The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-10
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

we have to find with the reply is, that its state
ments are incorrect The Free State people o
Kansas are represented as in rebellion against
the General Government and unwilling to &C
cept the ballot.box as a settlement of difficult
ties This is sad mistake. All that the Free
State men ask is fair opportunity to vote
Why does not Mr. Buchanan giUe them this
chance, instead of stating that they will not ac
cept it?
The Lptelligemcer is strongly opposed to the
elective judiciary system, and has been writing
earnestly against it during the past week.
The Star of this city has the following pleas
ant item of news:
From information that has accumulated
upon US, direct from Kansas, within the last two
or three weeks, we have every reason to fear
that the Law and Order party of the Territory
may be defeated in the election of a Delegate
in the House Of Representatives of the United
States, soon to come off"
Our fears are Just toe reverse.
The NeaO York Enquirer says, in reference
to the Spanish-American question
"The last news from Madrid is not favorable
to settlement of the difficulties between Spain
and Mexico. But it is hardly possible that the
dispute can proceed to the length of a war.
Spain is in no condition to attack Mexico; and
if she were, could not hope to re-conquer the
country. She could wage hostilities in no other
way than by an invasion; and it is fact which
| no Spanish statesman can overlook, that the
| occupation of any part of the soil of Mexico by
a Spanish army would be the signal of active
interference by the United States. The latest
intelligence from Mexico clearly shows that
Government and people both look with conf.
dence to this country for aid, even in anticips.
ton of hostilties, and they are willing to as
sign to this Republic important privileges, and
even further slice of national territory, for a
present supply of cash"
The Administration unquestionably ia watch.
ing this matter closely. If Spain is so foolish
as to make war upon Mexico, this Government
will con.rive to have hand in it before it is
over with, and secure Cuba, unless European
Powers interfere.
We clip the following items respecting the
new Tariff and the Treasury Extension from
an exchange:
Notwithstanding the great importat ons,
| and the admission to entry during the month
| Of July Of vast amounts of merchandise sccu-
mulsted in the public stores during the pre-
vious quarter, the receipts Of revenue are not
in excess Of the average, and the surplus is
| gradually diminishing. There is no necessity
of devising new methods of depicting the
| Treasury. The tariff will produce not over
| 100000 900 during the current year, and all
other receipts will not exceed $4,000, 900. The
expenditures, under all heads are very heavy,
particularly so for the support of the army and
the naval establishments. Both military arms
are declared pets Of the Administration. They
| will absorb enormous sums. The public debt
is now reduced to $30000,0G0, and it will be
difficult to get in more than five or six millions
during the year but what is saved under that
head will be expended in Indian wars, public
buildings, &c.
"Very few people have an idea of the extent
to which the passion for magnificent public
structures is carried here. The Treasury ex-
tension, which was begun with moderate APP
preparation of $500, 900, has already swallowtd
$500, 600, and will require at least ) 500 900
in addition, to complete it. The principal d.
mansions of this building are 466 feet of length
on the east and west fronts, with porticoes and
steps at the north and south ends, extending
la feet further, making a total length of $50
feet. The breadth of the edifce will be about
800 feet, and its height four stories.
The Secretary of the Treasury has, on ap.
peal, recently approved the action of the Col.
lector of the port of Philadelphia, who charged
a duty of Is per cent. on chlorate Of potash "
and " sal scetosella."
The Secretary has also decided that the col.
lectors of Boston and New York properly az.
sessed duty of 10 per cent on "refned bo
rax;" and that the latter properly charged a
duty Of "a per cent. on "flberts," and 4 per
cent. on "sumac"
The resignation of Judge Curtis, of the Su.
preme Court, is generally felt to be matter of
deep regret. Boston correspondent of the
N. \. ECening Post says, in allusion to a ru.
NOR that Judge Curtis is to fill the Office Of
Chief Justice of Massachusetts,:
" If the occasion, however, of Judge Curtis's
resignation be the real one which is alleged.
VIZ that the salary was not large enough, | do
not see how his condition would be Improved
by entering upon the Chief Justiceship of Mas.
sachusetts, the salary of which is fifteen hun.
dred dollars lees than that which he is now re-
ceiving. 1t would do much, however, TO con-
sole Massachusetts for an irreparGbe loss, if |
Judge Curtis were to succeed Judge Shaw.
Z" 1t il said, however, that Judge Curtis has
q
upon the practice Of his profession"
1t is rumored that Secretary Toucey will he
appointed to fill the vacant seat upon the Su.
preme bench.
1t is evident, from the army orders issued,
that the Utah expedition is reduced to an es. |
cort for the civil officers who 90 out to Salt
Lake.
The Spanish Legation here feel certain that
there is no danger of a war between Spain and
Mexico.
On the 3lst ult., there were in the Treasury
$l9,683,l2l; increase, S395,564. Receipts
during the week, Sl,74O, 564, of which S64O, 900
are from lands. Drafts paid, $2O33,8 46; is |
sued, $l,344,666. The increase is from sales
Of the Delaware Trust lands, in Kansas. The
decrease is in the customs.
The War Department has received report
from the superintendent of the expedition to |
construct the wagon road from Fort Defiance,
dated FL Paso July "a. Mr.. Bsale writes in glow.
ing terms Of the success of the camel expert
ment. The War Department furnished him
with some of those animals (only three of which
were males) to be used as beasts of burden
he loaded them with 700 pounds each Of prov
ender for the mules. They bore the Journey
across the plains, eating little blu. bushes, pre-.
ferring to browse on them to grazing on the
best grass-far better than the mules of the