The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-27

ratification, or will be delayed for such length
OF time as to render the re-commenc and
continuation of the war with this republic mat
tiers of necessity and OF indefinite duration.
The accounts from Mexico, for some time past,
are somewhat contradictory in relation to the
affair of the ratification; but generally the ba-
lance of evidence goes against the probability OF
any ratification being made. These apprehensions
are strongly confirmed by recent advices from
Washington, and from the secret efforts and in
trigues which have, it is believed, been disco
vered, having for their object the defeat of the
treaty, the re-opening of the Mexican question,
and the probable re-ann exation of the whole of
that republic to the United States.
iswel ascertained that the treaty recently sent
into the Senate by Mr.. Polk and confirmed by that
body, was dstasteful to Mr.. Polk himself, and
majority ofthe Senate. Nothing but the fear the
popular vote going against the continuation of the
war, induced Mr.. Polk to send, and the Senate
to PATS, that treaty. Mr.. Trist, by whom it had
been negotiated, acted against the express dlrec-
tons of the government at Washington. His au-
thorty to originate the document was repudiated;
and his conduct caused q serious quarrel be-
tween him and the special friends of the Presi-
dent. If Mr.. Polk could have struggled the
treaty thus produced out of existence, instead
of sending it into the Senate, there can hardly
be doubt but he would have done it. The mo-
tive would have been, to leave the question Of
the annexation of all Mexico open for the ap-
preaching Presidential election.
1t is now, therefore, known, since the recent
PRONUNCIATION of the treaty and the accompany
ing documents, in the public press, that the ad-
mil sfr ochi uUto nd uOvfiO Oft
Senate, have been undisguisedly hostile to this
treaty, hoping, by al means, to have it defeated,
while they were all the while speaking in its ia
vor before the American people. The recent
mysterious developements, giving glimpses of
the mode in which the treaty and documents
came out before the American people, must
lead every unprejudiced mind to this con-
clusion, and to the belief that these publica-
tons were winked at by a certain portion of the
Senate, for the express purpose of defeating
the possible ratification of the treaty, and jim this
manner of leaving the whole question open for
another Presidential contest. Mr.. Webster, and
those who voted with him against the con6rma-
ton, denounced it in no measured language, pub
llcly, before the country in every possible way in
which they could give utterance to their feel
ings There can be no doubt but that Mr.. Polk
himself, in spite of his public exhibition to the
contrary, was equally hostile to it while acting
in favor of it. Every body may remember how
In the same manner he held double position
upon the Oregon question-to one man on one
day protesting to be for SO 40, and to another
man the next day declaring himself to be in ia
vor of 40.
We have great deal to say In relation to this
Ruf va1 af
the chances now are-from the direct intrigues
of the administration in Mexico, and those of
certain Senators at home-that there is every
probability the treaty will be defeated, and that
the annexation of all Mexico to the United
States, or continuation of the possession of
that country, will be made the prominent ques-
ton in the next Presidential contest.
IMPROVEMENT OF WILLIAM SrREAr.-Amongst
the numerous Improvements that are to be made
in the lower part ofthe city, during the ensuing
summer, the most important one may be con-
sidered that of widening William street from
Fulton street to Frankfort, aud opening it from
that point in direct line to Chatham street,
entering the latter between Nos. 81 and Al,
short distance below the junction of Chatham
and Chambers streets. In carrying out this work
I
of William street in the vicinity of Frankfort,
by raising it two feet six inches so as to remove,
in great measure, the disagreeable hollow which
at present exists therel
The first demonstration of improvement made
in this street, was that of tearing down a num-
Der of low and dilapidated frame buildings, 81
tuated ON the west side, between Fulton and
ohm streets, and occupied principally as thread
and needle stores, toy shops, &C., which gave
place to that magnificent block of stores known
as the Washington buildings. These were set
considerably back Of the old line, SO as to in
crease the width of the street to about forty
or forty-fve feet. Before the erection of these
stores had been completed, an application was
made to the Common Council to have the street
made of corresponding width from Maiden lane
to Frankfort street, and thence cut through to
Chatham street., as before stated, which was
carried and the assessment list confirmed by the
Supreme Court. In contemplation of the vast
benefits to be derived from this improvement,
owners of property in William street, as low as
Beaver, also in Liberty street, Maiden lane,
Plat street, John street, Fulton, Ann, and other
cross streets to considerable distance
east and west, consented to be heavily as
sessed The next step in the progress of this
work, viz, that of widening the street between
Maiden lane and John street, so as to bring
the front in a line with the Washington
buildings, and those below Maiden lane,
was commenced in August last, when several
buildings of shabby appearance were taken down
and elegant stores erected in their stead, while
new fronts were built to those of more modern
construction. And in accordance with the ac-
ton of the Common Council, the work of WIDEN
ing the street between Fulton and Frankfort
Streets, also opening the street in direct line to
Chatham street, Is to commence on the LIST of May
next.
When the improvements shall have been CON-
pleted, William street will become'one OF the