The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-29 00:00:00

UNITED STATES & MEXICO,

TWO DAYS LATER.

By the Patrick Henry :which arrived in the Mersey
yesterday, we have received New York papers two
days later than those brought by the Zenobia, namely,
to the Bth instant. _ _ _

The New York Daily Express of the Bth gives the
following summary of matters in the states:
The public attention is now turned towards Washington
and the seat of war. Tho holidays being now
the doings in Congress will be of great interest: already2lle
very prominent measures have been submitted to
that body. The discussions are exceedingly animated ;
the measures of the administration arc not approved of
by all the partisans of the government. The great num-
tion is the prosecution of the war, and the raising of funds.
The general belief is, that some change will take place, both
in the Sub Treasury and the tariff. Fortunately, Congress
can sit but two short months. and all their acts and doings
will he brought to a close. The war with Mexico has a most
blighting effect on the business and trade of the country ; its
termination would give great sitisfaction to the people at
large. The new year has opened (the Mexican war ex-
cepted) with bright prospects ; the produce of the country
finds a ready market ; the shipping interest is profitably em-
ployed, an 4 the manufactures have not been as much de-
pressed as was anticipated. The weather has been uncom-
monly mild and pleasant; the river and harbour have been as
unobstructed by ice so during midsummer. The North River
is open nearly to Albany. We are, however, in the midst
of the dullest season, which will cootinue for a few weeks to
come, after which trade will commence. The prevailing be-
lief seems to be, that the spring trade will be moderate.
The importations so far have been light, and large por-
tions of the goods go into public store, to be taken out as
wanted.
The

of Mr. Polk to issue letters of
marque and reprisals, that is, to send out privateers
against the Mexicans, has not met with favour.
The House of Representatives was the scene of
considerable excitement, from the 2nd to the 6th inst.
It appears that the President's message to Congress,
recommending, a superior military officer to take com-
mand of the forces was not, as it ought in courtesy to
have been, communicated first to the military com-
mittees. Considerable umbrage was the consequence,
and amidst the laughter of the house, which appears
to have been in the secret, a motion was made that the

recommendation should lie on the table. The motion
was carried unanimously; but on that evening, the
president had a large party at the White-house, and
next day the motion was rescinded. The New York
Post gives the following account of the scene:
A night brings f.rrh more than dreams, and the past night
brought forth some sudden conversions that smack of magic.
The executive has touched with his wand more men than
one. What was done almost unanimously ycaterday, by the
vote of only one dissenting member of congress, has today
been undone by a majority, Yesterday none were so poor
as to do reverence to the esecntive. To-day he has troops
of friends. What witchcraft is there in a night, in a party,
in s caucus, or, to sum all in all, the executive.
Mr. Hamlin was the head man of the party to-
day, and before the journal had been fairly read,
ha retie to move the re-consideration of the vote of
. . .

yesterday, by which the important branch of the last message
received from the executive (recommending the appointment
of a lieutenant-general), was laid upon tho table! The yeas
and nays were demanded upon this motion, and neither the
dodging nor drumming, the caucus or the call, could nod the
vote reconsidered. The clerk read the names slowly enough
to make known to all men how the result would be pronounced
by the speaker. It was necessary to bring in two victims,
and Mr. Pillsbury, of Texas, and Mr. Preston King, of New
York, volunteered for the sacrifice. They changed their
votes, and changed the result. The speaker declared the
unanimous vote of yesterday reconsidered, yeas 86, nays 84.
The correspondent of the New York Herald is
more graphic :
WASHINGTON, JAN. 6,1847.
A SOMERSET—THE " osmium OTTICER" TAKEN FIIOH

There was a fierce struggle for the floor after prayer, and
the reading of the journal, but Mr. Hamlin, of Maine,
obtained it, and moved that the motion by which so reach
of the President's message as relates to provision for the
appointment of a general officer, was laid on the table, yes-
terday, be considered, and that it be referred to the committee
of the whole on the Mate of the Union. (Cries'of " No, no"
- let it be where it is—aleeping on the table.") He asked
for the yeas and the nays. (" Yes, let's have 'em"—" go it
now, you critters." Ha, ha, ha.) Mr. Thompson, of Mis-
sissippi, wanted to know whether the motion was debateable.
—The Speaker replied it was not. (" Oh, what do you
want to debate it for ?" "Give us the yeas and nays,"—
" let's have 'cm," &c. Burs, buzz, bum—gentlemen walk-
ing about.)—The Speaker (bringing his bammerdown on the
table with half his strength) : The conversation is too loud.
(Knock, knosh.) There is too much talking. (Elevating
his voice, and giving another knock.) Gentlemen will come
to order.—This had a partial effect. and the sound' became
piano.—The Clerk called the roll. In adding up there
seemed to be a close vote, as it subsequently appeared.—Mr.
Pillsbury, of TOM', having voted in the negative, changed
his vote to the affirmative.—Mr. King, of New York, re-
corded his name on the same side; and the Speaker
announced the result—yeas, 66; nays, 84.—Mr. Hamlin
moved that the subject of the general officer be re-
ferred to the committee of the whole on the
state of the Union, and demanded the previous question.—
Mr. Winthrop inquired whether the question did not first
come up on laying the subject on the table ?—The Speaker
replied affirmatively.—Mr. Hamlin . I hold on to my motion
to refer it to the committee of the whole on the state of the
Union, and ask the previous question.—Mr. Houston, of
Alabama : I understand that the motion to lay on the table
is yet before the house, and therefore takes precedence. If
the gentleman from Georgia will withdraw the motion-11r,