The New York Herald Newspaper, December 4, 1873, Page 4

4 ———— IRE LAND. Agitation Elome Rule. for The THE JOURNALIST OF THE MOVEMENT, DosuIN, Nov, 1, 1873, Iwas told that Mr, A. M. Sullivan, the editor of the Nation (newspaper), a gentleman who, all his life, has been engaged in Irish political contro- versy, and who 1s justly regarded as one of the leaders of Irish national opinion, could give me in- formation as to the present state of affairs and the intentions, hopes and prospects of those pledged to the accomplisnment of home rule, which would be fuller and more reliable than could be obtained from any other person. I accordingly caliea upon Mr. Sullivan, at the office of his journal, in Middle Abbey street, Dublin, and was very courteously re- ceived by him, He is a man apparently of between 45 and 50 years of age, of spare figure, and with a careworn but very intelligent face. When he learned the object of my mission he promised me all the aid in his power, and the following conver- sation ensued :— CORRESPONDENT—Will you, Mr, Sullivan, kindly give me some particulars of your life? Your name is well known in America, and I am sure that some details of your biography would be interest- ing to the HERALD readers. Mr. SULLIVAN.—With pleasure. I believe I may say that I came of a ‘amily that 1s very much respected in the county of Cork, though my imme- diate relatives filled but a very humble position, The regard with which we have always been held Dy the people has, I believe, its cause mainly in the fact or idea that we belong to one of the old fami- lies of the district—some minor branch of the Bere- haven O’Sullivan’s the Celtic peasantry, and, in- ceed, in the Celtic districts all classes more or less, attaching exaggerated importance to the idea of family or stock. My father in education and infu- ence was much above the station he filled. He was a decorator, house painter, &c,, and his great am- bition was that I, should become a great artist; so I was taught drawing. He was rumed—I may almost literally say beggared—by the events of 1848, in which he took @ part, and our family from a respectable position was plunged into the keenest distress. I set off to Dubiin, @ mere lad, full of the vague de- sign of pursuing my studies at the Royal Irish Academy, supporting myself meantime as best I could, becoming a great painter and lifting my father out of his trouble, I found ready employ- ment as an artist in the great Exhibition of 1853 in making drawings for the illustrated papers, ayd | then I crossed over to London on a similar engage- ment. This was my start in life, While working as an artist I made the acquaintance of several literary men, and began to contribute to magazines and weekly journals, among the latter the Nation, When Mr, Duffy, in 1855, resolved to quit Ireland | for Australia he offered to aispose of his share in the Nation to me, Mr. John Cashel Hoey, his part- ar, remaining as editor-in-chief. One of my father’s friends supplied the means, and I became one of the proprietors and editors of the Nation, the entire property passing into my handson Mr. Hoey’s retirement shorty alter, In 18571 visited America and travelled there for five months, I went through the whole of the Vailey of Wyoming, | knapsack on back and sketchbook in hand, col- | lected a store of valuable information about the massacre and made sketches of every point of in- terest. Ipublisued the result im a little book, “A Visit to the Valley of Wyoming,” which was | readily bought up and is now out of print. {n 1867 the execution of Allen, Larkin and O'Brien | lu Manchester, for what the English people con- sider “the murder of Sergeant Brett,” involved in Lhe rescue of two Fenian leaders, created wild ex- citement in Ireland, where the death of poor Brett was believed—l might say known—to have been accidental and the tial of the men a iarce. It ceased to be a Fenian question. Men, like myself, who had Incurred the fierce hostility of the Feniaus n reprehending their idea of Oghting England, came out vellemently ou ‘The Judicial Murder at Man. chester.” A monster junera! procession, at which 150,000 people either looked on or took a part, came of in Dublin, Join Martin, M. P., and inyself march- lng atitshead, For this we were a few days sub- sequently arrested and indicted, a second indict- ment being laid against me for writings in one of my papers. As it happeped, the incriminatory articles were written by my brother, and haa never been seen by me until they were read against me (n Court on the application for my committal. On this press charge I was brought to trial first, and convicted, Ou the funeral procession charge I was brought up the next day but one, This time I de- fended myself, the jury disagreed and the prosecu- tion fell through; but on the conviction against me on the first trial I was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in Richmond Jalil, And here is @ droll teature in the case. I found myselta prisoner in a jail over which ior six years (three years previously to that time) I had been myselfaruler, having been elected a member of the Board of Superintendence of City Prisons. And I helped to administer the affairs oi the prison while experiencing its rigors! For thougn I volun- tarily went off the board in January, when I found the prosecution at hand, the officers knew I should come on again, and in their personal relations to- wards me treated me as a governor still, I was thus spared humiliation, whicn is the real sting of imprisonment; but, apart trom this, I was treated as acommon thief or burglar, with the exception that, by special request of the Board of Superin- teudence to the Lord Lieutenant, I was ex- empted from wearing the prison dress. I was kept in solitary confinement, in a@ stone floor cell, 12 feet by 8 with only a@ log of wood chained to the floor for my wife—an American lady whom I married In 1861— to siton on the one day in the week she was al- lowed to see me. My interviews with my mother were conducted through a grated window, with a prison officer on cither side, In my fourth month 1 was liberated in compliance with the prayer of a memorial, which was a curiosity, being signed by conservatives, whigs, nationalists, Orangemen and ultramontanes, Instantiy on my release a commit- tee was formed to present me with @ service of silver Or some such testimonial, but having a hor- ror of this kind of thing I declined the proffered offer, and my friends ceased their exertions, not, however, until they had collected some £400. This sum I handed over as my subscription toward the erection Of @ statue to Henry Grattan in College Green, TRISH LITERATURE. CORRESPONDENT.—I understand, Mr. Sullivan, that you have devoted @ considerable amount of | exertion and capital to the advancement of popu- jar literature in Ireland, perhaps more so than any | man now in this country. 1s that so ¢ Mr. SULLIVAN—I think that may be said with truth, For many years I have been engaged in the ‘writing, compiling, editing, printing ana pubtish- | ing (all under my own hands, in my own establish. ment) of a series of national publications, These efforts of mine, humble enough, have been almost the only ones during the last 15 years to employ Irish brains, by pen and pencil, on Irish soil for Irish aims, The Dublin University Magazine, even, bas long since become a London periodical, ConResPONDENT—You have never been in Parlia- ment, | believe & Mr. SULLIVAN—Within the past five years I have been five times invited by the national and Cath- olic party to stand as a candidate—twice for coun- ties and three times for borougus--but, on per- sonal grounds, I have declined, WHAT 18 HOME RULE? CoRRESPONDENT—Will you explain to me what ate the objects contemplated by the home rulers? It is commonly said in England that no definite Platform has been put forward, Mr. SULLIVAN—The only objects contemplated by the organization are to be found in & pro- gramme which was drafted by Mr. Butt at a meet ing held at the Bilton Hotel in this city, where it might be said thatthe lion lay down with the lamb and the cat with the mouse, 60 many shades Of political opinion were represented, Among the ntiemen present were Mr, Bovie. the banker; NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1873.—TRIPLE SHEET, Sir Wiliam Wide, Jonn Madden, of Hilton Park, who resigned his Deputy Lieutenancy on the pass- ing of the Chureh Disestablishment act; Mr. James Vokes Mackay, taree of the leading professors of Trinity College, Galbraith, Shaw and Haughton and Mr. Butt, who drew up the 1oliowing declaration of the objects of the association, which was unanl- mously signed :— ‘HOMS RULE PLATFORM. To obtain for our country the right and privilege of managing our own affairs, by a Parliament assembled in Ireland, composed of Her Majesty the Sovereign and her successors, and the Lords and Commons of Ireland. To socure for tiat Partia- ment, under a@ federal arrangement, the right of legislating for and regulating ail matters relating to the internal affairs of Ireland, and control over Irish resources and revenue, subject to the obliga- tion of contributing our just proportion of the Impertal expenditure. To leave to an Imperial Parliament the power of dealing with all questions vaffecting the Imperial Crown and government, legislation regarding the colonies and other de- pendencies of the Crown, the relations of the United Empire with foreign States and all matters appertaining to the defence and the stability of the Empire at large. To attain such an adjust- ment of the relations between the two countries without any interference witn the prerogatives of | the Crown or any disturbances of the principles of the constitution. HUNGARY AND IRELAND. CORRESPONDENT—Are the home rulers @ recog- nized party in Ireland? Mr. SULLIVAN—Certainly, I think I can illustrate my meaning by a comparison with the state of Hungary just before its consolidation with Austria. Atthat time there were three parties—the sep- aratists, led by Kossuth; the constitutional na- tionalists, whose leader was Deak, ana the imperial, or Austrian party. Here we have very nearly the same state of afuirs. The Fenian party corresponds to the separatists; the home rulers to the constitutional nationalists, and the castle, or English party, to the imperial Austrian. CORRESPON DENT—How do you compare the home Tule movement to O’Uonnell's agitation ? Mr. SULLIVAN—O’Connell’s agitation was for a total repeal of the union, wishing to return to the Irish constitution exactly as it was in 1782, in point of fact to establish a perfect dualism under one crown, such as now exists in Sweden and Norway. Tne home rulers give up a8 much of O'Connell's programme as relates to peace and war, the man- agement o1 the army and navy and our arrange- ments with foreign nations to the imperial gov- ernment, On the other hand they claim a respon- sible local Irish executive or ministry as wel! as a Parliament. They wish, in fact, that Ireland shouid bear the same relation to Great Britain as the State of New York does to the United States, CORRESPONDENT—Do you imagine that home rule | if granted would absorb Fenianism? Mr. Suttrvan—t cannot speak of my own knowl. | edge, but I firmly believe that many, even of the | more advanced sympathizers with Fenianism, would be content with home rule. During the 11 years from 1559 to 1870 there was no constitutional agitation in the country, and Fenianism, which | may be called the politics of despatr, was in far greater force than was actually believed. In a secret Society one is, 01 course, unable to say how many members are enrolled, and, though I think the number was comparatively small, yet the spread of the Fenian spirit among the masses of people was immense, OORRESPONDENT—Do yon think that the passing of tne Church Disestablishmeat act has been in your favor or against yout Mr. SULLIVAN—Certainly in onr favor; for now, for the first time in our history, the Protestant pe- comes an Irishman. I see three dangers ahead :— | The Fenian discOntent, the fears of the Orangemen that we shail become the tools of the Jesuits, the tears of Cardinal Cullen and the priests that we shall become the tools of the Orangemen. CORRESPONDENT—Are there many Protestants with you? Mr. SULLIVAN—Very many leading Protestant gen- Jemen (langhing). The whigs say the Protestants are joiming us to spite Mr, Gladstone. The Catholic clergy beld back fearing the party might be made tools against Mr, Gladstone. They did not believe much in the sincerity of the Protestants and thought it was a factious attempt to embarrass the | Prime Minister. “We will work with you later on,” they say, “out we do not join the movement yet ior fear of frightening the Protestants.” CORRESPONDENT—In the elections which have | taken place since the nome rule movement was started have the Catholic clergy at all interfered? Mr. SULLIVAN—Though I have always taken what would be called a strong part in Catholic affairs, I led the great revolt against clerical selection of candidates which the celebrated Longford election of 1869 called forth. There, the Uath- olic clergy selected Lord Greville’s son, the people selected John Martin, then absent in America, and called on me to represent him on the hustings. It was a painiul fight between old friends, the people versus the priests; the latter claiming the privilege of select- ing Parliamentary candidates, the former voting against it. The priests, by fearfully “undue” in- fluence, beat us at the polls, but the people lodged @ petition and upset their reverences’ candidate, CORRESPONDENT—Mr, Martin never sat for Long- ford, I believe ? Mr. SULLIVAN—No; but, on 4 vacancy occurring shortly aiter in Meath, we put up John Martin, who 1s @ Presbyterian, and carried him triumphantly against the Hon. Mr, Plunkett, who isthe som of Lord Fingall, a great Catholic peer, and who was supportea by the Catholic bishops and clergy. I am bound to say, however, that the Meath Bishop and priests fought us fairly, ‘teroperately and good humoredly, These elections—Longford and Meath— had a great deal to do with the marvellous change of Protestant and conservative opinion in ‘ue home rule direction immediately afterwards. Protestants saw with amazement that not only would Catholics not blindly follow priests in poll- tics, but would literally fight them, and that, too, in favor of Protestant candidates, CoRRESPONDENT—You think, then, that the infla- ence of the priests in political matters nas de- creased ? To what do you attribute that result ? Mr. SULLIVAN—To the spread of education, There is no priestly lead, as there was in O'Connell's time. The penal laws leit the peasant | no other leader; he looked to the priests to manage | his temporal as well as his spiritual affairs, The | national schools have now taught the people to read and write; the penny press has stepped into the field thus made for it; the newspapers are read | everywhere, and the inhabitants of every cabin are | as well posted as his reverence. Therefore the Roman Catholic priest-as leader quits the scene, CorRESPONDENT—And do you think the influence | of the home rulers will ever be as great as | O'Connell's? Mr. SULLIVAN—Greater, because those to whom it is addressed are now more intelligent and rea- sonable, O’Vonnell’s agitation depended on bim | alone, it was a “one man idea,” which is now | done away with. CORRESPONL How many home rulers do you expect in the next Parliament? Mr. SULLIVAN—I hope between 50 and 60. ConresPonDENT—OF these many will probably not be genuine home rulers, but persons who have | | Used the phrage as an election cry? Mr, SULLIVAN—Doubtless, but Pledged tu vote for home rule. If we obtain the | Bumber I have made, which is more than a moiety ofall the Irish seats, we shall conceive that we have @ moral justification for adoptng constitu- tional tactics Which would not be proper in a mere minority. CoRnRESPONDENT—The movement has not been looked upon with much favor in England, 1 be- lieve? Mr. SULLIVAN—Because the English people do | not understand it, 1 look for a diferent resuit when it has been explained to them, and when they are shown how much valuable time is wasted in discussing irish affairs. they will be AN EXECUTION TO BE GUARDED, TRENTON, N. J,, Dec, 3,4873. At the request of Sherif Reinhardt, of Hudson county, Governor Parker has ordered General | Plum to detail two companies of the Fourth regi- ment and one company of the First battalion as a uard at the execution of Mechella on Friday at orsey Clty. PUBLIC OPINION ON THE SPANISH QUESTION. How the President’s Message on the Cuban Situation Is Criticised—The Amigos de Cuba—The “Atlas” Rumor. Public opinion on the Spanish complications seems to have settled down pretty generally tothe belief that the question is to be oMictally “dick- ered” ous to the bitter end—in fact, to the bit- terest kind of an end for the American people. Every one with whom the reporter conversed yes- terday concerning the clause of the President's Message to Congress referring to the Virginius al- fair expressed the opinion that the language of the President was very guarded and discreetly as being phrased with a view to satisfying the public qamor, and it was also claimed that the condi- tions which the President sets forth as being de- manded from Spain by the terms of the protocol, ard certain other demanded conditions, of which His Excellency states “it is understood” that “Spain recognizes the justice,” do not meet the public expectations of what had been, required imperatively of the offending Power, There is es- pecial exception taken to tue word “understood,” and to SPAIN’S SIMPLE “RECOGNITION”? of the justice of the other conditions. People in- cline to the belief that nations in their oficial intercourse should be bound as to their obligations toward each other, snd that a mere “understanding” is not sufll- cient; also that what Spain may “recognize” as justice and what she may do to satisfy the re- quirements of strict justice may differ widely. In the next place, exception is taken in many quarters to the withholding by the President of the correspondence between the governments of the two countries. The reason stated tor this reti- cence is that the correspondence was carried on in cipher by cable, and is now in the hands of amanuenses and translators for verification ; and that in woof the importance of the question in- voived it is deemed advisable to await the receipt of the mail correspondence. The general impression seems to be that it Was hasty action to conclude the protocol unless the cipher despatches had been already verified, and that unless cipler sys- tems are accurate and totally reliable diplomatic negotiations carried on by their aid are rather un- certain. For these reasons many persons are of the opinion that there is something perhaps in the correspondence which would only add to the popu- lar excitement which the government is so desir- ous Of seeing abated. AT THE CUBAN HEADQUARTERS, Xchange place, where the Amigos de Cuba able, there Was considerable activity displayed y rday. The fact is that these gentlemen are active every day, and yet nothing can be seen going on. Persons who visit the headquarters frequently cannot but be impressed with the idea that the Amigos mean business, and that the expedition which they are unquestionably preparing will be a formidabie one. In reference t's Message on Cuban and Spanish pressed themselves as entirely satis- ‘The only question about which they are in doubt is as to Spain’s good faith and ability to carry out the conditions promised, Senor Arieaga, the Secretary, expressed the belief that the Vir- giuius will be actually surrendered, without any attempt to evade the demand, A report prevailed yesterday to the effect that the Virginius had actually been fitted out with an armament and sailed trom Uavana IN QUEST OF ‘THE STEAMER ATLAS," which was believed to be endeavoring to make a Janding, with munitions and supplies for the in- surgeut Cubans, somewhere along the coast. The only vessel of that name concerning which any in- formation could be bad in New York was the Atlas, of the Atias Mat! Steamship Company, sailing regu- larly between tais port and Kingston and Sava- nilla, Jamaica. She is the vessel which carried to Jamaica Varona, Ryan and the other patriots who were captured on board the Virginius. She conveyed inost of them to Kingston and a con- siderable quantity of arms and ammunition also, as passengers and merchandise respectively, A HERALD reporter called yesterday at the offices of Messrs. Pim, Forwood & Co., agents of the line, at No. 56 Wall street, and learned that the cow pany is a British stock company, limited, and that ail their vessels, including the Atlas, are British built aud CARRY THE BRITISH FLAG. The Atlas is at present somewhere in the vicinity of Savanilla, her route being from New York to Kingston, thence to Savanilla, from that port back to Kingston and thence to New York. The tirm had heard of the report, but had no private confirmation of it, and were inclined to doubt it on the ground of the proiound respect the Spaniards entertain for the British flag. She took out no arms or war material, 80 far as the agents are aware, on her present voyage, nothing but an ordinary “general cargo.’’ If there were arms they were iaisely invoiced, She had also but few Cubans among her passengers, though her list was @ very full one, In.ormation was received by Messrs. Davies, Turner & Uo., of No. 56 Broadway, that Francisco G. Bombaiier, the express agent réeceutly arrestea on tne arrival 0! the steamer City of New York at Havana, had been released, . OPINIONS OF THE SPANISH PRESS, The Reported Settlement Diseredited— Spain Not Yet Descended So Low—The United States Responsible to Spain in Damages on the Basis of the Washing= ton Treaty—The Action of the Spanish Authorities Fally Justified. In referring to the rumor that the grave ques- tions arising out of the capture of the Virginius were to be submitted t) arbitration, La Constancia of Havana says:— Those who say that such a report is current do not believe it themselves, Our country has not yet descended so low as to have abdicated the Tights 0: an independent nation. We believe that the laborantes and their sympathisers have in- vented this report ior the purpose of testing Span- ish loyalty, for they know that it is as idle as it is joolish to deny to Spain the right of capturing the Virginius and punishing, according to tue law of nauons, the filibusters who conducted her, The Diario de la Marina, in discussing the ques- tion, says, in ita issue of the 26th ult, :— Greater responsibility rests upon the United States for the ulicit expeditions which have sailed from their coasts, imcluding the Virginius and many otuver filibustring vessels, than upon Eng- land for the departure of the Alabama from her ports; and ii ever the day shall arrive for the ad- Justment of accounts, upon the basis o1 the Treaty of Washington, which resulted in the aroitration at Geneva, Spain should receive @ greater in- demnity, for she has received greater in- juries; and, woat is worse, more unmer- ited offences; and we ask the Minister of State that he will present the question under this aspect. For the rest, we only desire, with Mr. Sumner, justice in Guba, prosperity in Spain, honor for Seior Castelar and’ peace between the two nations, and that there should he an end to these unnecessary expenses and the bell.cose fever whicn affects the safety of the body politic, * * * ‘The premises are perfectly loyal and Jogtcal that Spi will have a8 much right to oblige the United Stutes to observe the laws of neutrality as the United States can pretend to have, to puta stop to or punish, with torce, the excesses of the peopie of Cuba on the pretence that the Spauish government cannot do tuis, the Ameri ent committed the first fault in per- arture of the expedition, and 80 18 responsible for the consequences. The expedi- twonists were pirates, and consequently had no right to the protection of international or of Amer- ican laws. The commander of the Totnado ful- filled his doty in pursamg and cap uring a vessel which during eight months made successive voy- ages jor the purpose ol disembarking the expedi- tionista and material which she carried, and tne council Of war acied in compliance with the laws. BUICHER BURRIEL FEASTED IN MATANZAS. High Old Times in Honor of the San- guinary Savage, The following account of the festivities intely celebrated in Matanzas upon the occasion of the notoriéus General Burriel’s visit to that city is from the Aurova del Yurvurt of the 25th of last month : His Excellency Brigadier General Baurriel, com- Mander oj the Western Department of this island, to which important station he was transierred while Governor of this city and its dependencies— @ command which he flied tor three years—arrived in Havana last Sunday, together with tis aides-de- camp and other chieis and oficers, On its being Known in Matanzas that His Excel- lency was to make a@ stay of a few moments here, on his way to Havana, Mr, Burriel’s triends wished to profit by tuis opportunity to pay him their re- spects, and to congratulate him who, for such a length o/ time, had been our worthy Governor. For that purpose @ well-served table Was prepared in One of the halis connected with the Matanzas Rall- road Depot, with every variety of contectionery, wines aud refreshments, Space a littie before one o’clook the Garcir had been flied with @ great gathering of che: officers of the corps ol volunjeers—a tew from the veteran army residing in tais city, members of the Llastrious Bouy of Aldermen, tne Board of Di- rectors of the National Committee, civil employés | and olber notable persons, ali in expectancy of the arrival of His Bxceilency, At a quarter vefore two P.M. the band of the Third battalion of volunteers, stationed in the court yard of the depot, announced the approach of the train conveying His Kxceliency. A jew minntes af- erwards Brigadier Geueral Burriel was being cor- chosen for effect upon the people. It wasregarded } dially greeted by our esteemed Governor, Brigadier General Don Taime O' Dally ; also by the President of the Conservative National Committee, Don Fran- cisco Aballi and His Excellency the Municipal Judge, Don Leon Crespo, all of them representing Mr, Buyriols numerous {riends, who paid their respects ‘and édcorted him to the reception hall, where the reireshments had been prepared: . The hall betng already overwhelmingly crowded His Excellency the Governor, Mr. O'Daly, first, and the Municipal Judge afterwards, proj osed their toasts feelingly and with patriousm in honor of the distinguished traveller, cif in tt to the lofty and dignified atritude His Exceliency Briga- dier General burriel bad assumed with regard to the amair of the Me oa capture on the arrival of the vessel within his jurisdiction, Bugadier General Burriel answered the toasts with that case and energy of manner which dis- tinguish him, thanking hus iriends for the token of trné triendsbip they exhibited and which he heartily reciprocated, adding that it was his sole aim to obtain peace, conquered by maintaining the nation’s houor and glory, finishing his discourse with cheers for Spain, Viva # / He also toasted the high authority in the island and the people of Matanzas, which toasts were enthusiasti- cally answered with three cheers for His Exccllency Brigadier General Burriel. At two o’olock P. M. General Burriel resumed his journey. We think ourselves justifled in hatligg to-day His Excellency as Major General Burriel, THE SPANISH COLONIAL MINISTER IN CUBA, The Restitution of Sequestercd Estates— The Minister and the Casino Espanoi— The Minister and the Havana Press. The Constancia, of Havana, in tts tssue of the ‘th ult., publishes an order of the Spanish Colonial Minister—now on a visit of inspection in Cuba—de- creeing the restitution of sequestered estates to their toreign owners, ‘The note passed by the Minister to the Superior Political Governor of the Island is as follows :— EXCELLENT Sin—The government of the repub- luc, decided to procure a faithful observance of treaties and conventions eelebrated by Spain with foreign nations, desirous to obviate every motive for reclamations by their citizens, and moved by the reasons that were before the Council of Min- isters at the time of addressing to your Excel- lency’s predecessor in the command of this island the telegram of the loth of Sep- tember iast, have thought well to decree tuat Your Excellency shall order immediate and strict compliance with the measure dictated by the Ministry which is under my charge, in which the restitution of sequestered estates to all foreign citizens has been ordered, This is mm consequence of governmental resolution, and in order that parties interested may enter into the possession of thelr esiates. By order of the government I communicate this to you, 8) that 1b may bring about the currespond- lug results, THE COLONIAL MINISTER AND THE PRESS, The Diario ot the 25th says:— His Exceilency the Minister of the Colonies, called together to-day, by means of a polite tayita- tion, the directors of the sais weekiy and stmi- monthly jJournais published in this city. At two o’clock-In the evening his Exceilency received them with that amiability which — distinguishes him, After thanking them for the kindly phrases in which the press had announced 118 arrival in this Antille, he manifested his cher- ished desire that the journals should leave pas- sionate polemics, allow them to rest, and by this means facilitate their mission of studying the true state of the nd. His ’xceilency also said that he did not solicit an abdication of principles, which he could not request nor could they concede, but only a rest in vellement and audacious polemics, by Which only scandal 1s spread and nothing gained tO the sacred interests of the country. Worthy, most worthy, is the wisit inted out by His &xcellency the Minister of the Colonies to the directors of the Havana press. What His Excel- lency hus recommended is waat the Diario de la Marina has been repeating in its columns from day to day, and which 1s the basis of our judgment in ail tae questions that we treat. We, theretore, applaud, without any reserve, the patriotic re quest of the representative of the national Execu- tiue power, INVITED TO THE CASINO ESPANOL, At two o’clock yesterday evening His Excellency the Colonial Minister received a committee of the Casino Espaiol, who were empowered to compli- ment and congratulate him in the name o! that institution, for his happy arrival in this isiand. His Excellency was amiable enough to inyite the committee to be seated and to converse with them for 15 or 20 minutes. In the course of conversation the Minister said that the telegram of the Casino Espatolo! Havana, in which it Was said that bis arrival in this pro- vince would be hailed with the greatest satsfac- tion, had determined Lim to immediately under- take the voyage, which he had projected betore- jiand; and he expressed his gratitude towards tie institution that had given him aaticipated proofs of consideration and respect, Allowing that pubiic men ought to speak with the greatest irankness, and adding that the com- mittee might repeat all they were going to hear, ne saia that if parties mount to power for the pur- pose of realizing a political or even a social idea, from the moment in which they form a government, this governinent should be that of all the citizens who constitute the nation, whatever might be their principies, so that they respect the law; and that the government now constituted wish co be, and is, that of all Spaniards, His Excellency stated plainly that he would not hastily decide any of the grave questions bound up in the present state of the island; that he would carelully and slowly study them, with the best wishes to arrive at @ satisiactory solation without inconsiderately hurting respectanle rights and interesis. His visit had precisely this object, admitting the study of the ground to be possible, The committee said to the Minister that the Casino Espanol would esteem ita great honor if he would visit their sdloons. His Excellency politely ac- cepted the invitation, agreeing that the visit would take place to-morrow evening. The leavetaking was as polite ana cordial as the reception and con- ference, and it seems to us that every one is per- suaded that Spanish sentiment animates tne worthy members of the executive power as much as it does the representatives o1 the Casino Espanol. In Tuesday’s HERALD an account was given of the Minister’s visit to the luxurious saloons of the Casino Espafol, where His mxceilency disap- pointed his entertainers by discreetly abstaining from making a syeech. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE Business Brisk at the Brooklyn Navy Vard—The Fast-Sailing Sloop-of-War Florida To Be Hurried Forwarit—Vhe Colorado to Sail on Saturday—Will the Spaniard Leave at the Same Time !— Oficial Opinions of the Settlement (1) The wonted activity prevails on this station and the work of preparing vessels of war for service which was commenced three weeks ago has never jor a single hour relaxed. All this may appear somewhat remarkable in the face of the assertions which are frequently reiterated from the national capital that there no longer exists any necessity for preparauons of @ hostile character now that the protocoijhas been signed by Messrs, Fish and Polo adjusting the Cuban difficulty, The fact rewainas patent, nevertheless, that extraordinary measures are on foot to present a warlike frontto Spain in the shortest possible space of time. No orders to increase the present working force at the Brookiyn yard have been re- ceived, but the 3,100 men who are “in’’ have doub’- less @ steady job for the winter, which is a good thing in the tnterest of humanity, if for nothing el HURRYING UP THE FLORIDA, Orders, Suplementary, have been received to hurry forward the work of fitting out the steam sloop-of-war Florida, second rate screw, with all possible despatch, Jt was recommended by the department that she should carry only lower masts and fore and aft sails, instead of topsails, The Naval Constractor here is of the opinion that such arig would not be conducive to safety in her case, and has 80 reported to Washington. Calkers, machinists and carpenters are now actively em- ployed on her, and she will be ready for her officers on the 2ist inst. THE PLORIDA, which isa sister ship of the Tennessee, carries a battery of 10 nine-inch guns and two howitzers on her spar deck, She is remarkable for speed, hav- ing wave 17 knots an hour on her trial trip down Hast. Her crew will number 477 men. Among the more prominent officers who have applied to the Secretary of the Navy for this command are Com- mander Ralph Onandier and Captain R. W. Shu. leldt (late of the sioop-ol-war Plymouth, executive oflicer of the Navy Yard). The Commander, it ts said, stands the best chance should she be rigged as the department desire—with lower masts ana tore and aft sails. ‘fhe working iorce on the Minnesota has been in- creased. Her fore and main masts bave been hoisted into position, and to-day the mizzen mast will be sot, New tubing is being fitted in the boli- ers, machinigts working night and day on her. On the Dictator and Roanoke this latter class of me- chanics find constant employment. Brass tues are replacing the worn and rusty iron tubes. GETTING READY FOR SBA. The Colorado deck presented @ busy spectacle yesterday. The guns are all tn position and se- cured by thetr breechings and side tackle, and the launches and small boats are shipped. A detach. ment of satiors from the Vermont were at work in rolling barrels of butter, cheese, salt horse, pork, dessicated vegetables and pursers’ stores 01 every description on board the livelong day. The decks were strewn with this essential ammunition, which was stored in the holds a8 rapidly as possi- bie, To-day 650 men, her crew, will take up their positions on their new home (of waich they are quite proud), and by Saturday ft ts expected the Colorado will sail lor Cuba, THE SPANISH IRON-OLAD ARAPILES will be floated out of the dry dock to-day. She will take her guns on board on Friday, at the saluting dock in the yard, and will be ready to sail on Saturday. | It is probable that the Colorado and Arapiles will go to sea about the same time, which is worthy of note as a coincidence. Visitors al not permitted to visit the Arapiles. Her officers are anxious to get away, and express themselves as happy at the peaceful turn which the negotia- ‘ions between the two republics have taken. WHAT NAVY OFFICERS THINK OF TE “SITUATION,” The news (rom ana published in the HERALD yesterday was regarded us most serious by the oMicers of the station with whom the writer con- versed, They sppeared to think that the Governor General would find himself tn his efforts to restrain the indignation which the “goncessions” (?) made by the Castelar government give rise to. In such an event American citizens were liable to be sub- serie to still jurther outrage and indignity at the ands of the Dons, who have a supreme contempt for our boasted ability to chast them. They’ felt chagrined at the announcement that during ali the excitement attendant upou the Virginius affair no American man-of-war had putin an ap. pearance in the harbor of Havana. ‘in a nut shell,’” the epitome of the opinions ot the officers of the navy here about appears to be that the “settie- ment” is “no settlement” whatever, and history will repeat Itself in other and parallel Virginius outrages. The only thing the Cubans can be made to respect is force, and the latter commodity they have ever failed to recognize beneath the iolds of the starry banner. The Monitor Terror. ” PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 3, 1378. # The monitor Terror goes off the dry dock at the Navy Yard this afternoon, and work on her will be hurried to completion, THE SPRAGUE MORTGAGE DEED, The Original Trustees Refuse to Sign the Deed and Are Unceremoniously Set AsidemA Willing Trustee Ap- pointed—Main Provisions of the Deed. PROVIDENCE, R. I., Dec. 3, 1873. Several weeks have elapsed since the meeting of the creditors of A, & W. Sprague & Co., and during allthat time the Spragues and their attorneys, together with the. trustees and their counsel, have been engaged in the construction of the mortgage deed, ‘ihe form was repeatedly altered and re- vised, and when at last the members of the Sprague corporation signified their acceptance of the document and afixed their signatures to it, the trustees, Messrs. Waterman, Lockwood and Nightingale, acting under the advice of their lawyers, REFUSED TO SIGN THE DEED In the form then made out, as it involved too great @ personal liability upon them, and furthermore stating that unless there was some modification they would feel compelled to resign, They sent whe following COMMUNICATION TO THR CREDITOR'S Wirt J. King, t8q., Chairman, &e We have glven to the p deed of trust of the Sprazue property, to be exceuted by us as trustees, we tivst careful consideration, with an carnest desire CO sve our way clear to accept the same, but, acting under the advico of counsel, we must decline to Ho so, unless ered itors, by some previous action on their p OMMITTEE, us agaist personal liabillty. Ver 7 * Roe ATERMAN, A.D, LOUKWOOD, GEO. C. NIGHTINGALE, Provence, Noy. 29, 1373. of effecting some agreement or com- ie ‘e Was heid on Saturday a CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRUSTEES AND CREDIT- ORS? COMMITTEE, but atter a protracted discussion, duting which several propositions ior a settlement were made, the trustees failed to come to an agreement, de- claring that they would consult with their counsel the next day. The Spragues, however, were get- ting impatient, and without aa single word to the Creditors’ Committee or the original trustees they TOOK THE MATLER INTO THEIR OWN HANDS by setting aside the unwilling trustees and ap- pointing one of their own—ZaChariah Cnatlee—as sole trustee. This gentleman is treasurer and agent of the Builaers’ iron Foundry, aa establisi- ment controlled by the hioaderts and, of course, he was selected as a willing instrument for the Spragues, wao thoroughiy knew theirman. The new trustee at once signed the deed, and the creditors and our business’ community generally were taken by surprise upon learning that the Sprague deed was EXECUTED AND FORTHWITH RECORDED, having been duly signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas A. Doyle, brother-in-law of the Spragues, T, W. Latham and George W. Harris. This sudden turn in ,aifairs was a sort of a tank movement on the part o1 the Spragues, shrewdly managed when we consider that the repeal of the bankrupt iaw is imminent, leaving tue present measures the ouly recourse for the creditors. The most eminent counsel have been employed on both sides, and the promptness with which the Spragues & Co,, signed the document caused the trustees to suspect that it was iramed with too much favor to the company, and placing too great a responsibility apon them, The latter have been extremely cautious and critical, the continued deiay having been mainly caused by them, and it ig asserted not without good reason, One of the papers here plainly intimates that the Spragues TOOK AN UNFAIR ANVANTAGR of the trustees and creditors. It says that the committee appointed by the meeting ol the creat- tors were udaware of this action and are greatly surprised thereat. Indeed it 18 well understood they were not consulted in the proceedings. The etlect upon the creditors at large it would be use- less to speculate upon. it would appear that course Was taken to SAVE ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE STATE ACT, In view of a possible repeal of the Bankrupt law, how effective it will be in chis particular only the lawyers can decide. Senavor sprague signed tue ceed Friday evening and departed next day tor Wasuington, and he is generally understood to ve one of the most Zealous laborers for a repeal of the Bankrupt act. It is clear to see throngh all this, and the Spragues evidently knew what they were about when they engaged several o1 the most learned and prominent lawyers to protect their interests in the important work of constructing the deed, and, from a carelul reading of the document, it will be seen how guarded are its provisions and how the lawyers have done their work. THE MAIN PROVISIONS ofthe deed are substantially the same as have been stated several weeks ugo. ‘fhe company have executed their 16,500 negotiable promissory notes, all bearing even date and made payable to tue order ofsaid A, & W. Sprague, and by them endorsed, payable three years from December 1, 1873, with Interest from December 1, 1873, semi-annually, av the rate of 7 3-10 per cent per annum tll the prin- cipal sum is paid. It is also provided that for the preservation of the manulacturing properties of said A, & W. Sprague Manulacturing Company and the best interests of the creditors require, to pre- vent great loss and slrinkage, that the business of THE MILLS AND PRINT WORKS SHALL IN THR MBAN- TIME BE CONTINUED. Itis further provided that the trustee for the time being may at any time, or from time to time, before default of payment or breach of contrac! or aiter, enter upon said granted estates or prop- erty, Or any part or parts thereof, and take and assume the fulland ABSOLUTE POSSESSION AND CONTROL OF THE 8AME, and in his discrevion continue to run or operate or close the mills or print works of said company, or any or either of them, as he (the said trustee for the tine being) shall deem for the best interests of the creditors. it ts further provided, in the case of detault or breach in the covenants or agree- ments, that the trustee, upon written request ot the holders of one-fifth in amount of the notes out- standing, shall seli, either together or in parcels, the estates and property described. And it is tur- ther jared that uo purchaser, under any or either ol the foregoing trusts, shall be under any obligation 10 LNQUIRE INTO THE NECESSITY OR REGULARITY OF ANY SALE thereunder, nor to see to the application of any of the purchase moneys thereo!, but that (he receipt of the trustees or trustee for the time being to such purchaser or purchasers for such purchase | oneys shall be his or their tull and effectual ac- | Guittaoce and discharge therefor. ‘The above are substantially the principal features of the deed. Upon the issuing of the instrument | the committee of the creditors came out ina card, Stating that, aithough the substitution o: Mr. Chaffee for the gentiemen named in the deed ‘of trust Was without their knowiedge, they ACCEPTED THE SITUATION. It 18, however, the prevalent belief that the creditors accept the action of the Spragues not through choice, but through necessity, for the lat. ter got tuem in such a place that they couid not Well back out, $0 they deemed that the best thing they couid do was to MAKE A VIRTUR OF NECRSSITY and give in thetr acceptance, A great many of them admit that they cannot understand the situa- tion, and the least they can is to hope that the trus| will successiuliy administer the affairs, and that everything will come out reasonably satis- factory. The Executive Committee of the new Reformed Eptscopal Church, consisting of Bishop Commins, Rev, Marshall B, Smith, Rev. B. B. Leacock, Rev. Charles E. Oheney, Rev, Mason Gallagher, George M. Tibbets, Dr, 0. H. Sabine, Alexander Tyng, Gordon 8. Habbett, Charles D. Kellogg, Benjamin Aycrigg, Albert Crane, James McUarter, James L. Morgan and Herbert B. ‘Turner, met yesterday at Associa- tion Hall, Bishop Cummins presided, The meeting was for the purpose of carrying out the detaiis of the tnstructions given the committee by the general meeting of the Council, and after the transaction of afew necessary preliminaries the meeting adjourned, THE DANIELS MURDER OASE, OMCINNATI, Ohio, Dec. 3, 1873, The jury in the Daniela murder case to-day brought in # verdict of murder in the second do- evee. BIu GUNS, The Heaviest Heavy Ordnance in the World A Four Hundred and Sixty Pound Shot Driven Through Fifteen Inches of Solid Tron—Interesting and Successful Experiments with Rifled Guns in Boston Harbor. . Boston, Dec. 1, 1873. “In time of peace prepare for war.’ This isa trite saying, but the events of the last few weeks have demonstrated that it is a maxim which the United States, a3 well as other nations, should ob- serve most attentively. Happily, perhaps, tho prospects and dangers of a Spanish war are for the Moment postponed on account of intervening diplomacy, but the suddenness with whigh hostili- ties were seriously threatened only a few days ago should be a warning which the government should profit by. Improvements and experiments in heavy ordnance were conceived more than a year ago by the proper governmental authoritte Congress made the necessary preliminary appro- priations for the experiments. A Presidential campaign, followed by disclosures of Crédit Mob- ilier and other corruptions, came in such rapid suc- cession that the attention of the national legisla- tors was absorbed for the time being, and the par- amount purpose of defending the territory and honor of the nation was for the moment forgotten. THE AFFAIR OF THE VIRGINIUS, however, stirred up the slumberihg bureaus of the Navy and War departments and ail the parapher- nalia of battle was immediately brought tnto requisition, At the navy yards in Brooklyn, Charlestown, Philadelphia, Portsmouth and Nor- folk there was sudden and unprecedented ac- tivity. Tne torpedo stations at Newport and other points were also called upon for their reserve sup- plies of dangerous projectiles, and even the Juniata and other vessels of war were speedily equipped and hurriedly despatched to the scene of massacre and expected war. All ofthese events were suc cessively recorded in the public Journals, but apart from such movements, which it was impossible to conceal, there were others equally important and more recent progressing simultaneously. They consisted of COMPETITIVE TRIALS OF HEAVY ORDNANCE, and the tests took pluce upon the obscure terri- tory of Nut Island, in Boston Harbor. In brief, it may be stated that the experiments were such as to demonsirate that all the smoothbora guns om hand and belonging to the government can be in- creased in precision and power'to an extent which will enable them to hit and destroy, with a single shot, any iron-claa or other war vessel that ever floated. The experiments took place under the observation of Captain Traxton, Captain of Ord- nance of the Navy Department, and under the su- pervision of Norman Wiard, agent of the depart- ment and inventor of the rifling im- provement, which adds such remarkable force and efficiency to the heavy armament of our forts and ships-ol-war. for the pur- poses of the, experimental test there were provided two guns of 23 tons each and of 15-inch calibre. One of them was the common smooth- bore, and the other was rifled in accordance with Mr. Wiard’s invention, but in other respects there was no difference whatever. One hundred and forty pounds of powder—the largest quantity of amunition ever used in a gun—was fired from each, and the projectiles were respectively of 460 pounds weight, Tae targets consisted of wrought iron plates of 15 Inches in thickness, and they were erected side by side, 160 {cet distant. The rifled projectile fired from the Wiard gun was of contoal shape, and the one fired from the common smooth. bore piece was necessarily round, The one first | named went CLEAR THROUGH THE FIFTEEN INCH PLATES, and out of sight into a sand bank in the rear. The demolition of the aimost invulnerable target was complete, and so great was the force with which it was struck that a fragment of 300 or 400 pounds was thrown clear across the island, a distance of not less than a quarter of a mile. The projectile from the smooth bore gun penetrated the target only about six and a half inches, and as the ad- vantages were precicely equal, the superiority of the rifled arm was at once established by the ex- periment, and admitted by the government au- Uhorities of observation, Compared — with other comparative tests, this style of gun is the most destructive ever yet produced, A 36 ton gun of 12-inch calibre, Was once fired in England through an iron plate of 12 inches in thickness, showing the comparative penetrating power ot that arin to be about 144 against of the gun at Nut Island, This improvement, as the govern ment understands it, does not involve the manu- facture of new guns 10 secure it. Take the present armament of our forts, just as they are, and they can be rifled at one-tenth the cost that new guns can be manulactured, aud at the same time their eflciency as smooth-bore ordnance is notin the least impaired; and, including the cost of rifing, the arms will be cheaper by one-tenth than the best English guns, and for destructive powers their efficieacy can hardly ever be equalled, UNDER THIS IMPROVEMENT it 18 claimed that the rifled guns belonging to the United States government may be made to have greatly increased eficiency, endurance, penetra tion of iron plates, higher Inttial velocity to the shot, much longer range and improved precision ; while the guns of the smooth-bore will remain ad essentiully as good or be better smooth-bore guns than they now are, and, tf rifled, they may be, after the improvement is applied, used etfectively as smooth-bore guns if desired. By this means all the spherical projectiles now on hand may be utilized, and all carriages, implements, platforms, ord- nance stores and service of the gun may be made available. The improvement consists in rifing each gun with two grooves, having for a 15-incn gun a twist of about one full turnin 60 feet, and so stationing the grooves at the side of the bore that neither groove will intersect or cross the vottom or top of the bore, thus ieaving it smooth at the bottom and top where the shot would strike in “ballotting,’” should the gun be used as a smooth- bore jor spherical projectiles alter being rifled. After the gun 1s rified, however, it is proposed ta improve the spherical projectiles pow on hand by drilling three sinall holes tn each, a little distance from the point of contact the snot or shell would have with the bore ol the gun when inserted as it jor firing. The holes to be equi-distant from each other in the form of @ regular triangle. Into these holes insert three brass pins, each to be cut, after the insertion of such, the exact length necessary to support the projectile up and ont of contact with the bottom of the bore, so that the windage shali be equal all round. By support- ing the projectile in the centre of the bore previous to its receiving its impulse from the powder, the windage ali round alike, an achievement is arrived at by most simple means often attempted in thia country and Lurope without success, GREAT INTEREST IN THE EXPERIMENTS, Notwithstanding the Spanish war cloud has blown over the experiments with the guns de- scribed are still regarded with great interest by the government, and especialiy by the Navy De- partment. Other tests are to be madein a few days, with a view to obtaining an idea of the com- arative distance and rapidity with which @ pro- feettie can-be thrown from a rifled and a smooti- bore gun, THE WESTOWESTER PROTROTORY VISITED. In response to the invitation of the Board o Managers of the New York Catholic Provectory, a number of gentlemen visited their establishment at Westchester yesterday. Among the number were ex-Senator Beneaict, Colonel Conkling, Mr. Hoyt, the Inspector of Prisons: Assemblyinen Bigiin, Herring, Colwetl and Scherman; Judgea Morgan, Wandell, Kasmire and Otterbourg, together with the managers and other gentlemen interested 10 Lpaiaban ti sys. tems, After inspecting the different depart. ments of the catablisnment and attending a very creditable entertainment given by the in- mates, the company sat down to a thoroughly en- joyable repast. Dr. Anderson, the President of the Board of Management, in response to a toast, ex. plained the objects and workings of the institution, commended its interests to public atieation and invited an investigation of its system and success. He was followed by ex-Senator Benedict, Mr. Hoyt, Golonel Conkling, Judges Morgan and Wandell, Mr. James Lynch and William Herring in speeches encouraging the work of reforming delinquency and Thy commendatory of the enterprise evinced in the direction an management of the Protectory. A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER. In accordance with the suggestion of the Arch bishop of Canterbury (Engiand), and the Board of American Bishops, yesterday was observed in all the Protestant Episcopal churches of New York ag a day of intercession in behalf of the missions of the Church at home and abroad. In addition to the usual eaastsd 4 service # special prayer was offered invoking the divine blessing, on the labors of all Christians throughout the worfd, At Trinity church there Was rather a large con- gregation notwithstanding the inclement condt- tion of the weather. The services consisted of the morning prayer, followed by Dried prayers for the cause of missions. The officiating clergymen were the Rev, Morgan Dix, D. D., Rev, Dra. Wea. ton and ogilby, and the Reva, Mr. vooke and Mr. Hitchings. At the conclusion of the special ser. vices tho sacrament of the Holy Commuvion waa administered, At Zion ebureh, Madison avenne and Thirty- eighth street, spec services on behait of the missions Will be licl? viis evening by the rector, Rev, Jona W, Gallagher, z