The New York Herald Newspaper, December 2, 1865, Page 9

OUR NAVY ABROAD. Admiral Goldsborough and the Frolic at Bordeaux. EXCITEMENT AMONG THE PEOPLE. Hospitalities to the United States Officers. How the Admiral “Took Soundings’’ in French Harbors, FUTURE MOVEMENTS OF THE SQUADRON, ‘ Defects of Our Foreign Consu- lar System. &. &e &e. Our Bordeaux Correspondence. Borpzavx, Nov. 5, 1865. ‘The stay of the United States steamer Frolic in this port has been most delightful. It promises to bo en- titled to @ white stone mark in the calendar of the @ruiee from the pleasure afforded all, from Admiral Golds. ‘Derough down to the smallest boy on the ship. We have mew laid at the quay, opposite the Rostral columns of ‘the Quinconnes, tied up safely, and with a plank ashoro, for eight days, with perfect access to the shore at all fmes and under all circumstances, Tho vessel has ‘been an object of general interest to thousands of spec- ators who lino the quay from daylight until midnight, sgaing with unfeigned admiration and wonder on the ship fom stem to stern, and watching with evident curiosity the varied routine of life on a man-of-war as it goes wegularly on day by day, Not only have almost all the fmbabitants of Bordeaux viewed the unuftual spectacle of ‘am armed vessel madv fast to the quay, but thousands of the peasantry for miles around have availed themselves of the opportunity to inspect an American man-of-war, and @eervo the drill, inspections and conduct of the “boys fm blue.” ‘The authorities and people of Bordeaux have offered to fe Admiral and officers of the ship every possible cour- teay and mark of respect. Admiral Goldsborough and staff, ‘with Captain Upshur, were given a splendid dinner by fhe Prefect, at which the Cardinal and a number of dis- ‘MSinguished officers of the army and navy were invited to moet the guest of the evening. Our worthy Consul, Mr. Bavieson, was also present, The tone of the company ‘was most cordial towards the Admiral and the United Mates, The distinguished host and tho French guests ‘Manifested an unusual degree of friendly feeling. They ‘were cordial and warm in their attentions and senti- ments, and succeeded admirably in placing all the guests , ‘8 ease. Tos very complimentary toast offered by the Prefect, who was most kind and genial in his attitude, Admiral Goldsborough responded in « brief and neat qqpeoch, expressive of his sense of the friendly sentiments and bearing of the French authorities towards the United Mates, and the reciprocal feelings of friendship which @&p kindly tone of the host would create in the breasts of the American people. The entire tone and air of the affair wore cordial and gratifying in the extreme. Qa Friday a party consisting of Captain Case, Captain ‘Upshur, Lieutenant Lawson, Mr. Davisson, wife and @enghter and your correspondent, visited the little ‘walled town of St. Maurice, on the Garonne river, about @hirty miles distant from Bordeaux, to enjoy the ho=pi- @alities of Mr. Jules Chanbannes and his charming wife, em American lady, daughter of Mr. Ralph Clark, of New ‘Zerk, and to visit the celebrated chateaux and vineyard+ @f the Sauterne district, Turning into the grounds of the chateau we were received at the principal gateway by Mr. Henry Brussaut, the agent of the Marquis de Sur @aturces, the proprietor, who proceeded to show us the qstablishment. Entering the main entrance, and pass- ‘img through the huge oaken doors, which were thick (emough to stand any blow short of a rifle shot, we passed *¢mto an immense arched chamber, once occupied by exmed retainers, but now devoted to the more peaceful @orage of wine. Here hundreds of barrels and huge tuns @f wine are kept to ripen and mature for the market. fhe old cave, or vault, is dry and free from the mouldy odors Csually found in subterranean vaults, m4 tho temperature is agreeable the year round. Something in its atmosphere aids in maturing and de- the delicate wines of the estate, more than in sence re locality, | What thewun and ound are 9 eo gray u alr of is dim! ight or eine the win, ae, Wu ir on wind, aliar anc tegether ui jualled. are nec to eriect he fruit aud wine, “In this vault we. sav about fifteen hundred barrels of the Chateau Yquem, of ‘Wartous Viniages, roine — ready for use, others in Yartous stages; from the last year's vintage to that made years ago. No wine 1s considered tit for consump- ‘antil it is four years of avo, and after that it im- every year until it is fifteen years old, when it in value, Red wines mature fully in ten or years, and after that they seem to lose their fine After thoroughly testing some of the most wine that the world affords we passed into a adjoining the chateau, where the wine presses ‘operation. There are nine presses in one extab- }, but it is very rarely that all are at the 2. Only five were in operation, and most of making wine of the tirst quality. is ly , but it requires of care and exporiencs to make a the first place, for the choicest quality grape, when fully ripe, is picked eeparate- ‘the inferior, but still very choice quality, the bunch. They are then carefully taken ‘and placed in @ large wooden vat, feet long by twelve wide and thirty inches jowed to remain a few days, when four or led and powerful ate, mem and wo- Sirapes, walking around the vat w.tause wi rou vi my bruising and mashing the fruit into a jee soon ‘ins to settle to the bottom, and ha orifice and through a fine wick- the pulp into a tub . As the tad te reduced more grapes are added, and finally, when ‘vat is Olled with @ pulp from which no more juice Ip is compelled to undergo another oS prueare ‘by means of a powerful screw, and the first of this pressure is put axide'as a ine, What flows from the last pres- ‘and is given to thepeasants eo ends and ekinsare then Hi HT “tall LE itt ee i pe in il i i g 3 rH 333! Broken and bruised, and impart to the wine a peculiar Gaver, wae, course, detraets from its fine quality. ‘That coming from the prossure of fret is the pure juice @ the grapo. The quantity is not great, but the quality is the most dolicate and choice, and Gives tation to the chateau whieh it bears the The celebrated vintage ot 1348 sells at the three dotiars per bottle, and is given asa , in small quantities, ft may be readily sur this fact that the article avid as “Chateau in most places is not the wine manufactured on ks of the ne, It would require some boid- say precisely where it was manufactured, though seon that not one-fiftieth part of the wine ¢ brand ever came from the chatean itself, After we bad our curiosity and our thirst Mr, Brassaut vory kindly showed us thro gh the apartments of whe chateau, which is not inhabited now, but which @eatains all the old furniture and paintings it did two oars ago. The furniture is all solid and sub- éuriously carved, and suggestive of a | ittle com. fort. airy hanging on the walis is moth eaten, faded, and my particularly one though valuable ek imen ot the handicraft of the olden age, and Showing the immense amount of close and de! cate labor i fl a Sestowed on ornaments of that day, In the corridors are some very ancien! mays, among which T noticed gome of the Western Hemisphere, which gave Worth America up principally to the French, whose pos sessions scomed to extend from the Spanish colony 4n Florida to the North pois. The author seemed to pay but little attention to tho topography of the country, and dover rivers ani mounwns, which are supposed Bowadays to be worthy of nylice, Im the coolest ger. Tho existence of the Ch -apeake Bay and Ja fiver was ignored, and the back country seemed to bo a terra on ‘The course to do stecred by quaintly galliota, with high poops, lofty bows and gay flags, the Isthmus to Spain, wae clearly laid out, though gamber of islands which modern navigators find it feaventent to look out for were evidently not at that in the track of the bold Dons, who carried silva the ocean and sailed about the wators ot the Ca- in Sea, The maps of other portions of the globe b more correct, but etill not valuable, except to histo- and lovers of musty lore. rat view from the chatean down the valley is most clear day Bordeaux may be seen, and ail 8, ancient chateaux, venerable castles ing vineyards, wth tho river flowing pe- Nt ang wide tween the ranges of high ” lay out before you like @ scroll. We viowed the scene In a St, Mart day, when a mellow blue baze softened down the roug! fegpar of tho landscape and lent to it an air of di spleador and luxuriance most charming and Tare. The more distant points were obscured, but about us the historic hills of 8t Croix, vine covered and castle erowned, and below the lovely valley, with the rapid flowing river, with village and chateau, ‘wood, erie in the golden light of the san with a de- lightful indistinetness which added: to the beauty of tho feene. Our gaze comprehended all the choicest white wine vineyards of France—ilitle fields lying on en oe & ry producing wine celebrated the world round. in the following day we took carrlages to tho Chateau Torcas, in the environs of Langdon, where excellent San- terne wine is prod: and went through the cellars and tasted of the wine. The vineyard is small, but the issue has a reputation in France. Afterwards we rode to Verde! colebrated tho Continent over as the scene of some wonderful and miraculous cures of cripples in times gone by, With Mr. Davisson, our Consal, a number of otticers visited the immenso wine cellars of Barton & Guster, the best in Bordeaux, The entire process of bottling and packing was shown ug, and then we went through the vaults, where aro over two hundred and ifty thousand bottles of wine and eight thousand barrels of the red and white varieties. of the choicest description. Unfor- tunately very little of the best wino now ,0es to tho United’ States. The stuff sent is generally of the vilcst description, and destitute of @ suggestion of the juice of “'the grape. It is’ get My ol water, or tho poorest vin ordinaire, unit to drink, and flavored with an article. called. “‘ Eesenco of Medoc,” one bottle of which gives the flavor and bouquet to five barrels of wine, The wine costsavout ‘ten cents a boitie to manufacture, including the protit, which is not small, Within a week past one house in New York has sent an order here for ono hundred thou- sand cases of wine of various brands, for which they pro- posed to pay tive francs per case, The house,here de- clined to undertake to supply wine of that character, as it had a reputation established. ‘The cost of bottling and king wine, including the filling and corking of the bottles, placing upon them the proper capsules and labels ‘and preparing them for shipment, is about four trancs, thus leaving one franc only per case for the mix- ture which the enterprising and Digh toned New York Louse proposes to supply the people of the United States, Although the firm referred to declined to fill the order, the agents of the New York house have found a itrm that will undertake the job, and supply the labels of all the choicest brands of white and red wines of France. Bos des this vile stuff which is sent from here to flood the American market and poison the American people, a Jarge quantity of oils of Medoc, essences of Sauterne and stuil of that kind, by which choice old wines are manufac- tured in New York, are also shipped. They cost ten franca Per bottle, and each bottle flavors from three to five barrels of the mixture, which, when nicely bottled and labelled, paeses among thore unaccustomed to good wine as the Veritable article. Bordeaux is full of wine swindiers. About fifteen houses in the city are respectable and reliable, aud the balance of tifteen hundred or more are guilty of tho most shameful deceptions and swindles, — [ regret to say that they look to the United States as the great markot for their vile compounds, and it is equally as disagree- able to state that they are not disappointed in their ex- pectations; and, while on the subject, Imay as well say that the article of brandy sent from the Cognac and Rochelle districts is equally as vile and impure. It is unpleasant to be compelled tq disabnse the minds of a people of the common impression that because wines and brandies are imported from France they are pure. Itis not so, Not one-fiftieth part of the wines sent from Bordeaux are what they purport to be, and but a small portion of the brandy is pure. They have all the external brands and marks of genuine articles, but the articles themselves are bad and unfit for use, Of course @ great deal of good wine goes to the United States, but Lam afraid it is not generally consumed. The trade of Bordeaux has immensely revived since the cloee of our war. Heavy orders are daily received, and a large num- ber of ships bearmg the American flag are again in port. Before closing this letter I wish to say something con- cerning our consular system. With three exceptions—at Antwerp, Rochefort and Bordeaux—the office has been filled by foreigners, most of them unable to apeak Eng- Usb. Some of them are very nice men, bue they do not gain the respect of the authorities or people. Then the pay is much too small to enable the consuls to main- tain the social position they should to give them weight with the authorities and people, unless they draw on their own resources to live in the style an agent of the ‘United States is expected to maintain. Out of their mis- erable picayune ey must pay a portion of their rept, and Noo tine cloacae and sustain the dignity of their household besides. A consular agent must enter- tain to some extent, if he would have iniluence, and that sort of heepitallyy is expensive. If he accepts invita. tions to official di ase, indeed esi entertainments, he must return the dinners and exhaust his resources. It will probably be said that if the present incumbents do not care to retain their positions there are enough at home who will them. This may be very true, but it isa ridiculous argument. Something besides a handsome income a needed to fill the post of Consul of the United States abroad, We find the class of who have money and no brainstravelling over Europe now; but no American citizen with any for our reputation ‘abroad would care to have specimens of citizens of the United States installed in office in any known portion of the world. Men of brains are wanted, and if they are worth anythi pene tebe paid. The laborer is worthy of hi ul here, Mr, eng ia weil known, old Western editor and @friend o! war he has labored steadily and hard to defeat rebels and their hte mong yend to set afloat privateers, He prevented the sailing of two iron steamers built here for the rebels, and induced the government to seize them until their ownership was amoun: of jabor and the terrible anxiety and responsibility of a consi in a place like Bordeaux during the war is little appreciated Outsice of the State Department. the Frolic, with Admirai Guldsborough, leaves to- morrow for Ferrol and Lisbon. It is repot that the cholera has in the latter place, If so, the fleet will at once proceed to Ferrol to await the abate. ment of the epidemic. The Frolic will merely touch at Ferrol, and if the feet is there it will join; otherwise it — directly to Lisboa, All on board the Frolic .re we THE HABEAS CORPUS IN ALABAMA, Fall Report of the Proceedings tn the United States District Court—The Peti- tion tor and Issuance of the Writ of Habeas Corpus=The Gen: ing the Departmeet Dee the Kequisition—Opt the Court in the a, dee {From the Mobile Advertisé®, Nov, 23.] The court was opened at twelve o'clock yesterday, and on Judge Busteed inquiring if there was any business to be brought before it, R. ¥. Andrews, Ksq., formerly Sur. veyor of the port of New York, rose and said he desired to read a petition, The Court at this stage interrupted Mr. Andrews, and asked hum if he had taken the oaths required by the acts of Congress to qualify attorneys and counsellors to practice in the courts of the United Biates, Mr. Andrews replied that he had taken the oaths, and that they were on file in the District Court, and then read a petition setting forth that he was a counselior of the Supreme Court of the United States, and had taken the test oaths, and praying to be admittde to practice in the District Courts of Alabama. The Judge granted the motion, The Court then inquired if any other member of the bar had @ motion of like character. There was no re- Busteed then inquired if there was any other bueiness before the court, and Mr. Andrews suid he ap- | na as counsel for Mr. T. C. A. Dexter, for whose pro- juction to-day im court a writ of habeas corpus was al- lowed by bis Honor, and proceeded to read the petition of Dexter:— Riemann Dm, Judge of the District Court ted States for the State of Alabama, and preside ra District of Alabarna 2 respect itm of Thomas ©. A. Dexter showeth to your Honor that be iamcitizen of the State of Masea chanetts, and f service of the United States; nor has he been since the day of May last, or before, in any manner amenable to military law, or ‘the rules And articles of war, or the rules presented for the military ant navel service aldent of the United States; nor has he atany time Alder or abettor of the rebellion againat the United nor baa he voluntarily given any ald, countenance, support, adbesion to ment, power, au: feaT or hostile to the United asiitution of ease int has been habitually and steadily toyal to them 0 and government. natitioner thatin the month of M; ame (0 the State of Alabama as Supervising Special Ayoat o the Treamury of the United States, a Ot the Secretary of the Treasury, under the ‘Congress for the soueetion of abandoned property, and for the preven. tion'ot frauds 1n inaurrectionary districts, and performed Jaties of the waid office until about the Ist day of No- mmber. ‘our petitioner further states that on the — day of No- vember Ins!. he waa informed in New Orleans that an order for his arrest under the military or direction of Major Gene- ral Charles R, Woods, commanding the United States forces bile, had beon received fu that city, and that he waa to he sent wider a guard to Mobila, and to ‘avoid the publictty and seatiial be cousented to come to Mobile and to rey himaself to Wuat ofleer, in company with an oficor oF agent Who had-veen veut wo New Orleans 10 ss e. Your petitioner states that no afidavit has been made ac- cusing or charging hitn with the violation of any law that be is aware of, and no warrant has been fe ved from ang etvit aachority for his arrest; nor has he been examined " Gistrate and been co a 4 dy withouta hearing, Ie bas not | cause with any distinctness, but a in sable to any that ft arises entirely Upon some snppos foaannce Or nonten sonee of duty In his offier o 1 an aforesaid, and has no relation to any 2 suilttary IAW nor to any violation of duty tn the public aud military service of the United states, Jie states that he believes it to be true that hie loyalty ar a citizen is not impugned, nor js there any charge against him that he hag adhered to the enemies of the United States, or ¥ th 9 oe eee 4 at petitioner requesiod that he might give bail for hi ance. betore the Court that tight wersciected for hl t this has been refused, and he hae been informed that he is to be tried before a military commission for some suppowed etvil offen our petitioner dente agrested confined by tne military authorities ‘atthe Uattod Seatae for the couse aforesaid, He claims asa citizen his right under re ge ane @xth ameudmente to the julion of lates, ile respectfulty prays of rour Honor that the bad of 8 Corpus may | to the said M: jeneral ©) ‘coda had Heater Rrvoks, Provost commands K Prot them to have the body of Hiloar at awoh lace os v00 'wa® NEW YORK, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1865. Hoaormuay once! in Pray, he. de. A. CaMrmmn, Before me, a Justice of the Peace: it Siaia of Alsbania caine themes: Sr Sener whe. make Oath and saith that the statements of fact in the foregoing Petition he believes to be trae, THOMAS C, A. DEXTER. Sworn to and subseribed before A copy of the original writ Fa ea encores Bed LAWRENCE WORKALL, Clerk, The writ of habeas corpu Mr, An- drews." It is as follows es har WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS. ‘Tue Unirep Stares AmERicA, Sourwerw Disthict oF ALABAMA. The Prestpsntof the United States to Major General R. Woods, commanding United States forces at Mobile; Hunter Brooks, Provont Marshal of the United States; or to any other on Or persous having the custody of Thomas C, A. Dexter, greeting:— We command you to'have the body of the A. Dexter, by imprisoned and deained, u ether with the cause of such imprisonment and detention, pefore us, at the court room of the District United Stalcs for the Southern District of Alabama, in the. clty of Mobile, on the 22d day of November, o'dock noon, to do and ive what shall then there be considered voneerning the sald Thomas Witnons, Judge of ‘the District Court States f¢ Ee} District of, Alabama, this, the 2an-day of No- (vember, 1865, and of dependence ~~) the niagtleth year, WRENCE WORRALL, Clerk, was nde th Ree respondents was presgnt, om the Judge caused prodlamation for.them.to be made, and | ina stentorian voice the crier called out the name of each three times, Mr, Andrews statedythat General Woods and Colonel Brooks had each made a return to the writ and sent it to the clerk, and was about to read it, when Judge Busteed interposed and remarked it was only fifteen minutes after the hour appointed fer the hearing, and that the respondents have been detained, and saylng, he could not suppose their absence to be in- tentional, would wait five or ten minutes before pro- ceeding.’ At the lapse of the longest period neither the General noy the Colonel appearing, proclamation for them was again made by crier, and Mr, Andrews ic tothe Court the return of Colonel Hunter, as fol- ows :-— Hanqvartens, DRPaRTMENT OF Apt. } Orrice Puovost Maksmat Gexrnat, Nov. 2, 1 Respectfully returned. J. am acting under military orders from Major General ©. R. Woods, commanding this depart- ment. I do not recognize the authority of J Busteed, and therstore decline to respond further to shew HUNTER BROOKS, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and Provost Marshal Geueral. The following return was made by Major General Charles R. Woods: — Hxapquantens, DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA Momux, Ala., Nov. 22, 1 By way of return to the within writ, I, brevet Major Getieral Charles R. Woods, of the United ‘States Volunteers, commanding the Department of Alabama, respectfully show that the suid Thomas C. A. Dexter, in sald writ named, ts imprisoned and detained by me, by authority of the 1 dent of the United States, and of Major General George H. ‘Thomas, commanding the Military. Division o! Tennessee, ‘That by the order and proclamation of the President of the United States, the writ of habeas eorpus i suspended in the State of Alabama, and that consistently with the orders of my military superiors, the President of the United States and Major General Thomas, I caung® produce the body of said Thomas C. A, Dexter before any civil tribn nd, pro- testing due respect for the Honorable the Court of the United Stases for the District of Alabama, I decline to obey the writ, or to make any other or further return, UHARLES RK. WOODS, Brevet Major General, Commanding Department of Alabama. ‘Indge Busteed then asked the counsel if he had any motion to make, whereupon Mr. Andrews argued that both the returns were wholly defective and ag yn and moved in conclusion for an order directing Genet Woods and Colonel Hunter to make a further and full re- turn to the writ. ‘The Judge said in answer:—I agree with what counsel has said touching the insufficiency of these returns. ‘That of the Provost Marshal is not insufticient only; it is disrespectful to the Court. It is not preper in making ‘an answer to @ writ of habeas corpus to deny the authority of the officer issuing the writ. This is no part of a return, Trean but hope that an officer in the military service of the United States of the rank of the respondent Hunter 18 not guilty of intentional disrespect to the courte of the United States, and that the language in which he couches his return ie the result of bis ignorance of what was proper in the premises. If I supposed that the matter complamed of proceeded from viciousness, it would be duty to order that he show catise to-morrow morning why he rhoul not be proceeded against as for contempt. I choose the charituble construction and pass it over with these observations. The motion that he make a further return Will not be granted. It is unnecessary, because in what be cails his retura be says he is acting under from General Woods, his department commander, and because m the return made by General Woods he asgumes the responsibilty of the imprisonment of the petit er. motion will be granted as it respects the return made by Goneral Woote. This return is altogether in- guflicient. It does not comply in any essential with the requirements of the law. The writ of poe oct is the peoplo’s writ of When issued out of a United ‘Staten Court the: ‘upon the return to it conforms to the ice of Supreme Court of the State in which the district court is situated. It !s of the essence of the writ that the body of the petitioner be produced with the return if the dent have his custody. The statutes of Alabama requi indeed the statutes of all ‘the States require—that body of the petitioner be produced before the officer issuing the writ when return ja made to it, and that if the is detained ypder a writ, warrant or other written authority, a copy thereof must be annexed to the return and the original prodaced to the court. In ail these respects the return of General ‘Woods is defective. He claims to hold the petitioner “by authority of the President of the United States and of Major General George H. Thomas,”’ This authority should be produced. That part of the return to the writ made by General Woods which informs the Court that “the writ of habeas corpus is suspended in Alabama,” may be treated as surplusage. The General is evidently @ better soldier than lawyer. ‘This Court cannot a that ao ype of the high military grade of General Woods intendbd to instruct the Court upon the law of the case, snd the very full disclaimer of any disrespect for the authority of the Court which the General makes in his return is in marked and satisfactory contrast to the course pursued by an officer of subordinate rank. The counsel may take the order asked for, and this court will now stand adjourued until to-morrow at eleven o'clock The Metropolitan Police Force. ITS LABORS PUKING THK PAST YEAR—IMPORTANT STATISTICS, ETC. It is oaly by glancing at the annual report of the Me- tropolitan Police Commissioners that the public can form a true estimate of the work done by the force in thie city. The documeut at prevent in our hands—extracts from which were published some days siuce in the Hyenato—contains valuable information to the statistician and philanthropist. We append a few items of intelli once gicaned from the mass of ‘mtorestiag watter pub. Kshed by the board :— ‘Total arrests during the year ending Nov. 1, 1865. 68,873 ‘fotal aumber of lodgers accommodated with lodg ings at the station houses...... ‘The nationality of the m: was aa follows :— United States, white 21,852 United States, black 1,184 Ireland .. ue ys arrested 63,911 were charged bg 3 were cl wit offences against the person. These offences and the number of persons committing them were:— Offence Tale. — Offence. Tolale, Assaalt and battery.. 7,744 Interfering with po- Assault with intent to NO. . sees ees + 198 Insulting females. » 60 4 36 . 258 Accessory to murder, 9 Aiding prisoners to Attempt at rape. 40 Libel, Al m.. 3 Abortion. 4 Attachment 140 aS an ee Contempt of court.. 20 Rupawayapprontices 22 Currying concealed Rescuing prisoners... 20 Disorderly conduct, . 13,064 Deserter 254 WALES, Ages From 10 to 16 From 20 to 26, Frorfl 25 to 80... From 90 to 40. From 40 to 80. ....., 6,263 From 40.to 60, From 60 and over... 9,060 From 60 and over.., 1,004 Total........64...48,754 Total... + 20,119 The social condition of the persons arrested is thus Teported ;-— Number of married persons Number of single perso Number who could read 660 Number who could not read and write. oe 1,987 Number who could read only... 637 The amount of property lost and the amount recovered were as follows: Lost. . Recovored. Amount pot rocovered....+ . SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD. rei aera | THE SUEZ CANAL. Plain Statements of the Work Accomplished. Obstacles to the Success of the Enterprise. VISIT TO THE SWEETWATER CANAL Doubtful Prospects of the Undertaking. DIGGING THROUGH THE LAND OF GOSHEN. ikea ke Ree, Our Isthmus of Suez Correspondence. Suez, Egypt, August 10, 1865. ‘THE §ITE OF TUR TWO CANALS, The valley of Zomilal traversed by the Fresh Wator Canal running into Lake Timah, in the ancient country of Goshen, of the Bible, where Joseph came out from Heliopolis to meet his father Jacob on his arrival from Canaan, (Genesis, chapter xlvi., verao 34). Ras el Ouade is the end or mouth of the valley of Pitom of the Bible. Zel Masrouta contains the remains of Rameses, of the Pharaohs, also a well preserved statue of Rameses II., both of the Bible, Tel Mater Succoth was the firet stopping place of the Israelites, under Moses, after leaving Egypt. (Exodus, chapter xii., verse 37.) Etham was the second stopping place of Moses and his people. (Exodus, chap- ter xil!., verse 20.) Rouébé-t-el Bouze (bay or wood of the reeds), the Pt-hahiroth,” Migdol and Baalzephon. (Exodus, chapter xiv., verse 2.) At the time mentioned Bitter Lake formed the head of the Red Sea, Bir Marah (bitter reeds), the Marah of the Bible. (Exodus, chapter Xv., verse 23.) The signification is the same in Arabic. The people still preserve the tradition of making the water palatable. The Bedouins of Sinai now use the frail ‘of the caprier, or the branches of a shrub called assaf, to remedy the brackish taste of the water, A short distance east of Suez, I am told, is the spot where the Israclites crossed the Red Sea, while Pharaoh and his hosts were drowned. At pre- sent a camel’s ford leads acroes to the spring of El Gukur- deh. Formerly the water was much deeper than at pre- sent, and a strong east wind would, under proternatural circumetances, accomplish the miracle. * Vist TO THE SWRET CANAI. The “Sweet” Water Canal, as it is termed here, extends the extremity of the Grand Canal, at tho projected from southern basins, to the canal from the Nile emptying into Lake Titnsnb, a distance of aboutifty miles, and is in the neighborhood of ninety feet wide and sixty feet deep. ‘The water, which I tasted several times, is quite pala- table, On the 4th of August I inspected the works. Journeying on a canal, with a camel as the motive power, is not the most expeditious means of locomotion extant’; consequently I was three mortal hours-making twelve miles, enjoying ali this time the full benefit of an. almost autfocating from the desert and reflections of intense light, by which, however, I was litte affected, as the boat's canopy was suffizient protection. The scenery on the way is desert on one side and the same on the other—not a house nor a sign of life to be seen on the whole route, the only variety being the different shapes of the sand drifta, At eleven o’clock A. M. I landed at Challin, and found it almost deserted, only a few families re- maining a8 @ sort of . From my boat I walked @ distance of half a mile to the works now idle. Here — found evidences that at least something bad npr Parthenancent Sey igantic enterprise. From an elevated point, as far as the'oye can ogc, north tnd 00, the bed of the canal can ‘but in different stages of completion ;.in xome places ae far e exca go, and in others strata of roc moved. In the construction of the work I find that fif- teen feet is dee Delow the level of the plain, while the ad- ditional twelve {eet of depth will bo attained by embank- ments formed of the waste earth throwa up on the sides, Examining the ee of the work, I discovered several wells about five foct deep, the bottom covered several itches with water, indicating a very close approach to the damp earth bel 8 Mow. From this no estimate can be made of the sea level, as the porous nature of the desert adinits of evaporation to a considerable depth. OBJECT OF THE GRAND CANAt. The object of the French Maritime, or Grand Canal, as it is termed, is unite the Mediterranean and Red Se: through the Gulf of Suez, by a water channel, capable of passing veswels of the largest barthen. In the plan of the enterprise the length of the main canal when com- pleted will be one hundred and twenty kilometres (1,003.63 yards per kilometre), or about seventy-five miles ip length; one hundred metres (39.37 inches per metre), or about three hundred and twengy-eight feet in breath; cight metres, or about twenty-six feet In depth, and calculated to cost, with the Fresh Water Canal, one hundred and sixty million francs, or about thirty-two million dollars. From these figures some be had of the magnitude of (he undertaking ‘6 most favorable circumstances, The surveys of hat the natural level of the two fons is ‘nce only being found in the tides, whieh at Peluse, the Mediterranean entranee, are searce: ly felt, and at Suez rise one metre and eight-tenths, or about tive fect, to two metres and five-tenths, or about eight feet in height. The r wa, throuy alley or depression of the desert plain, ‘wo the nt Thich range of calcareous hills, The entire distance from sea to seu is one Coutinious waste of sand, parched by an in- and rarely—a qualified expression for by rain. THK PROJECTED WORK will start from the deep sea water inland between two immense piers of masonry about four miles in length, and striking the coast near the site of ent Kelusinm, Greenwich longitude east about thirty-three and one-half degrees, into a lagoon on the coust, which will be dredged to the required depth, and form a basin and station for shi Thence by dug chan nel will connect with Lake Timsab. This lake will form an interior hayen and port, This it is supposed in the time of Moses formed the northern limit of the Red Sea. Into this lake also the Fresh Water Canal now constructed from the Nile flowing through the valley of Zounlat, the fertile land of Geeen, will empty. ¥ On the weet, in the valley, the pastoral Arabe keep u; some cultivation, while oh the east are several hills (cnl- careous), upon one of which is the tomb of the Sheik Ennedec, and atthe foot extends a plain of gravel, sholis aud dark earth. From Timsah the canal will con- nect with Bitter Lake, Anciently this lake formed a If of the Red Yea, {t is at present the basin of the sbhmus, and on the line of ite channel from north to south avlords a depth of eight metres, or about twenty- six feet, below the level of the sea. ¢ lake is now dry and its covered with asaline crust, shells and sea rubbish. From Bitter Lake the work enters a series of lagoons, which are to be dredged to the required depth, ‘and communicates with the numerous coves and natural tide sluices in the been a = the head of = = (of Suez) it is proposed to a for the fesse of caruvans journeying, between Cairo, Mount inal and Mecca. Within the causeway it is Lm emo to dredge an extensive haven for the protection of shipping, and commanication with the outer gulf by means of wluices for the iugress and egress of the tides, and piers of masonry, about two miles long, (or the passage of I. ‘vensels, From the canal from the Nile, ultimately to empty into Lake Timsab, another branch of the Fresh Water follows the line of the “Grand’’ work to {ts outiet im the basin at this point. HOW MUCH HAR BRAN ACCOMPUETED, Now the question arises, how much of this enter. rise has been accomplished? Eight years the work fos been going on. The canal channel is in several places completed, but nowhere continuously for any dis- tance, The beds of the lakes are still untouched, The Projected basin here has not been commenced; the ‘causeway bas not been commenced. There is no water whatever in any portion of the Grand Canal. ‘The Fresh Water Canal, already alluded to, is now open to the Nile, but is only navigable for camel boats and flat bottomed construction barges. It is not aa yet used for commercial purposes, ‘The French reports, grandiloquently Frenchy, published some time ago, pronouncing to the World that steamers were plying from sea to oy! and that the commerce of th Wediterrancan and the Indian Ocean was occupied in the very cordial operation of shaking hands, were a farce and entirely false, It is true a small steamer, drawing abouts six foot of water, at tho peril of rubbing off its cop. pering, made one trip {fom the Nile to the terminus hero Dut to got into the sea it would even now be necessary apply its screw to purposes of aerial navigation or ite pad dies’ to wagou wheel, The verbose grandeur of a Frenchman's tongue often soars beyond the narrow |ituits of stern facts. The labor, however, on this end of the Freeh Water Canal ts going on, though on the Grand work it bas been discontinued. UeRS OF THE FMALL CANAL, Now, as to the prospects of a successful isaue of the enterprise, The Fresh Water Canal, which, already mentioned, is filled with water, still jacks the excavation of f large bulkhead to permil the passage of water into the locks, and thence He vd & channel to make the connection with the Guif of Suez, by means of the route for the steam lighter in intercourse from the city with the shipping. This link small boats draw: short of six feet, and about the size of our own cal Doate. will be alle reach tho Nile at Cairo, whence bags J the Rosetta arm (the western arm of the Nile), to the Mahamovdi Canal to Alexandria. Tho Maiamoode Canalis an Egypiian work, used as much for in avon as sor trade. It commences ab Pompwy’s Pillar at Aiex audria, is cloven German or nearly seven English miles in length, about ninety feet wide, and enters the Nuv at Faab, Thc eanal was dug by Mehemet Ali in 1819-20, coer nearly @ ght million franes, or over @ miliiun and « hail dollars, aud employed two hundred and fifty thousuud men for its completion, of whom twenty thousand died of starvation “and disease, It rons partly over the old bed of the Fuah Canal in the ime of the Venetians, and partly over the old Ramanyeh Canal, Atthe best the pre- sent Fresh Water course cau only be made ureiul accord- ing to the principles of old ‘ashioned canal navigation, and will merely co-operate with the railroad in th» ship went of merchandise across the country, necesitating wanshipment io the'conal craft at Alexandria and reship- ment to ocean vessels in the Gulf of Suez, or the con- trary. The motive power, with the exception of the Nile portion of the route, will either be camel or bullock, The canal connecting Ug place and the river cannot be navigated at all by steam without entirely destroying the work in its present condition, Im my voyage to Chullin J observed the abrasion of the slow current, and ripples have made percepuble traces on the banks, und in everal places the sides have sunk into the waver, caus- ing considerable indentations, ‘This being true, fom my ‘own observation, I cannot for a moment believe that steamers will be able (o any purpose to ply in its waters, the screw stirring up the bottom and tho paddles the sides. Asa matter of natural result, steam navigation, in a few weeks, Would put an end to the friendly shaking the two seas, In order to use steam it will be necessary to wall the sides; and them another obstacle arises in tho undermining of the foundations of the Walls, As Ihave said, the only advantage in the Fresh Water Canal will b» to assist the railway in the transit of freight, and even in this humble spliere it is doubtful whether in this fast ago merchants will submit to the slow operations of canal trade, DOUBTFUL PROSPECTS OF THE GRAND WORK. However unpretending may be the aspirations of the small canal, the realization of the great expectations of the “Grand” one is looked upon with more anxiety. My candid opinion is that when the present French Em- peror, as ho is at the bottom of it, undertook the un on of the two seas by a maritime canal, he most empbati- cally put his foot in it. can hardly think he had in the outset any other motive than @ political move—vne of that series of very shallow schemes which bis admirers pronounce deep, “Suppose salt water running from one extremity of the canal to the other, M. Lesseps and his assistant engineers inform us that the level of the two seas ig the same, the difference only being in the tides, which Yun from five to eight fect. A cur- rent running from either of these elevations in a di of seventy-five miles would be a small matter if the current of a river; but in a tidal flow it be- comes quite a different thing, ularly as in either or ebbing it is confined to @ few hours. Anybody who has seen a coast affected by tides knows their immense abrasive action, even on the hardest surfaces; what then will be the effect on @ narrow channel through loose, porous sand, driven about by every wind like so much vapor? But suppose by means Of gates the tides are kept out; then the re- quired depth of twenty-six feet is to bo attained by digging, in which case, without any current at all, the canal will be a convenient place for the surplus sand thrown up on the Mediterranean coast, afact admitted by the necessity of building an exponsive picr, nearly four miles long, in order to secure sufficient depth of water for ships of any size. Another obstacle Would be a proper understanding with the ruler of the terrific desert winds. The same agency that formed the huge sand banks everywhere visible here would not have the slightest hesitation in burying in @ single night a dozen miles of canal and a small ileet of ships. Again, what is to provent the action of the water, agitated by the steamer’s wheels, on the sides and bottom of the channel? We might reply to this that vessels could be towed through by camels, and then save the time and expense of transhipment. The same dittl- culties mentioned in connection with the Fresh Water ‘Canal will not only affect the Maritime, but in a largely in- creased ratio, ‘The samo firmness of bed and sides of the small canal would very naturally be much more affected by four times the volume of water, and salt at that. Although the work bas been many years in course of construction, and at present labor on it entirely sus- pended, it is quite probable Napoleon himself has some doubts about its success, THR WHOLE A YRENCH ¥IZZLR, It is admitted here by Frenchmen that when the canal is finished, if ever, and the water in it, it will be necessary to kéop {t open by incessant dredging. It ‘occurs to me here I would suggest to the canal company to purchase at once a dozen American dredges, as tho machines now used in keeping open communication with the ships bring up ata haul about as much sand as I could quite conveniently carry off in my hat, But to cap the climax, if the canal were in perfect working order, old sailors aay, for ex months in the year from Aden, it would require more time and labor to beat up the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez to the canal, against heavy head winds and tides, than to make the trip around the . The truth is, whatever may be the result of the canal, the labor capital expended on it are French ¥ ry no matter ten years hence what Tshmail Pasha, iceroy of Egypt, or bis successor, may eay to the contrary. If the authorities of the country should med- dle with the affair, the indemnity dodge would be a con- venient cloak for & column of French troops in Egypt. ‘Whether the Mexican failure would be @ lesson remains to be seen, jped—Oflicers of the Freedmen’s to be Retained in ServicemAgs ig of the Members of the Legis- lature at Richmond, é&ec. OUR RICHMOND CORRESPONDENCE. Ricuaonn, Va., Nov. 29, 1868. TUR FUTURE CONDITION OF THE DLATITUTR WHITES axD BLACKS IN THE SOUTH It is understood upon the high authority of the Lien- tenant General that the system of ,providing rations for the destitute white and black people of these States will be abandoned dering the coming month. This action will, of course, necessitate a far greater amount of suffer- ing throughout this part of the country during the winter now at hand than way otherwite apprehended, With a view lo avert, so far as possible, the great amount of pri vation (bat « |) evtet in any event, a public meeting is to ve held here at an carly day to take proper measures looking to some form of adequate relief, and it is be- lieved that a committee will be appointed to proceed to the jeading Northern cities and ask alms of @ generous people, It is also thought that crime will very materially increase in this region during the winter mentha. THR FRERDMEN'S KURRAD. ‘An order will be prom ulgated in a few days retaining in the service all the officers at present in this Siate at- ta ched to the Frecdmen’s Bureau. AUSCONDED WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDS, A clerk attached to the headquarters of the command. ing general at Petersburg, who had been entrusted with government funds, has absconded with seven hun dred dollars and bas not yet been traced up. ‘THK VIRGINIA SOLONR, The members of the Legislature of this State, the an nual session of which commences in thie city on Mon day next, are beginning to fill up the various hotels. The ‘session will be a prolonged and exciting one. RESIGNATION OF COLONKL GRORGE HM. HART. Colone! George H. Hart, who bas been acting here for the past few months ag private secretary to Governor Pierpoint has resigned that position and returned to the N He was both efficient and popular in the pori- tion. Telegraph Office Opened at Franklin, Mass.’ PRawxuin, Mase, Dec. 1, 1965. The American Telegraph Company opened an office in this place to-day for the transmission of messages over the wires to all parts of the United States and the Canadas. Burglary in Milford, Mass. ONR OF THE ROBRERS “HOIST BY HIS OWN PeTann.’? Woncrsren, Deo. 1, 1865, ‘The railroad depot at Milford, Mase, waa broken into last night, and tho safe blown open and robbed of about $100. One of tho burglars was found on the Moor this morning, with his skull fractured by a piece of tron blown from the safe, Ho cannot live through the day, ‘The man has not been identified, aor have any traces of his accomplices been discovered, Marine Affairs, Sreawanie Hava A Canp.—The undersigned engers: by the steamsh! Pioneer steamer of the United Sates and Braziliay Steamship Company, fn wishing every muocess to the new re * to express thelr reeiation of kindness yalities of the ty conspicuous ind hereby 4 hie oft. 3 management on that Chief Engineer Walt aud bis testimony t | ood steamer moat trying o axsistanta, Who, by their arduous and untiring labors, seconded our worthy commander. Forster Hitch, Ulises Delboy, P. N.3 Win, C, Lamb, stavard, Fy Hark, A. Israel, Solon Dike, AP Meyers, Chat A Rio Jawero, Banta, Pr A akD Br Troma aveo, P Steamebip Havana—Prom Janeiro Mra Adriane Four. nier and daughter, Solon Dike, Aug Meyer. From Bahla—t Alves, From PeroambucomHenry Forster Kiteh, Indy, From Para—Etgene Eetavard, Chas &, Coll 1, W Delboy, From St Thomas—Win ¢ Tease F Rath, D van irang and lady ton A Wooden, Harker, H Ballard and mervant Mrs Dulude and child, Wm W Warren Nine BF 5 Rosenfeld, Lieut EY Andros, Misa M MtoMullen, Onot Stir tevant, Wim MeBrile, Jas Roverta A Siow will of James Strong, deceased, father of the plain which Mr, Cram submitted in evidence. The instrum leaves his widow $10,000 and provides for the mainten ance of the members of the family during their residence in the paternal mansion, to their relations towa THE STRONG ‘DIVORCE CASE. THE WILL OF PLAINTIFF'S FATHER. “SUPERIOR FISHING * IN COURT. “Don Pedro’s” Piseatorial Amusements. DISSOLVING VIEWS OF INDIAN SQUAWS. Amusing Extracts from a Sporting Author. The Relative Merits of Brandy and Whiskey. Something Further About the Life at Islip. THE ORIGINAL TERMS OF SEPARATION, Closing of the Case for the Husband. Pointed Discussion About the News- paper Reporte. &e. Superior Court—Trial Term. Before Judge Garvin, The trial of the Strong divorce case was continued yee terday. Throughout the day the court room was densely crowded, while a continuous throng besieged the doom for admission. THE WILL OF JAMES STRONG, DECEASED The proceedings commenced with the offering of the A BOGUS ADVERTISEMENT OF DEATH. Mr. Cram also desired to submit an advertisement pub- lished in the New Yor Hxravp purporting to record the death of Alice Strong on the 28th of September, 1864. After a brief argument the Court decided to exclude it. “SUPERIOR FISHING’ ROOSEVELT ON THE STAND— THE STRONGS AT ISLIP. Robert B. Roosevelt deposed—I have known the plain- tiff for twenty-five years; saw him at Islip ia May, 1862; passed several nights there; Mr. and Mrs. trong oceu- pied separate apartments. (Objected to and excluded.) ‘On the occasion of my visit in 1862 I was in Mr. Strong's room; the room had no ladies’ dresses; the bea was disturbed, but think there was no mark of its having Deen disturbed by two people; it was marked az if occu- pied by one person; Mr. Strong occupied the front room; there was a door, but I did not observe a passage way to Mre. Strong’s room; there was something against the door; I was at the house again in September, and again in October; on last occasion was once in Mrs. Strong’s room; she asked me in, but for what I now forget; there was @ crib or cradle alongside the bed; was there again in December four or five days; was again on thie occasion in Mre, Strong's room, if not twice on previous occasions; during these visits I saw Mr. and Mrs, Strong's manner toward each other; Mr. Strong was always distantly polite; they did not talk much to each other; when they*met at table they spoke of matters connected w\! dinner in the parlor when Mr, Strong a: | rayself did not © table; after go out Mra, Strong left us, and did not come back during the evening; during my vieit at Islip I saw him take the younger child on hix knee and tell her stories; be talked to the elder one; I saw Mr. and Mrs, Strong together before January, 1862, after their marriage, but not very frequently; I cannot state any distinct, absolute fact am euch other then. MR, PETER STRONG'S BUSINESS DUTIES, Cross-examined—He was not at collego with me, nor is .e any relative; Mr, Strong has an oilice in the same building with mo; he has been there a year had offices five or'six years together I thore were not separate entrances al previously I think we all bad Mr, Strong has charge of his n town he govs to his office about ten pm about half-past three P. M., going out at intervals. Mit. BTRONG AS A SPORTSMAN, We have been in the habit of sporting together, com- meneing wbout five years ago; went quite frequeniy after 1862; wont together to Lake Superior; I published the book called “Superior Fishing ;” kept @ diary, from which the was in part made up; “Don Pedro’? re- fers to Mr. Strong; it is an exaggerated character, ‘Acopy of the volume was here handed to Mr. Roose- velt by Mr. McKeon, with certain marked passages, the reading of which created a great deal of merriment im court, Roosevelt gave the passages in «clear, dis tinct voice, interspersing |.om with critical remarks am to thelr exact relation yi the truth or ns exaggerated de- seriptions of the character of “Don Pedro.” He com- menced the reading with the following extract:— MRK. STRONG'S EXTRACTION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, i “Don Pedro i eof what we in our oung count the old and hig! ion, and, having been purtare’ and luxuries of life, is one of the most gentlemanly mea imaginable.” Witness—That is true, “At the public rooms of a hotel, in the balls, om the jnzza, in the saloon of a stearnboat, he can never pass @ indy, though ehe be a perfect or, Without tn the most deferential manner removing bis To this reverence for the fair sex ho adds an easy elegance towards bie own that at once commands attention and respect.’ Vituexs—I think that’s exaggerated, Never having taken an active share in the world’s ‘aire, his abilities, which aro far above the average, have Jain dormant or run to criticizing art or committii poctry; and he is rather apt to decus very sma’ matters with @ minuteness and persistency that impor- tant ones vearcely merit,” Witnees—That ts true, “flo had travelled Europe, of course, had shot quan and taken trout in Long Island, 6 crocodiles on the Nile and jackals in the desert ; the greatort exposure of his life bh Acountry inn, and his severest hardship the nding b claret sour or being compelled twice in one day to eat the same kind of game, he was now seized with a sport- ing mania, and determined to rough itdn the woods, An unsafe companion, perhaps, the reader may think; but it i not always the roughest men who have the most pluck, nor those accustomed to the commonest fare who grumble the least when offered still coarser, and there is truth in the words of worthy Tom Draw:—‘Give me @ Taal gentleman, ono as sleeps soft and eats high, aud drinks hghest kind, to stand roughing it.’ Mi, STRONG'S PREFERENCE FOR WiHtsKEY. Mr. McKeon—Did you stop at Cleveland on the Supe. rior excursion’ Witnose—We did. Mr. McKeon—Read the next passage marked, Witness, reading: — “Jp Cleveland wo intended to purchase such ardent spirits as we might require, and Don commenced: — «Now, as to this question of liquor, I should like to if views concerning kind and quantity,’ Woll, I expect we will bo in the woods twenty made my computations on that basis; sa of liquor, aud a8 you prefer brandy, “DY ovER ‘do not y no means,’ responded Don; A pote ections tafluence you; besides, a de od deal, If We werd gone twonty-focl ‘ould be just a pint a day, ora ut aplocey vero, considering we expect to rough it’ 1 know We have to give the men some occasiony nd then wo will meet other parties and have mur tual Uae luck to drink, eye not be 5 over bp tal though we can make i ‘ou say #0; I myself drinl ihemaen ta toe Wooley H “ ‘T believe that,’ replied Don, tronically; ‘and ae | ering how wel I know you, it was Pty by de mention it, But thi rerious question, ~y cleveland; and if wa ave to do what you short? I want P eoee of betver to take a doxen and a b “Thera ie no doubt; but if —— ‘Cf you say there is no doubt that Js eumeient; bat |