Virginia Argus

Washington, Feb. 24.

PEACE MEASURES.

Since the reception of the message of the President, a message whose terms as well as import can scarcely be sufficiently admired, recommending a course of measures adapted to the change in the attitude of the nation, the attention of both Houses of Congress has been turned to the consideration of the important points embraced in that message.

In the Senate it is followed up with an assiduity which indicates an intention to dispense with a summer session, which had at first been deemed indispensable, and two or three bills, predicated on the recent change in our relations, have already passed that body, one of them, of a commercial character, highly important to the mercantile interests, which, it will be perceived by the Journal of yesterday's Proceedings, received an unanimous vote. Others are in progress, and several are yet before committees, which will require some time to mature; and, with all the assiduity displayed on the occasion, we much doubt whether they can be perfected at the present session.

In the House of Representatives, a bill to fix the Military Peace Establishment has been reported. There is nothing more obvious, than the expediency of an immediate reduction of the burdensome charge of our military establishment; but, from the extent of the reduction proposed by the House, it is probable the question will be involved in some difficulty, it being well understood that the Senate is averse to so extensive a diminution of our actual force, and in the present aspect of affairs, will probably not consent to it, as is proposed by the committee of the House.

Upon the whole, it appears to us, as Congress have now but one week to sit, it will be almost impracticable to digest before adjournment a system of peace measures. Desirable as it is that our commercial regulations should be immediately placed on a stable foundation, which shall support and encourage the mercantile enterprise now rushing to the ocean, and at the same time, to protect our manufactures, we think there is reason to fear, the object cannot be fully, though it may be partially, accomplished within the short space of seven days remaining of the present session. Indeed, by requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to report at the next session a Tariff of Duties, it is sufficiently indicated, that the House of Representatives contemplate no change at the present session of the rates of the existing duties on imported merchandise.

Nat. Int.