The Express.
London, England, 1850-05-08 00:00:00

UNITED STATES.

The Ocean steamer, Hermann, arrived off Cowes
yesterday, en route to Bremen. Her mails and pas-
sengers were la, ded at Southampton last night. She
left New York on the 20th ult. She brought over
145 passengers. She experienced head winds for
twelve drys successively.
The dates by the Hermann are to the 20th nit.,
three days later than the letters and journals received
by the Europa, but only one day later than the tele-
graphic despatch to Halifax, which announced the
resolution adopted on the 18th by the Senate at
Washington, to nominate a committee with a view to
arrange a compromise on the California question.
The following letter of our corn upondent com-
mences by negotiating an occurrence alluded to in the
telegraphic dispatch received by the Europa:

NEW YORK, APRIL 20.
Since my last we have have had no important
intell.gence from &nth or Centr.el America. Some
dome-tic i:ems have, however, greatly excited us.
The Senate of the United S.ates was recently very
nearly the scene of bloodshed, and has certainly been
disgraced by the conduct of two of its members, both
belonging to tho demcctatic party. Tee circumstance
arose out of a debate on the resolution of Mr. Bell, to
appoint a c.mmittee of 13 to report upon the subject
of the admiaston of California as a sta.e, and of New
Mexico and Utah as territories. For the moment the
pending question was upon M^. Benton's instructions
to the committee, declaring that C engress has no
'Lester over slavery in the states, nor the internal slave
trade, and the'. Congress ought not to abolish slavery
in the dis•ric., nor in the forte, arsenals, and dock-
yards of the U:.ited States.
Mr. Clay moved to amend this proposition, so u
to read,
Provided tint the &nate does not dean it necessary to
ex; reel. in advance, any opinion, or t t u,ve any interne-
tons, either k tueral cr specific, (or the guidance of the
committee.

Various sugtestions, amendments, and appeal+,
in order and out of order, were then made, and Cul.
Benton seemed strenuous, by the ingenious proposi-
tions which he made from time to time, to get rid of
the main question, viz.,—the reference to the Com-
mittee of Tnirteen and Mr. Clay's amendment, which
last was adopted by a majority of three. In the
further debit. upon Mr. Benton'. reel Aufions, Mr.
Foote, of .Missiesipi, made a personal allusion to Col.
Benton, and was proceeding to attack lien in no very
gentle tering, when the colonel, in a violent passion,
rote from his seat and made an attempt to approach
Mr. Foote. As every one around him believed he
was about to make a personal assault, seeeral senato
arose and attempted to stop him. He broke away
from his det+iners, when Mr. Foote, leaving his place,
moved bri-ki, t an open space b. fore the vice-presi-
denf's chair, drew a revolver frcm his pocket, cocked
it, and awaited the approach of his antagonist. Ile
was then surrounded by senators, and detained from
approaching Colonel Renton. The colonel then dashed
away from those who held him back, opened his coat
and vest, and bade the "assassin and scoundrel" to fire.
A scene of inde.cribable confusion ensued, and the
vice-presid- nt, with very great difficulty, sum .eled in
restoring order. Aker some delay and much ember-
regiment, a committee of seven was appointed to in-
vestigate the matter. Mr. Benton diselaim• d that he
ever carried arms, Mr. Foote averring he only did 33
for self-defence, and that he should pursue this sub-
ject out of doom The next day the committee of
13 was agreed upon, and no one doubts but
that their report will be accepted, and that
the Senate will agree open a compromise.
The mortification expressed by the American press,
and by all classes of Americans. at this affair, is
greater than I can describe. While we are holding
ourselves up to the 0;d World se the model govern-
ment, such scenes as this can in no way benefit our
national character, and I feel especially for those
Americans abroad, who, aloof from, and uninfluenced
by, political strife at home, know the importance of
oar national influence, and the advantage of our na-
tional example. I sympathise with them at the oc-
currenoe of this contemptible personal squabble, but
at the same time let them console themselves with
toe reflection that we all, without distinction of party,
reprobate the conduct of both Col. Benton and Mr.
Foote, and that no European can feel more disgust at
it than we do.

I look on ail these small affairs as safety valves to
the great question before the country. The great
agitator is dead. Two democratic senators choose to
have almost a deadly quarrel on the floor. These
events teed very materially to break down those
party lines which have so long divided the country.
The masses take a very natural disgust at the con-
duct of the men they have so long supported; mode-
rate views follow with calm reflection; the great and
paramount advantages of union re-assert their autho-
ritv, and thus, step by step, we are led to a correct
I •
judgment and patriotic conduct. I have the greatest
postal:lle faith in the permanence of our institutions.
They are elastic and yet strong; they contain nothing
dangerous, but in the excess of the self-governing
power, which sometimes is wrong as well as right.
Yet such is the dependence of one part on the other,
that that our cis medwairix natures sets everything
right after a short time.
There is scarcely a doubt but that there will be a
compromise between the south and north—it is what
the people at large require, and will unquestionably
have.

The Nicaragua treaty is evidently in progress. Sir
Henry Bulwer and Mr. Clayton, at their last inter-
view, were closeted five hours together. We havejust
learned that General Pam has teen liberated from
prison.
On the question of the day, Mr. Clay's compromise
movement and position, the New York Herald says :
But for the unfortunate altercation which occurred on
Wednesday last, between Mr. Foote and Colonel Benton, in
the United States Senate, at Washington, there is every rea-
son to believe that Mr. Bell's resolutions on the territorial
question, would have been referred to a committee of
thirteen, halt white and half democrat., with Mr.
Clay as chairman. Whets that affair °centred, as important
amendment, moved by Mr. Clay, had been carried, Is which
the senate declined to Impress, in advance, any opinion, or to
give any instructiine, either general or specific, ter the
guidance of the committee. The amendment was con.
owed is ; and the qut stion on referring would, no doubt,
have been tekt•n immediately ►fterwards, if business had not
been suspended by the scuttle between the above named mem-
ben. We look upon Col. Becton's conduct in that affair as
highly reprehensible, nor are we disposed to shield Mr. Foote
from censure. It Mr. Benton can not eintrol his feelings while
sitting is a legislative body of such dignity as that which
°Lehi to attach to the Senate, he hat better resign sad so
to California at once. On the other hand, if the upper
breach of the national legislature cannot transact the busi
sees of the country without the members being wend, it is
time for all legislation to cease, and the doors of the Senate
I cooed, until abetter state of things be brought about.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.
LATTER Filmlt SIX 011101WS
(Yrum the Mu"areal risut.)

ID our last (see Fapress of April 29] we inserted
an extract of a letter, published in the New York