The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-04
Matters and Things at WASH
ingt IN. @b-tEs.
WAsHINaToN, March .

yeopment, tends TO confirm, more conclu-
siyely, the conviction that the President has
acted, throughout this Oregon controversy,
with an entire want of candor to the country,
and with duplicity to both divisions of his
party, by promising, in personal interviews,
to support the policy of each. That he has,
on repeated occasions, conveyed the strong
est assurances ofhis readiness TO compromise
upon the 49th parallel, can be proven by the
most distinguished members ofthe dominant
party-and that Mr. McLane has been author
lied to communicate an intinaton TO that eff
feet to the Earl of Aberdeen, the publication
ofthe correspondence will some day reveal.
unless the President suppresses that fact, as he
has done others TO which have alluded. AL
len and the war faction, have openly admit
ed their belief that the President is ready to
negotiate treaty on the terms have signi-
ied-others, nearer to the throne, and proba-
bly, constituting the greater power behind it,
have avowed that to be his determination, if
the opportunity was afforded.
But, while he has been protesting this ALI
ance with the friends ofpeace, another in
trigue was progressing at the same time, with
that reckless faction which advocates any
system of government but that which toler-
ates law,order and religion. 1t has now been
ascertained, and will soon be demonstrated
advised, the resolutions introduced by Gen.
Cass, at the commencement of the session.
His own message delivered a few DAYS ago,
admits that he sanctioned certain secret esri-
mates, furnished by the Navy and War De-
partments, in reference to the public deienc-
es--and yet, in those recommendations, his
sanction no where appears, nor would it ever
hayebeen discovered, hut for the categorical
Undergraduates of Mr. Webster.
Thus, we discover him, treating with the
peace men, that they might vndicate him be-
fore the country; and ut the same instant of
time, trading with the war faction, by private
arrangements, in reference to the public poll
cy ofthe most vital consequences.
This is the manner in which domestic af
fairs have been conducted; and it is n fair
sample of his maneuvreing upon the Foreign
Relations. From the beginning ofhis polit-
cal course to the present hour, the whole Sc
cret of Mr. Folks success has been this prac-
tce of'legerdemain. His movements have all
been under-handed: avoiding noon-day frank
ness, and governed by the deXterity of an
experienced trickster. In this way, he hum
bugged Gen. Jackson to the very close of his
life; when he removed his bosom friend Major
Lewis from office. whom he had promised, al
their very last interview, TO retain.
Now, he sends n Message to Congress, ask.
ing an augmentation in the public defences
but as to how much, or in what form, nc is
silent. That responsibility, the candidate
for reelection is not willing TO assume; but
still he asks the increase, without uttcrine
one syllable 10 enlighten Congress as to the
posture OfafiairS.
Influenced by none other than the most lib
eral feelings, put it to every man of candol
and common honesty, whether, nfter the
donble-dealing Of the President, thus far
Congress ought to advance one step to his re-
lief without knowing the precise position of
the question? II is his duty, under the con.
stitution, to ''recommend" measures in sucl
form, and with such explanations, MS may en-
able Congress 10 act Understandings. lie
has been told, upon the floor of the Senate
that he can huve, so far as the Wing vote is
concerned, any extent of appropriations, nee
cssary TO tortiiY the country, that he will de.
mand; and yet, he snceks behind the wall of
his inIirmiiies, and says, think an increase re.
CURED, so as to convey the impression that
he has done his part, and TO put Congress
forward for the rest.
These shallow and contemplate pretexts
are insulting to the station of Presdent--and
they will be exposed Jas they should be. If a
conflict should be forced upon the country
by the miserable trickery and imbecility of
this administration, there would be but one
of calling some one to the head of affairs, who
possessed the moral and the physical cour-
age suited for such an eXigency; and the SEN
timent, requiring hIr Polk to resign, would
pervade, from one end of the Union to the
other. 1t is already mooted here, in view of
such an extremity.-COr. 0f.4AGS.
"Ehe Union oflast evening is sounding the
note for battle with the friends of American
Labor They have had specimens of British
Manufacture here to disparage the produce
tions of our own workmen. The Capitol
built for tn accommodation ofthe American
Congress has been given up in part to the
British. The Loco Focos do not hold out
blue lights, but they openly bring the British
into our very public buildings that they may
destroy the interests ofour country more eff
fectually than ten thousand men landed upon
our shores could do"
There is not much importance attached
to the Presidents late Message. 1t is looked
upon as an attempt to bolster Mr. Polk up
with section of his party who were begin
ilIhg to feel after him with Senator Hanne-
CAMS 'hand of Resurrection They think
they have found him now."- Washington Cor.
QfITibune.
TEXAS RELIGION. The Paris correspon-
dent of the Boston Atlas writes that Bishop
Odin,of Texas,is about TO leave, or has left
Havre, with 81 Catholic priests for his do
cease, and at the Semiaaie de 81. SuIpice,
which contains upwards of 200 students, a
large class has been established, who are
taught the English language, that they may
labor in America" .rr ..eI.
lfreports were correct, the Hon. Levi Wood
bury took occasion in some electiGneering
speeches last fall, to congratulate his New
hampshire hearers that annexation had open
ed Texas to Protestant and Puritan institu-