THE COLUMBIAN, BLOOMSBUJLIG, SATtJllDAY, JUNE 0, J 866.
u (Mumbmu,
oi:oiun: n. mooui:, uniToit.
llI.OOMHltUllO, SATl'UPAY, Jt'.NT, P,
THE COLORADO BILL.
Tim veto of this liltt, on the llftcrnili
ultimo, by President Johnson, will ren
der proper notluo of somo points eon
Jiccted with the proposed orpin 1 ait Ion
of Colonulo Into u State. 'I'lie reasons
Riven by the President for withholding
his signature from the hill nro cogent,
nml sufficient to Justify his notion ; but
thoro uro other facts und considerations
besldo those noticed In his message
which ought to bo mentioned, mid some
of the points mndu by hint may be am
plified and enlarged for purposes of
popular debate.
I. An act was passed by Congress, and
Approved March first, 1801, authoriz
ing the people of Colorado Territory, nt
n certain time and under certain legal
regulations, to elect members of a con
vention to form a State constitution for
themselves, and upon Its adoption In a
regular manner tho President was au
thorized to Isstio his proclamation nn
nottneing the admission of Colorado as
a State Into the Union. "When this ena
bling act was under consideration in
Congress tho chairman of tho Commit
tee on Territories of the Senate (Mr.
Wade, of Ohio) stated that tho popula
tion of the Territory was at least sixty
thousand, and was stated by some to be
as high as seventy or eighty thousand,
nnd Increasing. Tho delegate from tho
Territory nt that tlmo made similar
representations, and Congress, in pass
ing the bill, acted under the impression
that the new State would soon contain
n population equal to the ratio required
under the general apportionment of
members of Congress. It is now ascer
tained and well known that tho Terri
tory at that time did not contain more
than one-third of tho number of Inhabl
tants represented. In fact Congress was
misled If not imposed upon as to the
population of tho Territory nt that time.
II. Pursuant tothoennbllngactabovo
mentioned a convention was elected and
a constitution framed; but upon belli;
submitted to the vote of tho peoplo tho
constitution was rejected. At the elec
tion held on tho question of adoption
only six thousand one hundred and
ninety-two votes were polled, while
tho majority against tho constitution
amounted to tho relatively large mini
ber of three thousand ono hundred and
llfty-three. Tho peoplo did not desire a
State organization, and so expressed
themselves by a very decided vote. All
the proceedings in the case were regu
lar and lawful, being In conformity
with tho act of Congress, nnd fully au
thorized by it. Of courso with the re
jection of tho constitution all power and
authority under that act to organize
a State came to an end. All authority
under it was expended, and no further
proceedings could bo had by virtue or
under color of Its provisions.
III. Nearly n year afterward, in 1805,
a most remarkable proceeding was en
tered upon by men in the Territory who
were desirous of ti State organization,
and desirous also of enjoying the va
rious interesting olllees which would be
called Into existence by It. Tho chair
men of the Territorial committees rep
resenting tho two political parties of the
Territory Joined in making a rail for a
new convention to form a State consti
tution ! Under theircalldelegatos were
elected, a convention held, and a con
stitution made, which, being submitted
to a vote, was adopted by a majority of
ono hundred and flfty-llvo in a poll of
Ave thousand nine hundred and live
votes. This wholo proceeding front ho-
ginning to end was without tho slight
est authority of law. There was no net
of Congress, nor of tho Territorial Leg
islature, authorizing or regulating tho
election of delegates to tho convention,
the proceedings In tho convention il
self, or the election 'or tho adoption of
tho constitution. No man, whether
ottlcer or voter, could bo punished for
fraud nt either election, nor was there
any authority to administer oaths to
olllecr or cltizonntthose elections, much
less to punish for any perjury commit
ted. Thoro was therefore no guarantee
for fairness at tho elections, nor for hon
esty In the returns. It may well be
doubted therefore whether the voico of
tho people of Colorado was expressed at
nil in tho proceeding, or whether a
majority of ono hundred and llfty-three
was nn actual nnd true return.
IV. In tho veto message of tho Pros!
dent tho facts are set fortli showing, as
near as can ho ascertained, the actual
population of tho Territory. Tho onlv
census taken in tho Territory was that
of 18(11, when there was a population of
about twenty-fivo thousand, and n vote
polled at tho Territorial election of about
ten thoirand. At no subsequent elec
tion has tho voto been nearly to high,
and at tho irregular election, upon the
atloptlon of tho last constitution, It foil
under six thousand. Of course in n
now Territory tho voting population
boars a largo proportion to tho whole
number of Inhabitants, because thoro
nro fow females and children ; but Judg
ing population by tho election returns,
It la reasonable to concludo that tho
number of people In Colorado is now no
greater than it was in 1801, if in fact it
has not been reduced.
Here, then, Is tho ca.-o ofa Territory.
with less than otic-fifth the number of
Inhabitants required In tho old States
for a member of Congress, asking for ad
mission into tho Union ns a Stato, with
n Representative iindtwoScnutors: that
is, Colorado, with a population not ex
ceeding that of Colunibla'County, is to
Itavo an equal voice In tho Senate with
tho great State of Pennsylvania' or New
York. v
V. 'Wltilo Colorado lias hut twenty
fivo thousand or less of population the
Territory of New Mexico has nearly
ono hundred thousand, and Utah. still
more; and yet it is not proposed now to
admit either of tlieo into tho Union,
Ono or two other Territories also exceed
Colorado In numbers. It thus clearly
appears that tho admission of Colorado
us a Slate would bo an actor lavoriiisin,
and create an invidious distinction
among the Territories of tho United
States.
VI. At the present cession of Congress
tho 1)111 for admitting Colorado, after
undergoing full debate in the Senato
upon tho merits of the question, was
rejected by n voto of yeas, 1 1 j nays, ill.
Subsequently, wlthouta new fact shown
or any new argument produced, tho bill
was reconsidered and passed. This
courso of action requires explanation,
and that explanation was furnished by
Mr. Sumner, when he stated that tltere
were whispers about that two more
votes in the Senato were required for
political purposes. A reason which had
to be whispered, and could not be open
ly staled by the advocates of the meas
ure, Is certainly entitled to no respect or
even toleration. Colorado was to be
admitted for a partisan purpose, to give
to tho political majority lit Congress
still greater power. We arc Impelled to
the conclusion that this was the solo
reason for the passago of tho bill, and
tho only one which can induce any hu
man being to complain of the Presiden
tial veto.
THE ASSESSORSniP.
Upon the establishment of this Reve
nue District, corresponding to thcThlr
teeuth Congressional District of the
State, and composed of the Counties of
Bradford, Wyoming, Sullivan, Colum
bia, and Montour, tho appointment of
Assessor was conferred upon Benjamin
P. Fortner, who served for some time.
But charges of misconduct were made
against him, and an Inquiry institu
ted, which resulted in his resignation of
tho oillcc. Then Major Isaac S. Mon
roe was unpointed, and held the
place for sixteen months, until Novem
ber last, when ho was removed, and
Palemon John appointed. Tho latter
has not been nominated to the Senate
for confirmation, and as a matter of
course, his appointment will expire
with the present session of Congress.
On the twenty-third of April the
President nominated Hubert F. Clark,
Esq., to the Senate as Assessor, and this
nomination is pending. The question
Is now ono of time with tho present in
cumbent. Ho has held the place seven
months without confirmation, but can
not hold It permanently, under the terms
of tho Constitution, without a nomina
tion or new appointment by the Presi
dent, which will not be made.
Meantime he will secure profit to
himself, and continue sonic small pa
tronage to certain subordinates. Ho
lias had 11. P. Portlier made a Deputy
Assessor south of the river an appoint
ment wholly unnecessary and has sev
eral revenue agents quartered upon the
Treasury, under pretence of inspecting
distilleries. Thai his deputies and reve
nue olllcers of the district have been
used by hint in his private business to
obtain subscriptions mid pntrouugo for
his newspaper is notorious, and was to
have been expected.
But the band of reform will reach this
ease presently, and substitute a compe
tent nnd honorable oflicial for a greedy
and importunate shark !
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRES
IDENT. Wnr.m:A It lias become known to
mo that certain evil-disposed persons
have, within tho territory nnd jurisdic
tion of tho United States, begun anil sot
on foot, nnd have provided and prepared.
ntuUtrn still engaged in providing and
preparing, means for such a military ex
pedition and enterprise, which expedi
tion and enterprise is to be carried on
from Uio territory and jurisdiction of
tho United States against tho colonies,
districts, nnd people of British North
America, within tho dominions of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, with which said colonies, dis
tricts, and people nnd kingdom thoUni-
ted Slates are at peace. And whereas
the proceedings aforesaid constitute a
high misdemeanor, forbidden by the
laws of tho United States as well as by
the laws of nations ;
Now, therefore, for the purpose of pre
venting thoonrrylng on of (ho unlawful
expedition and enterprise aforesaid from
tho territory and jurisdiction of the I " ni-
ted Slates, and to mnlntaln tho public
peace as well as tho national honor, and
enforceobedlenceand respect to tholaws
of tho United States, I, ANDitr.w .Ton.v
kon', President of the United States, do
admonish and warn all good citizens of
tho United Slates against taking part or
in any wise aiding, countenancing, or
abetting such unlawful proceedings; and
I do exhort all judges, magistrates, mar
shals, and olllcers In tho service of the
United States to employ all their lawful
authority and power to prevent and de
feat tho aforesaid unlawful proceedings,
and to arrest and bring to justice all
persons who may be engaged (herein;
and lifcpursuaucc of tho act of Congress
in such case mndu and provided, I do
-furthermore- nuthorlzo and empower
Major-General George O. Meade, Com
mander of tho Military Division of the
Atlantic, to employ tho land and naval
forces of tho United States and the mill
tia thereof to arrest and prevent tho fit
ting on foot and carrying on thoexpedi
Hon nnd enterprise aforesaid.
In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the
United Stales to be alllxed.
Done ul tho City of Washington this
sixth day of June, in tho year of our
Lord ono thousand eight hundred and
sixty-six, and in tho year of tho inde
pendence of tho United States the
ninetieth, Anduhw Johnson.
By thu President:
Wii.mam If. 8i;VAItI,
Secretary of State.
At least twelve hundred Mexican.-
were executed In ono month, at Zucato-
eas, under Mnximlllfan's docreo con
demning to death those opposed to his
Government.
THE FENIANS.
Titr. dally lupers are filled with nc
counts of Fenian movements, nnd we
transfer a portion of their reports to our
columns.
Reports from St. Armand, Canada,
state that the town lias been evacuated
by the Inhabitants, who removed every
thing valuable that they could carry oil",
and that tho people are flocklnguver tho
border Into the States by hundreds.
The bank deposits at Stunlnldge have
all been removed to a snfo distance In
tho Interior, and the citizens of the
place are In tho wildest stato of alarm
and excitement.
The Canadian volunteers stationed nt
Smith's farm, the first station near the
railroad, on the other sldo of the line
north front 1 IIghgate,underlook Monday
evening to make some observations nonr
tho line, under cover of the darkness;
but when near tho place they desired to
survey they were informed that tho Fe
nians, over n thousand strong, were
po-ted near by, and this bit of Informa
tion proved too much for tho Kanucks,
and olf they rushed llko mad, some
throwing away their arms and altogeth
er making n most disorderly retreat.
Eleven hundred Fenians, fully armed
and well drilled, passed through Shel
don, ten miles east of St. Albans, near
noon on Tuesday, and had baggago wag
ons with them. They are moving north,
and two mounted olllcers brought up the
rear.
Ninety-nine out of every one hundred
of the people at St. A lbans aro friendly to
the Fenian cause, and many have declar
ed their intention of Joining issue with
them when thotiniecoines,ns they have
an old score to settle with the provin
cials. General Spear, commanding the right
wing of tho Feninn army, left St. Albans
ut two o'clock on Tuesday, for Fairfield,
where ho was to meet General Sweeny
for tho purpose of holding a council of
war.
General Spear shortly nfterward re
turned from Fairfield, accompanied by
General Sweeny. They are consulting
with closed doors nt the Weldon House.
The United States forces aro encamped
on the green, directly opposite and not
one minute's walk from the bouse. Ev
erything is remarkably (pilot.
All the British volunteers have evac
uated St. Armand, Canada, leaving their
overcoats, knapsacks, etc., under an an
ticipation of an advance of the Fenians.
They locked tho wrong switch on the
railroad and carried off the key. The
train was delayed about an hour in con
sequence. St. Armani is on Hie line which divides
Canada from tho State of Vermont, and
Is directly north of Fairfield and about
twenty-five miles distant. It is also
about the same distance from St. Albans,
General Sweeny remained closeted
with Generals Spear, Murphy, and Ma-
bon until eleven o'clock i m. on Tues
day. The result of tho conference, ns
far as can at present bo divulged, is in
Muistaneo mat j-enian prospects are
brightening, and that tho boys menu
fight.
A large crowd congregated about tho
hotel, and filled all the corridors, mix
ions to get a glimpse of the General. A
number of regular United States olllcers
and .soldiers now on duty here, and most
of whom hail been companions in arms
with General Sweeny during the late
war, mixed freely with tho crowd, and
appeared delighted to see their old com
mander again. No disturbance took
pla-e, but everything passed off quietly
Special dispatches from St. Albans of
Tuesday say that the main column o
the Fenians commenced moving from
Fairllcld at four o'clock on Monday af
ternoon, the column heading toward
Cinadt.
Major George P. Andrews, in com
mand of a detachment of United States
troops, seized a car load of arms und
ammunition at DeKalb Junction, on
Monday evening, and brought it to the
Ogdeiisliurg Arsenal, which is now near
ly filled with captured Fenian stores.
American citizens who have visited
Present t on Tuesday have been subject
ed to many indignities front the provin
cials. The presence of three thousand
British troops at Prescott and vicinity
lias inspired the Canadians wonderfully.
This uncalled for exhibition of feeling
is much resented.
There are now In Malone, N. Y., six
hundred Fenians housed in barracks,
and each furnished with two rations
dally.
TRIAL OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
ltiriiMONi), V.., Junn.i, lsul.
Gentlemen of the Grand Juri,l am
happy to meet you again, and to know
that you arostill living, notwithstanding
tho assaults that have been made against
you. Little need lie said In addition to
tlio instructions given at Norfolk. Your
hist session has made you historical, and
I trust the efforts which have been made
to intintidato you, and to Intpedo tho
courso of Justice, will not make you les:
faithful and earnest In the discharge of
your publicdutles. Wo ought not to be
surprised that the treasonable and li
centious press of this State and city
should wince, and rage, and becomo fu
rious when treason and licentiousness
aro exposed and arraigned for trial and
punishment. Nor should wo bo stir
prised at tho enormity nnd desperation
exhibited when wo remember that this
city has long been tho centra and seat of
tho greatest tratlle in human beings that
has ever disgraced tho world a tratlle
which has annually employed many
hundreds of moral monsters and many
millions of capital, subsidizing thu press,
pulpit, and polities of thoState, render
ing Richmond moro infamous among
men for Its participating In this great
criino than all tho cities along the coasts
of Seneganibla, Upper ami Lower
Guiuqg, Congo, Loange, Angela, nnd
Bengueln combined. The wonder rath
er Is, that so many traces of kindness,
humanity, and Christian civilization
should liavesurvlved such debasing and
barbarizing inlluencos, and let us thank
God ami take courage that, more fortu
nate than the devoted cities of antiquity
wo can count more than ten men who
have stood faithful among the faithless.
The complaints of thrcnftaicd violence
and Intimidation which have been for
warded to mo by several of your mint-
ier for your late heroic und patriotic ac
tions have been submitted to the highest
legal nnd military authorities of the
Government, nnd I can assure you of
tho earnest sympathy and firm support
of all the olllcers of tiie law, not excelli
ng tho President, Whom tho treasona
ilu now flatter and fawn upon, but
whom they will probably soon cursons
heartily as they did two years ago. But,
gentlemen, I tun glad to call your at
tention to a law of Congress which puts
your own vindication ns well as that of
the country Into your own hands. In
1831 Congress enacted, as you will find
on page four hundred and eighty-eight of
the fourth volume of tho statutes at
large, as follows :
Skction il. And he it . further enacted.
That if any person or persons shall cor
ruptly or by threats or lorcu endeavor to
Influence, intimidate, or impede any
Juror, witness, or olllecr In any court of
the United States In the discharge of his
duly, or should corruptly, or by threats
or lorce, obstruct or Impede, or to en
deavor to obstruct or Impede, tho due
administration of justice therein, every
(orsoit or persons so oiieiidtng slum
io liable to prosecution therefor by
indictment, and shall on conviction
therefor bo punished by a fine not ex
ceeding five hundred dollars, or by Im
prisonment notexceedliig three months,
or both, according to the nature and ag
gravation of the offense. Approved
March second, ism.
You will tints have it in you own pow
er to exercise a wnoicsonio restraint
upon licentious tongues und pens, and
upon a press which, as a blind leader of
tho blind, has been, and still is, one of
the chief sources of past, present, and
prospective calumny and misfortune.
The murders, duels, assassinations, vio
lent nnd uugoverned passions, ending in
iolf-oonilagratton and soll-iinmolution
unparullcd in any heathen country, tho
poverty, suffering, agony, and degrada
tion which have given this city of al
most unequalled national capabilities
its bad eminence, aro the legitimate
fruits of tho teachings of its public
press. Anything you can bo ablo to
contribute toward its reformation will,
in tho highest degree, bo serviceable to
the cause of the country and of human
ity. But, gentlemen, let us aid in the
moderation and discrimination, for
though a prostituted press is one of the
greatest calamities, a free and virtuous
press is one of the greatest public bless
ings, the greatest ornament and support
of public virtue.
William 1$. Reed, of Philadelphia,
then addressed the court as follows:
May it please your honor, 1 beg to
present myself, In conjunction with my
colleagues, as the counsel for Jefferson
Davis, a prisoner of State at Fortress
Monroe, and under indictment for high
treason in your i Ionor's court. We Und
in the records of your Honor's court an
indictment charging Mr. Davis with n
high offence, and it lias seemed to us duo
to tho course of justice, due to this tri
bunal, due to tho feelings of one sort or
another which may bo described as cry
talizing around tho unfortunate man,
that we should come at the very earliest
day to this tribunal, and ask of your
Honor, or more properly the gentleman
who represents (lie United States, the
simple question, what is proposed to be
done with this indictment '.' Is it to bo
tried? Is it and this is a question, per
haps, that I have no right to ask is it
to be withdrawn, or i-i it to be suspend
ed'. If it is to lie tried, may it plea:
vottr Honor, speaking for my colleagues
and for myself, and for the absent cli
ent I say with emphasis, and 1 bay
it with earnestness that we come hero
prepared instantly to try that ease, am
we shall ask no delay at your Honor
hands further than is neceary to bring
the prisoner to face the court, and to
enable him, under tho statute in such
case made and provided, to examine the
bill of indictment against him. Is it to
lie withdrawn ? If so, justice and liu
inanity seems to us to prompt that wo
should know it. Is it to bo suspended
postponed V If so, may it please the
court, with all respect to your Honor
and tho gentlemen who conduct the
public business here, your Honor mti:
understand us us entering our mos
earnest protest. Wo ask a speedy trial
on every charge that may be brotigh
against Mr. D.ivls here or In othe
civil tribunals in the land. Wo may be
now hero representing, may It ploao
tho Court, a dying man. For .thirteen
mouths ho has been in prison. Tho
Constitution of tho United Slates, guar
antees to him not only an impartial
trial, which I am sure ho will have, but
a speedy trial ; and wo have come no
slight distance. Wo havo come in all
sincerity; wo havo come with all re
speet to your honor ; wo havo come witl
strong sympathies with our client, pro
fcssloual and personal ; wo havo come
hero .simply to ask that question. I ad
dress It to tho District-Attorney, or
address it to your Honor, as may bo tho
moro appropriate, what disposition is
proposed to bo mudo with tho bill of in
dictment against Jefferson Davis, now
pending for high treason V
Major J. L. llenncssy, Assistant Uni
ted States District-Attorney, said Hint
ho had been entirely unaware of tho
nature of the application Just made. In
tho absence of tho District-Attorney,
Mr. Chandler, ho was not prepared to
answer tho question, but Ito would Im
mediately telegraph to that gentleman
tho fact of such an application having
been made. Mr. Chandler would prob
ably arrive in Richmond this evening.
If ho failed to arrive, Major llonuossy
stated that lie would himself bo prepar
ed to answer the question to-morrow
morning.
Judge Underwood addressing tho
counsel for Mr. Davis, said: Am 1 to
understand that that would be satisfac
tory? Mr. Reed-Entirely so.
Sa.v FitANi'JsCi) is going to bo sup
plied with water front a lake in tho
nicrr.i .Novau.i .uouuiains by un aequo-
twin two mimirou nines long.
SALES OF OOLD BY TIIE SEC
RETARY OF TIIE TREASURY.
TltR.tSCUY IIIM'AIITMI'.NT, Jlllin 1,
Sin, I have the honor to acknowl
edge Uio receipt of the following resolu
tion adopted by tho Uuiise of Represen
tatives on tho twenty-eighth ultimo:
Hcmlutt, 'flint tin' SVcrutiiry (if the Treasury bo
tlrrctcil In Inform tlil Hnmu wlmt mnutmt ol (told
ii'lnlialna to the I'lilti'il SIhIi-n Ims Im'cii miM by
or lllnl'-r his aullini lly hImi'c tho 11 rtt inliilil, ami
nt whiit nitcs i iitautlmmimpnl' Ihuiiaunt iii iikciUh
IhmtiKh w h'tiii .-null mitui wort) clU'dcii, mi'l what
ato of commlMlnM has houn nuthotlzi'il hy tho
iKimrlmi'iit lor si-llliu tho miiih.
In obedience to tho resolution I ro-
peetfully report that the sales of gold
belonging to the United States during
the month of May, mudo by the Assist-
ant-Treasurer of New York under thu
general authority given hint by this De
triment, amounted to tlie sum of
$33,11(1,000. Tho agent by whom the
sales were made was 3ir. P. M. Myers.
'f liecommisslon allowed to him for tunic-
iting the sales and for thu responsibility
of receiving tho proceeds and deposit
ing tho same In the oillcc of the Assist
ant Treasurer of the United States was
one-eighth of ono per cent, the usual
commission for such services, and the
smallest commission at which sales can
io made under tho regulations of the
Board of Brokers, of which Mr. Myers
is a member. The rates at which the
gold was sold were as follows : $2(1,(!!J3,
0U0 at IMS, S'l,:i3(l,000 at 1!!0, $30,000 at
11101, $L',(lOtl,(lim at 1!JI, &l 13,000 at l'HJ.
These constituted all the sales of gold
made by this department since tho
month of February last.
In view of the criticisms of n part of
the public press, and in order that the
House might be put in possession of all
tho facts connected with these sales, I
requested Mr. Van Dyck, the Assistant
Treasurer of New York, to infnr$i mo
of tho circumstances under which they
were made, tho reason for selling so
largely, nnd the circumstances which
had induced the mode of sale adopted
by hint, and tho selection of this agent.
Tho reply of Mr. Van Dyek, a copy of
which is herewith submitted, is so com
plete In its statements and so satisfac
tory in its explanation of his action Umt
it is hardly necessary for me to say any
thing in addition to it in reply to the
resolution of tho House. The coin re
ceived into the Treasury had been per
mitted for some time past to accumu
late, to be held for the purpo-e of facili
tating a return to specie payments, or
to lie disposed of in any emergency
which might render the disposition of
it necessary for the protection of the na
tional credit or preventing such a de
preciation of the national currency as
would effect injuriously the business of
the country, and especially tho interest
as the laboring and producing classes,
It lias been my purpose, either by hold
ing or selling, to keep the market steady
until the industryof thu country, divert
ed by the war from its legitimate chan
nels, should bo brought again into full
productive activity, and tints prepare
tho way for a permanent resumption
My instructions, given at various time.'
to Mr. Van Dyck, have been to make
no sales except for the purpose of supply
ing the Treasury with currency, or for
meeting tho necessary demands of com
merce, or preventing successful combi
nations either to impair the national
credit or to produce serious fluctuations
in prices. The correctness of these in
structions has been indicated by the gen
oral steadiness of tho market, the gradu
al advance of currency toward the true
standard of value, and the prevention
of llnancial troubles which so many had
anticipated us the legitimate conse
quenceof the war and a superabundant
circulating medium.
In the exercise ot the discretion con
ferred upon him Mr. Van Dyck has
found it necessary for many months
past to make but few sales; and had it
not been for the demand which arose ii
tho latter part of February, based upoi
apprehended political complication
and not upon commercial necessities
which demand it was deemed judicious
to meet, and the existing and unexpect
ed llnancial crisis in Europe, tliegold In
tho Treasury would have been permit
ted to accumulate up to the present
time, t he demand in rebruary was
met by tho sale of some fifteen millions
of dollars at a premium of between
thirty-seven and thirty-eight per cent
after which the rate gradually declined
to twenty-four and one-half percent.
but advanced again to near thirty pe:
cent., beyond which point it was not
deemed advisable that it should go; and
as there was but little commercial do
maud no sales by the Government were
deemed necessary until unfavorable
financial intelligence was received fron
Europe. Upon tho receipt of tills Intel
llgcnee the demand became active, bu
it was met without a heavy depletion of
tho Treasury. ( )n the receipt, however
of the disastrous news by tho Cuba, tho
demand assumed a serious character.
Tills news reached New York late
the afternoon, but before the stock board
had closed. It was then too late to ob
tain instructions from this department
and sales were resolutely continued uiiild
unparalleled excitement. Had thoro
been time for Mr. Van Dyck to advise
mo in regard to tho news brought over
by the Cuba, and to receive my liistrue
tions, the probability is that sales would
have been suspended before- so large an
amount of coin had been disposed of.
But In the light of facts since developed,
1 concur in tho opinion expressed by
him that a suspension of sales before
tho demand had been freely supplied
would have added to the excitement,
and resulted In a panic which would
have produced serious and extensive
disaster. I received tho Intelligence of
tlio unexpected heavy sales with regret;
but I luivo since become Mitlsllod that
tho action of tho Assistant-Treasurer
and Ids agent was not only under the
circumstances courageous, but judicious.
This opinion, ns I am advised, Is en
tertained by many of tlio soundest mer
chants und bunkers of Now York. Tho
correctness or incorrectness of it can be
belter determined when tho effect of tlio
sales and the lieivy, und perhap- conse-
quent, shipment of com upon tlio Eng
lish market and tho reactive inlluonce
thereof upon our own shall bo fully as
certained.
it mav not bo improper for me, In
conclusion, to remark, although the fact
Is Indicated In the accompanying letter,
that the selection of agents and tho
manner of disposing of the gold were
committed to the discretion of Mr. Van
Dyclc, and that, but for the unexpected
itles in February and May, the services
of Mr. Myers, who for months had neg
lected his owiibuslncsssln lookingnfter
tho public Interests ut tho gold-room,
would have been a gratuity to tho Gov
ernment. I am, 'with great respect,
II. Ml-CUI.WK'II,
Secretary of 'the Treasury.
Hon. Seiivvi.nit Coi.i'ax, Speaker
of tho House of Representatives.
BRAZIL AND PARAGUAY.
Tin: news received on tho first Instant
from the River Platto makes It certain
that tho war which has now for more
Hum two years been desolating tho At
lantic Statesof South America is speedi
ly drawing to a close. After several
months spent lu preparation, the allies
have at length succeeded in forcing u
passage of the Parana, and in crossing
their whole army into Paraguayan Ter
ritory. After many rconnolssancosand
skirmishes between tlio vessels of Hie
Brazilians and th-j P.iw;u lynin, two
Brazilian brigades, on April fifth, occu
pied the island of Carvaiho, situated a
few miles west of I'asodo la Patria.attlio
continence of the Paraguay and thu Pa
rana. On tho tenth of April, a large force
of the Paraguayans made an attempt
to dislodge tlio Brazilians in charge of
the island battery, but were routed witlt
great slaughter, losing In killed, wound
ed, prisoners, and drowned nine hun
dred to one thousand men, and fifty ca
noes, or Hats, while the loss of tho Bra
zilians did not exceed ono hundred and
fifty. On tlio sixtecntli of April ton
thousand Brazilians, under General Os-
orio, effected a landing a little up tho
Paraguay and drove back the enemy's
skirmishers. On the next morning they
defeated a Paraguayan of three thousand
men with a great loss, and being joined
by an equal force of Argentines and Ori
entals, took possession of tho Fort of
Itapicu (immediately northwest of Pano
do la Patria).
By tlio nineteenth, all tlio allied forco
had passed over, with their cannon and
cavalry, and encamped within a half a
leaguo of the intrenched camp of tho
Paraguayans. The latter did not make
a stand, but abandoned their camp and
retreated to their great stronghold, Hu
maita (on the Parguay, a few miles
ibovo the confluence of the Paraguay
and tlio Parana). It was considered as
erltiiu Hint Humaita could not bu held,
and that the war would bo speedily
ended. In addition to tho above force
of the allies which entered tlio Para
guayan country in its southwestern cor
ner, another army of twclvo thousand
Brazilians, under Baron Porto Alegro,
had invaded Paraguay from the south
east, and was marching upon the capi
tal, Asuncion. Tho military superiority
of the allies over the Paraguayans is
now sd great that news of the submis
sion of Lope, and the end of the war
may be expected by the next mail
steamer.
With thu war will probably end tho
Presidency of Lopez, and its chief re
sult is likely to be a radical eliango in
the constitution of Paraguay. 2Cew
York Tribune.
TAXATION.
Had that magnificent pedlar, Sir
Morton l'eto, but known that two-thlrd.-
of the newspaper correspondents in this
city were dMrous of doing his work
gratis, lie might have saved the expense
and trouble of making a book lo prove
free trade good for America, and protec
tion the very thing lor England.
Excepting your correspondent and
few others, all the gentlemen of tho
press in this city are either in full sym
pathy witli the intriguers against our
industrial interests or strangely oblivi
ous to their course. Else why hns Con
gross been encouraged to delay the re
duction of tho crushing war tax ttnti
too late to take effect this year? And
now that the outrageously delayed Rev
enue bill has at length seen the light
why is there not a greater reductioi
made?
The fact ought not to be longer disguis
ed that tho last and present Congre.-
liavo both neglected our industrial inter
ests in the most shameful and inexcusa
ble manner. And now that the subject
Is before It, members uro frittering away
time In discussing details, having pass
ed entirely over the principal question,
whether an overtaxed or lightly-taxed
nation raises a revenue tho easiest.
The ablo and industrious Special Com
mission for examining the sources of
national revenue, and tho means of col
lecting the same, have been over the
whole ground, and clearly pointed out
how and whero tlio burden of our inter
nal taxation was terribly oppressive to
our Industrial Interests, idiuost without
exception making us tho heaviest taxed
nation on tlio face of tho earth paying
a tax of some sixteen dollars per head to
our total population one-third greater
than that paid by Great Britain, and
double that paid by tlio French people.
Tho Commission did not rest here,
however; they clearly pointed out tho
means by which Congress might atonco
relievo tho peoplo of tho most burden
some and crushing features of tlio war
tax, without endangering the revenues
of our country. But Congress has, In
its wisdom, seen fit to delay this all-lin
portant subject live und onu-lialf pre
cious months, using, meanwhile, "the
contumacy of the President" us a cloak
to cover up Its own sins of omission.
1 ant very well awaro that 1 am lay
ing myself liable to tlio terrlblo charge
of " copporheudlsin j" of trying to make
favor with the President ; and otliersim
liar charges which are hurled at any
daring Republican who insinuates Unit
Congress Is to be hold responsible for
anything. But the lobby schemes on
foot lu thl-clty for di plotlng Ha Nation-
al Treasury of hundreds of millions, tlio
r .'ports from all parts of tho country of
hard times, high prices of living, with
Incommensurate means of obtaining It,
all Impel me to enter this protest ngtdnst
tho ruinous delay on tho putt of Con
gress of a duty which might, could, nnd
should havo been performed 1n Decem
ber last. IVashiwjtun Correspondence
Xorth American.
HEALTH OF JEFFERSON DAVlfl,
Uxnnn direction of thu President D.r.
Cooper lias made it medical examination
of Jell". Davis, and reports ns follows:
Voiitiibm Mn.viiuii, Va,, t(iy 1),
lil'iMiiMrViimi I'nttvil Mates Arm, lfctjMfltf'l
). V.i
Silt, 111 compliance with directions'
from the President of the United Stntesi
to me, given through the ofllco of tho
Adjutant-General, I havo made a spo"
oiul examination of State prisoner Jef
ferson D.ivls, now in confinement nt this)
post, and report the following to bu tho
result of said examination: Ho Is con
siderably emaciated, tho fatty tlsnie hav
ing almost disappeared, leaving his skin
much shrivelled. His muscles aro small,
Haccld, and very soft, and he has but
little muscular strength. Ho Is quite
weak and debilitated. Consequently his
gait is becoming uneven and irregular.
His dlgodlvo organs nt present are In
comparatively good condition, but Iio
conif quickly deranged under anything'
but thu most carefully-prepared food.
With a diet disagreeing with him, dys
peptic symptoms promptly mako theiY
appearance, soon followed by vertigo,
severe facial and cranial neuralgia, ami
erysipelatous inflammation of the pos-
erlor scalp and right side of uoio, whtelt
piiekly affects the right eye, tlio only
sound ono lie now has, and extend
thrjugh the nasal duct into the interior
nose. I lis nervous system is greatly do
ranged, bjing much prostrated and ex
cessively Irritable. Slight noises, which
are scarcely perceptlblo to a man In ro
bust health, cause, him much pain, tho
description of the sensation being ns of
one Hayed, and having every sentient
nervo oxpul to the waves of .ound.
Want of sloop has been a great and al
most the principal cause of his nervous
excitability. This has been produced
by the tramp of tho creaking boots of
tho sentinels on post round tho prison
room, and tho relieval of tho guard at
the expiration of every two hours, which
almost invariably wakens him. Pris
oner Davis states that ho has scarcely
enjoyed over two hours of sleep unbrok
en at one time since his confinement.
Means havo been taken, by placing mat
ting on the floors for the sentinel to walk
on, to alluviato this sourco of disturb
ance, but with only partial success. Ills
vital condition is low, and ho has but
little recuperative forco. Should ho bo
attacked by any of the severe forms of
disease to which tho tide-water region
of Virginia is subject, 1, with reason,
fear for tho result. A copy of this re
port I have furnished to tlio Headquar
ters of tlio Military District of Fortres
Monroe, in compliance with orders from
the Mujor-Gonerul Commanding.
Respectfully, your ob't serv't,
Gkoikik E. Cooi'int,
Surgeon U. S. A.
CHANGES IN PROPERTY LAWS.
At tlio recent session of tlio Pennsyl
vania Legislature several acts were pas -ed
changing or modifying tho general
laws of the Commonwealth relative to
property and other rights. Some of tlio
changes are important. We have no
doubt that every one of them was de
signed to affect some particular case; but
still they now form a part of the general
body of our Slate laws, and it is of in
terest to tlio public to be informed or
their passage, particularly as tho pam
phlet laws aro seldom over published
before the eloso of tho Summer. Tho
following will give tho substance of
those wo refer to :
In all cases lu equity in which a spe
cial injunction has been or shall bo
granted by any Court of Common Pleas
or District Court, an appeal to tho Su
preme Court shall be allowed wlthoutaf
ildavlt or security ; but such appeal shall
not suspend the operation of such spec
ial Injunction, or the proceedings in tho
original suit.
Any person whoso husband or wife is
mm vo)iipo.i mentis, and possessed of real
estate, is empowered to sell, mortgage,
lease for years, and convey upon ground
rent the same or any part thereof, under
tho direction of tho Court of Common
Pleas of tho proper county, whenover
it shall appear that It is to tho interest
of tlio owner thereof to make such dis
position of the property. It Is to ho
provided also that such salo shall divert.
such premises from any estate or claim
oi power ; and uny estato as tenants by
mo courtesy.
Thu powers and Jurisdictions conferred
upon justices of tlio peace by tho land
lord and tenant, act of December 15,
ISO:!, are conferred upon the aldermen
in this Commonwealth, any of whom
may act with tlio like affect as may bo
dono by any justice of tho peaco by vir
tue of said net.
All Judgments in foreign attachments
heretofore liquidated in accordance wltli
the law and practice as it was provlous.
to May 8, 1833, uro declared valid anil
binding Judgments, tho same as if thoy
had been liquidated according to the
provisions of tho act of said date,
Tho Judge of u court boforo whom any
writ of habeas corpus shall bo returna
bio, Isonipowered to issue subpa'iias. and
all other process necessary to compel tho
uiieiKiancu ot witnesses. riltai ielph iu
Lcdicr,
Tin: Now York Board of Health
in their cholera-proventlvo researches,
havo discovered that ono or tho citizens
of that place, who resides near Fifty
lift h Street and Seventh Avenue, asks fur
no better accommodation than Is afford
ed by a barrel and u fow nieces of old
curpoting, spread upon tho rocks In that
region, uo also subsists upon dead nits
und cats, and does nianyolher unusual
things, tho wholo of which havo so as-
louisneii tho Board of Health that they
have proclaimed him tt " miUuuce, to he.
uuioved 1'orlhwltU.