The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-01-09
eerrespondenee Of fthe Baltimore SIM
w Asf'ISGTON, Dec. 81.

~ -'Si'tNNiON1 i(CC. 1.
As mentioned IN my last letter, which
fn!ed to reach you, the long delayed ap.
po'ntn'ent or Bfigadicr General, under the
act "f The hsse Congress, has been bestowed
upon General Perst.r +. Smith. Tie was
Nominated and confirmed Yesterday. It
Will be remembered that many Senators and
members voted forthe act, upon the suppo
s'tlon that Gen. Shields would have the
st'ommission-many others have since been
named, in the press, likely to receive the
honor, and among them Gen. Lane, of
Oregon, and Col. Seymour, now minister
III kuss'i'. The policy of selecting an Off
Ger from the regular service is, however very
wise, for promotion in the service is very
slow, while its duties are very arduous.
Intelligence has been received of the re-
election TO the United States Senate by Mr..
Mallory,of Florida. 1t is very gratifying
10 the numerous friends Of that gentleman.
WAsHINGroS, Jan. 2, 1857.
The Senate was short time iu session
to-day and the nomination Of Mr.. CIaxton,
us consul 1T Moscow, in Russia, WAS con
frmcd. The Senate adjourned over to
Monday. The House were engaged on pri-
ratc bills. On Monday next, it is expected
that business in both Houses will be pros
rccutcd in earnest. There arc, however
ten or dozen speeches vet to be let of in
the House upon the topics of the Presidents
message.
The subject of the tariff will probcbly be
taken up ON Tuesday, 18th. Meanwhile
the two propositions from the majority and
minority Of the committee on WAYS and
means arc much discussed in the press, and
the General impression is that either pro-
position, with some notifications, might bc
made to embrace all the essentials of what
Gen Jackson called 81 judicious tariff"
1t is agreed, OH ail sides, the revenue is
excessive and ought to be reduced, and in
this reduction the free list ought to be in
creased by the addition to it Of raw nlateri-
;'!s employed i'll reproduction.
Mr. Clay, of Alabama, gave notice of a
t'll to day for the repeal OF the fishing coun-
"'s: They were allowed originally as an
equivalent to tie duty OH salt, and were in
tended as an encouragement of the fisheries
as nursery of scamcn.
The artists are all busily at work PAINTING
pictures for the exhibition which they nro7
p"seto hold next month in large bnild
ing just erected by NJ. Corcoran, til. bank
er: lie proposes afterwards TO fit it up rs
library, fill it with books and present
1t TO an association Of young men.
There will also be {. mechanics fair omen
during the month preceding inauguration,
and 1t is pity that the fine arts and the in.
dustry of every State cannot be represented
twill be fine opportunity for artists
and manufacturers TO bring their product
ions before the crowds Of visitors from every
section who will throng here.
An ."inanguration Ball' is also projected,
and vii be given on scale worthy of the
occasion. military companies from several
distant States, with those nearer here, will
join the escort, and swell the pageant.
Prominent in the procession will be poiiii
cal club from Philadelphia, some five hun
dred strong, with music and banners.
Yours, ION.