Mobile register and journal., 1846-12-11
Correspondence of the Register and Journal.
 AsqINc1oN l'tTy n.n 9 IQu

WAsHiNG1oN t'ITY. Dec 2. lSiR.
 The board of Regents Tor the Smithsonian I".ri
 tne at their session yesterday, determined ,hr uues ton "fihe location nj he bu'ldngs which the sirng gles of rroperi, holders in Washington have render sd Of much pubic interest. The, have ,teler,ninrd to occupy all three of the Government reservatinus lying north of ihs Finer and west nf 7th st, eel whch will give them a coninuou. (arm oi soe .ix,, acres fronting m the Potomac Bluff and heinz crnss, d h, two streets, 12th and l4h. This ste is magnificent indeed, but feat is about To lead inc erection of magnificent palaces rather than plaIn school houses rather lecture and recep for eir pro- posed library, philt suphcal museum. ac. At first the Regents. or most of lhem. thought that they might possibly expend sl00,000 on the ..Improve nents." now, however, a majority are of opinion that il will be wise expend s250 900 in this man. ner, while more than one of their members nre rem bling least it will be made sacond Glrard College sfais after all God grant that more than half million of this 'fund for the diffusion of know ledge among men," msy be squandered in marble and ma- hogany! It is hard indeed to impress those whom the world call great. with the truth of the fact that useful knowledge can be acquired or imparled in ''piney woods" log cabin schoool house quite as eC fctualy as in "hall of learning" The gaenl Ere. affords us striking example of this fact, how. ever. Though sufficiently learned and scientific 10 be at ths head of the most important scientific expedition undartaken by the order of the U s. Government. he never attended the instructions of teacher or master out of log cabin. My friends sometimes twit mo with being radical. If I am SO, seeing such made o sacred trust funds, has made me ultra. Messrs. Payne and Hillsrd have arrived. With the exception of Senator Bagby there no other Alabama members. as vet, on the ground.
 The Van Meas case is still the grand subjecr, mat. ter Of public excitement here and as il drags slowly along appesrs to create daily. deeper feeling. Be. fore the first witness was called for the plaintiff. few would have given chew of tobacco for her chance of success. When her counsel cosed their evidence, public opinion was quite unanimous in her favor and again, just after inc testimony of three four witnesses first called for the defendant was g;yen il pronounced that fraud was proven on her. beyond denial. But To! Before lhe testimony f,r the defence is half gone through with. so many contradictions have been made-genuine letters declared false from the witness siaud, Re-, that the Connor stock is akaih m tne asCthuant. Take It altogether, and l saw the match of this law suit. As heavy as the property interest involved s the rich, rare and rous sh developements made in inc course of the trial faraish the sfhs food for the popular ex citement connected with it. There is no telling where il is to end but until it does end he meeting of Congress will hardly assume iis usual import is the eyes of the qud nuncs of Warrington.
 Those of our political friends from Kentucky already hare are of opinion that Mir. Clay intends returning to lhs Senate this winter, as his imme- naie clique at home declare that his election can alone heal the Owsley and Leicher fued in the hiil. erto harmonious federal family of that state. The democrats. however, proue to regard lhis giving forth nce little trick conceal the pacfcaor's snxisy to bo m position from winch he can best protect his claims the federal nomination in l84S His appearance in Washington, with commission ss Senator in his pocket, will setlle ihe question whether hs does does not intend to enier the lists ss an ssPrael- IL is certain that Mir. Webster and pimsslf are wide nsundsr on the tariff queslisD,