The New York Herald Newspaper, May 1, 1877, Page 4

“4 : B TURKEY OF AMERICA Mexico and Her Outrages Upon American Citizens. Her Rulers Robbers and Her Officials Brigands. SOME TALES OF TERROR. The Acapulco Policy a Good Thing to Enlarge Upon. Message to Congress from President Diaz. THE Ni REFORM OF ELECTORAL EM, A Better Management of the Finances Promised. WisaixGrox, April 30, 1877, During the course of the past week the attention of the State Department was drawn afresh to the fact of continued and aggravated outrages upon American citizens in Mexico, Testimony of these outrages was | given by Americans who are quite recently from Mex- | feo, and when reduced to writing, as it will be, imme- diately will be filed with the government as part of “the case” which is accumulating against our lawless sister Republic, The outrage upon our Consul at Aca- pulco stirred up the government to send a gunboat to demand his release. This stiffening of Uncle Sam’s back bone js hailed with delight as a sigu that a different policy will shape his future relations with Mexico. Indeed, there ‘s no little gossip floating about in the air of Waghington to the effect thas,the present administration is determined to take effective meas- ures for the protection of its citizens everywhere, more particularly those whose lot nas been cast in Mexico. No one seems to know exactly what steps will be taken, but a strong incentive to hope that _ Something will be attempted is found in the tact that the present administration senta United States man- pf war to Acapulco and compelled the release of Mr. Butter, the United States Consul at that port, who had been imprisoned because, as was his duty, he had pro- bested against the compulsory payment of a forced Joan by Americans resident there, ‘the Consul went to prison and the American residents paid tho pres- tamo, The Consul has deen release at the demand of our government, as the telegraph informs the coun- try; but what of the poor devils of Americans, for pro- testing against whose robbery the Consul was dragged trom his consulur oifice under the American flag jo @ Mexican jail? Their money now lines the pockets of Mexican officials, Will the government make no effurt to have their money refunded them? Will it not go further and demand punitive dumages? Or will it leave these ciaims to be brought before an- other claims commission, if one shall be organized, there again to be adjudicated simple debts of Mexico? It the Mexican government has the right to pres- famo Americans the United States government did wrong to send a man-of-war to release the American Consul imprisoued for protesting against it, and ought to apologize to Mexico for doing it. If Mexico bas no such right then the United States government, if it wishes to lave the respect of the American people at home as well as abroad, ought to exert its whole power, it need be, to make this roober government respect the rights of American citizens. SOMM TALES OF TERKOR. When it 1s remembered that this generation of Americans is but little given to travelling except in conveyances moved by the power of steam, und that to get to the city of Chihuahua now it is necessary to undergo a journey of some one thousand miios by Stage, it ceases to be a matter of surprise that so few people of the United States have any knowledge of Chihuahua, the most northern and the longest in ter- fitorial extent of all the States whick cumpose the Re- public of Mexico, Railroads, in the speedy comple- Mon of which not only this continent but all commer- stal people are deeply interested, are rapidly reaching but toward it—one of them, the Soutbera Pacific, it is said, at the rate of two miles a day—and it is now only ‘question of time when its border line will be reached, and, in all probability, crossed, by the iron horse. When that event occurs, if not before, our people will become familiar with the wonderful agricultural, pas- toral and inining capabilities of this great State, and the surprise then will be, not that these capabilities exist, but that enterprising Americans have so long permitted them to remain undeveloped, even though under the rule of a foreign government, Chihuahua is also the largest in territorial extent of any of the States of Mexico, Its area is 16,544 square leagues, or about 120,000 squore miles. Its popula- ton when last enumerated was 164,075, or but litue | more than one inbabitant to the squire mile. Its boundary line on the north and the east is the same as ‘that of the United States for more than six hundred miles, a distance not very mach less than our Atlantic front from New York to Florida, It is better watered than any of the territories of the United States, und its fertile mesas or plains and irrigated valleys, now cultivated ip such a wretched raanner, yield more tood than its population can consume. If all the farming land of the State were but half cultivated the product would be more than enough to feed @ million of peop’ Eyen the famous grass ot Western Texas, admitted to be the best grazing region of the United States, is not so good, ucither is itso ubundant, as that of Chihudhua, Its mines of silver— though even those most worked are hardly more than “prospected”—aro known to give ore of richer *ey’? and in greater quantity than any ever discovered. Gold, iron, quicksilver, copper—in short, almost every known meta! and mineral except coal—exist in the State, and sume are found in great abundance. Its climate is not only unsurpassed, but unequalled, by that of Italy, Southerm California or any part of the world. it is rarely that rain falls except in sum- Mer, or that snows come except in the Sierra Madre Mountains in winter, There are no nights in summer when it is too hot to sleep under a blanket, and but few days in y Winter when a firo is necessary. Throughout its whole extent diseases of a malarial type are unknown, and such is the purity of is air that the consumptive going there with lung enough Jeft to breathe it will never die of that disease. Min- eral springs, both bot and cold, and possessed of rare Medicinal virtues, are numerous, and when the State shall become accessible by raliroad they and the in- Comparable climate will make Chibuahua the sanita- rium of this continent. COMMENCE OF CHINCAHLA, ‘The trade of the Siate, on account of its sparse pop- lation, is small, but whatever it may be itis princi- pally with the United States, Long trains of heavy wagous loadod dowa with American goods for Mexican consumption come up from San Antonio, Texas, and enter the country at El Paso aud Presidio Del Nort The route of this trade was once by way of independ. ence, Mo., and Santa Fe, but wow the San Autonio route is preferred. The Chihuahua trade is highiy prized by San Antonio merchants, aud has contributed greatly to the growth and prosperity of the “Sunset” city. The receipts of customs at Presidio del Norte and £1 Paso yield a revenue to the Mexican govern- Ment of $160,000 annually. The whole of this sum is derived from imports, for the State exporis novbing upon which there is duty except silver, and the most of that goes out of tho country by other routes. The aunual production of silver for many years hus averaged about 1,000,000, nearly all of which fluds its way to the United States in payment tor Amoricnn Manuiactures, Tho number of Americaus who have ettied in Chihuahua will not exceed 500. Some of these are men who went to the State before Loni. phan’s invasion and conquest of it in 1847. riy all i them are engaged in mercantile business, and two- thirds of the buying and selling is done by them. Many have become rich, and ali have acquire property. Numbers of them havo married Mexican wives und are rearing {amilies, aod their social rola- tions are very pleasant, For whatever evil may be truly spoken of Mexican living im otver parts of the Kepublio, the Chihuahua Mexican is very kind end hospitable, and exnivits an expecial liking for los Amor. canes, Alovery house io we State any foreigner is some | | | | paring to carry him off to work inthe chuin gun, , NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MAY 1, 1877—TRIPLE SHEET. a welcome guest, but the American ig doubly so. He universally regarded as a person of superior knowl- edge and judgment, aud hig Mexican acquainiane rarely consummate any affair of moment before ha ing consuited bim, No barm ever comes to the American resident or bi interest trom the individual Chibuabuan, An instance of murder, robbery or plunder of an American resident by a Chibuahan citizen {8 peither recorded por recol- lected. But while this is the (act as regards his treat- ment by citizens something very neariy its opposite is the fact as Lo the way he is treated by government and these having authority in the country, In that land of so many and such Varied material attractions goy- ernment 18 ag unstable ug water, and whether that which prevails is regular or revolutionary the Ameri- cau resident who cscapes injurious and oppressive treatment at its hands ts fortunate indeed, In thi many revolutions which have swept over the country any American who bas accumulated enough of this world’s goods to make his spoliation worth Che trouble is considered fair game tor plunder, But his despoil« ing 18 ever effected under the shadow and in the uame and in bebals of that nondescript thing catled in Mex- ico “government,’’ KOSHERY BY THE PRESTAMO, ‘The robbery of the American i8 usually effected by the prestamo, a Spanish term signilyingaloan, The prestamo is not a tax levied at unitorm rates upon prop- erty and business, but is a so-called loan forced from the few who bave mouey. The Governor and Couucil of a State or the revolutiouists in possession of any city or town numbering people of ready money among | its inbabitants always Want money immediately upou coming inte possession! It is lirst determined what who are expected to lend it is made out, apportioning so muck to each victiin, The happy persons thus bou- ored are men kuown to possess ready cash, and the endeavor is generally to “size their pile” of that commodity, The list never fails to iuciude every Aluericun who has money. A tew wealthy Mexicans are wlso put im the hist. A very prettily worded jotificatiou is then sent to cach one on the list to the eflect that the “powers that be?’ desire nim to lend them the sum named ip his notification withia the next twenty-lour hours, ‘There 1s uo ueed forany more than ibis simple notice, lt never fails to bring the money “in the ume specified, ‘The American resident baying ‘been there before,” 18 always espe- ciuliy prompt, for be Knows (hat if tbe woney is not anmouat of money is wanted and then a fist of thoee | | | | It ts essential to a correct understanding of the situa- tion, that the American people should kuow what kind of ment 18 meted out to other forei than Americans At the time of Miller’s captui waa accompanied ‘by fou sunjeote oh tne kmperor of Ger- many. One of ry rr ‘Dagern, most estimable gentleman, is the russian Consul at Chihuahua When captured he did not fail to assert his nationality, and he and bis countrym were released alter a short imprisonment, They were robbed of the little money they bad with them and of their arms, but noloap was exacted, though one o/ them was a man of more wealth than Miller, Mr, Degetau was earnest in his forts to effect Miller’s release also, but could not accomplish it. The Mexicans knew Miller to be an American citizen— the subject Of a government whieh since the war with Mexico has never redressed a wrong done to i izens upon Mexican soil—and hence they worked t! sweet | will upon him, The Prussian Consul immediately ro- | ported the facts of the outrage to his government through the proper channels, and doubtless the Amert- can Vice Consul made report also to the United States, But, if so, the United States hus taken no notice of it so far as has transpired. GERMANY AROUSED, Germany has acted, however, gnscyaticaliy nd promptly, and the good results whieh fo low its action may well commend a similar course of conduct to the United States. A letter of date the 8d of this month, from an ‘entirely trustworthy American resident of | Chibuabua, gives a detailed uarrative of the situation | tm Chikuabua now, as affecting lorcigners rosiaent in thet Stare. In the letter he enclosed a copy of El Guardia Nacional, the official newspaper of the State, in whieh ts published an orficial communication from President Portirio Diaz to General Marango, command: tug in Chihuahua, wherein he telis him that demand for reclamation has been made and orders bim to ve Yery cautious how he troubles German subjec He expresses great regret’ im the order thal the Germans bave been given any ewuse fur com- plaint, but makes no mention of Atmoricans ut all, nor is any regret expressed for injuries which Diaz knows full well have been done them. The writer aiso says that the protection given by Germany to ite subjects, loaned im the twenty-four bours x!ven him & guard | will be ac his door to take hit to prison, Where he will be made to do menjal labor und to undergo bunger ucul be lendé the mouey desired, [f degrading labor and partial starvation does not quickly conquer his spirit then a sale of bis effects ts certain to ensuc, When the money is handed out w certilicate acknowl edging 11s rece given the unwiiling lende yet succeeded in having one of them cashed. Ihe list of those who are asked to lend inoney al- ways includes the names of a few wealthy Mexicans. ‘This 1s done only 48 & Dlind to soothe the feelings of | the Americans and make ‘hem believe there 1s no dis- tinction in the treatment, The designated Mexican goes through the form of lending with great publicity and takes to bimsell! great credit for it, and cordially advises every American or other (oreigner to do like- wise, But when the farce ip public is ended ne slips around to the back door and geis his money back again, [bis vot beheved by the Americans that avy but a most obuoxious Chihuabuan has ever really paid a prestamo, The Urst prestamo ever laid upon the people of Chi- huahuan—certainly the Orstjany foreigner was ever called upoh to contribute to—was jaid by President Juarez, when driven from Lower Mexico by Maxi- milian, While hanging on this “ragged edge,” as it were, and until United States diplomacy resuited in Maxamilun’s sad death—und this covers quite a period of time—Juarez and — his __ legion of camp-lollowers it could not probably be termed an army—wore supported mainly by pr mos levied upon the people of Chihuahaa, the nal which at least came {rom the pockets of American residents, During the period of tis enforced re=t- dence in the State Juarez prestamoed one American citizen out of some $30,000, Thut citizen is Fravk McMaous, who went to Chiuuahua from Peunsyivania in 1841.’ The sum taken trom McManus, or, to be more exact, which he was forced to lend to the govern- ment, Was just about baif of what he was then worth, He did not always have the cash, and when some ot the calls were made on him he was compelled (o bor row money trom Mexicans at three per cent a month to enable him to oblige the government with the so-called loan, When the government of Prostdent Juarez took tuis amount of money from McManus, and, in the ag- gregate, a much jarger sam trom other Americans, It issued to each lender a certificate setting forth that the government of the Republic of Mexico had borrowed irom biin (he sum of money named therein, and prom- ising to pay it back, The certiticates were aiso made receivable in payment of duties by the person named in jt, thus practically making it non-trausferavie. MeManus spared no efforts to yet bis certificates paid after Juarez Was restored, but ail bis efforts have re sulted in failure. Although his importations, for be is a leading merchant, have since amounted to more than twice his certificates, he bas never, been utlowed to use a dollar of them as set-off, i After long yeurs of such disappointment the United States and Mexican Mixed Claims Commission was agreed upon for the settlement, as all American residents of Mexico thought, of just this very class of claims. The claim of McManus, aa well as numbers of sinuar claims, Was presented to 1 and judgment asked. Tue American Commissioner was in favor of it, the Mexican Comunssioner against it, and thus tue question was left to the decision of Sir Edward ‘thorn: ton, the previously selected umpire. In the absence of lestiniwny aliunde, for this commission, like the more tamous Electoral Commission of recent date, excluded that, and upon the assurance of Mexican counsel that the certificates would be paid upon pre- sentation at the city of Mexico Sir Edward deciued very naturally (hut those cerciticates were uo more or lees than a Simpie debt of Mexico, und hence no more collectable by judgment of the commis sion than bonds of the Republic sold in open market, McManus now took bis certificates to Mexico, where there Was now a new President; but when be presented Wem he was only laughed at for a tool, Aud there is now but lite ground to hope that McManus or any of bis posterity or tne posterity of the thousands of Americans in Mexico who have sim- ilar claims, will ever see One Cent of the money they call for, Woile, decision against this class of claims was utterly indeiensible upon any principles of justice no blame attaches to the umpire, Sir Edward thornton, It is on account of 11, however, that the tinding by the commission of a balance of some $4,000,060 only was not many millious more. THE Case OF HENRY MILLER. Henry Miller isa citizen of the United States who went to Chibuatua in 1841, and bas stuce accumulated a very large fortune, He is the owner of maguiticent ranches containing about 400 square leagues, or more than 3,000 square miles of the territory of the stato. He is beside the priucipal owner of the “Banco de Chibua- hua,” and tne notes of is bank circulate at par all through Northern Mexico, In June, 1876, when one Angel Trias “pronounced”? in favor of General (now President) Diaz, and captored the city of Cuihuaiua, Miller Jefe the city to live out the revolution at one of bis ranches, soine sixty-live miles trom the city, ‘Trius, us Mexican generais always do, at once levied a prestamo, wud assessed Miller's pare of it at $3,500, When Miller was calied upon for it at his ranche ue declined to pay and asserted bis right to be | exempt irom it on the ground that he was an American citizen, = Keport = of Miller's unbeard of contumacy was made to General Trius, aod then a force was seat out with orders to bring Miter or $10,000, but, foriunately tor Miller, this force, after invading bis ranche at dead of nighi, and wht upon (he streets of Chihuahua, was set upon by g ernment troops and handsomely whipped, resuiting in Miller’s release. Miller then kept out of the way until the Diaz occupation of Chibuanua was enced by the disastrous rout of General Trias’ forces on the 1ith of September last, I'rias bimself took refuge tm San Ane touio, Texas, where bo enjoyed the protection of United States laws until the overwhelming doieat of Lerdo’s troops ut the city of Mexico practically gave the whole couniry to Diaz, Betore the defeat ot Lerdo and triumph of Diaz had penetrated to Chihuabua news co slow to that remote province Milier had oceasion to visit the new copper dis- coveries of Vigus and Chorezas, situated not tar from the United States border, News of Diaz's iumpis bad reached the bore ‘Trias now captured Miller and took bim to Det Nort in sight of the American flag and within a ston throw, almost, of an American fort, there to be kept a pt and declaring ita soan is always | But no Amertean hasever | t, however, and the adherents of | | | | | | | ing 3 | prisoner uuui General | rias—whose atiempted robbery | he had protested against by those words which are tal- veryWhere but ia Mexico, “fain an Americun should leisurety come upall the way trou q distance of 600 miles, (hrough Ame territory, ty Ox the amount of bis ransom and to pun lel bit otherwise iH he wilied so to do, , The story of Miller's loug captivity, of bis weary marchings over rough mouniain trasis On (oot, while bis captors rode, | both might and day, of the horrible brutality woich | and compel uim thereby to write Jed the brigands to hold a six-sbooter to bis b wd no eflort lor his rele: , of the gallant, though abortive, eftort of Colovel Andrews, coumanding at Port Davis, | to effect bis release from 4 captivity whicb was Htte preferable to deat, aud Low at list be was ouly re- leased upon the payineot to Geveral Trias, a commis. sioued ollicer commanding the forces tn Chiluaiua, which supported General Diuz, now President of Mex: ico, of the sain of $3,500, bas already been published jn detail, Those who think that to be a citizen of the United States worth a baubce ip Mexico will learn differently from this story of » iler, There Was an outcome. or sequel, to this story which has pot been published, «nd which the Americun peo- ple ought to know, The gallant officer (Colouel An- drews) Whose soul could not endure such treatment of au Americ\n citizen as was visited upon Miller, and | whose patriotic Imsunets led him to march his little command to Miller’s aid without. waiting for orders from Washington, nine days’ tnte away, has been suubbed by the Americon government, and tou here. afler not tu repeat bis achou. We have fallen upon evil days, The timo was when the pionecrs of American civilization and commerce were the t d could command ail its strengih to protect them from wrong or rigut their grievances, aud tuat, tov, Whether at home or abroad, But wow that the advance guard of American civilization and commerce, in ite march of destiny, has come to the (airest land under the sun—to a land whose dormant wealth rivals that of tabled Ormas and Ind—the Atorican government aud the Atmericun peor pic tall back trom its support and leave it unaided by public power or sentiment to hgtt its battles alone, OTHER INSTANCES OF WRONG AND OUTRAGE. I space permitied, and if tuere Were not room to apprevend chat the rulers of the United States have bee Indifferent to the fate of Americans in Mexico, tmuny more instances could be related of wrong and outrage dove to American people in Mexico by yovernment or pretended government. But the cases of Miller and MeMaous are fair samples, and from them all can be doter- mined, It js true that no other American bas ever been treated as badly as Miller; but this is true only because they never dared to decline to pay a prestamo, Wore any of thom to resist the prestamo—a demand which 1s wuauthorized by any law except that of tho highway—similar, and, if necessary, worse puniab- mene would certainly be visited upon him, it is humiliating to pational pride, but nevertheless o hig friends to make | | mode of substituting Lhe President of the Republic iu as 1g evidenced by this rdor trom President Diaz, 18 | productive of great harm to Americans. At the date of | his letter a prestamo bad just been laid in the city of Chibuabua, but oot 4 single German was called upon to ‘end’ any part of it, In consequence of their ex- emption, however, the rate of assessinemt upon Amer- jcuns was increased to nearly double, and it is more | than they can bear, in View of the sharp conirast 4 tween the action of Mexicans toward Americans und | toward Germans, is it any wonder that all the Amer- joan residents, 1 the language of Luts correspondens, | “are wishing they belonged to Germany ??? A SOUKCE OV DBKP HUMILIATION, ‘The vride of the American is grievously wounded when be contrasts bis own condition and treatment | with that of the German. A word is spoken by Ew- | peror William, whose dominion, whose army, whose | Ships are thousands of miles MWay ucross intervening | land and ocean, and bis subjects are treated wrongly no more, But'the American goverument, whose tug | making some | respective regulations pubis! the Minister of the Home Department, Fequisite lotter of convocatios be issued, the of the Executive aud the grounds by which it is sus- tained are extensively developed. cannot recom- mene too strongly, the profound and impartial study of tnis document. With the convucation of the Sen- ate is allied iu an paypseye re) nea the steady and peaceful progress of our tnetitutions, BOW MUCH OP & SESSION. The early resolution in regard to the duration of the Eighth Congress i¢ also a matter of great transcend. | evcy. I have earaestly to call your special attention to | this subject, ing with entire confidence that trom the ‘prudence and patriotism of th representatives of the peoplo on resolvil this difficulty they will ear im mind the | conclusive and explicit constitutional precepts which denote the duration of each L, ture, the exact States on which the togisiative periods should com- | mence and terminate, and the matters to be resoived | by preference in each term. The moat caretul atten- ton you can possibly dedicate to this delicate subject will Rever be in excess, aa any inconsiderate resolu- lution might easily be converted into the origia of vory Serious ineonveniences, DANG: OF REACTION, On my return from campaign that was opened in the interior some fear aud alarm existed tn tne | winds of a majority of the citizens in consequence of | the attitude adopted by the preas and by the misd moanors of certain excited parties who, con- madering she occasion to be favorabic, were efforts %o neutralize the revo- luvon by proclaiming thi reactionary prin- ciples, which it would pow be impossible to carry into execution, and by voring to make the coun- try fall back Swanky, years, and thus throw aside ali the conquests obtained at the cost of so much blood and ‘so muny incalculable sacrifices, = This stato of affairs gave rise to the circular of the 16th of February last, which defined in, clear and precis terms what were the pringipies of the revolution and what the course that the provisional covernment was resolved to follow, thus dispelling all illegitimate pre- tensious, The Executive has considered it prudent to give a different organization to the branch of public charities froin that which it formerly bad, Establisuments of this natare, which were previously under tho direction of the Town Cuuncil, are now suvjected to a Board of Charity, which, by attending to them as the principal object of 168 institution, will exorcise an eilicacious avd salutary influence o them. Tho on the 23d of January last will expiuin the motives of this measure, whicb, in the opinion of the Executive, conciliates the in- tereste of the needy with those of our liberal insti- tutions, xDUGATION. . As rogards public instruction, the Executive bas commenced by attending to the repairs of those building nich, in gt al, were found to be iva ruinous state. The present circumstauces of the Treasury Department have uot permitted the comple- | tion of the improvements mentioned; but they have | pot been neglected, and it if to be hoped floats in sight of Mexico—wnose forts, filled with troops, are ali along the border, from which vut only | a word titly spoken 18 needed, never says that word, | but permits the robbers to uespoil her citizeus as | they please. 1118 earnestly boped that our government | will act, and act at ouce in such @ decided mun- ner that from now on at least no goverment in Mexico, whether regalar or revolutionary, and whotuer | national, State or municipal only will dire to lay its | bands upon an American except in a way prescribed by general laws of like application to all. "All govern- ments are, or rather bave been, the same in Mexico, ‘Tbe question of who 18 President does not concern the American in Mexico, All Mexican rulers, both of low and bigh degree, bave becn ‘arréd with the same stick,” and one has been no better and no worse than another, MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT DIAZ—REGULATING THE ELECTION OF THE EXECUTIVE—EDU- CATION, PUBLIC WORKS AND THE FINAN- CIAL BUDGET—TRIBUTE TO THE ARMY. Mexico, April 14, 1877. After the preliminary sessions Congress was iormally {naugurateu on the 6th inst,, When the following speech was delivered by the General-in-Chief of the national constitutionalist army, Don Porfirio Diaz, in charge of the executive powei Crrizes Devvrizs—The rovolution that has been so happily consummated by the Mexican people would | have been au irreparable misfortune for the Republic | branches and offices bave veen opened and the they will be terminated im loss than year. | On the occupation of the capital in Novomber last the | classes that form the system of studies then in prac- | tice were about to be opened. To have delayed tie re- | forms which the experience of civilization hag quali- | | ded as indispensable would bave amounted to the loss ota whole year to the numerous students of the national schools; the Executive, consequently, did not bi tate in effecting these improvements, but always mitting them to the approbation of Congres: of those establishmonts could nob have continued in | existence any longer without being supplied with the necessary resources to prevent their failing into com- plete and rapid decay. The Executive has prepared several initiatives in re- gard to the branches of public education and justice, aud, among other reforms, recommends to your spe- cial attention that which relers to the prompt vstab- lishment of the penitentiary system, as the promises made by the constitution and the humapitary dictates of the present century earnestiy demand this impor- tant amelioration, PUBLIC WORKS. Notwithstanding the pecuniary diflculties of the exchequer, originated by the causes already referred to, public works and public Improvements huve not been disregarded. The greater part of the telegraph lines that were deatroyed during the war are now working at & Comparatively moderate cost; new fines ot the States of Vera Cruz, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi have been supplied with materials to no smalt extent. The drainage of the valley and city of Mexico, a work go often atiompted, ia once more under serious consideration, and some’ labor has already been em- ployed tbereon, i by limitating itseif to the aunibilation of the former admiuistration it should have uegiected the means of recovstructing the constitutional edifice. But, quite to the contrary, the political programme which was the | expression of 118 principles and tendencies imposed | Upon the depositary of the executive power tue | ovligaion of convoking the nation within | ove month from the occupation of the capiial | for the election of the persons to whom | vhe exercise of the federal authority in all its distinct | branches should be conlided; aud to the faithiul und Strict observance of these mjunctions and ut ihe de- mand of the public your presence in this pince to-day is owing, Your assemblage bere 18 a happy event; it | Jays the foundation to the new werk that the revolu- | tion desired to construct; a foundation without which | nothing Solid or lasting can ve establishea, 11 will Higuten the weigut of the innumerable dunes throwa upon the Execuuve; it will silence the malicious rumors Which, screenmug themselves behind the liver- ality of our laws, bad been propageted through the pub- | lic press tor the purpose of spreading over Lhe Couutry | the fears ofa dictatorship, aud, linaily, 1 will mvigorate | public contideuce by proving’ vy tae uoansweravie ur- | gument of facts that law wn the cousittution bave now commenced tu reign. 1 congratuiate you, fellow eit zeus, tuereon, and ut the sume time congratulate the entire navion through you, ‘The first uct that iny duty imposes upon me atter your instullatioa 1s to give a report of the present con- dition of the various branches of tue pubue auiminis- tration, POREIGN AFFAIRS. Our relations with iriendiy Powers are (ransitorally in the normal state taut 1s waiuraliy consequent to present circuinstances in refereuce toa country which, like ours, hus just experienced a political struggle, bub without changiag the form of goverument, Far, how- ever, Irom any event Laving occurred to disturb tue harmony existing between the government and for- eign Ministers and diplomatic agents, i is gratity- lug to me to observe that they have not tuiled to Dear testimony of their fricudly feelings toward | the governinent vy maintaining With It those relations which affairs have reodered necessary; and although up lo toe present these relations bave lad ap ex. ollicial character, this has been bo impediment to tue (raus- action of matters in this form, which by their very na- ture Were oificiaL Mureover, pains nave veen tuken to cominunicaie to the represen atives of foreign Pow- ers the principal acts of the administration for the requisite coguizance of their gover.éments, foreign citi- zeus have received the sitvere and eilicacious protec ied of the authorities on any jusitiable inaicauon requiring the sae, and everything leads to the hope thai, by rendering homage to the same principles of juteruational law, iriendly batons will shortly recognize (he government Which Lue Mexican peopie have given themselves in the exercige of their imde- peudeuce and sovereignty. 1 can assure you, aotwith- slunuing, that any such Ubjustiflavie linpatience as that WHich, o4 Liwny occasions, bas compromised the honor und interests of the Republic, will not imduco me to forget the lessons which experience has given to us, THE UN STATKS CLALStsS, Oo the Sst of January last the term expired for the pay.went§to the goverument of the Unitea States of Awerica of the sum of $800,000, a8 the tirst mstalment of the balance ige/cng iu favor of inat country on tue hquida ¢: vhe claims adjusted by the mixed comnissiv eatod by the treaty entered ini on the 4uh of July, 1808 “Tne ruinous state in whiel the exche was {vgud on the occupation of the capital, the p by eXigeucies of tue campaign apd other requirements of the administration ren- dered tue iuitiiment of this eazagement almost impos sible; but the Executive, pledged above all in preserv= the natioual honor, but imposing au irksome but uecessary sucrilice upon the inbabitants and authorities of the Republic, was tortunavly enabled ww overcome this serious difficulty 1» due tine by making the payment witu the gr. atest punctuaitty, ‘This sucrilice Will oot be fruitiess; it will oaturally contrivute toward reflecting bonor on Mexico and toward roising her credit abroad. Phe receipt tor the sum paid exists in the Lepartwment of Fureigu Affairs,” aud the documents relating to tbis affair buve aiready been made public KM-RLECTION OF THE PRESIDENT, One of the most soieinn promsses given by the revo- lution 1 its political programme was that heneefor+ ward the re-election of the Presideut of ihe Republic | | and the governors of the States should have | the character of a supremo law, It is grati- | lymg (© we, Citizen deputies, to have | the only — participavion that is allowable | tome im the fulfiiment of the obligation thus com> tracted with the country by transmitting to you, as I shall to. morrow, through Ue Department of tue In- terior, the Lill relaung thereto. It belongs (o the legise lative power of the Caiou, and to the Legislatures of the Stutes, to elevate this resolution to the rank of constitutional mandate, KESTORE THE VICK PRESIDENCY. With this buil anotuer is combined relative to the his temporary or eutire absence, The constituents of 1867 on suppressing the Vice Prerident of the Mexican United States und investing the President of the Su- preme Court of Justice with similar attributes, did no more than to chunge the title of the tunctiovary, while they lett untouched all the difficulties they intended to remove and perhaps gave birth to others still greater, The ballot system (swlema de tneaculacion) now pro- posed appears to render impussibie any abuses that can be fore: I. In fulfiiment of the provisious of the fifth article of the revolutionary programme reformed at Palo Biauco, government issued the evict for the election Of the federal powers within the same term as that dosignated in the article referred to. And although the political affairs of the Republic pi sented a dillerent aspect irom that which Lad. beck an= ticipated o the arrival of the regenerating army at the capital, the government preferred complying strictly with the provisions of that Jaw to deterring the convocation, with the hope of the general paci- feation of the country, and in order to avoid even the suspicion of any desire to prolong the dicta- torship of the revolution, Un convoking the election ot the fderal powers government found \welf under the impossibility of calung tor that of the Senators, owing to the absolute want of State legislatures, which according to law should intervene in # direct mode im that election, Government, after a lengthened and rious meditation, 18 persuwded that the revolution hot suppressed the feueral chamber or ; that it has not even attempted to make any rms in the constituvion, Without observing We sures prescribed therein; and that tually to the Nsuitvent power alone, us recognized by the 127th article of Lue fuadamental code, does it boong to ral Vo the rank of supreme laws of the Republic, the most radical principles proclaimed by the revolution, and the vhanimous opinion 01 te council of ministers has been progvunced in this same sense, In the bill which will be presented to Congress by During the month of February a canal was devised | to unite the Chalco Lake with the Tepexpaa station, on (he Vera Cruz Railway. A third part of tbis im: portant work lias already been completed, and within two months the whole will be opened to public traillc, The opening of another canal has been contracted tor between Chulco and Mexico, to serve for the navigation ot small steamers, and arrangements are now ou {vot for the construction of a third canal, which will join this city with that of Texcoco, ‘The question of railways, which has so eeriousiy pre- occupied, aud with much’ reason, ull those wuo are interested in the prosperity of Mexico, has justly had the attention of the Executive, and, although it has deemed proper on accuonut of legal causes (o deciare the caducily of the Central Railroad grant, by so doing it bas not withdrawn itgelt (rom its intention of favoring within the orbit of ite faculties those enterprises that comply with their obligations, thus contributing to the attainment of the vehement desires felt in this country (o possess railways wittin as short a ime as | powsibie that will give room to the development ot her inexbaustible sources of wealin, With this end a hew contract 18 about to be entered into with the Toluca Railway Company; ® contract which, al- though it calls tor a further sacrifice on the part of the government, will assure to it the conclusion of that line within ove year; and finally the necessary som has been supplied for the reposition of tue railway Jrom Jalapa to Vera Cruz, which should be opened within fitteen days, THE MINTS. It is a matter of public notoriety that the late govern- ment rented out several of the mints upon terme that have been strongly censured by public vpinton, Gov. ernment has cated its attention to these itm portant allairs, im which both the morality of the hation and the interests of is revenue are equully con- cerned, dnd has come to the regvluiion that some of these contracts in which elects buve beea found tat invalidate them, shall be submitted to the cog- nizance of the competept courts, as provided for by our laws, in order that they may be Judged with entre impartiality and jusuilcation, In regard to the otber cases not found in a similar case, goveroment will uke such measures a8 may be convenient after the investizations now being made respecting them. It may be well to meation bere that (he Oaxaca mint, whieh is again in the possession of the federation, the term of its lease having expired, has been provided with modern machinery 19 sabstitution of that wuich existed before, thus expediting its, operations, METROROLOG A meteorological observatory that has been estab- ished in the Nationa! Palace is avother maiter of im- portance, as will also Le another astronomical observa- tory which wil shortly be concluded in the same edi- fice; aud also the formation of a good geographical chart of Reyublic, and tue collection, already numerous, of mups and plang which hus been made io the Departinent of Public Works, with the view of creating the respective archives, the utility of which 13 undeuiable, The constant waut of equilibrium that has existed betwoun the revenue and the expenditures of the Republic 1s too well known, It to this deticit be added the enormous expenses tucurred by the turmor administration in the last year of its existence, under the pretext of overcoming the natioval insurrection, and the ruivous contracts it bad recourse to im order to obtuin means, We may Casily conceive the dilapi- dated state in which the public treasury was sound on the triumph of the revolution, The siate of war in which the country continued after the present administration was installed in the capital; the necessity of maintaining a numerous army, iooreased afterwards by the troops of the beliigerenta, and the administrative disorganization which every revolution necessarily produces, have caused the situation of the couutry to become stil moro critical. KESULTS OF THE REVOLUTION, The urgent duty of consummating tue pacification of the Republic obliged the vxecutive to contract cor- Vain loans, tho reimbursement of which has been and is being attended Lo in the terms agreed upon, ‘This same circumstance and the pressing urgency of making the payment, already reterred to, in Farag ton ou the Slat of Jauuary last, compelled government to issue the docree of the 27th December uit, levying an extraordinary coutribation on the products uf capitals. Now that the civil war bas ended, tho Executive hi been, aud 1s sul, attentively engaged in studying the Feorgunization of financial matters, endeavoring at the sane time to imerease the products of the revenue by proper arrangements in the public departments, and to diminiso the e: Penses by micaus of economics introduced in every Draven of service and espeuiuilly in the War Oflice, 1b in order that the pay of the armed forces may be cov- ered by ordinary resources without neglecting otuer sectivns of paviic service. With thts purpose the Secrotary of Finance will sub- mit to Congress a statement with the estimate of the incomes and expenditures of the Republic for the next fiscal year, endeavoring to reduce the outlays of the administration to the ordinary products of the federal revenues, without burdening the nation with pew im- posts, - THX FINANCIAL BUDGET. In tho proposed est: or budget, I must call th attention of the Co 0 the omission of a clause contained in similar docaments of former yoars, re- Jating to the reduction to one-half of the assignations of the pension list Not only the equil- sorium established in tho estimates, but a principle of morality and rigorous justice has aided the government in this omission, fh tho midst of the necessities of the moment, at all times, 80 urgent in this country, the creditors of the pension list have been continually neglected, The Executive is of the opinion that in order to exact from the army tho faithful fulliment of its duties it is requisite that the nation, on ite part, should comply with the obligations to which it is pledged. It is Tndespensable that tho army may be persttaded that those who have grown old of have veen matiluted in the service of the country, and the widows and orphans of those who die in the defenve uf Independence and liberty, will not beaban- doved. . The Secretary of the Finance Department will also submit to the legislative powers other important mat- ‘ po recovery of export daty on bar and coined silver is contrary to sane economic principies. For many years the question of the free expgrtation of all oa tional fruits und products has bee agitated In this country, Without ihe defenders of the contrary sys tem having any olber argument im their tavor thun that of the large yield produced to the revenue by the duty upon silver, ihe Secretary of Finance will propose the abolition of the export duty on silver, con- oliating as inuch a8 possiole all legitimate interests, With the view of giving fuliment to the Ladth artl- clo of the constitution, government, through its Minister of Finance, will present to the Chamvor thy reiative Iniuatory proposing the imost conveniont ‘tbe national credit an of “ales. for obtalnin; eee eg im the shortest time’ possible and with. out causing either to the States or of Salen SER ET Rape she | exchequ | The consolidation of the public debt, she payment of | its interest and the arrangement for lis iquidation ts another pecessity in our country. Another ipitiativ of the Minister of Finance will submit to the Legisiature this question, so important for for the creditors of the Republic. For those who comprehend the value of the good repute of nations, this question is of vital in- terest tor Mexico, The administration that has sprung trom the na- tional revolution should attend not only to the exact fultiiment of political obligations, but ulso to those of 8 pecuniary nature contracted by the latter, The ini- ative referred to will consequentiy embrace the | recoguition ard payment of the revolutionary debt, ‘The standing army at the present date is much greater than authorized by our laws, this ow- ng, not to the deliberate intention of placing 14 in 90 great a force, but as | have already indicated, to the plausible circutmstance of nearly all the troops, with which the two leaders have pretended to be, each one for nimeelf the representatir of legality, having Joined tn fraternizing with the defenders of the revolu- tion, under one and the same banner, . ‘The Executive has already taken snto consideration, | with assiduity at the same time as with the greatest | circumspection, the study of the most conven:ent | meavs of establishing the security of our institutions and that of our territory, with the necessity of attend- ing to and rewarding the merits and services of tho military class with the resources at the disposal | of the federal treasury, itis also directing its spe- cial attention to the reorganization of the army, a measure which i indispensable altor a commotion | similar to that which the country has just undergone. | On dictating the ne ry dispositions ip this, re- | Spect scrupulous care will be taken not to invade the attributes of the legislative power. THR SERVICKS O¥ THE ARMY, The present ts a Ot occasion for rendering @ public tribuce of acknowledgment to the army, not only for its services, bravery and discipline, but also | for the abnegation with which It bas sealed | such meritorious titles, It ts gratitying to | me to make kagwa, a¢ this solemu cerewony, | that at the conclusion of the campaign many worthy | military men, from oflicers of the hignest grade to | simple soldiers, have spontancously xsked permission | to return to a retired private lfc, without seeking | apy viber recompense than that of having cuntributed | toward the triumph of @ just cause. The Executive, | finding it to be impossible to remunerate their services im any other form, bas ordered that certificates should be issued to them tp regard to these services, with the sincere promiso that, in equality of circumstances, these worthy patriots will buve the preference of occus pying public posts over other citizeus Who may not be- able to present similar claims in their lavor, This promise in many cases hag already inet with due tul- ‘iment. ‘The national guard of the several States, which ren- dered such important aud seusonable services to the rovolutionary cause, Iso entitled to the considera- tion of the government and to the gratitude of the nation for its valuable assistance and the abnegation * of which it has given 80 many proofs since (We conclusion of the war. Among other examplos that might ve reforred to, this cupital bas seep, a short time since, that tho troops from Puevla and Oaxaca, by which it was garrisoned, have retired with satigiaction to their homes to give themscives up to their -humbie and habitual occupa- tons, PEACE RVERYWHERE, Citizen Deputies—The briet narration you have just heard woulu not bo complete, even if it were more lengthy, 1f I did not make known to you, as I do with the greatest satisfaction, that tue whole of the Kepablic 1g at peace, This fact, of 80 greatan {mportance, nas at the present moment a siguificance the value of which you must be well aware of. Wearied as the country was with the abuses com- mitted by the former government, it sought the | remedy of its evils by means of insurrection, one of the last resources of an outraged people, and it now looks forward with tranquillity to purtici- pal in those benelits held forth by the revolution under the protection of the fundamental code. Now that the period of constitutional reconstruction has commenced it 1s a sacred duty of every public func- tionary to endeavor to realize the expeciations of the people by force of probity, constancy and patriotism; to re-establish completely che supremacy of the constitu- tion, Lo maintain peace, to protect ull legitimate interests under its Vonelicial influence, in order to develop the innumeravie elements of wealth in this country, Such is the great and noble task that your mission hore im- poses upon you, a task, the fulfilment of which will watisfy the aspirations uf the revolution and will lead Mexivo to that @ of prosperity to which she is cullea by destiny CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION. SURVEYOR SHARPE'S EXAMINATION—REFORMS AND REDUCTIONS THAT CAN BE MADE, All restrictions as to secresy in the examination now going on at the Cusiom House have been removed by the Secretary of the Treasury. About noon yesterday the commission met in the office of Naval Ofticer Vor- nell, Mr, Jobn Jay being in the chair, Colouel Silas W. Burt, Yeputy Naval Officer and Comptroiler, continued his te@@#mony where ho haa left off on Friday, He said, in answer to the question whether politics had anything to do witb obtaining appointments in the Naval Office, that it was the most potent agency; if the inefficient men were displaced and the vacancies fi!ied by competent men there could be a reduction of atleast ten per cont, aud by a sim- plication of business a further reduction of ten per cent. Mr, Turnure asked whether it was necossary for the Naval Office to exist, which Colonel Burt answered in the affirmative, WORK OF THE SURVEYOR'S DEPARTMENT. General Goorge H. Sharpe, Survoyer ot the Port, was the noxt official examiued, He had been Surveyor of the Port a little over four years There are in his department two inspeetion divisions, covering an area of twenty-four miles of water front, and which is divided into districts, On tho North River there ai teu districts, to which are detailed twenty-three in- spectors, On tho Eust River there are thirteen dis- tricts, having twenty-one inspectors, New Jersey shore bas three districts and nine inspectors, Staten Island one district and one inspector, aud Brooklyn Hitteen districts und twenty-eight inspectors. Tho de- benture room is the school of instruction for imspec- tors, aud at present there are thirty-eight inspectors doing duty there, it a vessel should arrive outside of the city within the collection district inspectors are sent after the same. Five deputy surveyors aro attached to the vilice, three are at tho barge villice, one at (he Custum House aud ‘the other does general duty; one of the deputies at the barge ollico, in State street, attends to assigning the officers tu vessels arriving; two of the deputy sur- veyors—Colonel Burton and General Nichols—take charge of the mspectors for discharging passeugers apd mercband By Mr. turnure—Is it ne ry to have such a large force of mew to pertorin this duty? General Suarpe—Uudoubiedly; vessels often come ina bunch; an easterly wind usually blows tuem in; for instance, on the Ist day of March we had two steamers wud seven sailing Vessels, und on the 2d of March three steamers and eigity-three sailing svips arrived; all these had to be discharge ud we had to huve men to do it with ‘ihe Surveyor illustrated the mode of detailing the inspectors, “Kuch of the two deputy surveyors ior dischurging passenger vessels bas two aids, whe were appoiied montuly, From 126 t0 135 inspectors are kept on duty at the bargeoftice, In regard to weigh- ers, General Sharpe suid that when be lirst came into the oflice there were nineteen weighers empioyed there, Ou his suggestion the uumber was reduced 1o thirteen, ‘The sulury of a weigher 1s $2,500 per annum, that of the foreman $1,200 and lavo: receive forty cents for every working uour. Mr. Turnare asked if the $1,200 men would not do the weighing as well as those receiving $2,000. General Sharpe conceded that either the ioremen or clerks could be dispensed with. Every weigher bas the right, or takes it, to bire his own laborers, In soe instances he (the Surveyor) has cut down such payrolls $600 to $600 per month, VRAUDULANT PAYROLLS. Theso payrolls were deemed fraudulent, and shewed & great deal of favoritism, Tne weighers, as a general thing, take more interest in politics than otuers in government service. “Mr. Robinson read a communi. ation to the effect that a weigher named Jeremiah Drew bad been elected aud was acting as Supervisor of Orunye county, to which, the letier says, he pays more attention than to his official busin General Sharpe replied that Mr. Drew had veen in the depart- ment before he came into it; was always cousivered a very g0od officer, and Mr. Drew’s holding another office never came to bis knowleage. General Sharpe continued tuat there are altogether 282 inspectors, Whose pay was ixed at $4 per diem, The inspectors detailed at the barge oilice ure on dury from suurise until suusot, w: vy jeved by the night watchmen. Those on district duty seal the Vessels up at sunset and reaume their duvy at suuris General Sharpo conceded that ten per cent of the force could be dispensed with, but that there Was not a sigecure in his department NIGHT WATCHMEN, A ship’s manifest was exbivited, by which the Sur. veyor explaived the discharging of cargoes and ti amount of labor entailed upon the inspectors, The force of night watchmen is 102 men, who alternate be- tween sunset and sunrise, Their pay is $8 per night, Mr. Robinson wanted to know why these men could not do duty all night as merchants’ watchmen do, to which the Surveyor replhed that mercbanis have no organized plunderers to conteud with, no desperate river pirates to fire on them, as they often do on.the government watchinen, The night men fully earned all their pay. The Surveyor here explained how passengers en- deavored to introduce other goods than (their wearing apparel actually in use, wien the law permits, ty their bugguge. He jamented the entire absence of proper government officers on the steamship docks, and many ‘ines he said the top of a whiskey barrel did duty as @ desk on which to collect government duty on pas: ger goods, Is it, then, a wonder that the travellers think the collectors of the tariff on the docks bum. bugs, aud that the government does not receive tue money ! At tive o'clock the commission took, @ recess anti! to-day. A PREMONITION OF SUMMER. The treo reading room and library of the Cooper Union tat the tederativa any rentistical crisis, the consequences | THE ROE DIVORCE. Family Jars as Depicted by the Servants. A SYSTEM «OF «MUTUAL = TANTRALIZATION How a Home Was Destroyed by Too Much Temper. Newacnre, April 30, 1877, Judge Dykman this morning continued the adjourned session of the Supreme Court, and the Roe divorce case was again called. As will be remembered, the defence had just begun when the adjouroment wag taken, and it was continued this morning, Th ‘majority of tho witnesses called to deny the testimony for the plaintiff were servants who had been in Mr, Roe’s employ. Alter the Judge called the court to order Mr. Bangs demanded the production of the papers taken trom his client’s safe some years ago, This sale burglary was fully described Uy witnesses at the open- tng of the case im March last, Mr, Burnett said those papers were in the nature of privileged com. muuications in the hands of Mrs, Roe’a coun. sel, and surrendered might prejudice her cas, Mr. Bangs ‘said that if the papers were not produced at his request he woud insist Qnder the rule that they be not produced atany future time during tho trial of the cause, The Judge stated that Mr, Bangs’ potnt was well taken, and that if counsel for plaintiff did not produce the papers they could uot be subsequently introduced, nor any tesiimony relating to them, Mr. Burnett refused to produce the papers, and Miss Lizzie Swayne was called to tho stand as a wituess, MISS SWAYNE’S TESTIMONY, Sho had been a servant in the Roe tamily three years, and during that time she had never seen Mr, Rov abuse bis wife or children; one morning sue heard Mrs, Roe cull her husvand bad names at the breakfast table; she told him she bated and despised him; on another occa- sion Mrs. Roe was sitting on the stone steps of the house, and Mr, Roe told ber to go into the house, as she would got cold; she refused to go and cried aloud, and said he was cruel; often whon Mr, Roe and tho little daughter Annie were cating Mrs, Roe would sit apart and refuse to eat; Mr. Roe would ask her to draw near, and she would pretend not to hear him; witness often heard little Annie say she would marry arich man, On her crosa-examination she stutod that she had never heard Mr. Roe swear, “OVE A TEMPER,” Another servant, Thomas J. Dwyer, was next called, He never saw Mr. Koe treat any member of the family unkiodly; be heard Mrs, Roe call ber busband a coward ubd toil him he was crazy; that he wasa coward when he-was at West Pout, and that but for bis money she would never have married him; ‘Mr, Roo said:— “Don't tantalize me, for I’ve a temper.” On this occasion witness beard some swearing, but don’t remember who swore; the row began by Birs. Roe suytng that she would put ber Lead upon the block deture she would sabmit to any man. Mrs. Nancy Hayden. lived for tour years with the Roe family; never heard any hard langaage between the parties to the action. Once Mr, Roe took little Aunie out to ride, and Mrs. Roe said that if Annie was hot tu the wagon she would set off a skyrocket aud frighten the borse; she waa angry because Mr, Roe did not take ber out riding, Johu Flynn, @ coachwan, testified that on various occasions he vas driven Mrs, Roe to places in and around Newburg to make calls, do shopping, &c. ; Mr. Roe told hit in 1876 that it Le drove Mra, Roe out he would be discharged; be said at the time that he wag sorry to have to make such an order, but it was noces- ry, a8 Mrs, Roe went away without his knowing and ined over night, ames Merrett, another servant, heard Mr. Roe tell his wife that she need not do any work, as plenty of servants were employed, MRS. ROK’S OUTBREAKS. Benjamin F, Clark, an uncle ot tue defendant, pro- ducea a letter trom the plaintiff, in which sbe.stated that defendant was @ crazy man and it was dangerous to live with him, It urged Mr. Clark to take defend- ant to Europe and ‘eave her $4,000 a year to.live on; heard Mr. Solon Norton say that it Mr. Roo did not look out for bimsoli he would put a bullet through him; heard Mrs, Norton, plaintifl’s mother, call Mrs, Roe (witness? Sioter aud detepdant’s mother) a liar; never saw Mr. Roe display apy temper against bis wile; saw Mra, Roe tn fits of temper; beard het taik loud aud excitedly to berseli; betore Mr. Roe went to Kurope there was some talk about insanity; Mrs, Roe wanted to know whut property she would get if her nusbaud was adjudged a lunatic; Dr. Culbert, wha Was preseni, reiused to grant a certificate of insunity, On cross-cXamivation Le remembered that twice he had seen Mr, Kove delirious; never wrote a story to @ ewspuper about Mrs. Roe; don’t think she is a sweete Lempered womun, THR DEFENDANT'S HEALTH, Dr. Culbert knew defendant for twenty years; from 1867 to 1870 Mr. Roe was subject to fever and dele rium; he was dyspeptic and bis health wds broken dowa; had heard statements regarding Mr. Roe’s mental condition; Mr, and Mrs, Norton asked me to give a certificate of Mr. Roe’s insanity; 1 refused to give ic; witness thougat that defendal needed rest and a chauge of scene; he related a scene he wus witness to where the husband and wile scolded and recriminated; she said he was crazy, and men- tioned something about a will of Mr. Roo’s father, which she accused him of destroying; she said be inade another und had it admitted to probate; M Roe told witness that she would not live with a mi who slept with a pisto! under his head, A SURRENDER, Mr. Burnett, counsel for Mrs, Roe, decided to give up the papers taken from Mr, Roe’s safe, and at th juncture made his decision Kuown, and ‘the papers were given to Mr. Bangs, who read tuem. Tho letters were [rom Mr, Roe to friends and legal advisers con- curning bis family troables. After the reading of those Papers a recess was liken, . * APTER RECESS. When court reassembled Chauuey Merritt, who was empioved by Mr. Roe as a garaewer and overseer {rom 186) Lo 1873, was culled to tue stand to swear that on vue’ occasion Mr. Roe told him if ever Mrs. Roe wanted anything done around the place to have it done. ‘The wile of Merritt, who was also employed in the Koe family, testified that on ove occasion she met Mra, Roe in Newbury and usked ber it oid Mra, Roe wag going to travel; Mra Roe, the plaintiff, said she did not know whetuer she was or not, but she hoped she would; she would be glad if the oid lady was live thou- sand niles away, or at the bottom of the sea, for then she thought she could hye in peace with her husband and not be interfered with, TUE DEFENDANT RECALLED, Mr. Roo was called to the stand and repeated parts of his testimony previously published. He denied that he ever destroyed 4 will oi bis tather’s, and said that Mrs. Koo Was (ue most exasperating female that ever lived, With this witness the defence rested, PLAINTIFE’S REBUTTAL Mr. Solon Norton was again cated by the plaintiff, but bis evidence, like that of Mr, Roo, was only a re« assertion of direct testimony. Mary O'Brien was called on the samo side to deny certain statements of Margaret Doran, a witness tot tho delence. WHAT A LIRUPENANT HEARD, The defence presented an atlidavit from Lieutenant hited States Army, who had sought to bring about an amicable arrangement between tis el Roe and lis wile. ‘ihe kiud ¢iorts were inefeciual Ho had heard Roe use improper and ungentiemanly jungaage to bis wile, Noticed that be was captious and laultdnding at table; that he criticised the viam and found fault with his Wile After the reading the aflidavit the court took a recess. After recess a number of witnesses were examined, who denied the material points given in the t mony of Margatet Doran, and established Mrs, Ro character a a patient, painstaking mother, ASSAULTED WITH AN AXE, if A MAN'S SKULL FRACTURED BY AN AXE IN Id OWN HOUSE, As Mr. Douglass O'Brien, an ex-deputy sheriff, Of this city, was entering his house on Sixth avenue, near Fifth street, Brooklyn, on Suuday evening last, be was struck on the head with an axe, Captain McKellar found Mr. O’Brien to be badly injured, his skull having been tractured. He was cone scious and told the Captain taat be, nis wile and ture@ children went to church in the evening, leaving big soa Harry at bome. He arrived home with bi! tie daughter Lulu just previous to his wile, wad Jet into the house by Harry, aud while entering tho room Was struck With the axe, At the same mstans the blow was struck he heard Harry say, * Look out, Uheré is sometuing talling on your head! On mvestre gation it was learned that the axe belonged Inu nouse, and as Harry differed in bis story shghtly tne second time be told it be was placed under arrest. The theory of attempted purriide was readily ace copted by’ the poitce, and as one or two physicians te that in their vpinion Harry is of unsound mind, is beld as & prisuaer, with the expectation that br will divaige how he struck the murderous biow, The family of Mr, O'Brien think tue theory of the police absurd, ond believe the story of Harry to be true, Lulu corroborates Harry’s statement by saying that the man who struck ber father had red hair and @ high collar. Mr, O’Brien, although badly injure Hot considered to be in a dangerous condition, hopes are entertained of his rapid recovery, FUEL FOR A BOND FIRE. There arrived yesterday in the steamship City of Chester, from Liverpool, ten millions of United states five-twenty bonda, received in exchange by the Syndb cate at London for new (ssue of four anda halt per ito be clused on Sundays pavil the first Suaday in October, beginaing next Sunday, cont bonds, Lustevening they were taken on to Wasle ington, where they will be aestroyed.