Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-12
NV Last Evenings Mail.
rpox TIE SENIOR EDITOR.

7 ShnlIu nave USCu Nish ~ - 80
-, he stirring scenes OF the last few hours nave
'.,o,sj me 10 remain few days, and see what
AN. ont o. the present critical condition OF
lar. A, the National Metropolis may be
an.bed 10 gather something to interest The read
=, the Enquirer, in this, The most striking pc
,,,I Of orr history within my personal know
,sl,e All eyes are now turned towards Wash
;nr,n and 10 the best OF my poor ability shall
.rS,,ycr, from day TO day, 10 furnish you dim
election OF what is transpring here.
ror several days the proceedings OF Congress
n,,e marked with no especial interest. Many
,f,bs members, in the short HOLIDAY Of last week,
b,t dispersed over The country, and returned
), ,eir posts slowly and in small force. Conse-
ouen!lv, legislation went on at hating gait,
ami with bul little excitement. On Thursday,
question sprung up, leading TO an animated de-
ta,e which did grea, credit TO the Virginia repre-
sepra,iyes who took part in il, and which result
eli in manner highly complimentary ('hoash It
was nothing but strict JUSTICE 10 distinguished
,,n Of Virginia, the accomplished Attorney Ge-
neral, John Y. Mason. The Post Office appro-
pna,ion bill was before the House. A move
men, was made 10 sci aside The action OF the
Postmaster General, making up TO the Posimas-
teis GU, of The Treasury, the deficiencies OF their
compensation under the present system Of re-
duced hostages. This action, you will remem
Ter was taken under the opinion Of the Attorney
General. MIR. Garrett Davis, OF Kentucky, WHO
loses no opportunity of assailing the Admins
ration, undertook 10 impeach The legality OF this
opinion, bu, he was me, and triumphanty re-
iaed by Messrs. Seldom and Hunter, and The
House sustained the positions which had been
taken by the officers OF The Government.
Again, on Friday, Virginia was brought ior-
ward prominently on The carpet, and most gal
lan,ly did her sons sustain her before The nation.
The question was the bill re,ro-cedins the City
AMI County Of Alexandria TO Virginia. You
vii remember tina, the past Winter our Legisla-
,o;1 ~ an unanimous voice, and with an I'M
axampled energy, suspended the rules, aud in one
dsy >isnifed her consent 10 take back 10 the
bosom Of Virginia wha, had once belonged 10
l.- and which Size had surrendered for the bene-
!, d, the Union. We are satisfied OF The con-
s,,ulionalilv of the measure and advocated il,
tr reasons which il is unnecessary here 10 repeat.
law Of Congress was requisite to consummae
me :. annexation; and Mr.. Hunter, the Chair
nan OF The Committee on the District of Colum-
tia haIrecommended il 10 an able and conclusive
rspor.. On Friday, it came mp as special or
der and Mr. Hunter delivered an argument,
which resre, | did not hear, but which was re-
4 hoou ttfpl v;n6icatioI,
4, he measure For reasons which cannot ap-
.,ecia,e. Nh. Payne Of Alabama assailed the
bill and though Mr. Payne has proved himself
coosisea, and efficient member Of the Repuoli-
can Parry, on this occasion he went out oil his
vay. and violated every principle OF States
Rights, by appealing 10 Congress TO interfere in
he domestic legislation OF our State in regard 10
.rn,ion. The lallaeies Of his views were
thoroughly exposed and refued by General Bay
" The debate was closed by an address from
Goyerno- Mcdowell, as the representative OF
Western Virginia, which was chef d'nuurs OF
II. kind Ii was his frs, speech in the present
Congress, and he was listened 10 with the deepest
attention and interest, Much was expected from
the graceful orator, AMI am happy 10 inform
You ina, IRON all quarters, heard the most I'M
f.igned commentators Of his ora,orical powers.
II was most Just as we'll as beautiful, vindica.
lion of our dear OH Commonwealth, that had
been 50 nnwarantably attacked. No report can
10 justice 10 its many beauties. warmly urged
Governor Mcdowell to prepare his remarks Tor
ne press II is due not only TO Virginia, but 10
himself, that he should do so. | hope that you
viii publish the debate which will be SO interesting
70 The people OF Virginia In listening 10 il fell
2roud OF The Old Dominion-I felt, that from
whatever quarter she was assaied and tainted
lor her declining strength. her sons were ever
ready TO step forward and defend her good name
aud honor-;hal her principles were immortal
and would make themselves respected in the eyes OF
he whole nation. This was fully proved on Fri
day, and Virginia NAV rest assured that she can
alwars lake care OF herself and that, though she
may be shorn Of some of her strength, her infu-
1 ehce is sill felt 10 the councils OF the nation
| All oiour delegation sustained the BILL with the
exception of Gen. Dromgoole, who strongly pro-
I tested against lis unconstituionaity, and Mr.
Johnsop who though, the addition Of so many
voters 10 The East would jeopardize the anxious
wishes OF the West for a State Convention
/ While regret that they did not vote for mea-
ne which regard as so impor,an, to Virginia
\ nd above all, as striking from the northern abo-
Il .ionis,s a platform from which they may direc,
1 ieir attacks upon our domestic peace and safety,
4 Tally appreciate the high motives which regu-
i .,sd the votes Of these most worthy representa-
soi Virginia. ! cannot doubt that the Senate
4 ii sanction this bill and re-unite 10 Virginia a
arp'oporon OF her oil SOIL peopled as it is with
! most valuable population.
4 This city is Intensely excited by the recent
-sws from The Rio Grande, and the general i'm
oes,ion is, the President will send 10 Congress
Tomorrow an earnest recommendation TO exert,
Promptly the whole energies Of the Government,
arepe he iusolen, attacks Of the Mexicans, land
I agenge the blood Of our citizens, which has been
slci upon our own soil. As war does actually
aa!ayowedly exist no formal declaration may be
'seammended; although the raising of a large
- and The appropriation Of the most ample
means, viii probably be urged.
Mexico has declared the war it will be for Us
~, as Sch. W OIAu SdNl W 0en. vega, WneD
ace shall be made. Not only Maamoras, bu.
vera Cruz, Tampico and the City Of Mexico
~ feel the force OF our avenging arm, and be-
'e peace will be restored, indemnify will be re-
llel for past Offences as we'll as for al The ex-
!+uses Of the war. Some members Of Congress.
ave expressed the expectation that bill will be
Passed At once, for raising 25 or $4,000 volunteers
1917 months, il their services shall be required
""ng But will not attempt TO anticipate The
's'uR d The important deliberations Of lo-mor-
nu.
"ewere reloiced to find, by the enclosed lei
That The gallant Capt. Thornton and Lieut..
S~n have, in all probability escaped the doom
ae lamented Cross, Porter and Kane, and The
~ brave men who have fallen with them in
- coanrys service. This, you will see, is the
=! idest intelligence