Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-08
FROM CITY.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Enquirer.J
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 1859.

, FROM WASHINGTON CITY.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Enquirer
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 1859.
MEssns. EDITORS Since the writing of my
last, the Secretary Of the Treasury, as you have
already been advised through your Geographic
dispatches, has responded to the resolution OF
the House, to which | then referred, expressing
the opinion that no information in his posses
sion would Justify a retraction of his views in
relation to the tariff, as Enumerated in his late
financial report. lie also furnishes some data,
upon which the public may base a very ration
oil estimate of the correctness of that opinion.
Now the purest considerations of public pol
lev, the dictates of q wise caution to be observ-
ed in providing for possible contingencies, may
have suggested this reply; but, at the same
time, / hare no reason to ,cithdran the aSser.
ton, heretofore made, that privately he is sat
isied of the adequacy of the a~ccruing revenue,
to meet the exigencies Of the public service
His own judgment, however, it seems he is Il
willing to confde in. Possibly, the pride of
maintaining an opinion once expressed, and OF
thus vindicating his innocency Of the charge,
that has been made against him-that his
financial policy is vacillating and betrays a want
of statesman-like foresight, may have operated
in this case. Whatever may be the truth with
regard to his motives, the facts, already stated,
you have good reason for relying upon Us cor
rect
The House Democratic caucus will meet to-
night for the purpose Of taking this and other
subjects into consideration. That this express
sion of the Secretary's views will be potent in
the determination Of the course Of the Demo
cratic party in this regard, and may operate
even to change the decision arrived ut in the
Senatorial conference, there is now every rea-
son to anticipate. We may therefore expect
that Mr.. Phelps prcjet for an increase Of the
tariff, to the exclusion of that Of Mr.. Phillips
involving a partial return to specific duties,
will be adopted in committee, and reported to
the House, with q fair chance Of final success.
There is no possible chance for the adoption
Of the specific system. Southern men will
neither submit or even listen to any PROPOSE
ton involving its recognition.
The Committee Of Ways and Means, whilst
acting upon the tariff, have also been engaged
in preparing a bill contemplating active and
wholesale retrenchnent in the expenditures Of
the Government. The result of their wise cogi-
tations is an intended recommendation to Con-
gress Of a reduction Of twenty per cent. in the
compensation of every salaried officer Of the
Government. The Committee Of Commerce
long since came to the conclusion Of reporting
employed in the collection of the customs. For
these measures, however, the Republicans will
refuse to vote, as it is their policy to vote against
any contemplated relief from embarrasSnentS,
for which they hold the Democracy responsible.
Their chief support, therefore, will be derived
from those who, wishing to foist protection up
on us, think the best way Of composing their
object to be-to array the influence Of the ar-
my Of ofice-holders in favor of an increase Of
the tariff, in order to avoid the assumed neces-
sity for the reduction Of salaries.
Advices have been received at the Navy De-
partment from Commodore Lavalle,te, COM
manding our squadron in the Mediterranean,
reporting its condition and health as good, and
describing q visit lately paid by the Grand
Duke Constantine, Admiral of the Russian
feet, to the United States frigate Wabash. That
parsonage is understood to have bestowed the
most lavish praises upon the handlworS OF
American mechanics generally, but especially
upon the beauty Of model and strength of
build displayed in the construction Of the Wa
bash, which he pronounced the finest ship in
the world.
The ball to be given by the citizens Of Wash
ington to my Lord Napier previous to his de.
parture for England-the only compliment of
the kind he has felt at liberty to accept-will
take place at Wizards Hotel on the 18th of the
present month. Already three hundred and
twenty-five tickets have been taken, and,
Judging from the magnitude of the prepa-
rations which arc being made, it will prove
one Of the most brilliant affairs ever wit
messed at the metropolis. The President,
together with the heads Of departments,
and Senators and Representatives innumera
bic, will unite TO grace the occasion with
their presence, and to render Napier's farewell
an ovation and a triumph, instead Of a NORTH
cation and humiliation.
Hon. Murray Mcconnell, it is true, has placed
his resignation of the Fifth Authorship in the
hands Of the President. His object in taking
this step is to prosecute a claim against the go
vernment, involving the title to sixteen acres Of
land in the city Of Chicago, estimated to be
worth three millions of dollars. He holds from
the Register of one Of the Western land offices
a certificate of the purchase of this property, for
which he has in vain endeavored to obtain a
patent from the General Land Office. The suit
is intended to be instituted at once, and will
furnish some interesting points for the decision
Of the gentlemen Of the long robe.
A magnificent party came oil, on Thursday
evening last, at the residence Of Senator Doug
las. The house was crowded with fashions
handsomest turnout. Fair women and brave
men CHASED the glowing hours with flying feet"
until the skies themselves began to glow with
the first faint strcaks ofthe coming dawn, when,
after paying their respectful adieus to the cor
dial and hospitable host and radiantly charm
ing hostess, they retired 10 pleasant dreams.
VERITAs.