The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-31
INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
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Discussion on the Slavery and Tariff
Question in the House.
NO BALLOT FOR SPEAKER.
Our Relations with the Mexican
Republic.
Probable Duel Between Messrs. Grow
and Branch,
Our Special Washington Despatch.

Our Special Warrington Despatch.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 1859.
AFFAIR BErwEKN MEssRs GROW AND BRANCH.
Mr. Branch refrained from sending q message 70 Mr..
Grow until after the Globe issued, at about
O'Clock, evidently suppodng that Mr.. Grow might sup
press his language. The report truthful
There currenfreport night that shortly after the
GRoc distributed in the House oday Mr. Grow received
challenge, and accepted promptly. The parties
noticed during the afternoon to be Indifferent to the pro-
ceedpgs Of the House, and were engaged in private
with friends and in writing ettors. This
strengthened the rumor. The police are on the alert
to night and efforts making TO ARREST the principals
They have not been found at Their rooms.
have reason to believe that there is some truth in
the report II is further stated that Messrs. Ke and
Pryor are the friends Of Branch, and Mir. Giddings of
Texas and Mr.. Fenton, Of New York, the
friends of Mr. Grow. 1t is significant fact that one
of the friends OF Mr.. Branch is Mr.. Keltt
who had difficulty with Mr. Grow. There is no doubt
that Mr. Branch has been urged to this conflict If Ac
ports are true. Branch and Grow both pucky men,
and their friends knowing this doing their best
settle the matter.
PRESIDENTIAL MOVEMENTS.
The Americans and out Of Congress now in Washing
ton held another meeting last night. Mr.. Crendon
present The only business transacted was vote to
increase the General Committee to the extent equal to the
read from different sections of the country speaking
couragngly Of the Conservative Scott movement initiated
| at New York.
THE sPEAKERsTlP.
No ballot for Speaker today Horace F. Clarks pair
expired twelve and Mr. Reynolds was also absent Mr.
| Dimmck declined to pair with him. Under these Cir
cumstances ballot would have brought Mr.. Sherman
within votes Of election of which could have
been obtained If 1t would have produced result Mr..
/ that Nm Dnuc IF ndia hall
be put nomination and has laborcd hard to that end
but the Ieccmpon fire eaters Of the South denounce the
proposition In order to bring this about all the Illinois
Douglas democrats elected on an antiLecompton plat
form voted for Mr. Scott, Of California, who of
the fercest supporters Of Mr.. Buchanans Lecompton
policy. Mr. Morris vote for Scott excited the most re-
mark from the fact that 1t his first public act after
making speech two days long in denunciaton Of SCOTS
| Lecomptonism. This embrace Of Lecomptonism by
Douglas democratic while Mr. Douglas the floor Of
the House consulting with them, was significant, and
that failing to elect Scott, the Lecomptones will
be expected to embrace Mr. Douglas anti Lecomptcn
candidate, Mr. Davis But the Southern men will not do
IT, They point to the fact that Douglas could not
trac his professed friends upon Seo-tha Adrain
Reynolds and Riggs voted for Davis, and Davis
himself did not much as compliment Scott
with VOTE but cast his ballot for Adrain They declare
correctly that Mr.. Clark, Of New York. present would
not have voted for Scott and point with significance to
the fact that three Of Mr.. Douglas protested friends
Mcssrs Hickman, Schwartz and Haskn vote stssaag Ssr
clare that they will sulify themselves by voting
anti Lecomponte into the Speakers chair They also
denounce Mr. Davis for his opposition to the bred Scott
decision and this said TO be why Davis
hibted such dread Of Scott Of California.
Mr. Morris, Of H., is quite indignant AZ the announce
ent teegraphed to the country that he made his speech
80
leagues. He says he made it upon his responsibility
have heard rumor quite to the contrary Of that al
uded to, namely, that the speech made after consul
tation with and upon the knowledge Of Mr.. Douglas
Mr.. Reynolds has paired with Mr. Morris, of Illinois,
and left for home, having important legal engagements
Mr.. Haskn has paired with Mr. Wright, Of Tennessee
| and leaves for New York to morrow.
Mr. sickles failing to obtain pair will leave for New
York tomorrow, and expects to be absent or two
weeks.
THE PAY OF THE MAIL CONTRACTORS.
Mr.. Montgomery, Of Pennsylvania, sayshe will insist
Tuesday next when the House meets, upon his resou
ton offered to day. TO place Mr. Corwin in the Speakers
chair until the Post Office Appropriation bill is passed.
has greatly disconnected the republicans and they know
not how to meet it. they sincere their sympathy
for the mail contractors they win have opportunity to
show it.
The mall contractors very indignant at the refusal
u Inc HOUSE, 10 organize Inc CnOCe OK
Corwin for Speaker The adjournment over until Tues
day their embarrassment they declare they
cannot continue their service to the government upon
credit after TO An opinion prevails that the
democracy will be induced to yield to the pressure OF the
mail contractors and allow the plurality rule to operate
Tuesday next and ako their chances under H. Tho
republicans are ready for IL at any moment
FoRyEY cLERgsniP
Yesterdays HERALD which contained Forney Forrest
letter has been in great demand and It's publication at
this time has had damaging effect his chances for the
clerkshp of the House. his presented for that
position this letter. with various other matters together
with Forney's completely in matters connected with tho
Minnesota Railroad bill, will be brought to the attention
| Of the House.
THE ADJOURNMENT HOUSE
Tho republicans generally voted against the adjourn
ment Of tho House until Tuesday number of the mem
bers will avail themselves Of the brief recess to visit their
| homcs
| RECEPTION or THE cmIIAN CHARGE.
Juan Eclo, Charge dAifars from Chile, presented his
credentials TO the Secretary Of State day. and
ceived. There has been representative from that
| government since Carvano left here in 1859
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO
The negotiation of the treaty with the liberal govern.
Of Mexico has revived the hopes and enterprises Of
various parties, who have heretofore initiated
for the construction Of railroads across Mexican territory
in order to effect moro speedy and reliable communca
| ton with the Pacific coast
The Tehuantcpec route avorite with tho Polk and
the succeeding administrations for, while would
the important objects contemplated, II regarded
basis Of accommodation the interests Of oil sections Of
| our country.
The President, in-hjs Instructions 70 Mr.. McIanc
particular providing for the protection Of the rights and
immunites Of all tho citizens of the United States without
regard any individual scheme enterprises whatever
connection with the transit privileges thus far secured
But at the same time, tho Juarez government, wishing
TO be faithful is obligations, WILL doubtless respect ts
existing contract With the Louisiana Companythc opera
tons Of which tho Bthmus were, it is known, sus
pended several months ago. owing pecuniay embarass
! ments.
Both governments guarantee the neutrality Of the tran
sit routes, and will protect them necessary BY military
forces but this protection cannot be claimed expected
unless tho railroad company transport troops munitions
Of war and military supplies OF either government at hall