The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-21
IyTELLICEsCE 81 TsE MAILS.
Our w asiAl. sto. Correspondence.


Course Of Colonel Benton, &c.
The amount of force which the administration
is mastering TO defeat the Compromise bill, re-
ported by Mr.. Clay from the Committee of Thr-
teen, is truly formidable; but General Taylor is
sadly deceived if he imagin-s, for moment, that
she dreadful array in ftVer of his plan is the con-
sequence of the popularity of his measures, or an
expression of confidence in the men of attainted
reputation composing his cabinet. The coalition
of the Southern ultras and free soilers with the
administration, is for the purpose of creating such
q state Of things cannot well be borne by the
people of either section, with view To open resis-
tance. The administration and the President
mere cat's-psws in the hands of designing knaves
and demagogues, each of whom has his own OBJ
1ect in view, and his own wishes TO crafty. Yet
tbe cabinet is aboriug under the belief that they
are acquiring strength, and the toades are full of
exultatlon.
mir. Benton plays a deeper game, and succeeds
In bumhugging even those at heart thoroughly
opposed 10 him. He Is thoroughly in the secret of
the administrator, and diners from II just far
enough in particulars 10 agree in the essentials.
Mr. Benton's course III the Senate is a complete
index 10 the secret thoughts and wishes of the
administration. He has. la his late speech, COM
pleteiy flores hadowed The Presidents course in re-
gard TO Texas. Mark how he dwelled upon the
right of possession. IA regard To the disputed tea
Iitory of Texas. OF COURSE he had seen the Pre-
sidents orders To The uiiiittty commander in
Mexico, and spoke from the cards noticed par
ticulary the ,mphasIs which he laid on the word
~possessoD," and knew AZ once that he was in
the secret OF The administration and the President.
Again, Mr.. Clay was perfectly we'll informed of
fhe illct lnteTcoufsr golu. ON brt"een Benton and
the court Journal Che RtPubiit) when he said, in
reply 10 Mr. Benton, that 40 bil can he read three
times on the same day Mr.. Benton had read the
article quoted against Nr Clay, before il was pub
hshed he had reed 1t ATE IT. publication, and he
had read il once noe III the Senate Mr. Benton.
by and with the advice and consent of the cabinet,
and that int gral perl Of II lied the Presd ent,'
had written the tIIclr. The buffoonery and vul.
gar attack on Mr. Clay had also been concocted
and planned by and with the advice aud consent of
the cabinet, and Mr.. Benton acted In regard 10 it
merely under commission from The President,
Lieutenant General without forces. His purpose
evidently was 10 exisperate Henry Clay, and to
drive him into some Improperly that sh ,uld sink
Clay 20 his own level Mr. Clay, with the instinct
OF Propey, al once perceived the drift OF his an
tagonst,
OF course, after this occurrence Mr.. Clay will
no longer notice nything Mr.. Benton may say.
lie has protested against the bare possibility of
being called Ia an account by him, the necessity
of calling Mr.. Benton To an account, till that
.'casket Of calumnies," is sufficiently accounted
for, under the laws of chvalry. There will, there
doIe. he no further frncounter between Mr.. Clay
and Mr. Benton, neither in out of the Senate.
Mr.. Benton may speak, but one will reply TO
him, and The Senate will be satisfied with voting
him down. Mr. Benton may march and counter
mach, beat 10 quarters or a retreat, all under a
commission hom The President, and the Republic
may play martial airs all the time while Col Ben
ton goes through the evolution. Clay, Webster,
and Csss, are resolved To- carry the war on the
principles CT christianity aud the laws Of civilized
nations, which foibd hiring on single man.
Col Benton has now had three distinct broils in
the Senate: one with Gen. Foote, with Col
W. X. King, and one with Mr.. Clay; and he would
get into hall dozen more, II the Senate would az
ford him an opportunity. The difficulty with Col
kisg occurred N the Fooie. Benton Committee, the
sessions OF which Mr. Benton would have been
glad 10 extend tl the end of the present Congress-
giving The committee leave Ia SIT in the recess Col.
King, directing the Clerk correct the date of the
testimony given by certain witness, was fnriously
accosied by Mr. Bepton, across the table near
which both were seated. +" take care of my own
business, cried Bcnton, shaking and uoddng his
head, like one OF The Italian plaster OF tris figures
offered for sale m the streets of New York Col
hing, justly indignant AZ this outrage, calmly OBJ
served that Mr.. Benton need not shake his head at
nun, rs he (Col kiBg) was accustomed to the
amenities ofgentlemen. Mr. Benton nodded once or
twice moIe, az fcurohOratng the truth and Justice
al The remark, cast his eyes the paper before him.
and remained silent lie saw, al once, that Col.
King was gentlemen beyond his calibrr; that
nothing but hard knock could he got in a quarrel
with HIM; and tor This reason he cooled down in.
stanily TO The freeing point of outward propnety.
TINS occurrence was The cause of Col. KING usk-
ing to I've excused from serving any longer on the
committee.
And now I can assure You that, notwith-
standing the vulgar jokes Of Mr.. Benton, the
avowed aud secret opposition of the President and
his cabinet. the last es.~raie efforts of the free
eoilers and ahchfloul l.. and a few unman tgeabl
uliras from the South. the Com promise Bill will
pass both Houses. aud become the law of the land.
fer That, portion oi the cabinet will resign, ha-
wing private business hand which calls for their
personal attention, and may then hope for
better things Col. Benton will not leave for Cali
FORMS, vi here hts efuTs are least appreciated but
continue the private adviser cf the President and
has cabinet here " Washington. IL there should
be war, he Will receive an important commission
In the army. Gener.l Taylor pr terfing his military
talents and qualifications vastly to those Of Gen
Scott
While Col Benton IL thus the leader Of Gen.
Taylor's van, Gov. seward has quietly resumed his
position in The rear. tom which he was only tenn
IoTafy di-lodgsd by Mr. Bolliu. lie has always
been IN f0J11Tt wih the President, Col. Bliss act
ing the conducting wire The administration
IL, beyond doubt, free soil-Col Bliss being him.
self On aboliiiobist
One II the gross cslumnies, circulated industri-
ously by the administration, - the assertion that
Mr.. Clay. immediately after the settlement Of the
slavery question: will rvsi "a his seat in the Senate
an order to put himself M position for the Presi-
dency. Mr. Clay will ,tiy where he is-in IN =
body which he grsc,s hy ms presence. and in which
he l. a. trImined to render such services as ProvI-
dence will vouch-ef 20 permit. through sparing his
life, for the benefit of the whole country.
Pozzo nj B1Roo.
WAsmSsroS. June IL, 1850.