The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-28
For Shipping Intelligence see 4th pagf
WASHINGTON NEWS

The CovoDE observation-disclosures TRANsAC-
TIoNs-PoLITlcAL RESIGNATION OF THE ASSISTANT
SECRETARY OF STATE-MIscELLANEoUs
Various witnesses were examined before the
Covode Committee, the most important of whom
was David Webster, of Philadelphia WHIT answered
the interrogatories with much reluctance and only
when the Committee took formal vote and pro-
posed to bring the matter before the House in the
event of his positive refusal He testified to a cor
respondence with Attorney General Black in De-
cember, 1857, and produced a letter from him re-
questing his prompt presence here at that time
Alter reaching Washington, he had prolonged
interview, which resulted in proposition from
MIR. Black to give Mr.. Forney the printing of
the Post-otfice blanks, in he would change
his policy and support the Administration
When Mr.: Webster inquired how much of
that printing Mr.. Forney's interest would
be, Mr.. Black answered the whole of it,
and gave a distinct assurance that he was
fully authorized to make the agreement, or
| should not have ventured the suggestion at all.
Upon examining the estimated profits of this
work, it supposed they would amount to $780,
900 for Mr. Buchanan's term. Immediately after
this interview, Mr.. Webster telegraphed Mr. For
ney to meet him at the cars in Philadelphia, which
he did, and they, in company with Henry S. Ma
graw, drove to MIR. Webster's house, where the
| overture and the circumstances connected with it
were fully discussed. state of things had then
arisen which prevented reconciliation and Mr.
w ebster wrote Mr.. Black announcing Mr.. Forney's
declination, when the cor respondence closed -
animated contest will take place the Pacific rail-
road bill. Everybody, with few exceptions, is
for it; but there is great diversity to the route
and the mode of organizing the company. 1t is
now estimated that if the House passes Col Curtis
| bill from majority of the special committee in
favor of a central route, with Northern and
Southern connection, it will go through the Senate
| This central bill s, however, bitterly opposed by
the extreme South. They aege that it complete
! ly ignores them, and that it is intended only to
help New York. Col. Curtis bill proposes to loan
out of the United States Treasury sixty millions of
| RI lnllo 81,
road progresses, the bonds to be- paid in thirty
wears. Col. Curtis believes that this aid from the
| Government would induce capitalists to loan
much mnre-thus making up the entire Sl20, ,000-
! 600 Zone hundred and twenty millions) which it is
supposed the road will cost.-Mr. Douglas
friends assert that the Southern Senators concede
that he will be nominated at Baltmore-that
North Carolina will give him six and half votes
on the first ballot, and that Alabama and Georgia
will give him majority of each delegation on the
first ballot; but this calculation is made upon the
basis that the old delegates will be ruled out, and
that new delegates will be admitted from those
States. The ground taken by the opponents of
Douglas is that the Convention have no power to
rule out the old delegates, unless the people of
their several districts oppose their action at
Charleston and elect other delegates.-It is
stated on good authority that John Appleton, As
sistant Secretary of State, to-day resigned, and
that William Henry Prescott, of South Carolina,
has been rendered and accepted the position. This
gentleman is said to be emnently qualified for this
arduous and responsible position. 1t is understood
! that Mr.. Appleton will Immediately go abroad in
an official capacity-probably as Minister to Rus
sia Colonel Pickens has signifed his willingness
to return.-lt is discovered that the bill reported
! from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to
pay the officers and soldiers of the Revolution,
mammoth speculation for few claim agents, and
entirely ignores the real actors in the Revelation
ary war.--Mr. Seward will reach here on We'd
| nesday next. His letter, endorsing the Chicago
platform and nominees, is well received here,