The New York herald., 1845-04-21
THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Important from Washington.

Important from Washington.
Correspondence of the Heraldl
WASHINGTON, April 10, ls45
Owr Heidtions ,cith BraSI-Lsportamt Despaiches--
Extra Session of Congress-Mericam Afairs--
NsW YorklPoitics- Coaectorship, &c. &c.
Important dispatches have just been received by
the Department oi State from Mr.. Wise, our Min
ister at Brazil, relating to the recent insult given
by that government to himself, our Consul at Rio,
and to the Commander Of our figate Raritan, who
it will be recolIected had seized upon the slave YES
sci Porpose, with her cargo Of slaves and specie,
but which from the threatso the Brazilian govern
ment. he was forced to relinquish.
The case is certainly very novel one, and while
the acts of the Brazilian government can in no way
be justified, as both the usuage OF nations and the
open support of the slave trade, the conduct
of the. American commander, on the other
hand, IN quietly sunendering his legal prize
the sea-. Of psSs Tn he1e ffs Hs
| Instructions upon this subject were as clear
and as explicit as they could have been; besides,
| ne had the laws OF Congress before HIM. and his
detention of the SLAYER under any circumstance,
would have met the prompt support of our govern
ment and have been justified by every civilisec ma
ton IN the world: II was one OF those very few
plain cases IN which there could have been no mis-
taking the proper course Of action to pursue, and
| the error, TO call it by no harsher name, cannot
now De recthed, but must be regretted. as exhib-
| ting lamenable lack of energy and discretion ON
| the part OF our commodore. What would have
been the course OF British rigate under like cir
camstances, is very plain; neither the threats of
the government, backed by the formidable display
OF Brazilian squadron, and the certainty of de-
sructon from the forts, would have prevented
British commodore from at least making an effort
to carry out 80 plain order OF his government.
The dispatches referred to from Mr.. Wise call
Tor definite instructions to the course he is to
pursue in his present relations with the Brazilian
government. He urges the immediate appearance
of formidable naval force in that quarter, TOR the
protection OF our commercial and maratime inte-
rests, and the expediency of his withdrawal from
| that government, inasmuch as he cannot well see
how the matter ls to be settled amicaby and hon
oraby to ourselves, as the insult was Rratutous
the part of the Brazians, who refuse to apologize,
and continue to hold forth fresh menaces to him
SELF and of course to the government of the United
States
1t is said that there has already been a Cabinet
meeting upon the subject; that the naval force in
Rio; that Mr. Wise will not return until such time
as our government is determined to act with eff
cheney and force, regarding, as it does the case as
yer, knowing any thing on the subject OF posi-
tive character it is probable that the President may
be forced to convene an extra session Of Congress
difficulties, which from recent accounts are far
| from being favorable to continuance of peace
between the two governments.
York diplomatizng, which may be entertaining to
politicians of your State. few days since, as
you will recollect, a report was suddenly put in
Van Ness, your Collector, and Mr.. Towle, your ma
val officer; and that the places of these gentlemen
had been filled by MI; Coddingon, of your city,
msr. The history of this whole affair is truly
| amusing, as showing the devices which great men
may adopt tor the purpose OF carrying out any set
tied scheme by this system OF warfare, when other
| and more reputable means are regarded as out of
the question.
few weeks since distinguished Senator from
your State made visit to your capitol at Albany,
Mr. it, from Rochester. for this city, where they
arrived about ten days since. While in Albany,
| the scheme for removing the two above NAM
| toned In their places, had been urged and
and agreed upon, and to effect il these gentlemen
| were despatched TO- Washington The point had
move could be effected, Silas Wright could not
hope for the city of New York for lS48, and that
| consequently his chance for the accession would
be very doubtful the patronage aud influence of
these officers being so extensive to be thought
sufhcient to insure this important object Upon the
arrival OF these gentlemen here, of them forth
while the other approached the President upon the
subject OF his mission and urged the removal of
these officers, advising his Excelency at the same
tune time. not Ito to consult with his Cabinet upon the
hands. Charges Of corruption, incompetency,
the probable loss Of the Spring election, by their
.eteat,on, the good "a Of the party, and many 9th
ed the succession and his friends the patronage
OF the office, were freely urged sufficient
tor the step advised. In the mean time fresh arri
vals came in each one having part already learnt
to play; the like statement was made TO the Presl
dent, certainty of uccessfreey expressed; when,
unfortunately, the real object Of this patriotic visit
was made evident, and the scheme, with the sche-
| mers, were thrown back disappointed and defeat
| ed. 1t is now morally certain that Mr.. Van Ness
will be retained in his place of Collector, but fresh
attacks upon him are daily threatened from this
same quarter. AN ALLReHANIAN.
WASHINGTON, April 10, ls45.
The Cabinet and Foreign Reiations-Merico-
Goham Parks appointed Consul at Rio de Ja~si-
ro-Mr. Leonard and the Neto York Post OSfee-
Florida, and her Courts, and President Polk
Meeting tn Favor Of the Sufferers by Fire at Pitts
burg.
The Cabinet, learn, had meeting to-day, and
it is believed that the foreign relations of the coun
try were the subject of discussion. Mexico is sup
posed to have been the tapis to-day, and it il
generally believed that important intelligence was
yesterday received by the administration, though
the purport of it has not yet Tanspired.
l understand that Gorham Parks, formerly
member Of Congress from Maine, has been appoint
ed U. s. Consul TO Rio de Janeiro. Mr.. Parks 10,
| believe, a very talented man. and Will prove to
perceive, thinks iivery shocking that the letter
writers should, by their diligence and industry, OBJ
tain the information of all the appointments as fast
as they are made, while the administration won't
go to the trouble Of making out lists to give them
to print in this city without any trouble at all.
From all that can learn here believe that Mr..
Leonard will be the fortunate recipient of the Post
Office in New York. Mr.. l.. was one Of the few
democrats in the last Congress from the Empire
State who kicked against the dictaton OF the Ben
ton, Van Buren,, Wright clique in relation to Texas
and voted for the resolutions for annexation and it
shardly to be expected that Mr.. Polk will give the
important Office of Postmaster to of the ciqxe
which would have defeated that great measure if
they could, when one of those who helped to carry
it through is an applicant, and more particularly
when il ia said that Mr.. Polk is beginning to take
these matters into his own hands, and not to sub
nit to be led away az he now thinks he has
been in some Of This previous appointments in Con-