The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-06
Oar WasAiDgten CorrsspsnasAss.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 1851

building and two wings, the entire length being
three hundred and hfty-two feet, and the depth OF
the wings one hundred and twenty-one feet. On the
eastern front there is splendid porco OF twenty two
columns, ranged in double order, and thirty EIGHT
feet high; and the west front there is portico OF
ten columns. ranged in single line, in psirs. The
height, to the top Of the central dome from the
basement is one hundred and twenty feet The
hall of the House of Representatives is in the south
wing, and from the lobby behind the Speakers
chair, fine prospect is commanded of portion of
the city, and Of the Potomac river to Fort Washing
ION, which is nearly opposite Mount Vernon, six.
teen miles down the broad stream. The library OF
Congress opens upon the western portico, which,
from It's elevation, and its projection from the mass
of the building, commands an extensive landscape,
south and west, and north. The city proper, COM
pretending Pennsylvania avenue, and the thickly
populated district 10 the north OF It, and all the
executive buildings to the White House; and to
the south of it, the canal, the Mall, or spacious
public common, the Smithsonian Institution, and
she Washington Monument The wide and wind
ing river, the lofty heghs of Georgetown and the
extensive sweep OF the forest hills Of Virginia, all
taken together make up landscape, which, copied
by respectable artist on fine summer afternoon,
would be very apt to win the first premium of the
American Art Union, upon fair judgment. As it now
stands, the Capitol, on all sides, is open to the
and light-a massive, beautiful buildIng-and an
swering very we'll the purposes tor which |! was
Senate. There the architect, foreigner, with
royal ideas of the excluslveness of the House Of
Lords, so arranged the CHAMBER as to keep out the
Tabble entirely, terrifying the Senate against in
zrusI0n by immense walls on every side, and cramp-
ang them into the smallest possible corner. The
1inkering galleries for the people were an after
Thought. The greatest want is new Senate
chamber, with accommodations for the people.
The members of the II ouse complain that their
nall is shocking bad to hear in but we presume it
is as good ashley can get on SO large scale, and
a smaller would hardly answer the purposes Of the
body
The joint committee of the two houses after
having advertised for plans, and having received a
large number, for the extension of the Capitol, have
been studying over the subject from time to time,
as 10 the best plan for their adoption. The Senate
committee have adhered TO their original idea of
wings to the present building north and south !;
and certainly no plan could better preserve the
identity OF the building-its usefuaess in all its
Pars-its openness to the light, the air, and the
line views which three of its four sides now com
mand. But the House Committee are resolved
upon more splendid operation. They propose to
is in nebody's way, aud tits exactly the place
where it belongs. The western portico is to
share the same fate, and, if rightly informed
the columns IN the present hall of the house are to
be ia ken out TO make more room for library. A
new Capitol is then to be erected, few rods east
OF the present one alongside Of il, just like it out
side, so as TO have two Captols instead of one, the
new one 70 be cas-. entirely into tho shade by the
neighboring streets.
We had hoped there was one public building in
the city which would escape the quackery of such
patch work that the Capitol, at least, would be
retained upon its originally beautiful plan nearly
az possible. But the President has his veto, and
we do trust, if this thing of duplicate Capitol is
Drought before him, he will expunge it, and call
for something more reasonable, less expensive,
more architectural, and better adapted for the uses
of Congress
WASHING RON, Feb. 3, 1851.
Tie California Land BM-Cahform,a Maps
General Scott and Native Ama1canism, &c, &C.
The debate on the California Land Title bill
may last another week; but the amendments Of
Mr.. Benton will not prevail. The old Spanish set
tiers were very well protected under the bill as in.
PRODUCED by Dr. Gwin. They were protected by
The law of prescription; but Mr.. Benton was not
satished with Or. Owns bill, which was then on
is passage fought il, and made it worse by having
II referred TO the Committee on the Judiciary. He
has gone further AID Jared worse. The bill as it
now stands will pass, with very trifling amend
ments, and Mr.. Benton will only have the merit
OF having expended vast amount of ammunition
Spes king Of California, / must not forget to
mention the series Of beautiful maps now in pro-
cess OF execution. They are the finest specimens
oi typographical and photographed drawings
have ever seen, and executed with q minuteness
and eXactitude OF detail which render them highly
valuable IN scientific and nautical point OF view.
The series embrace the approach to the harbor of
San Francisco from sea, including the Farralones
and adjacent head lands very complete and
nunuteiy executed h,rbor chart OF the bay Of San
Francisco, with the latest Improvements; the bay
of San Pablo and Susan, with the straits of Car
ouials hepa bay, the localities Of Vallejo, 1.-THE new
.capitaD Bencia and other towns the Sacra-
snento river and also the San quim, to the head
oi navigation, all infinitely arrsnged, the channels
detined, and every commercial facility indicated.
The surveys and drawings were made by Com
inander Cadwaladcr Rincold, L. $. N, during the
past year, and when published will be the first
charts ever produced In an authentic shape OF this
interesting portion OF the Union and the world.
Captain Ringold deserves the thanks OF the whole
scientific world, for the ithful manner in which he
mas executed his noble task.
Is matter Of newa, on which you may impli-
City rely, you may announce 10 your readers that
the President has Determined 10 remove certain
United States mashal, for his laxty and remissness
in executing the Fugitive Slave law. This, as you
may well suppose, IA important step in series OF
acts which will distinctly define the position Of the
President and all the members Of his cabinet.
There ~ no difference al opiuien between them, or
Between them and the President.
TWopo,! Gan you not, among the hles OF the
.Noc lors Herald, or in some other way. find the
letter which Gen. Scott wrote to Mr.. Archer of
Nngnia, some four years ago. on native American.
ZEN Don't you rerae'nbrr that Gen. Scott was in
favor OF twenty years probation, Of every adopted
ciuzen, before granting hlm the elective franchise
enjoyed By the negroes in New York Don't you
1tInemoer that Mr. Archer was to run a. Vice Pre-.
Fitent with Gen Scoti, and that this very circum-
stance was prced a. the last Philadelphia whig
rtrrenton why Scott should not be nominated,
san6 why " Rough and Ready" should be As
thefe ere many political clphe-ers now III work to
Egu9e oct the next President, would give them
the following sum in the Ruie OF Three. viz -
II Cen Scott wants the adopted citizen, from Ire.
and and Germany to -a twenty years before voting
1or President or Vice pr-eitent bow many Irish
and Germans will vote for him for the Presidency
As yet the principal paruzans Of Gen Scott are
the free soilegs and the nsuve Amenc ans, though
MI. Levin, the only native American representa-
Awe here in Congress, has not yet, believe, given
in his adhesion. lie must first be satisfied tina;
Gen. Scott is available.
-
WAsntEcroS, Feb. 1, 1851.
1ht 1arif Que,fioa--id,. Hs~tcr's BM-M.
Ui~torop's trquiyvtnfo The fsapre ofh,s dppoint-
w,nt-Califrnia Lqud Tttics-Branch Mint.
NJ f.,,. 81