The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-25


from ninety-seven to fifty; Of lieutenants, irou.
three hundred and wenry-seven 10 Two hundred
and SIXTY AT the opening OF The present session
mere were at sea, but fourteen captains, twenty
Two co mmanders, and hundred and tweniy-slx
lieutenants. OF the captains (sixty-eigh) sixteen
had not been 10 sea since their promotion
OF the commanders (nnety-seven) thirty. eight
We're n the same condition and in each OF these
grades the number is still larger of those who
within that time, had made no full cruise The
Secretary says, emphaticaly, 'the navy anguish
from The prolusion OF officers" and that I" the
doctrine that advancement is due TO seniority
alone, irres pective Of capacity for duty, places
personal interests before the public good, and
partakes of the very essence of the worst form OF
aristocracy." His recommendation TO Congress
was in March last, the application of the elect
i've system to subordinate officers, and control
Oft by superior officers. Mr.. Bancroft estimates
the saving in dollars and cents at Ss3O2, 800
Although little has been said publicly within
the last few days about our conflict with Mexico.
there are two currents OF opnion-one running
on "conquering peace and the other on OBJ
tanning peace as contradstlngulshed. The ad-
mlnistration makes peace, without a further pro-
secuton of the war, dependent on Mexico, and
whenever she asks, she shall receive the olive.
Therefore, il is not to be expected that Mr.. Polk
and his cabinet will, without such solicitation,
advance pac ifcally towards Mexico There
many members who think that we can afford to
be magnanimous at this conluncture of our af
fairs and maintain that the late victories have
put effectual bar to the possibility of sug-
United States from any fear of carrying on the
war, and that defeated ration would be doubly
Inundated by being compelled to sue for peace
but a triumphant one holds out the olive branch
with renewed elevation of character; that there
is both magnanimity and sound policy in avail
ing Ourselves OF the propitious moment, and the
generosity of it will be striking Ingredient III the
eye both Of the enemy and of other nations; and
the advantages fairly to be Obtained I'M
der such circumstances are not to be over
looked. The contingency naturally presents
itself, may not Mexico refuse The answer is, IT
il qultc probable that she will-but the beneficial
consequences to us, even OF refusal, are striking
and considerable. Our was the result OF mea-
sures which portion of the country did not con-
cur in and does not approve The annexation OF
Texas and the manner in which it was effected.
did not meet with universal assent and applause;
but all will be sanctioned, and the worst extreni
ties of war will be rendered proper and accepta-
BILE to the most humane and christian spirit. 1t
may be supposed that the unsettled state of the
Mexican government prevents access to any reg
ular and authentic power, IN order to effect me-
gotation. The answers to this suggestion /.
The same unsettled condition would ehectually
prevent the Mexican government from opening
the negotiation. They cannot ask, if they have
no authoritative mouths to speak. z No real
difficulty exists. The object is to have the oter
from us substantially made. Never mind the
form. A flag of truce sent by the commanding
general would answer admirably; but 3-the rep
resentatives of foreign powers now here would
be delighted to have the opportunity TO be the me-
dunn Of intercourse The above are the views of
Mr.. J. r. Ingersol, one ofthe most respectable and
talented wings in Congress. He wants to antici-
pate the offer of mediation which Sir Robert Peel
speaks of in his speech, which might embarrsss
our government He is for doing for ourselves
what W intend to do, without dictaton media
tion-make of the British government TO car
ry our direct offer, and we avoid the embarrass-
ment of either accepting or refusing its profer to
mediate. Mr.. lngersol asked leave to offer the
following resolutions, which were read for nfor-
nation, viz:
Resolved by the Senate and House Of Representatives
of the United States, etc That at period and under cir
cumstances when no liability exists to Of
the danger Of impeachment of the motives
which induce it, reasonable effort should be made con-
senty with national dignity and honor for the resioa
ton of peace between the Republic OF the United States
That the Senate and House of respect,
fully recommend to the President that he offer IT, In his
judgment be expedient, to open with Mexico nego
aon for the purpose of closing the present
ping the efusion Of human blood and OF providing
manent and satisfactory arrangement OF all subssng
differences.
Whatever may be its reception and immediate efecp
ultimate consequences alike honorable to the country
spirit CORE spending with that which prompts it, this
ton will be restored to its natural progressive of
ment Of universal good will If refused from Whatever
the refusal may arise the nation which
deprive itself every claim to the sympathy of the world
and this government and country will assume position
lofty and firm that humanity itself will sanction
necessary continuance OF the ravages oil war.
That impeachment exists to communities alton with the
Of Mexico by either Of hosttes he
tween the two countries disturbed state OF public
affairs in of them. Intercourse may be opened ii
necessary from army to army even at the point OF the
bayonet with better hopes, through the smicable
agency of friendly foreign power.
AS soon the resolutions were read, Messr Rathbun
message was received stating that the President had
signed the bill authorizing the issue Of treasury notes
dull and dry debate ensued in the House the bill
requiring the Attorney General in addition to the duties
imposed him BY law to perform such other duties
hoI1k Inv fha Pro idant
all matters of legal character in which the United States
may shall be interested and placing under his the
duties performed by the Secretary OF state relating
to the Patent Office &C. his salary So O00
which but 81 800 with the privilege OF actsing
law In the course of the discussion there was dialogue
aspus's the doctrine Ct the gentleman
Mr. sAwrER.-Do you not hold that the party in power
have a right TO the odices2
man has M Ss soui
would appoint democratic heads Of the Department. but
would select the subordnates with regard to abilities
Mr. SAwyEK.-Dd you ever recommend a wing for
Office
MIR. OwrN.-Yes, one and have never seen him from
The bill was subsequently amended. and reported to
the House from the Committee, when was laid the
table.
The House having again gone into Committee CIr
Brodhead in the chair) motions were made to take up
sundry bills, viz.
Mr. KIsc Of Georgia-To authorize the Secretary of
the Navy contract for the transportation Of the United
States mails in ocean steamers
MIR HopKiSs-To regulate the rates of postage
Mr.. TIsBArrs-To give lands for the benefit Of the
blind.
MIR. SEAMAN, of New York--The bill making appro
priatons for certain Notifications, viz. =
hundred thousand dollars for the purchase from the
State of New York Of tho defensive works Staten
Island together with the land bought by the State for the
site Of said works, with all the materials on or about
them and for their repairs when the title Of New York
shall been extnguished provided that the President
shall be authorized dispose Of the site and materials Of
old Fort Ganssvo, and to apply the proceeds Of the
sale 10 the repair of the works on Staten Island.
Thirty thousand dollars for batteries on Sellers Point
Flats below Baltimore.
Twenty thousand dollars for fort at the entrance Of
Cumberland Sound, Georgia.
Twenty thousand dollars for the commencement of
fort on side Of Dauphin Island Mobile Bay Ala
bama.
This bill taken up, when
Mr.. SEAMAN very earnestly defended the appropriation
for New York. The harbor little better defended
than il was during the Revolutionary war IL was