The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-02
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30. 1851.
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Congress is beginning to do something-not much
vet, but something, which 10 better than nothing,
because, as far as il goes it il useful legislation.
The two legitimate functions of government are
10 tax the people and TO squsnder the money
The House have been attempting TO combine both
these things in the same bill; but the experiment
in additional taxing failed The appropriations Of
course went through
The tariff failure, has not, however, diminished
the number of lobby members upon the two houses.
They are probably waiting with some expecta.
tions that the Senate will do something for the
good of the country 10 taxing Tom and Dick to
enrich Harry We verify and rehgiously believe,
however, that that day has gone by, and that "pro-
lection for the sake of protection, Is defunct I'M
position. - -
Branch min, getting on very well. Mr.. Van
Dyke put in a splendid Bunkum speech to-day, for
Jersey City, as preferable 10 New York. For fresh
air we have no doubt that Hoboken or Weehaw-
ken would be preferable 10 either; and as far as
seabathipg and shell fish necessary for branch
mint we expect Coney Island or Cape May would
take the precedence OF The Empire City. Other
considerations, OF commercial character, lead US
to believe that New York, the LEGALITY, will an
swer all practical purposes Tor a branch mint very
well. Let US try II.
George Briggs has come up very Handsomely to
the work of the mint. We count upoa the pas
sage of the bill. We shall know tomorrow.
Mr.. Mason, Of Virginia, has been making a
movement looking 10 the compens alton of the
Spanish owners Of The conhscated darkies of the
Amistad; but as the SUBJECT is rather calculated TO
excite agitation, we expect it will be suffered to lie
on the table.
For the present, il ia understood that the con-
gressional round robin is III abortion.
Or. Gwln, who keeps an eye ike Christian TO
the unrepresented people OF Oregon, offered ia the
Senate to-day, resolution iuquring OF the Pre-
sident whether The Hudson's Bay Company had
off red TO sell their property, lands, stock forts,
fac Nc en- O 20.
to report what has been done about il, and what
ought 10 be done. Something should be done.
The Hudson's Bay Company property within our
boundary comprises some Of The best property IN
Oregon. The treaty guarantees their right OF pos
session--it is 10 our interest to get that company
out OF the terrtory-they will not give TO US their
property-it will cost less now than at any time
hereafter, and the government can retail 1t for
hive times the prlce paid in the lump. Let Mr..
Gwin follow up the motion.
The prodigious cutlery of the Courier and En-.
9atrer against the complaint OF the British Consul,
Matthews, 10 the authorities ct South Carolina, on
fummery. The British Consul has acted in con-
tormity with the Suggestions of Mr.. Clayton, and,
If that fact does NOT cool down Gea. Webb into
instantaneous admiration of this business the rela-
tons between the late Minister 10 Austria and the
late Secretary of State must have undergone a
change since the change in the administration.
When Hon. Truman Smith returned 10 Wash
ington with his youthfpl, accomplished and hand
some Alabama wife, somebody asked him how
many slaves she had Oaly one, said Truman,
bowing low, and placing his hand upon his heart;
" emily one, who is proud 10 be her slave That
was very good But the night that platform
gave way at the circus, Dir. Smith was present
with his young wife, and il is said that when the
crash came, he run for the door, leaving the lady
10 shft for herself. Another lady, observing il, re-
marked, poini ting at the honorable Senator from
Connecticut: " Look, look there goes fugitive
slave" That was also very good bur bad for the
fugitive, being south of Mason and Dixon.