Newspaper Page Text
ton li.insrft hid to resort to hia firm new to me
the country from the then impending peril, might
W not be uppreheneiee for the qnnetion now,
when the President ha been made the subject
olthe m<Ht overwhelming current of sentiment
Which was ever [Mured out against any one
man!
It President Polk had revealrd to this House
now, whil ‘Warexisted between the two nations,
all the correspondence called for—whether he
would have acted right or wrong in this was
not lire question—hut in so doing he would
have given up the power with which the Consti
lotion has invested him, by withdrawing, per
ha|is, at the aanie time the surest means of secur
ing peace. While it was well known that he
was no great admirer of the President, he pro
fessed now his unqualified admiration of the
eland taken in this message in the defence of a
constitutional prerogative; lor there was a separate
constitutional prerogative of action on the part of
the House as well as that of the Executive—
each operating againM the other, and support
ng harmony by their very antagonism. On
this oQcasion, if on no other, he woffld award to
the President the meed of his admiration.
After a long and exciting debate, in which
Meesra. Schenck, Houston, of Alabanfa, Toombs.
C. i. Ingersoll, and Collamcr participated, Mr.
Tomkins took the floor, and on his motien, the
message was committed to the Committee of tie
Whole House on the state of Union, and made
the special order of the day for Tuesdhy next;
•r.d the House then adjourned,
C lfyt g titles♦
OOI,CMBCB, GA.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 95, 1848.
TUB WHIG PARTY IN CONGRESS,
is covering itself with ridicule, disgrace and con
tempt—ridicule for its weakness, disgrace for its
want of patriotism, and contempt for the shuf
fling policy, which a palpable, moral cowardice
has forced it to adopt. Does the Whig reader
my this is unjust or abusive ? Let him follow
us for a few momeuts and tell us, if the facts do
ant justify us.
When a Whig majority was elected to the
lower House of Congress, the country was told
that note this •* atrocious and damnable Presi
dent’s war” would be stopped. Well, Congress
has been in session nerly two months, and judg
ing from the sentiments of the Whigs we bad
• right to expect that before this the army would
have been recalled, the supplies stopped, and an
end pul to a war, which they have declared was
unrighteous and unjust. A man of common
honesty, it is to be supposed, would not vote a
dollar to continue a wrongful war, and as the
Whigs have thought and charged this to be such
an one, it waa'expected that they would not lose
n moment in arresting it. Well,the Whig House
has had a full opportunity to act in this matter.
On the 3d of this month, Mr. Hudson, of Mas
sachusetts, offered the following resolution:
“Resolved, That the commitee on Military Af
fairs be directed to inquire into the expecliencyof
requesting the President of the United States to
withdraw to the east bank of the Rio Grande our
armies now in Mexico, and to propose to the
Mexican government forthwith a treaty of peace
on the following basis, namely : That we relin
quish all claims to indemnity for the expenses of
iha war; and that the boundary between the U. 3.
and Mexico shall bo established at or near the
descent between the Neuces and the Rio Grande;
Chat Mexico shall be held to pay all just claims
dot to our citizens at the commencement of the
war; and that a convention shall be entered into,
tiy the two nations to provide for the liquidation
ts thorn claims and the mode of payment. ”j
Now • careful reading of this resolution, will
•how that it embodies the'professed sentiments of
Che Whig political party on the subject of the
war, which sentiments form the only just and
iwat basis, for tho abuse they have heaped on
the President as the wicked and insane author of
the war. If, therefore, the Whigs believed what
Urey have so often uttered, sincerity, man*
lines*, common Bcnse, aye and common decency
required them to stand up to their opinions and
▼ote for the above resolution. Here they had
•a opportunity to make an authoritative andprac
tical expression of opinion on the subject, and to
their abuse of the Administration, by an
•at, undoing the mischief which they allege he
has done. What did they do with the resolu
tion ! The yeas on it were forty-one, all Whigs ;
and the nays oxe hixurf.k axd thirtt
and of the latter, forty-nine were Whigs.
More Whigs voted against this Whig proposi
tion, to sustain, by a practical act, Whig profes
aioos, than voted for it. And what is the effect
•f this vote! It is a virtual admission that
the Administration, which has been so vilified by
them, is right on the war question; or at least
that they dare not take the responsibility before
the country, of any act to show that he was
wrong. We use the word act emphatically, be
cause we shall show presently, that when it comes
to wonts involving no responsibility, these same
Whigs are ready enough to vote Mr. Polk wrong.
But they dare not cote to do, udiat, as just and
latest men, they are bound and sworn to do, if
they believe, as they tell the country, the war is
unrighteous, and the President is responsible
far if. And why this difference in profession
and action! Why this hesitation to stop a war
that is ao monstrous, they having the power in
tire House! There is but one answer, and it is
because in their hearts they don’t believe it;
Urey know the people do not believe it, and like
all people who violate their conscicuces, they are
moral cowards.
Again, if the war is the wicked act of the
President, why have they not impeached him
hi fore the grand inquest < f the Nation, for so
high a crime ! Not a fingei has been moved
towards such an end, and the reason is, they
know that their pretended views on this subject
•** mt held, and will not be sustained by the
ceuatiy. They are afraid to do what they pro
fess.
But when it comes to voting words that are
cheap and abusive of the President, the Whig
House rallies its strength and can find a majori
ty. Thus, ou Mr. Ashman’s amendment to the
reealutioo of thanks to Gen. Taylor, eighty-five
Whigs are found to vote the war “ unnecessari
ly and unconstitutionally begun by the Presi
4eaL M This vote costs nothing—it tickles Whig
gey, gratifies malignity, insults the President,
and may make Whig capital; and, therefore,
Whig Congressman “go it” But when it
**®* to showing by their deeds, the sincerity of
their professions, only forty-one out of the whole
Whig House are found to stand np. It is re
markable that thirty-seven Whigs who voted
Ashman’s amendment, that the war is “unconsti
tutionaiand unnecessary,” also voted on Hudson's
maduthm, that it ought not to be stopped.
If *uch conduct does not, in the estimation of
al honorable men,—who expect, when gentle
man go to Congress as politicians, that they will
Mt leave aU the principles of fair dealing
and integrity at home,—cover the Whig party in
Caagraas with ridicule, contempt and disgrace,
we should like to know what career of duplicity,
shuffling and chicanery can do it ?
The “Republic,” of Augusta, declines drop
ping Mr. Clay and taking up Gen. Taylor as its
andidate, although requested by some of its
subscribers to do so. The “ Republic” goes off
into an eloquent eulogy of Mr. Clay, showing a
very profound admiration and warm enthusiasm
in the Editor, for “ Harry of the WcbU” The
“ Republic” will, nevertheless, we think, have to
lower the Clay flag, and “ go it blind” for old
Zack.
Mr. Clay is to be turned cut to grass by his
political friends, who think they have got all the
work and time out of him, that was ever in him.
If Republics are not ungrateful, Whiggery it.
And such must be the marked characteristic of
a party,whose garment of principles has been torn
to sbreds,and who are even now refusing to cov
er their naked struggle for power,with those shreds*
and are industriously thrusting them aside out of
the sight of the American people. Availability
is what such a party seeks. And if the glare oi
Gen. Taylor’s military fame will allure the most
votes to a Whig ticket—no matter whether Tay
lor avows Whig principles or refuses to avow
any—he is their man. Any thing is better with
them than the success of the Democratic paity—
any course, that will avoid an issue on those
principles of Bank, Tariff, Distribution, Aboli
tion of the Veto Power, and Internal Improve
ments, on which, again and again, they have met
with Buena Vista defeats.-- Their motto is, let
us shirk these issues, hide the unclean tbiugfrom
the public eye, elect a popular man, and then,
having smuggled a Hero into the chair, as a
“ no-party” (Whig) candidate, unmask the Fed
eral batteries,and destroy the policy—war, foreign
and domestic—-which,under Democratic adminis
tration, has placed this country on the highest
ground of national prosperity and honor.
The Augusta “ Republic” is opposed to this
game ;so is the “New York Tribune.” They
both prefer Whiggery as it is, and the great “em
bodiment” as the chief who is to lead it on to
open victory or defeat. That is the honest
course, and if the Whig party takes it and dies,
it will at least “ die nobly.” The other course
kills them if they fail, and Tylerises them if they
eucoeed.
Tax Rati, Roab. —The past has been a week
cf Rail Road exeitement. Our city fathers would
not take the responsibility of voting the tax for Rail
Road purposes without a more unequivocal ex
pression of opinion from the Tax payers. A
committee appointed to ascertain their wishes
and views, have been busy for several days in
polling the town. The result, so far, we under
stand, shows what we believed it would—to-wit:
that an immense majority are willing to stand 3
percent on Real Estate,and } of 1 per cent on
Merchandise sold. Our property-holders and
merchants are in dead earnest, and “no mis
take.” When they cry out to the city “tax us,”
there is apparent, an unmistakeable depth of
conviction, and a breadth of “ fixity” of purpose,
on which a longer Road than that from hore to
Barnesviile could bo built.
The corporation is to be felicitated, on being
about to find out where the majority lies—for
that’s the side they are determined to be on.
We invite attention to Rail-Road cemmunica
cations in our columns, pro and con, the tax and
the routes.
It woi’t do. —The Whigs In Congress, all
but fourteen, voted in May, ’4B, that the war
was the “ act of Mexico and in December,
1847, that it was 14 unconstitutionally andunnes
sarity begun by the President.” One or the
other proposition is obliged to be false; yet
scores of them voted for both.
They are excused, by the Whig papers, by a
paltry subterfuge. They say the declaration in
the act of ’46, was contained in a preamble—a
“lying preamble”—and that Whigs were obliged
to voto for it, in order to give the supplies to the
army, provided for in the body of the bill. The
simple answer to which is, first, that no man is
ever obliged to vote for a “lie”— and next, that
there were enough members in Congress, who be
hoved the preamble set forth the truth, to have
carried both preamble and bill. The Democrats
had the majority and the bill was in no danger.
But, lame as this excuse is, it was an after
thought. It was invented, when it became neces
sary, last month to explain their late and con
tradictory vote on Ashmun’s amendment.
PnoviaoisM in Wiemot’s District. —The
Democracy of the Congressional District repre
sented by the Hon. David Wilmot, have held a
meeting in Bradford county, Pa., and expressed
their dissent and opposition to the principle of
the Wilmot Proviso. They declare that the
letter of*Mr. Buchanan and the resolutions of
Senator Dickinson contain the principles which
meet their hearty approbation.
“Rexper chto Caesar,” Ac. The
Journal & Messenger, at Macon, copies a cotton
article from this paper, and credits it to our neigh
bor of the Enquirer. If it was worth copying,
it is a waif worth reclaiming. Suum cuique.
Thx Pea Patch Case. —The longstanding
controversy between the United States and the
State of Delaware, as to the ownership of the
Pea-Patch, is at last decided. The case was
submitted to the sole arbitrament of the Hon.
John Sargent of Philadelphia, who after hear
ing counsel and weighing testimony, has award
ed the title to the Pea-Patch Islands to the U.
States.
The decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States, places Mrs. Maj. Gen. Gaines in
the possession of a property valued at $8,000,000.
Mexicax Affairs. —The President’s mes
sage will be read with invest. The Whigs in
Congress are trying to raise a breeze over it.—
But Mr. Polk has shown himself to be a man not
easily swayed from the path of public duty.—
His reasons arc satisfactory to every man of sense.
The Richmond Enquirer of the 15th inst. says,
It will be seen that the President very properly
declines to furnish important information relative
to negotiations with Mexico—“ negotiations
which have not been terminated, and which may
be resumed.” The customary and usual reser
vations contained in calls of either House for in
formation from the Executive were omitted. In
the present case the'call was unconditional. No
discretion was left to the President as to whether
the information asked for would be prejudicial
to the public interests or not; but the President,
while anxious to furnish all proper information,
nevertheless believes it to be his solemn duty,
under the circumstances, not to make public,
and to communicate to Mexico, now our enemy,
and with whom we are engaged in war, informa
tion which could not fail to produce serious em
barrassment in any future negotiation between
the two countries. The President is fully sus
tained in his course by the examples of Wash
ington, Monroe and Jackson—supported by the
opinions of Mr. Livingston, Mr.. Madison, and
Chief Justice Marshall.
It is said that at Boston the street dirt sell an
nually for $30,000, being vastly more than the in
couie derived from some gold mines,
LATER FROM MEXICO.
The steamship New Orleans, at New Orleans,
brings Vera Cruz dates to the I4th insL We
aie indebted to the Delta for the following par
ticulars. The Arco Iris, of the Bth, contains a
tumor received from a Jalapa correspondent that
a Treaty of Peace had been signed. The Editor
thinks it cannot be true; first because Mr. Trist’s
powers had been revoked and himself recalled,
and, second, because Gen. Scott would not take
the responsibility on himself.
It is said that Santa Anna had embarked at
Acapulco for the port of San Bias.
Heavy arrivals of troops had taken place in
the city of Mexico. The Star says :
“ In consequence of these arrivals for the last
tew days, the city presents quite an animated
appearance. Many of the streets are blockaded
up with wagons and soldiers on their way to their
quarters.
The American Star of the 31st, says that it
has been known that a large force of guerrillas
was in the vicinity of Mexico. That the U. S.
Dragoons had failed to come up with them. On
the 27th ult. Padre Jarauta slept at San Juan
Zcotihuacan, accompanied by eight hundred men.
On the 28th he was at Gaudaloupe, with an es
cort of fifteen men, and proceeded as far as the
Garita. From thence he proceeded to Haue
paantla, some nine miles from the citv of Mexi
co, on the Queretaro road. His cry at Gauda-
Icupe, was: “Long live the Religion.” We
hope, adds the Star, that some of our Dragoons,
or others, will shortly get this precious rascal in
our hands. He is bold in venturing so near the
city, and cannot expect to escape ths apprehen
sion and the punishment which he deserves.
A rumor was afloat on the 21st ult. that Col.
Withers command, which left the City of Mexi
co on the evening of the 26th. for Real Del
Monte, had been cut to pieces when about twen
ty miles distant. Ihe Star does not believe a
word of it, and says that it would require four or
five thousand Mexicans at least to rout the 6th
Infantry, the Dragoons and the Artillery under
Gol. W,s command.
Gen. Scott has issued an order, making a re
quisition on the different Mexican States, now
oocupied and to be occupied by our troops, for
funds to support the Army. The Mexican func
tionaries now in office are held personally res
ponsible for the sums levied, and are to be seized
and imprisoned, and their property confiscated, in
case they fail to pay. Nor are they to be permit
ted to evade the order by resignation. If this
plan should fail to produce the assessment, then
the commanding officer of the American army in
each State, will immediately proceed to collect
the amount in money, or kind, from the wealthier
citizens—taking care always to make the collec
tions as equitably as practicable.
“ The States will have to pay yearly as fol
lows: Chihuahua, $49,188; Cnnhuila, $5,657;
Chiapas, $21,692; Durango, $85,556; Guana
juato, $255,576; Jalisco, $236,338; Mexico
State and Federal District, $668,332; Michoa
can, $287,712 ; Nuevo Leon, $60,437; Oajaca,
$49,160; Puebla, $424,276; Queretaro, $85,-
944; San Luis, $111,260; Sinaloa, $33,524;
Sonora. $5,000; Tabasco. $59,000; Tamaolt
pa, $71,332 ; Vera Cruz, $271,568 ; Zacatecas
and Agnas Calientes, re-united, $249,076.”
The total of this sum is a little over three
millons of dollars, and is exclusive of customs,
duties on the produce of the mines and various
other sources of revenue. The receipts of Post
Offices are left to the States respectively. Lotte
ries and duties paid at the gates of citios, and
the tobacco monopoly are abolished.
This is a most important order, and it is the
beginning a system, which we have always be
lieved to be practical—-to make Mexico support
our army as long as she insists on continuing the
war.
The steamer Washington, which sailed from
Southampton on the 19th ult., has arrived in
New York. The W. encountered terrific storms
on her passage. She brings nothing later.
The Havre packet Duchess D’ Orleans went
ashore off Handy Hook, in a fog on Friday night
week.
We learn from the Message of Governor Stha
tow, that the State of N. Jersey is now free of
debt, and is in possession of such sources of per
manent revenue as to render taxation for State
purposes unnecessary.
Tax CnotxßA nr toirnoir. —The London,
correspondent of the National InteJigencer, in
his latest letter, furnishes the following startling
intelligence :
“ A more alarming piece of news is, that the
Cholera is undoubtedly in London, and has bro
ken out with extreme virulence in Golden Lane
and other densely populated parts of the city.—
The police keep watch and ward there to inter
dict communication. The symptoms of the dis
ease are of a very alarming nature, exhibiting
itself in plague spots and other fearful charac
teristics. ’This is truly a melancholy close to my
communication. I hope the matter is made the
worst of, but have many fears.
The Constitutional Treasury Law went into
operation January 1, 1847; and since that time.
in eleven months, the Goverament has received
transferred and disbursed more specie than it
has for fifty-seven years!
[bt telegraph.]
From the Charleston Courier.
LATER FROM EUROPE.
Our attentive Telegraphic correspondent, un
der date of 19th inst., gives us the intelligence
that the Cambria arrived on the miming ol that
day, and annexes a short synopsis of the intelli
gence she brings, which we give below.
As regards the Cotton market, it is apparent
that there is an error, certainly in the classifica
tion, if not in the quotations, aud we should be
much pleased if those transmitting information
by Telegraph, Southward, would pay especial
attention to this matter.
In our present despatch, there is confusion in
the grades, but we give our readers just what we
received, leaving them tojudge what should have
been written, as we have no means of enlight
ening them on the subject.
The Bank of England has reduced the rate
of interest to 5 per cent., and the money market
in England was easier than at the last accounts.
The Messrs. Sands, and Durand & M’Kenzie,
of Liverpool, and Colesworth & Pryor, are men
tioned as having failed.
Cotton is stated to have declined to within fd.
of the lowest point ever known. The following
are our Telegraphic quotations, which, as above
mentioned, are inaccurate as to classification:
ord. to mid. a 4f ; good to fair 5
ass; good to fair [fine !J6a 7£. .Upland, ord.
to mid. 3| a 4s; fair to good fair 4§ a5; good
to fair [fine!] a s^.
The following were the quotations of the 18th
Decem'ier: New Orleans ord. to mid. 3to 3Jd ;
fair to good fair 5 to s]<l; good to fine 6to 7£d.
Bowed, Georgia, ord to mid. 3J to 4*d ; fair to
good fair 4$ to s}d; good to fine s£d.
We copy the following items from the Peters
burg Intelligencer, being from their Telegraphic
correspondent:
Parliament had adjourned over till after the
holidays.
Cotton is firm. Prices declined and again ral
lied, and the market became steady. Stock light.
Flour. —The finer sorts have advanced fully
one shilling.
The bullion in the Bank of England is twelve
and a quarter millions.
Com. — A slight advance has taken place—
from Ito 2 shillings parqr. General aspects fa
vorable.
Correspondence of the Times*
Col. Benton and Gen. Kearney —The P. M.
General and Richmond R. R~—Debate in the
House—Mr. R. Johnson, of Md.—Mr. C/ay
ion, of Del. bolted from Taylor — Mr. Clay s
arrival, and seizure of the whig party heitn
—Mexican Affairs, and the President's Mes
sage—Mr. Crittenden and Mr. Clay—Mr.
Calhoun's course on the War—The Rich
mond War Meeting—The Virginia Democ
racy united.
No. 72.
Wishisgtox Citt, Jan. 16, 1848.
Col. Benton and Gen. Kearney had a flare-up
on the Satnrday before my last, at the Court Mar
tial. TheColonsl attempted to stare the General
(then on the stand) down. On leaving the stand,
Gen. K. called the attention of the Court to the
insult that Col. B. had attempted thus to put on
him. He disclaimed any intention of claiming
the protection of the Court, however, intimating
that at a proper time he would right himself. —
Col. Benton at once avowed the intention of thus
insulting him, and, after stating his reasons for so
doing, there the matter dropped : So say persons
who were present. It is understood in military
circles that Gen. K. will challenge the Colonel
as soon as the Court is over. It has taken a re
cess of two weeks, I believe.
Reverdy Johnson treated us to the first division
of his speech on Monday. He goes in for the
war, maintaining its justice and nationality to
the fullest extent. Yet, by way of carrying wa
ter on both shoulders, he exclaims against the
order to march to the Rio Grande. Declaring
that it was the duty of the President to defend
up to the east bank of that river,* his censure
misses its object and falls on the head of his fa
vorite, Gen. Taylor, who not only advised the
condemned march, but, being entrusted with the
broadest discretion as to what points or point of
the bank he should occupy, chose t® plant him
self in hostile array in full view of the city of
Matamoras, with shotted guns gaping upon its
towers, within “ range.”
The whigs are by no means pleased with his
positions. In fact, in the attempt to pack water
on both shoulders, his.pails were “up sot,”
drowning him, politically, and giving his party a
terrible ducking. Webster evidently intends to
answer him.
Monday’s legislation of the House completed
the triumph of the P. M. General in the matter
of his difficulty with the Virginia Railroad Com
pany. The resolution from the select eommiUee,
as amended, was refused to be engrossed, which
refers the whole matter back to his discretion.
McClernand, of Ind. delivered a powerful po
litical speech on that day, on the question of re
ferring the annual message, and Stanton, of Tenn.
also spoke an hour, taking ground against the
Veto, r ’ ‘•••
On Tuesday, in the Senate, Reverdy Johnson
finished his speech, and J.M. Clayton commenced
his. Johnson’s conclusion was a lamentable
failure, when compared with his effort of the day
before. He is neither for nor against territorial
indemnity, being perfectly willing to receive it,
but satisfied that the glory achieved—(mark that,
in an unnecessary and unconstitutional war, as
his brother whigs of the Houso have voted) —is
sufficient compensation for all that it has cost us,
or may, up to two or threo hundred millions of
dollars 1 He intends voting with the democrats
for this Ten Regiment bill, as reported by the
Committee on Military Affairs, for which he gave
reasons similar to those proffered in the argu
ment of Jefferson Davis, referred to in my last
letter.
J. M. Clayton delivered sufficient of his speech
to render :t certain that he goes against indem
nity, and probably against the further prosecution
of the war. He voted the original war bill, in
May, 1846, and justifies his change on the hum
bug pica, that he cannot sustain the President in
his (assumed) purpose of conquering and annex
ing Mexico.
The truth is, Clay has already frightened him
out of his wits, as well as his Taylorism. So he
stands chock-up on the Lexington platform.
Phis is one of the signs going to satisfy all here
that Mr. Clay has already seized the helm of his
party, whether Crittenden would have him do so
or not.
Andrew Stewart ventured a set speech in favor
of protection, on Tuesday. The man should be
sent to bedlam. This speech was nominally up
on the question of the reference of the President’s
annual message, an interminable theme. He
was followed by Mr. Venable, of N. C. in an
able speech in defence of the War and the gen
eral policy of the democratic party. This, his
first Congressional effort, has won for him high
rank as a parliamentary debater. Rockwell, of
Conn, closed for the day, and Lincoln, of Tenn.
recured the floor for the first speech cn Wednes
day.
Mr. Clayton closed in the Senate on Wednes
day, on the Ten Regiment bill. He is emphati
cally against voting a man, and it may be, a dol
lar, for the further prosecution of the war. He
arraigned the President about every thing he has
done, from his annexation letter up to the ad
mission of Santa Anna. His Taylorism, you see,
has already oozed out of his fingers’ ends.
In the House, nothing of importance transpired
on Wednesday. Reports were presented, and
Lincoln, of 111. made his federal speech, and it
was voted not at present to close this time-wast
ing debate over the reference of the annual mes
sage—the whigs voting, en masse, against the mo
tion to close it.
On Thursday, Mr. Pierce, of Maryland, treated
the Senate to a dry speech on the Ten Regiment
bill—made, avowedly, for Buncombe. He stands
on the Lexington platform. This is another dead
“federal Taylor” cock, in the pit—Mr. Pierce,
before the arrival of Mr. Clay, having been writ
ten down a Taylorite.
We had an exciting time in the House on that
day, over the President’s message declining to
send in (in answer to its call) the papers bearing
on the mission of Mr. Slidell. The refusal is
based on the fact, that their promulgation will in
jure the interests of the country in the negotiation
of the treaty which we must have at the termina
tion of the war. The message points to prece
dents for this refusal, furnished during the ad
ministrations of Washington and Monroe. John
Q. Adams attacked the President’s refusal and
that of Washington, which he equally condemned.
Schenck and Collainer also took ground against
the President; and Holmes of S. C., C. J. In
gersoll, and Houston of Ala., in favor of his ac
tion. Ingersoll read, from the rostrum, what
John Marshall, in his Life of Washington, has to
say concerning the refusal of the Father of his
Country to comply with a similar call for infor
mation relative to the treaty with Britain. Mar
shall argues to show the constitutionality and
propriety of the course of Gen. Washington, and
declares that Madison and Livingston agreed
with him concerning it. These are authorities
that federalism will hardly be able to subvert
when the question again comes up, as it does, on
Tuesday next.
The Senate did not sit on Friday and Saturday,
nor the House on Saturday. Friday was devoted
by the House to debate on a bill to pension the
step-mother of Major Brown, who fell in action
while commanding the fort subsequently called
after him.
Mr. Clay stele a march on his friends on Mon
day last. They were desirous to receive him
with a telling flourish o* trumpets, and to avoid
which he was cautious to reach Washington some
honre before tfte public expected him. ,Os the
two hundred leaders, (congressional, local and
of the lobby,) who being in the secret, stood rea
dy to greet him, some would shout whether he
would or not. So he even had to doff hat and
thank them. It was modestly done, however.—
Before midnight thousands of .the faithful had
worshiped at the shrine, and to-day he has suf
fered under no lack of calls, many of which were
made by persons heartily wishing him to the
themselves and —office. Mr. Clay looks as well
as at any former period of his eventful life.
Although it is generally understood that Mr.
Crittenden and himself are at daggers’ points
about the part the former has played in essaying
slyly to insert a spider in his dumplin, he (Crit
tenden) proceeded immediately to pay his re
spects. It is now said that Mr. Crittenden’s plans
to get rid of Clay, date at least as far back as
when a Senator was elected in place ot More
head, on which occasion Crittenden wrote to the
Editor of “The Commonwealth,” inducfngghim
to take ground as the friend of Clay against the
election of the latter to the Senate, for which
Clay was doubtless anxious.
Thus the quid nuncs have it. say,
further, that Clay was then witl^ltnculty ap
peased. I think I may venture to write it down
a fixed fact that Mr. C. will get his party nomina
tion if he desires it. And that he will be forced
to desire it to keep together even a fragment o*
the Whig party, I do not doubt.
Mr. Calhoun is open and decided in opposition
to the resolutions of Senator Dickinson, which
are destined, I think, to obtain the support of ev
ery Southern Senator save Mr. C. and Messrs.
Butler and Yulee. This is supposed to have been
settled by the action of the important war meet
ing lately held in Richmond, in which the talen
ted and powerful wing of the party in that city,
remarkable, heretofore for unwavering support
of the South Carolina statesman in all his vaga
ries, fully, frankly, and ireely gave him up as it
were, in cordially sustaining the war, and declar
ing for indemnity and the application of the prin
ciple of Dickinson’s resolutions to the indemnity
thus obtained.
The committee reporting the resolutions were
half original Calhoun men, with the eloquent and
intellectual Caskie at their head. Thia meeting
has further closeted all the hopes of the Taylor
men in carrying Virginia in case the General is
nominated by the Whig party. These hopes
were based on the expectation that Mr. Calhoun
would carry with him the wing of the party that
failed to follow the flag in 1840. The expected
assistance of these with the votes of men to be
seduced from their principles by over-loud shout
ing, they thought, would secure the vote of the
old dominion against the Democratic nominee.—
I think I may now safely congratulate your read
ers on the certainty that the Whig candidate will
meet a united Democratic party in every South
ern State. LOWNDES.
[for Til* TIMES.
Tilsl TRUK SPIRIT.
*
Mr. Editor: —A widow lady in this city, a
few days since, on being visited by one of the
Committee appointed by the Board of Aldermen
to ascertain whether the citizens are willing to
be taxed for Railroad purposes, was asked if she
was willing to be taxed 2 per cent, per annum
cn her real estate, ($2,500.) “Yes,” she an
swered. “ I have not ttie money, but I am wil
ling to work for it. lam willing to do all that I
can to save the city. Unless we get a Railroad
we are ruined.” Where are your blushes, yon
who would see Columbus perish, rather than fol
low the noble example of the spirited, patriotic,
whole-souled widow I A. B.
[for the timbs;]
MUSCOGEE R AIL-HOA I>.
Mr. Editor: I am a carpontcr and own a
house and lot on winch I live. It cost me one
thousand dollars. My earnings are one dollar
and a half a day, and my wife generally earns
fifty cents more by her needle. In this way we
are about able to make both ends meet at the
end of the year, and little or nothing to spare.—
Our three children and ourselves consume it.—
When this two per cent Rail Road.tax was first
spoken of, I vowed I would not stand it, and went
home full of fight and fury at the idea of pay
ing twenty dollars a year for my house and lot.
My old woman did not sympathise with me in
my wrath at all. Says she, ‘‘old man you most
have taken an extra dram to-day. There is no
sense in your getting mad about this Raii-Road
tax at all. Every body says Columbus will be
ruined without a Rail-Road, and that no one
wants to build any houses until they knew that
the Rail-Road is coming. If people quit build
ing you won’t get any work. If you don’t get
wort, we shall have to move. We will not be
able to find any one to buy our house and lot,
and if we can’t pay a lax of twenty dollars when
there is plenty of work for us, how arc we going
to raise the money to move away ] You just
quit your nonsense and don’t be making a goose
of yourself. Every day of your life you spend
two t’nrips for liquor. That makes about forty
five dollars a year. Spend no more money for
liquor and you will save enough to pay the tax
and have enough left out of the savings, to pay
for the schooling of our little boy.”
This is the way she talked to me. I knocked
under and determined to perform the part of a
good citizen by assisting in a work that every
body says will save the town. I shall cut the
acquaintance of the retailer and cultivate that of
the SCHOOLMASTER.
[FOR THE TIM^S.
Mu. Editor :—For my part, I do not believe
it is right in principle, nor good policy, to en
cumber our city with an additional debt to what
it now has, or to her citizens with more
taxation than pay, to build a* Railroad
which may or may not benefit the city. It is,
to say the least of it, a project of doubtful pro
priety. Enterprises of this kind, I think, should
be gone into and carried un by private individu
als, or joint stock companies. It is a power, too,
that I, as a citizen and real estate owner, do not
feel disposed to give to our City Council; for if
they should think it best for the interest of the
city, they can, with equal propriety and with
greater reason, levy a tax upon us to build up
manufactories within our corporate limits—for
every one believes that if we had our river lined
with manufactories our city would be greatly ben
efited ; and to accomplish this object, it would
only be necessary to get the Legislature to give
them the power, and they could, if they choose,
issue bonds and levy a tax of 2, or 5, or any oth
er per cent, that they choose in their wisdom to
do, and thus involve our city in a debt, and en
cumber our real estate w th a tax, that it would
take years to get rid of: and they have just as
much right to issue bonds and compel us to pay
taxes for one as the other—and if they have this
right, they have the right to do so for any other
doubtful project. Therefore, I say, it is wrong
in principle, and wrong in policy, for the City
Council to use this power. If wc are to have
a Railroad, and be taxed to build it, let us
first determine, by a voice of the citizens, or, if
you please, the tax-payers of the city, expressed
either by a public meeting or by a vote directly
had, in regard to which Route we will adopt—
whether the Barnesville route or the direct route
to Macon ; for I consider this question has not
been settled, although the Directors of the Mus
cogee Railroad Company have determined, for
themselves, upon the Barnesville route. This
they had a right to do, so long as they depended
upon their private subscriptions to carry out their
project; but when they ask the City Council to
become subscribers, our citizens have a right to
be consulted, and to determine whether they will
be taxed to carry out their views or not. And
I will here remark, I have understood that the
Macon and Savannah people have very lately
consented to meet us halfway on the direct route,
or rather more than half way; for they propose
to build 55 miles of the Road, if we will build
40 or 45 miles, on a route leading directly east
of us, or near that direction, and that we can af
terwards go to Barnesville, if we choose.
I think the above facts in regard to the direct
communication materially change the question
from it was when a meeting of the citiiens
was held, several months ago, in which they gave
their consent that the City Council should tax
the people, and issue bonds, and subscribe for
$150,000 worth of stock in the Muscogee Rail
road Company. Under this state of things, an
expression of opinion in either way stated above,
should be had, in regard to the routes spoken of;
for it may not be necessary to issue the bonds,
or levy the tax, if a shorter route than the
Barnesville route should he adopted.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.
From the New Orleans Delta.
LATE FROM MEXICO.
By the steamer Virginia, Capt. Tucker, we
received yesterday the latest intelligence from
Mexico. The Virginia left Vera Cruz in the
evening of the 4th and Tampico on the 6th Jan.
Our correspondence, which may be found in a
nother column, is deeply interesting. Wc have
also large tiles of Mexican papers from the city,
as well as from Queretaro, Guadalajara and Mo
relia, upon which we shall draw liberally for fu
ture numbers of our paper. Our correspondent
has also sent us a full and accurate list of the
deaths in our army in the city of Mexico for Oc
tober, which we shall publish to-morrow.
The Free American of3lst Dec. contains an
account of a supper given by the Louisiana Vol
unteers and Rangers to Lieut, Col. D. H. Miles.
The supper was given at the Diligence Hotel,
and was presided over by Capt. G. W. White,
of the Louisiana Infantry Battalion, who, on the
occasion, made a few brief and pertiment re
marks, and concluded by giving as a toast—
Lieut. Cvl. Dixon Milts, U. S. A. —The friend
of the voluntear soldier, the have and gallant offi
cer, and accomplished gentleman.
• * * * • *
•
By Col. Miles—
The patriotic State of Louisiana —Her gal
lant sons were the first to volunteer for the war.
My knowledge o! those here, causes me to be
lieve they will be the last to leave the field while
our country needs their services.
About half-past 9 o,clock Gen. Twiggs and
Staff entered, and participated in the evening’s
entertainment. He was received with a soldier’s
welcome —the band plying an appropriate air.
We regret not having space to notice more fully
the proceedings. We noticed that all seemed
happy, and vied with one another to do honor to
their guest.
By Gen. D. E. Twiggs:
Honor to the citizen soldier, who steps forward
to battle for his country. Shame to the knaves at
home, who give aid aud comfort to our ene
mies.
This toast of the White Haired Hero of Csrro
Gordo expresses in strong terms the feeling of
the whole Army. Many other appropriate toasts
were drunk and the supper went off with great
hilarity and satisfaction.
• ••• • •• *
“Mustang's” Letters.
Citt of Mexico, Dec. 23, 1847.
Eds. Delta —l can only vuite you a line by
this conveyance, both for the %ant of space and
time, betore the courier leaves.
All the new troops under Gen. Butler have ar
rived, in good health generally.
I wrote to you in my last that there could not
be any movement to ban Luis, Queretaro, etc.,
for some weeks, which turns out to be true. If
the expedition does move, of which there is some
doubt, it will be under the command of Maj. Gen.
Butler, and consist of about 4,000 troops. Col.
Rily’e brigade is pow in Tacubaya, three miles
from the City—Gen. Cushing’s at San Angel,
seven miles'from the City, and formed out of the
South Carolina, New York and the Pennsylva
nia Volunteers.
War stock is down, and peace stock is up, hut
I must admit that the market, among the outsi
ders, is rather fluctuating, and speculation has
taken a wide range. On the Ist of January next
is the day fixed for the meeting of the Mexican
Congress, with Herrera as President. Their
proceedings will be of a highly important char
acter; and full es interest to the people of the U
nited States, i have sent a correspondent there,
who is thoroughly conversant with the people
and politics of the country, in order that I may
be able to keep your readers correctly advised of
anything that may occur in reference to peace or
war movements. 1 have also made arrangements
tor a senn-wcekly courier from there—anil as 1
receive news of importance to the people of the
United States, 1 will forward it by special courier
to the coast; but I hope you will take the neces
sary precaution not to have mv letters detained
after they arrive at Vera Cruz. We are all anx
iously waiting the arrival of the President’s Mes
sage, which is expected one of these days.
Yours, MUSTANG.
Citt of Mexico, Dec. 25, 1847.
Gn the 24th inst., we had a genteel excite
ment in the city caused by a flare-up between
our Governor, Gen. Smith, and the Ayuntumi
ento (City Ci uncil.) The difficulty originated
in the Mexicans having acted in bad faith towards
our authorities, in the election of its members
and the furnishing of our't'roops with quarters.—
A short time ago, there was a Decree issued by
the Mexican Government, at Queretaro, directing
that there should not be any elections held in
any oFlbe towns or cities occupied by the Amer
icans—and that tho officers then in office should
continue in the discharge of their various func
tions. The people desired anew election, and
our authorities, determining that the Government
should not exercise an}- authority in the Capital
while we hold it, directed anew election to be
held, in accordance with the wishes of the people.
Accordingly an election for anew Council was
held about a week ago, which resulted in the
choice of another set of persons, to take their
place on the first of next month. The old coun
cil then set themselves to work to prevent the
new Council from taking their places. To the
Governor (Gen. Smith,) they slated that they
were not acting in accordance with the Decree
of the Government at Queretaro, while at the
same time they arraigned one of the new electors
before a Criminal judge, for a violation of the
Decree This was a subterfuge that Gen. Smith
would not submit to—but one well worthy of a
Mexican legislator or lawyer. Gen. Smith im
mediately put a stop to all such proceedings.—
The Council then addressed Gov. Smith an ex
ceedingly insolent and impertinent note, in ref
erence to the occupation ot quarters by the Amer
ican troops, and accusing Gen. Scott of a viola
tion of pledge—however, belore they sent it to
the Governor, they gave it to the Editor of El
Monitor Repuhlicano for publication, with the
object of exciting the populace and breeding dis
turbance, as only one side of the question could
be presented, unless the Governor was allowed
time to answer it before it was published. Such
conduct as this could not be tolerated by Gen.
Smith, and the Mexicans haveheen made to feel
that they were dealing with a man of decision and
firmness. Immediately on the appearance of this
note Gen. Smith demanded that the Council
should withdraw the publication and apologize
for it. They refused and persisted. Gen Smith
then directed his Secretary, Lieut, R. P. Ham
mond, to depose the old Council and install the
new. Accordingly at the same time they receiv
ed the note, informing them of the cessation of
their functions, they were saluted with a file of
blue jackets to enforce the order, and the gentle
men were compelled to leave the council room
without fingering what cash was left. At the
same moment of the removal of the Council an
officer with a file of men presented themselves at
every part of the city where there are any reve
nues collected, and took possession of the cash on
hand.
To-day the new Council was installed with as
much form, solemnity and swearing on the Holy
Books, as if the people of this country were in
the habit of testifying to the truth.
I send you the Correspondence of the Gover
nor, and you will find the objectionable note in
El Monitor, a file ofvvhich I also send you.
• •*••••
The “Star” announces the death, from the
effects of a wound received at Chaputtepec, of
Samuel W. Brady, of Winchester, Ya. Mr. B.
was one of the three that escaped the massacre
of Maj. Dade and his company, in Florida, De
cember, 1835. MUSTANG.
City of Mf.xico, Dec. 27, 1847.
Ens. Delta —Yesterday morning, a detach
ment, under the command of Col. Withers, con
sisting of the 9th Infantry, a section of Artillery
under Lieut. , and a company pf Dragoons
under Capt. Gaither, started for Pachuca, a town
situated near the mines of Real del Monte. The
object of t!ie expedition I understand to be’ to pro
tect proprietors in working the mines, and at
the same time to collect the revenues arising there
from.
The prospects for negotiating a peace imme
diately increase daily, and, in fact, wc have every
reason to believe the Mexicans will conclude it
during the next month, if our government will
accede to the terms they offered during the ar
mistice. An entirely different opiniou exists in
the councils ot the Mexican Government, and
with a large majority oflhe people. My corref.
pouderit at Quere taro writes me, under date of
the 20th inst., that about thirty of the new depu
ties had already arrived, and by the sth or l()th
of January, there would not only be a quorum
but nearly, if not the whole of the Congress pre
sent; that there is no opposition to Ihe’negotia
tion ota peace, except among the deputies from
the States of San Luis dc Potosi and Jalisco
The new President, Herrera, ,s known to be in
tavor of immediate negotiations. Th c present
Government has succeeded in destroying the old
army, and has organized anew one, composed
ot the National Guard, the organization of which
i send you. This new army will enable the
Government to keep down the old one, and also
will be its support in any measures it determines
upon.
I informed you in a former letter, that there
would be no movement from this place upon
ban Luis and Zacatecas or Queretaro before the
middle of January, and I now repeat it, although
the city is full ofrumorsevery day about the march
ot a large column upon those places.
The Puros, or democratic party, of thiscountry
are at present completely powerless; they have
been defeated in their opposition to the present
Government under their former colors, and they
are now attempting to rally under the flag of an
nexation, hoping by these tactics to tickle tha
ambition of tl.e Americans, and thereby prevent
any negotiations being entered into, until they
can have time to recover their strength sufficient
to overthrow thc Government, and then make a
peace with themselves in power. I think our au
thorities are a little too shrewd to listen to their
humbugging to our own disadvantage, and with
the exception of some very smart people , with
very little good sense, the tactics and politics of
the different parties are well understood.
The speeches of Mr. Clay and Mr. Webster
have been received here. If these gentlemen
want to aid and assist the enemy, why do they
not go into their ranks at onccl If they had
Mexican muskets on their shoulders, they could
not assist the Mexicans as much ;lherc, as they
h ive done by their speeches. In the name of
God, will the politicians of our country never
cease gambling for the Presidency upon the 1 lood
of our countrymen] Our army dreads not dan
ger, nor do they fear to die in defence of ihtir
country, butjthey do dislike to be sacrificed to the
unholy ambition of aspiring politicians and polit
ical knaves. Is there noway by which our friends
at home can put a stop to the unpatriotic conduct
of politicians, who would sacrifice t!:e whole army
in order to give tone tathe m xt Prosidentiafelac
tion ? The army will defend and fight tb* bat
tles of the country ; then let their friends dft bnm
defend them from the injuries arising from such
speeches as these, or the conduct of such men.
MUSTANG.
From the Macon Telegraph.
NATURAL ALLIES OF AVHIGGERY.
Robert C. Winthrop, Whig Speaker of tho
House of Representatives, elected by the votes
of Messrs. Stephens and Toombs, of Gcorgi a,
now Major General of the Whig army of Con
gress, is a talented, gallant man, distinguished
particularly by bis violent opposition to tho
South and lor his strong Anti-slavery principles
and advocacy of rhe Wilrnot Proviso, arranges
all the Committees and gives all his casting votes
according to the wishes of the Abolitionists, and
against thc South.
John Q. Adams, James Wilson, John G. Pal
trey, Joshua R. Giddings, Charles Hudson,
Brigadior Generals of Divisions.
First battle fought Dec. 1817, at Washington
Gity. The Anti-Slavery, Wilmot proviso for
ces, alter a desperate struggle, gained a glorious
victory in the election of Mr. Winthrop, of Bos
ton, the united forces of the universal, har
monious Whig army, North and South.
Second victory gained without much fighting,
but by the masterly talent, great forecast, and
consummate skill of the Coinmande-in-Chief, by
and w ith the aid of Gen. Giddens Sc Cos., by so
arranging thc various Divisions (or Committees)
as to give every advantage of ground, position
and opportunity of attack to the enemies of Sla
very.—Hence, on the Committee on Territories,
avowed Wilmot (or rather Winthrop) proviso
men were placed, so as to get a majority report
against Slavery and in favor of the Abolition
ists.
Third battle, the Cerro Gordo fight, on tho
21st of Dec. 1847. Giddings, early in the day,
commenced the attack by demanding a repeal of
all laws sustaining the Slave trade in the District
of Columbia.
This unjust demand was indignantly refused,
whereupon Gen. Giddings became wrathy, and
forthwith opened his batteries upon the enemy.
The battle soon become general, and was fought
with great coolness, determination and bravery
on both sides. The chivalrous bearing aud cool
courage of Giddings, Paltrey, and their brother
officers, will long be remembered by their friends
with admiration and gratitude, and their noble
deeds will no doubt form a theme, worthy of the
song of the Poet and chisel of the Artist, in the
iuturc annals of Whiggery. But above all, the
General-in-Chief will receive thc reward of
praise due to his great ability and singular mer
it. Without him’ the battic would have been
lost. Talk of the unmoved nerves of a Quit
man, Butler, Twiggs arid ShiclJs in the havoc
of battic! Gen* Winthrop, in all attributes of
true courage, far surpassed either on this occa
sion. Elevated above the battle field, yet in full
view, he sat during thc whole contest, without
moving a muscle in token of fear or despair. Oc
casionally. a smile of joy would unconsciously
and suddenly play over his countenance, as he
beheld the gallant bearing of his officers and tho
fidelity of his fiicnds. This smile was, however,
occasionally succeeded by a momentary sadness,
especially when he saw his friends, Stephens,
Toombs and Dr. Jones, who so lately and faith
fully stood by him and supported him in his ele
vation to office, waver and finally desert him in
his hour of need. I think, however, if a Sur
geon’s place in Gen. Gidding’s regiment, should
be offered Dr. Jones, he would make friends with
Mr. Winthrop. But, Mr. Editor, you must par
don a piney-woods boy for thc above, who knows
little of battles and less of writing about them.
The object I have in view is to state the facts in
relation to the late vo*e given on Gidding’s aboli
tion (or anti-Slavery) petition. The contest, it
seems, was what is sometimes called a drawn
battle. The forces equal. But to the facts.
On the motion by Mr. Jones, a Democrat, to
lay the abolition petition of Gen. Giddings on
the tabic, the yeas were 97, nays 97. Let it
be remembered that, to vote to lay on thc table
is to vote against the reception in toto. To voto
against laying on the table is, to vote to receive
and acton them. Now who are the Allies of
the South? This is the question. Who voted
with Giddings &Cos ] Os the 97 nays, 77 were
Whigs! Every Whig from Maine, New
Hanpshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachu
setts and Rhode Island.—Every Whig from New
York. Every one from Delaware. Every one
from New Jersey, Indiana and Illinois. All but
one from Pennsylvania—Two from Tennessee
and one fioin North Carolina. Some Whigs
and sonic Democrats from these States did not
vote. In 15 States, but 3or 4 Whigs voted to
lay the petition on the table, while from thc same
States, 30 Democrats voted with thc South.
W r ho are the allies of the Scntli ]
The above is nearly if not quite correct.
Now, when the Whig press speak cut in big
letters the “natural allies of Democracy” let them
give the votes on Abolition petitions and W il
mot Proviso. The 77 Whigs, a few Democrat
and the neutrals, make the 97 nays. Ot the 99
yeas, about 75 were Democrats, about 48 South
ern and 30 Nothern. The balance, about 19
yeas, were Southern Whigs, except one. W ho
over will look at the votes of the Nothern W hig
and Democratic party, and then say there is no
difference on the subject of Slavery, must be a
fol or a madman.
PINE YWOODS.