The New York Herald Newspaper, November 26, 1869, Page 3

WASHINGTON. The Proposed Annexation of - St. Domingo. 4 Baez and His Cabinet in Favor of It. THE CASE OF THE TELEGRAFO. A Question of Color in the Public Schools, Views of General Garfield on Specie Payments. Important Proceedinign in the United States Su; reme Court, THE KU KLUX IN GEORGIA. WAsnINGTON, Nov. 25, 1069. | St. Demingo—The Dominicans Alive to t 4 Advantages of Ansexation—Defeat of the Revolutioniste—Flight of Cabral. BSenstor Cole, Judge O'Sullivan and Mr. Hollister, of New York, had an in‘erview with the President to-day on matters relating to St. Domingo, Judge @sulltvan, who has been familiar with the affairs of the island for some years, explained to the Presi- dent the condition of the island and the desire of the people for annexation. The President appeared highly interested and asked numerous questions bearing upon and affecting tife scheme of annexa- tion. It seems, when the recent negotiations were taken up in earnest, President Baez called «together bis Ministers and the Senate and explained to them what had taken place between the .two ‘governments, and asked each of the gentlemen present to express their views candidly . and as they considered to the best interests of the Dominican people, After each had complied with this request they unanimously declared that to accept the propositions of the United States would be highly advantageous to the peace and prosperity Of the isiand. When the question of the alienation of the bay and peniusula of Samana was brought up and became generally known the influential men of the interior districts naturally inquired, ‘Who are to reap the benefits of this transfer? If we alienate Ay territory at all it would be to the general good to annex the entire territory.” Accepting this view, supported by the expression of popular spprobation, President Baez and his chief ofMcers determined to accept the suggestion from the inte- rior districts, and has acted accordingly. 1t was urged in the conversation to-day that the acquisition of St. Domingo and the planting of the American flag on that island would forever set at rest e@oy aggression from foreign Powers, and would solve the M nroe doctrine in @ more effective form than any other shape that it could assume. In regard to the Darien Canal, which it is known the President ia anxious shall become a thing accom. plished during his administration, it was mentioned that st. Domingo, which 1s 8 mountainous couniry and unusuaily healthy, Would serve as.@ sanitarium for the Jaborers on the canal wnen stricken by the malignant fevers incident to the jungles on the eas! 1d of the probable route of the canal, In view of the uncertain state of affuirsin the Hay- ten portion of the island of St. Domingo it has been * suggested that the policy of Minister Bassett would be to make friends at once with the new government, 1m oraer to assure to the United States the friendly feelings of the persons in power. Otherwise it is feared that out of hostility to Baez, who has been a friend to Sainave, the new government may take measures to streng*ien the revolutionists and thus frustrate Baez in the contemplated transfer of the island. Intelligence from §t. Domingo up to No. vernber 12 states that Salcedo was attacked; Cabral was at Las Mates, where an engagement had taken piace in which the revolutionista were defeated, and General Belisaris Curiel, a nephew of Baez's Minister of Finance, and Volla and fifteen soldiers were taken prisonera. Four men and twenty horses were killed, Cabral escaped, leaving his rifle be- bind. No news has been received of the release of the Telegrafo at lortola. Un the other hand, a letter from Mr. Vielona, Consul of the Dominican republic at St. Thomas, states tnat legal proceedings had been commenced. The Paraguayan War—Reply to General Mc- hs Maken. A pamphlet has just appeared, entitled “A Few Remarks in Answer to Genera! McMahon’s Opinion fm Regard to the Paraguayan War,” tn which the writer exposes the alieged despotism of Lopez and vindjcates the action of the allies in making war against the Lopez dynasty, but not againsc the Paraguayan peopie. .. Phe Ninth Censns. The Sub-Committee on the Ninth Census held a Jengthy session to-day, very nearly completing the Dill now under consideration relating to the taking ofthe ninth census, The committee have reached the last section of the bill, which will prescribe the achedules, to be used. The committee adjourned until Saturday next, Mr. Cullom, of Illinois, one of the committee, was present for the frst time to-day. Resistance to the Revenue Laws of Geor- g@in—A Coliector Ordered to Leave the Country. ‘The following letter was received tins morning at the office of the Internal Revenue from Edwin Belcher, Assessor of the Third Georgia district:— AvGusta, Ga., Nov, 15, 1869, Smr—I have to report that Mr. James B. Wilson, Assistant Assessor of the Kleventh division of this istrict (Tallaterro and Wiikes counties), has just arrived at tius placo from Washington, Wilkes county, under the following circumstances, viz. Rig office was broken into last night, the 1étn in: his books snd papers were <estroved or stolen, and a note, of which the following is a copy, left on his desk: — Buoopy Moon. Nragee Svs—Sir—Your visit to this jace must end; your welcome has expired. A few days wili ‘allowed you to depart, never to retura. Take due notice and govern yourself accordingly, \ou know who. Mr. Belcher, the Assessor of this district, is a colored man. 7 Internal Revenue Appointments. Gustavus A. Smith, of Alabama, was to-day ap- pointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the dis- ict of Kew Mexico, in place of A, P, Sylvad, George W. Hood DAS DED Ameer iog assistant APM aiaizics Sf Rew York, and W. Tompkins for the Second district of New York. Tke Colored Labor Convention. The National Labor Convention of colored men which meets in this city on Monday, the 6th of December, promises to be the largest, in point of pumbers, influence and intélligence, of any similar body of colored men ever assembled in this country. Delegates have been clectea from the States of Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Goorgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Mas- sachusetts, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Ohlo, Ken- tacky and she Districy of Columbia. Among the Gelegates is General Clark, of Texas, and a number of other white aciegater, and female « ites have Deen elected from the States of New York and Rhode Island. Hon. B. F. Butler will address the Convention on the first and Hon. Henry Wilson on te secdnd day of the Convention. BA Question of Color in tho Public Schools. ‘The question involving the retention In the Frank- Un public school of a light mulatto girl, and about which there is much controversy, was this after: moon referred by the Sub-Board of School Truz fees to the Corporation Attorney for his opinion a8 to the applicability of the word white to the obnoxious scholar. The tate ect of Congress, striking the word white from all Jaws relating 90 the INetrict of Columbia, was With reference 6 Police) fights, abolishing distinction the two races as tovelective offices and fary tee. ‘The school question now agitated is under Corporation law. SPECIE PAYMENTS. Views of General Gardeld, Chairman of the Banking and Currency Committee—His Plan It Specie Paymente—A Cabinet Oticer in Favor of Legal Tenders—Raid to be Made on the National Bank Notes. WasBinoton, Nov. 25, 1869. Just now, when we are within 6 week of the meeting of Congress, and when the public press ts busily engaged in discussing the arguments for and against the resumption of specie payment, 1t may be of some interest Co KNOW the views of General James A. Garfield, chairman of the House Committce on Banking and Currency. Heretofore the Committee of Ways and Means has set itaelf up not only to pro- Vide Ways and moans for raising revenue, but to shape the financial policy of the country. It ts the intention of General Garfeld to make the Committee op Banking and Currency what he believes it was intended to be—the financial committee of the House. General Garfield, though a Western man, has never been an advocate of paper money, much Jess bas he been 10 favor of an iilimitable expansion of the volume of the currency. He ts of those who believe that the resort to paper money was s war Measure, intended only for # ume of war, and to be abandoned as soon as the war was over. Your correspondent found the General in his committee room at the Capitol poring over the bill prepared by the Census Committee—of which General Garfield bas been acting as chairman—for taking the next census. Garfeld 1s 8 courteous, scholarly gentleman, with a fine presence, an unusually large head, firmly set on @ vigorous, athletic body, with striking but regular features. Our conversation was about as foliowa:— ConsRsronDENT—General, what are your opinions on the question of resuming specie payments? General GarFrizLD—Well, I have not been correctly reported on that subject. I saw a statement the ‘Stner day tothe effect that I was in favor of imme- diate resumption. Now, that is not true, CoRRESrONDENT—Then you don’t believe in Hor- ace Greeley’s theory, that “the way to resume is to resume 1"? General GARFIELD—Not exactly; but I think we should set our faces towards resumption. Congress ‘should take some action that would indicate to the people that we intend some tme to resume. This would prepare the people for it. It would give sta- bility to trade and restore confidence. There are those who believe we can resume at once. Chief Justice Chase has always beneved that we could re- sume in stx weeks, ‘This has been his opinion since the close of the war. He regards the legal tendér act a4 a War measure, not intended for time of peace, andsodo I, But T would not do anything that would suddenty unsettie values create great financial distress. ‘That is what { believe a sudden resumption of specie payments would do. Besides, when we resume | waut it to be done in such a way that we shal) not be compelled to suspena again. CORBESPONDRENT—Do you think that if we should resume Without a sufficleat amount of odin in the ‘Treasury w pay out dollar for dollar in gold for sromasagee ‘there would be a run upon the Treasury jor General GARFIELD—Not necessarily. But if we should resume with our presént volume of currency and our present reserve of coin we could Rot con- tinue to pay mpeetes we would be compelied40 sus- pend again. The very knowledge of tue fact that we were trying to do what everybody knows we canno; do would create a. it of confidence in the public mind, and’ men woul “Weil, the govern- ment will be compelied to suspend again; and now, while 16 18 paying gold we will get all we can, and hold it,’? ‘tnis would create a panic, a run on the Treasury, and it would be forced to shut its doors, ep vieminealans ig your plav, General, for juming Geneval CAnFIgLD—First of all, I think, there should bea contraction of the currency, not violent, but grad- ual. Youremember sat ta 1s06 Congress passed a resolution endorsing the policy of Secretary McCul- loch in favor of contraction. McCulloch, however, ‘Was so spasmodic in his efforts that after a short time Congress passed another resolution ordering that there should be no further contraction of the currency. Contraction, to be beneiicial, should be dual and ular, ‘The business community snould know just how much the currency is to be reduced and when it isto be done, This supject of contraction, however, 18 one which requires to be Gard of value and resuming specie paymests is’ cot 0 an Dg ment con- tained in the following bill:— ct Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United of America, in Congress ussembied, That onand after the — —, it the: of the be he is ry auth and directed to Py soln of United States for any tender notes o: e United wh be pi at the otlice of at New York, at the rate of one dollar in one: cents 1 tender notes. and after the — of 18—, the shall Be one dollar in gold for on@ dollar sad twenty-nine cents in lecal ten notes; and at the inning of and during each succeeding for o uired during preceding month, until the exchange comes one dollar sn gold for ane dollar 19 egal tender Rote; on after — day of ——, 6 Secretary of the Treaaury ehail exchange gold for legal tender notes dollar for General GARFIELD—OF courae with this and as a prerequisite there would have to be some provision made for a contraction of the currency. CORRESPONDENT—Do you intend to introduce this bill at the next session? General GakFIELD—Yes, I shall probably introduce that or something thes lke it, =I do not claim origi- Bality for this plan. It is modelled alter the bill in- troduced in the British Parliament in 1819 by Robert Peel, which subsequently became a law, and under which England resumed specie payments alter a suspension of nearly & quarter of a century. You see the process 18 ual, It would enable every person to square his business and prepare to transact it on @ specie basis. Under this act, or one similar to it, England resumed two years before the time fixed by the law. As soon as We resumed I would be in favor of a free banking act, so that every set of men who chose might go into the bank- ing business, under proper restrictions, of course, as to their reserves and iabilities. CORRESPONDENT—Gencral, would you be in favor of reuring the legal teaders or the national bank notes gnould @ policy of contraction be adopted? General GARFIELD—On that point my mind 1s not quie made up. Formerly 1 was in favor of retiring the legal tenders and increasing the national bank notes. Lately, however, I confess that my mind is inclined the other way. I have had numerous con- sulvations recently with a member of the Cavinet, whose name lam not at liberty to mention, aud i ‘find that he is strongly in favor of retiring the na- touval bank circulation and substitutiug in its place legai tenders or United States notes. This policy has its disadvantages a3 well as its advantages. It woula put great power in the hands of Congress and be the meaus 01 great temptation to them, For in- stance, suppose that, on the eve of an election, it should be jound that there was a deficit in the amouut of revenue. The question would be how that deficit should be met. You kuow there are but wo ways of meeting it. One is by taxation and the other by issuing an additional supply of greenbacks, The first the people would feel immediately, while the last would only be felt after atime in the depreciation of the currency, Now, sup! 1t ahould be @ time when the elections were kely to be close. bk. in power would gay, “Don't let us ask the people for any more taxes; why can’t we as well turn out the amount in green- backs?” You see the injury which would ultimately be done to the people. CorResronpeNT—Don’t you think, General, that the national banks would oppose the retirement of their circulation ? General GARFIRLD—Probably they would. The large city banks would not feel it much, because theirs i# more of a regular banking business, But the country banks, that depend @ good deal on their circolation for their profits, would feel it sensibly. But, as I said before, ale var ig not made up on this subject, With regatd to resuming, however, my Opinions are fixed, ana J think if during the ad- ministration of General Grant we do not resume we shali bave lost the greatest opportuniiy of the age. z ‘ The Law of Contracts—Power of Parties io Anoul Compacts—Liabilities of Surcties of License Bonde—Contracts Between Enemics in Time of WareAathority ef Corporations to Grant Franchises—Selzure of Property Under Military Orders. WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 1869, The following cases were heard yesterday:— No. 260.—Joseph W. Parish et al. vs. The United Btates.—Appeal from the Court of Claims.—Parish & Co, contracted with Surgeon Magruder, at Louls- ville, in December, 1863, to furnish ice for the use of tho United States general hospitals at the West, in- cluding the Division of the Mississippi and other departments of the Gaif upon the Mississippi and its tributaries, for the year 1864, The contract was subject to the approval of the Surgeon General, who subsequently approved and forwarded it to Magruder; but before it reached him the approval was reconsidered, and the contract, by order of the Secretary of War, was recalled and another contract, in differ- ent phraseology, but substantially like it, was for- warded in {ts stead, After this second contract reached Magruder he was directed by the Secretary of War to erase from it the name of New Orleans as one of the pinces for the delivery of ce. This was done, but on executing it after the erasure was mado Parish & Oo. protested against the alteration, and proposed to tay all the facts before tne officials at Washington and ssk for redress, It was; how- ever, executed by them and afterwards treavedas ‘the only contract between the parties, and carried out without any attempt or offer to deliver ice at New. Orleans. On this state of facts tne Uourt of that the ac- Claims found as conclusions of law io the second tion of Parish & Lo. were therefore not Appeal 16 taken, the claimants insisting that tho original contract once made aud executed and @) ved by the Surgeon General, it ‘Was not within the power of either party to annul ‘ML without the consent of the other. ‘Iherefore whe the Secretary of War anuulled the contract, without the consent of the plaintitfs, @ cause of ‘action occurred for euch breach; aud tne Neg aed Mon for consideration is whether the piaint ve theira waived such Iiability, and on 1s tuaisted that the execution of another ‘and 8 diferent contract 1s no waiver of the breech of & pre-existing contract, unless 11 was so agreed at the Ug, and in this case, at the time of executing the second contract, the tested against the apoulling of the fi reserved their rights under the original contract future redress. government the view Of the court below. Cage submitted on the printed arguments of A. L. Merriman for claimants and of Mr. Talbot for the government. No. 176, The United Staies vs. Henry C, Smith et May, 1t q In opinton, and the case was certified up. The gov- ernment, who alone appears here, submits that the condision of she bond being for the benefit of the obligors, must be strictly performed, to relieve them of liability, and that the detendants are liable jor after the expira- being in terms wned trom extending 10 breaches occurring ‘ond the duration w £.K, Hoar, Attorney General, and W. A. license. Field, ment, No. 27%. Emily J. Fdor and William Pinkney et al. vs, The United Siaies, Appeal from the Court of Claims.—This suit Was brought to recover rent at at the rate of $6,000 per aunum from January 1, 1862, to January 1, 1807, for certain real estale and Personal property thereon tn Key West, Fla., known as “Tut's wharf.” ‘The contract to pay the rent was signed by J. S. Giobs, @ lieutenant of aruilery, “acting assistant quartermaster of we United States Army.” This officer nad no special authority to make the contract, and it was hever approved by the Quartermaster General; but, on the coutrary, was disapproved and the property placed on the returo of “contiscaied property.”? ‘ihe government pro- duced evidence to show that the clatuwants held tiie only by deed from @ public enemy within we rebel lines. Upon this evidence the petition was dismissed, and appeal 18 taken, the claimant lasist- ing that the government, having quietly held the premises under @ iease without making any dis- claimer of the landlord’s title or notice ol intention to hola the property adversely, is now estopped from dispaiing or putting in issue the title claimed, But if the Court shali be of opiuion that @ tenant may dis- pate his landlord's title in aa action to recover rent, then it 18 contended that, as Key West was never deviared by the President to ve in insurrection, and marual iaw had not been declared there, the agent, who, by power of attorney dated at that place, was authorized to sell the property, could and aid pass a valid utle to the purchasers, it 1s also urged that toe revel vender, having alver the revellion received a tull pardon irom the President, any title which the purchasers received from him, which had not been divested before his pardon, .werealter become con- firmed and valid as against ali and every per 90. ‘The government claims that this i8 a case growws out of the appropriation of Property by the army engaged in the suppression of tue rebeilion;* and, being such, the Court of Claims had no jurisdiction, But, 1n auy case, the ttle of the lessors, being at least doubtiul, any officer attemptieg to bind the government to Day rent for the property wouid be guilty of @ breach of duty and his acis would bee void. ‘The deed trom the vender to the petitioners, it 1s submitted, was void as @ contract between ene-e miles; and it f insisted that in # case like this the Tule of law should be strictly enforced. Thomas Wilson and N. P. Chipman for claimants; E. K. Hoar, Attorney General, for the government. No, 218 The People’s Passenger Railroad Com. intgs tn error, vs. The Mayor, &c., of Mem- =~ Me Memphis City Railroad Cnnpany.— or to the Supreme Court of Tennessee.—Beiore the war the city of Memplis by ordinance authorized the construction of certain street railways, On certain terme, by an association of persons who were eee henge fd in 1860, incoryorated by the Legisiature Tennessee, under the name of the piaintits in error, and ac- cepted the terms and conditions of the grunt made by the city, and gave notice that they bad procured material, &c., for the roads. ‘/here being opposition tothe road on Muin street by the property holders, the City Council receded from the undertaking to have tue road constructed until two-tiurds of the property, hoiders should express their willingness. im this time forch all action in the mat- ter was suspended by the war, until June, 1865, when the Legislature of the State incor- porated the Memphis City Railroad Company, guthorizing it vo contract with the city of tee and to operate street railways on any or all of che streets of the city, and repealed the act incorporat- ing the People’s vigemorg ond Rauroad Company. ihe Memphis City Kallroad Company commenced to iay tracks in the city, and the Mayor and Aluermen in- teriered to prevent the work, inreatening to use the ce force of the city to stop 118 progress, and there- upon the raliroad company commenced this action to obtain an injunction to restram the Mayor from further interierence and from granting to or con- tract with other parties for the construction of raulroads in the city, and praying also an injuncion to restrain all other parties claiming @ right to lay such roads irom proceeding with their construction. Apreliminary injunction was granted, and aiter- wards the piaintifs in e1 were, ubon petition, allowed to come ip as defen@Bnts, and their answer, by leave of the Court, was allowed to stand fora cross bili against tue Memphis City Katiroad Com- pany andthe Mayor and Aldermen. ‘To this cross ‘olil demurrer was inter |, and the decree of the Memphis court upon che original bili and answers and cross bill and demurrers being agatust the plainttifs in error, the case was taken to the Supreme Court of the State, where the decree was uftirmed, gud the case was thence brought here, te Plaintiffs in error insisting that the city ot Memphis being by ite charter empowered “to reguiate the layi Of railroads through the city, and by the general law to grant privileges in the use of the streets,” and having granted to thew this franchise, their mglit are paramount and must prevail. ‘Ine defendants maintain that the ciy could not vest individuais with the franchise in question, nor by contract with them deprive the Legislature of the power of granting the iranchise to others. D. K. McRae, J. al. Carlisle and J. D, McPherson, tor plaintitis in error; Albert Pike and R, W. Jobn- son, for defendants. Tne following cases were argued to-day:— The Untted States vs, Henry . Dewitt.—Certificate of aecision between the Judges of the Circuit Court for the Easteru District of Michigan. This case in- volved the question whether the provision of tae twenty-ninth section of the act of March, 1867, ma- king it an offence to sell naphtha and itluminating oils under @ less temperature than 110 degrees Fa- renheit, 18 ® police reguiation, and being such ia constitutional. Pitzer Miller, plaintf tn error, ve. Larkin McKen- sie et al.—The plaintlif sought to make the defend- ants Hable for the seizure and destruction of certain cotton during the jate war. The defence was that the first named defendant was a captain of Southern State troops and the other defendants were mem- bers of his company, and that the act was committed under orders of che Guvernor of Mississippi. Under instructions of the Court the verdict was for the de- fendants, end an appeal was taken t0 116 Court, eres AMCRICKR ina tit The Polvtechnic branch of the American Institute ‘Met ‘ast evening at Cooper Institute, Dr. Chambers ‘presiding. After the discussion of various methods for producing perfect combustion in furnaces; of the influence of electricity on the corpuscies of the blood; and of the several means employed for enveloping steam boilers and pipes with nonconducting materials, the chair stated that the regular suoject for the evening—the aurora bore- alis—would be postponed until the next meeting in consequence of the absence of Dr, Vanderwine, who had intended to be present to reply to the theories of Dr, Hall. The chair said he would suggest two points ho rer, which seemed to entirely aisprove Dr. Hall’ theory that the aurora borealis was pro- duced by solar light instead of magnetism. First, that the beams of the aurora . borealis were shown by the polariscope not to be polarized asin the case of the reflected polar rays; and e¢o- ond, that the rays of tae former, examined by tho spectroscope, did not reveal in the spectrum the game lines as solar light. Dr. Bradiey also briety addressed the meeting in relation to the connection of magnetic storms with the aurora borealis, to which Dr. Hall replied that he was prepared to meet all these points, and should do so whenever the presence of Dr. Vanderwine afforded the opportu- nity, Mr. Boyd lustrated, by means of & minia- ture vessel and a mirror, the phenomenon of the Mirage, and the meeting adjournes for two weeks, ARMY INTELLIGENCE. Captain Robert P. Hughes has. been appointed | Alde-do-Camp on the stajf of General Terry, com- Manding the Departmedt of the South, and is ordered to reper In person accordingly. in O..M. Baliey js detailed on recruiting ser vice and ordereu to Fr. port to Brevet Brigadier Gen ¢ral Burbaps, at Cincinnati, for assigoient to doy THE SPANISH ARMADA. A Review of the Situation—The United States Marshal in Full Possession—Orders and Instructions from Washington—Snr- mises as to What Spain Means With a Fleet in New York Har- bor—The Application to Bond the Gunboats. It is not necessary to draw upon one’s imagination to give this affair of the Spanish gunboats any 8 sational coloring, The facts connected with their seizure and all the circumstances surrounding it are, in all trath, weighty enough to make it the promi- ent sensation of the time. It ts not alone the mag- nitude of the money value of tue objects seized— thirty new gunboats, with their tackle, apparel, engines and furniture—but more so the extent and Yamification of the interests involved, the high po- Ntical Importance, at home gawell as abroad, of the questions raised for decision and which it may be diMeult to avoid, and further, also, the present un- certainty asto the attitude which the government of Regent Serrano, in Spain, may assume should their wishes in the matter be thwarted. All this taken in connection renaers this complication of the Spanish gunboats one of the most serious the Ameri- cem government has bad to meet for years past. There are several parties interested, and in order to Place tbe whole matter in ite true light before the public @ short reference will suffice, First—The government of Spain determined to crush out the revolution of the Cubans at all hazards and at any cost. That government, it will be recol- lected, has courteously, but firmly, declined the offer Of the good ofices of the American government to Mediate between Spain and the insurgents in Cuba, ‘The Spanish appear to belieye that their national in the case, and are “eaid to have declared their upchangeable resolution not to part with the r n of Cuba at the beck of revolution, nor to allow, 84 far as in their power lies, any interference betw the spanish govern- Ment and its colony on the part of a foreign govern- ment. They have urged the speedy completion of these guiboats; for they affect to believe, and probably do believe, that with the ald of these vessels they could suppress in @ very short time all organized resistance to their rule on the island, which event ta a thing of necessity for them, since the home government of Spain isin need of funds, and Cuba has hitherto Most Javishly replenished the Spanish treasury, while now, since the revolution, the colony costs vast sums of money for armament and other war expenses. It is therefore a matter of serious con- cern with Spain to obtain the release of these boats in order that they may be used for the purpose they were destined to effect. Second—The people of Cuba, or at least that por ton of them which is in open revolt against: Spain, have-now for over ® year maintamed them- selves, with varying results, and according toasworn statement in the hands of District Attorney Plerre- point, “exercised exclusive jurisdiction and control throughout the greater part of the island, to wit, the district extending from Santiago de Cuna, on the Caribbean Sea, to Baracoa, on the Atlan- tle Ocean, and from Baracoa to Sagua, on the Atlantic Ocean, and irom Sagua to Cien- fuegos on the Caribbean Sea, and thence to Santiago de Cuba.” And the people of this district and their sympathizers, “‘aiders and abettora’ ali over the island feel that Spain in possession of these gun- bogts, would materially alter the present relations between the revolutionists and that country, that the chances of the ultimate success of the former would be considerably lessened, and the time for ousting monarchical rule and erecting the island into an independent republic indefinitely postponed, Third—The American people, who have that innate fondness, so characteristic of all generous hearted nations for sympatnizing with the weak against the strong, and especially when the weak struggle for “liberty and independence,” as is the casein Cuba. When, in the eariy part of the present century, the first throes of revolutionary uprisings in. the Spanish-american provinces were per- ceived the voice of Henry Clay only gave utterance to the general sentiment of tie country in favor of the recognition of these nascent republics, And the popularity gained among Americans by the self- sacrificing patriotism of Miranda is not yet forgot- ten. The American people of to-day are possessed of the same republican instincts and liberal impulses as they were fifty and sixty years ago, and hence their sympathies with the struggling Cubans. Yeg Fourth—The administration at Washington is no less affected by these events than are Spain, the Cubans and the American people. The administra- Uon is the constitutional and authoritative nead of ‘the nation and speaks and acts in its name. It has, a8 & matter of course in @ representative popular government, to feel the public pulse to ascertain the Dublic wili and shape its policy in accordance with the pupdlic demand. But it is not permitted to act upon this alone. It must take into con- sideration questions of international law, ol interna- tional comity, and weigh the events of tne day in the scale of law, justice and oftentimes siso of expediency. And herein lies the great dim- culty in the present instance. During the rebellion of the Southern States France made a almilar offer of her good offices at mediation, and the offer was politely declined, just as Spain has now declined the late offer of the United States. It was then claimed by the American government that the revolt of a part of the people was simply and exclusively a domestic affair; that the territorial jurisdiction of the government remained intact, and that for a for- eign (herp to recognize any other within the established linfits of the country was viewed in the light of an “unfriendly act,’ and upon this was based the oft-repeated complaints against England of conceding belligerent riguts to the South. ihis is exactly the position advanced by eles now and relied upon by her government at home and her offictal representatives in this country to discoun- tenance any aet intended, howsoever remotely, to ald the Cubans, Besides thts question of international jaw, a8 expounded and insisted on by the American government since 1861; besides this question of in- ternational comity pressed by Spain there comes into play the neutrality laws of Congress as enacted in 1818, From all this it will be seen that the situ- ation, viewed imparuaily from all sides, ia an ex- ceedingly embarrassing one, demanding the exer- cise Of Wisdom and statesmanship in the highest degree, WHAT JUDGE PIERREPONT SAYS. Such is the situation of this affair at present. Ana if was in full view of these several interests Involved, and the bearing of the several questions which enter into the consideration of this matter of the Spanish gunboats, that Judge Pierrepont re- marked yesterday that it was more of @ poittical than of @ legal question; that it will depend upon the way in which the administration may treat it it aball me iq most eee act or its bei oo] froin; wt himée!f djd not pretend to 3 Mime ry nana possess sufficient wisdom wn BAY}! Tan mee WOR ought to be taken, but he wou JAMIWliy wou promptly carry out whatever instructions iis Shoula Teceive irom his superior officers, MARSHAL HARLOW IN FULL POSSESSION. AS was reported in these columns yesterday, United States Marshal Barlow took possession late on Wednesaay aiternoon of all the thirty boats. Athwart the dock, at the foot of Thirteenth street, lay moored the United States gunboat Maria, Eosign John Bleecker commanding, which had been sta- tioned there to watch the boats and prevent their leaving. Ip the evening Marshal Harlow visited ad- miral Godon, at the Brooklyn ry Yard, io order to make some temporary arrangement for the con- tinuance of that vessel at her post until furiher orders should Lave been received 7m Washington. The Maria remained there, in consequence of this appiication, during Wednesday night. Yesterday mormog Admiral Godon received instructions from te Navy Department to. piace & suMctent force at the disposal of the United states District Attorney to Keep guard of the gunboats, The Navy Yard tug henge! | Was at once ordered into service, uader command of Ensign Kelley, who re- ported for duty to the Disirict Cate J and ho again placed the boat under the order of the United Stares Marshal. The armament and ammanition of the Maria were transferred to the tug Catalpa, and the Jormer vessel relieved of uty at nine o'clock yesterday morning. At five o’clock tn the afternoon the Marshal, undoubtedly under orders, bad made over arrangements. He had chartered the tug Martin Kalbfeisch, said to be owned by ©. pela- maier, placed ber in charge of officers of ordered the armament and ammunition transferred irom the pa to the Kalbfeiscu, and discharged the Navy Yard tug from further service. The Catalpa obeyed orders and steamed back to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, thus ceasing all connection of the naval authorities with the safe wen of the Spamsh unboats, leaving Marshal Harlow in exclusive and ull possession of them, WORK ON THR BOATS TO BE RESUMED TO-DAY. It Was alao stated youterday thet upon she seigure of the boats on Wedvesday work upon them was at once stopped. Mr. Delamater Lo ped to contioue as heretofore the work the fitting out Of the boats for sea; but Mi Harlow said that he must first confer with the District Attorney. did sO yesterday morning, Judge Pierrepont, not wishing to increase tue hardship attending the seizure by any unnecessary severity, promptly gave the Marshal written instructions to that eifect. Mr. Delamater was noted of this, and was pre- paring yesterday aiternoon to resume work on the Uuntnished boats this mormng, and to proceed as usual util the case shall have been decided oae Way or the other. THE AMENDED LIBEL. Yesterday morning Judge Pierrepont received from the proper departwent at Washington jetters of in- struction upon various points invoived in the case; but upon that most important of all—whether the fact that these gunboats are to be employed by Spain in carrying on hostilities against a “colony, d.sirict Nar Coc guns the ne States Lad ° —- it, the ‘colony, istrict or peopie’’ ol Cuba—should’ be presented to tue court in an amended jibel and as an additional ground for the seizure—the authorities at Washington seem as yet uudecided, tor no definite instructions have reached the District Attoruey on Luis point, and he is unwill- ing to act on his own responsibility and precipitate matters without the consent of the administration, though he has lata the foundation for an amended libel, with this additional count, in the affidavit of Ignacio Alfaro, which fully covers tne pomt. The supplemental libel is already prepared, and when- ever the government at Washington decides to pro- ceed aguinst the fe for this ground also a brief telegram to Judge Pierrepont will bring it at once into court, QWILL THE GUNBOATS BE BONDED? It tg understood that an applicauon will in all robability be made this forenoon to Judge Blatch- urd, either by Mr. Deiamater or by the representa- tives of Spain the vessels seized be reiegsed on beats ave that they shail mot be used. on leaving New York, in violation of the Neutraiity act. in- quiry was made afternoon of Judge Pierre- it whether he would oppose the application on of the government. His answer was evasive, belong simply “I don’t know yet.’ He is awaiting Jnstructions from Washington bow to act, and since he looked ed tas pene matter rather of poitti- cal than of legal import, to the political authorities of the country, to tne adm! at present, and to Congress when it sball have met, must be left the final decision. THE “COMING? FLEET. Some stir has been created in certain circies by tional announcement that @ formidable Spamigh fleet, under the. command of Admiral Mal- campo, is under orders to assemble in New York harbor, and by the insane outbursts of wrath and fury of a Spanish sheet published in this city, ‘Ir it be true,” said a prominent federal otticer yes- terday to a representative of the HERALD, ‘if If be true, as some of the Spaniards allege, that thie announced arrival of @ strong naval force is imvended as @ demonstration it may complicate matters very much. American spirit and spunk 1s not given to tolerate any such menacea from a Joreign Power; and if the courts should decree the* release of the gunboats under such circumstances there wil not be few who may consider it as a sub- mission to threats—a thing quite unpopular wiit the American people,” Half a Dozen Spanish Men-of-War on Their Way to New York—A Few First Ciase United States Iron-Ciad Monitors Ordered to Our Harbor “Just to Look at the Strane gers’”?—No Change in the Spanish Minister’s Views—The Peruvian Minister at the State Department. 4 WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 1869. The interest in the Spanish gunboat excitement received a fresh impetus here to-day from the receipt by the government of information to the effect that six Spanish men-ol-war were reaily on thelr way to New York. This fully substantiated the statement which appeared in the HERALD of yester- day. The source from which the government re- ceived its information bas not been made known, but it is deemed entirely trustworthy. Numerous were the conjectures in official circles as to the object of such a large number of war vessels belonging to a foreign Power making their appearance in American waters. That their destination should be New York just at this particular time; too, was calculated to excite susPicion, if not alarm. Tne news was con- fined w a limited circle, and oMcials were very reti- cent on the subject, only looking wise when ques. toned closely as to the object of the Spanish fleet, “No matter what they may be after; we will take care of them,’’ said one official, with a deflant shake ofthe head. “and,” he added, “if they go cutting up any capers they'll get more than they bar- gained for.” The Spantards said there was no harm intended; that the sbips were only coming up srom Cuba for repairs and to convoy the mosquito fleet to its destination in case of their surrender by our authorities. The “big” fleet of Spanish vessels, they said, would come and go as quietly and peacefully as pleasure yachts. It was insisted, however, in some quarters that the Spanish fleet meant business, and that it was coming to New York to release the Spanish gunboats by force, if necessary. Many officials were of opinion that under the circumstances, while the case of the gunboats was under adjudication in the courts, the presence of 80 many vessels of war belonging to Spain in the harbor of New York would be a sort of menace, a threat intended to overawé our government, Whatever may be the object of the visit of these Vessels, it is evident that our government ts not dis- posed to give them too much credit on the score of good intentions. The Spaniards may be as harm- jess as doves, but the government will undoubtedly act on the principle of ‘forewarned is forearmed.”” You need not be surprised, therefore, if you see a few of our first clase iron-clad monitors making their appearance in the harbor of New York jast about the time the Spaniards arrive, They will be ostensibly on a@ trial trip; but they wiil probably remain in port as long as the Spanish vessels—only to fook at the strangers, A letter to the following effect was sent from the Navy Department to-day soon alter tne receipt of the news of the intended visit of the Spanish feet:— “To the Proper OMcer—It is necessary that the Mian- tonomoh be sent to New York as goon as possible.” A similar letter was despatched to Boston, where the iron-clad Terror 1s being fitted for sea. Both these vessela will turn up at New York within the next few days, and probably others of simiiar caliore. In addition, it is stated that one of the new torpedo boats which has been Otting out at the Navy Yard here will also make a trai trip to New York about the same time, Admiral Porter, who has been giving considerable attention to the fitting out of these torpedo boats, prides himseif a good deal on their capacity for mischief among a fleet of vessels, whether they be made of tron or of wood. The Navy Department ofictais think it will do no harm to let the Spanish oficers take a peep at these vessels, and they will hardly get a better opportunity than they will have tn New York har- bor. ‘The truth is, the government is determined to be ready at all points for whatever emergency may arise; and while the ordering of these vessels to New York ia only precautionary it shows that there are some apprehensions of trouble. Is was expected that something would transpire to-day regarding the interview between Minister Roberta and Secretary Fish, referred to In my de- spatches last night; but { can obtain nothing at all that can be regarded as reliable. The rumor fapri- cators are doing their business very industriously, just as yesterday, and they manage to get atioat some highly exciting stories, But it is safe to assert that they have no grounds for any of thetr alarming stories, I bave reason to know that Mintater Roberts has not changed his views since Tuesday last on the subject of the gunbdvats, and then he was very decidedly of the opinion that Spain cond aye nothing to do with the business; ding Waa ong between our gov- that the legal prove. ernment and the constructors of tne Vosners, could not as yet, at all events, be made the basis of diplomatic messages or interviews. Mr. Roberts’ relations with our government, it may be added, are of the most friendly character, The Peruvian Minister, Colonel Freyre, had an in- terview with Secretary Fish to-day respecting we seizure of the Spanish gunboats, It is not known what occurred, except to this extent, that the Peru- vian Minister considers, from what Mr. Fish dis- closed, that everything is very favoravie to Cuba. This, if ft means anything, must meaa that our government intends not to yield to any dewaads for the surrender of the gunboats, MEETING OF THE ACADEMY CF MEDICINE. The fortnightly meeting of the Academy of Medi- cine was heid last evening at the corner of Twenty- third street and Fourth avenue, Eignt new mem- bers recelved their sealed and engrossed certificates of membership.from the secretary, Dr. Janes. Dr. H. D. Backley, president of the academy, filled the chair. The audience, not quite so large as usual Was Composed of sonio of the representative ime' the medical profession of New York. Dr. Mircheil read @ paper which brought outa Jong and learned discussion; but, a the subject 13 not alone delicate, but fordrdden ihe peas of socular reporters, notnlug of the depute is herewith appended, ‘ine academy As increasing in strength numerically ana pecuniarily trom monte to month. EVACUATION DAY. How It Was Celebrated Yesterday—The Mille tary Parade, the Firemen’s Turnout and the Crowds That Witnessed Them—An Ime posing Display. Rumor had it on Wednesday that the Mayor in- tended to issue a proclamation calling upon all good and loval citizens to shut up their shops and make & holiday of the anniversary of the involuntary depar- ture of tne British from this city, which very inter- esting event occurred, a8 everybody knows, eighty six years ago. The rumor proved without founda- tion in truth, but it is quite lmely that, even ifthe Mayor, in the patriotic ardor of his heart, had issued such a manifesto the day would not have been more generally celebrated than it was yesterday, for it certainly was celebrated in @ man-~ ner that forcibly recalled to mind the gooa oid times before the war, when ali the “national days” were not given the “go by” as they have been during the past two or turee years, Business was not sus- pended, it Is true, but everybody who could get ous of the traces—and the indications were that almost everybody succeeded in getting ont of them—did his individual utmost to augment | he -rowds that lined the streets through which the 1. Mary and drem@ paraded, All the pubiic buildings and many pri- vate dwellings were decorated with flags and ban ing, and the troops as they passed were received with the greatest enthusiasm by the citizens. THE FIREMEN’S. TURNOUT. The parade of the firemen was a very fine affair. The men marched exceedingly well and the appa- ratus, which were all ag clean and as bright as @ new dollar, elicited general admiration. The processiom passed in review corner of Fourteenth street and Fifth avenue, where a stand had been erected for the accommodation of the Mayor and several other distinguished gentlemen. The engine companies im line were Nos. 7, 10, 12, 13, 27, 80, 9, 17, 28, and hook and ladder companies Nos. 1,8and6, The Mayor was very much pleased with the appearance of the men and the apparatus, and expressed his admira- tion to the gentlemen who were on the stand, THE MILITARY PARADE. The military parade was, of course, the great fea- ture of the day, and the sidewalks along the varioug streets through which the troops passed were crowded by enthusiastic patriots, male and female. The weather was exceedingly propitious, but tha atreets were rather muddy, and the villanous pave- ment on Fifth avente was in some places 80 siip- pery that it was with great difMiculty that the mem were able to keep on their feet. Although the "Gray brigade” joined in the parade with the First divi- sion there were not as many men in line as it wae expected there would be, one of the regiments only turning outetght flea front. The march down the Bowery was especially a tedious one. Tho street was not kept clear by the police on duty along the route, and the consequence was that the regiments were often forced to march by columns of four to give way toa vender’s cart or an express wagon. Broadway was somewhat Jess obstructed and the marching less difficult, although the muddy condition of the pavement in certain piaces pre- vented the troops from marching with their usual steadiness. There was an immense crowd onthe sidewalks in Fifth avenue, adjoining the reviewing stand, where Mayor Hall, with a magnificent “rea, white and blue’? bouquet in his button hole, re- ylewed the troops as they marched by. The regt- ments passed the stand in the regular order of bri- gades, the First brigade leading. the Eleventh bri- gade of Brooklyn being sandwiched between the Second and the Third brigades. The Second regiment had eight files front. Several companies marched well, but none of them kept their proper distances, the gap between the rear and front ranks being in some “instances fully twa feet. The Twelftn came along in solid column of com- panies, with Knapsacks and overcoats rolled, tea files tront, and marched exceedingly well. The dia- tances belween companies were adiirable, ‘The Seventy-first had teq files front; the men wore their new full dress uniform and presented a splendid appearance. They marched steadily and were deservedly appiauded. The Fifth had lourteen files front and marched well, although some of the companies did not come up to the mark in steadiness, The Sixth did fully as well; some of the officers saluted at the wrong time and not properly. It had ten files front. ‘Tne Eiguty-fourth, with nine files front, lookea well 1a their new uniform, aud made a beiter appearance than they have ever made at apy pre- vious review. ‘The Ninety-stxth had ten files front and did pretty well in marching. ‘The officers’ saintes were badly done, The First Artillery presented a solid appearance. The band ceased piaying just on reaching the re- viewing stand and did Dot turn out unui the regi- ment had passed, as it should have done, The Tweaty-tuird had eleven Hles rout and made ap exceedingly fiue appearance iu their gray uni- form, which 18 almost identical with that of @e Seventh, minus the beita. Tue men tharched siead- ily, the ranks were well closed up, and the officers, with two or three exceptions, saluted well. ‘The band of the regiment was one of the largest and best in the parade, The ‘Thirty second (battalion), also in gray uni- form, looked well. it nad twelve flies front. The Forty-seventh, uniformed like the Twenty- third, had nine files front, and marched with great steadiness past the reviewing stand, division front, with ranks well closed up. ‘The Fifty-sixth nad seven files front. Its marcn- ing was not of the.best, although some of the com- panies were steady. ‘The howitzer battery, of four pieces, which is at- tached to the Eleventa brigade, under command of Captain Beeby, attracted great attention. Ihe guns were drawn by the men. The First bad tweive files front, and marched well, although they took too short steps. ‘he last three companies did not do as well as they might have done. Many Of the officers saiuted miserably. ‘The Seventh had eighteen illes frout and stretcned from curb to curb, The marching was superb, the ranks weil closed up and the distances properiy observed between companies. ‘This was tie oniy regiment which marched past the stand with the rank and file, without & Single exception, keeping their eyes steadily to tue frout. ‘he men wore their overcoats, The Lighth had twelve files front and marched Weil, a3 did the Ninth, with eleven fies front. The YTuirty seventh had tweive fles front. The Tegiment marched pretty steadily, but the Lienten- ant Colonel made @ great Misiake in giving the com- mand “double quick” beore the company first in line had got eght paces beyond the reviewing stand. ‘The Fiity-G1u, with cweive flies front, made avery fine show in the new uniform. it never appeared to better advantage @l any previous review, and showed signs oi @ new and Vigorous lile having been infused tuto it. ‘The Fourth wore their new uniforms, one company excepted. ‘They marcued pretty weil, though with rather 4 shufiling gait. ‘vhe Eleventu Lad twelfe flea front and made a good appearance. The salutes by the oficers were not weil doue, the weuty-second made a magnificent appear- ance iu their new full dress aniforas, Which suowea to great advantage. The marchimg could not aave been better. ‘The ranks were kept weil closed up and the distances strictiy observed. There were tourteen fies front. Company & was the only com- pany that marched past tue stand without a single man Ol the rank and file turning his eyes towards the reviewing oMicer. The Sixty-mathb, with tweive files front, the Seventy-ninth, with eignt (only six companies), marched steadily, although the distances were not at all observed, and the salutes of the oilicers, wita two or three exceptions, not properly doue. THe cavairy closed the procession. The parade, taken as a waole, was a very fine one, and consiWering the miseravie condition of the streets all the regiments marched as sieauily as could be expected of them under the circums:ances, and the Jarge crowds which witnessed the turnout were certainly in no way aisappoloted with the way the National Guard celeorated “Evacuation Day.” ‘At une ciose of the parade Mayor tall entertained Several of tue general oficers of the two divisions at theM anhattan viub. MIND, WHAT IT IS, Egeture by Dr. Duryea. The first of a weekly course of lectures in con- nection with the Brookiy® Young Met's Christian Association was (delivered last 2gut by the president, of the association, Dr. Duyrea, to @ crowded andience of both sexes, in the lecfnre room of the assoctation, The subject was, “Mind, its study, what it js, its usefulness and attractiveness.” Thi Doctor occupied considerable ume at the co mencement of his lecture by stating that he should not answer objectors to the existence of mind and macerialists generatly, aad in giving his reasons for wis determination, He then reviewed Wie four great brawches of the human intellect, and thus divided them:—What was the haan intellect? What did it perform? How «id it perform it, and What Was the product of its por. formauce? Mind was an individual thing, anu if was bounded only by the person of each judiviluw. We showed how much in all the material sciesce’ wo were dependent upon the testuaony of pure tateilect, ag In astronomy, Where the ca.culali us were to be taken entirely on faith, The uuity of the atudy cf the mind wag shown by the power it er us in ascertaiuing Wilo aud what we Were and py the ability also en Our part to deveop certain Jatent powers. He concluded by giviug 4 number of humorous Lilustrations of the appucauien oF Lue re soning powers and the advaniages atiendant upon the development of reason. Tue chapiain of Luo association, Mr. Martin, announced that another lecture would be giveu nexé ‘Toursday evening, aud We BUdject Would be “Ake spectral AUBY BIA