Rhode Island American

POLITICAL.

FROM THE NEW-YORK STATESMAN OF SATURDAY LAST.

It is understood that Mr. Van Buren has given out, that if Mr. Crawford stood no chance of receiving a majority of the votes of the electoral colleges, he should not press his claims, aware that he could not obtain a majority of the States in the House of Representatives. Some of Mr. Clay's imprudent friends, catching at this lure, conceived the plan of driving a bargain with Mr. Van Buren, for securing to their candidate the votes of New-York, in such an emergency. Contrary to the wishes of his judicious advisers, an agent undertook a mission to Albany, for the purpose of negotiating with the head of the Regency. We have not heard the result, but presume he went on a tom-fool's errand.

FROM THE NEW-YORK STATESMAN OF MONDAY LAST

SECRET MOVEMENTS!

The National Advocate of this morning pretends to have discovered a great many "political humbugs" in the Statesman of Saturday. It does not however venture to deny a single fact stated by us, in relation to Mr. Gallatin, Colonel Young, and Mr. Van Buren. The Editor of the Advocate either knows all we said to be true, or he is unacquainted with the secret movements of his own party. Let him come out if he dare, and deny that Mr. Gallatin has determined to decline the Vice-Presidency; that he has already prepared his address to the public, in which he assigns at length his reasons for withdrawing, and warmly recommends a support of Mr. Crawford; and that overtures have been made to the friends of Mr. Clay, for supporting that gentleman for Vice-President, which overtures have been refused.

Let him deny, that Colonel Young was in this city on Friday the first of October instant; that on the evening of that day he held a secret conference with Messrs. Thompson and Targee; that he came to New-York at the instigation of Mr. Melancthon Wheeler, of Washington county, who told him his election was lost unless he declared in favour of the Electoral Law and against caucuses, and advised him to hasten hither, and consult with the leaders of the Tammany party; that while he was here, a manifesto was produced and read, prefaced with a whereas or two, declaring his hostility to caucus nominations, professing himself to be in favour of the Electoral Law, regretting its failure, and avowing his opposition to Mr. Crawford: that Mr. Van Buren threatened to annihilate him politically, if this document were published; and that a new compromise was made, by which it was agreed to suppress the manifesto for the present, and to trust to secret correspondence, and the columns of the Argus, and other papers, to effect the object. Let him controvert these facts if he dare. It is possible he was not present at the secret conclave, and that he might even be ignorant of Colonel Young's visit:

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

We have another "item"—a precious item—touching ulterior political movements of importance, which shall in due time, be brought to light.