The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-05

WASHINGTON, Dec 8, 1916.
Cabinet ComnciL-C Commodore Ste,cart-The Meri-
can Letters of Marquette Magnetic 7Ne-
graph.
Cabinet Council was held this morning, last
ing from IL till o'clock. 1t was in relation to
the Message and reports to be sent to Congress
next Monday.
Commodore Stewart is in town. He visited
the Navy Department this morning.
There has been a great deal said about Mexi-
can letters Of marque, and as the many rumors
in relation to them may have the effec of pro.
ducing unnecessary alarm, will give you the
facts of the case.
cargo of commissions for privateers has been
shipped by the Mexican Government to Havana
These commissions the agent has been author
lied to sell at thousand dollars piece to who
ever would purchase them. The conditions me-
cessary to legaize (under the law Of nations) the
issue of letters Of marque, or the use of the COM
missions, have not been complied with. They
are, therefore, of no effect, inasmuch as any
men caught on the high seas, sailing under the
pretended authority OF these commissions, will
be treated as pirates. The mode Of treatment
prescribed by our Government to the command
ers of vessels in the United States service, is to
send those whom they may capture sailing under
the warrrnt OF these commissions, to the United
States for trial. When brought to this country,
they will be put upon their trial before the pro-
per tribunal, on charge of piracy on the high
seas.
Tee government do not entertain the slightest
apprehension fdanger resulting to our commerce
from the issue of these commissions. The only
ports where vessels can be fitted out for such ex
pedti6hs, are Havana and Porto Rico, and the
precautionary measures taken by our govern
ment, are of such a nature, and so timely III their
adoption, and our consus have, moreover, exert
ed themselves with such zeal and success, that
there exists not the slightest ground for apprehcn-
sion. Spain has acted in the most dignifed and
honorable manner in this affair. Indeed, our
treaty with that power, us well as with some other
European nations, prccludes the possibility OF
danger to our commercial interests.
The line of the telegraph between this city and
Fredericksburgh, IS being surveyed, and the tele
graphic wires will be laid in few weeks, and
Immediately afterwards extended to Richmond.
A proposition was made some time since to the
Secretary Of War to extend the telegraph to New
Orleans-such extension to be made by the tele-
graph company Tor the sum OF two hundred
thousand dollars The government was to have
the use of it during the war for the transmission
OF army and navy intelligence, and for all pur-
poses conducive to the prosecuton'of the war. al
the close of which the company woul5 refund the
two hundred thousand dollars. Tie Secretary did
not think he had sufficient power for the ap-
preparation OF that sum TO this peculiar use,
and consequently preferred to lay it before Con-
gress for their deliberation. But Congress, in the
present state OF the government finances, will be
slow 10 authorize so large an appropriation, al
though am confident million Of dollars CT more
would be saved by the extension OF the telegraph
to New Orleans. Its utility, its importance, in.
deed its absolute necessity, cannot be exaggerated
/ am happy to learn that it will be extended to
Cincinnati before spring.
There is lull here at present The city, like
man preparing for combat, has drawn in its
breath, and awaits the storm that is 10 commence
next Monday There is no news of importance.
CALvlENsIs.