Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-18

yer, he rarely participates in debate excep,
on points incidentally arising. With his DO.
litical friends he exercises great influence
being written down to be by far the shrewdes,
and most successful party manager on the on.
position side Of the chamber. On all ones.
tions, whether connected with the slavery
issue or our foreign relations, he will, Of
course, be found struggling for the ascendancy
of the Republican party policy.
Mr.. Sherman, Of Ohio, a new member, form.
erly Wing, is now a staunch Republican.
During the contest for Speaker, he addressed
the House on different occasions, acquittipg
himself we'll; so far, however, there is no tell
ing the extent of his attachments or mind We
may safely add that he has evidently had a
preliminary training sufficient, with such an
aptitude as he evidently possesses, to make
him in time an effective member of the House
Mr.. Burlingame is young gentleman who
emigrated from Wisconsin to Boston, not very
long since For some FIVE or six years past
his name has frequently appeared conspicu-
ously in the newspapers in connection with
anti-slavery lectures, conventions, fairs, &c. !;
and, year ago, in connection with the Know
Nothing movement, Of which he was for a time
a shining light. He "let" that "slide," how
ever, when Senator Wilson turned his back on
it. At present there is not a more ardent Abo-
litionist in the hall, than Mr.. Burlingame;
though, So far, he has not essayed to partici-
pate In debate-a mark Of good sense, rare
In young gentlemen who manage to get
into Congress on such political antecedents as
his. Judging from his reputation at home,
and the fact that being but a new settler, COM
parativeIy, in Boston, he has contrived to work
his way into Congress, we presume he must be
man of emphasis Of character, and talents
withal. As, under ordinary circumstances, the
district he represents would be the last to send
a norus homo to Washington, even under the
influence of the excitement lately raging there
against the Irish and the Catholic religion.
MIR. Thurston, of Rhode Island, has already
served four years in Congress. He was first
elected as Democrat; then as an anti slavery
Democrat; and last as q Know Nothing. He
has always been, in the Hall, protectionist
Naturally, he is anything in the world but an
Abolitionist or an advocate for religious or
nativity distinctions between citizens of tho
United States. The truth is, being man of
wealth, leisure, and personal popularity, he
likes to be in Congress; and caring hardly the
snap of finger about politics, any way, he is
perfectly willing, nominally to adopt any
phase on questions, which, for the nonce, dis
turb and distemper the popular brain, for the
sake Of coming back to Washington When
here, he troubles himself in no manner about
politics; taking care, however, to vote on all
political questions, what he fancies to be the
sentiments of his constituents We really
think that such is the only fixed political aim
of Mr.. Thurston. He is among the most pop
ular men in the House; being frank and gen.
erous in his bearing towards all with whom he
is thrown in contact. He rarely troubles the
House with interference with aught but bust.
ness specially committed to his guardianship,
to which he attends faithfully. We write him
down asmoderate Republican, so far as the
slavery questions to come up are concerned.
Yet he will not 60 with the Republicans in the
Presidential contest, or we are much mistaken
in the man.
Lieut.. Harrison, q. 8. r. MI seems
that this young gentleman, who, by the by,
belongs in Washington city, has distinguished
himself not little in the current Indian war
on our Pacific coast.
The following report, bearing on his services
against the hostile Indians of Washington
Territory, reached the Government here by
the last Pacifc-coast mail
U. S. REV. CUTTER JEFFERSON DAVIS, !
Steilacoom, w. T., Dec. 80, 1855.
SIR: have the honor to inform you that L
arrived here to-day from Seattle, with the re-
naming men Of the late Lieut. Slaughter's
u 5. Al cOmmand-they having returned
under the command of Second Lieut.. Harri-
son, of this vessel, under orders of Capt Keyes,
commanding Fort Steiacoom.
These men fifty one in number) will be de-
livered at the fort to-day by Lieut. Harrison,
when he will return to duty on board.
The gallant conduct Of Lieut. Harrison is
deserving of great praise. He has been on.
gagged in two encounters with the Indians, in
both Of which he has acted with great cool
ness and bravery.
l have the honor to be, sir, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
VIZ. C. PEAsE, Captain.
Hon. JAS. GUTHRIE, Sec. of the Treasury.
Walker and his Government. Is e.-
tremely difficult to obtain reliable information
from Nicaragua. Walker has about him sun