The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-16 00:00:00

LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.

IMPORTANT AND PACIFIC SPEECH- OF MR.
WEBSTER.
WASHINGTON, MARCH 30.

The resolution calling upon the President of the
United States for any additional correspondence upon
the Oregon question was the prominent business in order
before the Senate during the morning hour.
Mr. Webster suggested to Mr. Clayton, the author of
the resolution, that it should not be passed. There had
been no doubt letters received from the American Minis-
ter at London. He judged so from the strenuous oppo-
sition of the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations to the resolution. The Government, it might
he presumed, was in possession of information which it
did not care to communicate to Congress. He hoped,
however, that all the information desired and necessary
to an intelligent action upon the subject would be com-
municated before the vote was taken upon the Bill.
Mr. Webster enlarged upon the merits of the question,
and reminded the Senate of the frequent offers which
had been made to compromise it upon the line of 49
degrees. The 49th was a line south of. which England
could not allow herself to expect any territory; while
the navigation of the Columbia, for a limited period, was
a fit subject for friendly negotiation. The strongest
reasons addressed themselves to both countries for an
amicable adjustment, and the present was a most pro-
pitious moment for the settlement of this long-pending
controversy. The line eventually agreed upon would
undoubtedly be the one which had been proposed by this
country many times, and his wish was that the whole
controversy might be settled here and now. The country,
he earnestly desired, should at once set about a friendly
negotiation 'of the question. The question of notice,. he
hoped, would be postponed - for one month, in order to
Word time for negotiations.'
Mr. Allen said the. discussion commenced three weeks
ago in claiming the Whole of Oregon. It got down three
Weeks ago to 49. It was now proposed to give up the
Columbia river, and he supposed that in three
.weeks
More the proposition would be to surrender all north of
ate Columbia river. Soon after, he supposed, we should
)e ready to give up the whole rather than go to war. -
Mr. Hannegan—Better that than go the Columbia.
Mr. Allen said diet all we lost would be by the delay
if the Senate._
Mr. Webster said, he had not said one word in'favour
if yielding the free navigation of the Columbia. If
he line of forty-nine was agreed upon, he supposed
hat the navikationlif the river might" be yielded- for a
limited peried.
Mr. Clayton said he would not press the resolution to
vote or action upon it. He thought the information
ailed for should be communicated, but :whether it came
not, ho should vote for the notice, and putting an end
0 the convention of 1827.
The Oregon debate was then renewed upon the main
iuestion of notice, and
Mr. Barrows, of Louisiana, addressed the Senate in
strong. -patriotic, and common-sense speech on the
thole subject. He was in favour of compromise upon
irty-nine,and gave a very searching review of the
policy of the Administration.
Mr. Fairfield laid before the Senate the long-con-
ealed estimates from the Navy Department; now, how
ver, sufficiently known to the public, and the Senate
hen adjonined.
The Sub-Treasury and the Tariff Bills have not yet
een presented to the House of Representatives, where
ley must, according to the Constitution, originate,
lthoug,h Congress has been in session nearly four
tonths. These measures, which are, without doubt,
ie most important of the session, are in a fair way of
eing put off until the last moment, or, perhaps, carried
ver into another term.

The latest news from Washington shows that all eyes
re now turned towards the Senate, an the changing
tews of the President on the important question
hieh now engrosses public attention, are deemed as of
ut little importance, when brought into comparison with
is probable action of that body ; for, after all, although
le President may embarrass the settlement of the gues-
!) by his duplex policy, and his ignorant blundering,
se alternate decision of the question is with the Senate.
P that body shall by a decided expression of opinion in
as
sing the notice, recommend negotiation and compro-
Ilse, the point of etiquette must be waived and neg otia-
ons be resumed. And if, what is not improbable, the
enate shall by a large majority either express its ap-
royal of the forty-ninth parallel, or recommend its re-
mai, those negotiations would be resumed with every
broughtrobability of being to a pacific and satisfactory
ijustment of the question.
In regard to the effect produced by the jq.
publication of
se Message, the New York Courier and
It has been universally received as a document erofsar
ttle importance. It seems not to have increased in an
'lgree or in any quarter the apprehension of war.
Stocks, nevertheless, seem to have declined very per-
eptibly upon the receipt of the news at New York.
Mr. Calhoun's speech in the Senate on the Oregon
Luestion, on the 16th, excited very general attention.
Ie regards the proposition to give the notice as of little
"nportance now, because the sentiment of the country
emands the pacific settlement of the dispute ; and
Ithough he said that nothing could induce him to vote
3r the naked notice, as proposed by the Administration,
e thinks it not at all unl!kely that be may vote for the
otice, as modified in the resolutions of Mr. Colquitt.
The army of occupation in Texas, which at the last
ccounts was giving symptoms of an advance, had moved
rom Corpus Christi towards the Rio Grande. It was
aid that General Taylor's orders were positive to cross
he Rio Grande, and penetrate the Mexican territory,
hould he encounter any opposition from the Mexicans
his march to that river. Numerous reports appear
hroughout the papers of " large bodies of Mexicans"
Laying advanced to oppose the march of the United
itates army, but they were entitled to little or no
redif.

The United States squadron had also resumed its
ormer station in the Gulph of Mexico.
The Mexican news is not important ; no change had
aken place in the Government with the exception of
he substitution of Senor Tornel for General Almonte,
►s Secretary at War. The New York papers say that
he project of a Spanish Prince on the throne of
dexico, which Was 'noticed by the Tiempo, was ill re-

The Courieran d Inquirer has several rather severe
irticles on thisnew
movement. It intimates that
whoever supports such a
So also says the
project
quarrels with the
United States.
were Washington Union.
In the meantime -rumourspretty generally
credited that Santa Anna would besoooonback in Mexico
with a good chance of succeeding in a counter-revolution,
with
and that he has a full understandingthe United
States as to the terms of settlement of all
points hi dis-
pute, including Texas and California.
The New York papers comment severely upon the
proclamation of the Governor-General of India, in which
the Punjaub was annexed to the Indian possessions. One
of. them says, " And yct England denounces the annexa-
tion of Texas as an act of rapacity, and as an evidence
of aggrandisement and ambition which the leading
Powers of Europe are called upon to combine against
and resist."

The Henry. Clay,. 1,400 tons, and the finest and largest
leaael belonging to New York, went on shore thirty
miles from that city in a tremendous gale on the night
or the 24th ult. The sea made a complete breach over
her, and the masts were all immediately cut away. Six
n
boat, were drowned in attempting to go ashore in a
!at' two sailors, two steerage, and two second cabin
ts; Bsengera. • The ship was valued at 90,000 dolls., and
gooe,eargo, which was light, was mostly insured. A
ou`u Part had, however, at the last account, been got
a sound condition, and the ship might probably
scr6ut off when the whole of hercargo was out. All the
4g° remaining in the ship at the last accounts was in a
trm_ged condition. There were about 300 people on
v4rd, mostly emigrants, all o whom were saved except

I 1 the six persons before alluded t 1.! The vessel, if it could
' be got off, would be taken to New York.
The trial of Tyrrell, for the murder of Maria Bick-
ford, had taken place; when the jury, in the face of most
conclusive evidence, acquitted the prisoner. Somnam-
bulistn was the plea of defence. The jury, however,
stated that that did not influence them. They did not
consider the case as proved. Objection to capital
punishments was surmised to be the cause of his ac-
quittal. It was an aggravated case.
A shocking massacre had taken place at Auburr, New
York. A negro entered the house of a Mr. Van Nest,
and murdered the whole family, consisting of five per-
sons. Ravenge was his object, he said.
Commodore Crane, of the United States navy, had
committed suicide.
Great floods and consequent damage bad taken place
at Buffalo, New York, at Albany, and in the interior of
Pennsylvania. An immerse amotmt of damage was
sustained. Several of the Lake steam-boats were crushed
to pieces by the ice at Buffalo.
Tt,e cost of repairing the damage occasioned to the
public works of Pennsylvania by these floods, which
will amount to about 112,000 dolls., and the loss of tolls
consequent upon not opening the canals at the usual
time may, it was apprehended, interfere with the pay-
ment of the August dividend of the State debt. This
was, however, merely a conjecture. Pennsylvania Five
per Cents. were quoted at New York on the 31st at 694
to 70.

The spring business at New York was progressing
fairly, though the position of the Oregon and Mexican
questions caused frequently rather an uneasy feeling
affecting all business more or less. The news from
England of the final decision of Parliament on Sir R.
Peel's Bill was anxiously looked for. The Stock Market
was lower. United States Six per Cents., which sold
when the late steamer left at 1111, could scarcely find a
buyer at 110.

EXCHANGE.—London, 109+ to 110 ; Paris, 5 261 to
5 23/ ; Amsterdam, 39+ to 394 ; Hamburgh, 35i to
354 ; Bremen, 781 to 791—at which rates a large
business was doing in English Exchange.

MONEY MARKET, MARCH 31, P.M.—Stocks continued
in a very unsettled state, and there is not likely to be
much change in the market until after the arrival of the
foreign news, which may be expected on Thursday
morning. Money is tight, and the banks are cautious.
There is a rumour to-day that the Sub-Treasury Bill is
about to pass, though what will be its immediate effect
upon the monetary affairs of the country is not easy to
determine. One party looks to it with hope, and the
other with despair. It is safe to say that at present

matters at Washington do not look at all encouraging.
There is nothing settled in the policy of the Administra.
tion, and business men seem to be in a quandary.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, MARCH 30.
_ _

The sales of cotton to-day have been moderate—ma-
nufacturershave taken a few lots of the finer qualities,
for which prices range as high as they were before the
arrival of the Hibernia; the lower qualities, however,
are sold for' export at a decline of i tot- from those rates.
The total sales since the 27th ult. amount to 15,600
bales. We quoted Upland, very ordinary to middling,
64 cents. to 74 cents. fair to good fair and good, 81 cents.
to 9 cents. and 91 cents. per lb.'; Tenessee and Aloha-
mas, 7 to 81; Mobiles, Louisianas, &c., ordinary to mid.,
7 cents. to 84 cents; fair to good fair, 91 cents. to 104
cents.; good and fine, 11 cents. to 121 cents. per lb.
Flour, &c.—Western Canal flour is dull of Sale ; Ge=
nesse is offered at 5,50 dols. but shippers do not come
forward at that price'; Alexandria, Friedericksburg,
&c., may be quoted at 5,121 dols. to 5 dols.; Baltimore
5,121 dols. ; Georgetown, 5,121 dols. to 5,25 dols. ;
Brandywine, 5,371 dols. to 5,50 dols. ; Richmond City
Mills, 6,50 dols. Rye 'flour, 3,50 dols. Corn meal,
3,371 dols. to 3,50 dots. in barrels, and 15,75 dols. to
16 dols. in tierces. Wheat is held at 1,10 dots. to 1,20
dols. Rye 80 to soi cents. Sales of corn are made at
67 to 68 cents. The receipts of flour to-day, vid North
River, amount to 4;969 bales. • •
50 tierces Pennsylvania Clover Seed (clean) sold at 9c.
Provisions are steady. New Mess Pork commands
11 dols. to 11 dols. 50,.. •There is but little old in mar-
ket. New is held at 9 dols. 50c. to 10 dols. Beef is
firm, with a moderate stock. Lard is dull at 7c. in bar-
rels, and 7-1-c. in kegs. Cheese 71c. to 81c. Butter is
dull, and with an accumulating stock. Prices continue
to have a downward tendency. Orange Co. is heavy at
15c. to 18c.; Western Dairy, 12c. to 14e.; Interior and
Grease, 8 e to 10c.
Ashes.—Pots are dull—a few sales of last year's
brands have been made at 4 dols., and of Pearls at 4d.
31c. to 4d. 371 c.
_ _

Naval store's remain inactive. There has been no
movement for export since the arrival of the Hibernia,
in consequence of the low prices ruling in England.
Freights.—To Liverpool, 3-16 d. for Cotton, Tur-
pentine, and Flour is. 9d. to 2s. To London, Naval
Stores and Flour 3s. to 35..3d. per LA. To Havre, Cotton
to ic. per lb. ; Ashes Bd. to 10d. per ton; Rice 10d.
per ton.