Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-28
Washington News and Gossip.

IMPORTANT TO SHIPMAsTERS AND SAILORS -
The Secretary of the Treasury evidently with
the view of guarding against frauds on the
States granted to sick or destitute American
seamen in foreign ports, has sent out the fol.
lowing instructions to collectors:
Information has been received at the De.
partment, that the 4th section of the law of the
law of the 29th March. 1896, for the protection
of American seamen, is subjected to serious
abuses in foreign ports by the transfer or sale,
to foreign seamen, of the certificates of citi-
zcnship issued under that law.
In the present peaceful position Of the
greater proportion of those countries to which
the commerce of the United States extends.
the projections, so called, granted to Ameri-
can seamen, naturalized or native are of lit
tie other practical value than to enable them
to demand the aid and succor of the American
Consul in a foreign port, in case of sickness or
other disability but, aware as they are of the
facility of procuring the renewal of these ''pro-
tections" on their return to the United States
they very often do not scruple to transfer, for
consideration, the right to such aid and sue
cor, to a foreign seaman, who, in case of such
sickness or disability, is thus enabled to avail
himself of the provision made for American
citizens in due course of law.
Consuls might intcrpose some check to the
abuses referred to- by strict investigation, in
cases where there exists in their minds sus-
picion that the sick or destitute seaman. claim.
isg relief under a protection, is not the indi-
vidual to whom the Same was originally issued
and if satisfied on that point by Withholding
the relief demanded.
Under the existing law, the Department is
without the power essentially to correct the
impOstiOns referred to. and deems it therefore
expedient to call your especial attention to
the subject, requesting you to use every vigil
liant care in issuing certificates of citizenship
under the law already cited, especially in ref
ercnce to the proofs adduced at the time by
applicants for said certificates.
THE CONDITION OF THE COLLIER DEFALCA-
TON CAsE.-Yesterday was the day for the
hearing of the Collier h@6aas corpus case, at
GAINESVILLE, Ohio. The Treasury officers ex.
hibt no faltering in their determination to
bring Collier to trial under the Indictment
of the United States court for Califorr ia for
feloniously using the public funds. Among
the expedients resorted to to get him clear Of
the laws force, is the plea that the offence hay
ing been perpetrated more than two years be-
fore the Indictment was found, he may, legally,
go scott-frec of punishment; and his present
abettors ask his discharge on this ground.
We are under the impression that the law
officers of the Government regard this plea as
signally frivolous. The fact that it is to be
urged before tribunal which has no author
ity to try the merits of the case, shows how
desperate is the anxiety of these parties to
save him Collier from a trial where his of
fence was committed.
INTERESTING TO U.s. Discussing AGENTS.
Hearing of journey upon journey made by
new appointees at a distance from the seat of
Government, ostensibly to get Treasury drafts
caShed, we take it for granted that hundreds
of accounts for unauthorized travelling ex-
penscs upon such errands will soon be posted
to this point; this being the case on every
general change of government employees
By way of saving these gentlemen serious loss
of time and money, we publish, as follows. the
rules prevailing at the Treasury Department
in the settlement of such accounts, viz:
" The necessary and actual expense of cash
ing Treasury Drafts will be allowed and no
more.
" Mileage, for travelling to and from the
place on which drafts to be cashed are drawn
will not be allowed unless performed under
written orders from the Department.
1.-The necessary actual expenses only will
be allowed when such drafts cannot be ex-
changed at par for specie, at the place where
the disbursing officer receiving them is sta
toned, and the disbursement is to be made
When this is the case. the disbursing officer
must certify that the drafts could not be ex-
changed at par for specie, at such place, and
that the amount charged is the actual expense
necessarily incurred in cashing them. The
different items of expense must be separately
and fully stated in the voucher
LIST OF PATENTS issued from the United
States Patent Office for the week ending Sep
tember q, 1853-each bearing that date:
Halvor Halvorson of Hartford, Conp.-For
Improvement in looms for weaving hair cloth
Henry Hochstrasser, of Philadelphia, Pa
For improved sash fastener
Nicholas Mason, of Roxbury, Mass For
Improvement in cooking ranges
Henry McCarty, of Pittsburg, Pa-For im-
prHvements in the manufacture of sheet iron
Jordan l.. Mott, of New York, n Y-For
improvement in cooking stoves.
Jordan l.. Mott, of New York, N. Y.-For
improvement in bathing tubs
Christian Sloppy, of Newport, Pa.-For i'm
provement in making chains.
David Stuart, of Philadelphia Pa-For i'm
provements in annealing hollow iron ware
Robert Waskey, of Mill Creek, Ea.-For
Improvement in smut machines.
VIM. Zimmerman. of Quincy, IIl.-For i'm
provement in smut machines
Chas. f.. Jno.. and Sam'l Wethered, of Bal
tiinore. Md.-For improvements in the use of
steam for actuating engines. Patented in
England. May %. 1853.
VIM. Brown, of Glasgow, Scotland For i'm
provement in preparing paraffine oil.
Caleb 3. Burnap. OF Hartford Conn az
signor to Lucius f. Robinson. of same place.
For improved method of veneering
Danl p. Fales, of West Poultney. Vt.-For
Improvement in car wheels
James NJ Dick, of Buffalo, n. Y-For i'm
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