The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-14
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, lSlS.
Things in Wdshington.

lnsngs IN washington.
Dtos me ibre de honsbre de un Ebro" God
deliver me from the man of one book. To know
anything of things in Washington, q man must
read every thing, talk with everybody, be every
where, up all the time, and at work necessarily.
Just now; however, there are materials enough
on the Surface of the political maels,rohm for
serious digestion by the public.
The President tells the House that there are
no further epistolary dispatches from Mr.. Trist,
other than those communicated to the Senate
last week But we think recent resolution of
that body, especially the amendment of Mr. Sc.
vier, calling for certain Scott and Tfist cores
pondence, is intended to reach parcel of Gu
rious papers on file in the State Department; to
wit, series Of letters between Gen. Scott and
Mr.. Trist on the question of the metes and
bounds of their respective diplomatic func-
tions in Mexico. Among these letters, il is
said there is one by General Scott, which
makes the great soup letter to Secretary Marcy
appear as Insignificant as fifty cent patch on a
pair OF llusey woolsey pantalOons. Aud it is
very likely that Mr. Sewer, as chairman on TO-
reign relations, has had the pleasure Of perussl
of that savage document; and that the object of
his amendment was to dose the wings to their
satisfaction with their own prescriptions, so fire.
quently proposed for the benefit Of the President
and the Secretary of War
1t is understood. however, that General Scott
and Mr.. Trist, after having sent on to head.
quarters, at Washington, copies of their personal
structures against each other-began coolly to
and mutually agreed to recall those dispatches
Ia view of this fact, and rha: the revelations thus
called for may not be compatible with the pub.
c interest" 1t Is probable the President will de-
cline compliance with the requisition
Mr.. Elk Speaker DAVIS, commissioner to Chi
ma, is still IN the city. He desires, before leav-
ing, TO carry out with him the law, which is
now In the form of bill before Congress, giving
jurisdiction to American authorities in China
over certain offences committed by American
citizens, according to the provisions of the trea-
ty conc tuded with the Celestial Emperor by
GIen. Cushing, and aagreeably to the recommen-
datlons of the Presidents message.
There is no longer any necessity of arguing
with the Union on the question, whether treaty
has or has not been concluded with the Next
cans by Cen Scott or Mr.. Trist,, or by both. 10
tlon upon the subject. The fact that the Pres-
dent has no information of treaty, is by no
means conclusive that there is no treaty. Ifthers
De be treaty, even if agreed upon. by Scott, or
Trist, or both, without authority from the Exc
cutlve, ne VIII hardly return 1t, as utterly null
and void, though, as point of law, ii would be,
He will, we venture TO assert, lay the matter be-
tore Congress, and ask their advice upon it, as
been new overtures exchanged, and that there is
a conditional treaty.
There may possibly, be movement in the
House next week, declaratory of the objects of
the war, according to Mr.. Clay's Lexington
resolutions. And with the good understanding
which appears TO exist between the Clay and the
Taylor wings, there will be less difficulty 10
passing such a resolution next week than the re
would have been a fortnight ago. Still there is
some hazard In the experiment, as the Taylor
men, not having the reins of the whig party In
their hands,. are disposed to be jealous against
any concessions advantageous to the command
ing position of Mr.. Clay. Now, let us suppose
that declaration by Congress that the Rio
Grande and the southern boundary of Upper
California would be "imdemnity for the past and
security tor the iuture," can any man doubt that
IT would lead to treaty! A commission to
Mexico with this ultimatum would, perhaps, be
better still; but party arrangements and party
divisions, and party castings about for the
succession will defeat either project-the one as
coming from Mr.. Clay, and the other as re-
commentator from South Carolina. The only
hope tor Mr.. Clay's proposition is Col. Benton;
and we think that senator Underwood when, in
his late speech, he expressed the wish that some
distinguished senator on the other side should
lead In this enterprise, looked directly at the
chair occupied by Col. Benton. Many circum-
stances OF late have contributed to bring Mr.
Clay and Col Benton into closer personal rela-
lions than ever and what with the inexor able
spirit OF the old hunkers of New York aga inst
John Van Buren, and the 'barnburners," il
would not be one of the seventeen wonders of
The age if the .'barnburners' and John Van Bn
rem, and the old gentleman and Col. Benton, and
Mr. Clay, were found all pulling harmoniously
together on the question OF this Mexican war
II the issue is made between the whole Of Mexi-
co and the Rio Grande, and Upper CaIforns,
then there will be such combination against
Gen Cass, for he has minated that he will
accept the issue Of the whole of Mexico, if il is
made. We have had a crisis, he says, every
lew years; and the bank, and the deposltes, and
the tariff, nave threatened to split the Union into
fragments but we have lived through it all, and
gone n conquerng and to conquer all obstacles
10 our progress, and If We were to swallow Mexico
tomorrow, II would not kill US and thus YOU
e,whlle discussing this grave question OF the ex-
JUNCTION OF an empire by physical force the chair
man on military affairs still keeps his eye on the
White House, that great ultimatum Of all the
political lntrigues OF the day, and the ultimate
cause OF all the humbugglng of our federal legis-
lation. III we could but have a rule establi shed
that no member or ex-member of Congress should
be eligible 70 the presidency, or wee presden-
cy, II would work vast Improvement in the
transaction OF the public business.
But, returning to the original question. We
doubt the power of the House to pass Mr. Claw a
commandments would pass that OF Mr.. But
ler perhaps, more readily, for the appointment of
commissioners with full powers; but these and
every other movement will be held in abeyance
Tor the time being, In anticipation of intelligence
conclusive OF peace from Mexico.
Inc week closes with something more of con-
hdence In a timely settlement OF the difficulties
oil the war, and of the impedlments to negotia-
non; and they who were dreaming but yesterday
OF spienold triumph under the banner Of the
annexation OF all Mexico, are as fearful of peace
az were the o. 40 men OF the line OF 49, when Mr..
fdkenhams protocol was submitted to the
Senate.
Next week you may expect to hear Col. Baker
on the MeAican question lie is a man OF ''ma-
nlfesl destiny;o Tor it was he thai declared in
me House loL o. 40 the most emphatcalIy, and
salu aaa' W. hao spread are spread ug, and must
spread himself in favor of the absorption of an
undivided interest In the republic of Mrxico
Tue two Houses rest to-day, and the two ma r..
ties will meet their friends OF either Honss ~,
various coterIes, thls evening, to talk over tho
questions OF war aud peace and the presidency.
what hey ought, TO do, what they could do, an
what they Will do, If they can do Anything.
Hon. John w. Davis has had q son, a Young
lasn, accidentally killed at Csr!iels, Indiaas
Nf. LaYls waf rust about leaving fer chiAs, 90
tsis cad news reached him,