The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-31

Our accounts from Washington, both public and
private, are beginning to be somewhat interesting.
After setting aside all the vulg arty all the disgrace
ful scenes, the personal conflicts, and the other
trash, which be got ZIP in that city to make
the country cape with astonishment, and endeavor-
ing to ascertain the precise position of affairs we
have, at last, reached some grounds upon which
We place confidence.
First, with regard to the movements in the
executive session of the Senate. 1t is generally
supposed that John c. Spencer, nominated for
judge of this district, will be hung up, as it
is called-that is, the Confirmation will be post
poned till the issue of the Presidential election is
known. 1t is said that Mr.. Tallmadge, the Sena-
tor, is very anxious for his confirmation; and some
people are pleased to intimate that Mr.. Tallmadge
expects to be appointed Clerk of the Court should
Mr. Spencer be confirmed by the Senate. We
doubt, however, whether Mr.. Tallmadge's in
fuence, or that of the conservatives will be suffi-
cientt to carry Mr.. Spencer through the difficulty.
Upon another ground, it is said that the interest OF
Mr.. Webster in the Senate opposes the confma-
ton Of Mr.. Spencer, forthe purpose of keeping the
place vacant for Mr.. Ketchum, of this city, when
Mr. Clay comes into power.
In relation to the other appointments, not much
is known. The policy Of the Senate, upon both
sides, seems to be TO make as much capital out Of
these nominations as possible We have even
heard il said that none confirmed except those
who are decidedly in favor of Mr.. Van Buren, upon
the one hand, or of Mr.. Clay upon the other; all
doubtful men, or those considered friendly to Mr.
Tyler, are rejected. Thus it will be seen that the
two factions in the Senate distribute these nomi-
nations for their own purposes In relation to 9TH
err nominations, we have heard great many ru-
mors as to who should be appointed Secretary of
the Navy, or Secretary Of the Treasury, should
Mr.. Spencer be confirmed. Some reports have got
out in reference to MIR. James Is. Murray and MIR.
Ct. B. Strong, in connexion with the Treasury De-
partment, or the Navy Department; but we presume
they are intended more as Jokes than for serious
consideration.
The probable legislation of Congress during the
present session, is also an important point. The
questions before them principally the tariff, the
Oregon boundary, the annexation of Texas, and
Post Office reform. According to the best accounts,
some modification will positively be made in the
tariff by the House of Representatives; but doubts
are entertained whether the Senate, being wing,
will not reject it, We think the chances are even
that some modified tariff law will pass during the
present session. In relation to Texas and Oregon,
which may be placed next, we are not so sanguine
that any thing will be done by the Legislature TO
come into conflict with the present treaty with Eng
land as we said some time ago. The expected
arrival Of the new Minister from England, and the
opening of negotiations at Washington, may have
a tendency to postpone any defensive or warlike
action upon the part of Congress. No doubt there
will be plenty of hot and hasty speeches made by
IL. for
ton seems to be hook to hang all their
eectioneering claptrap upon. The same may be
said upon the question of TIE annexation OF Texas
Of Post Office reform we can hardly tell what to
| expect, or what to feel
These are the principal legislative and executive
questions in agitation at Washington but all
| these matters, important as they may be, are
merged in the great questions of who is to be the
next President! iaAl the movements at Washing
ton Legislative, executive, and diplomatic, are
made directly with view to that important ques-
| ton. The extraordinary preponderance indicated
by the House of Representatives at the early part
of the session, clearly designated that MIR. Van
Buren, was to be the democratic candidate against
Ill the others, as the sense of the other party had
indicated that Mr.. Clay to be his antagonist.
We do not see any thing likely TO change the posi-
ton of affairs in that respect. All the movements
| at Washington, and throughout the country, only
| confirm us in the belief that Mr.. Van
| Buren, will be the candidate of the democracy to
the exclusion of all other rivals, who are beginning
already to manifest great uneaslness at it, and tG
start movements that may ultimately either throw
the election into the House, give the ascendanc,
entirely to Mr.. Clay. The friends of Mr.. Cal
houn are operating all over the country, as are
those of General Cass Convention is called fo
the 4th of July next in Philadelphia, by the specia
friends of Mr. Calhoun in New York-a mOvemen
that is pregnant with great alarm to Van Buren,
and may, in fact, lead to his entire defeat unless
something very providential takes place.
Thus we are in very interesting crisis of con
/ fusion and doubt, both in our legislative, executv,
and political condition, and it will require the ope
rations and Developments of few more months
before we can exactly see how we stand
MAILS FOR EUROPE FROM BosroN.-In conse
quence of the immense quantities Of ice in th'
Sound, and the uncertainty of the movement
of the mail boats, we deemed it proper to ISSUE
our paper for England yesterday afternoon instea'
of this afternoon. This is to make sure of th
English mail
We do not believe, however, that the Britanni
will sail tomorrow, unless the mails from thi
city and the south reach Boston IN time. 1t is fai
to suppose that she will be detained at least one da
under the circumstances in the matter. How ca
the agent of the line do otherwise than keep he
over wenty-four hours
Our paper of this morning contains the late:
news of all kinds for England, which can be ser
this afternoon, if the ice permits.
THE CRoToN WATER WoRKs.-The Manhatta
Water Company arc making preparations to COZ
test the right of the corporation to introduce tn
Croton water into this city, on the ground that b
their charter such privilege was extended to thei
alone This contemplated movement has cause
that company to recently construct the large built
ing on Centre and Read Streets containing rese