The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-10
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON Ian T. 1851

WASHlN0rON, Jan. u, 1000
The Brig Gen. Armstrong-C Character Of the Claim.
In the House of Representatives yesterday the blu for
the relief Of the claimants in the Of the brig Gen.
Armstrong, was, by unanimous consent, transferred
from the Committee of the Whole the State of the
Union, to the Committee Of the Whole House. This
CUES well for this long neglected but mertorious claim
and inspires the hope that justice, though tardy, will
be done the claimants this by the present Con-
gress In the Of the heirs the Baron De Kalb
As the Of the Gen. Armstrong has excited gen.
era interest throughout the country and has been the
subject of much diplomatic correspondence word here,
in explanation Of the facts, may not be smiss.
The Gen. Armstrong was an American private armed
brig, commanded by Captain Samuel, @. Reid, and
while at anchor the trail port of Faya belonging
to the dominions of Portugal attacked by the gun
boats Of large British squadron in violation Of the
laws Of neutrality.
The squadron consisted of the Pantagenet guns
the Rota Of A guns and the brig Carnaon Of Is guns
The American brig carried only seven guns and ninety
men After a defence unparalleled in the history OF
naval warfare the Americans sustained loss Of two
killed and wounded; while the loss of the enemy
in killed and wounded, was between two and three hun
dred.
Out of this gallant engagement which reflects such
imperishabe renown upon our naval prowess the
claim the full and entire ~ vbc us ss
by Mr. Madison, on the Sd of January 1885, and
serted by Presidents Monroe Jackson Van Buren, Tyler
and Taylor. The only difficulty in the way Of allow
Of the claim, has been construction
placed upon the made by the Emperor Napoleon
when umpire between this govern ment and Portugal
ed much Of the opposition, and Congress will mee
out justice to those gallant men. The committees of
both houses have reported unanimously in favor of the
claim. E.
WASHINGTON, Jan. o. 1855.
The Glorious Eighh-The Convention Of the Soldiers Of
1s12-Nothing Doing at the Capitol.
Yesterday one of the stirring days in city;
every street and enlivened with the sounds
OF martial music, and the heavy tramp Of the citizen
soldiery heard every hand. The volunteer reg-
ment of the District of Columbia was on parade an
early hour, and presented fine, soderlike appearance
The Highlander, with their beautiful uniform of
Scotch plaid, the observed of all observers In ad
dition to the usual parade this national anniversary
had long procession of the old soldiers of the
concert Of action in petioning Congress for relief Five
hundred and sixty Of these veterans, including
dozen New York Indians and old negro, with his
martial cloak around him. in attendance upon the
convention which organized yesterday by the appoint
ment of Judge Sutherland of Pennsylvania, Presi.
dent and sundry vice presidents from all the States of
the Union. With the whole volunteer regiment for
escort the delegates to the convention proceeded to pay
their respects to the President of the United States but
at five O'Clock, again assembled in the Fourth Presbyte
lucky, chairman Of the committee appointed for the
purpose reported series Of resolutions IA copy Of
which send you, and supported them by most ine
resting speech, in which he narrated some thrilling
written incidents of the late Various other speeches
made during the evening, and the convention ad
journed to meet again to day.
Nothing done at the Capitol yesterday and, there
FORE find but little of interest to communicate in the
way of Congressional items Both houses Of Congress
in session again to day. and business will not be
again interrupted during the session L.