Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-01-06
wasIington Correspoudcnce.

washington Correspoudcnce.
WAsnIEGroN CRY, Disc. l6, 1843
Dear Although Congress has been in ses-
sion for about two weeks, the organization can
net be said to be much mere than completed,
owing to delay produced BY the persistence Of
the wings in their efforts to effect, by legislative
trickery, reversal of the decision Of the House
BY which their celebrated protest was denied
place on the journals. This paper, you will re-
collect, if you examined the proceedings of the
Hrst day of the session, the House refused to re-
ceive OF even hear read; yet, 10 the face Of this
decision, the then wing Clerk, in making up the
journal, put the protest upon il, contrary to every
principle ofrsage or propnety. The House, nm
willing to have its record falsiked, subsequently
took cognizance Of the matter, and after several
days discussion very properly decided that the
protest should be expunged. Under the claim
set up by the "protestantsY there would be no
difficulty in procuring the insertion upon the
journal of any document whatever, relevant or
irrelevant The subject tits to be hoped, j. knal-
~ disposed of, although many say it is not. The
<Smandanus act, As it is called, you are aware
was forced upon the country by federal Con.
gress without the manifestation of the slightest
desire on the part of the States in favor of its en-
aetment, but as the last possible chance Of retain
ing awhig majority in the popular branch of the
present Congress. 1t was resisted by the demo-
Gratis as unconstitutional and destructive Of State
rights; and they ayowed their determination to
treat it as nuliity. This you will perceive they
have done, by admitting to their seats all the
members returned without inquiring into the par
ticular mode of their election: Since arriving in
this city learn that Attorney General NELSON
is open in avowing his conviction that the act is
unconstitutional.
AS democrat having, am sure, from an oc-
easional perusal Of your journal, the success Of
democratic principles at heart, you cannot but
rejoice at the harmony and good feeling which
prevailed among the democratic members Of the
House in the election of their Speaker, Printer,
and other officers The wings we're sansaine O,
split in our ranks, and some democrats had Sc
rious apprehensions Of such result, growing out
| OF the preferences supposed to be entertained by
the members on the Presidential question. All,
however, were disappointed-the wings, to their
great modification, and the democrats, as you can
easily imagine, highly delighted. An unbroken
front was presented to the enemy, which is but
the precursor of what they now see they will
have to meet in the Presidential campaign of 1874
Msssrs. CALHOUN, JOHNSON and BUCHANAN,
have all their friends among the members, as they
have among the people; but united, in numbers
they fall greatly below those who favor the pre-
tensions of Mr. VAN BunEN. Atleasttwo-thirds
! Of the democratic members are for restoring the
New York statesman to the helm of State, and
his nomination is regarded as not less certain than
that of Mr.. Clay. Indeed, from present indica-
tons 1t is safe to say that more votes will be cast
against the latter in the wing national convention
than will be given for other candidates than Mr.
VAN buren, in the democratic convention. OF
his triumphant election not doubt is entertained
by his friends; and coming, Is they do, from all
quarters the Union, fresh from the ranks of
their constituents no better assurance in the pre-
sent stage Of the campaign could be desired
One oft the Supreme Judges [Thompsonl is,
am informed, at the point of death, and it is said
President Tyler will supply the vacancy which
will thus be created on the bench by the appoint-
ment Of john c. SPENCER, provided the s.advice
and consent" fthe Senate can be had. do not
believe can be confirmed.
The deficit in the revenues, owing to our high
protective tariff, will make il necessary, appre-
bend, for Congress to revise the tariff A mod
iticaion and reduction ofthe duties will probably
be made in the House, but the prospect Of such
measure receiving the sanction of the Senate is
rather remote.
No legislation will be had in reference to Tex
as; but something decisive will be done, 1 think,
towards asserting our rights to the Oregon Terri
tory, and protecting our enterprsing settlers who
have gone thither
There is an unusually large proportion Of new
members in the present Congress, many ofwhom
are said to possess abilities of a high order The
West, from all can learn, never was so ably rep
resented before; and this, with the increased num-
Der Of her members, augurs favorahly for West
ern measures.
Mr.. M'NuLrY, the new Clerk, makes capital
officer. He is good reader, and has clear and
full voice which admirably suits the place.
PENN, Of the Missouri Reporter, is here, but
the democrats avoid his touch as they would lep-
rosy. The arts employed BY him to create the
impression that he has been prosecuted by Col.
BENTON have been entirely unavailing, as they
will continue to be. Col. B., it is known. was
the first to detect and expose Penn's treachery
and for this he deserves the thanks Of the party.
and not its censure. If persecution consists in
exposing dishonest and corrupt politician, then
may Penn assert with some sort Of truth that he
has been made the object of persecution by the
Missouri Senator. ~
United states and Mexico.