The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-26 00:00:00

THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

The New York journals have been printing the
despatches which Lord Stanley issued about three
weeks ago. The first of the series—Mr. Seward's
first letter of the series—having by the substitu-
tion of an erroneous date been made to appear
to have been written in August, 1867, instead of
August, 1866, has been reproduced this week in
I London u a new contribution to the discussion,
although we gave it correctly in our impression of
the 2nd inst. The New lurk Times of the 13th,
however, gives Mr. Seward's rejoinder to Lord
Stanley's despatch of May 8, and this is new. To
make it intelligible we give so much of Lord Stan-
ley's despatch as is met by the reply :
. _ _

Mr. Seward (write' Lord Stanley) ape clearly enough
that the government of the United States cannot consent
to a special and peculiar limitation of arbitration in regard
to the Alabama claims, such as her Majesty's government
suggest ; but from his nest observation it might be
inferred that the offer, as regards arbitration, snide by her
Majesty's government, in my deapatch of the 9th of
March, was understood to have applied only to claims
mixing out of the proceedings of the Alabama, to the ex.
elusion of those arising out of the like proceedings of the
Florid►, Shenandoah, and Georgia. It is important to
clear up this point, and you will therefore Mate to Mr.
Seward that the offer to go to arbitration was not re-
stricted to the claims arising out of the proceedings of
the Alabama, but applied equally to those arising out
of the like proceedings of the other vessels that I have
named.

To this a final rejoinder was made by Mr. Seward
on the 12th of August, and is as follows :
_ _

The Fresident wanders these terms to be at once com-
prehensive and sufficiently precise to include all the claims
of Amerima cities= for depredations upon their com-
merce daring the late rebellion, which have been the sub-
ject of complaint upon the part of this government. But
the United States government, in this view, would deem
itself at liberty to insist before the arbiter that the actual
proceedings and relations of the British government, its
officers, agents, and subjects, toward the United States is
regard to the rebellion and the rebels, as they occurred
during the rebellion, are among the matters which are con-
nected with the verde whose depredations are complained
of, just as in the case of general claims alluded to by Lord
Stanley, the actual proceedings and relations of her
Majesty's government, its officers, agents, and subjects, is
regard to the United States, and in regard to the rebellion
and the rebels, are neernarily connected with the trauma-
time eat of which those general claims arose.
The New York Times observes that

The progress made toward &settlement of these belligerent
claims with the governmset of Great Britain cannot be re-
garded as unsatisfactory. The sum, then, of the difference
between the two governments, so fares reaching a fair basis of
oonference and arbitratica is concerned, seems to be reduced
to the question whether the policy sa well as the acts of
the British government and its agents in relation to the
late rebellion shall come under review. The matter thus
in dispute—if it is actually in dispute—does not seem
material. The policy of the Queen's advisers will inci-
dentally some under notice in determining the validity of
the claims submitted. And we should judge that the
principle of arbitrating these claims, if once heartily as-
seated to on both sides, a settlement which shall prove
mutually satisfactory to both governments need not be
long deferred.

Lzirznn, &C., TOR THE ARYBBINDLN EXPEDT-
noi.—AII lotions, &0., which may be posted, directed to
persons earring in the expedition about to be mat to
Abyssinia, will, when not otherwise addressed, be forwarded
in the mail for Suez, for transmission thence by such
opportunities as may offer. Upon all such letter, feu, the
postage, is fm as Suez, most be prepaid at the following
ratan:—Vl! Bentlutniptoa : For a letter not exceeding
or. in weight, 6d.; for newspapers, Id. each ; for book
peals& not exceeding 4 oza., H. VIA Marseilles ; For a
letter not exceeding on. in weight, 6d.; for newspapers,
28. each, when not exceeding 4 oss.; for book packets net
exceeding 4 oze., 4d.—By commend of the Porotearis-
GessaLt.. General Post.oillee. Sept. 25, 1867.

The beauty of the route, however, well compen-
sates all these privations and petty annoyances. The
natural scenery is charming, the air most invigo-
rating, the constant succession of villages pic-
turesque, the rivers and mountain torrents glo-
rious, the people kind, simple, and courteous,
the churches all in excellent condition, the houses
substantial, the soil in the valleys and on the hill
aides most fertile, and as you descend through the
Vorarlberg to the Lake of Constance the country
is studded with cotton mills and manufactories,
worked generally by water power, and some of
them belonging to Englishmen.
The painful features are the dirt of the people,
and their ragged, imperfect clothing. Compared
with Switzerland, the people are obviously poor ;
yet, in many respects, the country is superior.
The inferiority is in the government, which has
done little or nothing for the development
of the natural resources of the land ; whereas
in Switzerland there is in all directions
evidence of a government rising to the emer-
gencies and necessities of the situation. Neglect
is the rule of the Tyrol and Vorarlberg ; care and
attention the rule of Switzerland. Now, however,
that the line of railway is complete from Salzburg
to Verona, the Austrian government is turning its
thoughts to a line from Innsbruck to Bregenz, in
which there are no very serious difficulties to
encounter ; and that made, there will be an easy I
route, across the Lake of Constance, from Frank-
fort to Italy, developing from Bregenz, a new and
fertile country. The construction of this short line
is of far more importance to Austria than all its
haute politique, and the devotion of the Tyrolese to
the House of Hapeburg through all its misfortunes
and exigencies richly deserves its speedy con-
struction.

St. Gallen is one of the most flourishing towns
in Switzerland. Long ago it became a seat of linen
manufacture, brought hither by French and Ita-
lian refugees. But now tine cotton goods have
completely superseded linen fabrics, and the com-
merce in them is annually increasing. The com-
mercial treaty with France has not produced all the
advantages to St. Gallen that were anticipated ;
its fabrics do not quite suit French taste and
wants ; but the demand for them in Belgium, Eng-
land, and the United States is so rapidly augmenting
as amply to compensate for this disappointment. In
November the town is full of foreign buyers, and
again in February. There are, too, considerable
iron manufacturies in the neighbourhood, and in
both these fabrics St. Gallen can hold its own
against external rivalry, thanks to the freedom,
the energy, and enterprise of its population. There
are already no fewer than five joint stock banks in
the town, besides many private bankers, and the
canton is about to start a bank of its own.
With that view subscriptions were lately opened
at BAle for a small five per cent. loan,
which were filled in a few hours. But the
operation was either premature or ill-advised ;
and it led to a change in the cantonal go-
vernment, much, it is said, for the public good.
The people here are among the best specimens of
the Swiss : sturdy, active, strong, money-making,
and resolute, and restless in their love of freedom.
The neighbouring town of Winterthur, though
much smaller, is, however, the richer place. It is
the centre of the trade and speculation in cotton in
Switzerland; in thatrespect, its LiverpoolandHavre
• combined. Between those ports and Winterthur the
telegraphic communications about cotton wool and
; its fluctuations are incessant ; and the consequence
• is that very large fortunes in cotton have of late

There has been no change in the situation since
I last wrote. The defeat in California and the
falling off in Maine seem to have had the effect
of inspiring the republicans with caution. The
Massachusetts Nominating Convention have just
been holding their meeting at Worcester, and
they, while expressing in strong terms their ad-
hesion to the Congressional plan of reconstruction,
• ve carefully avoided taking any ground what-
ever, either with regard to impeachment, or to the
prohibitory liquor law, which is now the great bone
of contention in State politics, and which, in the
opinion of many people, was sure to cause a break
up eventually in the republican pact. Impeach-
ment, although, as I have said, I think the
majority of the party now incline to it, is not yet
so plainly necessary, that the leaders, even in
Massacusetta, like to declare openly for it so long
before Congress meets. It may be that Mr.
JOhnson's courage or rage will have expended
it before the let of December, and he may roar
as gently as any sucking dove when the session
opens, in which case, in spite of the strong
provocation given by the removal of Sheridan and
Stanton, the majority may, in consideration of
Chant's presence in the War-office, and in the ab-
sence of any attempt to restore the deposed officials
in Louisiana, be willing to let bygones be bygones,
and simply form themselves into a corps of obser-
vation, and watch Johnson till his term of office
expires. Therefore the State Convention, while
expressing their opinion about Mr. Johnson pretty
strongly, will refrain for the present from saying
what they think ought to be done with him. What
has occurred in Maine renders similar prudence
necessary with regard to the liquor law. It is
generally admitted by all reasonable men that
total prohibition has, in Massachusetts at least,
proved a total failure. Perhaps a smaller number
of individuals drink now than drank before, but
those who do drink drink more than ever. The
desire for liquor is in no way abated, and the
frauds and tricks resorted to to procure it, or con-
ceal the possession of it, are generally acknow-
ledged to be in the highest degree de-
moralizing. Nevertheless, the prohibitionists
make up in zeal for what they want in
numbers, and are not by any means abashed
and discouraged by their apparent failure,
and are so absorbed in their scheme, that they
would, it is feared, go to any length, even to the
length of splitting the republican party, in order to
carry their point. So the question is for the pre-
senTshelved in the republican councils.
The finaacial question is evidently pressing itself
more and more on the public attention, and if
Mr. Johnson would only keep quiet, he might pro-
mise himself that he would be forgotten in the
uproar about the public debt. The paper cur-
rency, and the beet mode of getting rid of it, are at
this moment the great subjects of discussion in the
newspapers. The process of contraction is slowly
going on, at the rate of 4,000,000 dollars a month,
as provided for by Congress, and the abundant
promise of the harvest has thus far prevented its
producing any sensible effect on prices. But
there is no question that the bulk of
the western farmers are opposed to contrac-
tion, at all events to anything like rapid
contraction, while many of them—most of them
I hear some people say—though I do not
believe it—are in favour of inflatien—that is of a
further issue of greenbacks. Some of the bankers
here are even greatly alarmed lest, if Mr. M'Cul-
luch should be dismissed, as it is feared he may
be, his place should be taken by an inflationist,
and a policy of expansion be once more resorted to,
under western pressure. The farmers are not
very well versed in the mysteries of finance ; and
although one would think it would not require any
great amount of penetration to perceive that inas-
much as expansion of the currency, by affecting all
prices equally, would benefit no interest in parti-
cular, nevertheless it would require more pene-
tration than the agricultural mind can always
boast. The American farmer pays out very little
money for anything. Supposing him once pro-
vided with tools and machinery, his expenses are
few and simple. He does not, except in some of
the most worn-out districts on the eastern coast,
use, or need to use, manure ; he employs little or
no labour, most of his work being done by
machinery, with his own help and that of
his family. He spends but little in clothes,
and raises nearly all his own food, so that his
mind, in thinking of the volume of the currency, is
impressed rather by its effect on what he is likely
to receive than what he is likely to have to pay.
In other words, you produce more effect on his
imagination by talking to him of the prices of his
farm produce than of the prices of clothing or
implements, so that you do not frighten him from
demanding more paper money, as you might
frighten the intriguer in the east, by reminding
him that the consequent rise in the price would
affect commodities equally. He wants more for
his corn, and his hogs, and his wheat, and if he is
likely to get it, does not trouble himself much
about what he will have to pay for ploughs, or
rakes, or for his Sunday broadcloth. The shrink-
ing which has been going on in prices during the
summer and spring have afflicted him a good deal,
and made him very restive. It must not be
left out of sight, too, that the amount of capital
in the west is very small ; it is always
largely indebted to the east ; and nearly
all the western farmers are heavily burdened
by having bought more land than they could afford
to pay for, and consequently having to struggle
with mortgages usually held in eastern cities.
Whatever renders the interest on these mortgages
easy to meet is, of course, popular with them, as
western debtors are all armed with a tolerably
stringent usury law.
The point most discussed just now is whether
the Five-Twenty Bonds are or are not payable in
gold. Of course it was understood by the civilised
world that they were payable in gold ; it lies been
the practice of this government always to pay it►l
debts in gold ; it was stated by the Chairman of

Advice. datod Matamoros, Sept. 4, state that a
proclamation had been promulgated ordering the
election of Deputies to Congress, and for president
of the Supreme Court, on the 22nd of September.
The district elections were to take place on the
Gth, 7th, and Bth inst. Congress meets on the 20th
of November ; the President takes his seat on the
Ist of December, and the Chief Justice on the Lt
of June.

The brigand troops of Canalea had surrendered
themselves to the authorities at Linares.

General Esoobedo, with 2,000 troops, reached
Monterey on the 28th ult.
General Castello was pardoned on the 13th.
General Dias retires to private life.

MR. Bremer M.P.—Previous to leaving the
residence of Mr. baird, at eassencarry, the Prevails of
Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and Wigtown, with other gen-
tlemen, were invited to meet and dine with Mr. Bright.
Provost Turner, of Dumfriea, availed himself of that op-
portunity of presenting to Mr. Bright a requisition bear-
ing about forty signatures, which had been hurriedly got
up in the town, Inviting the hon. member for Birmingham
to a soiree, or other public meeting, at smelt a time as
might suit his convenience. Mr. Bright declined the invi-
tation, assigning as his reason his desire for rest after the
fatigues of the session.—Dutafries Courier.
THE RITUAL COMMISSION. —The Chureh Review
is glad to hear that, since the bane of the Ritual Commis-
ISon Report thirty
This parish
owing uprthesite havebun to wr:inths
vestmenosd
them of their locality. report's
having
THE LATh SERVICES AT ST. LAWRENCE JEWRY,
LONDON.—The Rev. B. M. Cowie writes to the Guardia*
that 350/. were collected at these services. The large*
sums wets given when the metropolitans et South Africa
and New Zealand preached. The contributions were, with
very small ogooptions. in half-crowne,/ca., down to p.
Dies. On some occasions every one in the church wee
anxious to give something. The congregation always con-
tained a very large proportion of poor people, who settled
to enjwy the cheats and hymns. Mr. Cowls iseintow•
ledges himself' indebted to many olarepusen for
assistance, chiefly to ishop Tozer, the Rev. R. R. Brie-
towe, and the Rev. J. W. (ledge, and to Mews. Back and
Harrington, who live in the parish, and without whom the
scheme could not have been cents' d out ; to Mr. Turner,
the honorary organist, and Mr. Morton Turner, who was
precentor. All the choir were volunteers their re-
verent demeanour and the excellence of the singing were
most remarkable.
Tee PAN-ANGLICAN SYNOD.--Seventy-eight pre-
lates attended she conference yesterday morning. There
Was the usual gathering outside the palace gates of those
anxious to catch a sight of the bishops, but the church
bells did not ring out a merry peal as on Tuesday. It is
believed that the three days originally lied will not snake
to conclude the business of the conference. The service
on Saturday will take place in St. pariah church,
Lambeth. It is rumoured that the Bishop of Montreal,
Dr. Folioed, Metropolitan of Canada, will be the preacher.
THE WORKING OF THE New ReFoRM BILL.—
Considersble agitation has prevailed in Preston with re-
gard to a move which is being made by oottage property
owners for what is @enflamed by the occupiers to be an
unfair advance of rent. A meeting of owners has been
held, and at it a resolution was passed to the effect that
notices should be served upon all compounding tenants,
intimating that, upon its expiration, if they remained on
the premise.* the rent would be the game, that they would
have to pay the poor's-rata themselves, and that the
owners would continue to pay the Local Board of Health
and water rates. Almost, if not quite, every compounding
householder in Preston has since received a notice of this
character. The notices railing upon tenants to " quit or
deliver up possession" of the houses, ko., they occupy, or
else to pay the rents hitherto required, as well as the
peor.rates which have been paid by the landlords and in-
eluded in the rent, will come into absolute operation on
Saturday next. On Tuesday evening, a meeting was to be
held in the town with reference to cote mate, Ice.
THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION. —The Manchester
I city council, et a special roasting yesterday, resolved
that It is not expedient or derdrabh that the hoste-
-1 daries of the parliamentary borough of Manchester
should be extended, and a deputation was appointed to
i support this view before the assistant commisaioners.
Lieutenant-Oolonel Ward, B.K, end Mr. J. L. Wharton
hem given Bodice of their Wendell to visit Birmingham
oq Wednesday next, for the purpose of inquiring into the
boundaries of the borough, with the view to ascertain
whether the same should be enlarged so as to include
within the limits of the boron h all premises which ought,
due regard being bad to sitnatsonland other local eircum-
starter, to be 'Deluded therein, for the purpose of °oder-
ring upon the occupiers thereof theparliamentary,franchiae
for snob borough.
ROYAL HOSPITAL TOR DISIASIM or THIS CHEST,
Criv-Roan. B.C.—The number of patients under treat-
' meet at this hospital during the past week amounted to
77481 which 64 were new Gams.

The Grand Volunteer Ball took place last night
at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, under dis-
tinguished patronage ; but, although the arrange-
ments were complete and excellent, and the ball-
room, decorated as it was for the great fête
given to the Belgians, presented an animated
and, indeed, splendid appearance, the attend-
ance of visitors was not so was as
anticipated, and as far as nulanrirers were
concerned the entertainment cannot be re-
as a success. In numbers only could it,
taoritler, be looked upon as in any degree a
failure. The crystal illuminations which have re-
tained their places since the Belgian ball shone
with undiminished brilliancy ; the numerous ban-
ners which have waved over the crowded audiences
of so many concerts had lost none of their rich-
. new and variety of colouring; and the restoration
to their old positions of the men in armour which
were lent by the War-office to do honour to the
• Belgians, completed the effect of the varied and
tasteful decorations, by which the Messrs. Defries
in July last converted a cattle-shed into a ball-
, room. Fresh flowers and e had been
plated on the parterres and banks, and the deep
lines of their foliage and the rich tints of their
blossoms tended greatly to enhance the beauty
of the scene. The prismatic fountains threw their
many-coloured dreams into the air at intervals, •
and a fairy snow storm cast its delicate flakes
upon the banks of flowers by which they were sur-
rounded. The dais, which was occupied by the
Prince of Wales and the royal party upon
, the last occasion, was last night appropriated to the
' reception of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and the
seats on either side were occupied by ladies and
gentlemen. The orchestra was occupied by 150
musicians, under the direction of Mr. Dan Godfrey ;
and on either side of it had been reared lofty banks
of flowers and shrubs, upon which the eye, dazzled
with the splendour of the illuminations and deco-
rations, rested with an agreeable sense of relief.
The doors of the hall were opened at 8 o'clock,
but it was not until some time afterwards that the
room was at all well filled. At first thearrivals were .
but few and far between, but by-and-bye ladies in
rich dresses, and volunteers in their varied uniforms,
dropped in in twos and threes, and spread themselves
over the floor. Dancing began about 10 o'clock, and
started with a spirit which was maintained
throughout the evening. After it had continued
for about an hour, it was suspended for • short
time in order that due honour might be paid to the
Lord Mayor and the civic authorities on their ar-
rival. His lordship, who was accompanied by Lady
Gabriel and Miss Gabriel, Alderman and Sheriff
Sir S. H. Waterlow and Lady Waterlow, Mr.
Under-Sheriff Crossley, Miss Steddall, Miss A.
Waterlow, Miss Lutwiche, Miss Law, Mr. P.
Waterlow, and Mr. C. Evans, was saluted upon his
entrance by a guard of honour furnished by the
29th Middlesex Volunteers, and was received
by Ca tain Defries, Hon. Artillery Com-
pany, chairman ; Captain Williams, vice-chair-
man ; Lieut. Greene, hon. sec. ; and the other
members of the ball committee, who conducted
him to the dais. Among those who received the
civic party were Major-Gen. Bird,Col. Cruikahank,
of the Havelock Rifles, Colonel Wilkinson, and
Messrs. Charles White, J. Filcher, and J. Wood-
home. As the civic party entered the band played
the march from the Prophete. The Lord Mayor
and hia friends remained seated for only a short
tune, after which they descended into the hall,
and a quadrille was formed, in which they took
Part-
About one o'clock supper was served. The Lord
Mayor supped in the room occupied on the last
occasion by the Prince of Wales. Mr. Defries took
the chair at the head of the principal table ; and
after supper the health, of the Queen, the Prince
and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal
Family, the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, and of
the Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City of
London, were proposed and duly honoured. After
supper the dancing was resumed, and continued
with great spirit until a late hour.
The arrangements for the last three nights of the
" season" at the Ag,ricultural hall, which, like the
previous performances, are under the direction
of Mr. F. Kingsbury, include, this evening, a
grand concert, with Madame Lemmens-Shemng-
ton, Mdlle. Liebhart, Mr. Perren, and Mr. Weiss ;
to-morrow a second performance of the Manalt ;
and on Saturday a miscellaneous concert.

The chief feature of the concert given by the
Liverpool Philharmonie Society, on Tuesday night, was
Mr. J. F. Basnetr• new cantata, "The Ancient Bleriner,"
wformed for the fina time at the Birmingham Festival
bat month. The Liverpool Mercury says—" The cantata,
as a whole, is pleasingly bright and tuneful, and the treat-
ment at many turns is thoroughly Mendelssobnian. We
trust the production of last eveaing will be but the step.
ping-stone to further and greater musical works hoes the
same composer. He was cordially welcomed on entering
to conduct the cantata, loudly cheered at the close, and
recalled to receive renewed approbation from the delighted
audience. The executants were Miss K. Wynne, Madame
Paley-Whytock, Mr. W. H. Cummings, and Mr. J. O.
Paley, who performed their artistic work in a highly satis-
factory manner."
FORME-OFFICE, SEPT. 23.—The Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs bag received from her Majesty's
Consul at Lisbon the notice (Segued by the Portuguese
r;government of which the following is a translation :
be Board'of Health of the kingdom makes known that
all arrivals from Malta are considered suspected of
cholera."—Gatetta

ARROW APE AT ABERDARE.-011 Monday a
man named John Randall was engaged in opening a brick
grave In the pariah churchyard, far the reception of the
corps" of the late Mrs. Mugu. In this grave lay the
remains of her buabend, and at his head was a grave stone.
Soddenly this stone gave way, and fell into the grave in
which Randall was working. Fortunately he was in a stoop-
ing posture, and a pickaxe was pieced in an upright posi-
tion. Upon the handle of this instrument the stone
alighted, and thus prevented the man from being ernabed
to death. He escaped with a few bruises. The stone is
estimated to be upwards of five cwt. It covered nearly
the whole of the grave, leaving only a narrow aperture at
the foot, through which the man escaped from his milking
position.
SHOCKING FATALITY.—An inquest wan held on
Monday, at Flemington, neer Blackburn, on the body of
Richard Swindles, aged 49, a stable-helper, in the employ
of the Blackburn Sall Hotel Company, who was killed on
Friday evening last. Deceased and a man named Webb
bad been sent to the icehouse belonging to the hotel, and
while the men were preparing the the fur removal the horse
(with the conveyance attached) was allowed to graze is the
field. In doing so it got down a boggy slope, and while the
two men ware trying to liberate the horse it fell upon the
deceased, anti in its *buggies to get free fractured his
skull with one of its bind feet, inflicting a frightful
wound. Assistance was obtained and deceased was libe-
rated, but he died half an hour afterwards. Verdict,
"Accidentally killed."
A Gostocous Monrmarr.—An incident attend-
fog a visit to the cathedral of Wan is related by a wires- '
pendent of the Cleveland Herald, as follows :—A eds.
tet.nnean chapel, to which the visitor is admitted by she
payment of a few francs, reveals some of the hidden
thesauri" of the church. It contain' the tomb of
St. Charles, one of their archbishops, whose memory ,
they perpetuate in silver and gold and precious atoms.
The chapel is entl•ely lined with silver, which is
finished in various beorelieth, illustrative of events
in the life of the mint. The body is embalmed
and inclosed in a silver coffin, which was
the gift of Philip IV. of Spain. As we stood in front of
this shrine, the lir.est in attendance touched some secret
spring, by which the outer coffin gradually descended, and
revealed through a ease of rock espial the wasted fate
and the pontifical robes of him who had for years slept in
that gorgeous but gloomy state. A croon of emeralds.
diamonds, and t übies was suspended in the coffin, end
preciom jewels slithered amid the folds of the rich em.
broidered robes. Mass is said for this mint every morning
at 9 o'clock, although he died in 1584.
DISCOVERY OF A HOT SALT WATER LAKE IN TEI
UNIT= STATES TERRIToRT.—The Montana Pont of Aug.
24 says that Dr. James Dunlevy, while exploring the head-
waters of the Yellowstone, discovered a salt water lake,
caverns' about fay acres. The water is always at the
bailing temperature ; meat thrown in was boiled in less
than forty minutes. The seater contains a large percent-
age of timal, the crude material from which borax is menu-
festered.