The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-22
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, l849.
Seventh W'etk of the Session.

The seventh Xafk of the session brings us an
example of con- g0(hation. The Pacheco case has
passed the House. Excepting the Tariff question,
or the Wilmot Provlso. no subject could have
awakened the interest of this bill, providing lndem.
nifty for the loss of one negro slave. The glst of
the case is this-Lewis was a slave, belonging to
a Senior Pacheco, In Florida, during the Florida
war. He understood four languages, was shrewd,
active, and intelligent; he was supposed to be
leagued with the Seminoles, although Impressed
and employed as an interpreter for Gen. Jesup.-
Under this suspicion OF treachery, Gen. Jesup sent
him oil with the Seminoles to the frontiers of Ar
kansas. indemnify Is claimed for the loss OF the
slave. The case was thoroughly debated in the
House, from time to time, and once the bill was re-
Jected by one vote, but finally 1t passed by a ma
Jority OF seven We think the case perfectly clear,
and that the ma is entitled to ndemniicailon tor
The loss OF his slave seized and transported out of
the country by United States officers-and lust as
much entitled to be paid for his loss as if the gov
eminent BAD seized thousand dollars worth Of
One OF the most violent speeches on the abstract
question OF slavery that Mr. Giddlngs has delivered
IN this latitude, he made last week upon this bill
and the bill passed.
independently Of this negro case, the House has
expended the week chiefly In the discussion of the
civil and diplomatic appropriation bill.
In the Senate, the most interesting thing of the
week was the speech OF Col Benton on California
and New Mexico, and the laws proper to be enact
ed, with regard TO the gold mines and the vacant
lands OF those territories. II a speech abound
ing in interest and instruction. Mr.. Breese after
a short reply the next day, had the bill recommit- :
ted, with view to Its amendment-the remarks of
old Bullion having killed 1t dead as julius Caesar
Private bills have taken up mos: OF the attention
ofthe Senate this week, notwithstanding which,
Mr.. Niles did succeed, on two different days, IN
securing the consideration, for short time, Of the
biz providlrg for furherreductlsn ofpostage, &C.
The curiosity and the interest respecting the
Southern caucus, held in the Senate chamber on
Monday, have subsidized, and even the boys begin
to regard the affair as a ptiiul farce enacted by
men who were ashamed OF themselves--for they
shut up their doors, and excluded even the report
ers of the public press-voting down the sensible
and manly resolution of General Houston to open
the doors, and do the work Of the cSnclave, at
least, with good grace possible, IN the face of
the country. But they preferred to skulk In the
dark, because they knew that their deeds were
reasonable.
There have been good many little dinner parties
at the West End this week, among the corps Dipo-
matique and the corps Ministerial. The President
also gave an official dinner, among the rest
The sweet and beautiful Miss Julia Dean, after
two weeks Of distinguished success in this city, at
the Adelphl, In tragedy and comedy, has gone over
to fill an engagement at Baltimore; and Burke, the
comedian, succeed DIS her here.
The weather Is intensely Laplandish to-day,
cold, cloudy, raw, and gloomy. w.