The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-17
30 K l y.
Washington.
lCorresponeence Of the Herald
Proceedings In the Senete-Mr. Van b"re"
and MIR. Clay.

Sot's 'N A'I
WASHINGTON, April -, 1872.
Proceeding In the Senete-Mr. Van bure"
and MIR. Clay.
Mr.. CurHBERr, of Georgia, has arrived ana 'oheH
his seat IN the So, ale. This is rather cary !" Il
session for the honorable gentleman, oul as n''u"
s~tituents seem Indifferent to his locate hooouy eNe
has any right to complain.
The PREsDEsT pro tenn. lald oeiofe ~ oeha'e u
report from the War Department. maue IN eom-
pliance with a resolution Of the Senate OF the zith
,,,;mo reouiring from that Department, among
o,hsus ,f,rmauon of whatofficeIs could be abolish
"a ond what retrenchmeut could be made in the ex-
nand;tures under the control Ct that Department.
The Secretary states t at from observation and ex-
ar;nation. he cannot any Tetrenchment
in eypenditures and thai so far from recommending
a reduction of officers, it was his opinion that the
numerical force Of the army was now inadequate TO
the necessities Of the coun'ry-and that It's numeri-
cal force cannot be reduced unless il was the lnten-
ton Of the Government TO abandon the whole sys-
tenn of defences on our extended and exposed from
tier, and leave the country in such condition as TO
invite aggression from all quarters.
Mr.. TALpNpGE pres ented a memorial from certain
agents of packe, lines and of ships OF the Giles OF
New York and Liverpool, on the subject OF duties
collected on gold and silver watches and precious
stones. The nemoralists represent that the duty
as fxed by the act Of the extra session OF Congress,
is so large as to induce smuggling, and to cut OH
the revenues of the Government. They believe
ths, a duty Of seven per cent. would afford more
revenue, and do away with the inducements to
smuQgle.
The bill to authorize the adoption of measures for
the occupation and settlement OF the Territory OF
Oregon, ard for extending certain portions OF the
laws of the United States over the same, was taken
up
further, he would propose an amendment to the bill.
1t is, to strike out from the sixth and seventh lines
the words that IS the President of The United States
tuke possession Of the territory bordering on the Pa
ci6c Obean, and" He had, on consultation with
some of The gentlemen Of the Senate, concurred
with them in the suggestion that 1t might not a, this
time be proper to require the President 10 take pos
session of all the territory TO which the United
States may have a disputed claim. The amend
ment would, however, render the bill unobjectiona.
bic in that respect.
The question was then taken on the amendment,
and it was adopted.
Mr.. LINN then proceeded in continuation of his
remarks from Wedr esday, 10 review the history of
the discovery Of the Columbia river, and OF the frs,
settlements in the Oregon Territory. He showed
that there could be no dispute about the right of the
United States to all the region south Of the Colum
ba rivera right which Great Britain had fully con.
cealed. The only question was, as TO the right Of
the United Safes TO the territory north of the Co
lumbia river.
ssThls right the United States founded, not only on
The right derived from the Spanish and French
claims, bnt, above all, from priority of discovery,
But this bill would not have the effect Of creating
any difficulties on that ground, as it merely appro-
pria,ed q small sum TO establish a chain Of military
posts en- the nndisputed territory, to protect Ameri.
can citizens already there, or about to emigrate
thither. The Government OF the United States was
bound to extend to her own citizens thus settling,
protection, laws and institutions Of the Republic
Such was the object of the bill.
The bill was made the special order for Friday
next, and the Senate then went into executive ses-
sion, and afterwards a6joured.
II is said that MIR. Van Buren, has accepted the
invitation Of Mr.. Clay to visit him at his residence
in Kea,ucky. The meeting will be a pleasant one,
no doubt, for the political differences Of these gen.
tlemen never interrupted the harmony of their social
intercourse. They can condole with each other on
the darkness that hangs over their prospects for tn
Presidency, and possibly they may %conspire together
and agree to make a giant effort 10 head Captain
Tyler.
The late Clay movemen does not seem TO receive
hearty cooperation of any considerable portion Of
the wings in Congress. The great body of The party
are beginning to perceive the impoicy OF yielding
10 the dictation of one man, and there is soma pro-
liability Tint all The necessary business Of the ses-
sion will at length be accomplished. Compassion
al attempts at President making are sure to be alike
improbable and unwise. Probably two-thirds of
the wings are in favor Of Mr.. Clay, but four-6iihs
are reluctant to commit themselves thus premature
ly 10 any body.