The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-04

Inc chdmOeI where the senate meets
handsome and convenient; the general aspect of
that assembly, which, as is well knewn, shares
largely both in the legislative and executive powers
| OF the constitution, is grave and decorous The
House of Representatives, the more popular branch
of the government, returned by universal suffrage
assemble in a chamber Of very imposing appear
ance. arranged rather like theatre, in shape like
tie ere Of bow; but it is the worst for hear
ing ! ever was in We hear complaints occa-
tonally of our Houses of Parliament, old and new;
but hey are fauess in comparison; in parts OF the
Rouse II is impossible 10 hear snybedy; in others
II ~ sMes all the purposes Of whispering gallery;
end have heard members carry on continuous
/ dialogue while debate was storming around
mem Both in the Senate and the House every
! neuher has most conmodisus arm chair,
desk tor his papers, and splitting. box, 10
| which he does not always contine himself
| ctme very oiten, and II was impossible TO
surpsss The atitn ton | received. Some members
seat in The body OF the house was always given to
me, End | YVES at liberty 10 remain there during
The whole Of the debate. listen to hat on or
| write my letters, as chose. The palpab,e dis
| fncrion between their end our House OF Commons
| | should say be ilIis-we are more noisy, they
are more dsofd.rly. They do not cheer, they do
not cough, but constantly several are speaking at
time. and they evnced contemptu0us disregard
for The decisions of their speaker. They have no
recognised leaders of the different parties, the
MT mbeTs of the government not being allowed 10
have seats in either house of Congress, and the
different parties do not occupy distinct quarters IN
the chamber so that you may often hear furious
wrargle being carried on between two nearly con-
tieuous members. While | was at Washington,
the question of slavery, or at least OF points coa-
neced with slavery, gave the chief color and ami
melton to the discus sions IN the House OF Repre-
sentatives. Old Mr.. Adams. the ex-President OF
the United States, occupied, without doubt the
most promine mt position; he presented very stink
ing appearance standing up erect at the age OF Sc
venty i've, with trembling bands and eager eyes, in
defence of the right OF petifon the right petition
against The continuance of slavery in the District of
Columbia, with majority of The House usually
deciding against him, and portion of it dashed
being, as TO some extent IL was, quite sublime
osition, but rather deiracted from the grandeur of
he effect at least, that his own excitement was so
reet as 10 pitch his voice almost into screech,
aLd TO make him more disorderly than all the rest
He put me in mind OF fine old game cock, and
occasionally showed great energy and power of
sarcasm. had certainly an opportunity OF forming
my opinion, as / Sat through speech OF his that
lasted three days. but then is fair 10 mention that
the actual sttngs hardly last above three hours
day. About four dinDeris ready, and they go away
for the day, differing much herein from our prac-
ice; and, on this occasion they frequently allowed
Mr.. Adams to sit down and rest. All the time |
believe be was not himself for the Giscontinuance
of slavery even in the district OF Columbia, but he
contt nded that the constitution had conceded the
tree light of petition. One morning he presented a
petition for the dissolution OF the Union, which
raised great tempest Mr. MARSHALL, Of Ken
lucky. a fine and graceful speaker, moved a vote
of censure upon HIM. Another member, whom |
need not name, who was The ablest and hcrcest
champion whom heard on the Southern or slave
holders side, made most savage onslaught on
Mr. Adams; then up got that "old man elo.
queLt," and no one could have reproached
HIM with not understanding how to speak
even daggers. Nothing cane of this stir.
After seeing and hearing what takes place
IN come OF these sittpgs, one is tempted to
think that the Union must break up next morning,
hut the flame appeared generally To .smoulder al
most as quickly as il ignited. The debates in the
Senate during the same period were dgnitied bu-
sness-lihe, but not very lively, so il may be
judged which house had most attraction for the
passing traveller heard Mr.. Clay in the Senate
once, tut every one told me that he aboring
under feebleness and exhaustion, 50 that | could
only perceive the great charm in the tones of his
voice. think this most attractive quality was
still more perceivebl bic in private intercourse, and
certainly never met any public man, either in his
country or mine, always excepting Mr.. Canning,
WHO exercised such evident fascination over the
mind and aie ctions of his friends and followers,
| as Henry Clay. thought his society most aitrac-
tive, easy, simple, and genial. with great natural
| dignity II his county men made better men Pre-
sI0t pts sIould applaud their virtue in resisting
The srell OF his eoluence and attractions; when
he actual list is considered. respect for the dis
cernmsni elected by universal suffrage does not
stand at a high point Another great man, Daniel
Webster, could not hear in either house of Con-
grees, because he then filled, az lin he does now,
The high office Of Secretary Of state; but il is quite
enough TO look his jutung dark brow, cavernous
eyer, and massive forehead, TO b. assured that they
| are The abode OF much, If not more, intel
ectual powsr, than any head yoa perhaps ever re
ralBed. For many, IL not for all reasons, | am
well content thai be should be again AT the head of
~ ever intensely American, he has an enlight-
ered love vi peace, and cordial sympathy with
The fortunes and giories OF the old, well as the
new, Anglo Saxon stock. The late Mr. Calhoun,
who impressed most at those whe were thrown in
bis way with high opinion Of his ability, his
hone sly, and. may add. his mpre cite ibhy, had
not the good fortune To hear IN public, meet in
private society IL is well known that his attach
ent 10 the maintenance Of slavery went 30 FAR as
TO LEAD him to declare that real freedom could not
he ni' tn,rined without II. Among those who, at /
that time contributed both 10 the credit and gaeiy
OF The society Of Washington, | cannot forbear |
Ia IN adding the name II MIR. Legare, IN, the Al |
tCfey Gent raj of the niou, now. uuhappily, like
toe mhIy Of those whom have had occasion To
mention, no longer living. He appeared to me the
best scholar, aud the meet generally accomplished
man | me, in all The Union | may feel bias
std in h,s favor, for tnd smong my entries,
mn LegBre spoke tt-Li9ht OF Pope Hs he ought"
have not me ntioned what might be thought
very prominent objrct at Wsphug ton--tbe presi-
dent ct the United States. lie resides for his term
Of tiiier al d substantial plain building, called the
Whrs House. Mr.. Tyler filled the office when
was there, and appeared simple, Unaffected per-
son. Washington is the head quarters of another
branch Of The constitution, which works, perhaps,
with IL ss OF friction and censure than any others
the Supreme Court of Judicaturc. The large fe-
d,ftl questions between State and State give great
weight end interest TO its proceedings heard an
In eTesIing cause between the States Of Maryland
eId Ptunsy lvania: II Was an action To try the con-
siiluiiopal validity of an act Of the State OF Penn
Jvsnia. which gave trial by jury Ia the fugitive
tIhNe. ItJe This SUBJECT pursued ana pefvaded
every thing. IL YVES argued with great ability on
both sides; II was ultimately ruled against the
paweT at the hee States To pass such act, and
the recent Fugitive Slave law may probably have
srIssn out of some such debateable question Of
rights al all events, IL has entirely swept away the
int I'VE Btion OF jury
The asi say Of MY abode at Washington was
sIe Ut becomIbely NJ Mount Vernon, the residence
and The grave OF Washington IL is well placed on
n wood.o hill shove the pohic Potomac, here a
mile and half broad. The tomb is a sad afiii
for such a man; It has IN inscription upon IL, de
noting thet Ia was erected by John Seatters, mar
bic msson Ii ~ placed under a glazing red build
ing, ,omethDg b, tween a coach house and cage;
the Senate procured the consent OF the family
TO have It removed 10 the capital, when q brick
lay er, lBhofer, ard a cart arrived 10 take IL oil
one morning. et which the indigne ton Of the IA
NIFTY naturally rose There ore few things mark