The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-01-02
From WASHINGTON.
Struggle for the Spoas-Fzorida Ererglades-Sonthtrn
Congressional Caucus. etc.

Congressional Caucus. etc.
WAsHINGToN Dec 23-Much has been said
here of late as to the subject of appointments and
the practice of parties and of administrations in
gard to the disposition of public patronage.
1t appears that there are propositions before Con-
gress, which, if carried into effect, would give to
the Executive directly or indirectly, before the
mination of the present session, about hundred
appointments. These Offices will all be of new
creation and whoever may administer them, will
be responsible to the Executive or to Congress.
1t becomes party question, therefore, with the
wings, whether they will trust Mr.. Polk to fill
these offices, or whether they would prefer that the
incoming administration of General Taylor should
have the appointment to offices created since the
election of General Taylor.
As you will see the Senate has again been en-
gagged upon Mr.. Westcott's bill for draining the
Everglades. The proposition is that the Govern
ment cede to the State of Florida the whole of the
submerged lands of that Sta'e-one-eighth of the
of the State-upon the condition that the State
should drain and reclaim them-sell them at the
minimum price of dollar and twenty-five cents an
acre. and devote the profits to the purposes of State
education-a noble fund-a noble object!
The Government has often refused TO have any
thing to do with the matter, and the land office
ports that the lands are worthless OF course, they
should be coded to the State of Florida upon the
conditions above named.
WASHINGTON, Dec. N.-By the telegraph, to-
day, sent you notice Of the proceedings of the
meeting of Southern members, held in the Senate
Chamber last night. repeat the statement, adding
some particulars, to wit-there were sixty-eght
Southern members present-every slave State ex-
cept Delaware was represented. Senator Benton
was not at the meeting. There was much harmony,
though some difference of opinion to movements.
Some of the members wanted an address to the
people of the United States. This was opposed and
overruled.
The presiding officer of the meeting was Governor
Metcalfe and Mr. Venahle of North Carolina acted
as Secretary. 1t was ordered that a Committee,
consisting of one member from each of the slave
bplding states, including Delaware, should be ap-
pointed by the Chair, and the Committee We're d.
rected to make their report the 18th January next
The object of the meeting is to unite the South
in measures for their defence from Northern aboli-
tionism, which has now come to a crisis in legis-
lation.
/ may, without improperly, say that | am dis
posed to believe, from what have heard, that the
Georgia whig members, Stephens and Toombs, took
lead in the meeting, and opposed any immediate
action, and ins sted on waiting till the Committee
should report This course was unanimously
agreed to.
Mr.. Calhoun has been appointed by the Chair
man of the meeting as member of the Committee
from South Carolina. Mr.. Stephens is the member
from Georgia.
Ihave just learned that Mr. Stephens, the mover
for the appointment of the Committee is first named,
and will, by courtesy, be the Chairman Of the COM
mittee, and make the report.
1t was thought by the Southern democratic men,
bers that the Chairman should be wing. If Mr..
Calhoun to be first named it would, it was
thought, prejudice the cause-for the reason that
he is already fully committed on the subject, and
that his aid will be chiefly desired in maintaining
and supporting the course of policy which the Com
mlttee may recommend. But there is no doubt that
Mr. Calhoun's views will be very influential with
the Committee