The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-01-14
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.

the management of the U. ). mint, ana the
errors in the plan of the California branch
mint. DR.. Gwin gives the reasons for the
law of the last session, prohibiting the receP-
ton of gold bars or ingots stamped at the
assay office, in payment of U. S. dues. The
California merchants complain bitterly OF THIS
prohibition. Ii left them without means TO
pay duties. DR.. Gwin shows that the ingots
were debased and drove other coin ont OF the
country, and that the law as administered
was pernicious to the commercial interest
He brings grave accusations against the
United States mint at Philadelphia; he charges
the officers with falsehood, with illegal and
tyrannical and severe exactions, and offers to
: prove that one of the minis issued million
of gold coin, so debased that it was proposed
to withdraw it from circulation.
He says the California mint must be sus-
pended; for the plan Of the buildings and
operations are copied after the Philadelphia
plan and abound in incongruities- He wishes
to commit the establishment to the next adj
mnistraton, one that will feel its response
biIity, and can be held responsible for public
expenditures.
The mint at San Francisco will cost large
sum, and the contracts given out by the Wing
administration are of large amounts. 1t is
very probable that these and other contracts
will be suspended.
The recent decision of the United States
Supreme Court in the Illinois slave case j. Of
some interest. The question was whether
the law Of Illinois for prosecuting those Of
her citizens who may harbor or secrete slaves
or aid in their escape, was constitutional
whether it did not conflict with the exclusive
| jurisdiction of the United States on that sub
ject 1t was maintained that if Illinois could
legisate on the subject she could not have
INSTRUCTED the recovery and rendition Of fu-
gitive slaves. But the Court has decided that
the State law is constitutional, inasmuch as it
does not obstruct, but aids, the United States
law on the subject; and besides, was executed
with a view to protect the State from the
danger of a troublesome population. So the
Court has recovered from the delusion in
which the anti-slavery papers, but recently,
placed it on this subject If the law of Hi
nois was unconstitutional, they said, then
slaves could be harbored in that State; and if
not constitutional, then the State could pass
laws prohibiting the execution Of the fugitive
slave law.
The popularity of the enterprise of the
New York Crystal Palace is shown by the
fact that the Company's stock is one of the
favorte fancies. The capital stock is $780,
600, and the shares are selling at 70 per cent.
advance. The concern will yield great
profit.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.
The Cuban debate was not continued in
the Senate yesterday, as was expected upon
the proposition of Mr. Mason to call for the
correspondence relative to the offer of the
tr-partte treaty. The reason was that Sena-
tors thought it would be better to see the
correspondence before they attacked the adj
ministration upon their course in the matter.
1t has been suggested that Mr.. Everctt's let
ter respecting the policy Of the United States
towards Cuba takes rather higher and holder
ground than even the Democratic Senators
themselves. The resolution was passed, and
the President will furnish the correspondence,
Notwithstanding all the complaints of the
remissness of our government. The Cuba
debate will then rage in both Houses, and it
will probably be the principal discussion of
the session.
We have large class of petitioners, in
and out of Congress, who believe in the ca
pacity Of this Government to swallow coun-
try after country, and after time, nation
after nation, and by some process to digest
and assmilate them all. No very satisfacto-
ry exposition of this policy has ever been
made, but we may have it now from some of
the representatives of young America. We
are to be informed how, with n Congress |
composed of representatives and senators
from all the States of Mexico, of Central !
America, the Antlas, Sandwich Islands, &c,
the purity and efficiency Of representative
Government is to be maintained; and how, |
with weak executive, the affairs of the
Government are to be conducted It's diff
cult enough now. .....
1t was remarked in debate in the House by |
Mr.. Wilcox, of Mississippi, that there are no
present or pressing circumstances which rem
der necessary the acquisition of Cuba; but
that it was an event that must, in the course
of time, t:ko place. That is the general
opinion upon the subject in this county.
The dismissal of Mr.. Marcoleta, the Nj
caraguan Minister, has taken place.
Mr.. Marcoleta had no instructions to take
part in the Webster and Champion >Streaty,
which was negotiated last July. He was not
n party to the negotiation; but he promul-
gated the treaty without leave and against
diplomatic usage, and in utter contcmpt of
the other arbitrating powers. He also made
violent appeal in the public press against
the treaty, SO far, especially, as concerns
Nicaragua.
The treaty was aSsented to nv all tho mos