The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-14

adopted, by subversion of their equality as mona
bers Of the Union;-and that any attempt to admit
the inhabitants Of California with the intention to
evsde the opposition to the proviso, ought
TO excite still more stern and Indignant
opposition, because il would accomplish the same
thing in manner more objectionable, and involve
other constitutional objections, peculiar to itself,
and Of deeper and graver character, If possible,
than what has been set forth above; that they
are more Objectionable, because il would effect in
directly and surreptitiousy, what the proviso pro-
poses TO effect openly and directly; because il would
exclude the Southern States more effectually from
said territory, by being inserted in the instrument
purporng TO be constitution, and what would be
claimed 10 be constitution il Congress should en-
dorse it, than il would be if inserted in the provisions
OF territorial government; while twould be equally
unjust and unfair if excluded by insertion Of the
proviso by act Of Congress, inasrnuch as the cit-
zens OF said Southern States have been precluded
from emgratng 10 said territory by the action OF
this government, and thereby Of being void in the
formation of said instrument. The Nashville Con-
venton will probably resolve, also, that the time
has arrived when the States OF the Southern Sec
tion owe it TO themselves, and to the other States
composing the Union, TO settle, fully and forever,
all the questions at issue between them and the
Northern section, and they would not adjourn until
they had done so.
That the Nashville Convention will take this
ground do not doubt. l know such to have been
the views and the opinions of the mighty mind Of
that illustrious, far-seeing Southener whose re-
mains are now resting in a vault at the burying-
ground Of the capital; and doubt still less but that
there are thousands Of Southern who think as
he thought, and who will be present TO give tone,
dignity and weight TO the proceedings of the Nash
vile Convention.
cannot close my letter without doing a simple
ac, Of justice to one whom believe a true-h,arte
friend Of the South. allude TO one Of the Sena-
tors from Missssppi-General Foote.
very erroneous impression has somehow been
made upon the public mind, as 10 the relations OF
MIR. Calhoun and General Foote at the time of the
formers death II is believed that there was some
kasx. tLs E...s
Mr. Calhoun told the writer, after the debate in the
Senate, in which he last took part that he had al
conversation with Mr.. Foote, who distinctly in
formed him that he meant nothing unkind in say
ing what he did in the Senate; that he had the best
mo,ves-he wished to draw him (Nir c. out, to
make more full explanations in reference 10 one
portion Of his speech" The great lamented replied,
" You should not have done that--you should have
ccme 10 me, and had a conversation privately, and
then asked such explanations you desired, before
speaking IN the Senate on those points. Your re-
marks and intentions will be misconsirued by those
presses that are opposed 10 interests in which We
both feel deeply interested" And even after this
interview, when his health became more alarming
and he saw only those few who had access TO him,
he spoke kindly and warmly of General Foote, and
Of his sincerity and devotion TO the great cause Of
Southern justice, rights, and interests. lie never
believed that Senator Foote in pursuing the course
he did. had the slightest wish or intention to do
him njustice but he foresaw that opposition press
es would put that construction upon it, The differ
ences between MIR. Calhoun and MIR. Foote were
all OF public character; they all occurred in the
Senate, and were settled in the Senate. There
was not the slightest ntermission of their former
cordial relations, such as sickness interrupted
in General Foote'S case as with hundreds of others,
and IL Is doing great injustice TO General Foote 10
say nothing Of the cherished memory of the great
deceased, TO assume the existence of unkind or Of
unfriendly feelings on the part Of MIR. Calhoun TO
General Footc, at the time Of his death Such was
not the fact. PATRICK HENRY.
WASHINGTON, April IL, 1850
Tie Struggle fer the Ascendaney in the Senate
TIE CotuS Of Bsnton- The Canadian Reciprocity
BW-7hs Gdlphia Claim aud the Prssiienf.
A fiigh,ful struggle for ascendancy is now going
on between Mr.. Benton and Mr.. Seward, showing
10 the latter the utter hopelessness Of his condition.
Seward is totally eclipeed by Colonel Thomas ii.
Benton, and il, at the hour am writing, casting
miserable shadow on the wall.
Benton has, to-day, come out fully against the
compromise-being the only Senator from the
South who voted against H. He was defeated by
two votes. Had the five absent Senators from
Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Pennsylva-
mia, respectively, been present, he would have been
defeated by seven votes. II may be comfort to
Mr.. Seward TO be beaten in Mr.. Ben,on's company;
but it is sort Of consolation TO him TO know that
his friends have more reason than ever to pray
- that his shadow may never be less" lie might
have gained strength in breaking lances with Clay
and Webster; but TO be thus obliged to take corn
mission under Benion-second, perhaps third, in
ccmmand-is humiliailng indeed
Benton is now the acknowledged free soil leader
in the Senate. As he spoke to-day, Preston King,
Wilmot Allen, Mann, Of Massachusetts,, and all
the other fanatics were crowding round him in
token Of fcalty. The national Unionists were
posted behind Clay, Webster, and Cass; the Sc
mute looked like battle field with two hostile
aimies, Tnioniss and disunonists. arrayed against
each other. The dsunionists, under Benton,
brought all their forces to bear the peace
makers. The latter had five men in reserve, and
nom past experience. The :. peace-rnakcr - came
once very near being fatal TO him, and should not
he at ali surprised-nay, confidently expect, to
see him demolished by the great peace-maker.
Henry Clay.
Benton II now the acknowledged leader Of the
administration and the Naiosai L,feAigencsr their
acknowledged organ. In conformity with this his
new position, he has already written to his friends
in Missouri TO vote either for him (frce soD for
the wings. The divorce between him and the
democratic party IL complete. The fact IN. there
viii be but two parties in the future--Unionists
end disunonists; in other words, n national party
Throughout the Cnios, and sectional parties in the
North and South.
The test vote was on the motion 10 Law Mr..
Foote's resoluton on the table on the appoint
ment of the committee, the vote will not be taken
before Monday next
Il is understood that the Canada reciprocity hill,
which was sometime since re-commttcd to the
Committee on Commerce, in the House. will be
again reported TO the House, together with a cor
rcfPcndence between the Committee on Commerce
and the Secretary of State, and between the Sec-
retary Of State and the British Minister. in which
the British Minister communicates TO our govern
ment his power 10 pledge the British government
TO open the river 81. Lawrence, and the adjacent
canals, 10 American citizens and American shipping.
This correspondence was instituted by the Com
miitee On Commerce, to avoid the necessity sf in
Producing into the reciprocity bill any feature which
could make this hill in itself measure of rccipro-
city with the Imperial government, and thus open
the same rrivileRes TO other nations with whom we
have commercial treaties, containing the clause
commonly called the most favored nation clause !"
that is the clause which promises put the nation
with which the treaty is concluded, on the terms
OF The most favored nation.
The pledge Of the British minister is full and az
tsfactofy, and the whole region Of the Northwest
s deeply interested in this privilege.
II | am not very much mistaken, the Presidents
declaration, through the press and otherwise, IRE
some hat classhng with the facts elected fronShe
testimony cf the secretaries before the Committee
On the Galphin claim. The case seems TO be