The New York herald., 1850-05-18
Our WsshAnKton Correspondence.
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| VuT w oon1D8tO0 OOffeoROmOe0cos
WAsmsGToS, May Is, 1859.
Euents awd Opinions IN Wasixgton- Yesterday
vote IN the Standardization ~ fapor of M
Comnon'ise It's probable Success in the Ssxate-
DIR. Be"ton-1he Presidents Plan-Ar. F5ote-
Ihe "Rputfs" Nersrupr, and its meD Editor
| The Cuban Erpsdition.
| A vote TO lay the Compromise bill on the table
was lost yesterday in the Senate-2s votes having
been cast against it. Three Senators were absent
from their seats when The vote was taken, who
would probably have voted against laying the bill
on the table and one or two who voted for LAYING
on the table, will probably vote for the Compromise
on its coming up for final action Thus YOU will
that, if the vote, as believe it should be, is TO
be taken as an indication Of the fate Of the bill we
have at least 81, and probably 33 81 votes in its
favor, and its success may therefore be considered
certain
Mr.. Benton, i, is certain, is preparing TO make a
speech against the bill in the of few days,
in which he will put forth all his ingenuity and all
his strength. 1t is not feared, however, by the
friends of the Compromise, that he will be able to
add anything TO the opposition, in votes, which
already exists; while you may Judge for yourself
Of the moral weight it may be calculated TO exert
upon public opinion.
OF the fate Of the Compromise in the House of
said. Should il pass the Senate however il is the
opinion OF careful and experienced men, that the
concentration and force OF public opinion thus pro-
duced, both in and out of Congress--together with
the good sense and patriotism Of the House itself
VIII induce that body TO yield.
Should this however, not be the case, the pas
sage of the Compromise by the Senate will be of
mcalculsble advantage in quieiing the excitement
in the public mind, and convincing the great body
OF the people, both North and South, that let
zealots, fanatics, demagogues and ncendiaries do
as they, please and rant as they may, the Senate
behind which the Union and the constitution are
safe.
You reada good deal, in certain papers, about
the ''president's plan" respecting the settlement
OF the question of California and the new terri
tories; but with due Difference TO the confidential
spectaces worn by most of those who write
about IT, really have not yet been able TO
encounter this Presidents plan," of which
they speak in such glowing terms of admiration,
In one very short and very miserable sentence-the
subterfuge, time out of mind, ofweakness. timidy,
and embarassment-it appears TO me, is to be
found the only existing vcsiigc of this much yaunt
ed presidents plan"-Put off The evil day
That is the entire whole of it, The President re-
commends-because he was, 10y the public acts Of
his administration, committed 10 il, without, at
hrst, any pretence that it was TO be considered
a "settlement" Of any of the other ques-
tons involved in this controversy-tbat California
be admitted, and the affairs of New Mexico
and Utah left TO settle themselves, when they
GENE up! In the first place, this would be
insuiing the repetition Of such a do-nothing, use
less session oi Congress as the present has been,
every time any of these questions could be brought
forward; and next, II would be manifest in justice
and gross neglect Of the people of New Mexico
and Utah, who cannot be supposed TO apply for ad-
mssion as States for many years to come. II
seems 10 me that Congress has right thus TO
leave portion Of its territories and its inhabitants
without any constitutional government what
ever. It is impossible that any active and health
fnl Legislation should be carried on until this
ftNn .nAa gs.atV,
institution Of slavery, are somehow settled
permanently, and removed out OF the way.
And on calm review of the whole subject,
every patriot must feel and admit that the plan OF
compromise, so carefully and laborioosly elabo-
rated by The Special! Committee Of the Senate, is
one OF the most important and vitality necessary
public measures that has been before the country
since the adoption of the federal constitution. As
10 the "Prcsident's piap" il is literally nothing
and is only the shallow device OF weak and vacil-
latng counscilors, TO maintain makc-belicve front
Aeforc the people, and keep their hold upon the
President.
Mr. Fooie has been speaking to-day in the Sc
naie in reply TO Mr.. lulec, of Florida, the latter
having yesterday contended that the South should
demand an express recognition Of the right of
slavehoders 10 carry their slaves with them into
the territories, and be protected in their possession.
Mr.. Foote argues forcibly and conclusively that
c..'i. &. the tsrritnroc, and that nothing short
an act OF Congress can encroGch upon them. MIR.
foote, who in the carly part Of the day was seen
y U
eloquent. As far as il is possible to gather the
meaning and feeling Of the Senate, the Compromise
stands well to-day, and its advocates confident
and cheerful.
In regard to the RspxJiic, and its new editor, it
| is hy no means certain that the recent change in
its editorial department will make any alteration in
the course OF the paper. This is very different
from the generally received impression on this
subject, bat. believe me, that | do no, speak at
random.
| learn that fhe administration has received in
formation ~ the departure Of the expedition for the
invasion Of Cuba-said TO be about six thousand
strong Orders have been despatched to the Gulf
squadron TO intercept these piratica msrudcrs and
prevent their landing on the island. This, OF
course, u the plain duty Of the government. though
porhers il might serve as useful lcsson 10 vaga-
toDds and adventurers in general, were General
Lopez and his raeanluiiins lefi TO the fate they
seem So eagerly 10 covet.
They are doing noihing in the House but calling
The ayes and nays on unimpor,ant questions The
Senate adjonms over TO Monday.
WASHINGTON, May I6, 1850.
Southern Caucus on the Saroy Qpestion--7hird
Day ppon he Compromie BH--Expianafion
aud Cross-eraninaiion Of Gen. Foofs-Bad Pro-
syeef u a Settlement.
There WIS a caucus Of Southern Senators, at the
CAPITOL last night, on the compromise bill. and the
two anne endmenis offered by Mr.. jefferson Davis
and Mr.. Clemens, to-day, were the result Of their
deliberations.
The amendment Of Mr.. Davis provides, that, al
though the territorial authorities are prohibited
from passing any nc, in relation TO African slavery,
they shall not be prevented from protecting the
rights Of slave property in the terrtoy-hat is, IL
n Shareholder goes into the territory with his
slaves, IL shall be the duty Of the local authorities
TO protect him in the ownership Of said slaves.
That's pretty broad amendment.
The second amendment, or that moved by Mr..
Clemens, provides that the line Of the Rio Granie,
all the way uP TO it's source, including Santa Re
and four hfths Of the ancient New Mexico, shall he
the state ynr north Of a n NJ IT, shall be % an indian
territory, into which all the Indians infcsing the
State Of Texas shall be moved, at the government
expense.
This is also pretty broad amendment and, like
the first, makes an awful hole in the bill.
Mr.. foote, to-day, finished his defence of the
tl..s,f lime. IL H.. H.