nate,
on the 13th of February, of the joint resolution authorizing the
President to confer the brevet rank of Lieutenant-General on General
Scott. Mr. Benton, on the following day, attempted to revive his bill
paying to Missouri two per cent. on her sales of public lands, but was
unsuccessful. The River and Harbor Bill was taken up in the House on the
13th, and debated for several days; it finally passed on the 18th, by a
vote of 114 to 75. During the debate an altercation took place between
Mr. Inge of Alabama and Mr. Stanley of North Carolina, which resulted in
a duel. The parties met in Maryland, beyond the jurisdiction of the
District of Columbia, and after an ineffectual exchange of shots, agreed
to a reconciliation.

Several exciting debates arose in the Senate, in relation to the
Fugitive Slave Law, growing out of the following circumstances: On
Saturday, February 21st, an alleged fugitive slave, named Shadrach, was
arrested in Boston by the U.S. Marshal, and taken before the U.S.
Commissioner for examination. The counsel for defence asked for a
postponement of the case for two days, which was granted, Shadrach
remaining in the U. S. Court Room, in custody of the U. S. Deputy
Marshal, since, by a law of the state, the use of the jail is forbidden
for the confinement of a fugitive slave. Soon after the adjournment of
the Court the doors were suddenly burst open by a mob of negroes, the
officers overpowered, and the prisoner carried off. After being hurried
rapidly through the streets, he was secreted in a remote part of the
city, and in the evening made his escape to Canada. The announcement of
this case produced much excitement in Washington. A conference of the
Cabinet was immediately called, and on the following Tuesday the
President issued a proclamation calling on the commanders of the U. S.
military and naval forces at Boston to aid the government officers with
their troops, if need be, in the discharge of their duty. In reply to a
resolution offered by Mr. Clay, and unanimously adopted by the Senate,
the President addressed to that body a special message on the subject.
He regards the rescue of the slave as an act of sudden violence,
unexpected by the authorities, and not as proceeding from or sanctioned
by the general feeling of the citizens of Boston. He quotes the laws of
Congress, of 1789 and 1799, in relation to the safe-keeping of prisoners
committed under the authority of the United States, and the