San Andreas independent., 1858-02-20
ARRIVAL OF THE
JOHN T.. STEPHENS !!
Fifteen Days Later from the Atlantic
States and Europe!

cisco on the evening of the 4th inst, with
dates from New Orleans and New York to the
10Th ult, and l6s passengers in the cabin and
33s in the steerage. We collect from eastern
papers, the following abstract of news
Congressional.
On the 18th January q Message from the
President was received in the Senate. in re-
sponse to q call for information relative to re-
cent events in Nicaragua. This message of
course, relates exclusively to the arrest Of Gen.
Walker. The course of the Administration
may be gathered from the following paragraphs
in the Message. Mr.. Buchanan saws
'ln regard to Nicaragua, she has sustained
no injury by the act OF Com Pauldng. This
has Injured to her benefit and relieved her from
dreaded invasion. She alone would have
any right to complain of the violation of her
territory, and it is'qnite certain she will never
exercise this right. 1t does notlie in the mouth
OF her invaders to complain in her name. She
has been rescued by Com. Paulding from their
assaults. The error of this gallant officer con-
sists in exceeding his instructions ana landing
his sailors and marines in Nicaragua. whether
with or without her consent, for the purpose
OF making war upon any military force what
ever, which he might find in the country, no
matter from whence they came. This power
certainly did not belong to him." X
disguise 1T as we may, such a military ex-
pedition is an invitation to reckless and law
less men to enlist under the banner of any adj
venturerer to rob, plunder and murder the un-
| offending citizens of neighboring States who
have never done them harm. 1t is an usurpa-
ton of the warmaking power which belongs
alone to Congress and the Government, at
Iao fl,aa of
an accomplice in the commission Of this crime,
unless it adopts all the means necessary to
prevent and to punish it,"
In the House, the debate on this Message
was protracted and general. Messrs. Sickles
and Haskins for the President-Messrs. Ste
phens of Georgia, Quitman and Keitt, on the
other side.
In the Senate, MeSsrs. Seward, Doolittle and
Pearce sustained the President-while Messrs.
Toombs, Davis, Douglas, Crittenden and Brown
took the opposite ground.
In the Senate, on the 18TH petition for the
establishment Of te!egraphic line from Mis-
souri, to the South Pass uia Fort Laramie, was
presented.
Mr.. Houston gave notice of bill to provide
for the admission of Kansas into the Union
The Kansas bill of which Senator Houston has
given notice, proposes to submit both the To-
peka and the Lecompton Constitutions to the
peoples vote, either for or against and the ad-
mission of Kansas with either, if accepted. If
neither is accepted, the bill authorizes a new
Convention. The General says that his pur-
pose is to secure the fullest expression of pop
ular sovereignty.
The appointment of Mr. Clifford, of Maine
as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, in
place of B. Il. Curtis, resigned, was confirmed
r.. y
The appointments to nearly all the impor-
tant Consulates, together with the Commits
sioner to the Sandwich Islands, were confirm
ed. Among the appointments confirmed was
that of Gov. Bigier as Minister to Chile.
The most important news from Washington
is the Introduction ia the Senate, January 9th,
by Mr.. Gwin, the Chairman of tie Comttee on
the Pacific Railroad, bill on that subject.
The bill proposes to locate the road at a
point on the Missouri river, between the Big
Sioux and the Kansas rivers thence running
to San Francisco on the most eligible route
In aid of the construction of the work alter
nate sections of land on each of the roads are
to be granted, and Sl2 500 advanced OH the
completion of every twenty-five miles of the
track, until S25 900, 600 dollars are expended,
the amount to be reimbursed in mail services,
the transportation of the troops and munitions
of war. The President is to receive the bids
and make the contract for twenty years. Five
per cent. of the stock is to be issued.
In Executive session the Senate confirmed
the appointment of Mr.. Lamar as Minister to
Nicaragua, and that of Gen. Denver as Cover
nor of Kansas.
The Senate Territorial Committee reported
in favor of admitting Minnesota with her pres
ent Constitution. The Southern Senators will
oppose the admission until the Kansas ques-
ton assumes some definite form.