The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-03
AFFAIRS m THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The Last Week Of the Thirty-first
Congress.
Oar Washingtoa Correspondence.

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Oar Washingtoa Correspondence.
WASHING TON, Feb. %, 1851.
TIE Prsstds~ts Procio matton--Cheap Postage, &c.
The proclamation of President Fillmore follows
close upon the heels of Governor Bells pIocama-
lion of Texas; and although the latter has more
of classic beauty, with apt and scnp.ural quota
tons TO commend IT, 10 the laughter Of after ages,
the former has the merit Of meeting the danger 10
the Union, Of a squabble, between q few nlggers,
unamed, and too yielding and timed sc! OF legal
functonaries, about Boston Common 1t 10 a ter
rible tempest in teapot There will nothing pass
ths session but the Appropriation bills, and the
anxious faces TO be seen engthening as the session
diminishes, isenoueh 10 make sensitive man weep.
1t is too bad Here are private claims, ocean
steamer contracts, for carrying the mails, floating
dry docks, French spoliation, patent law reform,
and sundry other bills, failing for want of time for
action. Congress is great concern, and is only
equalled by the Smithsonian Institute, that pyra-
mid of absurdiiy, rearing Its baseless columns in
accordance with the tesators language in making
the bequest, "for The diffusion of knowledge
among mankind"
What huge humbug Here is an ediiice cost
ing an immense sum OF money TO embellish the
city of Washington, containing lecture room to
accommodate small portion Of its citizens, and a
poor professor, with his family, raced TO a secre
AIRY, quarted upon the fund, and where is "the
diffusion OF knowledge among manknd.' The
expenditure equals the enormous quantity of sack,
TO penny's worth Of bread. The thing will be
looked after, in a couple Of years from now. and
the regents viii be called 10 reckoning Mark
that,
learn that the census agent here has placed the
public funds with seldom, WiIhers II Co. This,
700, will be looked after. No bank or banking
house should be entrusted with COVE rnment funds,
who do not redeem their own paper in gold and
silver. Congress, at lts next session, will be invi-
ted TO lock into this matter. The banks of this
District suspended specie payments in 1884 duriag
The panic, and 10 help II on, and overthrow Gen.
Jackson, and by the operation made OUT OF the
ICor people OF this District $3.50 Co., in about
ninety days This was the science of banking,
which Gen. Jackson did not understand according
10 the language Of Nicholas Bidde. The Lord
deliver US from the science of banking
The Cheap Postsge bill and Birnabas Bates are
getting on swimmingly, and you may Look out for
some wholesome curtailment in the expenses of
The city post Offices If Gen. Rusk, the ch ,rIn IN
at the committee IN the Senate has ANYTHING 10
say; and seeing that he is the sSilas Wright'' of
the Senate, we may expect he will say something.
Commodore Moore, once in the Texan Navy, Is
underwriting 10 incorporate himself into the Y nted
States Navy, with good prospect of success.
WASHINGTON, Feb. q, 1851.
Doings in flashing on-Lobby Members, &c.
There must either be greet deal of rascality
going on here, or else the understandings OF men,
bers OF Congress must be grevously warped
against what is just and right Not claim is
brought before Congress, not contract is made,
without the lavish expenditure of money in feeling
lobby members to press 1t. !. seems that members
can only be convinced by ex-commissioners OF
patents, ex clerks, and ex.private secretaries and
letter writers, TO do what right e. 10 pass what
bills they desre)
Among those " just and proper measures which
have beer pressed with "vigor." we may mention
The Chinese and Ebony lines OF nps-the
dry ~ he arpN lsxy
nous "Galphins" in the shape of claims from TO
rida, with interest allowed, amounting TO over
100000, now before the Judiciary Committee of
the Senaie--to cay nothing OF private bills innu-
merable. Some Of these measures and claims may
he just and right; but, at present, we wish merely
10 advert 10 the fact tina. not one OF them is per
United 10 90 before Congress on its vn m srits--
feed and paid agents employed in all directions
10 press them, and 10 bring all sorts OF infusnc
bear. Even ia the Senate some of its members
are fcrnd IN the pay OF individuals and companies,
who either desne Congressional action, or desire
10 prevent any action. will refer more illly TO
hose matters in day or two.
From reliable date II Is estimated that the entire
population OF the United States and territories will
be % l00,000.
The discussion on the Presidents message ia
Iep'y 10 Mr. Ciay's resolution was continued to-
day N the Senate. Gen Downs made a speech IN
SUI, OFT Of the position taken by the President, re-
.lete with thai good sense and patriotism winch
have already placed TN hon gentleman in high
Position IN the hearts OF the Union loving citizens
of the whole country. Mr.. Clemens also spoke
eloquent and patriotic straip as also Messrs.
Cess, Dodge, and Douglas.
Whilst the outrage IN Boston must be regretted
by all good men, stall IL has afforded CRAFTY Jag
eyld, nee fhe firm determination Of the executive 10
maintain the laws evidence which the debate
m the Senate proves is appreciated by his political
opponents highly as by his pol acal frie nds
Fansticism seized hold OF the Boston affair; and
gloated over the anticipated triumph which repe-
iition Of the excitement of last year would pro-
mise. But the Urited States, through their chief
magistrate and their representatives, have come
out Of The ordeal unscathed, and present another
evidence 81 the suergth and permanency OF the
reLuble,
The following amount Of United States sock has
been issued to Foreigners during the week ending
2lst February, 1851 -
Loan Of 1872. ............... ........... al 300
IoG 80. ..s..... ........... 80. Z1,ZDO
" lc1-. 80. ........ $40
20 dl.... 80. -. 80. -. -2y,2O0
We may remark, with reference to the court
martial lately held in the case of Commodore
Jones, that the sentence dill not have 10 be submit
ted To the President Tor hts approval BY law, il is
only in cases where the sentenc is death, or the
cfoer 10 broken, that the Presidents confirm alton
n necessary.
WASHING ROY, Feb D. 1851.