The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-08
The News.

New York, Wednesday, December s. 1852.
The News.
BY way ofPhiladelphia, we learn that steamer,
with important dispatches from Havana, reached
Washington last evening. This is supposed to be
the war steamer Fulton, which the Black Warrior
reported to have been despatched from Havana
with statement of facts concerning the imprison-
ment Of Capt Gray and his late crew, on charge
of having constructed and disposed of the chip
Suffolk, for the express purpose of engaging in the
slave trade. This is very curious affair, and may
head to another difficulty with the Cuban authori-
ties 1t will be recollected that correspondent
expressly stated that Capt. Gray and bis were
kept as prisoners on board the Lady Suffolk, until
after she had been towed to sea by the Spanish
steamer Srena. At midnight they were permitted
to leave the ship and return to port in the steamer
But this is only side of the story;-wait till
hear both. All that be said at present, is that
it is remarkably strange maneuvre on the part Of
the Captain General, who is publicly accused of
being Immediately interested in the slave trade
himself
Although no actual business was transacted in
Congress yesterday, the reports Of the proceedings
in both branches are highly interesting, from the
fact that they foreshadow something of what may
be anticipated before the close of the session Mem
bers all sides do not appear to have perfectly
covered from the effects Of the Presidential election,
and It'll but natural, therefore, to find them inclined
to spend few days in talking ma .ters simply
In order ascertain the ground they occupy prior
to going to work One of the most striking features
In the Senate report is the announcement Of Colonel
Clemens, democrat, of Alabama, that he will to-
day ask permission to introduce q resolution con-
ferrng upon Gen. Scott the brevet rank of Lieutenant
General This is a compliment that has long
been mooted, and coming, as it now does. from
m officer who served in the Mexican war, under
General Scott, in General Pierce's New England
regiment, it will most likely meet with appreciation
and become a law. 1t would be an honor the more
appreciated by the old hero from the fact that it
would come from party Numerically opposed to
him in a political point of view
Those who have experienced the ill-efects Of the
recent shin-plaster currency, purporting to have
emanated from the District of Columbia, WILDE
glad to learn that bill has been introduced into
the Senate for the suppression Of unauthorized
banking there
Nearly the entire day was consumed by the Senats
IN debating the right Of Mr. Dixon to a seat, he
having on the day previous presented his credentials
ms the duly elected successor to the seat of
the lamented Clay, by the Legislature of Ken
lucky. The democrats, who are largely
in the majority Of course, argue that there is no
vacancy, Mr.. Meriwether having been appointed
by the Governor to fill the seat rendered vacant By
Mr. C's death, which occurred subsequently to his
resignation, Though the latter was not to 60 into
effect till September What seems not little sin
gular, Mr.. Dixon is the only person who has thus
far laid claim to the seat, Mr.. Meriwether not hay
ing apparently deemed it worth contesting. The
matter seems to be 50 perfectly plain as to render it
surprising that so InAsh fuss should be made about
IL. However, at the adjournment, yesterday, it
was as far from beirg settled ever, and is likely
to afford food for argument for several days to
come.
Operations were commenced in the House of Re.
representatives. by wing motion to refer that portion
of the Presidents message relative to the tariff and
revenue to select committee. This gave rise to
long and very interesting debate, which drew out
some new and not unimportant revelations concern
ing the present position Of parties on the topic which
has been great bone of contention since the adop
tion Of the constitution Some Of the wings declared
their desre-which, by the way, is very novel one
TO emanate from the protectionists-to materially
reduce the amount of duties on a great number of
ImpOrteu tItlcts, Ii oluel, % tuey auege, w pro-
vent the treasury from becoming overloaded, there
being now some twenty millions Of surplus funds on
hand They are more especially DESTROYS of reducing
the duty certain raw materials with the view Of
afordiDg home manufacturers an opportunity Of sue.
cessfully competing with foreign rivals. The lat
Der, most assuredly, appears to be very praise
worthy object, and, carried out, may result to the
benefit of the country generally. Nevertheless, the
democrats very aptly remarked, the surplus funds
could be easily and honorably disposed Of by paying
portion Of the public debt; also, that they were
impressed with the belief that the people at large
had rendered irrevocabls decision with regard to
the whole tariff question, at the late national elec
tion. The proposition to refer to a special COM
mittee was dsapproved by q vote Of 70 yeas to
80 nays.
The Special Committee Of the House, appointed
20 investigate the alleged Gardiner fraud, and Sec
Rotary Corwins connection Herewith, yesterday
made report which is said to be substantially the
same as that hitherto published. The committee
reported bill for the prevention Of frauds upon the
Treasury, which was read twice, and referred back
to them in order to keep the matter before the
House. If our Congressman are really anxious to
prevent public officers from defrauaing the govern
ment BY receiving fees for carrying suits against
she government, while holding salaried sfices why
do they not at once enact 9 law prohibiting al en-
ployees, from the heads Of departments and mem
bers Of Congress down to the lowest clerk, from
receiving brides, or conniving at the ppndering Of
the Treasury in any shape, they should not only
knock out the teeth Of the mice, but slaughter the
rats, wolves, and sckals with equal herceness Try
A. 'cr the people are tired o. beias GAlpAiaised.
The Vice President elect, in connection with sew.
sSx. sthsr 6isip csikaea Sexascys, Were screaaded