Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-06-22
Letter from Washington.
Washimgtom, D. C., June 9. 1859

Ihere IS general dearth here in the matter of politics, owing to the absence of congress, and the near approacb of tbe time to nominate candidates for the presi- dency in 1860. As there is generally a calm preceding storm, upon the meeting of Congress the politicians will open their batteries. There can be no guess as yet approximating to correctness, as to who will be the democratic nominee but there are many seekers of that position. There seems to be a general impression that the nominee will be southern man, unless availability shall prevent it. The southern democrats mentioned for the nomination are H. CT and Wise and Floyd of Virginia, Stephens and Cobb of Georgia, Slidel and Soule of Louisiana, Brown and Davis of Mississippi, Johnson of Tennessee, Ham, mond and Orr of South Carolina, and Breckinridge and Guthrie of Ky. There is material sufficient at the south but the bulk of it is waning in the matter of availability. In view of the character of the contest in 1860, there are but few of the persons named above who. ifnominated could have any prospect of carrying a suf- ficient northern electoral vote to insure their success. Several prominent northern democrats are spoken of in the same con nection, and the one that at this time seems to have the best chance of success is Gen. Lane of Oregon. But at this early day no idea can be formed as to the result of the Charleston convention, as politicians with considerable strength frequently lose it in a few days.
 The opponents to the democratic party will unite for the purpose of defeating the nominee of the Charleston convention, and there can be no question but the black re- publicans will have large majority in their convention and nominate one of their party. Seward has sufficient strength to secure the nomination and 1t is certain he will run, so the southern opposition will have to face the music in his support, or else have third candidate in the field.
 The President and Hon. J. Thompson, secretary of the interior, have returned from their visit to the commencement of Chapel Hill college in N. Carolina During his visit, in addressing crowd, Mir. Buchanan declared his intention of not being can didate for the nomination, and of retiring to private life after the close of his pre- sent term, not wishing to continue longer in public life.
 The democratic candidate for governor Tn Virginia, John Letcher, with every dis advantage against him, has succeeded by majority if not less than six thousand. The congressional delegation stand, as be- fore, with the exception of one district where the opposition succeeded in defeat ing Faulkner, by small majority, owing to the dissatisfaction among the democrats towards him, as is evinced in the fact that Letcher has a majority in the district
 The commissioner of Indian affairs has received information from the superinten- dent of Indian affairs in Utah, in effect that he has sixteen of the children whose pa rents were massacred at Mountain Meadow in lS57 These are supposed to be the sole survivors ofthe party of femigrants num- bering some hundred and forty who emi- grated from the north western portion of Arkansas, principally from Johnson and Carroll counties, for California in the spring of 1857. It was alleged by the Mormons at the time, they were massacred by the Indians, but it is evident the Mormons did 1t, and property amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars belonging to the emigrants was taken and appropriated by the Mormons The children will be sent in charge of proper persons to the superin- tendent of Indian affairs at Fort Smith, where they will arrive during the pre- sent summer and will then be subject to the order of their friends and relatives.
 Hon. A. B. Greenwood has entered upon the discharge of his duties as commissioner ofIndian affairs and makes an efficient, ex celent and popular public officer. His long acquaintance with the Indians in Geor gia and Arkansas and his experience while in Congress as member of the committee on Indian affairs-and portion of the time as its chairman-gives him advantages and qualities for the position that are possessed by but few of our public men. He will not only, with his experience be of great advantage to the Indian policy of the coun- try, but especially that portion of Arkan- sas, affected by it, as he is familiar with af fairs there and knows what remedies are required to correct existing evils.
 The commissioner of the general land office has reported to the secretary of the interior a supplemental list of lands to aid in the construction of the Cairo and Fulton rail road, containing 46, 1S0 acres, making with lists heretofore approved 1,115, 400 acres
 A patent for swamp lands in the Little Governor of Arkansas by the commissioner of the general land office, containing 15l,- ,158 acres, and one for lands in Champag- nolle district for 6,094 acres.
 At the municipal election held here on last Monday the 9th inst, the democratic candidates met with but slight opposition and succeeded by large majorities.
 ARKANSAS.
 For the True Democrat.
 M