Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-02-05
Letter from Washington.
From the Charleston Courier.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Il.
The Senate went into executive session to-
day. on the nomination of Mr.. Badger as Justice
of the Supreme Court, and after a sitting OF
three hours, they adjourned without taking the
question. 1t was thought, to day, that the no
mination would be confirmed by a vote of TWEEN
ty-two to twenty. 1t is now very doubtful
whether it can be confirmed, as its opponents
seem resolved to talk il down. There are no
other objections to Mr.. Badger, than that he is
a Wing, and that his State is not in the circuit
for which he is nominated. The latter may be
a valid objection.
Every one now admits that Ericsson's Gallo
ric Motor is a great substantial improvement
the greatest Of the age since the application
of steam-to propulsion; and destined: perhaps,
for many purposes, 10 supersede the use of
steam. Some who fingered in their faith, have
finally given their assent to the great fact, no
longer deniable. The Committee on Naval
Affairs, of the House, are so far Convinced OF
the utility, if not superiority, Of the Caloric Mo.
tor, that they will report 4 bill appropriating
two and half millions Of dollars for building
a frigate and several small vessels of war with
the Ericsson movement. The advantage OF
this engine over steam are manifold. 1t occu-
pies a small space, and is of comparatively lit
lie weight. 1t leaves room for more stowage.
It is not likely to produce combustion by the
heat of the furnaces. 1t does not explode, and
| carry death and destruction around it, as steam
does. Arrangements are made for building
large vessels Tor the mercantile service on this
plan.
The British Navy is undergoing great aug
mentation III force, by the building of vessels
of war with the screw propeller, instead of the
side wheels. This plan was first invented
by Ericsson, and applied by him to vessels in
this country. The same propeller, together
with the Caloric Motor may, after a while, en-
tirely supersede steam and side wheels.
The best opinion is that Congress will moi
take any measure for commencing, at once, a
Rail Road frem the Atlantic to the Pacific
They may, il they do any thing on the subject,
authorize and request the President to cause a
survey to be made Of the country with a view
to the selection of the best practicable route,
and report the same to Congress at the next
session.
1t has been expected that the Senate would
atake up the bill for the payment Of the Texan
debt, but it has not yet been done. A great
number of spectators have an important inter-
est in this matter, and the bill will probably
pass.
MF. everett anu MT. CHAMPION nave agreed
upon the terms of a Commercial Convention
relating to the fisheries and the trade with Ca
NADIA. If the new British Ministry approve, it
may, before the end of this session, be offered
to Congress for the purpose of obtaining the
necessary legislative action, as well as the as
sent of the Senate, in its Executive capacity.
There cannot be a doubt that free trade with
Canada and free trade with Cuba, would great
ly promote the interests of American commerce.
A bill providing for the removal of duties on
tonnage is about TO be brought for
ward.