Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-01-21
Washington News.


WASHINGTON, Jan. ia caucus of
Democratic Senators was held yesterday
on the Presidents recommendation in
reference to Cuba. A debate of three
or four hours in length ensued, involving
the question whether any steps should
be taken in relation to ii, and if so, of
what character according to the best at
tainable information. Mr.. Mason made
the opening speech, and was followed by
Messrs. Hunter and Shields. Though
favorable to the acquisition of Cuba,
they thought action at this time impoli-
tic, and calculated to impair rather than
to improve our prospects to that end.
Mr.. Douglas regarded the appearances
as gloomy, but would support NJ. Sill
delIs BILL placing in the hands Of the
President S30,00O,0O0, to be used in ne
gotiating. He expressed the belief that
the President would not endorse this
measure without sufficient data TO Justify
him in SO doing. Mr.. Douglas had long
desired the acquisition Of Cuba. In his
judgment there was but one mode, and
that was Oh the happening of another
/ case similar to that of the Black War
rior, seize the Island by waysof reclama-
ton, and negotiate afterwards. Mr..
Davis and others did not look TO the sur-
gestioa Of Mr.. Douglas. The discus
sion at this stage became intensely inter
esting, the best ability Of the participants
therein being put forth. Mr.. Slidell, q
course, advocated his own. Messrs
Davis, Toombs, Gwinn, Bigler and and
Clay favored the idea of increasing, to a
sufficient extent, the foreign-intercourse
fund, leaving the matter to the discretion
Of the President, as in previous cases.
Mr.. Iverson thought Spain could be
wearied with the question Of Cuba by a
repeal of such parts of our laws as re-
strain the action of our citizens toward
foreign powers, or something to that ef.
feet. The determination of the caucus
was, with few exceptions, to favor the
recommendation Of the President, al.
though the precise mode in which il
should be consummated was not so clear
ly indicated, but the probability is that
the Senate will pass Mr.. SlideIPs bill.
Orders have been issued from the Wan
Department similar to those sent TO Kan
sas pending the former troubles, viz tc
ruse the four Or FIVE companies of troop.
now there as posse c0mitutas to enforce
the laws during the present disturbances
in that Territory.
/ According to report, when the Senate
French Spoliation bill, which is now on
the Speakers table, shall be taken I'D in
the House for reference, an effort will be
made to pass it by a suspension of the
rules and under the operation of the
/ previous question.
| New York, Jan. I6.--(HSra7Fs
! Washington correspondence A caucus
Of the Democratic Senators was held
to-day, in which it was determined that
the Committee on Foreign Relation,
should report bill similar to that pres.
en'ed few days since by Mr.. SlidelI
authorizing the President to purchase
Cuba, and placing S30,000,000 at hi.
disposal toward that object. It wa:
agreed that the Democratic Senator.
might vote as they choose when the bill
should be brought up. This was fol
the purpose of accommodating the alb.
Stractions of several Southern Senator's
as all the Northern Democrats woulC
vote for it. The House Committee o.
Foreign Relations have also resolved tC
bring in similar bill.