The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-19
AFFAIRS IN THE CAPITAL.
Our Washington Correspondence.

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Our Washington Correspondence.
| WASHINGTON, Oct. Is, 1850.
Mr.. WtJster, the Nicaragua Treaty, aud the Fagi-
ttre Slave Lato-Isdiam Commissioner to Neu
Merico-Special Commercial agent to Japan, &C.
The Nicaragua treaty of Mr.. Clayton, from the
day he received Lord Palmerston's interpret citation,
| il was discovered would not answer the purpose
What would avail canal open to all nations, il it
is to be blocked up at this end by British Custom
House? We hold that to be the main question;
and we do not to lose sight of it, by travelling
over the old ground Of Mr.. Clayton, Mr.. Squer,
Mr.. Chaiheld, and Mr.. Bulwer.
We are more DESTROYS to know Mr. Webster's
views and intentions; and we regard it as more inn
portant to inquire what is TO be done, than what
has been done. Mr.. Webster has resolved to I'LL
up the vacuum left in Mr.. Clayton's treaty-the
omission to settle the Mosquito question-,he only
question OF any consequence for diplomacy between
the United States and Great Britsin. There was
Ia the claim of the Mosquito Protectorate, a nest
egg for future troubles, canal or no canal; and the
attempt OF Mr.. Clayton 10 smooth over the entente
cordidk, by diplomatic evasien Of the issue, was
bound TO prove unsatisfactory, except upon a
matter. fact construction TO the sturdy Palmer
ston. That construction, OF course, vitiates the
treaty; and document admissible of such con-
struction, proves that Mr.. Clayton was either
taken in, or consented to the trick, while his
organs were preaching him up as the great Achilles
OF diplomacy. II was sly evasion of great re-
sponsbiity, which ought 10 have been met in lam
guage not admissible OF double meaning
The responsibility thus being thrown upon Mr.
Webster, his first object has been to ascertain ex-
actly his political bearings in Central America.
And for this purpose special agent has been de-
spatched. And, Till Mr. Webster shall report the
result It's of the mission 10 the Senate, or shall, upon
these results enter into fresh negotiations, we
should suppose the discussion of the subject idle
and premature. and n waste of time
We learn that Mr.. Webster has constituted him.
self special agent TO Massachusetts. to learn the
workings of the Fugitive Slave law, and that it is
| not improbable there will be some executive re-
Communications upon the subject TO Congress in
the annual message, especially if there should be
an abolition avalanche in the New York elections.
Colonel John A. Rogers of Tennessee, has been
appointed special agent 10 treat with the Indians
on the frontiers of New Mexico and Texas. From
his exte nsive experience among the Indians of
Texas, he cannot fail OF rendering efficient service.
The cabinet, for want of something better, have
been sitting upon the question of special CONNER
cial agent 10 Japan, and have, as we understand,
determined 10 recommend one to Congress.
WASHINGTON, October l5 1850.
Fugitive Slares--An Important Movement Case
Of Mntimy-The Late Mail Robbery, &c.
The Fugitive Slave law has I" smoked OUT
from their places of refuge in the free States SO
many runeways, that their value is estimated at
sixteen million Of dollars. We have been informed
of a design, on the part of Southern shareholders,
10 insist that this government shall, through the
Secretary of State, mahe demand on her Ma
jesty's government for the return to the United
States of the black fugitves who escape int the
British North American provinces. We know
that England has maintained that a slave, when he
touches her soil, becomes free; but this point has
always been contreverted by our statesmen, and
the contrary asserted in the celebrated of the
Comet and Enterprise. We know not whether
reclamation will be insisted upon, but certain il is,
that the idea OF making issue this point is
ceived with favor by those who have given to il
consideration.
The brig Ann Elizabeth. Capt. Eldridge, which
clesred from Georgetown Last Saturday, bound for
Boston, was Obliged to return within few miles
OF Washington, yesterday, in consequence Of the
muupous conduct of three of the four sailors, viz
James Matthews, Richard Eccies, and John Fltz-
patrick, "a youth nineteen years of age) The
captain, suspe citing that they had plentiful supply
Of liquor in the hold, had ordered search by the
chief mate, who found bottle or two of brandy
and threw IL overheard. One of the saiiors, with
an iron scIaper, and another with a long knife,
attacked the three ofcers, who were too art
for their assaiants and succeeded in telling them
TO the deck and tying them. The owner of the
vessel, MIR. John A, Crimes, came to Washington,
and consulted with Mr., Fendsll, the United States
District Attorney, who despatched Captain J. II.
Goddard and officer WalIard to the vessel, where
the mrtneers were taken into custody, and after
a hearing, were, late last night, brought TO Wash
pgon, ana ss'eIy logged IN prison. To remain until
The day OF 'rial, during the December term Of the
Criminal Court.
When the Postmaster General heard of the
recent robbery OF the mail In Philadelphia, he
ordered the dismissal of the travelling agent, Mr..
Anderson. Some Of the friends of that gentleman
have int, rpos,d d, that he may al least have hear
ing. He is native OF this city. IL is said that
principal moneyed men had large sums going
the other way, and congratulate the mseves on
their escape from plumber.
The Rsysbhr, 81 this morning, announces the
appointment Of Thomas Butler kiag TO the Col
leciorshp Of San Francisco, aud so all doubt on
this subject is now at an end. lie was offered two
foreign missions by the administration, both of
which he declined. Few men did more than he
to bring the wing party into power, and we do not
see why he should not reap some Of the fruits OF
The victory. lie Is clever fellow, aud Will make
an excellent Ciiicer. CAPITAL.
WAsuiNeroy, Oct Is, 1850
The -ddsiinisiYafion-1h Cabinet, and the State
ofthe Country.
The administration, notwithstanding the conser-
vative national ground il occupies, will have many
difficulties TO encounter. The President occupies
position unusually exempt from tine jealouses of
aspiring politicians, because few Of them suppose
him TO be in the way he has, therefore, but few
intrigutrs in the ranks of his own party to break
him down. He has the advantage Of being con-
sdered totally indifferent TO the succession, and
ambitious only of rendering a satisfactory account
OF his official term. All the aspirenls in the wing
ranks one, regard the President, therefore, as
a neutral and are well disposed to give HIM fai.
and generous support. We remember that the de
mocrais supported John T,ler's administration on
the same grounds; because there no danger
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