dually Instrumental In overthrowing tho iloctrino ol perpetual allegiance-. Congross lias declared tlio tight of expatriation to lion national and Inherent right lot an pooplo, uutwnllo many other nations liavo enacted law providing what formalities shall 1)0 necessary to work a chango ot allegiance tho United B tales has enacted no provisions of law Mill has In no respect marked out how una when expa triation may ho accomplished); hy Alt cltliens. Instances aro brought to tho attention t the eovcrnment whero cltliens ot tho United States, either naturalized or native horn. liavo formerly becomo rltl7cns or subjects of foreign powers, hut who nevertheless In tho absence of Hny provisions nt legislation on this question, whon Involved In ilimcnlllos or when It seems to lie tholr Interest, claim to bo citizens of tho Unltod States and demand tho Intervention of n irovcmmcnt Which they havo long slnco ahandoneil and to which for years they havo. rendered no ser vice, nor held themsolves In any way amenable.. In other casos naturalized eltlzons, Immediately nftA tintiimllTtillnn. Iinvn returned totliclr natlvo country, havo become engaged In business, liavo. uccpii omnia ur iiuesuiih luwuaiawu. , m jiiiL. lcan citizenship, and ovldencono Intent to return to tho United States until called upon to tllseharRO some duty to tho country whero tltoyaro residing, when at oncothey assert their citizenship and call noon tho representatives ot tho government to aid them in their unlust pretensions. I t Is but lustlco to all lioua Ada citizens that no doubt should exist on such questions, and that congress should deter mine by enactment of law how expatriation may bo accomplished aud chango of citizenship bo estao- l!f afso Invito your attention to tho necessity of reg ulating by law tho status of American women who may marry foreigners, and of dellnlng mow; fully that of children burn In a foreign country of Amer ican parents who may rcsldo abroad, and also of wino furthor provision regulating or giving lepl ellect to marriages ot American citizens controlled In foreign countries. Tho correspondence submit ted herewith shows n low of the constantly occur ring questions on these points presented to the con sideration of tho government. There .are lew sub jects to cngago tho attention of congress on which moro delicate relations or more lmportaut Interests "in Winonth of July last tho building erected for tho department of state was taken iiossesslon of and occupied by that department, I am linppy to announce that the archives and valuablo papers of tho government in the custody of that department nro now safely deposited and properly cared for. Tho report of tho secretary of the treasury shows tho receipts from customs for tho fiscal year ending .luno 3), 1871, to havo licen 163,103,833, CD. and for tho fiscal year ending Judo 30, 1875, to have been 157,167,723 33. a decrease for tho last fiscal year of 1,039,111 31. The receipts from Internal revenue for thoyearondlng 30th ot June, 1871, wcro 102,4i, 781 00. and for the year ending 30th of .lime, is. were 1110,007,493 68, an Increasoof 7,507,7MC3. Tho report also shows a complete history of the work ings of tho department for the last year, and con tains recommendations for reforms and for legisla tion, which I concur In, but cannot comment un so fully as I should like to do if space would permit, but will confine myself to a few suggestions which 1 look upon as vital to the best Interests wo havo. AVcro it not that customs must ho paid In coin, and bocauso ot the pledge to pay Interest on the pnbllodeht In coin, tho yield of precious metals would Uow out for tho purchase of loreign produc tions and leavo tho United States hewers ot wood and drawers of water because of wiser legislation on tho subject ot finance by tho nations with which wo havo dealings. 1 am not prepared to Bay that I can suggest tho best legislation to secure the end most heartily commended. It will bo a source of great gratification to me to be able toapprovo any measure of congress looking effectively toward se curing resumption. Unlimited Intlatlon would probably bring about specie payments moroBpeedlly than any legislation looking to the redemption of the legal tenders In coin, but It would be at tho ex pense of honor. Tho legal tenders would have no valuo beyond bettllng present liabilities, or, properly speaking, repudiating them, and they would buynothlng alter debts were all settled There are a few measures which seem to bo Impor tant in this connection, and which I commend to your earnest consideration. A repeal of so much ot the legal tender act lis makes those notes receiv able for debts contracted after a date to bo fixed in tho act Itself, say not later than tho first ot Janu ary, 1877. Wo should then havo quotations at real values, not fictitious ones. Uolil would no longer lo at a premium but currency at a discount, a healthy reaction would set In at once, and with It a desire to make tho currency equally what It pur ports to be. The merchants, manufacturers aud 1 radesmen of every calling could do business on a fair margin of profit, tho money to bo received hav ing an unvarying value. Laborers and all classes who work for stipulated payor salary would re ceive inoro for their Income because extra profit would no longer ho charged by tho capitalist to coin- Knsato for the risk of u downward fluctuation in o valuo ot tho currency. Second. That' tho secretary of the treasury bo authorized to redeem, say not to exceed two mil lion tlnn.ir ninntblvof leaal tender notes bv Issu ing in thetr stead a long bond bearing interest ot tho rate of three and 6lxty-flve hundredths per cent, per annum, Ol ueuoiuiuaiiuns rouging iiuiu fifty dollars to one thousand dollars. This w ould lu time reduce tho legal tender notes to a volume that could bo kept afloat without demanding redemption In largo sums suddenly. That additional power ho given to tho secretary ot the treasury to accumulate gold for final rodemn-, tlou, either by Increasing revenue, curtailing ux pense, or both. It Is preferable to do both, and I recommend that reduction ot expenditures be inado wherever it can bo done without Impairing tho government's obligations or crippling tlio due execution thereof . Ono measure for Increasing the revenue, and tho only ono I think of. Is the restora tion of the dutv on tea and coffee. Theso duties would add probablylts, 000,000 to tho present amount receiveu irum imports uuuwuutu ju uuivuy mcjeato the prices paid for those articles by tho consumer. Theso articles are the products ot countries collect ing rcvenuo from exports, and as we, tho largest cousumors, reduce the duties they pronorllouatcly Increase them. With this addition to Clio revenue. many uuiies nuw cuueciuu uuu wiui-n bivu uui uti insignificant return for tho 'cost of collection, might bo remitted, and to tho dlicct nilvan iako of consumers at home. I would mention those articles which enter into manufactures of nil sorts. All duty paid upon suchartlcleg go directly to tho cost ot tlio article when manufactured heie. and must bo paid for by tho consumers. Theso ilutles not only como from tho consumers ut homo but act as a protection to foreign manufactures ot the same completed article In uur own and distant markets. 1 will suggest or mention another sub ject bearing niton the problem of how to enable the secretary ot tho treasury to accumulato balances. It Is to devlso eouio bettor method ot verifying claims against the gvernmeut than at present exists through the coui t of claims, csjici'lally Uiomj claims growing out ot tho lato war, Nothing Is moro certain thau that a very largo percentage ot tho amounts passed and paid are cither wholly fraudulent or are far In excess of tho real losses uns tained. The largo amounts of losses pioveu on 8 cod testimony, according to existing law s, by aul avlts of fictitious or unscrupulous iwrsons, to liavo been sustained ,on small farms mid planta tions, are not only far lwjond the pugalble yield ot thoso places for nuy ono year, but as every one knows who lias had oxjierleuce lu tilling tho soil aud who has visited tho scenes of these spoliations, are lu many Instances muro thau the Individual claimants were ever worth. Includ ing their personal and real estate, Tho report of tho attorney general, which will lw submitted tocongressatau early day, will 'contain it detailed history of demands made and of claims liendlng ot tho class here referred to, Tho rcr-ortoftlio secretary orwar, accompany, lug this message gives a detailed account of army operations for tho year Just passed, ox pcuscs lor maintenance, cto., VftUirccommemla tlous tor legislation, aud I rcsiicctl'ully iuvlt your attention to soino of these. Hrsr. 1 Imito tlieclal attention to tho necessity of making ssoo, (K0 of tlie appropriation lor tho bustenauco do, partment , available beforo the ueglnulng of next year. Without these provisions troops at pres ent distant from supply production must either go wlthoutfood, or existing laws must bo viola ted. It Is not attended with Info to tho treasury. 8econd. Ills rccctomendllon for tho enactment or a system of annuities lor the fami lies of deceased officers by voluntary deductions from tho monthly pay of officers. I'liU again Is not attended with bur Jen upon tho treasury, and would, for tho futuro, relievo much distress, which every old array officer has witnessed In tho past, of officers dying soddcnly or being killed, Having famdics without even tho means of reaching their friends, If fortunato enough to havo friends, to aid tliem.i Third. The reiieal of the law abolishing mileage, and a return to tho old yteni. Fourth. Tho trial with torpedoes under tho corps or engineers ana appropriation for the same. Should v, ar ever occur between tlio United states and any mail tlmo power torpedoes will bo among if not tho most eflectivo and cheapest auxiliary for lite dei lenso of harbors, and also In aggressive nitra tions that wo can have. Uence ft is advisable to larn by exiicrlmcnt their best construction and application as well as effect. Fifth. A licrma iicnt organization lor the signal scrvlco euri. 'lnls eervico has now becomo u necessity of Iaco as well as war under tho advance ment mado by the present ablo management. Sixth. A renewal of the appropriation lor com piling the official records ol r the war, etc. The condition of our navy at this tlroe is a subject or mwmvhvw mvv, uvtvvuwm ii is ituv any 01 of tho powerful cruising Iron clads which mako to much of Uio maritime strength of soino other nations, but neither our con tinental Mtnntlonmior our foreign policy required that wo should ltnvo n largo number of ships of this character whtlo tills situation ntid tho natltro of our iK)rf s comblno to mako theso of other nations little llnngcrous to us under nny circumstances. Our navy does not contain, however , it conililcrnhle number of iron clads of tho monitor class, which, though not propoly cruisers, nro powerful and cll'ectlvo for harbor defense and lor 0crallon.i near our shores. Of theso tho tluglo turretcd ones (111 Iccn lu number) havo been substantially rebuilt, their rotten wooden bcanii repaired with Iron, their lmlH strengthened and their engines nnd machinery thoroughly repaired: so that they are now lu tho most efficient condition and romly for pea ns soon as thoy can bo moved and put m commission. Tito llvo tloublo turrottpd iron dads belonging to ottrnavy by far tho most powerful of onr ships for lighting purposes, nro nlso In hand undergoing complete repairs and coilM bo readvlor sea in periods varying Horn four to clx inouUis. With, theso completed according to tho present design and our two lion torpedo boats now rcaiy, our Iron clad licet will bo for tho purposes of ucfenca nt homo equal to Buy I'oo that can readily bo hrought against It. Of our wooden navy nlso cruisers of various sizes to tho number of about forty, Including those uow In commission nro In tho Atlantic and could bo ready for duty as fast as men could bo enlisted for thoso not already In commission. Of theso onc-thlrd nreln effect now ships, and though some of tho remainder need considerable repairs to their boilers and machinery, they all are or can readily bo mado effective. This constitutes a fleet or moro thau titty war ships, of which fifteen arc Ironclad, now In hand on tho Atlantic coast. Tho nary lias been brought to this condition by a J ndlclous and practical application of what could bo spared from the current appropria tions or tho last few years and from that mado to meet tho possible emergency of two years ago. It hasbcen douo quietly without proclamation or display, and though it litis no cessarlly straightened tho dctartmcnt In Its ior dlnary expenditures, and a-tfar as tho Ironclads ara concerned, has added nothing to tho cruising force or the navy, yet tho result la not tho less satisfactory, becnurfo It is to 1! found in a great lncrcaso ot real, rather than apparent force. Our expenses Incurred in tho iiuiuteninco of an ef fective naval force In all ltd branches nro ncccs. sarlly largo, but such force Is essential to our position, rclatluns nnd character, and ntrccta so. rlouslytho weight of our principles and policy throughout the w holo sphere or iutlon.il l cspon slhlllty. Tho estimates for tho reguhr sup. port of tliU branch of tho scrvlco for tlio next year amount to n llttlo lets in tho nggregato than thoso inado for tho current year, but some nddilionnl appropriations are asked for objects not included in tho ordinary mainten ance of tho navy but believed to bo of pressing importanco at this time. Jt would in my opinion bo wiso nt onco to afford sufficient means for tho Immediate completion of tho llvo iloublo tur rctted monitors now undergoing repairs, which must othcrwiso advance slowly and only as monoy can bo spared from (ho current expenses. Supplemented by theso our navy, armed with tho destructive weapons of modern warfare, manned bvour seamen and in ehargo of our In structed officers, will present a forco jiowcrfulfor tho homo purposeeof n rcsponslblethougU peace ful nation. Tho report of tlio postmaster geucral herewith transmitted gives a full history of tho workings of the department for tlio year Just past. It will be observed that tho deficiency to ho supplied from tho general treasury is tluercascd over tho amount required for tho preceding jear. Inn country so vast In ntea us tho United States, with largo portions sparsely scltled, It must bo expected that tills Important scrvlco will ho more or lees a burden upon tho treasury for many years to come, llutthero Is no branch of thupuhllo scrvlco which Interests tho wbolo people moro than that of cheap and rapid trans mission of tho mails to every Inhabited partof our territory. Nc.sttotho freo school tho jiost ofllco is tho great educator of tho people, and it may well receive tho support of tlio general government. Tho subsidy of sJ150,ntH) per annum given to vessels of tho Culled Statu )or carrying tho mails between Now York nnd Uio do Janerlo, having ceased on tlio 51 th day of September last wo nro without direct mall facli ltieswlihtho South American states. Tills is gicatly to be regretted, and 1 do nut licsltato to recommend the authorization of n lcucwal of that contract and abo that tho service maybe increased from monthly to semi-monthly trips. Tho commercial advantages to bo gained by a diaectlluoof Ameiicau steamers io tho feoulh American states will far outweigli tho expensu of tho service, lly act of congross, approved March U, IMS, almost all matter, whether ptop crly mall matter or not, may ho sent any distance throngh tho malls lu packages not exceeding fouriHHtnds In weight for the sum of sliteeu cents pi'r pound, ho far as tlio transmission of real mall m-ilter goes this would stem rntlicly proper, but I suggest that tho law bo so aiueudeil as to exclude from tho malls merchandise of all descriptions, nnd limit this transportation to tho articles enumerated, and which may bo classed as mail matter proper. Tho dlscovcryofgold in iho niack Hills, a por tion of tho Sioux reservation lias hail tho effect to induce nl.ugo emigration of miners tdthat point. Thus far thueflort to protect tho tieaty rights of tho Indians to that section litis been successful, hut the next 3 car will certainly wit ness a large luareuvi of such cmluratloii. Tho negotiations lor tlio relltiiiulshmeiit of tho gold fields having tailed, It will ho left for congress to adoptsomo measures lo ie!levu tlio cuibairnss. lucnt growing uut of thu ca'S named. 'I he sec retary of the interior suggests that the supplies niwuppropitaUd fur the sustenance of that peo. pie being no longer obligatory under the tieaty or 18G8, but simply n gratuity may bo Issued or withheld at his discretion. The condition of tho ln.lianterrl orv,towhlchl havo referred lu sevein1 of niv former Hiiuital messages, remains practically unchanged. Tho secretary of thu Interior has taken measures to obtain a full report of the comlitiou tu that ter ritory, nnd It will ma). e it tlio subject of a spe cial reiuit at an early day. It miy then bene cessarv to lnaki, it imu further rernmiiieiidntlnii In regard tn legislation for ths goteiumtnt of iuiil lerriiorj, Tho stoadv growth and Increase of tho butinefsof tho patent oiileo indicator In soino measure tho progress of tho industrial ac tivity of tlio country. Toe recelptsur tho ofileo are In excessof lti cxKiullturea, and tliounleo generally is lu n prosperous and satlsj'actoiy con dition, Tho report of tho general lard ofileo shows that thcro were '.',15D,o01 acres less dlsisracd of during this than during tho last year. These wcro disposed of under tho homestead and tim ber culture laws. The causes or this decrcaso Is supposed to bo found In tho grasshopper scourge and tho droughU which ievulled so ox. tenslvely in some of tho frontier slates and ter ritories during that time us to dUcourago and deter entries by actual settlers. Tho last re ceipts wore less bv sca,ro2,'.'il than during tho preceding year. Tlio entire surveyed proa of tho public domain Is CSt),233,004 acres, of which a5,u77.53l acres wcro surveyed during tlio past year, leaving 1,131,171,702 acres still unsurvoyed. Tho report of tho commissioner resents many Interesting suggestions in rcganl to the man. agemept and disposition of tho ptibllo domain, and th modltlcatlon of existing laws, tlio appa. rent loiportanco of which should fnsuro for them tho careful consideration of congress. The number of pensioners still continues to de crease, the highest number having been reached during tho year ending Juno 30,1813. During tho past year 1 1, C67 names wcro added to tho roll ami 12,977 were dropped thcrcfiom, showing a not decrease or 1,020, but while the number of pensioners has decreased the.aunnal amount duo on tho jieuslon rolls has increased SU,"33.13. This Is caused, by tho greatly Increased averngo ratoot pensioners, which by tlio liberal legisla tion ot congreaj has Increased from Sii.t'Jtl, lu 1812, to 310,31)1, lu lt-73, to each Invalid pen sioner, nn Increase In tho avcrogo rate of fifteen per cent, lu tho threa tears. IJuriii-j tho ve.ir ending Juno 30,1870, there was paid on ueconut of peusiuiw.iiiciuuiug tue expenses or uisoursemciitd r2D,C83,119, being naio.ci'J less than was paid tho preceding year. This reduction In amount of cxiionditnres was nroduccd bv tlio deereao in tho amount of arrearages duo on allowed claims uuu on pensions, Uio rale Ol wnicn was Increased by legislation of tho preceding session of con cress. At tho ClOJOOf the, last fiscal vrar there vrero on tho pension rolls 231,821 pensioners:; of whom 210503 wcro army pensioners, 103,478 being Invalids and 101,881 widows and dependent relatives; 3,420 wcro navy pensioners, of whom 1,030 wcro Invalids and 1,781 widows nnd depend ent relatives; 21,038 woro pensioners of tho war of 1812, 15,875 of whom wcro survivors and 0,103 wcro. widows, if is estimated, uint bj,iwo,wou will bo required for tho payment of pensions fof tho next fiscal year, an amount $905,000 less than tlio estlmato for tho present year. Tho geological explorations havo been prose cuted with energy during tho year, covering nn area of 40,000 square miles In Iho territories of Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, developing tho agricultural and mineral resources and furnish lug interesting scientific and topographical de tails of that region. Tho method for tho treatment of tho Indians adopted at tho beginning of my lirst term lias beon steadily pursued nnd with satisfactory and encouraging results. It hasjiccii productive, of ovhlont Improvement In tho condition of that raco nnd will bo continued with only such modi fications ns further cxperluco may iudlcato to bo necessary. Tho commission heretofore appointed to take ehargo of tho articles and materials anpcrtalnlns to tlio war, tho war, tho treasury, tho Interior nnd tho mst ofllce, tho departments ofngrlcul titro, tho Smithsonian Institutonud tho commis sion of food fish, nnsl to bo contributed under tho legislation or last session to tho International ex hibition to beheld lu Philadelphia during Iho centennial vcar of 1870, has been diligent In tlio iliscliargo of tho duties which havo devolved upon It, and tho preparations so far mado with tho means at command glvo nssuranco that tho governmental contribution will bo mado ono of Iho marked characteristics of tho exhibition. Tho board has observed commendable economy In tho matter of tho 'governmental exhibit, tho expenso of which it Is estimated will not exceed say SSO,000. This amount has been with drawn under tho law from tho appropria tions of llvo or tho principal depart ments which, leaves somo of tho departments without sufficient means to render their respec tive practical exhibits complete nnd satisfactory. Tlio exhibition being international, and tho government being voluntary contrib utor, It is my opinion that its contribu tion should bo of a character In quality and extent to sustain tho dignity and credit of bo distinguished a contributor. The advantages to tho country of a crcdltablo display are. In an international point of view, of tho first Impor tanco, whilo nn Indifferent or an discreditable participation bythogovcrnmentwouldbe humil iating to tho patrlotlo feelings of our people themselves. 1 commend tho estimate of tlio board for tlio necessary additional appropriations I transmit herewith tho report of the coram Is sloner of agriculture, together with the reports ot'tho commissioners of tlio board of audits, and tho board of health of tho District of Columbia, toiall of which 1 Invito your nttontlou. Tho bureau of agriculture has accomplished much lu disseminating useful knowledge to tho agri culturist and also in introducing new and useful productions: adapted to oursollandcllmato aud is worthy of the continued encouragement of tho government. Tho report of tho commissioner of education which accompanies tho report of tho secretary ot'tho Interior, shows a gratifying progress In educational matters. In nearly eVery annual messago that I havo had tho honor of transmitting to congress I havo called attention to tho anomalous, not to say scandalous condition of affairs existing in the territory of Utah. 1 havo asked lor definite leg islation to correct It. That polygamy should ex. 1st in an enlightened and Christian country, without tho power to punish so flagrant n crime against decency nnd morality, seems preposter ous, T'licro is no law tn sustain this unnatural vice, but what hi needed Isa law to punish Has a crlinonud at the same tlmoto tlx tho the status of tho innocent children, tlio offspring of tho system, and of tlicl possible Innocent, plural wives; but ns an Institution wlygamv should bo banished from tho land. While tills Is being dono I Invito the attention of congress to another, though perhaps, no less nil evil. Tho Importation of Chinese women, but few of whom nro brought to our shor.es to pur sue honorable or useful occupations. Observations while visiting tho territories of Wyoming, Utah and Colorado during the past autumn convinced mo that existing laws regulating tho disposition of public lands. timber, eto., nnd probably thomlnlng laws thcmselvcsarevcrydcrecilvo, and should bo .carefully nmended, and at an early day. Jn territories where cultivation of tho toll can only bo followed by Irrigation, and whero lrrU gallon Is not practicable, tho lands can only bo used ns pasturnge.'nnd this only whero stock can reach water to quench Its thirst, cannot be gov erned by the same laws as to entries as lands overv aero of which Is an Independent estate by itself. Lands must bo held In larger Quantities to Jus tify iixpcnse oi' conducting water uponlt to make It fruitful or tu justify utilizing It as pasturage The limber In most of (ho territories is princl. pally confined to the mountain regions, which uio held for entry in small quantities only, and as mineral lands. Tlio tlmtitr Is tho property of tho United States, for tho disposal of which there l3iiow no adequate law, Tho settler mustbecoino a consumer of this timber, whether ho lives upon the plains or engages lu working tho mines, llencoovery man becomes cither a tresspasser hlmselt or knowing ly a patron of tresspassers. Bly opportunity for observation was not sufficient to Jutill'ymo In le eommcudlng spcclfio legislation on these sub Jccts,but 1 do recommend that a joint committee of tho two houses of congress Biifliciently largo to of all mining states and territories during the coming summer, and that tlio commltteu shnll rciiort to congress at tho net session such laws or amendments to laws as it may deem necessary to sectiro tho best Interests ot'tlio gov ernment and tho peoploot' theso territories who nro doing so much for tliolr development. I am sum tho citizens ocecupyliig tho territory de scribed do not wish to he trespassers, nor will they bt If legal ways aro pro vided! for them lo beconul owners ot' theso actual necessities cr their position. As this will bo Uio last annual message which I shall havo tlio honor ol" transmitting tu congress beforo my successor Is chosen I will repeat or re capitulate tho questions which 1 deem of vital Impoitatico which should bo legislated upon and settled at this session':. First. That tho states shall bo rcnnlrod toxif- ford tho opportunity of a good school cducatihii to every cliild within their limits. J Second. io sectarian tenet shall ever bo taughtN in nuyecnooi supported in wnoio or in past uy tho state, nation, or by tlio piocccds of any tax levlcdiipou any community.) Make education compulsory so tar as to deprive nil liersous w ho cannot read and write, from becoming voters after tho year 1890, disfranchising none, how ever, on grounds of Illiteracy, whumaybovo. tern at tho thno this amendment takes effect. Third. Declare church aud stato forever separate aud distinct, but each l'rca within Its proper sphere, alid that all church property shall bear its own proportion of taxation. Fourth. Drive out licensed Immoralitr. such as polygamy and the ImiKrtatlon or women for i Illegitimate purposes. To recur again to tbeL centennial year, it wouiu seem as tuougu nor wo nro to begin tho second centennial of uulloiu; experience would bo a most titling time for tlia'.u reforms. 1 Filth. Enact such laws as will Insure a cpaidy return to a sound currency, such us vill I jm niand tho respect of thoworld. llellevius 'that theso views will commond themselves to tho great majority of tho right-thinking andVatrl. otlo citizens of tho United States, 1 subnet tho rest tu congress. U. S. (Jiiant. FxtOL-Tivi; Mansion, Dec. 7, 1S7S. THE IJABCOOK INQUKST. Wasihkgto.y, Dec. 7. Gen. Babcoi left this city to-day for Chicago to ane before the court of luqulry just detailed lnvestlcate the cliarccs made, against lilf Up to a lata hour this afternoou no lufoj-. niatlon had been received at tho department of Justice of an Indictment having beeSi found aaalnst General Uabcock. and for that reason Attorney General Ticrrepont wrk satisiicct iiiac no sitcli action iiaa ucen i.iKen lay tho grand jury, FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. SENATE. WASiiiNOToy. Doc. 7. Tho scrialo was called to order 'at twolvo o'clock. After prayer by tho chaplain and tho reading of tho journal of yesterday's proceedings Mr. Eaton, of Connecticut, sent to the clerk's desk and had road tho credentials of James E. English, appointed United States senator from tho stato of Connecticut, in 'place of O. S. Ferry, deceased. Mr. lsnglisli was escorted to mo uesu uy Ids colleague, and tho oath of ofllco was ad ministered by Mr. Ferry, president pro torn. Mr. Adams, clcik of the house of repre sentatives, appeared at tho bar of tho sen ato with a messago announcing tho organi zation of Clio houso ami tho appointment of a commlUcu tn, join tho committee of tho senato to wait upon the President of tho United States. Tho republican senators to-day held a brief caucus meetiiis, at which thoy ap pointed a comraitlco of fivo to report to morrow for adoption by caucus a list of members of iho standing committees of the senate. 1 The dcmociutic scnalois also appointed a committco to conifer with tlio republicans. on tlio samo suhpect. Thero will be'nio ehanses of Importance. In tho membersldp of tho committees as constituted for the last session. JXo oilier business was brought beforo either caucus 1IOUSB OF JiEI'llESENTATIVES. Mr. Blaine, of Maine, rlsinc to a per. sonal explanation, said that in the debate of yesterday on the Louisiana questloca ho had expressed the hope that the other sldo of tho houso would not, in an incidental way, attempt to reopen and dishonor Uio agreement mado lass. year. Some persons lu.d imagined that the word "dishonor" had been used by him with some tiesiro U imputo it to the gentle man fiom Mississfippi (Lamar) as a per sonal all'ront. Ho bad used it only in the senso of nullifying and disregarding, aud not with tho lenio'jest idea of offering an alfiont to that gcnUenian. Ho (Lamar) knotv that If their relations wcro not intimato they had been nothing clso than entirely cordial at all times, aud that it must no mo. lannest lrom nis design at ativ tlmo to say anythlnr; to him wouud- ing or otherwise disagrecablo to his feel ings. Tho reading of tho messago occupied two hours and live minutes. At first it was listened to with considerable interest aud attention, but after tho clcik had got past thoso portions of it relating to education, church property and Cuba, attention began to Hag, montbera gradually loft their seats, retiring to tho cloak rooms or standing in tho aisles engaged in conversation with each other, so that during tho readlnc of tlio latter half of the message them were prob ably not lorty members in their seats and but few of thoso paying the slightest attention to it. in iact wcro it not tuattne tones of tho clerk's volco wcro heard above all tho din on the floor, it might havo been supposed that the houso was Indulging In a recess. Tho message was ordered to be printed. Mr. Cox, of Now York, piesented the pe tition of W. H. Prescott and others, of South Carolina, wltn reierenco to the right of representation of the Third congressional district of South Carolina, and moved that it be referred to tho committee on elec tions. Ho said that tho question raised by Iho memorial was not so much that of a repre-i sciitativo as it was that of representation. Tho petition was so referred. The houso then at half past four ad journed till Friday. LATE FOREIGN NEWS. London, December 77.30 v. if. The Deutscbland is now on tho Long Sands,still further toward the Essex shora of England than tlio Kentish Knock. Two tugs and a llfo boat havo proceeded to tho scene of the dlsustcr London, Dee. 77 r. m, The Kentish and Knock sands, on which the steamship Deulschlaud wcntashore,aiv situated a few miles oir tho mouth of tho Thames. TUB COr.I.IBHV DISASTEII. London, Dec. 7. The woik of lecovcr Ing the bodies from tho Swathcuiain col liery Is still progressing. Thu number of fatalities is now put at 130. Tho ontiio district Is still greatly excited, as It will bo somo days beforo the number of the dead can bo exactly ascertained, tho fall of a portion of tho mine having occurred which obstructs the work of the explorers. STE.VMKU D1SAI1LED. Advices have been received hero to the ellect that tho steamship Anglla, Captain Smith, of the Auchor line, from New Voik Wovcmucr lu, lor uiasgow, nas iccentiy been seen with loss of propeller, proceed- ing tinder sail. Two tugs have becu dis p.ttthed to her assistance. Jf TUB CATHOLIC l'liOSCllll'TlON. 1 lie Vail Mall Gazette Ibis afternoou has a4pccial telegram from JJcrlln, which says tfin Prussian eovcrnment has formally sum- uouedlhe Aichblshon of Cologne to ro- sign. Tills Is a preliminary io legal pro ceedings to deposo him. SPAIN. Madiiid, Dec. 0 The weather is very cold in the north of Spain and some of tho soldiers havo frozen to death. Tho report that General Trlstaug has re-entered Cata lonia aud issued a pioclamation, is denied to-day, CHINA. Hono Kono, Nov. 30. Placards censur ing tlio arrangements made by tho Chinese governments with Mr. Wade, tho British minister, havo been posted In Pekln, they were, however, Immediately removed by the authorities. Tho natlvo oillclals are uneasy in regard to tho recent negotiations. Lato Information ilnpllcatlug the Mmnein au thorities in tho murder of Mr. Margary has been received. London, Dec 7. A private telegram from Pek In aays, the arrangemcuts for send ing Chlneso legations abroad aro proceed ing. Ministers havo been appointed to tho United States, PenTaud Jspan. i TWEED'S ESCAPE. 1 Nf;w Tonic, Dec. 7,-Thero Is no cluoto Mini i-T". . . . a niacin wijureauouts. Tho leport that .Tvvccd was seen nt largo on Saturday morn Hng was reiterated at police headquarters Ho-day. on excellent authority. It is now Isaid that tho prisoner was accompanied by a man who appeared lo bo his keeper, and ttliat ho was seen near his own houso at Mlcven o clock a. m. Ho was' recognized, gt is said, by moto than' ono persoVi, and tho aufonnatlon that ho was thus observed was circulated In a limited circlo on Saturday evening beforo the news of his cscapo had Wcomo public. ONE MAN KILLED AND ANOTHER CRAZED. Lowell, Mass., Dec. 7.-Daulci'.r(5. L Taylor, a constable, and F. G. Spalding' suricu out lor a drlvo last evening. About tkuo o'clock Spalding was foundi dead' by uto roadside, two or three miles from Low-' ell, and during tho night Taylor was 'found hatlcss and wandering about tlio streets in a bowildercd state. Ho Is still tmablo (o glvo any account of tho alTalr, , BOWENBOLD AND BEECHKll'lJACKi "WARD. New Yoiik, Dec. 7 Tho case of Henry C. Bowcn against tho Brooklyn Eagle and Its editor, Thomas KInsolla, was .called in, tho city court at Brooklyn to-day, but tho counsel for tho defenso were not ready to i i. u. ib. uiouiuiqu nit, uiau was set down for December 14. SEVERE SENTENCE FOR LIBEL. WiLKESiiAiHiE, Pa.,. Dec. 7. JMVV Freeman, editor or the Pittstqn Comet, who was convicted -of fibol upon J. B. Henri," was to-day sentenced to pay a fine of $50 and to undergo Imprisonment for 'seven months In tho county jail. i NEWSPAPER CHANGE., '. Baltimojik, Dec. 7 Tho controlling Interest in life Baltimore Gazette has been sold to William H. Welsh, esq., 6f this city, who to-day assumed exclusive management and control of tho paper. A'NOTHER SMITH FOR THE INDIANS Washington, Dec 7. Mr. John' Q. Smith. PX.nipmhpp nf mnitm, fmm nl.!.."- ' - - - - v gib-. .IVIU WUIUJ was to-day appointed commissioner of Iti- illnn ..0'nl. ' ' ' MUNICIPAL ELECTION AT.LOUlSf VlLLE. Louisville, Ky.,Dec. 7. The election for mayor and city oflicials occurred lo-dav. resulting in tho re-election of Charles 'Ja cobs for mayor. The contest over the may oralty has been very exciting, and tioublo w.m fparnri. lint Mm nmniMi ii.a "J - - --.w I'.buuvA, " . uia otau, militia and fiOO special police probably'had iuu tniuci. ui maintaining peace and quiot, Jacobs' majority Is about 000. TELEGRAPHIC SUMMMty. .w Vnmr. Tif 1 st,nl Tl n..i has been appointed lecelverof tho Third nvcuue uaiin, wuicn recently laiieti. WARHtVflTnv. flpp 7 A lalamn. t ww- ,. . i.ivimii ,u Snnatne Slinri-i.nn frnin Parrlltint,., ll.l - -.WM. VM.Ut.Jgl.w-U, UUJV announces tlio death at that place oj Mr. i. m. neese, laminany isnown m Wash ington as clerk to the senato commlltea on iiumiwi-. New Yoiik, Dec 7. Tho New York chapter of tho American Institute of ArchU tects to-day appointed tho" following gentle menasacommlttcooutho proper presen tation of the work of members at the' ccn- LwUiuai UAUiuiiiuu. iucurs, Xllllll, JJlOOr, Litteil, Hally. Lebrun and Halght. xTew Yokk, December 7, This after. - noon Leonard Buell, captain of the schooner Silas Bralncrd, lying at- Wallabout basin, iirooKiyn, was snot ueati ny uio slivard, Charles Peterson. Petcisou was1 nneslcd and when taken to the station .houso -claimed that tho shooting was accidental. GEXKRAL NEWS SUMMARY. At a lato moctln" of tho Tammanv so ciety It was resolved that a commitlZi, of llvu should bo appointed by tlm grand irtnlmiti . ft ,villl,li llin a.tvtcttt It I . 'F uuw.'y... . " tuw .... . l.IIIJ , amending thu constitution so ns to provide that tlicro should bo no longer any secrecy. in uio procCwUings oi inn society. Tho Princeton students lately nxnelled havo received permission to return to tho college, on condition that they give up their membership In secret societies. Susan Denln, the actress, died .at BluiT- ton, Indiana, on Saturday from the elects - of a fall on tho stage whilo playing "Leah," She was bom in Philadelphia, March 22, , 1833, ami mado her lirst appearance on tbu staso as 'Holla's Child" in 'l,Jzarro,".a.id afterwards, In conjunction with her sister Kale, who was two years her Junior, ap. pcarcd in dancing pails: In which she be came well known, lu 1KS1 iho slsteis who. were constantly together, made a starring' tour through the wett aud California. Tho singujar history of the elder gave Ihcm some notoriety. She was four times .mar ried, her first husband beiue John Wlnani; Iho comedian, to whom sho was united at tho tender age or nine years. Miss Dculn's whole Hie was passed behind the footlights, and her death resulted from an accident lu the practice of her profession. The crand Jury at St. Louis still havo the evldenco against General Babcock under ' consideration. Tho larcest number of sales ever mado at ono time by tho sheriff nf Philadelphia took place on Monday, Thcro wero be tween 400 and 600 properties disposed of; Barney M'Quadc, a convicted Bait I moro pension claim forger, who jumped his bail; was captured on Sunday near Pittsburgh and taken to Baltimore for sentence. Henry Mussclman, eso., one of the best' known and most successful iron roanufac-' turexs In Lancaster county, died at his rest- uence, Marietta, uecemoero, lu .uto -77th ri 1 - ' T- t..i 1 1 1 : 3 U , Mid, U WVVU UUI 1U1 time, and his death was not unexpected, "