The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-08

speaking very happy just now especially the large
itaction winch nails from this district The presene
administration Is gradually getting rid of the hard
bargains especially those who are auartered by
families upon Uncle Samuel The State Department
is the only building where there is no fear of a
clerks findng-to his hOrror-a yellow envelope on
his desk informing him that he has "leaye to with
draw" General Cass, good soul has no disposition
to trouble the Observation-Disclosures whom he found In
office, and wh0-with two or three exceptions-are
the veriest old grannes 10 the metropolis
The party at McGures last night was magni6
cent affair gotten up regardless OF expense and at
with unusual richness, and the diamonds worn in
profusiOn by Miss Saunders. the daughter of Mrs.
Postmaster General Brown would have been noticed
ut any European court.
The President gives his usual Congressional dinner
to-day, and surely he win be delighted when he has
gone through the list for il cannot be agreeable to
entertain those who are combating-Openly or by
sealthhis patriotic endeavors to carry out the true
principles Of our government. Secretary Toucey
also entertains large party at dinner to-day.
This evening Senator Trunbuli gives party at his
residence in Eighth street and there Is great curiosity
expressed as to whether Judge Douglas viii appear
among the Topekaites who will crowd the saloons Of
his colleague. Senator Trumbull is of the few
black republicans who "entertain,' although they
can be seen, like the locusts of Egypt, wherever
there is ything to be eaten or drank.
Chubb, the banker. has invitations out for a small
party tonight, and the Georgetown girls have been
invited to the house of Mrs. Semmes. Tomorrow
Is the drawing room" day at the White House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 1858.
Santa annals Replyto General PiAo,c- The Famous
Charge of PWo'c-7ne Facts in the Case.
The publication of Santa Annals reply to General
Pillow in the HERALD of yesterday has again
brought up here the matter of the $40 900 bride to
Mexican general. have received from gentlemen
who were in high position in Mexico during the war
some information in regard to the matter, whica,
throws much and new light upon the subject. There
is no doubt that all the parties who have published
letters thereon have told the facts far they know
them. and that all the generals Scott Quitman.
Hitchcock, Pillow and Santa Anna-have been truth
full in al they have stated, though perhaps none Of
them have told all they know, as the whole subject
was confidential one.
The following facts stablished-Proposition
relative to peace and a million of dollars, which
were preceded by certain military operations and
simulated battles. came from Santa Anna to Puebia
and were entertained by General Scott, who also
paid $40 ,000 down.
What were the purposes of the parties to these
transactions can only be deduced from the attendant
circumstances and their own partial acknowledge
ments The position of each must therefore be taken
into consideration. During the greater part of June
Gen. Scott was in Puebla. with but little over 900
men, large number Of whom were in hospital and
very short Of supplies. Pillow and Cadwallader were
on their march TO join him with nearly equal
number. but were much delayed by the heavy trains
they were conveying, and by the incessant attacks
of the guerrilla bands which Santa Anna had orga-
nzed after the battle of Cerro Gordo.
Santa Anna himself was in the city of Mexico Or
ganiZng armies which he had succeeded in
gathering to the number of "a 900 at that time.
The foreign traders there and particularly the Eng
fish bankers and merchants were in a sad state from
the operations of the war, and must become bank
rupt if peace were not obtained In the begin
ming of June Mr.. Bankhead. the British Minister,
had received note from Mr.. Trst seeking TO open
negotiations. The English interest at once proposed
the subject to Santa Anna, and he saw the military
advantages that he might derive from il. He had
fine army of $4,000 men already, which was con-
stantly increasing Scott had less than 5 900 ayaila
BILE men at Pueba, where the arrival Of Pillow and
Cadwallader was uncertain, as the guerrilla bands
might delay them long time. II Scott could be in
duced TO descend into the valleysf Mexico with his
small and i'll supplied force Santa Anna felt confident
he could beat him; and at all events il was better
for him to fight 900 men than twice that number.
These are undoubtedly the reasons that
induced Santa Anna to listen to Bankheads
propositions and to propose to negotiate q
peace after Gen. Scott should gain partial success,
which he proposed to let him do. If, however Santa
Anna should succeed in capturing Scott and his
small force he would end the war with glory and
any srtifce that should draw the American command
er into the snare was Legitimate. AZ il happened,
however, the negotiations were delayed; the sue
cesses OF the guerrilla bands not at all equal to
when Gen. Scott did descend into the valley. he had
about 10 600 men, with supplies for only few DAYS.
Santa Annals forces by this time were 36 900 men.
1t was SCOTS want of money and supplies that com
PEELED him To accept the armstice before the city OF
Mexico during which he got both out of the city.
From these facts it is evident that the plan of San
Ia Anna was good one. He was always well in
formed of the strength Of the American forces and
had he succeeded in delaying the march Of Cadwal-
lader and Pillow, and in decoying Scott into the val
ley OF Mexico he might have changed the fate of the
war As 1t was, SCOTS march from Pueba upon
Mexico Is looked upon by military men a. a most
dangerous movement, where all was put at stake.
II was only the unparalleled bravery Of the Ameri-
can forces that brought him safe through. These
the views of gentlemen of high position in tho
army, and they afford the only satisfactory solution
of the whole proceeding.
WAsurSGros, Feb. G, 1853.
Mr. Tdyior's Bin for Me Qualification Of the Patent
La,cs-Ahrofions Proposed By 1.-THE Pac,fe
Rdiiroad-1he BWr,porfed from the Senate Com
mihee-Mr. McKibbcn's Military Railroad Bills
The Tehrantepsc Route Bill, &c, SC.
The Patent bills recently referred TO the Commit
tee on Patents by Messrs. Taylor of New York and
Chafee, of Massachusetts,. have been harmonized by
those gentlemen. DIR. Chanees bill was one amend
atory only, while Mr. Taylor's bill was a complete
codificaton OF the patent laws passed from 1898
down 10 the present time. The amendments pro-
posed by DIR. Chaffees bill nearly similar to the
new features in Mr. Tayors. These gentlemen,
therefore, agreed upon Mr.. Taylors bill, with three
or four amendments taken from IN. Chanees bill.
II IL believed that this bill will now receive the sane
ton of the committee Of the House. It's features
are
!. u makes the Patent Office independent of the
Department of the Interior.
2. 1t increases the fees, TO meet increased ex-
penses.
3. II creates board Of three Examiners in Chief
W decide upon all applications for patents &C., 10
be presented TO them, with the references by tho
regular examiners. This feature Is designed 10 se
cure greater uniformity in granting patents. From
the decision Of this Board appeal may be taken to