The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-18
WASHINGTON ITEMS,

! WASHINGTON ITEMS.i
Notice has been given, ~ the British Post Office
of the conclusion of postal convention between
Great Britain and the Republic of Liberia
which establishes combined British and Libe
rian rate of six pence the half ounce letter as
the charge for the conveyance of letters posted
in one country and delivered in the other, afte,
the LIST of April next, prepayment Of ,ohich i.
made compulsory.
The Government of Liberia having expressed
desire that letters originating in the United
States addressed to Liberia, as we'll as letters
originating in Liberia addressed to the United
States, and forwarded through Great Britain
may be fully prepaid in either country to thei,
destinations, regulation to that effect has beer
adopted by the United States and British Pos
Office Departments.
The postage, therefore, to be levied in the
United States upon letters addressed to Liberia
cia England, after the LIST of April next, viii
be 33 cents the single rate of half an ounce OF
under, prepayment repaired.
There was lively time in the House last
Friday, when the appeal of Mr.. Harris came
up by special order. The galleries were crowd,
ed, and there was some earnest and fine speak
ing.
"Ion," of the Baltimore San, says, in refer,
ence to the contest in the House last week, Fri,
day, over the appeal of Mr.. Harris
AT two o'clock, it was discovered that the
entire Anti-Lecompton strength was present,
Mr.. Matteson was present Mr.. Hall had re-
sumed his seat. Mr.. Clark B. Cochrane was
the only Anti. Lecompton absentee, and he paired
off for q week with Mr.. Keitt. If the South
Americans should hold the ground taken, it vii:
require all the strength and vigilance of the AID.
ministration side of the Kansas question to carry
the Kansas bill. The Democratic absentees
will, of course, have an ample time to attend
even supposing that the Senate should pass tn.
Kansas bill next Wednesday.
off the House should go into general dis
cussion of the bill, and al the incidental ques
tons that may be raised in regard to it, the
spring will pass without action on the subject
The only plan for the Administration majorit,
to pursue is to collect their force, and put tn,
bill on its passage as soon as it shall be receiv.
ed from the Senate"
1t is we'll for the Opposition to understand
the tactics of the Administration, and be pre-.
pared for every emergency.
While all the Northern Lecompton journals
are contending that the people of Kansas can
change their Constitution whenever they please,
should Congress force the fraudulent one upon
them, the most ofthe Southern journals are con-
tending for just the opposite. We make the sub
joined extract from a; letter of the Hon. Mr..
Maynard, member from Tennessee, to the
Tammany Lecompton meeting in New York:
"But must protest against the doctrine, so
reluctantly inculcated by many, that when ad
mitted to the Union the people of Kansas have
nothing to do but to overthrow their Constitu-
ton, abolish Slavery, and inaugurate Freedom.
A very general idea prevails in the Northern
States, that when Slavery and Freedom in
the cant phrase of the day, come in collision,
the latter, by it's mightier potency, will inevita
bly, prevail. The distinguished author of the
Kansas Nebraska bill doubtless entertained the
same idea, and believed that BY the principles
of that bill all the remaining Territories would
eventually become free States and that he
would be hailed everywhere through the North
as the great apostle and martyr of the holy
evangel of Freedom But the course of events
in Kansas seems likely to overturn this cher
ished idea, and to demonstrate its utter fallacy,
thus depriving him of sll claim to apostolic re.
nown-though it is quite probable he may be
honored with place ia the pages of political
martyrdom. If Kdns4s IS admitted as slape
State. under the LecoBspton Constitution, as
fully beleUe she sciu be, she aou be perry sure to
continue q SLAVE Stat. A large and substan,
iial emigration will f,w in from the other slave
States, taking with them their slaves the set.
tiers already there, whatever may be their
present sentiments, viii fud their preudices
| against Slavery disarrned by contact with it,
will see that they have been fighting phantoms,
| that have no existence except in the heated
| brains of enthusiasts and fanatics, and will lie.
the subject drop-leave it where their Consti.
tuition leaves it."
The New Hampshire Democrats know what
has killed them, and throw the responsibility OF
their defeat upon the Administration. The
| New Hampshire Patriot says:
"The Kansas question has again crushed us
with its ponderous, blind, unreasoning. power
Before the Lecompson Constitution question
was brought before :he country, our prospect
for success were highly fattering our triumph
seemed to be certain; that matter, with the
course of the Admipistration upon it, fell like
a wet blanket upon the rising courage and
earnest zeal of our friends, and from that da,
we we're doomed; cur defeat was certain, aud
apparent to all we'll informed persons"
The Hutchinsonss who gave a concert q
Saccarappa, Me-, On: Monday evening, weri
wayaid by robbers on their return to Portlant
at the close of the performances, but escapes
without any loss.
Mohammed Pashs has been made "son Q
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