The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-22 00:00:00

ticians," as the supporters of Tammany Hall arc
called, have split about the election of some muni-
cipal officers, and there was a gathering of on., side
in the back room of Donahue's store, when another
gathering of the opposite side, in a bar room on
Third-avenue, decided to look them up, and at-
tempted to enter the room, forcing the door, and
producing clubs hitherto concealed. Some of those
inside sprang from the windows, but others had to
run the gauntlet of the clubs. Pistols were fired,
and Thomas Johnson was fatally wounded. Dona
hue received a ball in the right arm, and Florence
Scannell was hit in the shoulder. Several were
taken into custody, and the prisoners were locked
up, as the magistrate refused to accept bail.

WasoixoToN, Dec. 3
Secretary and Mrs. Fish gave their first party of
the season yesterday, the President and Mrs. Grant,
Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, and many members of the
Legations, as well as of the Cabinet and connec-
tions of the President, were there, but no members
of Congress. As Judge Dent has returned from
Mississippi, where he reports a majority against him
of 25,000, he was one of the company. Senators
and Representatives now arrive too fast for me to
give their names. So many are setting up house-
keeping that a gay season is expected; still, although
the arrivals are numerous, when all are counted
there are not more than between 70 and 80 Repre-
sentatives, and as Congress will meet on Monday
only a bare quorum will be present, while as
yet scarcely half the Senators are here. General
Butterfield paid this city a flying visit, but he
returned to New York almost immediately. Among
those attracting attention is General Breckenridge,
who, though refused admittance by the President,
having been so busy with his Message and other
work that he cannot permit interruptions, received
a pleasant and genial welcome from General Sher-
man, who reminded him that the last interview was
in North Carolina, when terms were arranged for
the surrender of Johnson's army. General Brecken-
ridge, whose quiet and unobstrusive manner is not
calculated to draw attention towards him, is stay-
ing at the Ebbett House awaiting his son's wedding,
who is to marry a daughter of ex-Senator Johnson,
of Arkansas. Among the events of interest is the
marriage of Miss Matthews to Colonel 0. J. Hollis-
ter, Collector of Internal Revenue for the District
of Utah. The ceremony took place at the resi-
dence of the bride's near relatives, Vice-President
and Mrs. Colfax, and was largely attended by the
friends on both sides, among whom were the Presi-
dent,Mr.and Mrs. Boutwell,and Mr.and Mrs. Delano.
Senator Brownlow's health is reported by himself
to be much improved. He and his wife are expected
this evening to remain during the winter ; this is
bad for Andrew Johnson's chance. A delegation of
Republicans from Nashville are to meet here after
Congress assembles. They give a bad account
of the proceedings of the Te.nnesse Legislature,
who have gone as far as they dare against the rights
of the coloured citizens. The reports from South
Carolina are also bad, but as a National Coloured
Labour Convention assembles on Monday the
freedmen's grievances will be ventilated. Many of
the delegates are white, and some of them are
women. It is thought that their platform mainly
will be sympathetic with the labour movement in
America, Europe, and elsewhere, advocating Pro-
tection and Co-operation, but only embracing po-
litics so far as labour is affected thereby. The
advocates of female suffrage have resolved to
form a Sorosis, and Mrs. Dr. Lockwood, Mrs Spur-
geon, and Mrs. Coldby are to draft a constitution
and bye-laws and nominate officers. The new Ar-
lington Hotel was opened on Wednesday, a very
good time. The Mexican Claims Comtnissionare coal
fortably seated in the lower part of the house occu-
pied by Caleb Cushing, which is convenient for
that gentleman, as he is the attorney for Mexico.
The claims already filed amount to $16,000,000,
and if they continue to increase, all Mexico sold up
would not liquidate them, if allowed. One set has
been struck off, as the depredations of the Indians
between the United States and Mexico are con-
sidered inadmissable. Mr. Wadsworth, the United
States Commissioner, will arrive immediately, and
then the 430 claims of our citizens, as well as
130 of those of 'Mexico, will be considered. As
you may imagine, we are not likely to lose by asses-
sing our claims at a low figure. One man asks
for half a million dollars as compensation for a
day's imprisonment by brigands. Demand will be
made to recognize as a claim the accrued interest
on Mexican bonds, as well as the bonds themselves,
under the provisions of the treaty anthorizing the
commission. The amounts awarded to the claim-
ants are to be collected from their own Govern-
ments, which in their turn will be reitnbarsed by
the Government against which the claim is made.
This may end in accumulating a debt against Mexico
to our Government, which we all know it cannot
pay except by a concession of territory. John
Parsons, of Ohio, has been appointed Consul at
Santiago de Cuba. An effort is being made here
to have General Sigel placed in the post of
United States Marshal, of the Southern District of
New York, as well as to secure other offices for
Representative Germans, and Messrs. Cochrane and
Taylor have been here to urge this on the President.
Assistant-Postmaster-General Earle has thrown up
his office to return to his law practice, which he
finds to be much more profitable ; and Mr. J. W.
Marshall, of Clarke County, Virginia, has been ap-
pointed. There was a great rush for the place, but
it was gone almost before the plunder was scented.
The Secretary's doors are now besieged, and lobby-
ing will begin in earnest. It is a marvellous to see how
much further Congressional pay goes than any other
pay. Senators and Representatives arrive here,
without means, from unpretending houses of poor
districts to live in Washington in handsome
residences, in handsome style. It is now believed
that the question of fixing the relative rank of the
Naval officers, line and staff, will have to go to
Congress for settlement. The board has adjourned
sine die, after drawing out majority and minority
reports. The judiciary House Committee has fin-
ished its business in the Judge Busteed Impeachment
case. Mr. Busteed, having adjourned his Court un-
til May, is expected here before Mr. Bingham sub-
mits the Report to the House, which will be in a
fortnight after Congress assembles. There has
been some discussion about Secretary Boutwell's
course in declining the offer of Messrs. Trevor and
Colgate, New York bankers, for $600,000 at 21k,
after it had been accepted by Assistant-Treasurer
Folger. The firm sent one of its members to Wash-
ington to see the Secretary on the subject. Mr.
Boutwell maintains that the law reserves to him
the right of cancelling acceptances, and as he con-
sidered the price too low he would not give his con-
sent. The iVetv York 'limes tells in its letter
from Paris of Mrs. Grant's preparations to eclipse
all the other ladies in Washington. From Paris,
with the mail which carried the letter, went a large
case containing dresses, bonnets, and all the latest
fashions, valued at six or seven thousand francs, and
all selected by a person of undenidble taste. It
a 4 Las that stringent orders have been given by the
presiden: to have any cases addressed to him for-
warded through ‘l,l‘e New York C ustom- house,there to
be carefully examined ,;2cl cleared, so that detractors
will have no semblance of a ha;2lle against him. Gen.
Georg*: W. Cole has, I believe, sucee'eded in getting
a place in tiic New York Post-office, tn. :ough the
interest, I presume, of his brother, the Senator
: roar
California. I suppose that Mr. M'Farland, having
qualified by homicide, will get the next vacancy.
Mr. Hopkins, Representative from Wisconsin, is
very ill, and will, it is feared, be obliged to return
home. Secretary Stanton is losing heart from hi
sufferings through asthma, and says he will soon
only want six feet of ground. This climate is too
damp for his complaint, and he would certainly
improve ic be went to a thy, rarified atmosphere.
To give you an idea of the expenses of liebip
in this city, I send you this extract from the
papers ;--c, A member of Congress from Wisconsit,
pays $5OO a month in Washington for three romw-
and board for himself and one daughter, or $6.50
a day for each person." The rumour is that At-
torney-General Hoar will take his place on the
Supreme Bench, that he will be succeeded in the
Cabinet by Judge Pierrepont, of New York, whi!e
Ethan Allen, another New York lawyer, will suc-
ceed Mr. Pierrepont. Allan has interest, and is

thought highly of in his profession, though quite 3
young man.

Sur, —in the Telegraph of the 13th there appears
an article which is remarkable in many respects,
and mere particularly as regards the ability and
character of the American General Burnside. This
gentleman is now in England, and as the article re-
ferred to seems so ungenerous and unjust, and cal-
culated to mislead the mass of the people, I beg
you will allow me a brief space in your journal
to reply. When the late American rebellion or
civil war broke out General Burnside was one of
the first to buckle on his armour and enlist in the
cause of the Union. Ile always proved a brave and
generous soldier, and never lost the confidence of
the Government or people in his patriotism or coin-
ry2tency to command at least a division or corps of
the army. The facts are, that General MA:it:thin--
although at one time the idol of the army and time
hope of the country—after his disastrous campaign
on the Peninsula, began to lose ground in the esti"
ma•ion of the Government, the people, and the
soldiers, anti there was a great pressure brought to
1 car upon Prey lent Lincoln to remove General
M'Clellan and appoint a succ ssor. Mr. Lincoln
withstood the pressure for a long tine, until, in
fact, it appeared that General M'Clellan and Gene'
ral Porter had atteinpted to sacrifice General Pop°
at the battle of Bull Run, and the former had re-
fused to follow up General Lee after the battle of
Antietam,—when he gave way, removed General
M'Clellan, and appointed General Burnside his
successor. The editor of the Telegraph should
know, if he does not, that General Burnside de-
clined the promotion, giving as reasons that he dill
not aspire to the honour, and that he did not con-
sider himself fit to command the whole army. MallY
people were of the same opinion at the time, but
they thought he could do no worse than General
M'Clellan had done, and possibly might do a great
deal better, and, besides, there seemed at the mo-
ment no person better fitted. The command, eon-
se
quently, was forced upon General Burnside s°°,,n
.tfter the battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg, and “e
reluctantly accepted it. About that time, or soon
after, the two opposing armies were brought face to
face at Fredericksburg. Here they remained for
weeks fortifying their respective positions, until la
fact the Government and people began to be veil
impatient for a forward movement. The pressure
became so great that General Burnside was °r:
dered finally to attack the enemy, and against
better judgment the attack was made and result
in a disastrous defeat. People said at the time 03
Gen. Burnside should have resigned, rather thal!
attempt to storm the position at Fredericksburg a`
such great odds. This was easily said, but for
soldier to disobey the orders of his superiors wa'3
'
quite a different matter. The fiat went forth froiar
Washington, General Burnside obeyed, and f°
the result he must shoulder the whole blame aci
cording to the Gronerelegraph. We know that Groner
Burnside has testified against no one. This rather
shows the character and magnanimity of the
We may as well inform the 2 &graph that Genera
Burnside was not disgraced, that although the
command was taken away from him, still his sue-
cessor did little better under much more favour:Alit,:
circumstances. Notwithstanding all this, General
Burnside and Hooker are to this day esteemed s
two of our best fighting Generals, and comni.an
the confidence and gratitude of the American_
people. There are many other points in the 0.,1
title referred to calculated to mislead, but I wit,
simply refer to one, and that is the settlement
the Alabama claims. Recent news from the Satoe,s
confirm the report that the President, Cabinell'
Congress, and the people are united as to hire
these claims should be settled. Can as much be
said of the British Government and people? I,b
" memories of Englishmen" may possibly
" longer and 'more tenacious," &c., but Nye CL
assure the Telegraph that the course taken by
i;0
England during our American war will not
quickly or easily forgotten by us or our child
and that " it is high time" that the Telegraph allof
its readers should learn that upon the other side
the Atlantic a firm resolve has been made by 4vr
millions of people that the Alabama and otbe„
claims growing out of the late war shall be t-'..,t
justed and settled upon no other principles but
those of equity and justice. We only ask for bat
England would demand under like circumstanri
and I venture to predict that the Great Brita,varue_
to-morrow and her people will grant what we
quest in due time, and without bloodshed or war'
Yours truly,

AN AMERICAN CITIZES.

he War Department is anxious to make sonic
changes in roads leading from Old Brompton to
New Brompton, near Chatham, with a view. 3
avoid having ground used for fieldwork exer°ls'd
on the Great Lines intersected lay public roads 395
footpaths. The first project, it is understood, 'I%
to close the road leading from Brompton overo
lrawbridge to the centre of New Broropton, 'r
close a road leading from this ro Id to the lowt,
part of New Brompton, and also some fle
paths ; while a new road should be 013 b 6 b
by the sallyport on the Inner Lines ,1
tween the two Bromptons. Such a scheme,. by
diverting traffic, would have been most iniuri%o
to Old Brompton, while inconvenient is
New Bromptou. Now a modified schen'e. s
expected to be submitted to the parish author'tle
The main road over the drawbridge to remain 013 c%
the road leading from this main road and Sore
footpaths to be stopped, and a new footpath' be
way of St. Mary's Barracks, to be made to tgl.
lower part of New Brompton and tilling Marl
This plan would be much less injurious that' t,e,
first one ; but as it would cause public inoon..
nience it is not likely that the parish Nvonll 31;
sent to it, and it could only be effected by thellbe
of an Act of Parliament, which would doubtlezis
opposed.

Job° 1.).°

Her Majesty's ship Monarch, Captain rew
Commerell, V.C., C. 8., and the United States 6
corvette Plymouth, Captain Macomb, sailed ft° a
s pithead at 11 a.m. yesterday for Portland,T-10itero.
States, leaving under steam and by the ess‘-r
3fo
passage for the Channel. The wind was °
and northerly.
The screw steam corvette Juno, 6, CaPt. in
dinge, from Cbina and Japan,
which arrive'
Plymouth Sound yesterday (Tuesday), as a!e,:di
ith
reported in 7he Sun, left England January 01; ,o 0
519 persons on board, called at Madeira, the l's3ra,
of Good Hope, Singapore, Labuan, Hongkong'
ilcd
gasaki, Lobe loba, and Yokohama. She 6:18,
thence July 24, arrived at Hongkong Allges',ber
left September 3, arrived at Singapore SePtelLth,
12, left 16th, cleared Anger Point on the 'OO
arrived in Algoa Bay October 19, sailed ell ilea
22d, arrived in Simon's Bay on the 25th, s 3 to
November 1, arrived at Ascension on the 18th' ajos
left on the 19th. She has brought home CaP,r,)9l
Ilammil and Daniel, of the 75th Regiment, ae",:or
supernumerary officers and men and iudiag
l
the North China and Japan squadrons, iceh
the Icarus, Cormorant, and Manilla, and the gsm,
boats Insolent, Weasel, Trim, and Cockchaler•froo
has also several time-expired officers and men oja
the Adventure; the remainder are coming h°l33i.y.
the Rodney, which is expected about Fehruf tip
The Juno experienced remarkably fine weatbe-og
cutter
to within the last few days, during which
westerly winds prevailed, and the starboard etilt,g-
was lost. The ship's steward Slaney died at l'°aae.
kong, and three invalids have died on the ON.° IV.
The Juno spoke, Nov. 4, about 200 miles %. 46
off the Cape, the ship Silver Eagle, and ic la
N., long, 25 W. the bark Imogene.

BIRTHS. rovi
BLACKWLLL—On the 20th inst., at The Cedars, 1193.-
Weald, Mrs. T. F. Blackwell,daughter. tVI
PA.Rx. nti---On the 18th inst., the wife of Mr. James

publisher, Oxford, of a son,
MARRIAGES. p Oa":
FAWSSETT—LEDOI.7R—On the 18th inst., at S— _ a or,
Kensington, John Fo.wssett, of 24, Ldwardcsq,
to Emilie, widow of the late Alexander .Lebour, o'
, Kensington. t•
fluodison-ereseentnEs—DuNN— On the 20th inst., at Holy Triirtliov,
Austoll, Arthur S. Hughes, of Dalston, to MarY,orn-
only daughter of Robert Dunn, of St. Austell,
wall.

DEJTDS. nail('
CAPON - On the 17th inst., at 8, Craven-hill,lV dc-1'
G, n r.,1 Sir David Capon, K.C.8., aged 76.
de
heS
COIGNY —On the 19th inst., at Paris, the Du
Coigny, aged 63. • _Col'
Jerson lii°ll
1 '
VISME -On the 18th inst at Elyse°
, 0
de Visme, aged 75.
Dj,o'
London: Printed and Published by WILLIAIII Arii
.tr
...
;00
0,,•
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at TUE SUN Office No.lld`ll°'2'
in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the COuhty of gi
\veal= lay, December 22, 1.60.