Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-03
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.


report on the case Of Judge Watrous, of Texas
upon which they stand equally divided, 60 far
as the propriety of his impeachment is con-
cerned-fOur for it, and four against it. In
1852 the same House Judiciary committee
reported, after investigating portion of the
charges examined this session, that they did
not recommend his impeachment. At the last
session, the committee again had the subject
up, and reported in favor of his impeachment,
but at too late period of the session to permit
action on their report. For the last four months
the committee have held daily sessions, we be-
lieve, upon this single case, attending to no
other matters whatever. Their investigation
of it has cost the national treasury very
large amount of money for printing testimony
and bringing witnesses to this point Never in
the course of the existence of the Government
of the United States has any such case been 80
thoroughly pushed by Congressional COM
mittee.
To Mr.. George S. Houston, of Alabama the
committees chairman, great praise is Justly
due for the industry, legal ability and fidelity
with which he has presided over this long,
wearying, and at times vexatous and crimina-
tory investigation. Thus fairly earning the
reputation OF being, perhaps, the most efficient
and buslness-like chairman of the Judiciary
Committee of the Iouse-second to no other in
its importance to the welfare and rights of
society in our country.
1t Is not for us to express an opinion Us to
| the guilt or innocence of the accused, who,
| after this report we take it for granted, will
to-day demand Of the House a trial before the
Senate of the United States it being utterly
impossible that he can be useful as an United
States judge after the action of the three House
committees explained above in his case and
the notorious petition or petitions of the Texas
Legislature to Congress alleging a corrupt and
fraudulent discharge of his official duties until
the Senate of the United States the tribunal
Of last resort, shall have pronounced him
guiltless.
The FORT SMELLING CAsR-According to
our anticipation, the House yesterday, by
vote of nearly three TO one, entirely cxonerated
the Secretary Of War from the infamous impu.
tations sought to be cast upon him by the gang
OF disappointed spectators who got up the
Fort Smelling sale" charges. Few others ex-
ccpt members noted for the virulence of their
hatred to the Administration, were caught in
the trap of voting for the imputation upon one
| OF its members reported from the select com
| mittee. Those of the opposition who boldly
broke party bonds, scorning to be used by it to
| the extent of aiding unjustly to dishonor
gentleman without fear and without re-
proach, most worthily proved their own title
| to the reputation Of being gentlemen indeed
and earned the thanks of all who appreciate
the importance of the presence of high toned
gentlemen of all parties in the Congress of the
United States. The upshot of the days work
| was vote laying the whole subject on the
table
FURTHER OUTRAGEs-The rumor that an
other American vessel was fired into by Brit
ish cruiser off Pensacola, Fla. and one man
killed, is confirmed by more recent adyices. to-
gether with the statement that the U. 5 steam
er Fulton, Capt. Almy, had gone in pursuit of
the belligcrent vessel, with the intention of
capturing and bringing her into United States
port. Ere this collision has probably oc-
CURED between the two, for we learn that the
naval officers sent to the beleagured seas had
positive orders to protect American merchant
men, even II an encounter was inevitable; and
from the determined and patriotic character Of
Capt AImy 1t is not TO be supposed that he
would torego prompt and complete obedience TO
such instructions, on account of squeamish ap
prehensiOns that his conduct might not be JUS
tilted by his government and countrymen in
the absence OF declaration Of war between
this country and Great Britain Further in
telligence from that quarter is anxiously
awaited.
The GREAT SOUTHWESTERN LINE OF TRAVEL
1t will be perceived by an advertisement in
another column, that tho great Southwestern
enterprise IN the way of through line of trave.
shortening the time required to pass between
this city and New Orleans to four days and six
hours, has at length been fairly inaugurated
On the evening of the LIST inst, the first through
train LETT Alexandria. For some weeks before
the trip had been regularly made in the time
we mention above, though no publication of
the schedule inviting the patronage of passen-
gers was made before to-day. No other rail-
roads in America are more delightful to trave
on, than those of this great through connection.
We are very sure that on the adjournment Of
Congress especially, it will carry off from Wash
ington an avalanche of passengers
NAvAL.-Ihe steam frigate Wabash, und.
orders for the Gulf sailed from the Quarantine
anchorage, New York on the 1st inst She is
bound direct to Jamaica, the rendezvous Of the
British West India squadron.
The steamer Arctic, Commander Uartstene.
was spoken on the 3lst ult ten miles north of
Hatteras, by Capt. Watson, of steamship Mem
phis, from Charleston for New York.
The sloop Plymouth has arrived at Norfolk
to complete her outfit for the Gulf She carries
one ll-inch pivot gun and four 9-inch broad
side guns, all Of the Dahlgren pattern, and her
officers are enthusiastic, saying that the Ply
mouth is capable of bringing in two or three
vessels like the Sty1.
The WILLErr's PoiNT PURcHAsE.-It is
now known that Mr.. Haskin, the originator
H. hnr . L.