Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-02
RICHMOND, VA.
Friday Morning, January 2, 1876.
Correspondence of The Richmond Enqn'r7.l
WASHINGTON Cry, Dec. 81, loi5.

Tho consideration Of motion TO purchase or
n,;nt fifteen hundred additional copies OF Ere
mont's expedition for The use Of The new mem
hers. The question was not finally disposed OF.
This brings 10 mind the thousand and one rn-
mors and speculalions relative to The plates ana
"copy" of the report OF The Commander OF me
late United States Exploring Expedition, win
which Washington City has been perPlexeu
since the adjournment OF the last Congress
One or more attempts were made during inc
las, session in the House of Representatives TO
institute thorough examination into The man
ner in which the report and plates in question
were disposed of; but as yet nothing appears 70
have been elected Ii has been charged in The
newspapers that the result OF the expenditure
&c ,,.;iinns e.r -,ha public money and nj tho on
ployment OF so much OF The talent (bolh scientific
and nava) in the service Of the Government,
which is embodied in Captain Wilkes report,
after being used 10 strike of the comparatively
very small number of copies already printed
for The United States has been quietly handed
over 10 some person or persons in Philadelphia,
10 be used for the purpose OF private specula-
ton. II may be said that the Government
can have no exclusive copy right OF the
work in question, and that any parties are al
liberty 10 print any number OF editions ana I'M
pressions Of this book made al the public COST
|, strikes me, however, that The octave edition
claims a copyright icr the private publishers. =
II so il will indeed be well for Congress TO as
certain by what authority The expenditure OF
millions 10 procure the data IS made 10 accrue
solely tor the benefit oil Two or three individuals
no ran f,f 10 i.
ginal friends of the expedition who, 10 man,
Woud have refused 10 vote dollar towards il,
il the commander, before starting, had proclaimed
thar such was its design. Although il embraces
superabundance of trashy twaddle u sui pre-,
SCENTS much useful information, which could
hardly have been obtained al less expense, or in
any other manner; and the original Intention OF
incurins the enormous expense was undoubtedly
20 scatter the geographical and commercial
knowledge thus collected, far and wide through
nut the country al a small cost, Tor The oeneht OF
all nersons ENGAGED in any branch OF commerce
which could possibly be increased in the Pacllc
ocean and South seas With such an end IN
view il was indeed noble enterprise-a great
object Of national concernment II certainly has
moi as vet been presented by the Government to
the country in such form or on such terms as
will fulfil the implied understanding te'weeb Inc
; representatives OF the people VINO vo'eo Msn
one hand. and those who we've charged WIN Us
management, on the other. The present Speaker
Of The House. Mr.. Davis Of Indiana, has hereto
fore been regarded as the prime mover IN Inc Con-
gressionat Investigations on Inc Sno]ect; oui, DIS
his present position VII preclude further active IN
reference on his part some one else Goes MOI step
forward 10 take the matter in hand, the public are
i;rsv 10 he depr,ved OF what is Justly aAd cannot
donht legally theirs IT, however, the so necessa-
~ investigation should result in the conviction
that The public hare been fairly dealt with, anu
that property morally and Jnstiy, II not legally,
belonging 10 the Government, has not been con-
vered 10 The private emolument OF public officers
and few others, the result will relieve me cna-
racter of those concerned from odium, which no
well-wisher Of The public service desires 70 see
affixed 10 any one kept in Government employ
ment. trust the matter will receive the alien
ton Of Congress during this Winter, and am IN
clined to believe that the officers who were con-
cerned in the expedition are anxious for The pro-
posed investigation.
Notwithstanding the assertions OF various
Washington correspondents for Wing papers 10
the contrary, am happy TO be able TO leii you,
that the decision OF Incidental questions IN The
case OF the contested Florida election, Concern
ine which wrote few evenings since,) will not
affect The result of the Committee, so as TO induce
report unfavorable 10 The claims OF Mr. Brock
enbrough. The Wings here and elsewhere insist
that it will be in favor OF the sitting member, MI
Cabell This is not 50, however, Tor the case, as
il stands al this moment, alter most thorough ana
laborious investigation, must he summed up with
resolution. declaring that Mr.. peterborough
ispn,illed 10 the seat A few days will tell which
Is the correct impression-that of the Wings, or
ina, of your correspondent. This result will be
a great disappointment 10 Mr.. Cabe, who has
OF lale fancied himself completely "out OF the
woods" The opposition will kick up a terrible
.'bobbery" about The report, Tor they have cheated
themselves into belief that The whole matter
was settled in their favor. So you must De pre-
pared 10 hear all sorts Of reports and accusations,
cuncernins wha, individual members OF the COM
mittee mayahave said or decided before the report
was finally made up and adopted for presentation.
had no opportunity last night 10 comment
on the debate OF the day. IN The Senate. md
that large majority Of the Democratic party IN
this city concur in regarding either set OF reSo-
lutions (Mr. Hannegan's and MIR Calhoun'sl as
extremely ill-advsed and out oil place. Inc
people, of both parties, doubtless desire mat !he
Oregon question should be settled by negotiation
IL possibie; and therefore the resolutions oil The
former gentleman, (hough he in measure dis
claimed such intenlion) if sustained by the Sc
nate. cannot fail being regarded as an esloppel 10
all future diplomatic efforts, on Whatever oasis
established. The question is not-wha. are our
territorial rights? but whether, as they have, Tor
So many years been made The subject OF neSo-
lion is il proper TO refuse TO listen 10 any pro
posilon that Britain may sui MAKE MT.
Calhoun's resolutions appear 10 me 10 oeequaily
unfortunate; for, nOt@ilhstanolnS ms assei.ioi' -
The contrary, they will assnrediy create an ihi-
nression that portion OF the Democratic party
Are about TO step forward 10 give the Wings The
coveted opportunity TO defeat the honoraoie ana
neaceable settlement of the controversy by the
nresent administration. His remarks, though
extremely guarded, will bear The Interpretation
that he is willing 10 go further III CONCESSIONS
than the offer of The Executive and also tnat our
title 10 The parallel OF fly-four degrees and forty
m;n,,,es is moi SO valid as TO part of the terri
tory. I do not believe that ne wishes 10 DE so
understood; but he has afforded our opponents
and the British, opportunities for misconstruins
his posiion. which will be used by The former ior
The purpose of making Federal capital, anu must
lead the latter 10 negotiate under the hehel lhai
the South will, if possible, force the adWihiSlid-
ton TO settle the question upon any terms Eng
land may Offer II Sir Robert reei, OF ms pen''
poten,iary should be thus induced 10 DOUBT Inc ais
position or the entire Democratic party TO slana up
for The interests honor and rights ofhe whoe coun
try. of course demand for further concessions
will be made. which will be as likely 70 terminals
in hostilites, as though the negotiations ~eie az
sn,nted IN he continued in the spirit OF the reso
buttons of Mr.. flanagan. II Congress sooun
eventually endorse The views OF e"nei ~ Ill
een,lemen-as wide apart as they are-tneY VIII
Virtually take the question out oflhe hands Oh Inc
administration who have 50 far managed il TO
The entire and avowed satisfaction OF nine-tenths
of the people. Wil,he country be better content
ed with the management Of either Mr.. flanagan
or MIR. Calhoun'7 doubt II. -, A.
You will perceive, from The aeoa.s, .na' m,
Calhoun has not as yet, expressed himseii upon
the Question Of extending the jurisdiction OF .ne
United States over The territory, or Of delaying
the termination OF the join, occupancy Tor at leas'
three years am still inclined 10 hold TO Inc OPP
MON that he will take the views indicated 70 my
letter of the 18th ul,imo. MACoN'
% Wednesday night just before IL O'CLOCK,
wooden house, at the corner OF Eleventh ana BANK
Streets, and opposite the Southern gale OIL Inc
Capitol Square, was in blaze, and burnt IKE
finder It was occupied as Caoinet-mak'ns