The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-01
INrrLLIcYNeR 2. vpp Saws.
Affairs In Washington,

WASHINGTON, Feb. q. LAS

WAsHiNGToN, Feb. 2s Ists
AS matter of course there is much false m.
NOR touching the treaty II is said, for instance.
that all the foreign Ministers and some Senator.
nave received copies But two have been re-.
eeived, and one of these was directed to the gen.
tleman who received il under fy ing seal-tba,
is, he was to have despatched it after perusa 20 tho
Minister Tor Foreign Affairs of his government,
Some will have 1t that there are fifty copies in
town besides those ia the hands of Senator
The tact is, however, as state two copies only
have been received
II the Senate had been enabled To act AZ one.
on the treaty, It would have been confirmed with
lew dissenting votes-so great was the prspon.
derance IN favor OF peace when the news came
that 1t was In prospect; but it has been spread
before the public in the Herald, and public SEN
tIment has been in some small degree ellen ed,
and now the chances are strongly against its IA.
tticaton. Indeed, would give it as my con-
victIon that 1t will not be ratified, bat that do
not wish to speak with certainty of an event Ia
tutTo, so momentous, so strongly calculated TO
influence the business concerns of the country,
and, up to the last moment of its consideration
SO subject to the alterations of individual senti-
ment, an element in the production of Legislative
unstable
The treaty, as you will recollect was received
on Sunday, the Goth inst. An extraordinary
meeting of the Cabinet was held oa that night
at the Presidents, and, as informed you, the
President declared himself IN favor Of sending
in the treaty, and was vigorously opposed Tho
Cabinet remained in session until after eleven
o'clock. On Monday, it again met at noon, and
ned ia Sox Ia, Ee,,. l. 4
half. Before it broke up, decision was arrived
at, that the treaty should be in to the Senate
on the next day. Accordingly 1t was sent in on
the next day, but was about an hour too late, as
the Senate had adjourned out of respect to Mr..
Adams. On Wednesday, it was again sent to the
Senate, read in secret session, and ordered to be
printed. 1t was then found that the President
recommended modification Of it, so as to ex-
clude the provisions confirming the grants in
Texas and California-advised its ratification
with this odifcation, and declared that he would
cooperate with the Senate, if that
body should strike out any more feasible and
available plan for ending the war honorably. At
first, scarcely doubt existed as to its ratifca-
ton, although the President had been advised
by four of the five members of the committee
on foreign relations not to sent it in. But then
the awkward question arose, how this treaty
had been negotiated. 1t was found that its nego-
tiation was msdemeanor against the laws OF
the United States, and that the commissioner
who had undertaken to treat on the part of tho
United States, was no commissioner at all, for
his powers had been revoked. In addition to
this, objections arose to the body of the treaty
Some are in favor of a greater indemnify
others do not like the boundary--others are OPP
posed to any acquisition OF terrtory-others dis
like some of the provisions-and others, and
indeed, believe all, think the document very
wretched document, and by means an I'M
provement on Mr.. Buchanan's brief, simple and
comprehensive proist. The friends Of General
Taylor are in favor of rejecting this treaty, and
of sending down commission to treat with
that Of the Mexican government. If the treaty
be not ratified, this will be the only course left.
Shortly before one o'clock to-day, the Senate
went into executive session, and remained with
closed doors TIL near four. There was a free
interchange of opinion, but no approach to de-
hnitive action. Mr. Butler delivered speech of
great power against the treaty. Mr.. Calhoun al
so spoke briefly, and with more than ordinary
effect. Mr. Allen delivered speech marked
with unusual vigor and eloquence. The speech
es were all worthy the occasion. Mr.. Webster Is
TO address the Senate tomorrow. The debate
will continue the whole of tomorrow, and the
vote may be taken on Wednesday, although that
is quite uncertain Should the defeat Of the
treaty be certain, then the vote will scarcely be
fken before next week. Should there, on the
other hand, be certainty of its ratification, the
vote will be taken on Wednesday.
GALvIRNsIs.