Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-01-17
Washington Correspondence.

discussion OF little interest to the coun,rv bn onI
attractive TO the crowd OF strangers througing
Washington has taken place in the Senate this week
General Casa and Mr.. Clayton have resumed their gad
torial contests and the merits and dement's of the CLAYTON
Bulwer treaty have been exhumed, much for the
instruction and entertainment of the public as for the per
sonal qualification of the former. IL will he rcmem
beed that at the extra session of the Senate In March
last Mr. Clayton who had just taken his seat administered
To the General OF the full tho old
Trckster ever received. One would naturally have
supposed that after receiving such an excoraton Cass
would have Kept quiet sor the future but seems he
smaried under the infection his habitua cunning and
prudence quite deserted him. He was rash enough To re-
new the controversy, but sufficiently proydent to
weigh well the strength of his adversary or prepare
himself thoroughly for the encounter. but speak the
general sentiment of all parties when say that Mr. Clay
tons reply on Thursday Last the most whitening and
overwhelming redtaon Of series of absuIdites and so.
phistres perhaps ever witnessed in the Senate wa,
present at the time, and really felt sorry for the old
General lie wTiggc worse than school boy suffering
under recent and severe iaggcaon But his palpat e
distress seemed to awake pity in the heart Of his
mentor The blows fell fast and faster aud were inflicted
with GOODNESS and deiberaton almost sickenng to be-
hold. What rendered his condition still more pitiabe
was the evident delight Of the cbivalry who seemed to
enjoy his di5treses with the go of old inquisitors
There is latent malice and unorgving spirit about these
gentry somewhat inconsistent with the lofty character they
affect, but no one question that each has the
spirit OF Bayard and Of they beyond the
reach of criticism.
The captivating influence Of the sPoIs together with
the fear OF the Brgaders dispeasue have proved too
uch Tor tue virtue OF the House oil Representatives The
bill comforting upon the President the appointment Of the
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury which passed tho
senate unanimously has been rejected In the House by an
almost strict party vote. few Democrats ouhd
who had the independence TO exercise freedom of
action, but the large majority Of them bowed down sub
missvey 10 the fiat Of Guthrie To my certain knowl
edge, several members voted against the bill who orgi
naly expressed themselves in favor Of ita passage But
their resolution not proof against the dread Exc
cntive and the hope Of proftng in the general
scramble for party rewards. Guthrie and his unscrupu
Hama anfall.t IT..ls
Of twenty millions under their CONTROL found Il no difficult
task TO overcome the feeble opposition which had been
raised against their veni and nsocn abuse ofanthory
After long, yexatous and inc xcusable delay the
Secretary OF the Interior has at last decided question
much interest ~ many persons in Virginia ! refer to
the construction which he has given TO the Of Congress
OF the Sls August 1852 making provision for the salts
faction Of Virginia Military Laud Warrants. The follow.
ing are the precise points determined by him:
si That he required by the act of Congress- lloro.
nghy to revise the proofs In cath case, and TO Judge whe.
ther the issue Ol the warrant by the authorities Of the State
OF virginia sanctioned 10y the laws Of that common.
wealth not but that in when his mind might
equally balanced nearly So his respect for the Judge.
ment Of the Executive of VTginis would induce him to
sustain it.
ID That the warrant, issued by Virginia, for the
services Of stewards aud other officers IN her
State navy, for the bounty apporlioncd to those Of
grade higher rank III the army, should be satisfied by tho
issue Of scrip il otherwise entitled.
3D. That no officer IL entitled to double allowance Of
bounty land
u
view, yet considering the equity likewise, those officers
who were transferred to Yginh by the Continental Con.
gess entitled TO the warrants issued 10 them by
Virginia.
6tb That snpernnmeray service, and what Is termed
dead service, will berecognzed ia accordance with the
views expressed by the Attorney General.
9th That tho act If Congress Of February &C. 1853 does
not apply TO these Virginia land warrants aud that they
| are assignable.
This decision Of the Secretary has Justly given great
dissatisfaction IL plaesa construction upon the phrase
reyison OF the proofs" which the trainers OF the law ne
yer Intended, and gives little no weight to the judicial
decisions Of the State authorities Tor the seventy
But Is well known fact that McCeeand ia bitterly
opposed TO all Virginia claims and those Interested have
reason TO congratulate Themselves that he not more
ilbera lie is devoted sycophant Of General Cas- and
will not soon forgot the treatment which that venerable
humbug met with at the hands Of the Virginia delegation
in tho last baltimore delegation SO thorough IA his dis
many months ago. he treated with great contempt and
distinguished himself by rapid aposlacy from hs Wing
faith Quite tart correspondence ensued between them,
but the convert democracy found il impossible
cope successfully with Cabinet officer and Locofoco oil
twenty years' standing.
The act OF Congress just referred TO- would executed
In just and liberal spirit bestow upon the people OF Va
half million Of dollars Most OF this sum would
be distributed in the tide water country and particularly
in the districts represented by ilusous Bhgadiels
the one famous for his martial proves In the court
house OF Accomac and the other for his heroic
tons In the dismal Of the Dismal Swamp. Bat
ne II has TO be administered by Michigan freesoe who
oathes the chiyary the constituents Of these renowned
heroes MAJ consider themselves forunse " they receive