The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-08
WASHINGTON NEWS AND:GossIp.

received no Extra.
WASHINGTON NEWS AND. GossIP.
The letter writer's have had much to say
during the week about Colonel Kinney and his
expedition. One predicts that the expedition
viii never sail; another says, that q part of it
has already started from Corpus Christi an
other, that the British Minister here has sent
dispatches to the British squadron, to prevent
its landing in Central America; another that
a proclamation against it being contemplated
| by the Administration Colonel Kinney had an
interview with Mr.. Marcy. and treasured him,
by explaining that the arms at the National
Hotel were only models; that he had no ma
rauding or flibustering intentions; that the
arms they carried were for no other purpose
than that which induces emigrants to Kansas
and Oregon to bear arms, &C., &c. The Sec
rotary accepts the explanation, doubtless in
the belief that every gentleman harboring a
| flibustering project, will naturally avow it
II is said that the Colonel has already enrolled
1000 men and if his means allowed. could
secure an indefinite number
One day it is announced that Generals Cass
and Lane, and Mr. Latham of California, are
going to New Hampshire, to take care of its
| orthodoxy; but the next, this is contradicted,
and the pilgrimage is assigned to General
Lane, whose late encounter with Mr.. Farley
may give him great advantage as a missionary.
| General Houston, since his baptism and his
L al l. l. 49,
to be talked about. The great dimensions Of
the quill he writes with in the Senate Cham
Der are said to symbolic his aspirations. To
go to Boston, or not to go, has been the great
question with his friends. Some fear that he
might be subjected to impertinent questioning
on the Fugitive Slave Act; but others confde
in his faculty of parrying home thrusts, by
rhetorical tiourishes. The Know Nothings are
trying to make his path smooth to the Presi-
dency.
Lieutenant Hunter is dismissed from the
naval service. for leaving the Brazil squadron
without leave from the commander. The lieu
tenant was evidently under the impression that
the commander is rather behind the times.
Judge Mason, it is said, will probably resign
his position as Commissioner of Patents, and
it is rumored that Messrs. Dodge and Hem, of
Iowa, having been disposed Of by the Anti
Nebraska people, are to have habtations pre-
pared for them somewhere.
The Mesilla purchase, after all, has not Sc
cured complete route for the Southern Pacific
railroad, and it is understood that the famous
Mr.. Gadsden is employing his diplomacy again
for the acquisition of Sonora, Chihuahua, and
Lo.er California. 1t is further stated that
Mr.. Marcy has addressed him letter against
the project, intended to induce him to resign,
but has received quite pungent reply, Mr.. G..
| relying upon others in the Cabinet to sustain
him. Governors Bigler and Dudley Mann
have been named by gossip for the French
| mission, bat the Senate has not yet confirmed
the nomination of either. .
Colonel ManypennS being Methodist in
good standing, has preferred excoriating his
military assailants at Fort Leavenworth by
caustic letter, to mutlating them with cold lead
The correspondence, it is said, will soon be
out.
The committee on the yelled regency of the
Smithsonian Institute proceeds with its labors.
Professor Henry shows no disposition to Law
down his prerogative, as Censor General and
Absolute of American Science. This Smith
sonian Institution, unless dealt with plainly
and effectively, will in time grow into man.
moth abuse.
The Anti \ ebraska members Of Congress. it
is said, contributed literally towards paying the
one thousand dollars fine imposed on Mr..
Booth, of Wisconsin.
Senator Fish has left the city for the South
on account of i'll health.
The Administration is greatly puzzled to find
somebody to send to New Hampshire, to rep
resent its interests in the coming election 1t
is rumored that the Anti Nebraska men here
have received the most cheering accounts from
that State. Perhaps the Hon. Harry Hibbard
might be spared from his onerous duties in
Congress, to recover the State from the enemy.
One of the latest rumors is, that Mr. Mac
donald Of Maine, the only Nebraska member
from that State, is to be, or has been appoint
ed, Third Auditor.
Dudly Mann is reported to have resigned his
Office, as Assistant Secretary, the resignation
to take effect on the LIST of May ensuing
This step, it is further said, is dictated by con-
siderations connected with the Ostend Confer
ence.
The STATE OF THE UNION, being Com