The New York herald., 1850-05-03
Our Wnshingto" Correspondence.
WASVuNRTnS M.v Ist0

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Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, May !, 1850.
Tie 1dn,inistrotiot and Dhr. C2ay-Hs,o.y Of the
appointment Of Db. Ciays Grandson 10 The NH.
fo,y Acodsmy-A Curious LitfHe Agair.
There is leader in the Republic, this morning,
of the slnooihest complexion in the world-smooth
as one of the non-committal letters of Martin Van
Buren and yet capable of very distinct interpreta-
ton II signifies that the only plan for the settle
ment of the slavery question is the non-acton po-
licy of the cabinet, and that Clay, Cass and Web
ster, in their disregard of the Presidents message,
are sclfishy endeavorng to put themselves forward
for the PRESIDENCY, without regard or respect for
the administration, or its success. That's what we
suppose the article TO mean.
That there Il, on the part of the cabinet, a
jealousy OF MIR. Clay, is easy of proof. That Mr.
Clay came TO the Senate with an unsettled account
against the administration, is matter of history;
that he does share in the general modification and
contempt for the imbecihty OF the cabinet, will
hardly be denied; and that the cabinet have vainly
endeayorcd to conciliate him, is just well under
stood.
On the arrival or shortly after the arrival of Mr.
Clay in Washington, this session, Mr.. CLAYTON
waited upon him; and the object of the visit was
understood to be, the persuasion of Mr. Clay TO
support the appointments to be presented to the
Senate MIR. CLAYTON is thought To have gone OIL
partially satisfied; but the opposition to, and the
vote of Mr.. Clay against the nomination of Webb
to Austria indicated that he did not intend TO pass
over, without remonstrance, the proceedings of Mr..
CLAYTON and MIR. Webb, and their management 10
oversaugh him at the Philadelphia convention.
Next, We have the resolutions of Mr.. Clay, oiler-
ed in the Senate; and in speaking upon them he
simply declares that the cabinet policy Of non
action for the territories would be a papiblc dere-
lction of duty, badly as the territories want the
protection of government. This was quite enough
10 establish the want Of confidence of Mr., Clay in
the adminst traon, and that his line OF conduct was
to be totally independent OF IT, and of its recon-
mendatons its objects, and ts policy on the slavery
question.
These points, then, do establish the fact that Mr.
Clay is not supporter of the administration and
that the administration is jealous of Mr.. Clay and
his plan Of a compromise, as likely to dAeat the
plan of the cabinet, and TO leave them in a second
ary position.
Now with respect To General Scott. il is per-
fectly well known that between him and General
Taylor there does not exist the warmest cordiaty,
but something approaching To a cold distrust; aud
il is known that this state Of things grew ont Of
the events Of the Mexican war--the taking away
ofthosc regulars (a very provoking busncss,) from
Buena Vista, among other things.
Ii il also pretty well known that between Mr..
Clay and General Scott the warmest personal rela-
tions subsisf, and that General Scott enteTtans "A
sort Of an opinion n the administration like lt OF
the regular wings for the dynasty of John Tyler.
Thus much, by way oi explanation. Vow for
fact or two.
y,
Bucna Vista. his father addressed a letter TO Mr..
Polk requesting that the Of the deceased oill-
Ger be placed in the West Point Academy. Prcsi-
dent Polk endorsed the letter, and sent il to
the War Department but II was iound that the
young man was Ineligible. account of his youth.
Mr. Polk then ordered that the name of the youth
should stand ON the hlcs, accepted candidate,
10 be admitted when he came OF age. After the
Inauguration OF General Taylor, the General-n-
Chief Of the Amy sent TO him a list OF youths, for
the consideration Of the President, a. candidates
for the Military Academy, TO be included IN that
csss, resting upon The Presidents discretion, indc-
pcndeniy OF the Conlrc ssional dstribution. Among
the names of these young men submitted 10y Gen.
Scott, was the name of young Clay, the grandson
Of the distinguished Senator from kentucky,
Now, We are informed that President Taylor
scratched the ticket Of Gen. Scott, and that among
the names scored out that Of young Clay, po,-
sibly because he may have been regarded as still
| too young to enter the academy.
10 this extent, therefore, the application in behalf
Of Master Clay was rejected by President Taylor
But there was vacancy m the Congressional
district Of MIR. Morchcad, of Kentucky. lie wen
up 10 the President, and put la the name Of Master
Clay, and got the appointment, without consul,a-
iion with Mr.. Clay, and without any knowledge
on his part Of what was doing, until the appoint
ment was made.
We have not had word with Mr.. Clay or Mr.
Morthcad on this subject. We obtained the nfor-
nation from other sources, and We publish IL no
doubt against the wishes of Mr.. Clay but the facts
are important, az showing the relations actually
They show that Mr.. Clay, General Scott, and
others OF the regular whig party, regard this adj
minietration as they did John Tylers-as rather TO
be tolerated than supported, but which is only to
he tolerated from the necessities Of the case. They
show that the appointment ot young Clay, while u
is evidence oi u bad understanding, IL is no evil
dcnoc Of good understanding, between Mr.. Clay
and The administration. Coupled with The leader IN
the Re1ubfic of this morning. we have facts enough
TO show that Mr. Clay Is pursuing one course, and
the President another. This necessarily involves
division Of the wing party-one fragment sup
porting the President, another supporting Mr. Clay
nothing To lose; If MIR. Clay's plan Is successful,
the policy Of the administration is condemned, and
IL stands in the attitude OF established imbeciity
WASHINGTON. April 30. 1850.
The Csutrai Hiaois Raiiroad, and tho Mobile and
Ohio Rirsr Raaroad--A Grand Pryect--G Gra~t
n Lands-A Heary -fmeadmcm Sprung upon
tho Bnl-7hs Distribviion Pogiy Rerird.
The State Of Illinois proposes to build railroid
from Chicago, on Lake Michigan, to Cairo, on the
Ohio river Alabama proposes to run railroad
from Mobile, on the Gulf Of Mexico, northward to
The Tennessee line. leaving but narrow space
across the States Of Tennessee and Kentucky 10 be
supplied. in order to have through ticket, by rail-
road, from Mobile, the Gulf right spang north to
Chicago, ON Lake Michigan.
Pencnd-NIr. Felch brings IN bill, granting the
alternate sections Of a strip 81 land twelve miles
wide and four hundred miles long-say 10000
acrcs,o the state Of Illinois, TO aid her in com.
plcting her division Of this grand enterprise. SO
far, 20 good. Mr.. King proposes 10 make core
spending grant for the line 81 three hundred miles
IN the states of Alabama and Mississippi. running
north 10 the grand junction on the Ohio. Mr..
Douglass and Mr.. shields are agreeable; they log
roll with MIR. King; the amendment ~ accepted,
and The debate goes on swmmingly. Yesterday,
We expected IL 10 pisa, almost neDi. con-, but, this
morning, very ugly looking opposition sprang ~.
Firsi, Mr.. Bell thought that u would be- well for
Illinois, Alabama, and Mis-issppi TO share their
grant of lands with kentucky and Tennessee, to
ad them in completing the line. They have no
land--or, rather, Uncle sam has none m Mem
tucky and Tennessee; but IL that any reason why
they should not share in The public doinain, belong
ing 10 all 'hc States, and especially when the lands
are To aid IN n national work like thsi lie insisted
hat kentucky and Tennessee ought TO have a
share, 80 to complete the whole line; and moved
that instructions to that effect h~ given TO the com
fnttcc. with the rc-commtmcni Of theb'il. WHAT'S
fls a "A t.fs atlroa -