, 1853-10-29
Interesting Lelter from WashingtOn.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 1853.
Summer is over, according to the Alma
macs, but matters at the capital still wear
the uninlercsling aspect Of the dog days.
Political affairs are essentially dull. The
only developments of interest are connected
with the State Department. Secretary
Marcy has certainly cut loose from old fo-
gyism, and unites earnestly with the Presi-
dent in laying out and asserting new princl
pies of American law, well calculated 10 re-
joice the hearts of Young America. The
kostza affair at Smyrna bids fair to be the
occasion of great good TO the world Sew
eral most important questions have arisen
in connection with it, which are now quite
sure Of settlement. lfAusiria carries out
her insane idea of demanding redress for the
conduct Of Capt lngrabam at Smyrna, or if
she insists on having Martin Koszia delivers
ed into her custody, she will get another
Hulseman letter, together with the only
thing in which thai admirable production
was defcient-an offer of passport TO her
Minister al Washington.
am well satisfied now that it is the in
tention Of the Administration to announce
the principle that man who has " declared
his intention to become q citizen of the
United States" according 10 law, shall be
protected equally with the native born citi-
zen wherever he may go; that is to say, the
moment the foreigner takes the oath of tn
teatiOn, the flag of the United States isover
him and will follow him and protect him so
long as he violates no law OF the country
in which he may travel or sojOuTn. This
is a glorious doctrine. True, it is a long
step and novel one-lar in advance Of the
principle recognized in our past history (;
but il is doctrine the whole country will
sustain as one man.
Another great American principle will
now have clear, distinct and decisive vim
dicalion, viz: The principle that every
man has a right 10 expatrate himself and
select for himself bis new allegiance. We
asserted that principle in 1912, and the
country bled for it, but it has never been
acknowledged abroad, nor have we eOmpell-
ed its acknowledgement. The time has
come to settle the question, and, depend
upon it, il will be settled, and that in &c
cordance with tue inalienable rights Of man.
The German and Irishman, Hungarian or
Pole, who visits his native land after hav-
ing taken even the first step towards Acqui-
ring American citizenship, will hereafter be
held subject 10 none Of the exactions imposed
by tyranny upon its vassals. He is an
American-a freeman, and no accident Of
birth can incapacitate him from choosing
A ~ eN.N Of Traa1nna I naaI ma
upon the many interesting and important
results which must fow from the assertion
by our government Of such bold and noble
truths as these they will be evident 10 all
who give the subject any thought.
Hon. r.. ]. Walker has just returned
here from New York, and expresses his ear
nest desire and positive intention to proceed
on the Chinese mission as soon as he can
get off, all the statements in the New York
papers to the contrary, nolwithstsnding.-
The only difficulty which exists is that Of
getting vessel 10 carry him, which have
remarked upon in former letters. The
steamer SaTaDac is now nearly ready for
sea, and will probably be put at his disPo-
sal. The Government here has news from
China, confirming the statement that sew
eral distinct and entirely independent rcvo-
lutionS are in progress there-all, however,
under the same guiding influence Of "Chris-
iianiiy." If this is true, The revolution will
probably result in the division Of the empire
into several separate states or sovereignties.
The importance Of having Minister on the
spot at the earliest close Of the war, is rem
dered dOubly apparent in view Of these
facts. II is much to be feared that we shall
be behind in this matter, and that British
diplomacy, taking advantage Of our absence,
will secure precedence over Us in facilities
for securing the rich trade of The mighty
East But the Administration felt that the
present was not an emergency which would
justify them in taking a vessel from any of
the line of steam mail sea service, and ,ap-
propriating il to Mr.. Walkers use.
No appointment Of Minister to FrAnce
has been made yet II is now positively
understood that Dix is moi TO have il. Hon.
Howell Cobb, Of Ga, is spoken Of, but il
be is himself 10 be believed, the place has
not been rendered TO him, and he will not
accept il il offered. He looks upon his
chances Of being sent 10 the U. S. Senate as
very good, and prefers that position TO any
other. Hon. Francis B. Cutting, Of New
York city, stands the best chance of taking
this prize, and have little doubt he will
secure it,
Hon. Carroll Spence, Of Nd, has been
appointed Minister Resident at Constanti-
nopIe. His appointment is popular one
at home, but he has yet to show any fitness
for position Of so much responsibility.
The Cuban question has not changed
much, if any, since my last. The cores
pondence between Lord John Russell and
Minister Champion on this subject, has ex-
cited a good deal of attention. 1t is not
true that Mr.. Marcy has written a reply to
Lord Russell. There was no opportunity
for such reply but whenever the occasion
nresents itself. | have no hesitation in assu-