The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-25
Oar Washangss. Cerrsspsa Aenes.
e. WASHINGTON, January 70, 1851.
RmYortG~t Political Movememt-Ihs Merit Presi.

Oar WashanSsen Corrsspon aenoss
WASHINGTON, January 20, 1851.
RrSorfa~t Political Movemewt-1hs NeIt Prest-
dewey, &c.
There Is . letter now circulating in both houses
OF Congress, which, when published, will create
GONE little excitement II is an instrument drawn
up By some leading Union men, Of both political
parties, expressing the attachment and firm adhe-
sence Of the sgners to the measures of adjustment
passed at the last session. and pledge not to sup
port any man for Office station e. g., the Pres-
deAcy,) who ID not an open and avowed friend OF
the constitution and the Unlon on the basis OF the
adjustment The letter or document is, no dou bt,
exceedingly we'll intendco. and calculated to meet
contingency which, il is now feared by the friends
of the Union, may happen in 1852 III Is TO guard
against the "calamiiy OF Carrying the next presi-
dental election to the House OF Representatives,
or, If carried there, to secure the election OF
Union candidate. Ii is kaown that Henry Clay
has signed il, and in his capacity as Union leader
of the wing party, he has. no doubt, set noble
example OF patriotism and d,sin ere sickness, by
signing such an important document. The Hon.
Howell Cobb, OF Georgia, one of the chiefs OF the
-amalgaInatlon (whig and democratic) Union patty
OF Georgia, has also signed II; and, believe,
Footc and Houston have done the same. General
Cass, Judge Douglas, Mr. Dickinson, and others,
have declined 10 do SO, on the ground that they
look upon the slavery question as having culmI-
mated that their position as Union men is sui
ficIently known and understood and that they
wish the question entirely separated from any po
itcal acuon having reference TO the presidency.
They think the democratic party of the North suf-
icienty strong to put down factions, but leave it
o the Southern Union men TO adopt that course
which to them may seem best calculated TO al
vance the cause Of the constitution and the Union
in their section of country | think the action of
General Cass, Douglas, Dickinson, &C., very dis
Greet and conciatory, and, perhaps, best calcu-
dated to allay excitement aud bring men back to
proper sense OF their duties citizens Of a great
confederacy. Most OF the Northern, and especial
ly NOrthwe stern, members have refused to sign
the letter, not because they opposed to it's te-
nure and purpose, but SIMPLY because they con-
slider themselves strong enough to sustain the
constitution and the Uoon without such mutual
pledges They take it for granted that the people
will support none but Union men for the next pre-
sidency, whether the people elect the next Presi-
dent or whether The election be carried to the
House.
There is now strong probability that there will
be four candidates in the field two wings and two
democrats. General Scott is the favorite candi-
:. date Of the free soil wings, who will take him
without asking any questions; but never Will the
Southern wings be induced to nominate him with
out his establishing platform tor himself and his
administration. The times are passed when Presi-
Dental candidates are permil ted TO remain silent
on the most important national TOPICS. The cleo
ton of President Is no longer tcket-a lottery.
Ii Gen. Scott remains dumb, advised by Gov.
Coward, then an avowed Union wing will be run
aganst him in the South aud in some OF the
Northern States, and that will make two candi-
dates.
In regard to the democratic candidates, can
, only say that the whole Northwest is united to a
man on Lewis Cass, and that in no case will they
consent to the substitution OF Northern candidate
who shall be more acceptable 10 the Southern
ultras. The probability Is, therefore, that South
ern ultra will be run against him, and that the
election will go INTO the House, unless Gen. Cass
can carry Kentucky and Tennessee both. In no
case Will the Northwestern democracy support
candidate who shall be put forward by the South
ern ultras as the price ct their Submission; md
nf
4 of Mr.. Buchanan, and, perhaps, Mr.. Woodbury.,
though the latter seems 10 have considerable
strength in New York ard New England.
The Southern Pres will probably be continued,
ss the organ Of the nullisers, ul after the next
Presidential election Ii WILDE made campaign
paper in 1852, to divide the democratic party The
Northwestern democrats, Oh the other hand, swear
hat they will not again be cheated or dI ctated to
by the Southern ultras. These have not supported
= Gen Cas-, ut the last election, they ought TO
have done, many OF them stunning II for hun TO
Jraise Gen. Tayl er, and they will not now, after
all the trouble they have given 10 the country,
allow them 10 dictate terms, or take advantage Of
their own wrongs Depend on il, there are
breakers ahead in both political parties, and that
II the next election goes 10 the House, we may
expect great excite ment, nut not so much Trouble
Z a. we have gone through during the last session.
WAsHreroN, Jan. 20, 1851.
Ffs~ch Spot,atio~s- California Land Titiss-Dry
Docks Cheap Postages Fragrant fncendiartsm.
Mr.. Hunter, to-day, in the Senate, made destruc-
tive work of the argument of Mr.. Truman Smith,
in favor Of the payment OF the five millions proposed
as indemnify for French spoliations. Mr.. Hunter
started out with these two distinct and broad pro-
positions
I. That if the United States are bound to pay
these indemniies, they have no right TO expect TO
get of with the payment If part; but that such
payment must be followed 0v larger appropriations,
TO meet the whole bill OF lisb,llnes thus assumed.
2. That il this sum Of five millions is intended as
q mere eratuity, neither the reduced condition OF
the public treasury nor the expanding aggregate
of our public debt, will justify such untmey gene
rosity.
from treaties, and the violations Of treaties by
France, that the United States were under no obli-
cations 10 meet these spoliaiions. He is a power.
full debater, clear-heade thinker, and, upon in
tematonal or constitutional questions, is particu
larly hard 10 cope with tbs speech has evi ienty
created some utteriDg among the spoliation people;
but, we presume, Mr.. Seward will attempt 10 do
something to repair the breach to morrow.
The Judiciary Committee have reported n new
bill for the settlement of California laad tites-a
ssrt of compromise between that of Mr.. q win and
The substitute Of Mr.. Benton and the subject is
made the special order for next Monday.
Mr.. Ewing has instituted an inquiry as TO the po-
icy Of theta of the last session, providing for
dry dock ut san Francisco He thinks money can
has in his eye Mesers. Dakin x Co., the cele-
5rated dry dock builders, who, it is understood,
have been, or are 10 be, the builders OF this San
Francisco dock but that MIR Ewing has anybody
else IN his eye, of course we can't suppose.
The House bill for cheap hostages has been re-
fered 10 the Post Office Committee in the Senate
We hope Dir. Rusk will report season for action,
without fail.
Several erog shop shanties on Pennsylvania ave-
nue., ell in a lump, and the Columbia tire engine
house ON Capitol Hill, were burned last night
the fires being clearly the work OF incensiaries IL
IL supposed they the lrut OF the recent fights
and riots among our hremen, resulting from
spirit Of jealousy excited by the visit of the Phia
delphia Weecaeoes.
WAsnSeToN, Jan p, 1861.
EUsatng Entertainments.
Dinner at Sir Henry Lyuon Bulwers-very ele-
CANT, very select-and sur assing even the splen-
did dinners Of Mr. Pskenham, which, as he boast
ed himself. before a parliamentary committee,
were so far superior to dinner at the White