The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-06
InterestiRg from the Capital.
Correspondence OF the Phila. North America

WASHINGTON, August 4, 1871.
After consultation with his cabinet, the Pres.
dent has determined upon the answer to be given
10 the letter of Gov. Bell, of Texas la this an
swer, the ground is taken that there has been no
such usuTpation of Exec utive power has been
complained of; and that Col. Monroe, in issuing
the call for State Convention, although acting
without any orders or Instructions, committed NO
violation Of right, as he was clearly entitled TO do
what he had done, in his individual capacity, when
requested by the people Of the territory. President
lay 6 course is sustained in every respect, SO
far as 1t had been indicated. As the question of
maintaining possession was not mooted ia Gov.
Bels letter, no decision has been expressed in re.
gard 10 that subject.
Mt Pearce has abandoned the purpose-.n-
nounctd in the Senate on Friday-of connecting
together the questions Of territorial government
| for New Mexico, and the boundary line Of Texas
| The bill which he intends to introduce tomorrow,
| will be confined TO the latter subject, and such
| mstter as are necessarily incident 70 IT, He pro-
poses TO commence the line at the point where the
lO0fh degree OF west Longitude is intersected by 36
deg 30 min Of north latitude the nee to run il due
west TO the l02d meridian thence due south to
the sd parallel and thence, finally, in straight
line TO III Psso or perhaps, little south OF IT, so
as 10 include the settlement OF EleaZario.
This proposition, IL is supposed, will meet the
strongest objections which have been urged both
from The North and the Souih--the first because it
does not arbitrarily divide New Mexico, as was
complained Of in Mr.. Clay's BILL and the other by
concediDg territory between the northern line, pro-
posed IN the compromise plan of settlement, and
the parallel OF % degrees 80 minutes. This ar
rangement will give TO New Mexico all the vallies
on the east Of the Rio Grande, while at the same
time IL will preserve to Texas the control and juris
diction OF her principal rivers by including their
head waters and courses within her own limits
Mr.. Pearce's bill will also grant ten millions of
dollars TO Texas, the conslde ration being two-fold ;
first, the equitable obligation Of the United States
TO pay the public creditors Of Texas, inasmuchias
they appropriated and superseded the revenues
pledged to the latter; and second, the absolute
REIMBURSEMENT by Texas Of all claims or preten-
sions TO the disputed territory
Mr.. Pearce's plan differs from any other scheme
OF adjusting the vexed boundary question which
has yet been presented, and, so far as am at pre-
sent informed, offers a reasonable prospect Of
leading 10 settlement Of the difficulty, II will
probably the votes Of the Northern Senators
who voted against the compromise, as well as the
Senators from Texas.
INTERESTING PROM HAvASA.--The following
items OF news are taken from the correspondence
OF the New Orleans Picoyune, dated July 20thi-
The sbpe Of war have been hauled into the navy
yard, and are now being prepared TO take a cargo
ofumbers to Spain. The Pizarro it was intended
TO send home also, but information from your city
OF The preparation oil more expeditions will keep her
here.
Outline ofplan for the defence Of Cuba-Tortif-
catien Of naval stations at Bahia Honda, Nuevitas
and Nipe, on the north coast; Cumberland Harbor,
ST Jago and Cienfuegos, on the south coast; max
ing, with Havana, seven. Cost nine millions Of
dollars.
line Of eight forts around the harbor Of Havana
commencing at Castillo del Principe and continuing
To Fort No. 4, and the entire city OF Havana TO be
walled. Costfive millions Of dollars.
Al the six naval stations other than Havana,
navy yards with docks to he erected, costing four
millions. The naval force TO be increased to
twenty-five steamships and thirty-hve sailing
to be constructed from Cape Maisi to Villa Clara,
aud from Gusnajay TO Cape San Antonio, with
twelve lateral branches to the principal ports Cost
forty millions. A telegraph oftowers and poles with
port TO port Cost $4,000. Electric telegraph
along all the lines Of railroad. Cost 100000. The
amy TO be increased to 20, 900 men, and the militia
TO Oo0 this will incur outlay OF four millions.
oai cost Of preserving the Island, So <0O, 600,
tobe raised by loan in England, to be provided
Tor by an increase Of fifty per cent in the revenue
OF ,uba by new taxes, product OF the railroads
snd product OF the mail service TO be rem
dered ~ the wal STEAMERS.
With the exception Of the steamers there are
now put TWO American vessels IN port--the brig
Coral ard schooner Yankee Blade. This is an
event that has not before occurred since 1870 IL
IL fortunate there are few, for from the existing
excitement IN American ship master IL not safe. A
few days since as Captain HILL Of the Coral was
going to his boat just AFTER nigh'fall, he was as
ssued from behind, repeatedly struck, and him
cell pushed and his hat kicked into the street.
The cholera Is still prevailing in the city, and
with great violence m some parts Of the country
IL seems more malignant than formerly. There Is
The porter Of the British Con sulste was killed
two nights since and the Consulate robbed.
Boxes Of papers were broken open and their
contents scattered, but the thieves obtained
no money A trunk left by Lady Mary
Wortley, and sad to have contained a portion Of
her dyshlps jewelry, was rifled. Suspicion rests
upon psrty OF negroes, which u seems, the por-
ter had been in the habit Of allowing TO assemble
there in the evening for the purpose OF gambling.
snd four Of them have been arrested. The porter,
who was old negro, was found tied, gagged, and
ats hi, tbrouah and through in two places The
N Ia. Il
irsm Lisbon. II Is said lerge fleet is 10 collect
here.