The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-08


Mr.. Webster made the first part of his great
speech upon the Ashburton treaty to-day, and will.
presume, finish it tomorrow. He entered into a
very elaborate historical account OF the controversy
which gave rise to the treaty of Washington; but
thus far has not said any thing In justification Of
himself against the imputations which some Sena-
tors have cast upon HIM, for being party to mea-
sure that gave England military road through tho
State Of Maine. This, suppose, he will leave Tor
the winding up part Of his speech The time and
the necessity chosen for this oratorcal display upon
an obsolete subject are rather of questionable pro-
priey unless it be done for the purpose Of gvnga
little variety to the dull and monotonous Oregon ha-
rangues with which the listeners In the Senate, and
the readers of them throughout the country, have
been for so long a time surfelted But
think that this is not Mr.. Webster's motive
for spending one hour Of the Senatorial week in
talking to Buncombe. There 10 another object for
all this, and that is, the killing of time, so that We
may hear again from her Majesty dominions over
the water, before the American Senate can sum.
mon up courage enough to act independently OF for
egn opinions upon an American question. The re-
Election il one Of 30 humliatng q character to all
who have not the honor Of seat in that respectable
body, that it is with reluctance that they give ex-
preston to feelings which calculated to impress
them with the idea Of their dependence upon Bri
tsh views and opinions, instead OF being response
BILE agents for their own acts, in the persons Of their
representatives. Mr.. Webster is Q man Of great,
and perhaps, transcendant Abilities both a. a law
yer and statesman; but with all these high qualfica-
tions OF which any man may Justly be proud, he has
American people, which would give anything he says
the weight that il might deserve. With the demo-
cratic parry hisword are like chat! before the wind
they are seen, but are considered worthless;
while with his own party he has no other influence
than what his own State of Massachusetts contri-
butes through his agency, as Its reflector, TO the &C.
neral stock of wing principles. The wings, as q
party care nothing for Mr.. Webster, az is evident
from their choice for the Presdeatial candidate
usually falling upon some other man and therefore,
whatever he says or does in the way Of political
trade is as much, If not more, for the benefit OF Da
MEL Webster himself, than tor the benefit OF his
party. The display to-day, and its continuance to-
morrow, was not necessary, and is calculated to do
no good. He would have best subserved his own
dignity, il he were conscious OF having dsne his
GLIDING the treaty OF Washington, BY total silence
on the subject. The support which that treaty 70
ceived from nearly all the democratic Senators,
should have been sufficient protec ton to him
from any imputations OF wrong doing that others
might have cast upon HIM for 1t and thoss who
have thought fit to censure him for that course, al
though satisfied doubt, that they, too, are right
are, in comparison with the number OF those OF the
same party who supported him, entirely too small
for beinga just cause Of keeping the regular BUSH
ness Of tine Senate suspended tor two days, upon Z
subject long since disposed OF.
Having made some INQUIRIES at points where cor;
vote upon the passage OF the Oregon resolutions are
to be had, I have learned that Mr.. Crittenden's
amendment, amended by Mr.. Johnson, Of Mary
Crttendens resolution contempiates that the notice
be given after Congress adj0urns; but Mr. Johnsons
amendment to this, provides it be given In June
next The vote, understand, will be taken some
day this week, il the news by the next steamer
<th>ya ~ aUainN ahOud iuatIfv IL
There is one interesting. reminiscence connected
with the early advocacy OF our nights 70 the Oregon
territory by Col. Benton, which wish TO recall to
the public mind. II may show how apt men are to
forget the influence OF early associations, the
remotely they retire from the times when they were
first placed under their operation. Thomas Jeficr-
son and the late Governor Floyd, OF Virginia, were
near neighbors at Monticello, and from their con-
slant intercourse and social habits as particular
friends, each became the recipient OF the others
thoughts and opinions upon public matters. Mr..
Jefferson, in the early part Of ms career, was the
first probably, to direct the American mind to the
importance OF securing that territory for future GO
neratons. Gov. Floyd knew this, and was besides
well acquainted with Mr.. Jeferson's private opin-
ions upon the subject; % that when ne came to
Congress IN 1924, tins was one Of the leading quss
tons which he embarked in. and strenuously tired
to effect ito accomplishment. Mr.. Benton being
married to Miss Mcdowell, a niece OF Governor
Floyd, learned all the particulars about Oregon at
the Governors reside, which were, OF course, but
came to the senate, he made the Oregon question
his hobby, and used Gov Foyd's thunder to urge i
on His speech Of March lst, 1925, part OF which
quoted in my letter Of the Sd inst, was broadcast
from the Jefferson mint Of that day, and contrasts
most strangely with the base coin which Old Bu-
on uttered before the Senate last week for that OF
1925 until Gen Cass discovered its worhlessnes BY
analysng it the day after it, tender to the public
Several changes took place in the War depart
ment. among the clerks, during the pase week. A
Mr. Campbell, Of New York, has been promoted
from private or confidential cerkship, to the chief
clerkship, at salary OF $4,000 per annum, in place
Of Gen Parker, who was removed on the lst inst.
Gen. Park er was not IN good state Of health when
he was removed, and melancholy. 70 state, he only
survived his misfortune OF losing his Office until last
evening, when he died. 8. Brntnan, New York, TO
be private secretary to Gov. Marcy, and young
man named Herrck il to 90 into Brintnall's place.
person named Wood, from Virginia, (the Cover
nor will appoint virginians, Notwithstanding ne
scared one almost TO death some time ago, BY tell.
ling him he could not touch applicants IRON tnst
State with fifty foot pole) has got inc place Of
Stewart, who had clerkship IN the fcnnon omcc.
have reason for thinking was ngnt u my IN.
ferences respecting the contents OF ~. eoesels
letter bv the last steamer to Lord Aberdeen. Wing
Of banding here told me to-day, tnst tne Leading
members Of his party have written 70 lnnuennsl pei
aonsces m ENGLAND. 10 induce that government 70