Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-18

We have been permitted to make few ex-
tracts from the letter of an intelligent cores
pondent at Washington TO his friends in this
place, under date of the 18TH
The city at present is crowded with stran-
gers, more so probably than at any other pre-
vious time The Hotels and private boarding
houses are literally crammed. =" One
great cause of the influx of strangers here at
this time is the large number of officers to be
appointed under the ten regiment bl," and
swarms Of applicants are eager for the ap-
pointments, the "loaves and fishes" The
debates in both Houses on the three million
appropriation, to purchase apeace with Mexico,
continue from day to day. The bill will prob
ably be passed in the House, but do not think
it will be concurred in by the Senate. As you
have seen in the papers, the morning hours of
the Senate have for some days been the scene
of much animated discus upon the subject
of the libel on the Senate by 4" Father Richie"
The debate was brought to n conclusion on
Saturday night by expelling Richie from the
floor of the Senate by a vote of 26 to 81. The
discussion was a very animated one, and ex-
ceedingly interesting. l have been more
pleased with hearing Calhoun than any other
member of the Senate. lie is truly most
powerful speaker,-perfectly clear, cool, and at
home in every thing about which he speaks
commanding evidently very great respect from
the great body of the Senate. Butler, his col
league, doubtless man of great talents, was
very much excited during the personal remarks
made by Turney against Calhoun, and retor,ed
very keenly upon Turney, as you will see in
the Congressional reports. | am much disap-
pointed in Cass he is not above mediocrity
in the Senate. l heard him speak for fifteen
minutes on Saturday, and during the whole
speech could scarcely understand what he
wished to arrive at. Yulee, the Senator from
Florida,--the youngest member from the
youngest State,--is a man with more brass
than wit. When he rises to speak he starts off
into the widest attitudes, throws his arms, legs
and head into every possible position, and such
is his impetuosity that hats, books, papers, &c
are knocked off his own and his neighbors
desks. - Vice President Dallas is n re.
markably good looking parsonage, and fills
the chair in the Senate with great dignity
President Polk is the least prepossessing in his
appearance, in every sense fthc term, of any
man here, and Congress, in my opinion ought
to be very careful how they appropriate three
millions to put into such a mans hands lie
requires the strong curbing power of the Sem
ate, that he may do as little wrong to the coun
try as possbe-good he cannot do, unless by
accident. "Tom Corwin," (as he is familiar
ly called,) of Ohio, made splendid speech on
the three million bill in the Senate on Friday,
which you will find well worth perusal lie
has by this speech thoroughly established HIM
self as a man of no ordinary intellect. I"
~ Wcstcott, the loco foco Senator
from Florida, made very curious speech in
the Senate on Saturday. He sworc off from
the Polk party, accusing them of doing every.
thing but that which was right and honest
lie still claims, however, to be a democrat,-
but he goes over to the "balance- -of. power"
party, of which Calhoun is the head"
Yours Nc