The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-21
IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
~~~->o-~~oo~-~~~oON>o-~-~~~
THE PURCHASE OF CUBA.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD BILL.
Unsettled Claims Against Foreign Co.
vernments,
L.. &C., &C.

vernments,
&C., &C., &C.
The President Closeted Upon Special Mes
sage to Congress-The Committee OF Ways
and Means ON the TariG-The Cuba Question
and the $40, ,OOO, Goethe Pacific Rnilroad
and French spoliatiOns.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DESPATCH.
WASHINGTON, JAM 20, 1859.
The President has for days past been coseted,
and II is said preparing important special message to
Congress- bpt upon what subject not known outside OF
his Cabinet
In some quarters il is surmised that he is about
to make some Developments relative 10 the pur
chase Of Cuba; probably in response TO the resolu
ton of Mr. Seward, calling for the production Of any
correspondence which may have passed between our
and those Of any foreign nations on the sub
ject Of Cuban annexation. is thought that as there
may be such correspondence existing Mr. Buchanan
s about express his views TO the prospect OF elect
ing Q purchase more at large to the Senate.
In other quarters the opinion prevails that the
subject upon which he is occupied Is Mexico. 1t
is conjectured that since the recent downfall Of
the Zuloago dynasty and the elevation of Robles and
Miramon the President has received some more def
mite information touching affairs in that country upon
which he deems it advisable TO communicate with Con-
gress Some think that in reference TO propositions
made by President Juarez, through his Minister Senior
Mata
Others are Of opinion that the subject the President
in hand the wretched condition Of the Treasury It will
be recoccted the President has authorized the Chair
of Ways and Means to say that If funds are not pro-
vded to meet Mr. Cobbs necessities this session. extra
session would be called Nothing since this warning
given "a week days ago) has been done upon the
subject either house. Those who watch the course Of
things feel that this business kept so secret is the
wants of the Treasury.
There no doubt about the fact that Mr. Buchanan
is engaged on some important special message, but its
exact purport to battle speculation at present
general impression prevails that Congress will place
thirty millions at the disposal of the President for dpo
purposes connected with Cuba. The meets
with the approval Of the party here. An appropriation
will also be made for large increase TO navy These
two measures will necessarily involve loan.
The Committee on Ways and Means have had several
consultations with the Secretary of the Treasury, leading
members Of Congress and prominent merchants upon the
subject Of the tariff and will be prepared in the course Of
4 q week or so, to present a report to Congress.
The report will embody a recommendation to re-
establish the rates Of the tariff Of 1S46 nearly upon
certain prominent articles recently suggested by the
HERALD. The highest rate will probably be fifty per cent
liquors. Iron will be established at thirty per cent
As matters look it would not be surprising II the
tariff Of ls46 was nearly or entirely reestablshed.
The chairman Of the committee has requested that the
Heading New York merchants shall draw up a schedule
dvhch will be satisfactory to them.
is understood that opposition will be offered in any
qunrter TO the increased duty on iron.
The amended tariff will undoubtedly pass Congress- to go
into effect first Of July. Meantime there will be
rush to mportons at the lower rates Of the exist
ling tariff and II is believed the increasedlamount thus COL
cced will be sufficient to relieve the treasury without
further loan for the regular expenses
The Secretary's request to allow the Treasury notes
Ito be re. Issued will of course be granted.
The Pacific Railroad bill will be killed in tho Senate
will also the Old Soldiers Pension bill.
The French Spoiaon bill stands poor chance in tn
House.
There is no truth in the that Mramon has offered
10 sell Chihuahua and Sonora to the United States
The Navy Department also has letters from Hong Kong,
stating that Minister Reed daily expected in the Min
nesota Business dull, but revivng The allies were
still possession Of Canton. The Commissioners had not
Yet arranged the tariff under recent treaties Freghs $S
per ton. American vessels found difficulty in obtaining
freights. /.
At meeting Of the House Post Office Committee this
morning, Mr. English, the Chairman authorized to
report general bill on the subject Of transporting the
United States mails foreign countries and authorizing
such service for the accrung posages and inland
for q specific not exceeding the postages realized
ON any given route during the fiscal year which
ended 3oth Of June, 1s5s-the period Of any such
contract not to exceed ten years. The committee
were equally divided on the subject Of placing the
service between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts upon the
same above. Mr.. English also authorized to
report bill aboshng the frankng privilege, and con-
6nng all future contracts TO the carrying Of the mails,
without reference to the carrying Of passengers.
The House Military Committee is daily engaged ex-
smning the documents pertaining TO the debt Of
Oregon and Washington Territories They will reduce it
rom six millions to less than three Millions and before it
asses through the Finance Committee of the Senate is
believed they will cut il down to million dollars.
The Senate Committee Naval Affairs will next meet
take up the resolution referred them authorizing the
President restore to their former positions all officers Of
the navy displaced by the Retiring Board 1t is doubtful
whether such resolution will pass this session.
The officers ordered the ship Relief ordered to
Aspnwall Commander Roger Perry Leutenants Fitz
yerad, Thornton and Mercer Assistant Surgeon d. Rush
Nitchel Purser James Mitchell.
The arrangements for grand ball to Lord and Lady
Napier nearly completed 1t is said it will be at Will
ards Hotel the first week in February; tickets, SO
will be the great event Of the scasen.
The Piccolomin concert tonight is crowded TO excess
with the elite Of Washington. Her popularity predicted
~ the HERALD prccedcs her every where, and shows
uccess unparalleled in Washington well in New
York.
woodward is here lobbying for revival of his planning
machine patent.
GENERAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCH.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1852
The Navy Department has received from Commander
dgley Of the steamer Atlanta dispatches dated Barba
iocs, Oath December He states the vessel had plea
ant voyage to Cumsua. General Paez enjoyed good