The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-04
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.
BY THE MAILS.

AFFAIRS IN WARRINGTON.
By THE MAILS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, ls47-
Santa .annas Movsments- Our Future Policy toSards
MeGics-Chancss of Peses-Tha Army BH-Ihe
Three Acknowledgements Bil-The Anti SID
| very Question.
| The rumor that Santa Anna, ut the head of fifteen
thousand had placed himself between General Tay
or and General Worth has not only not been confirmed
but entirely discredited II is very probable that Santa
Anna will continue to throw out detachmens every
point In the compass for the purpose Of harassing our
forces and keeping them in constant state Of alarm.
There is not sufficient force under the command of
Generals in that quarter, to maintain such attitude
towards the enemy would compel him to keep in
place From his large force he is at liberty to send out
bodies of light cavalry and skrmishers TO the
country. alarming different posts, and keeping
army continually in expectation Of attack while in
stead of being able to offensive position, Gen
Taylor 10 barely able to maintain defensive The
extension Of line gives Santa Anna peculiar induce
ment for attack. He il undoubtedly showing bsld
'front.' although is affirmed thing of which there il
almost moral certainty that he is in favor Of peace and
would agree to terms if he would be safe in doing
Like the French jalor who desired the Duke ofBeau
vais when that nobleman made his escape to tie his
(the jailor's) hands and gag him SO that he might
not be accused Of conniving at the Departure
20 Santa Anna will be obliged to suffer de-
feat at the hands of man, before he can
venture upon making peace. Those who have good
and solid facts from which to draw their conclusions,
confidently predict that the cannot last ongcr than
the middle of next Others declare they would
as readily venture to prognoscae Its continuance for
Ave years for FIVE months
It is argued that should advance to the city
of Mexico, but take it, and that the war will be,
for its capture and occupation nearer termination
Mexico is billy country, and has greater natural do
fences than other perhaps in the world Paris Is
France but Mexico, how paradoxcal 1t may ap
pear Mexico In other words, subdue the capital
and you do not necessarily subdue the country Spain
Swift and Crcassia nstanced examples of
the difficulty impossibility Of subjugatng country
Astounding in high table lands, and otherwise naturally
defended against the footsteps Of an invader.
However this be- must take all the towns on her
coast before maintain such stem as is recon-
mended in quarersto seize her port and depots
appropriate her revenues and force her to terms
The policy of such system is strenuously questioned.
Some believe il would enta upon a border warfare,
terrible and bloody than open and hos
ties directed against the heart OF the country Ono
thing certain that the present policy will continue
be pursued until ts efficacy be fully tested.
Tho army bill has at length passed the Senate, with
the bounty land section and with other additions
and emendatons, in which the House may may not
concur SSsz
The great slavery struggle is to commence Monday
In the House The consideration of the three millions
appropriation BILL is poisoned until that day but
already there occasional filings side and the
other in discussing the various bills that have up
within the last two days.
In all sincerity believe the North at fault in this dis.
CUSTOM both in tho mode in which it is forced upon
Congress- in the merits Of the dispute The chances
are certainly in favor of the antlavery men, but they
must not forget that there 10 already dsunon in their
ranks Does any one believe that Mr.. Wilmot and Mr.
King in favor of the candidate for the
next Presidency for after ALL this 10 the real ssuenot
with all, certainly but with a large number Of those
who desire the insertion of this provso agains. slavery
Moro than this, the West IL divided this question
Pennsylvania will not give unanimous vote for the pro-
position, in whatever shape it may come up. No
believes that the Western States will all sustain it, The
New England States will, but New York will not,
think, be unanimous in its support So far the House
but the Senate if any reliance be placed present
indications, will not adopt such proviso.
The appropriation bill will, in this event. again fall
through-and this because certain men, for certain OBJ.
ject, think 1T to precpitate question entirely rrsle
want to the bill in which they desire to incorporate It.
What connection with slavery has treaty to be made
with Mexico by the President Of the United States
Mexican Territory the acquisition Of which is con-
templated by the administration In treating with Mex
CO. then the President will have conditions to make
as the non.exsence Of slavery The bill with the
proviso incorporated places the money at the disposal Of
the President certain conditions OF whom Is he to
exact those conditions, who is to enter into them Not
Mexico certainly for she has nought to do it'll slavery
Who else is to agree those terms for 1t dos not lie
with the President aone1 The thing is monstrous in
congruity.
Congress votes to confer upon the President certain
power, namely the use of certain sum Of money for
certain purpose with condition, that he use 1t in
certain way but that certain thing shall not happen
over which he has control for Congress alone has
authority make laws authorsing the existence of sa
very in any territory to be acquired from Mexico Can
the President bind any future Congress not to authorize
the existence Of slavery in California; Certainly not II
h therefore, utterly impossible for him to carry out the
ntendment of the proviso he exercise the power con-
ferred by the bill.
But be said this proviso is not intended to con-
troll the action of the PRESIDENT ia not directed to
him. Then, who is to be governed by To control
the action of every future Congress- it is powerIess
What then is Its validity
It beyond question that Congress authorize by
it, solemn act the existence of slavery in California be-
ere the institution exist there Before California can
under the Jurisdiction of the United States as ter
rory OF tho United States the laws by which it has been
hitherto governed must be totally changed by act Of
Congress Slavery does not exist in California,
therefore act Of Congress will lie necessary TO author
ize its existence.
Such prospective Legislation contemplated by this
ansavery proposition unknown in the history of
government is always in the law by which the juris
dicton Of the United states is extended territory
that provision is made for its internal government.
Those who support this previso from sincere desire
that slavery shall not exist in territory be acquired
from Mexico proceeding in the least calcu.
lated to attain their object They going too fast