Alexandria Gazette

WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

Washington, Jan. 29, 1841.

The Senate was called to order at the usual hour. Petitions were again presented in favor of a General Bankrupt Law. Mr. White, of Indiana, submitted some resolutions from the Legislature of his State, which he accompanied in a series of sensible remarks, in relation to the establishment of a National Bank. One or two private bills, on motion of Messrs. King and Tappan, were ordered to be engrossed and read a third time: and then, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the unfinished business of yesterday, and Mr. Clay, of Kentucky, continued his argument in favor of a disposition of the proceeds arising from the Public Lands among the States. Mr. C. spoke for about two hours in defence of this proposition, now introduced by his colleague. Mr. C. said his colleague had moved in the matter without consulting him. It was not his wish to bring this matter before Congress at the present session; but, as it had been done, he felt bound, by every consideration of honor and duty, to support it. Mr. C. fully sustained his high reputation as a statesman and an orator; and many of his sentiments, I doubt not, found a cordial response even in the bosoms of his political opponents. While declaring some of his pure democratic principles, I heard a gentleman near me observe, that he was really surprised Mr. Clay had not, before this time, been elected President of the United States by acclamation.

When Mr. Clay concluded, which he did in an unrivalled burst of eloquence, Mr. Tappan, of Ohio, obtained the floor, and commenced a vindictive and malignant personal attack on that honorable Senator. This was met by Mr. Clay with the promptitude which always characterizes him on such occasions. Mr. T. continued, for a short time, to defend the bill, when he took his seat, and Mr. Calhoun addressed the Chair, but yielded the floor to Mr. Clay, who replied in a noble, spirited and independent manner to some insinuations which had been thrown out by Mr. Tappan. He said he did not assume to be the organ and dictator of the new Administration—that he only acted as an independent Senator from a proud and glorious State, exercising the powers which properly belong to him; that he had not written or received a line from General Harrison since he came to Washington; that, with the exception of his distinguished friend from Massachusetts, he had not recommended any individual to office, and in reference to that gentleman he had only said he did not see how the Whig party could overlook his extraordinary talents and abilities in the construction of the new Cabinet.

Mr. Calhoun subsequently yielded the floor to Messrs. Wright, Linn, and Talmadge, each of whom addressed the Senate in an interesting and gratifying manner. Mr. Linn's remarks, as they were somewhat important, I design to make further mention of in my next. Mr. Calhoun has the floor to-morrow.

HARRISON AND TYLER BALL.—It has been but seldom that our city has witnessed a scene of such extreme beauty, as was presented last evening at the Harrison and Tyler Ball. The most exquisite skill and tact was evinced in the arrangements of the Ball room, and when the full flood of light was poured upon the banners which adorned the boxes, and the beautiful scenery placed upon the stage, the coup d'oeil was magnificent. Entering on the floor through a portal draped in graceful folds, with the stars and stripes and supported by Roman Standards, the visitor ere he turned to view the separate beauties which were spread out before him, would cast a glance around as if at once to take in the rich magic of the scene. The floor beautifully ornamented by the hand of the painter displayed an American Eagle holding in his claws a scroll, and in compartments above and below a star of large proportions; the sides divided into panels and the sweep of the boxes marked with a flowing border of arabesque. On the stage proper the figure of General Harrison on his rampant steed, was to be seen, as it were set in a frame of blue dotted with stars; other circles, appropriately ornamented, were formed around this, the most distant one being filled with an arabesque border.

The scenery represented on one side a park beautifully painted, and on the other a gothic hall, whose dark wood and heavy mouldings, looked beautiful, in contrast with the light magnificence of the other. The back of the room was partly occupied with the American Flag, spread out in large proportions, and against it hung Sully's picture of General Harrison, and over which blazed in letters of fire, the letters O. K. having on either side of it the letters H. and T. of huge proportions, and also glittering in fire—five chandeliers ornamented the stage, and poured a rich light upon the glittering objects around. The Columns of the boxes were hung with the banners used in the spectacle of the Naiad Queen, and their gorgeous glitter added not a little to the effect of the scene.

At 8 o'clock, the doors were thrown open, and before nine, the busy hum of the dancers arose from every part of the spacious floor. The joyous ringing laugh, which speaks the heartfelt pleasure, came floating like music on the air, and many a fair one moved, with bended head and silent attention, to the low and soft words of her companion. Many were there who blazed in jewels and others in plain, but not the less beautiful, attire. Graceful forms moved through the mazes of the dance, and sparkling eyes, and sunny smiles, betokened the zest with which the moment was enjoyed. Nothing came to mar the mirth of the evening, and care seemed to have fled forever, while

"Bright the lamps shone o'er fair women
And brave men. A thousand hearts beat happily!"

And when music arose with its voluptuous swell,

Soft eyes look'd love to eyes which spake again,

And all went merry as a marriage bell."

The Company did not separate until a late hour in the morning, each one feeling that within the last few hours, had been passed moments of pleasure, which would be green in the memory for years to come.—Phil. U. S. Gazette.