Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-29
FROM WASHINGTON CITY.

COrrcsPonf'nce ~ N" Rtrhm0hd Eh4"rrr.I
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1858
The attention Of Congress seelns to be turned al
most exclusively to the investigation OF frauds real
or supposed, and to the arrest Of pecuation end e1
travaxauce 10 the expenditure of public money An
unprecedented number Of special committees nr.
now engaged in examining into charges Of corruption
sranst members OF Congress, their principal Off
cers One only. believe, looks to Executive action,
and that is engaged in investigating the facts con
nected with the sale OF the Fort Snslliug reservation
II will be recolIected that the Black Republican pe-s
of the North raised the hue and cry of fraud and pecu.
lstun, charging that Fart Smelling had been frandn-
ently cold by the distinguished Secretary o. War.
with view to lining his own pockets with gold or
filling the Golfers OF his friends. An exmaiDation int"
thee charges was ordered by Congress, and large
amount of testimony has already been taken bet"r.'
the committee all vi which rsbuts the idea Of fraud
sc.ters the charges Of corrnption and proves tI..
snIs TO have been fair aud honorable il not udcous
So much for Black Republican charges OF fraud
On the other hand 1t is anticipated that the com
m,tes to investigate the charge, that money was
used procure the passage Ut the present tarl viii
Disclose melancholy state of morals on tue Repub
licau side of the House. Ii il now believed that
money was furnished Speaker Banks with which Il"
buy up his party friends who might prove refractory.
and secure them Tor the bill. Much anxiety ia irlt
relative 10 the facts which the committee will proba
bly, bring to light by the investigation.
The Lecompt0a Constitution has arrived, and il ir
the determination OF President Buchanan to press il
acceptance upon Congress, and AIN etiil nciIned Ia
believe that, the public mind being weared with The
subject, iIlers will be general acquescence and
Kansas will be admitted. There may, and probabl,
will be provisions lnade by which the peuple will u
guaranteed all that the opponents OF ihe Lecompf"h
Consttutiun claim for them; that ste right 10 Vote On
the whole Constitution ard rn adopt ar re- acf slavery
a. they plsase this inestimaE.e right to exercised
after the Stats becomes "a sovereign member OF The
Coufederacy. Gov. Walker and Secretary Sian!"a
are both here but learn that they will remain neu
tral in the contest, and let Judgment 90 by default.
They too. are sick Of the controversy aud hr. Will
ing TO have il settled. incline to the opinion thai
Kansas will he State before the adjournment of h
present session of Congress.
The fight over the printing bills Is becoming higliy
interesting and tbs public will likely be made ac
quainted now with the reckless extravagaDca which
has mark I'd Cong ressinna action IN this particular
The Committee of Ways end Means reported a b
asking al appropriation of serea hnnd,m Monsdn"
oliGix 10 meet the dciency fr the printing OF tl'
last Congress. This the lIoHse refuses TO vote un
bill of items s presented. The engraving oi I'll,
ga plate, representing pear. i. snid to have cost
sl0.G0O. What muet have been the cost OF Tie
snak es and lizardsl
The grand jfc given at the elegant residence of ih"
British Minister on Monday evening. in honor OF the
marriage of the Princess Roya! of England. exce'i"d
anything of the kind ever before witnessed here
The Ministers OF foreign governments appeared IN
full court dress re did also the ladies OF their LAM
les Tue American Otiicers were in uniform, and the
throng was dazzngly brilliant, and critically selsct
Mrs Lsne of the "Whire House" was led t" the
dance by Lord Napier. The supper Wa in keepin:
with the character OF the eneftantnsnt; Lazy IN
pier first entered escorted by Secretary Toucey-".
lowed by Miss Lsne on the arm OF the British MINI
ter. The festivals were kept UP till O'Clock III the
morning. kaPPAHANNoe"'