The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-27
MfESf INTELLIGENCE By FIR RAILS,
Highly Important from Washington.
WASHINGTON. Feh 2G-2 O'clock A. NJ

o>J ~suPVAsoAe AVuA " oouWS tOus
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26-2 o'clock, A. M.
An extraordinary Cabinet meeting was called last
night about o'clock, in a most private manner,
which broke up but short time SINCE The late
ness OF the hour, and the secrecy with which the
eau was made, will prevent me from entering more
fuly' at this time, into any speculation to the i'm
portant business which brought them together in SO
sudden manner will, however, say il is thought
that the British Minister made his uhinatun to-
day; and although its nature has not vet been fully
developed, enough is known to cause sober think
ing people to reflect seriously upon the present state
OF our foreign relations. OF one thing you may
rest assured, which is, that England is not going to
surrender one foot Of territory north of the Coiun-
biaurer, pithoMt a struggle. She evil not be bull
lied much longer by the United States" Such is
the language Of her Minister to private persons
here have the most indubitable authority for
saying this, Notwithstanding the peaceable appear
ance of the late news from England. The Secreta-
ry OF State has been, late and early for the last three
days, writing dispatches to all our Ministers and
Consuls abroad, which shows that there is trouble
in the camp.
In addition to the foregoing, a Southern Senator
had 1t In contemplation, in secret session, to take
the whole OF our foreign affairs out OF the hands of
the committee in charge of them in the Senate, but
which was postponed for the present, lest the act
might prove injurious to the public interests. In
this movement, all the wings OF that body were
wiling to cooperate, but through the earnest oppo-
sition OF two or three democratic Senator'S, the
measure was defeated for the present All this goes
ia prove my previous statements of the unfortunate
condition in which Mr. Polk is placed, owing, as
have said before, to his want of confidence in his
legitimate advisers-the Senators of his own party
1t wall be remembered that about four months
ago, informed you that Mr.. Walker and the Bri-
tish Minister were making arrangements for a re-
ducton Of the impost duties by their respective 90
vernments, at the Treasury Department. Well, the
last news brought us the confirmation OF this, in
the fact that MIR. Walkers report was in England
before 1t was officially submitted to Congress There
would have been nothing very extraordinary in this,
had not the friends Of the tariff endeavored to
throw obloquy upon the Secretary Of the Treasury,
for having given the British Minister this informa.
ton in advance Of Congress There certainly was
no great harm in this, as both governments seemed
DESTROYS OF aboshing the restrictive system on i'm
ports altogether, except 80 far that which might
be necessary to defray the expenses of the two GO
vernments respectively The way this report got
out, was simply az follows: Mr.. Pakenham being
in Mr.. Walkers Office on the day announced by
me, saw his report and pro1et lying on his table
Being deeply interested IN its contents, he asked the
Secretary for copy Of it, which was given him,
and which he Immediately transmitted to his 60
vernment. So much, then, for this affair, about
which there is SO much fuss made.
It is the opiRon Of the most intelligent here, thai
should reduction Of the tariff take place, It will
not benefit American breadstuffs in the least, as
the ports in the Baltic are able to supply England
with all she wants, at eleven shillings per quarter
less than could do it for. This is proved by the
fact that whilst we pay but four shings duty upon
flour entering Canada for transhpment to England
the -four from the Baltic pays fifteen shillngs, and Is
able to meet US in the market at that. ARIEL.
Fermentation gentlemen by the southern
boat last night, learn that duel was fought at
Richmond, Va, between Mr.. Robert Peasants, of
the Richmond Wing, and Mr.. VIM Ritchie of the
Enqnirsr, in which Is said the former was killed
They fired four rounds each, with pistols, and then
closed up to each other with bowie knives. Mr.
Richie received three cuts-one In the mouth, one
in the arm and one in the breast. MIR. Plaas-
ants received cut across the abdomen, which has
caused his death. Mr.. Richie, understand, is
now in this city.