The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-02-28
CONGRESSIONAL
Washington correspondence of the Ohio States

CONGRESSIONAL.
Washington correspondence of the Ohio States.
man.
WASHINGTON, Feb IA, IS46.
As soon as the House was organized yesterday
the Speaker laid before it, a communication from
the Clerk, assigning the reasons why the remaining
copies Of Capt. Fremont's report, which were or.
dered by the last Congress, are not distributed. -
The reason assigned was, that the report is delay
I'd because some of the larger maps are not CON-
pleted. The committee on Public Lands were dis
charged from the further consideration OF the petit
ton Of citizens of Montgomery county, Ohio, for
law authorizing the public lands to be laid out into
FARMS for the free of persons not possessed oil
other lands. The petition was laid on the table
The House then resolved itself into committee oi
the whole, Mr.. Joseph R Ingersoll in the Chair,
and took up the private calender. A petition was
presented. from the members OF the Cincinnati bar
praying for the establishment in the State of Ohio
OF two judicial districts for the courts Of the Uni
ted States; and another, for the same object, from
the merchants Of Cincinnati, Ohio. Both petitions
were referred tc the committee on the Judiciary.
A petition for aid. was also presented, from the
heirs of Capt Huddy, who was hung by the Bri-
tish, during the revolutionary war. A petition
from citizens of Indiana for naval depot at Toledo,
Ohio, was also presented, and referred to the
mittee ON Naval Affairs.
To-day, the House again resolved itselfinto COM
mttee the whole, and took up the private calen-
der A number of cases were disposed Of, and no
other business was transacted.
The recent correspondence between our Secre-
tary Of State and the English Minister, which may
be called the second stage in the Oregon negotia-
tion, seems to be well received by the great body
of the democratic party; and the refusal, Of our
government, of the arbitration proposed by the
English Minister, so far as have seen, meets with
the very general approval of the democratic pres
ses. Most OF the wing papers are carping at the
refusal, with their usual bitterness; but since the
Dutch arbitration, ir the case al the northeastern
boundary, our people are very naturally averse to
this method Settling national disputes, especially
where il involves the question Of title to territory.
Besides, under our form of government, there is
difficulty in the way OF arbitration for territory,
which meets us in the very outset. All arbirations
are founded on the previous agreement of the par
ties litigant, that they will abide by the award,
whatever it may be; and Judicially, most courts
have power to enforce this agreement Now, who
could enter into such an agreement for the United
States! Possibly il might be done, (and even Of
that many entertain very serious doubts) by for
NAL treaty, negotiated by the President and ratified
by the Senate; but evidently nothing short OF the
treaty making power, could authoritatively bind
the republic, in what is known in legal parance ,as
an drOltratOTS DOnu. we attempted 10 dTUiTdle
in the case of the northeastern Soundary, because
1t was stipulated that we should do so 10 the treaty
of 1885, and that treaty bound US to accept of one
of two lines of boundary, as the arbitrator should
decide. But even in this case, where the trainers
OF the treaty, had the two lines of boundary be.
tween them, and of course, in either alternative,
knew what they would get, the measure was found
to be almost impracticable; but in case when the
arbitrator is to be chosen, not to decide between
two lines already designated, but to fir the line
itself, it is not seen how the necessary action on
the preliminary question pledgng the nation to
abide the award, could easily be had; particularly,
as no very distinct proposition could come before
the authorities empowered TO make the pledge !
venture these remarks, not because suppose the
arbitration scheme is to be again entertained by any
one, on the part OF the United States; but for the
purpose OF showing you, how perfectly inconsld-
crate many of our whig opponents are, in censur-
ing the government for rejecting an offer, almost
impracticabe to US, on the face Of it.
Much continues to be said, about the progress
of still further negotiations on the Oregon question,
which many assert are still gons on in this city
But in all this, ! presume, that people are only
amusing themselves, by circulating their own con-
lectures for facts for if treaty were in reality in
progress here, cannot imagine how those who
speak 50 confidently on this subject, could, by any
possibility, become informed either of Its progress,
or of its details.
A new tariff bill, am informed, will soon be re-
ported to the House. 1t is understood that it will
abolish all fictitious or arbitrary valuations, and
specific duties; and that certain per cent. on the
foreign value, with an addition as the cost of i'm
portation, will be levied OIL all dutiabe imports. -
The list OF free goods 1t is also supposed, will be
very materially reduced, and so altered, as to rem
der the advantages OF free importations more gen.
eral in their application; and confined more to what
have become, from long habit, the necessaries of
life. The wings undoubtedly will fight furiously
over this relic of whggery and those enjoying the
profits enuring to them from this instance OF cass
legislation will cling to the present tariff with all
the tenacty, which usually characterizes the con-
duct OF those enjoying unjust privileges. at the
pense of others. II is so with the mobiles of Eu-
rope, it is so with those enjoying corporate priv-
eyes, and it will be SO with the privileges conferred
by the tariff laws.
There is quite large delegation of New York
ers on here, for the purpose of judging from WHIT
they can see and learn at head quarters, OF the prob
abilities of peace or war. The Oregon question is
sore p,izzler to them, and they are very anxious
for its adjustment; amicably it possibly, but set
Element OF it, whether or no have not learned
whether they are here as delegation in behalf OF
the New York merchants, or merely to represent
their own interests, but presume, in the latter
capacity only,
The TARIFF SENDS SPECIE OUT OF THE
COUNTRY The Cincinnati Herald (whig) says:
In 1912. we imported Of specie and bullion,
4, ,0s7 ,0l6; in ls45, "a ,070 ,222; while we expor-