile to the war. He did not
dwelt in that region the unusual privilege of being unconsci- believe that such a party existed. He did not mean to say
, , , , , T-, > that individuals might not be found who were opDosed to it,
ously represented and governed, the President says : and opposed to the interests of this Government, but what he
That the Congress of the United Statas understood the mean to say was, that there was no such thing as a great
State of Texas, which they admitted into the Union, to ex- party prepared to take part with the enemies of their country,
tend beyond the Nueces, is apparent from the fact that, on p[e djd noj. believe that any such thing existed. And least of
the 31st of December, 1845, only two days after the act of aq djd be believe that the great Whig party of this country
admission, they passed a law ‘ to establish a collection district was ready to espouse any foreign interest. He held, although
in the State of i exas,’ by which they created a port of de- their opponents had now a majority in Congress, that the
livery at Corpus Christi, situated west of the Nueces, and be- pig party constituted at this moment the majority of the
ing the same point at which the 1 exas custom-house, under peopfo 0f this country ; and that that majority should be ca-
the laws of that Republic, had been located, and directed that pabfo 0f ffiffing a foreign enemy in opposition to their country
a surveyor to collect the revenue should be appointed lor that wag impossible. It might be possible that those who made
port by the President, by and with the advice and consent ot tpe charge were desirous of bringing about this very result,
the Senate. A surveyor was accordingly nominated and con- jq might be that their wish was father to the thought; but
firmed by the Senate, and has been ever since in the perform- n0 caiumny 0f this nature would ever drive them into oppo-
of his duties. All these acts of the Republic of Texas gitfon to their country. With regard to the means of bring-
and of our Congress, preceded the orders for the advance of jng about an honorable peace which those who had a better
our army to the east bank of the Rio Grande. Subsequently, opportunity of understanding the subject than he had might
Congress passed an act * establishing certain post routes, ex- advise, he could only say that he was entirely ready to co-
tending west of the Nueces.” operate with them when the proper measures for that purpose
This, then, is the legislation of our Congress, by which it were produced : at present it appeared to him to be the evi-
ls pretended that the President was constrained to invade the ^nt duty of Congress to strengthen the arm of the Govern-
1 rnent by every possible means tor the vigorous prosecution of
Mexican State of Tamaulipas. the war> There were topics connected with this subject which
One of the acts in question is stated by Mr. Polk to have be should be glad to discuss, and he would avail himself here-
been adopted by Congress “ subsequently ” to the order for after of a fitting opportunity to do so; at present he would
the advance of the army to the Rio Grande, and, of course, content himself with the few observations which he had offer-
, mi. .u , r .. ed. He thought it was due to those who had entrusted him
is out of the case. The other was a law lor the establishment ...... 6 . . . ... , . , . ...
. with their memorial to say this much in regard to what he
of a port of delivery and custom-house at Corpus Christi, at believed t0 be foe object which they had in view. He now
the mouth of the Nueces, and is the only legislation of Con- moved that the memorial be laid upon the table,
gress to which the President can appeal. How much he re- The motion was agreed to, and the memorial was laid upon
1 the table.
By Mr. BREESE : From Philip Pearce, asking a pre-emp-
tion right.
By Mr. CASS : From Naomi Davis, widow of Gen. Daniel
Davis, asking for a pension.
Papers on file in th/* Sonaio wore withdrawn and refer-
red to their appropriate committees, on motion of Messrs.
JOHNSON, of Maryland, YULEE, DIX, STURGEON,
MANGUM, BAGBY, JOHNSON, of Louisiana, and
others.
BILLS INTRODUCED ON LEAVE.
By Mr. MOREHEAD : A bill to extend the time of selling
lied upon its authority, the documents he has transmitted to
Congress fortunately furnish us the means of ascertaining.
Before we refer to them, we observe that Corpus Christi
was a post, and the only one west of the Nueces of which
the Texans were in the acknowledged possession.__ As the
rresiuem states, they had actually established a custom-house
theie, and derived a pardon of their public revenue from the
duties which its officers received. When Congress, on the
29th of December, 1845, finally consummated the act of an-
nexation, it was assuredly no infraction of Mexican rights to
maintain what Texas was in actual possession of. Nor is it the lands granted to the State of Kentucky for an asylum for
possible to conceive that the establishment of a custom-house
for the collection of duties, as they had previously been col-
lected, was intended by Congress as a declaration of territorial
rights. It acknowledged, indeed, the right of the United
States, as the Surrsgate of Texas, to continue its actual ju-
risdiction over the town of Corpus Christi, but it extended no
further. Had the law been in force when, many months be-
fore, General Taylor was ordered to proceed, with his army,
the deaf and dumb.
By Mr. BAGBY : A joint resolution explanatory of the act
for the relief of Mary Ann Linton.
By Mr. ASHLEY : A bill to grant a quantity of the pub-
lic land to the State of Arkansas, for purposes of internal im-
provement.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
On motion of Mt. SEMPLE, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on Patents and the Patent
Office be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amend-
j structed to inquire into the expediency ot making provision for
I the construction of additional works at Fort Gratiot, near the
outlet ot Lake Huron, of connecting the same with the milita-
ry works at Sand Hill, in the State of Michigan, with leave to
STEVENS & EMMONS,
HATTERS, BROWN’S HOTEL,
GOODS FOR THE HOIYDAYS !
ENTLEMEN’S elegant lustred Moleskin HATS
Do do do Beaver do
Do and youths’ fashionable Cloth Caps
Infants’rich Velvet Caps, (some entire new styles,) just
received
Ladies’ Muffs, Boas, Neck Ties, and Fur Trimmings, in
great variety
N. B. A small package of extra lustred London black Lynx
Muffs, just received.
Wishing to reduce our stock by the close of the present
year, we invite an inspection of the above named goods. We
shall offer them upon terms which cannot fail to prove satis-
factory. STEVENS & EMMONS,
dec 23—2t&eo8t [Foun&BaltSun] Brown’s Hotel.
WATCHES, JEWELRY, SPECTACLES,&c._
YY The subscribers have just received, and offer for sale at
the lowest possible prices, a handsome assortment of—
Gold and silver English and anchor escapement Lever
Watches
Ladies’and gentlemen’s fine gold Breastpins and Finger
Rings
Gold and Silver Pencil Cases, Hoop Ear-rings
Silver Card Cases, Gold Lockets and Miniature Cases
Coral Necklaces and children’s Armlets
Silver purse and bag Clasps
Silver Combs and Darts
Silver Table and Tea Spoons
Sugar Tongs, Cups, Butter Knives, &c.
Also, gold, silver, German silver, and light-blued Steel
to this very town, it might have been deemed some confirma- ing the patent laws as to make a patent, when granted, valid
*» of the propriety of sending hi™ thete. Bot ^
when it was, it neither justified that proceeding, nor could be the patent right until such patent be so vacated,
deemed as designed to do more than sanction such limited ac- On motion of Mr. WOODBRIDGE, it was
tual occupancy of the disputed territory as Texas had previ-| Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be in-
onsly enjoyed.
But the instiuctions to Gen. Taylor, from the time when
he was ordered to take up the line of march from the Red i ^ Ll
,, , .. , . , . . report by bill or otherwise,
liver, in Arkansas, until he was directed to advance to the jjnij ^ jurt/wr resolved, That the communications from
Rio Grande, demonstrate that the attempt to bolster up the the War Department of the date ol April 17, 1840, of the 4th
President’s conduct with this act of Congress is a pitiable December, 1845, and of the 20th January, 1846, on the same
rreMU r subject, be referred to the same committee,
afterthought, conceived m stress of argument to uphold a fail- Qn mQtion Qf gEMPLE) the joint resolution offered by
ing cause. The law, let us recollect, was passed on the th b;m por foe amendment of the Constitution was taken up and
of December, 1845, and is urged as the justification of the referred to the Committee on the Judiciary,
order to Gen. Taylor of 13th January ensuing, instructing him REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES,
to march at once to the Rio Grande. gy ]y[r> LEWIS, from the Committee on Finance : The
Now, the instructions to which we have referred, and which bill to establish a branch mint of the United States in the city
were communicated to Congress by the President on the 11th of New York, without amendment, and giving notice of his
of May last, disclose the fact that as early as the 15th of June, , ® ht^ from^Committee on Finance : The
more than six months before the act of Congress in question MU tQ establish a branch mint of the IJnited States in the city
was passed, it was the intention of the Administration to I 0f Charleston, S. C., without amendment, and giving notice
place Gen. Taylor on the Rio Grande, and that this inten- of his intention to call it up at an early day.
tion continued until it was finally consummated. By Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, from the Committee on
On the 15th of June, 1845, Mr. Bancroft, acting as Secre- Pe^si^f : The followin? bills> without amendment :
A bill granting a pension to Joseph Morrison ; and
tary of War, wrote to Gen. Taylor as follows : A bill granting a pension to John Clark.
“The point of your ultimate destination is the western By Mr. ATCHISON, from the Committee on Pensions
frontier of Texas, where you will select and occupy, o?r on A bill for the relief of Hugh W. Dobbin, an officer in the last
NEAR THE Rio Granbe Del Norte, such a position as war-
will consist with the health of the troops, and will be best By Mr. NILES, from the Committee on Post Offices and
adapted to repel invasion, and to protect what, in the event Post Roads ; A joint resolution for the relief of David Shaw
of annexation, will be our western border.” and Solomon Corson.
On the 30th July, 1845, five months before the act of De- By Mr. ASHLEY, from the Committee on the Judiciary
, cr. it H/T • . . i n__rp i The bill to admit Iowa into the Union as a State, without
cember 29, Mr. Marcy instructed Gen. layior: , . , ’
’ amendment, and recommending its immediate passage.
“ The Rio Grande is claimed to be the boundary between Mn A> said he had been instructed by the committee to ask
the two countries, and up to this boundary you will extend tbe immedjate action of the Senate on the bill. It had been
your protection. * * It is expected that in selecting the referred j0 tbe committee and had been duly investigated, and
establishment for your troops you will approach as near the be presumed there would be no objection to its passage, parti-
boundary line the Rio Grande as prudence will dictate. | cu[arjv as the members from Iowa were Dresent. and anxious
And this is the tenor of all the instructions down to the 13th
of January, when the positive order was given to advance
from Corpus Christi.
What now becomes of the Union’s desperate argument that
the President was hound to enter this disputed territory with
an army, because ‘ * Congress had legislated over it ?” Had
it legislated on the 15th of June, when Mr. Bancroft wrote
his instruction ?
| cularly as the members from Iowa were present, and anxious
to take their seats.
Mr. YULEE offered the following amendment to the bill,
remarking that he did so simply for the purpose of indicating
his opinion in regard to one particular subject. Under an act
of Congress of 1841 an appropriation of half a million of acres
of land was made in favor of each new State that should be
admitted into the Union for purposes of internal improvement.
In the case of Iowa, this fund had been, by the constitution
“TV” “f “““.......I which they had adopted, diverted to purposes of education.
Ur did it legislate during the whole ensuing Thig he ^ not thin£ it was proper fo/the new State to do ,
six months whilst Gen. Taylor was repeatedly informed that be therefore moved the adoption of the following amendment
he was to march to the Rio Grande ? “Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be construed
Thus, therefore, the public records of the country demolish as authorizing any diversion of the lands, at any time, granted
. . . • i ,, t, •, . to the said Territory or State ot Iowa, from the purposes di-
the slender support upon which the President and his friends | rected in the act maJking such grants.»
have reposed his justification—the United States custom-house
at Corpus Christi.
T)ARIS MILLINERY—Mrs. E. HARRISON, from
1 Baltimore, having taken the store on Pennsylvania avenue,
between 12th and 13th sts. formerly occupied by Messrs. Har-
per & Co. will open on Wednesday, the 23d instant, a rich as-
sortment of BONNETS, HATS, CAPS, HEAD DRESSES,
/viso, goiu, silver, vrenuan silver, anu ligm-uiueu oicci j auiuiicmui uvn nuiu, ^ ---— >
Spectacles, for far and near-sighted persons, of every focus, j and a variety of Fancy Articles, to which the attention of the
Glasses of every focus fitted to old frames. | ladies is respectfully invited.
The most careful attention given to repairing all kinds of dee 22—eo3t [AlexGaz&GeoAdv]
watches and clocks. Gold and silver work of every descrip-
tion made to order and neatly repaired.
JAMES & M. W. GALT,
dec 23—d3t Between 9th and 10th streets, Penn. av.
-]%/TISS ST. CLAIR, from Baltimore, at Mrs, Stetson’s
IVI boarding-house, a few doors east of Coleman’s Hotel,
respectfully informs the ladies of Washington that she has just
__________________, received a splendid assortment of HATS, FEATHERS, and
■ATTANTED TO RENT, torTTerm'of years, a vacant! ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, whicli will be sold low. Ladies
YY building, suitable tor manufacturing soap and candles, j who have not yet purchased would do well to give her a call.
Address J. C., National Hotel, dec 23-—3t | dec 22—eolw
Mr. SPEIGHT asked for the reading of the clause in the
constitution of Iowa which related to this grant.
It was accordingly read by the Secretary.
Mr. ASHLEY opposed the amendment. He considered
when a grant or donation was made by the General Govern-
ment to a sovereign State, that that State was the most com-
petent judge as to what disposition should be made of such
grant or donation. The education of the mass of the people
was, in his judgment, of more importance than the levelling
of mountains and valleys or the improvement of the navigation
of rivers. On the one, commerce might indeed, to some ex-
tent, depend; but on the other depended the very existence
of the Government itself. He was altogether in favor of ap-
plying the avails of such grants to the purposes of education,
hi his opinion the people of Iowa had shown more wisdom
than Congress did in the application of the grant. It would
be seen on reference to their constitution that they did not
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National Intelligencer. (Washington [D.C.]), Vol. 47, No. 6867, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 26, 1846, newspaper, December 26, 1846; Washington, District of Columbia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1024871/m1/1/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .