Des Arc citizen., 1859-01-21
FROM WASHINGTON.


 eigu Affairs, relerates that by reason o the distracted and revolutionary condition of Mexico, in certain of the States O Central America, and occasionally of thos, in South America, the lives and propert, of American citizens are subject 10 lawles violence, or otherwise placed in peril, al redress ir the usual diplomatic forms be ing in vain, and it being the indisputabl' duty of the Government 10 protect tho lives and property of our citizens agains lawless violence without the limits of the United States therefore il IS proposed tC anthorse the President to use the military and naval forces, and in,erpose in such cases when he may deem il necessary.
 The Secretary of the Treasury has transmitted to Congress the reports of Prof Alexander, who was commissioned to as- certain the relative value of the coinage of the United States and Grea: Britain and to fix the relative value of the unitary coins of the two countries. The Secre- tary says that the report is not so en. couraging as he had hoped, though with the limited power conferred upon Prof. Alexander, no fixed policy could have been adopted. It is for Congress to say what additional steps should be taken. The British Treasury authorities rec ommend that our Government be invited to indicate such plan as may be made the basis of further treatment.
 The Mexican and Central American Association have added Arizona to their places of settlement. It is understood to be supported by prominent southerners and New Workers. The Association has already purchased certain grants, and are negotiating for others in Arizona. Gen hennngsen. as Chief Engineer, will probably, during the ensuing spring or summer, take out large body of men.
 WASHINGTON, Jan l2.-The seventh annual meeting of the United States Agricultural Society commenced to-day, and was largely attended. The Presi- dent, in his address recommended an ap- peal to the farmers of America to raise subscription of one dollar each toward the purchase of Mount Vernon. The med als awarded at Richmond were delivered, one of gold, to P. Rahmomorn for a To- comolive farm engine. The subject of agricultural education was discussed by Messrs Corley of Ohio, CuIvert of Mary land, Burwin of North Carolina, Jones of Delaware. and others.
 CUBAN RESOLUTIONS.
 WASHINGTON, Jan ll.-A bill was in- troduced yesterday by MT. Slidell, of Louisiana. It was an act making an ac- quisition of the Island of Cuba by negoti- atIon:
 The bill says that,
 Whereas, The Island of Cuba geo. graphically possesses commanding in- hdence over the large and annual trade, both foreign and coastwise, of the Missis- sippi Valley. 5
 Whereas, The island in its present CO., lonial condition mus! continue source of injury and annoyance, endangerIng the friendly relations between Spain and the United States, and the aggressions of its local authorities upon American commerce and citizens, for which tardy redress can only be had by circuitous demands ot Spain. And whereas, in the opinion of Congress, in accordance with the views of the President, as the last means offset ting existing. and removing further diff cuties, it is expedient that negotiations for the purchase of the island be renewed. Therefore, .--.-.
 Resolved, That S30,OOO,OOO be placed in the Presidents hands for expenditure, either from the cash in the Treasury, or be borrowed on five per cent bonds, of $l ,000 each. redeemable in from twelve to twenty years.
 WAsH1NGToN, Jan Is. -Senate-In the Senate yesterday, Mr. Thompson, of Kentucky, denounced the whole Pacific Railroad scheme as magnificent hum- bug. Dooittle's amendment, requiring any railroad contracts made by the Presi- dent to be submitted to both Houses and to take effect only by joint resolutions, was adopted. The motion to recommit and lay on the table was lost. The bill was then laid aside. House adjourned until Mon- day a7A5
 House-The Committee on Territories reported on an organization of Arizona as Territory, comprising all the territory south of the parellel of B deg. and 40 min, and from Texas to the Colorado of the West, making 100000 square miles and 10000 population. This leaves in New Mexico l30,000 population.
 The House Committee on Foreign Ar fairs reported bill similar to Senator Sll- deIrs giving to the President thirty mil lions to negotiate for Cuba. '..........
 WAsHINeroN, Jan l5, p. m.-House -Giddngs gave notice of an amendment of the bill to codify the commercial laws, so as to abolish all traffic in slaves. This produced very humorous dialogue be- tween Cox and Giddings, of some length, interrupted by frequent peals of laughter. Finally Cochrane said that he didn't an tcipa,e that such bill should give rise to an abolition discussion; he also answered the objections. The Committee of the Whole rose, and House adjourned.
 WAsHINeToN, Jan l5.-The Postmas ter. General says that if Congress designs that the Post Office Department should be self. paying and self-sustaining, they must restore the law of 1915; make all post age under three thousand miles five cents,