The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-04

Warrington.
ICorrespold ence Of the HERALD


L Lectures-F. w. Thomas" The" Party
In the Senate, this morning, Mr. White, Of In
diana, presented memorial from the corporation
OF Michigan city, Indiana, asking for an appropria
ton TO continue the improvements in the harbor Of
that place. Mr. White supported the views of the
memorialists, in which he commended for the wis
dom OF liberal appropriations for continuing the har-
Dor system heretofore prosecuted by the General
Government.
Mr.. CLAY spoke briefly, but earnestly, on the
same side of the question. He insisted upon the con-
satutional right ofthe Government to make harbop,
but in the present exhausted state ofthe treasury, he
was in favor Of limited appropriations He was
prepared, he said, to 60 into system of taxation
which was necessary to furnish revenue adequate
to the administration Of the government on pri,ci
Piles Of economy, and when the revenue was OBJ
tanned he would 60 for liberal appropriations for all
the purposes ofcommen and national defence The
present let alone policy of the government, he said,
would carry us back to the incapacity Of the old
confederation.
Mr.. PREsroN denied that the Federal Govern
ment had any constitutional power to construct
harbors where nature had not already provided
them, and argued that il the power was exercised it
would most necessarily be carried to = dangerous
extent.
This debate was continued between Messrs.
WHITE, PREsror, and CLAY, till half past two
O'Clock, when the memorial was referred to the
Committee of Commerce.
The Senate then took up the special orders Of the
day, being the joint resolutions Of Mr.. Clay to
amend the Constitution. LIST. To render senat ors
and Representatives ineligible to any civil appoint
ment under the authority of the United States during
the term orfractional term for which they elect
ed 2d. Restricting the Veto Power of the Presi
dent. 3d. To vest the appointment of the Secre-
tary ofthe Treasury, and the Treasurer Of the Uni.
ted States in the two Houses Of Congress ex-
cusively.
Mr.. BUCHANAN took the fsor, and spoke for
nearly two hours in reply to the Arguments Of Mr..
Clay, for restricting the veto power when the Sc
nate went into executive session.
The speech of Mr. Buchanan was very able, much
more SO than that Of Mr.. Cay. This proposition
to amend the Constitution is looked upon as an
absurd in ITSELF but at this juncture the move
menti Is injudcious and unwise beyond all previous
exhibitions oflegisative folly, Il is supposed tn at
Mr. Clay will not press his proposition to vote in
the Senate, but if he should, there will hardly be
dozen Senators in its favor.
The Report Of the currency committee Of the
house can hardly be expected before next week =
This work is one of great difficulty and delicacy,
andf any practical result is to grow out OF it, there
must be great caution and elaboration in every
movement. No good Of any sort can arise frcm
precipitation in the premises. Indeed, it may well
be doubted, whether further delay would not be be-
nefcal to the object desired, and sought BY all no.
nest men-the settlement Of the currency question.
In the present position Of parties in Congress, no
wise or salutary financial measure can be adopted.
unless there shall be decided and general manifesto
of the public wish to that effect. The popular
timent in the northern middle and southern States
is, NO doubt favorable to the establishment of some
such plan as that recommended BY the Executive.
This has been generally indicated at the north, and
to some extent at the south, but there must be a
more positive demonstration OF public opinion, or
the expectations Of the people will be thwarted by
the faclious designs Of men in Congress.
If the wings, with the power in their hands, per-
nit this question to remain open, and thus give the
democrats the opportunity 10 60 to the people on
this issue, at the next election, they will deserve TO
ebe in minority Tor the remainder of the present
century.
There have been no recent developments Of the in.
teutions ofthe wing pary,n reference to the admins
tration, and every thing remains in the same state
of confusion and chaos that has prevailed here fol-
months past. The President is sefpoised and un
disturbed He discharges his duties faithfully, ano
conscientously, and for the vagaries Of Congress
the people will know who to hold responsible.
There are several active and efficient societies
this city, organized with view to the promotion o
literature, science aud the useful and ornamental
arts, and they embrace among their members som,
OF the finest minds In the country. Lectures arr
delivered almost every week, some of which ar
equal 10 any Of the great efforts in your city, by tn
most distinguished men in the nation. Mr.. Wood
bury made capital discourse short time since Of
| the subject of education. This gentlemen is emf
neutly practical in all his views and his lecture wa
| rep.te with valuable suggestions Mr.. F. w. Tho
mas delivered 40 admirable lecture Orstory las
week. Mr.. T. is the author Of that excellent novel
| ChntonI Bradshaw and many Of the best articles il
some OF cur popular periodicals, As writer, h
has no superior in this country. Hisstyle is flown
and easy, and while it is penpicuous and concise
| To habit and close observation he un,es keer
| sense of the ludcrous, much dramatic power,
mind well stored by diligent and judicious reading
and knowledge of the world, most rare for OF
| of his opportunities. Mr.. Thomas has poem, ant
series of sketches of incidents Of individual
character, and habits and manners in tn,
west which it is understood he intends I,
brin out a: the earliest moment that shall
be warranted by the state of business in the coun
try He has in progress q work to embrace blogra
phical portraits Of most of distinguished living
politicians. There is hardly man in the country
as competent to such an undertaking, and ii canno
be doubted by those who know the man, that all hi.
productions will be Of character to increase hi,
stock Of well earned fame, and do credit to the lite
nature Of the nation.
There was great social party given by the con
gressional mess boarding at Kennedy's, in the Ave
nue., las; night 1t was the party Of the season, SC
far The mess consists, in part, Of Messrs. SeveI
and Fulton, the Arkansas Senators, Judge Cross Of
Arkansas, Gen. Dawson Of louisiana, and Col
William c. Butler. A full description hereafter
One of the most AMUSING incidents Of the evening"