The New York herald., 1850-08-29

WAsMNeroS, Aug. n, 1860.
Short Commons.
Mr.. Clay appeared in his seat in the Senate this
morning, looking quite ''pearr" from his ablutioas
in the salt sea brine But he has either had his hair
cut il has been suffering from the scissors Of the
ladies at Newport, for il looks shorter than when
he left us.
We should not wonder if on to- morrow he were
to call up the bill for the ubotioa of the slave trade
in this District, because he originally gave out that
that measure was intended equivale Mt for the
bill providing for the recapfuie OI fugitive slaves.
AT all evsns, the presence Of Mr.. Clay again IN
the Senate brought with II many congratulations,
and general expression OF satisfaction throughout
the chamber.
The House, having disposed of the civil and di-
plomatc bill, have the way clear tor the beginning
Of the end of the slavery bill We shall not pre-
tend TO anticipate what is To be the complexion OF
the fight. II will develope itself very soon; and
that We are 10 have something lively is very gene
About one fourth of the Senate have been alb
sent foi the last three or fonr weeks, bur they are
beginning 10 drop in again, from the anticipation OF
a renewa al Of hard work. From this time out, we
expect there will be enough TO do.
WAsHIseroN, Aug. 26, 1850.
The Book Fights the Senate-Mr. Palmer Laid
Out.
The scene was varied to-day in the Senate by
Benton on the "bate of the books" and in oppo-
sition to the system Of promiscuous job printing
and job appropriations for books
He exposed some of the excesses Of the Iberali-
ty of the Sen ate in this particular; and if all the
public money squandered by Congress upon use
less trash in the printing of il, purchase Of IT, or
subscriptions il, for the last twenty years, were
ad ded together il would amount. at least to two
millions Of money, equal 10 Sl0OOO0 year, in ex-
penditures upon trashy books aud documents, good
nothing in The main but waste paper
The book Of Mr.. Aaron III Palmer is, however,
book containing much valuable information, and
the result Of great labor and research. Some CO.
pious extracts from il have heretofore been pub
lished in the NeW York Hsraid Ii ia a book
the commercial resources of japan, China, the
Northwest Coast of Russia, and the independent
Oriental nations generally; aud in view OF our
prospe Give commerce from San francisco and the
mouth Of the Columbia river, 1t is valuable
work.
The original draft ofthe book was shown year age
TO Mr. Clayton by Mr.. Palmer. The Secretary Of
State was pleased with il, and empioved Mr. Pal
mer, probably on some contingent consideration,
10 write out his materials al length, which he did,
and surrendered them into the hands OF Mr.. Clay
ton who appended the work a communication
TO the Senate recommending an act OF Congress
authorizing the appointment OF a special CONNER
cial commissioner To the Eastern nations, 10 make
treaties and open new markets for future Paci-
tic trade. OF course, had the ect passed, Mr. Pal
mer would have gone out 10 Japan and the other
Oriental nations on the EasteTl flank Of Asia.
But the work of Mr.. Palmer Was in the posses
sion ofth Sauate through his reader OF TO the
Secretary Of State. The object Of the resolution,
to-day 10 give to the author the copy right OF
the book and subscribe for 5000 copies at the rate
Of az, which would have been equal to compen-
saton Of So 900 for the work, To begin with Seve-
raj years labor probably worth it; but the re-
suit turns out badly for Mr. Palmer. The resolu-
ton was rejected by vote OF q TO IL, and the
manuscripts remain in the possession of the So
nate
And h.re we leave the case. The Senate have
the book, and they refuse give up the copy right,
in order 10 subscribe for il This is, nj least.
omy The question of compen nsation TO Mr.. Pal
mer, is thing which he must look after himself