The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-27 00:00:00

A GENERAL CONGRESS OF NATIONS.

The famous correspondent of the Telegraph writes in a
new win. He is a firm believer in a coming congress of
nations, which might be the germ of a Parliament that
would represent the world, and perhaps, when our genera-
tion has passed away, settle all questions by a jury of
diplomatists instead of an army of chassepots. After his
rebuff in 1863, it is hardly likely that the French Emperor
will again propose such a step ; but the confidant of
princes has reason to believe that, if England made the
proposition, there would be some chance of its acceptance.
The settlement of the Greek question has brought the
project into public notice again. It is much dis-
cussed at present in the French papers. Some
of these say that the success of the late Conference has
demonstrated to the leading Governments the possibility
of in future submitting all international questions to a sort
.f Amphictyonic council of the different States of Europe.
Such a result is so desirable that the project cannot but be
treated with the greatest respect. But it has yet to be
proved that the Greek affair can be quoted as a " leading
case." If Greece had been a first-rate Power, would the
result have been the same ?

(From the Anglo-American Times.)

A bill was reported by Mr. Pike in the House of
Representatives on the 12th inst., and passed by 85
yeas to 25 nays, to pay Commodore John A. Win-
slow and the officers and crew of the United States
steamer Kearsarge $190,000, to be distributed as
prize money, being the estimated value of the rebel
piratical vessel Alabama, destroyed by the Kear-
sarge on June 19, 1864. A proviso was inserted
that no money should be paid to the assignees of
any mariner entitled to a share, but only to the

mariner himself, his wife, or his children. It is a
pity a move should have been so long delayed, which
would have come with so much better grace three
years ago, though the compliment is perhaps greater
as the appreciation now shown is in cool blood.
Dr. Mudd's pardon was signed by the President
on the 11th instant. It received the signature of
the Secretary of State and the seal of the United
States, and would reach the commandant of the
Dry Tortugas during the week just ended, so Dr.
Mudd is probably now at large. A report by the
Attorney. General accompanies the pardon, wherein
it is stated to have been satisfactorily shown that it
was Dr. Mudd's professional duty to attend Booth
when called upon, and that his medical skill had
last summer proved of the greatest value at the Dry
Tortugas during the prevalence of yellow fever.
The recommendation was signed by 39 Itepresen-
tatives and members, and over 300 officers and sol-
diers of the prison.
I•The ball in honour of Washington's Birthday,
and also to inaugurate a new Charitable American
Society, took place at the Louvre llotel, Paris, last
Monday, and was a marked success, all the ladies
_ _

of the American colony having considered them-
selves bound to be present on an occasion which
celebratedlogether patriotism and charity. The

supper room was decorated with the United States
flags and the portraits of Washington and of Na-
poleon 111., in a way to reflect great credit on the
committee of management. Among those present
were the lion. Anson and Mrs. Burlingame, Gene-
ral Dix, Colonel Hoffman (of the American Lega-