Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-04
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.


in Washington with the belief that there is to
be no general war in Europe over the difficulty
between Turkey and Russia. They think that
it now being evident that France and England
VIII surely fight for the Sultan if he be pressed
further, the Car will speedily withdraw his
forces and consent to any settlement that may
be necessary to avert general war, out of
which he cannot possibly come better off than
on going into it, Yet the impression that the
general European war can be long ayerted
does not prevail in this city among American
OF foreign statesmen. Louis Napol cons plans
and ambition are supposed to be such as not
long hence to produce the active hostilities to
which we refer above. He is we'll known to
have designs on Belgium and Spain, which
will be forcibly resist ed, of course and it is
also thought that he wants war for France as
means of strengthening himself and his
dynasty on the French throne. He is credited
here by such parties. with strong propensity
to enact the scenes throughout Europe which
characterized the career Of his uncle. With
desire so to do, which will surely prevent
him from stopping to count their probable cost
to his country and to Europe at large. Indeed
ne is credited with being a fatalist to such an
extent, as to render it very certain that he is
moving every thing at his command, to bring
about u state of things out of which he cannot
come safely without the divine interposition in
his favor, he really anticipates.
General Average in the Goyernment,s
transactions. obligation to contribute
towards loss sustained by some for the bene.
fit of all, does not depend on the terms of any
written instrument between the parties. but
upon general rule of maritime law-the rule
being operative in all cases, unless excluded
by express stipulation of the parties; and prop
erty of the Government, it is held in the De-
partments here, must contribute toward .sgen
eral average" under the same circumstances
and to the-same extent as that of private -indi-
viduals.
The Gadsden Treaty.-Therc has evidently
been long and earnest consultations in cabinet
meeting over the propriety of submitting this
convention to the Senate. Half dozen ses-
sions have been devoted to it, it is believed by
those in Washington connected with the press
We apprehend that the prospectfor its submits
sion is by no means bright We should not be
surprised if it turns out that the condition of
affairs in Lower California, generates much of
the lndisposiliOn to close with Santa Anna s
government on the terms OF this treaty. which.
we think, the President entertains So long
as Mexico holds that territory, nominally,
without being able to do aught for its protec-
ton against the wild spirit of aggression which
affects all new populations, American included,
so long will it be subjected to such inexcusable
forays as that of Col. Walker. 1t lies ada
cent to those of our people furthest from the
control of the General Government, and most
disposed to forget the rights of defenceless ter
ritory adjacent to them. There is probably a
strong desire on the part of the President to
remove this cause Of interminable difficulty
with Mexico, whenever another treaty may be
finally concluded with her: The Gadsden
treaty fails to do this, it seems to be admitted
by all; while the impression that, but for the
state of things il that quarter arising out of
tie trouble in inducing Mexico to have included
Lower California in the transfer of territory
embraced in the treaty recently negotiated.
Under such circumstances, we have taken up
the idea that most of the hesitation to COM
municate it to the Senate, is in connection with
this Lower California question. However diff
cult it may be to permanently check " alker
in that quarter, while Congress entertain their
indispOsition to grant men and money to the
Executive for such purposes, peace can be
restored there, for time at least by vigorous
application Of the means now ut command
Our belief is, that they will promptly be
applied thus; and that after restoring Mexico
to all her rights there, the negotiations for a
general treaty, to embrace the cession of
Lower California, will be renewed and prose-
cuted with success. The Mexican Government
arc proverb ially affected with the pride at the
foundation of the Mexican character, and will
be far more likely to hearken TO overtures from
the United States for that region, when its
may be questionable whether its sovereignty
over this particular territory is not merely
nominal.
The Caucus on the Bill-We learn that a
consultation or caucus of the Sena tors, friends
of the Nebraska and Kanzas bill, was held
yesterday morning. Thirty nine or forty mem
bers of the Senate were present They were
not distinguished by party affiliations or by
any sectional classification. 1t was decided
that a fair chance should be given to the oppo-
nent Of the bill to debate it fully, but that the
bill should be passed to u decision without de-
Icy, and in preference to all other business be-
fore the Senate. We presume that a like policy
will be adopted in the House, and that on the
passage of the ill by the Senate, it will be
taken up Immediately in the House, and if its
supporters have the strength, as is not doubted,
all other business will be postponed to it. This
is wise course, as Congress shall then 60 On
and settle the other matters before it without
this exciting subject creating obstacles to calm
and dispassiOnate ,nsideration. We are in
formed that another consultation of Senators
was held this morning. @ -f -
An Assignees Fights Before the Govern.
ment.-If an Officer Of the Army (who is for.
hidden by a regulation Of the War Depart
ment, made in conformity with the law, from
passing away or transferring his account for
an account not actually due at the time,) shall