Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-09-25

plant expedition. Mr.. Polk looked for a shot campaign,
aud a summary surrender. He dreamed, like Napoleon in
1872, of populations and offerings, Of cessions and spoils.
He thought to acquire a province at the cost of aparade. and
TO discover a new planet for his sar-spahgled banner without
a mentionable expenditure of labor or time.
Now, supposing that the next dispatches should bring the
actHal Intelligence of a treaty on the specified basis, the &C
count will run thus The Americans have been subjected TO
the drain OF an eighteen months war on a far more ruinous
scale Than any Of their recent ornaments. No very close APP
Proclamation has yet been made 10 the precise amount OF the
penalty thus Incurred but it is admitted on all hands that 1t
hiss gone far to postpone that revision Of the American tariff,
TO- which previous experience was leading, which was so EN-
phahcally called for by the reforms and prospects OF other
States, and which would have spoken so powerfully for trans
apanuc wisdom amongst the people OF Europe. Instead OF a
conquest, Mr.. Polk can only point to what by tho most favor
able appellation must be termed a compromise. Instead OF
efnching the exchequer, or reducing the burdens ef his coun-
Try, ne has retarded, II may be for years, its opportunities OF
sage experiment or enlightened reform. At an early period
oflthe war it was indusriously set forth that Mexico would
indemnify her conquerors for the expenses which hey conde-
sctnded to incur but as this claim gradually became larger
am larger, it was Propotionately Withdrawn from notice, and
suFh lmpractcable arrangement no longer figures in any OF
ting Prehminaries. Six months ago, before the battles of Vera
Cflz, the advance to Puebla, or the dispatch Of reinforce
mnts, the costs OF the war were stated in Congress by a cal
cdating Senator to approach thirty millions of dollars. BY
thy same estimate the marketable value of California was set
down at SIS, 600, 900. Omitting, therefore, the intermediate
aclumulaions of expenditure, and stating the case in a form
mft familiar to transatlantic capacities, it may be said that Anne
rid has exposed herself to the hazard of disgrace and the re-
YSNhO VI Aaiopo W sho IA Va Shu uA aAANSSSS
say commodity at twice its worth.
But this is not all. 1t is notorious that the United States
can receive no considerable accession of territory without the
agitation of a question which may involve the most moment
GUS results. A large and powerful portion of the Union is
resolved thai slavery, if it cannot be abolished in the States
where it is 4 present legolized, shall at least never be intro
duced into aly newly annexed province and the energy dis
played in sud- matters on our own shores may lead TO a pretty
safe lnferenceas to the obshnacy with which this not unrea-
sonable point pay be insisted on abroad. On the other hand,
it is alleged ann declared, with equal violence, that slave labor
will be more thin ever indispensable in bringing under cult
walton a prolificbut incumbered soil, promising abundant re-
turns, but ~dem,nding extraordinary OUTLAWS of capital and
labor. The bestanfoImed prophets of this dispute are unable
to anticipate its DECISION but it has been very palpably hint
ed that the eventual disruption of the Union, and the forma-
ton Of two sepaate and hostile Powers on the North Amer-
can continent, nay be the consequence Of so inveterate a dis
senson. Othei anticipations combine with this prospect to
bring the policyof Mr.. Polk into almost universal suspicion.
Instead Of extiSuishing opposition by the dazzling splendor
of conquest and the emolient Importation of plunder, he has
raised up, by TIE means of the war, a formidable rival to his
own fame. HI has given his adversaries an inexhaustible
topic Of invectiS, disheartened his friends by the faseness Of
his position, and determined The course Of neutras by the i'll
success of his speculation. "There are two things" says a
noble historian, I which are generally popular in their begin
ming; the first a war, and the second a peace" Mr.. Folks
war certainly chimed its share of favor but, though his
peace may undoubtedly demand the welcome which the lesser
evil always describes, we think it will pass even his ingenuity
to represent it as an advantageous bargain or an honorable
conclusion.
PORTUGAL.
FROM THE LoSpoS MORNING CHRONICLE OF SEPT. A.
FonMATIoN OF TUE PORTUGUESE MINIsTRY.-We have
received accounts from Lisbon to the oath of August.
The new Cabinet had at length been completed under the
direction of Marshal Saldanha, and composed Of his friends.
The following are the members of the Cabinet
Brgadier Baron de Luz, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Colonel FRASzISI, Minister Of Finances.
Dom JoAo DE FoSTEs PEREIRA, Captain in the Royal Ma
Wy, Minister of the Marine.
no,, Axrou,o rr,p,,o Mr,,o n r,pr,r,o Minister
of the Interior.
Dom ANTONIO FERNANDEZ DE SILVA FERRAo, Minister
of Justice and Public Worship.
The new Ministry has issued a programme of the princi-
pies upon which it takes Office. In this document the Cabi-
net declares that it has adopted Cancellation between all parties
as the basis of its policy that it is determined to respect and
observe the charter, and to fulfil all the diplomatic engagements
contracted with foreign Powers. They declare that the object
of the men how entering on power is to carry on the Govern
ment on principles of morality, honesty, independence, and
virtue.
The Baron de Luz, the new Minister Of War, was Quar-
termaster General during the civil war. The Minister Of Fl
nances, Colonel Franzini, is d described as a man of ability and
science, but as not being deeply versed in the practical part of
the important Department at the head of which he has been
placed.
The Minister Of the Interior, Dom A. Nello Carvallo, was
for a short time a member Of the Cabral Ministry, but he quar-
relied with his colleagues, and has ever since been strongly
opposed to them. Dom A. de Silva Ferao is a distinguished
counsellor in the Supreme Court.
SPAIN.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE.
MADRID, AUGUsT %.
The Herado, which has always been the organ of Mar
vaez, gives the following account of his proceedings so far:
Scarcely had the Duke of Valencia arrived yesterday at
this Court. when the President of the Council OF Ministers
went to see him, and had a long conference with him.
aHe received visits during the whole day from an immense
number Of the most notable political, persons, including the
Ministers, and at seven in the evening he had the honor of
being received by the Queen. 1t appears that her Majesty
signifed 70 the Duke her desire that he should charge himself
with the formation of a Cabinet, and that the Duke, ever
obedient 10 the sovereign will, manifested to The august lady
that he was disposed TO serve her as far as depended on him,
praying, however, that he might be permitted to inform him
self first with more care of the state of public affairs, in order
not to proceed with leyity a request TO which her Majesty
acceded.
"The Ministerial crisis is Therefore suspended, and what
ever is said about the persons who are TO succeed the present
Ministers is premature, and destitute Of all foundation"
1t is difficult 10 contradict the version put forth, doubtless
by Narvacz, of what took place atthe interview between him
self and the Queen but | learn on good authority that her
MaIesty's avowed intention was to desire him, before forming
a Government, to draw up a programme embracing his views,
which must comprise a liberal policy, and of course the set
Element Of the palace question, to get which arranged has been
the inducement held out by the friends of Narvaez to over
come the Queens reluctance to his coming here. In fact,