Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-28
Correspondence of the Phila Ledgerl
FROM WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, Sept 20.
With the exception Of steam and the tariff,
there is really no subject which at this moment
attracts the attention Of Congress. The House
on Saturday last, in Committee of the whole,
gave very satisfactory evidence that the pre-
sent system of building up steam navy, by
the government coming to the aid of private
enterprise, is not to be abandoned, and that
the absurd suggestions of the late Secretary
of the Navy, Mr. Ballard Preston, are of no
weight whatever in the consideration of prac.
tical men. Instead Of making. Improvements
in the system, requiring the vessel 10 be
made of certain size and Of a given strength,
Mr.. Preston was inclined 10 abandon the
whole system, and TO build up an expensive
steam navy for the government, on the plan
OF the old naval constructors-the most super
fuous body of men-connected with the
Executive Departments. II may now be too
late in the session 10 establish new lines of
steamers; but such new lines will be estab-
lished heIeafter, and among the most promi.
nent schemes, are the line of steamships from
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore TO Africa,
and the line of steamships proposed TO run
between San Francisco and Shanghai in China.
There will be some talk about extravaganza
among Western members but provided they
can get one or two mail routes from ST. Louis,
or some other points on the Mississippi,
through the Rocky Mountains into Oregon or
California, they will be satisfied. There is a
little too much sectional feeling on these sub.
jects, but it will wear off with the growth Of
the country.
The fight in the Senate is about the differen,
ports of entry to be established in California
A pretty severe controversy is carried on
about Benicia, only short distance from San
Francisco. 1t seems 10 be conceded that il
Benicia be made part of entry, San Fran
cisco will suffer and vice versa. The proba.
bility is that as both Senators and both member.
from California are opposed to Benicia, thai
scheme will be dropped for the present. A
floating dock will, no doubt, be given TO Sar
Francisco. 1t will be balance dock, bull
on the same principle, and at the same rate
as the dock at Pensacola. The parts are tc
be got ready in New York or Philadelphia
shipped to California, and put together at Sar
Francisco by American workmeE. The es
tablishment Of branch mint will probably
be delayed for another year. 1t is impossible
during this short term of the session TO pas.
laws in respect to aliens in California, though
the latest news from that quarter represent.
very urgent case for legislation.
The branch mint in New York, will proba
bly, pass Congress, though it meets with
much opposition. New York is very clamor
Gus for it, and Senator Dickinson has Sc, hi.
heart upon it. The administration, too, i,
known 10 favor the plan.
There was nice Wal. street speculation or
foot in regard to the Illinois Land bill in aic
| o! the construction of railroad from Mobile
to Chicago, Illinois. A body of spectators
had purchased land warrants TO the amount Of
about million of acres, which they intended
10 locate the moment the bill was passed
and for this purpose kept an agent here ,c
telegraph the passage of the bills to parties il
Illinois. Senator Douglas discovering the plot
Immediately got up protest or petition tC
the President 10 stop its mischievous design
Accordingly Mr.. Fillmore authorized the Com
missioner of the General Land Office TO tele
graph The Land Agent in the State of Illinoi.
TO make no further entries till the State shal
have selected her lands By this prompt and
efficient action the speculation party in New
York is rather nOn-pl,ssed. They may, how.
ever, locate on the alternate section reserved
for the United States-by paying double price
for them, and make money at that.
OBSERVER