The New York herald., 1850-02-18
INTELLIGENCE BY THB MAILS.
INTERESTING FROM The CAPITAL.
SKETCHES OF WASHINGTON.
THE FLOATING NEWS OF THE City,
&c. &c. &c.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 1859.
Morements In Washins ston-Messrs. Walker and Mere
din-The President and Mr.. Weoster, &c. $c.
No interest in the Senate TO- day, excepting some
interesting and beautifully dressed ladies' Messrs.
Badger and Butler made speeches on the reference
the California constitution to the Territorial Commit
tee and Mr. Bsnton's proposed instructions to that
committee, and both speakers were opposed to the
same.
Mr.. Calhoun not well enough to be present. His
views the great crisis are very earnestly
looked for oil Glasses Of politicians here and 1t s
presumed elsewhere. He viii probably speak Thurs
day.
There hasibeen quite controversy going on,n Con-
grsss and out, to the expenditures Of the Trsa.
sury Department for fswyesrs past The question s,
who has exhibited the greater propensity be extra
VACANT, MIR. Walker or Mr.. Meredith,
Mr.. Meredith may be extrsvagant and prodgal, bat
how was 1t with Mr. Walker, How many of his subor-
dnatss did he bestow extra pay upon where the Ia
expressly forbid 1t? How much msney did he sxpe
in causing host Of custom house officers to
Washington, frem Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York
and Boston, and remain here under pay, In addition
their salaries at home to help him make out his
nuA reports! How many Of the clerks In his bureau
IN ~ 20 sso ds.s sno On
$I50 These drafts were paid by the collectors who
put them into their accounts to be settled with
resolution will be offered in Congress- for this mat
ter to be invssg and to give committee power
send for persons and papers.
Mr. Solicitor Clark, of the Treasury Department Is
getting his papers ready to Major Scott, late
Navv Agent for this district to walk up to the cap
tain's office and settle. Mr. Prosper M. Wetmore OF
New York, has at last thought it best Co do A few
others Of the sort, such Isaac Hill, Samuel
Medsry, Hail. Of Boston, sc may we'll walk up aud
settle speedily, the jaws Of the btreaury law will
cape wide to receive them.
IL Is believed by the knowing ones that the cabinet
win be changed before ninety days from this date.
Some think Mr. Webster will be invited to take the
State Department, but am not Of that number.
have to believe that President thinks
ly of MIR Websters judgment ss q matured and pro.
found statesman-that he sent for him, through Mr..
Meredith about the time 1t deemed proper
action In regard to the repeal by Great Britain of
restriction upon her navig lswsthst he then
ciped visiting the President aud giving his views
the bect-that the President has recently sent for
him, and consulted his opinion to what kind of .
messsge should accompany the California constitution
to Congress- that In OF Mr. Webster q
advice the message which had been prepared contain
ing the Presidents views somewhat srtenso, was
Withdrawn and the one which did go in substituted
Of the way to draw marked parallel between the mill
tary fame and greatness Of Generals Scott and Taylor
to the intended OF the lstter-and that
too after Mr. Clsys particular friends had been aud
somely noticed and honored by this Administration
did not belong to President Taylor to send for Mr..
Clay to learn his judgment In great matter Of state
He was right In preferring to consult Mr.. Webster
President Taylor has accepted invitation to be
present at Richmond the 22d instant to witness the
laying Of the stone of the Washington Monu-
ment to be there erected. REFS EFFENDI.