The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-17

The packet ship Quebec, Williams, for London !;
Cambridge, Peabody, for Liverpool, and La
Duchesse d'Orlesns, Richardson, for Havre, will
sail this morning, if the wind and weather per-
NIT They will take out some highly interesting
intelligence.
The Three Million BilI-The WiImot Pro-
visOl
Who says that Congress has been in session
nearly ten weeks without doing any thing? 1t is
ridiculous charge. They have been in session,
10 be sure, nearly ten weeks; but has not the
House passed the three million bill, tail and all ?
Well, the three million bill has passed the
House of Representatives, with the celebrated
proviso attached, and the abolition fanatics
ecstacies. They gloat over it as a victory of no
common description, and shake their heads,
wool and all, until their necks are in danger of
being twisted. Well, if they consider it victory
we are willing that they should enjoy themselves
as much as possible. We are inclined to think,
that after all, they will not have much reassn to
be delighted with it, even if the bill should pass
the Senate, which, to say the least, is extremely
doubtful.
In sober earnest, the whole of this abolition
movement in Congress seems to be the most dis
graceful and fnnsy political trick that was ever
devised, or attempted to be carried out by small
potato politicians, and President-makers. We
verify believe, and we think we are sustained by
the people in the North and in the South, that if
1t was not originated for the purpose of embar-
RAISING the President in prosecuting the war with
Mexico, and making it as odous possible in
the estimation Of the people, it has been kept in
motion for this purpose It's evident, on its face,
that it has been made to cloak some ulterior
object; because the tackling of proviso
10 bill placing three millions Of dollars in the
hands OF the President, for a specified object, in
order to prevent the extension of slavery, could
not have any more effect in preventing it than if
1t was annexed to the revolutionary pension bill.
1t would appear from this proviso that the Presi-
dent is invested with the power to extend slavery,
OF not, as to him might seem proper. 1t was
altogether superfluous, and designed, we con-
scientously believe, an electioneering move
ment.
But even if the men who supported this proviso
did SO with an honest view to prevent the extern
sion OF slavery i'll any territory that may accrue
10 the United States by the Mexican war, would
they be point nearer attaining their object, is
this bill passes both ouses and receives the sig
nature Of Mr.. Polk? Certainly not; because the
subject would be again brought up when
Congress should proceed to extend territorial ia.
risdiction over such new territory. Then will be
the proper time for the anti slavery men, if they
are actuated by motives OF philanthropy solely,
10 oppose the existence OF slavery in the new ter
tory, because then, and then only, could the
ubject be legtimately brought forward and de-
bated. The President intimated that he could
secure peace if the sum were placed at his dis
posal. And how could he co so? Doubtless by
treaty. And can the President and Mexico enter
into treaty that would bind any future Congress
of the United States, or prohibit for ever the dis
cussion Of this subject in our national councils
Can Mexico declare that slavery shall not
exist IN any territory that she may cede to
us, or can the President SO declare Ger
tainly not. The subject belongs to the
Congress the United States, and to it alone; and
the Congress OF the United States cannot legis-
late on the subject till the territory shall have been
regularly coded to us, and forms part and parcel
OF our national domain; until, indeed, we shall
have acquired civil jurisdiction over it.
The President is enjoined by this proviso not to
use this money in any way by which the extern
sion OF slavery would be promoted. But the Pre-
sident has no control over the subject-and what
thenf Of course the proviso is inoperative-it
cannot reach him., for he has no control in the
premises.
After all, then it appears that the anti slavery
later expanding their thunder for eight or nine
mortal weeks, have really achieved nothing by
the adoption Of their favorite project by the House
of Representatves-no will they, if it passes the
Senate-and when the subject comes on the car
pet in legitimate and proper way, and at the
right time, their ammunition will have been all
expended; for ninety-ninth edition of their
thread bare sophistry will be listened to one
hundredth time.
Here, then, the interests and honor of the coun-
try-the lives Of our volunteers-the credit Of our
hag-our reputation in the old world and the new,
have all been placed in jeopardy by few fanatics
who unfortunately hold seats in Congress, and
who, through thick and thin, have pursued
phantom for nine or ten weeks, and just at the
moment when they thought they had clutched it,
it vanishes from their grasp. The only effect we
can sec in their course, has been to stir up the
North against the South, and embittcr the good
feelings that ought to prevail between all our Cit.
zens. from one extremity to the other.
We do not see how the President can con.
scientously sign this bill, even if it should pass
the Senate, for the reason we have before stated,
that he has no power to extend slavery, or 10 ex-
ercise any authority at all in the premises. If he
sign it, his SO doing would be tacit assumption
of such power; and where will he find such
power! He is merely an executive officer, and
Congress, cannot invest him with it.
But the Senate may crush the prouse, and that
will end the folly.
ouaHr WE NOT 10 HAVE NEW AUCTION Law
"A petition to the Legislature, signed by more
man Tour hundred of the best houses in the city,
van be iound In our columns to-day. 1t appears
that a system has for long time existed among
'he principal auction houses of this city, of put
ing up lots OF goods at public sales, and in the
event OF their not Bringing price beyond the
lInit' they nave been knocked down to fictitious
firms or individuals, making not only mock sale.