The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-06

VI the proceedings on Monday, we present
mere summary.
The Senate met at 1 o'clock, and Immediately
resumed TIE consideration Of the River and Har-
Dor bill. Several test votes showed clear major
ity in favor Of the measure, but determined mi
nority opposed it, 1t soon became manifest that
a trial Of endurance between the two parties was
inevitable. Ii is a sound principle, that when the
will of a majority in favor Of particular measure
is clearly ascertained after sufficient discussion,
and after fair trial of the usual parliamentary
expedients to arrest precptate ection, it ought 10
prevail 1t is miserable faction on the part of mi
nority to attempt to defeat it, by preventing any
legislation at all. We do not approve of the
River and Hsrbor bill in all its parts. 1t was the
result Of "log-rolling" among the members--it
was an omnibus, which few could approve, as a
whole, but which many were willing to sanction,
for the purpose of securing some particular in
terest embraced in it, Still, it was better that it
should pass than be defeated by faction Its
abuses would have been temporary, and the Peo-
pie might have prevented their repetition. But,
tolerate the principle, that minority may make
speeches, read reports, propose idle amendments,
and demand the yeas and nays, for thss>Asss pur-
pose of wasting time and preventing decisive ac-
tion by fair vote, and there is end Of Govern
ment, Faction is treason, and the more danger
GUS because it avals itselfof constitutional forms
to break down the Constitution.
From II o'clock Monday morning, till 10
o'clock Tuesday, the Senate sat without re-
cess-engaged in a struggle, not Of mind, but
Of muscle. We made our way into the reporters
gallery late in the evening. The reporters had
given way to the ladies' the other galleries were
thronged, aud the Hobbies were crowded
Mr.. Clemens Of Alabama, with his leg slung
over desk, was reading, in low, monotonous
tone as part of his speech, long speech deliv-
cred formerly by somebody else. No one paid
any attention to him. Mr. Rhett sat few seats
behind him with his hat on, talking with BROTH
err Senator. Mr. Walker was almost recumbent
in his chair, apparently admirng with half-olosed
eyes the brilliant chandelier suspended from the
dome Another Senator seemed to be aiming with
his legs at the same object To vary the enter
tainment, lover Of the weed went up to Mr.
Clemens and asked him for quid of tobacco
The orator, interrupting his exercises for a mo-
ment, drew out from his breeches' pocket " a
chunk,n which bis brother Senator after laying in
good supply, deliberately handed back, and the
orator resumed his reading. And so the night
wore away, in these delightful occupations, until
O'Clock in the morning, when, without coming to
any conclusion, the grave and reverend body, az
fectinsSo represent prominently the intelligence
of the American People, and the dignity of Re-
publicanism agreed to postpone the consideration
of the bill for the>2urpose Of taking up the ap-
preparation bills
The House on Mondag returned the Post Of
Ace Appropriation bill to the Senate, without
amendments.
The bill to convert one regiment of Infantry
into a regiment of mounted cavalry was palaed.
The Patent Office Report was ordered to b
printed-lOO,OOO extra copies of the agrissltafal
part-25 900 of the mechanical part-5o00 ~
the use of the Commissioner.
A bill for the improvement Of our Lighthouse
system was read a third time and passed. "
Passed-a bill from the Senate for the aboli-
ton of constructive mileage the Senate bill lin.
iting the liability of ship owners the Senate bill
to ascertain aud settle private land claims in CAL
ifornia; joint resolution for the distribution of
certain books the Senate resolution authorizing
the President to bring Kossuth and his associates
to this country Ia q national vessel
Numerous unsuccessful motions were made
among them, motions to take up bills appropriat-
ing lands for railroads-and motion to take up
the French Spoliation bill
The House was informed that the bills making
Post Office appropriation, and reducing the rates
of postage, with the House amendments, had been
concurred in by the Senate.
Frequent efforts were made to adjourn, to take
q recess, &c, but they failed
The Senate was informed by resolution that the
House, having disposed Of the importan: business
of the session, was now ready to adjourn.
The following explanation was made by MIR.
Otis of Maine, in relation to the charge against
Mr. Webster
Mr. Otis rose and said | ask the indulgence or
the House five minutes for personal explanation
The following communication appeared in the
Boston atlas Of the 2Sth ulsmo
ali MCLEAN STREET, THURSDAY EVENING.
"To the Editors of the atlas:
ain the evening papers of this date, under the
telegraphic head | notice the following item
"'The facts appear 10 be, that Mr.. Webster
wrote to the sub-treasurer, Mr.. Haven, that he
had been offered the State Department, but could
not accept it, unless his friends would make up
what be would s,crifce pecuniarily by accepting.
"'Mr Haven showed the letter TO Collector
Greeley, who at that time told its contents to MIR
Oils, a member from Maine, who was present
Mr. Otis has divuiged the matter to Congressman
II is whispered that Peter Harvey brought on the
Boston funds, and A. C. Benson, the New York
funds
aWill you have the goodness TO say in your
paper Of tomorrow that this statement so far as
il refers to me, is utterly untruel Mr.. Haven
never showed me any such letter. | never knew
that he had received any such letter, nor have
ever made any such statement to Mr.. Otis, or
anybody else
up. GREELEY, JUMP
did not authorize the publication in the Her
aid, and it was done without my knowledge |
am no, responsible for il in that form. | did re-
peat conversation had with Mr. Greeley, from
which the statement was undoubtedly made
Ia July last, before the President had formed
his Cabinet, on my return from Maine, having
heard itrepor,ed that MIR. Webster was to be Sec
rotary OF State, called at the custom-house In
Boston, and inquired Of Mr.. Greeley about it,
lie said it reported that there were letters in
the city from MIR. Webster, in which be said that
the President had offered him the situation of
Secretary Of State In a few minutes a stranger
to me came into the room, and called Mr.. Gree
ley one side, and gave him letter to read. Aftsr
reading it, and few minutes conversation, Mr.
Greeley returned 10 his seat, and said that the
gentleman was Mr. Haven and the letter was
from Mr.. Webster, in which he stated that the
President had offered him the situstian Of Score
tsry OF State, aud he only hesitated TO accept II