The intelligence from America is calculated to flatter the Napo-
leonic idea of " Destiny." It strengthens the hope that the risk of hostilities between the two countries will be blocked out by the weight of good sense residing in the public. The tone of the American press indicates a tendency to decline in excitement ; the Russian acceptance of the Austrian propositions is reviewed in a manner little indicative of respect for Russian sincerity ; and the anxieties of the President are said to have affected his per- sonal appearance. But the House of Representatives could not yet consolidate a majority for the Speakership ; and a cry was raised which will be unintelligible in this country, for the retire- ment of Mr. Banks—who possesses the largest number of votes ! The heat had grown so vehement, that one Rust, a member of Congress, bad assaulted; Mr. Horace Greely for combating those who counselled Mr. Banks to retire. The feebleness of the central authority was further shown in the manifest rise of the expecta- tion favourable to General Walker ; and frem a recently-published despatch by Mr. Marcy, cautioning the United States representa- tive in Central America to abstain from all intervention, it is clear that the American Secretary of State expects the Filibusters to become the de facto Government of Central America. The Government at Washington cannot prevent it. Even if we were prepared to land a great army in Central America, it would only Cornwallis itself: a consideration which should influence our course in the litigation on the Bulwer-Clayton treaty.
Previous page
