The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-10
NEWS III THE MAILS.
Our Warrington CorrssponAeaes.
WAsurSovoN March q I4SI

Our WashAnGtOn Cores pon1enee.
WARRINGTON, March 8, 1851.
The Charge to Ntcarag~a-Ths Course of Mr..
Foots ~ the Senate.
The proposition made by Gen. Foote, chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to
raise the grade Of the mission to Nicaragua
to that of a full minister, although not sue
cessfu. is no less deserving Of the thanks Of
the community. In the present state Of our
relations with Central America, and in view Of
the aggressions Of England, through her agent
Mr.. Chatfield it is matter OF no small importance
that this country should be represented in Nicara
qua by minister whose rank would command
respect, and whose taleat and standing would be
such as TO lend weight 10 his advice. This, Gen.
Foote with mis- characteristic penetration at once
saw, and hence the motion which he made.
The present time affords fitting opportunity to
refer to the course OF Gen. Foote in the Senate
during the session just closed Placed at the head
OF the most important committee of that body, he
has discharged ;he duties thus conhded TO him, in
an able and siatesmanlke manner Dlscarding any
petty party jealousy, he has laoored to make his
committee useful 10 the country, and has, in con-
sequence, canned Tor himself an envlable reputa-
tion.
We need not refer to the patriotic course pursued
by Cen Foote, during the struggles of last session.
His stand for the Union Is matter OF history, and
the honors paid him IN New York, last fall may be
regarded as an index of public opinion towards
hiIa. AS 10 his private character, we need only
say that there is no man in Congress, who enjoys,
TO so vide an extent not only the respect but the
love OF those who have the pleasure of his ac-
quaiataI ce. If his body were al all in keeping
with his heart, Goliah would be mere pgmy in
comparison.
HE election will take place mex; January. when.
we have no doubt, the Legislature of Mississippi
will fsiuIn 10 the Senate, BY large majority,
gentleman v no has done such honor 10 his State,
sud been so instrumental in eecnng the perpetuity
OF The Union
WASHINGTON, March :, 1851.
S%etsla,ire Bt,nders-1Xe California DRY Dock
Ire Pac,fc Teegroph- Bounty Lard IFavants
--Rfje ctton of Hugh " Smith--Mr. Ytstee's
sCosc-Ccnsruettve Ntleogs-An ArtGd Dodge
perhaps.
The hurry, and the noise and confusion of the
last dave of the late session. resulted necessarily in
some blunders in the engrossment and enrolment
oi the numerous bills, with all their amendments
pushed through both houses on tie last night of
the session. But the only mistake Of any conse
quence as far as learn is the proyiso to the
navy appropriation bill, relation to the California
dry dock This proviso requires the Secretary OF
the Navy TO issue new proposals for The building Of
said DR., duck, Notwithstanding the verbal contrac,
entered into with Gilbert, Dakn & Co. This pro-
yiso vas stricken out by the Senate, and the
striking out was concurred in by The House. yet
1T appears the proviso was enrolled in the bill. and
We tind il IN the official publication of the &C.
makirg appropriations for the support OF The naval
service.
We tnd however upon inquiry, that the report
in the New York Tribune, that the amendment 10
the Post office or Poet Rovtr bill Tor a contract
with Josiah Snow Il Co Of $3.50, COO, for eie-
graphic line from the Mississippi river via Slnta
I sEd the Gila river. across the continent 70 the
Pacific ocean, had actually been Incorporated into
ore of the Bills enrolled and signed into law,
70 mistake. Neither the clerks of the Senate,
e ~. - At tat.
amendment We know that il yves rejected IN
toe Senate, as out OF order, when offered by ME.
kusk amendment 10 the Poet Once hppro-
psatio, bill. But ii the amendment, by clerks
rstaHe, should have crept into any bli, as signed
b. the presiding officer OF each ncuse, AMI the
President, we doa1 not il would be REGARDED as
null. ana void by the Executive IN the execution OF
&c law In the case of the Bounty LAID law,
passed al The last long session, by clerks mistake
che word patent was etI ou; and hence, from
the reading Of the act, the warrant" instead OF
the patent" was made assignable. But the
Secretary of he Interior construed the Law ac-
cordirg to the real action of Congress- and not ac
cording to the mistake of clerk.
We presume that the proviso 10 the California
dry dock appropriation, will, 10 the same way, b.
disregarded; and that the department will adhere
TO its verbal arrangement with Gilbert, Dakn x
Co, dispensing with the railway and basin, with
the corresponding reduction from sll5O,Oo0 TO
5000 COO as the aggregate cost OF the work.
On the other hand, the resolution making boun-
~ land warrants assignable, having passed both
action of the House upon the Senate amendments,
IL is very likely the Department of the Interior
will be persuaded 10 construe the old law so "a TO
confirm the late action of the two houses 10 favor
of the ass qnsblity of the warrants There is a
very significant editorial IN the Republic CT this
morning, but we mus. confess that II the desire OF
the two houses is to be taken as the law, where a
ball fails, the Executive ought 70 disburse the APP
appropriations Of the River and Harbor BILL and TO
act upon French SPoliauons, and the claim of Fa-
ther Ritcnie, the same as II those measures had
TO- shEug al "A hs~rrm UuA ly
failed in the other for want Of time. We see no.
thing therefore, in the action upon bounty lands,
a. the late session, ilsiifying or authorizing the
Executive to reverse the decis sn heretofore made
of law, it actually and concusively passed both
houses. And yet IL is possible the warrants may
be declared assiQnable. We suspect il, from the
editorial Of the R,pabtle, which smacks OF an of
ticial teeler in that direction.
The Senate have rejected Hugh " Smith, ap-
pointed as Secretary of State OF the territory Of
New Mexico; The reason is simple enough He
was mere as the delegate from that territory al the
last long session and addressed circular 10 the
people Of New Mexico, complaining that their
rights were disregarded BY Congress, because they
had thought proper TO prohibit the introduction Of
slavery into the territory He followed up this
complaint with a bitter commentary against the
advocates OF slavery IN Congress. That was the
ground Of his rejection. lie was rejected az free
soiler, The President, no doubt, appointed him in
Difference tothe people Of View Mexico, Just as
Brigham Young, from respect TO the salt Lake
people, was appointed Governor Of Utah aud it is
very probable that the rejection OF Smith will
bring him to Congress That circular, however,
iusiifes the hostility OF the South to his late ap-
pointment, without a. all affecting the good faith
Of the Executive IN Southern rights, or his good
disposition to conciliate the people % the whole
Union 10 their ancient fratsrnsl relations.
Mr. Yulse presented to-day, bis exceptions to
the qualification OF Mr.. Mallory, Senator ee q from
Florida IN the place of Mr. Yulee, or rather as hi
successor. This is a nice case and turns upon the
counting OF the blanks. II the blanks are counted
"a votes, Mr.. Mallory i no, elected II they are not
"a a. al ne a 81 ed
IL will have to be decided a, he next session Of
Congress
The Civil and Diplomatic bill 81 the last loag ses-
sion, fixed the mileage o. members Of Congress
from California, according to the usually travelled
routes within the limits Of The United States This
would only allow them sbou. three thousand miles