The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-02

WASHINGTON, April 30, 1886.
TO- nr.s.

WASHINGTON, April 30, 1876.
C0ngrsss.
Both Houses stand adjourned over to Monday
next. The Senate, to-day, passed to third read
ing, Mr. Speight's bill, granting alternate sections
oiland TO the Mississippi Railroad; and the Michi-
gan bil granting upwards OF million OF acres for
her canal and railroad, was finally passed. The
Smithsonian bill was referred TO select commit
tee, with Mr.. Dix at the head OF il. We expect he
will take good that it is not showed out
OF the way this time. Judge Tappan, the reporter
OF the original bill has been lobbying il, for this
darling scheme OF his for some time past. The old
Judge mas quite taste Tor ornithoogy, entmology,
c0nchology, and all the other scientific olOgies
We called at his room one day, during the last
Congress, and found him classifying a variety of
bivaves univalves, and mollusca Of different sorts.
with all the gravity OF Baron Cuvier He has quite
a taste in that way. There was a spicy discussion
in the Senate, this morning, upon motion looking
to the printing OF certain treasury compilation. by
a corpse The thanks of the country are due to
Senator Breese Tor the motion to adjourn over: to
Monday. Breese Is man of sound sense and Rice
discrimination He knows, exactly, when to move
Tor the good OF all concerned. We like the man.
The House met early in the morning, and ad-
journed over to Monday, in order to give time for
the exchange of the winter carpets for the summer
mating AND the general cleaning and ventilation OF
among the fisheries IN the Potomac tomorrow.
WASHINGTON, April SC, ls46.
We had rumor here to-day, that Gen Taylor has
been attacked by the Mexican forces, and defeated
with loss Of 100 men. Little credit, however, has
been given to il by the general mass OF the commu-
nifty. For my part, am prepared to believe every
rumor of the kind that comes from the army of oc-
cupaton, for it is nothing more than what might
expect from that quarter at any moment as
matters stand there at this time There is one thing.
however, that is nearly next to certainty and that
is, that rumors Of this sort seldom or ever arise
without sufficient cause; and the reason why such
unfortunate results, il they happen at ALL are kept
secret from the country, better known to President
Polk and his Secretary Of War than to any one else
for speak upon the best authority, and that is that
the Secretary of War is in possession of letters from
Gen. Taylor, the contents Of which he will not now
make public. Why. therefore, this secrecy about
the movements OF our army? Why conceal from
the country Its condition and Its dangers? Is it lest
the bungling conduct of the men who have assumed,
hitherto, It's sole direction, without hardly consult
ing the commander-in-chief Of the United States
forces-Gen Scott-upon subjects connected with
It. has led to disasters which would not have hap
pened to had the head OF the department nur-
sued more liberal and enlightened line Of conduct
towards military men of experience and judgment,
instead OF directing these matters himself. l be-
lieve, but hope not that our army has been beaten
by the Mexican forces, and that the reluctance of
spatchee, that he received day or two since from
the South, is, lest his blunders become known to
the public, before some fortunate and successful
movement Of Gen. Taylor, over the enemy, change
the aspect Of things in his favor The yellow fever
has broken out at the Island OF Sacrficios the an
choring ground of the American navy In the
harbor OF Vera Cruz. Should this malignant
disease get a footing among onr brave tars there
will be little left tor the Mexicans to do when they
choose to visit the remainder OF them under cover
OF the guns OF San Juan d'cloa. Between the Sc
cretares of War and the Navy both arms Of the ma
tional defence are in pretty penlous plight.
The sub-treasury bill is now before the Senate
and will be acted upon in the course of next week
On reconsidering the assurances given to Mr.. Web
ster last week by Mr.. Lewis, that the principles of
the specie clause would not 60 into operation until
the first OF Jan next 1t Is not OF much consequence
to the community at the first blast OF the matter it
appeared to be- The reason is, that the deposit banks
have not, to any considerable amount, traded upon
the government money in the way of affording ac-
commodations to merchants and manufacturers.
Their principal operations with it have been to pur-
chase United States Stocks and place them as secu-
ry in the treasury Tor the deposes Of the govern
ment BY this cunning and well-nmed foan-
cial speculation, they are enabled to realize
terest upon stocks purchased with the United
States money, and which are deposited with
Mr.. Walker as security for the very money
with which they have been purchased. In plain
loaned out to the favorites OF Mr.. Walker, for the
purpose OF deriving profit OF thousands OF dollars,
TO which they have not a shadow OF right-for
which they afford the commercial and manufacture
ing community no facilities for carrying on their
works and trades, and by which they reduce the
actual amount Of the revenue OF the country in the
precise ratio Of the interest they receive from tho
certificates of five per cent stocks deposited with
the Secretary Of the Treasury, and purchased with
the money Tor which they are left in his hands as
security.
To scr,a cor.I.r,.r h.,. .h;. .-.a.. L..L.
OF great profit, since they were permitted by MIR.
Walker to hold not only halt million OF this money,
but also all the appropriations OF all the public de-
partments. Those money merchants are required
ing pay day with all the government clerks, they
were more disposed to pay out paper to those who
were willing to take It, than Col Benton's mint
clerks In gold, is to give that beautiful currency
monthly circulation AZ large possible 20 that il
may enter into the circulating medium OF the coun-
try In as great proportion as possible For this
purpose it is brought here from the mint at PHI
ladepha, but by the hocus pocus Of paying paper
instead Of it, the intentions Of the law are defec-
tive, and the worthless rags OF town and country
currency. l call, therefore, once more upon Con-
gress 70 do one Of two things, forthwith, with
the surplus revenue OF $ll 900 600 in the Treasury
Either pay off as much OF the natonaldeb with this
surplus as tar as IT will 60, or purchase peace and
good will with 1t OF our ncighb0rs, the Mcxicans, il
consideration OF the large tracts Of their countr
which may tall into our hands by the settlement o,
the southern boundary OF Texas. If Congress should
not do either Of these things, then it would be far
better for them to keep the revenue in their mnts
and custom houses, than pay enormous sums, anpu-
ally, as interest to the banks and bankers, merely
tor the purpose Of changing Uncle Sans gold eagles
into paper kites, to be deposited with the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury This is the correct state Of
case, and don't think the promise Of Mr.. Lewis,
not 90 into effect till January next 10 OF much con-
sequence to the merchants, one way or the other.