and Butler of South Carolina, Secessionists. There are now three
vacancies in the Senate, the last occasioned by the resignation of Mr.
Clay, on account of ill-health and his great age. This illustrious
orator and statesman may now be regarded as having closed his public
career. The present House consists of 233 Members, besides four
Delegates from Territories, who can speak but not vote. Of the Members,
the _Tribune_ reckons, _eighty-six_ Whigs, _five_ distinctive Free
Soilers (besides several attached to one or the other of the great
parties); the remaining _one hundred and forty-two_ are of the
Democratic party, including all the Southern Rights men and such Union
men as were not previously Whigs. The House was organized on the first
day of the session by the election of Linn Boyd, of Kentucky, as
Speaker, by a considerable majority.

The annual Message of the President was delivered on the 2nd. It is a
long document, of much value as a survey of the progress of the nation
in the past year, and of considerable importance for its intimations of
the policy of the administration. The President strongly condemns the
recent invasion of Cuba, and in connection with a history of that affair
states, that after the execution of fifty of the associates of Lopez,
Commodore Parker was sent to Havana to inquire respecting them. They all
acknowledged themselves guilty of the offence charged against them. At
the time of their execution, the main body of invaders was still in the
field, making war upon Spain. Though the invaders had forfeited the
protection of their country, no proper effort has been spared to obtain
the release of those now in confinement in Spanish prisons. The
President advocates adherence to our neutrality and non-intervention
policy. "Our true mission," he says, "is not to propagate our opinions,
or impose upon other countries our form of government, by artifice or
force; but to teach by example and show by our success, moderation, and
justice, the blessings of self-government, and the advantages of free
institutions." The correspondence with England and France respecting the
invasion of Cuba, maintains the principle, on the part of the United
States, that "in every regularly-documented merchant-vessel, the crew
who navigate it and those on board of it will find their protection in
the flag that is over them." The right of Consuls to security in the
country where they reside, is maintained, and mortification is