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The Ball opened !—ln our number the in formation we had acquired in relation to the Com mercial Bank of Florida, at Apalachicola, was communicated to the Public iu the shape ol a caution. Since then, the w orst anticipations have been more than realized, iu the discovery of the most deliberate, cool and villainous speculation, that was ever practiced upon an unsuspecting community. Tire truth, the whole truth is not yet developed, but enough is known to stamp this, as the most magnificent fraud that ha 6 ever been per petrated in ail this region, and though the matters to w hich we must now allude, will be made a sub ject of judicial investigation, still the public inter ests and the public voice, demand a history o( t he facts, so far as they have come to light. On the fourth instant, the Commercial Bank, with till its assets and liabilities, was sold by John C. Maclay, Esq. its late President, to a Mr. Hugh Stephen son. The premium paid'to the late Stockholders, lor the Charter, was £>50,0110, w liich was taken out ot the assets, consisting of protested paper and such notes, as Stephenson refused to receive. A state ment of the condition of the Bank, made by its late Cashier and President, accompanied the transfer, by which it appears, that the assets turned over were sufficient to meet its liabilities—minus the premium deducted. These liabilities ainonn teJ to one hundred and sixty odd thousand dol -1 irs. Between two and three hundred thousand dollars, of the Post notes of the Commercial Bank, payable at the United States Bank, in Philadel phia, signed in blank, by the late President and Cashier, were left in its vaults. It appears that immediately after the transfer, Stephenson com menced issuing the bills on hand, as well as the Post notes, payable as above. To accomplish ah that has been done, between the purchase of the Bank, and the denouncement, he must have em ployed a number of emissaries, for in ten days thereafter, he left Apalachicola in a steamboat for Columbus, privately removing the specie and as sets of the Bank. Circumstances of a suspicious character in duced certain gentleman at Apalachicola, to in terrogate the cashier left in charge of the Bank, when it was found, that every thing available had been removed. A party in the Steamer Commerce, started in pursuit, of Stephenson, but aswuhse queutl v ascertained, it seems that he had purchased a steamboat, below Columbus, returned, and was lying at the Depot on the night the Commerce went up the river. About 10 o’clock, on Thursday morning, an ex press arrived at this place, giving information that the Steamboat loti, had passed Apalachicola, that day under a full head of steam, and gone to sea, and that it was confidently suspected that Stephe- Rbn was on board, bound lor New Orleans. For tunately theU. S Steamer Florence, was in our Bay ready, to proceed to Mobile, and on explain-- iug the circumstance, to Major Jones, who had control of the Boat, he very promptly assumed the responsibility of placing her at the disposal of our citizens. Preparations were made for iiistaut departure, and before the steam was up, the smoke ol the lon was seen, doubling Cape St. Bias. In three hours she was brought alongside the wharf, having .Stephenson on board. The Boat was seized by the Collector, for a violation of the revenue, laws, and Stephenson arrested on a charge of embezzelment. About seven thousand dollars in silver, and a small amount in gold, was found in his possession, together with the remaining bills and post-notes of the Commercial Bank, which he had been unable to throw into circulation. I?e had in his trunk, about $125,000 in the hills of the West Florida Bank, of which institution, he was also the Presi dent, and which was to rise the stronger from its failure through his means and talents. The lat ter were designed for circulation in Texas. It may not be improper to state that Mr. S. from documents in Jiis possession appears to be the owner of the Old Magnolia Batik, thus wielding the destinies of three broken charters, an emin ence to which few Bankers have hitherto arrived. From the best data that we are enablad to gather, we are induced to believe that the responsibilities of the Commercial Bank, will not fall short of $400,000, and that its recoverable assets will not pay more than 10 ctsin the 100. The guilt of Stephenson, in this transaction is unequivocal and acknowledged, and punish ment and opprobrium must certainly await him. Others are involved in the loud curses of the community—none more so than Mr. Maclay. That appearance are against hint all must ac knowledge but that his conduct may admit of ex planation, and that he may clear himself of any participation in this fraud, 19 earnestly contended for by his friends. We believe that he has been guilty of a great oversight and imprudence in placing iu the hands of Stephenson the means of doing this foul wrong to the public, but we as ho nestly believe he is no farther culpable. lie is absent now, and it is but sheer justice in the community to suspend their verdict of con demnation until he can be heard in his own de fence. If we are not mistaken in the man, that defence will be fully and promptly made. P. S.—Since the above has been set up Mr. Maclay has returned, prepared to disabuse the public mind of any impressions made as to his fraudulent participation in the late operations of the Commercial Bank, llis defence, and such other matters as may cotnc to light in the ensuing wt.*k, connected with this subject, shall be given in our next.— St. Joseph's Times. From the Apalachicola Gazette The undersigned, late Directors of the Bank of West Florida, desirous that their friends abroad should fully understand the facts in regard to this institution as connected with themselves, beg leave to present the following statement: In accepting their appointment, the Directors were fully apprised,of its responsibility, and mo tives of personal security, as well as due regard to public interest, determined them at their first meeting to confine the operations of the bank for the time being, strictly to the redemption of the old issue, which was supposed not to exceed eight thousand dollars. The propriety and necessity of this course, was readily acceded to by Hugh Ste phenson, the President and ow ner of the Insti tution. From tho personal knowledge which the Direc tors had of Mr. Steohenson's resposibility, they never -doubted his ability to restore public confi dence in the bank, and guarantee the community against any subsequent loss by its operations. Aral his conduct during their intercourse with him was calculated to disarm all suspicion of his | ultimate object, up to the time ofliis purchase of j <he “Commercial Bank.” At the second meeting ( ofthe Board, Mr. -Stephenson applied for leave to j isstXo six thousand dollars of the new bills, which was granted ;on the express condition, however, that every dollar of the old circulation should first be redeemed, as w ill appear b v a resolution of the board entered u|k»ii their minutes. It appears that a short time subsequent to the passage of the above resolution, Mr. Stephenson issued new bills to a large amount, and through Ins agents, circulated them in different sections oi the Western country. The first intimation w inch the directors hail of this fact, was the remittance of three thousand dollars of this issue trom New Orleans, to our city for redemption. A few days after, and before a meeting of ilie board eouid be had, Mr. Stephenson left this place for the osten sible object of making his “Commercial” money bankable in Tallahassee. I pon investigation after he left, it was found that he had, without the knowledge even of the cashier, taken with him the entire capital of the Bank, amounting to sixty thousand dollars, together with the assets ol the “Commercial Bank.” He was immediately pur sued by a committee appointed by the citizens of this place, at rested on his t way to Texas, and is now confined iu Pensacola Jail, to await his trial. A. G. SEMMES, A. K. ALLISON, JOHN T. MV KICK, E. WOOD. A MOST DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR. Our readers will perhaps recollect the circum stance which occurred in the legislature of Arkan sas, when a member was killed by the Speaker. The Little Rock Gazette gives the follovvin? pic ture of the state of the public feeling in that most civilized country. Three days elapsed, before the constituted au thorities took any notice of this horrible, this mr.r detous deed, and not then until a relation ot the murdered Anthony had dentandad a warrant for the apprehension of Wilson. Several days then elapsed before he was brought before an examin ing court. llethcn, in a carnage and four, came to the place appointed for his trial. Four or five days was employed in the examination of witnes ses, and never was a clearer case of murder proved thru on that occasion. Notwithstanding, the Court. (Justice Brown dissenting,) admitted Wil son to bail, and positively refused that the prose cuting attorney for the State should introduce the law, to show that it was not a bailable case, or even to hear an argument from him, and the counsel associated with him lo prosecute Wilson for the murder. At the time appointed for the session of the Cir cuit Court, Wilson appeared agreeably to his recognizance. A motion was made by Wilson’s counsel for a change of mine, founded on the af fidavits of Wilson and two other men. One stated in his affidavit, “that nine tenths of the people of Pulaski had made tip and expressed their opinions, and that, therefore it would be unsafe for Wilson to be tried in Pulaski,” the other, “that, from the repeated occurrences of similar acts within the last four or five years, in this country, the people were disposed to act rigidly, and that it would be unsafe for Wilson to be tried in Pulaski.” The court, thereupon, removed Wilson to Saline coun ty, and ordered the Sheriff to take Wilson into custody, and deliver him over to the Sheriff of Saline county. The Sheriff of Pulaski never confined Wilson one minute, but permitted him to go when: he pleased, without a guard, or any restraint imposed on him whatever. On his way to Saline, he en tertained him freely at his own house, and the next day delivered him over to the Sheriff of that coun’y, who conducted the prisoner to the debtor’s room m the jail, and gave him the key, so that he anti every body else had free egress and ingress at aJI times. Wilson invited every body to call on him, as lie wished to see his friends, and his room was crowded with visitors, who called to drink grog, and laugh and talk with him. But this theatre was not sufficiently large for this purpose. He afterwards visited the dram shops, where he freely treated all that would partake with him, and went fishing and hunting with others at pleasure, and entirely without restraint. He also ate at the same table With the Judge while on trial. When the court met at Saline, Wilson was put on his trial. Several days were occupied in ex amining the witnesses in tho ease. After the ex-' animation was closed, while Col. Taylor was en gaged in a very able, lucid, and argumentative speech on the part of the prosecution ; some man collected a parcel of the rabble, and came within a few yards of the court house door, and bawled in a loud voice : “part them—part them !” Every body supposed there was an affray, and ran to the doors and windows to see: and behold there was nothing more than the man, and the rabble he had collected round him, for the purpose of annoying Col. Taylor while speaking. A few minutes af terwards this same person brought a horse near the court-house door, alid commenced, crying the horse, as though he was for sale: and contin ued lor ten or fifteen minutes to ride before die court house door, crying the horse in a loud and boisterous tone of voice. The Judge sat as a si lent listener to the indignity thus offered the court and counsel, by this man, without interposing his authority. To show the depravity of the times, and the people, after the verdict had been delivered by the jury, and the court informed Wilson that he was discharged, there was a rush towards him : some seized him by the hand, some by the arm, and there was great and loud rejoicing and exul tation, directly in the presence of the court; and Wilson told the sheriff to take the jury to a gro cery that he might treat them, and invited every body that chose to go.. The house was soon filled to overflowing, and it is much to be regretted that some men who have held a good standing in society, followed the crowd to the grocery, and partook of Wilson's treat. The rejoicing was kept up till near supper time; but to cap the cli max, soon after supper was over, a majority of the jury, together with many others, went to the room that had been occupied for several days by the friend and relation of the murdered Anthony, and commenced a scene of the most ridiculous dan cing, (as it is believed,) in triumph for Wilson, and as a triumph over the feelings of the relation of the departed Anthony. The scene did not end there. The party retired to a dram shop, and continued their rejoicing until about half past 10 ! o’clock. They then collected a parcel of horns, 1 trumpets, dec. ami marched through the streets, blowing them, till near day, when one of the coin- ! pany rode his horse into the porch adjoining the room which was occupied by the relation of the deceased. These are some of the facts that took place dur ing the progress of the trial, and after its close. The whole proceedings have been conducted more like a farce than any thing else, and it is a dis grace to the country in which this fatal, this hor- ! rible massacre lias happened, that there should be in it men so lost to every sense of virtue, of THE GEORGIA MIRROR feeling, -toid of humanity, to sanction and give countenance, to this bloody deed. V> tlson’s hand is now stained with the blood of a worthy and un offending man. The seal of disapprobation must for ever rest upon him, in the estimation of the hone-t* well meaning ; art of the community. Humanity shudders at the bloody deed, and ages cannot wipe away the stain which he has brought upon bis country. Arkansas, heretofore, the mock of other States, on account of the frequent murders and assassinations which have marked her character, has now to be branded with the stain of this horrible, this murderous deed ; ren dered still more odious, from the c.'.eu instances, that a jury of twelve men, should have rendered a verdict of acquittal, contrary to law and evidence. From the Southern Recorder. It must be gratifying to the Governor of Geor gia, to discover by the obvious and unerring indica tions of public opinion from all parts of the State, that Ids course in relation to the Cherokecs, which has resulted so auspiciously for the inter ests of the country, is so generally approved and applauded, we may say, by the great body of both parties, '1 be prudence, energy and admirable foresight of the Executive, with the most fortunate selection of the officer to whom was confided the emigration of the Cherokecs, have removed titis numerous Indian tribe with a success, combined with a humanity to the Indians, and a regard to their comfort, we will venture to say, unparalleled in the history of Indian emigration since the for mation of the Govereuent. 'i he happy re; ults of the course of our Chief Magistrate, in relation to this inoinenmosquestion, we are glad to know is not appreciated sol "lv in Georgia, iu a letter from Washington city, now before us, from a gentleman whose character and associations qualify him to /.-now the accura cy <jl his statements, he savs, among otherthiogs, ‘•Gov. Gilmer has risen greatly here.—l am proud ol such a Governor.” Such is public opinion a broad, and such we are very certain, at least upon this question, is public opinion at home; and the consciousness ol this, we dare say, is the reward most desired, next to the consciousness of having performed his duty, by our worthy and patriotic Govern r. thrall rue care, an ,iety. and toil with which the measure has been attended. The Secretary ol War, in pretending the pro positions of the Government io John Boss, have been greatly ini 'apprehended by the Governor of Georgia, w,IL discover ere this, we presume, by the receipt of the letter of remonstrance on tin* same subject, directed to him by the Governor of Alabama, that lit' has been singularly unfortunate iu conveying the meaning of those propositions, if they are not precisely such as the Governor of Georgia has represented them to be. Here is a strong and spirited letter of remonstrance, from a tborough going administration man, the Govern or of Alabama, iu which this friend of the admin istration characterizes this measure of the Govern ment, as both impolitic and unjust.—What will Mr. Poinsett think of this political friend, who seems to have misunderstood him quite as much as the Governor of Georgia ?—And'a more impor tant question here presents itself, what will this political friend think of the honorable Secretary of War ? But what will the honorable Secretary think of his friend not only so far misunderstanding him, but in addition, thinking the intended measure of the Government so hostile to the peace of the country, as to induce him to put in requisition a brigade of the militia oflh; State? Surely the honorable Secretary will deem his friend the Gov ernor of Alabama positively deranged. The fol lowing is the military order of the Governor of Ala bama, called forth by the most wonderfully mis taken propositions of the Federal Administration. Executive Department, ) Tuscaloosa, June Bth, 1838. t Sir :—From the present aspect of affairs between the Federal!iovermnentand the Cherokee Indians, I am induced, as a measure of prudent caution, to require you to detail from the military division under your command, seven hundred and fifty men, rank and file, to be raised either by volun teering or draft, and to be held in readiness, at a moment’s warning, for the Cherokee service—in the following proposition : two hundred and fifty cavalry or mounted infantry, and five hundred infantry on foot. The reasons which nave influenced me in tise adoption of this precautionary measure are these : —ls the proposals recently submitted by the War Department to John Ross and others, should be acceded to by them, there is reason to appre hend, that Georgia will attempt to remove the In dians beyond her limits forcibly, on her own responsibility—in which event the Indians will be thrown into this State. If on the oilier hand, the propositions from the War Department, should not lie acceded to by the Cherokee dele gation, or, if the Government of the United States, failing to obtain the assent ofthe States interested, to these propositions, should find it necessary to withdraw them, I think it not improbable, that there will be much tumult, if not hostility with the Indians. In , either event, I think it most compatible with the interests and safety of our people hi that part of the State, that we should be prepared to act, as circumstances may require. You will he pleased to report your proceed ings with the least practicable delay, and to inform me at the same time, what quantity of muskets, rifles, and accoutrements for Cavalry, there are in your Division fit for use. I have made similar requisition on Major General Philpot, from which you will perceive that Fifteen Hundred Troops are considered necessary, for the anticipated emer gency. In order to avoid expense to the public, it will be proper, after the troops are raised and organized, to discharge them with the express understanding that they will be liable to be called on at any moment. With great respect, I am, sir, Your most obedient servant, A. P. BAGBY, Major General Patterson, Is it not passing strange, that while even the 1 warmest friends of the administration, in Van \ Buren States too, should thus independently re- I bake the Government for the wantonness of its conduct in relation to a subject so important, that , there should be found in Georgia, some so com pletely bound to the administration, as to vindi- : cate all its enoVmities, even when practised against j her own State l—ib " From the correspondence ofthe Augusta Sentinel. Washington, June 25, 1838. The Suh-Treasury Rill again rejected! The morning hour, to day, being set anart for the reception of resolutions from the states in their • order, Mr. Petriken moved to suspend the rules, >n i order to enable him to make a motion to recon sider the vote by which on Saturday last the House adopted a resolution designating the second Mon day in July for the termination of the present ses iou. The House agreed to suspend the rules, and then rejected by a large majority the propo sition to reconsider. The object was to fix the third Monday for the close ofthe session, and then starve olfa decision ou ttie Sub Treasury Bill for several days. But the party failed in their purpose. The resolution to adjourn on the day mentioned cannot now be reconsidered ; and it is highly proba ble that the vote will be taken outlie Sub-Treasury Bill to-morro-v ; and little doubt is entertained, that this odious and pernicious measure will be defeated. The Chair then proceeded to call the states in their order for resolutions. » Mr. Hopkins, from the Select Committee on the memorial of Francis P. Blair, asking an inquiry into the mode in which he has executed the public printing, reported a resolution to au thorise that Committee to send for persons and papers. Some debate arose on the motion. Tt was stren uously on the ground that there would not be time fora thorough investigation, before the close ofthe session. The rcsolulio 1 was finally carried by the instrumentality of the previous question. A great number of resolutions were submitted and laid over till tomorrow. The most important of them will be noticed as they successively come up. Mr. Bell rose, and remarking that the most of these resolutions were unimportant, and could not be acted upon at the present session, moved that the Houseshou.d proceed to the considera tion ofthe Sub-Treasury Bui. Those who wish ed that important measure starved off endeavored to put down this proposition by clamor; but it would not do : an order was passed that the Sub- Treasury Bill should be taken tip immediately after the recess, at half past three o’clock. Mr. Bell expressed a hope that both of the houses would aeroeto l*'t the Li 11 be reported from tlm Committee of the Whole this evening. When the House re-assembled, Mr. Duett addiessed the Chair until rear six o'clock, in a speech tempered with nuUifio-ntiori, n ti-abolition, and other sentiments (if mm extracts) from old speeches of Calhoun, Miller, and others of that school. Alter which, the committee, by a v- to of 22 to 6, a;:> c'l to ttie motion of Mr. Gar j land to strike out the enacting clause, and reported I the bill to the House. As soon as the Speaker took the Chair, Mr. Sherrod Williams called for the previous ques tion, which was sustained, and the question now being on ordering the bill to be engrossed and read a third time, Mr. Wise asked for a call of the House, which was ordered. After the call was gone through, and all the members except five found to be iu attendance, The question was then put, and decided in the negative. Ayes 111, Nays 125. So the House have REJECTED TIIE SUB TREASURY BILL! !! The Vice President laid before the Senate, to day,a communication from the Secretary of War with a Report from the Commissioner on Indian Affairs, in pursuance of a Senate resolution, con taining information as to the steps which have been taken by the Executive for exchanging land South West of the river Missouri, for land own ed by the Poltawattomies and other Indians. Laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Also, from the Treasury Department, detailed statements in part ofthe accounts of suc h collec tors, receivers, and disbursers of the public mon ey as have been reported to Congress, at its pre sent sesrion, as defaulters—ofthe’accounts ofthe deficits respectively, the credits obtained by such defaulters, with explanations why these credits were not allowed, tie. fir.. btc. Mr. McKean presented a memorial from Penn sylvania, remonstrating against, the execution of the Treaty of New Echota, w ith tire Cherokee Indians; also several memorials on the subjects "of annexation of Texas, and abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia—all laid on the table. Mr. Buchanan presented several memorials from Philadelphia, praying the immediate passage of the Sub-Treasury Bill ; and remonstratin'* a gainst the establishment of a National Bank. Mr. Nicholas, from the Committee on Com merce reported a Bill authorizing vessels bound to the ports of Mexico, and excluded from them by blockade, to enter and secure their cargoes in the ports of the United States. The resolution from the House of Representa tives fixing upon the second Monday in Julv as the day of adjournment was taken up : and post poned till to-morrow. The Senate spent the remainder of the day in private business. ' j\j. W AsmxoTON, .Tune 26th, 1838. I had the pleasure to announce to your readers, by the Express Mail yesterday, the signal defeat of the Sub-Treasury Bill in the House of Repre sentatives, by a majority of fourteen! This glo rious result has spread joy and exultation through out the city. The announcement called out an enthusiastic burst of applause from the opponents of the measure, and from a crowded auditory in the galleries. From the moment the order was given for a call ofthe House, the Hall was a scene of great anxiety, until all the members in the city were got into their places. Mr. Jackson, of Georgia, who it was supposed would vote against the bill, left the city on Sunday for the Springs. Mr. Bruyn, of New York, is confined at bis residence in his own state.—Mr. F. O. .T. Smith was absent, having gone to Europe. Mr. Ripley, of Louisiana, was absent from in disposition. Mr. Lawler, dead. With the ex ception of these, every member ofthe House was present, and a more solemn vote never was taken. You could hear every name distinctly responded to. The members kept their seats until they had voted, lest by any chanc*' they might I move beyond the bar, and lose their votes. To-day, after the presentation of a few unim- I portnnt petitions and memorials, Mr. Robertson, j of Va. offered a resolution proposing a pilan for a Special Deposite system. Mr. Cambrleing objected, and that grotesque ! personage, Mr. Petriken, of Pennsylvania, join ed in his objections. He did not, forsooth, want ! a thing to enter in at the windows that could not J come in at the door! Mr. Robertson moved to suspend the rules, and , the question being taken by ayes and nays, the 1 House refused to suspend. dr. Adams then resumed bis remarks on the [ subject of the annexation of Texas to the Union. '• and spoke until the expiration of the hour, with- } out concluding what he had to say on the ques- ! tion. The Sub-treasury Bill abandoned ! The House being about to pass to the orders of the day. Mr. Foster, of New York, rose and moved to reconsider the vote by which the Sub-Treasury Bill was rejected last evening. 3 Mr. Briggs moved to lay the motion to recon sider on the table. Mr. Mallory, of Virginia, took occasion to re mark that he would vote against reconsidering as he had voted against the bill yesterday iu com pliance with the instructions of his constituents. Mr. Mason called upon Mr. Briggs to withdraw the proposition to lay ou the table, aud allow a direct vote to be taken. Mr. Briggs complied with the request. Mr. Sherrod Williams then moved the previous question, which was sustained. A cull of the House was ordered, and there being a large at tendance of members, the question was put on agreeing to reconsider, and negatived. Aves 21 Noes 205!! So the Sub-Treasury has been re jected and abandoned. Mr. Kennedy, of Maryland, and Mr. Thompson of South (’aroliaa, successivly proposed resolu tions in relation tu tl e use f t hanks as depos itories, and the reception of bank notes; but the House refused to suspend the rules. The House resolved itself into Committee ot the Whole, a; ! toi k tip the bill to increase the Military E.-dalihst-ment oi the United States, Jn the Senate, to day, Mr. Webster gave notice that lie would to morrow, move to take up the bill introduced by in u, ii reranl ta the use of batiks as depositories of the public money, and rite re ception of uot< sos banks issuing notes of a j e . tron.ini-.iioa ha s than five doihus. On mjfiin of Mr Bach iu m, the Senate took in the Joint Resolution f.ron the House fixing the se cond Monday m J ttly, for terminating the present session. Mr. Benton objected to binding the Senate to a particular day for : luring the Session, lest many important bills now mcmioncd should be lost for want of time, to act upon them. lie moved to postpone the resolution, till Monday next; and demanded ihe Ay es, and Nays. Mr. Buchanan replied, and after some discussion the question was put, ou postponing the resolution aud negatived. Ayes. 8. Nays, 39. The question then recurring on the adoption of the resolution, was carried in the affirmative with out a division. So the ninth day of July is fixed on as the day of adjournment. After the disposal of some private bills, Mr. Buchanan rose and made a demonstration, which deserves particular attention, lie introduced a bill purporting to be supplementary to the Act entitled. '•An act to establish the Treasury De partment,” and which is in fact a proposition for a system of special Specie Deposites. The rev enue is to lie collected under the order of the Secretary ofthe Treasury: and the money placed in special deposite in specie at regular terms: and thffse bank bills which shall be reserved and not disbursed, shall after sixty days be converted into specie, and that played in special deposite. The bill further provides that after a limited time, no notes shall be received of batiks that issue bills under ten dollars; and after another limited peri od, no notes of a less denomination than twenty dollars. This measure was read twice and referred. It will not fail to attract the attention ofthe country, that the introduction of this measure was contem poraneous with the entire abandonment ofthe Sub- Ti easury Bill, by the House. The remainder ofthe day was spent ou private bills. From the Philadelphia Post. GOVERNMENT, RETRENCHMENT AND REFORM. . A bill was not long since introduced into Con gress by Mr. Hopkins, of \ irginia, “to divide (be Federal Government from all connection with the public press,’’when Mr. Wm. K. Bond, of Ohio addressed the House at length in favor of a reduc tion of Executive patronage, taking the report of the committee on retrenchment in 1828, as the brsis of his remarks, from which we extract the following important items. The report alleged that abuses had '“taken place from the,various and arbitrary manner in which members estimated their mileage.” The gefitleman remarked a con trast in the conduct of two Senators from Missou ri, as regarded the mode in w hich they respective ly charged for mileage. The first session of the 20th Congress commenced on the third nay of December, 1827, and ended on the 26th of May, 1828. These gentlemen attended the whole ses sion, their per diem allowance was SI4OO each, being 175 days at $8 per day; but for mileage, reckoning s'B for every twenty miles, Mr. Barton charged $939 20, while Mr. Benton charged sl, 344 66. The former estimated the distance by the great mail route over land, but the latter by the windings of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The contingent expenses ofthe House of rep resentatives, during the year 1828. the last of Mr. Adam’s administration amounted tosßo,ooo, and during 1836, the last year of the administation of Gen. Jackson, they were increased to $200,000, and in 1837, the first year of Mr. Van Buren, the amount was $201,000, Mr. Ct.'.nbei ling, a mem ber of the committee reported that’by a system of reform instituted by the executive officers, at least one-third of the number of clerks in the depart ments might be reduced with safety to the public interest. Now in the state department in 1828, including the patent office, the whole number of clerks was sixteen : tbe salary compensation of the Secretary , and all his clerks and messengers, amounted to 827,750, The whole number of clerks now employed in the state departments aud the patent office is forty. The joint salary and compensation amount to $56,515 The patent office, in 1828, was managed by a superintendent, with a salary of $1,500, and two clerks and a messenger, whose joint compensa tion was $3,700. It is row under the charge of one ofthe reformers; the title of“. Superinte ndent” is exchanged for that of “Commissioner,” and with the change of titles comes the change of salary from 1,500 to $3 000 I The number of clerks is increased from two to twenty-four, and the compensation from 1,800 to 21,000; and not content with one messenger, and Lis olcl salary of 8400. they provide a salary of SB4O for a messen ger, arid then give him an assis'taut, to w hom is al so paid sls per month. 'Die Secretary of the Treasury, in the year 1823 employed eight clerks and two messengers. His salary, and the compensation of the clerks and messengers, amount to $18,600. The present Secretary of that Department em pires fifteen clerks, ami two messengers. Hissal aiy and their compensation amount to $27,100. Next as to the War Department. In 1828, the Secretary of War employed a chief clerk, be sides seventeen clerks aud two messengers. His