The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-09

Our intelligence from Washington to-day is of q
diversified and highly interesting character It
appears that the work of % rotation in Office has
already commenced with great earnestness Gen.
Pierce probably and very properly too, desires to re-
Heve the minds Of anxious expectants as well as
present incumbents by filing all places as soon as
practicable. The selections for posts thus far would
rather indicate that he chooses for their abilities
rather than their clamorousness.
Ex.Secretary Clayton it will be seen BY reference
% the Senate proceedings, yesterday commenced q
speech in defence Of his conduct with regard to the
treaty negotiated between himself and Sir Henry
Bulwer. He remarked that he regretted the absence
Of the venerable Senator Cas-, who has been sudden
~ called home by the Illness Of his wife he would
be compelled to omit much that would have been di
rected against that gentleman personally. We ap-
prehend that the regret at the absence was mutual
between Messrs. Clayton ond Cass. Were the latter
On hand the former would not be likely to get out of
he difficulty SO easily IS he may imagine. hessrs.
Mason Douglas and some others, viii probably zee
that the account is fairly balanced.
According to one of our special correspondents,
the Tehuantepec question will shortly be the subject
Of discussion in the Senate, when it is understood
the fuflment Of the Garay contract to the letter,
will be insisted on. This looks as though there Is
warm work ahead
1t is pleasing to learn, by the last advices from
Matanzas, that the health of Vice President King
has somewhat improved.
As was anticipated, the State Senate yesterday
again refused to go into executive session on the
Governors nominations and the disappointed ex-
pectants we're therefore compelled TO return home
for about the tenth time. The prospect now is that
few, if any, of Gov. Seymour's appointments will be
confirmed at this session. The Senate passed
series ofIninor bills The Assembly, in committee,
was engaged the whole day in debating the bill to
provide means for the payment of the State debt,
the completion of the canals, &c. Towards the
close Of the session there appears to have been some
aaf6cuty in procuring quorum.
The returae of the New Hampshire election, which
took place yesterday, show largely increased vote
for the democrats Gov. Martin has been reelected
by probably, from -four to five thousand majority
An three Of the democratic candidates for Congress
have been successful, and the party will have
greater msjority in the State Legislature than ever
The wings Of Massachusetts, appear te have been
completely oversaughed at the election for delegates
10 the Constitutional Convention last Tuesday. The
democrats and soalitonists viii probably have fifty
majority in the convention.
As near as car be ascertained, shout eighteen
thousand bales of cotton were destroyed by fire at
New Orleans on the I'd inst. Two days after the
confagration, the agent of the Mutual Insurance
Company Of this city, elegraphed to the directors
that their loss would rot exceed forty thousand dol
lars although it is put down at sixty thousand in
despatch of the 4th. The Liverpool and London In
surance Company will ne. lose eleven thousand
dollars.
Late 80 ices from the see. Of war in South Africa
report that terrible battle had been fought between
which the latter repulssd with great loss. Thus
1rogresses the work Of British annexation.
Advices from Tampico to the 2sth ult. announce
that the citizens and soldiers at that place had de-
ciared in favor lf the return Of Santa Anna
Mr. Pinelli delivered very eloquent and highly
interesting lecture Portugal yesterday evening
at the Brooklyn Institute, for the benefit of the dis
wessed inhabitants of Madeira but we are sorry TO
nav that Cur neighbors the water did not chart
tally respond to the call for the room was almost
empty.
The annual commencement Of the New York AGA
deny OF Medicine and Of Ayletts Medical institute,
was held last evening at the Medical College. The
attendance Of students was large Professor Clyner
delivered the address, and DR.. John w. Page the
yaedictory to the graduating class.
The Board OF Aldermen met last evening at the
osua. hour. Alderman Compton presided, and
large number of citizens crowded the ROOM The
routine character Of the proceedings WA diverted by
some brief remarks made by Aldermen Sturtevant
and Francis upon the current Of public feeling which
they said, " was1dlrected against the Board BY int
rested parties rcder the guse Of economic REFORM
The members nsslad that some Of the requstionists
for the Metropolitan Hall meeting were the first to
cIamor for expensive city improvements, demand the
money from the depa tments, and when it was stSlt
IDLY, make ow Of immaculate honesty by throw