Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-01-14
Correspondence CT the Journal of Commerce.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, lSi7.
The Lieutenant-C cneralship Rcpudiated !

The House repudates the measures recommend
cd BY the Administration, Just as fast as they are
presented. SO much unanimty on important ques-
lions is unusual in the House. II bodies good to
the country, asl hope, though the Administration
NAV be embarrassed, and some personal interests
and political combinations be crushed by IT,
The military committee Of the House reported
this morning uufayorably upon that part Of the
Presidents message which relates TO "the appoint
ment Of General officer to take command Of all
our military forces in the field" with resolution
that the same lie on the table.
There was a general shout Of laughter aud APP
proya. and the report concurred 10 mem. con.
SO the House decides that the President shall
not be relieved from any responsibility properly
belonging 10 him. in relation TO the conduct Of this
war.
The effect Of the appointment ola Lieutenant
General would have been, as il was considered
here, to interpose that officer in the person OF
Mr. Benton, between the President and Congress,
and relieve the President from portion Of his just
responsibility. Congress cannot desire that Mr.
Polk shall take the field in person himself, and il
follows that they expect him 10 carry on the war
or make peace by aid Of military or diplomatic
officers now known TO the laws.
We have every hour additional evidence Of the
utter and incorporating hostility Of the House
TO duty on tea and coffee. What plan for meet
ing the known deficit in the means ofthe Treasury
for this and the next fiscal year will be adopted
cannot be foreseen. The loan will fail unless
Congress authorize one at seven per cent, aud will
allow even that to be negotiated below par, and
this Congress will not do Revenue adequate 10
the payment Of the interest on the loans, and the
ordinary expenditures also OF the Government.
must be raised, and the question is, what new tax
es shall be imposedl
Il seems probable that the only mode that the
House will agree TO, will be an increase OF the rate
Of duty on the articles now dutiabe, up to the
highest revenue standard and the imposition Of al
excise on distilled spirits. The reduction and
graduation bill may add a million and half TO the
revenue but it is yet uncertain whether II will be-
come law. The Senate have made it the order
Of the day for Monday next.
The next subject of importance is the exclusion
of slavery from the territories to be acquired from
Mexico. On this point The House will be inexor-
able. There are symptoms that this question will
shake the present foundation Of things in political
parties.
The next important question is that relative TO
the improvement Of rivers and harbors. and here
the administration is in a fearful minority and the
question is gathering much strength that alone
can destroy any adverse party.
| On the first second day OF the session, re-
ferred in brief paragraph this state Of things
predicting that ii would soon become apparent -
The prediction said IN some prints TO be idle
and ii was asserted that, on the contrary the dem.
ocratic members Of the House united in sup
port Of the measures Of the administration Sc
But what do we sect The administration is in a
minority every purely administration measure
There is no Polk party-no administration party
properly speaking, in the House.
Mr. Preston King, by way Of making known hi,
position Of the slavery question, asked leave thi:
morning to make personal explanation. In ref
erence TO the article of the Union OF last night on
the subject OF his bill, he explained that the Mex
lean must necessarily end in the cession Of ter
rtory to the United States and that il was fixed
principle with him, and with all his constituents
and with all the democracy OF the North, thai
slavery should not be extended into any terriior,
thus acquired.