The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-06
Affairs In Washington City.
[Coorespondence Of the poiiadelphia North Americ
WANING ron Feb, g. 1855

[Coorespondence Of the PaadelphiA North Amercan.J
WASHING ron, Feb. 2, 1854.
Washington politics are mixture OF facts and
fancies Among the latter class the report OF the
coup detot in Spain, and the proposed elevation to
the throne Of the Duke of Aloa, brosher-in,law to
the French usurper. l believe the rumor originates
in an amateur despatch from one Of the fighting
diplomatists at Madrid. The two Soues are al.
vel turous and chiVarous gentlemen, ami like them
both for resenting so promptly and CALAMITY the
snght att, mped to be put upon their relative. But
they have not little OF the French precipitancy in
politics as in wer and love.
The idea Of acquiring Cuba as the result of
Court intrigue il Madrid is absurd. The suggestion
Of sDpelsedipg Isabella by entbroning a brother OF
Eugene, is mcnstrous stretch OF Imagination.
Spain is disturbed, and will never be settled until
the quarrel between absolutisn aud coast ;utionat-
ism shiil be adjusted. The stupid interference OF
the great Napoleon In Spain, and his unprincipled
usmpation OF the crown for Joseph, we're his ruin.
His nephew cannot rival hi, brilliant achievements,
but he can avoid his foihes and errors The 6estruc
tion OF French armies in Spain was prelude and
cause of the disasters at Leipsic, the Russian cam
paign, and the capitalization of Paris. Louis Napo.
leon is about 10 90 TO war with Russia and probably
with Austria lie will not be guilty, ut such time,
Of the insanity Of sending armies into Spain to sup
port the bother of his wife in pretensions to royalty
which he knows would arouse to arms every span
lard from the Biddsssoa W the Rock oil Gibraltar.
Nevertheless, ! think 1t not improbable tlat Mr..
Soulc may have written home that II he can only
set by the ears the adherents Of the Queen and the
partIzans Of the Cariist aud Bourbon cause, he
secure Cuba to the United States in the confusion OF
the melee. But wiser aad profounder meu than our
Minister do not perceive the slightest probability of
such result. The opportunities Of purchasing the
island in the supposed contingency would be no bet
ter than they during the long civil war OF the
success On, which began In 1888, and ended only
with the mir ority Of the reigning Queen. During
three years Of that time Gen. Jackson ruled the ad
minsiration Of our government, and Mr.. Forsyth
was Minister In Spain, and an ADLER one we could
not have had. 1t certainly cannot be charged that
szfar
our foreign relations during that period Yet Cuba
was lot purchased. Ten or twelve years later Mr..
Buchanan offered one hundred millions of dollars for
Cuba, but the tempting offer was not looked at
Precedent and probability are all against the truth
OF the Tumor.
The proceedin7 s of yesterday in the House settle
the fate Of the bill for the prevention OF Interruptions
on railroads, aimed at the Eris people. 1t Is evil
dent that the bill cannot pass the House appears
to be about equally divided upon it but the COM
biration Of interests and opinion against it is too
strong 10 be overcome, and l doubt whether the
bin viii be taken up again. The New Workers and
ohfsus and the West generally, appeared too eager
.sg the passage OF the bill. Bus the united vote OF
Pennsylvania, joined 10 the power and influence Of
Maryland and Virginia, which are Interested in the
diversion Of trade from New York. and the general
sentiments OF the South against the coercion OF
State, rendered their zeal and ardor completely i'm.
potent Detroit and Michigan aided in the defeat Of
the measure, beause II is hoped that the Erie war
may ada t. the business Of their rail tie Cana
dian peninsula. Mr.. Orr, Of South Carolina, was
active and efficient in resisting the BILL aud may pos
sibly be- locking 10 strong Pennsy lvanian vote 10
he ext Congress for Speaker.
The aslec' of the affair is much changed by the
repeal OF the charter under which the obnoAious
read was built. II that repeal is valid aud coDclu.
siye as TO tire tight 20 use the improvement, then
the question is ended. II lot, the duties OF the Exc
cutiye to repres' the disorders by military
force, II that be required, - plain l understand
that the subject under consideration IN
the Cabinet ooay, but cannot learn tnas any
course OF action determined upon. The Jr,0u
furnishes 10 confirmation OF the statement tn II Uni.
ted States tr ops have been urdered 70 Erie. This
unfortunate occurrence will lead to investigation
If tie important question of the rights OF the States
20 regulate ard restrict the making OF roads aud the
Trans poraon OF passengers aud merchandise snrough
thcir teiritories Tne question ~ very Interesting
one for Narylaud and New jersey, wnicn derive
great revenue from taxes UPON travel and trade be-
tween States on either side Of them.
The minority If The comaittee on the Pacific Rad.
road have agreed TO the alleged bill proposing do
nations for three routes IL has nevertheless been
scsed 10 report IL that bs-is and 1t may be ex.
pecieo m TIE course Of the following week
The COMMITTEE 90 Post Offices and Port Roads
VIII re ont, Oh tuesday next bili for the di-con-
tinuanCe a. OIL contracts tor cauyitk the mas IN
ocean steamers, ans also FOR w.hdM~ing II Septem-
Der next the extra cor pensHtio1 u $40 0OO year
TO TIE Collins lie There Is bat little IN thai this
to the lowest bi DER or tht the scvernuent sli
take possession II the sl5&mtrs, they arc already
Authorized ~ do, std run thca 90 gc00nnt oi tne
department Tie same committees Will ICON report
bill ablishinr mai lice, ~ steamers, nom olu
Francisco 70 chan bae, M Chiua.
tCOustptnde1ee ri tte Bel i~ots Su7
WAsHISGToS, Feb. 9, 1854
Quite an animated correspondence Is taxing phase
ia the Washington papers on The subj Of tue Gaos
den treaty. Some Of The outsider, VINO expected to
De ain tn~n" as soon The treaty snoul1 get here,
speak Of the territory OF AtszoDis % being large
enough for tso slave States. and that II contains
"rich placers," which will be explored b negroes.