Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-09
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.


THs GREAT RooRBAcK OF TIE SEAsoN.--
Some of the northern papers contain infor-
nation !" from this point, telling of oenten-
plated 6llibustering project from the south to
aid Bolivia against Peru, nominally, bat
really, to take possession Of the Chinca is
lands, load feet of merchantmen with guano,
AID then to run away. Never was greater
moon story more completely manufactured
out of whole cloth. It was gotten up in this
city by parties interested in inducing the Co.
vernment to get damages from Peru, on &C.
count of the claims of those who had o hand
in the famous Benson and Jewett expedition,
which, it will be remembered, was to have
been based en- Mr. Webstsrs Lobos island LETT
ter. There is absolutely not the slightest
foundation for the story; no one ut the south
having dreamed of interfering in Psru's wars
or of obtaining her guano in any other than
peaccable and legal way. p"
No TRAVELLING EXPENSES ALLOWED TO
SOLDIER IN L1NBo.-In case not long since
adjudicated in the Treasury Department, it
was decided that soldier who, at the time of
his discharge from service is in the custody
of the civil authority, and under sentence of
imprisonment, is not entitled to be paid ira
yelling allowances either under the act of
1918, March 10, 1885, or June IL, 1s46. That
allowance is not designed as An emolument,
but to enable soldier to return to his home.
If, by his own misconduct, he has incapaciated
| himself from so doing, he is no longer within
the reason of the Law, and ought not to re-
ceive its benefits.
The WINFIELD SC0rT's LOST MAILS FROM
"a =.
of letter received at the Post Office Depart
ment from Col Thss W. Ward, resident post
Office agent at Panama, dated
PANAMA, Dec. Is, 1853.
I'm consequence of the loss of the Steam
| ship Winfield Scott, ION the Pacific coast, most
Of the California mail could not, as 1 learn
be saved, and one half of the mail which was
saved and brought here is so saturated with
water that it will not bear transportation.
| Therefore, l have kept the latter with the
view of drying and saving as much of the
letter mail as possible, aud will forward by
next opportunity"
| The SAN FRANCIsCo.-Wo understand that
the Government have very recent advices from
the owners Of the steamship San Francisco,
written subsequently to personal interview
with the mate Of the vessel, reporting her
perilous condition. They are said to have
! written that, as the mate reports the condition
of the ship when last seen, they entertain lit
tie doubt Of her ultimate safety with all on
| board
| TRAVELLING EXPENSIs TO MILITARY AND
NAVAL WITNESSES ATTENDING Courts MAR
| TIAL.-It has been decided that officers of the
Army who are summoned as witnesses before
Naval Court Martial, and obey the sum-
mons by order of the War Department, are
entitled to such compensation only for travel,
&C.. as they would have been entitled to if
their attendance had been before Military
| Court Martial and Navy officers attending
Army Courts Martial as witnesses, under or
ders from the Secretary Of the Navy, are en-
and attendance, payable out Of the Army ap-
preparations.
| The PORTLAND Custom HOUSE BURNED TO
THE GRoUSD.-Tbc Portland Custom House,
formerly known as The Exchange Build
ing" which was purchased of the City of
Portland July 9Th, 1919, for $l49,00O, was
completely destr yed by fire on the morning
Of yesterday, the Sth inst. The building was
also appropriated for the City Post Office and
United States court purposes The fire origi-
mated in, the court apartment. Every thing
in it was destroyed except what was in the
vault, where the money and bonds are un-
doubtedIy safe. These particulars came to
the Government here per telegraph
The MESSAGE IN misunderstanding to
private adv ices received in this city from all
quarters Of Europe, President Pierce's ines
sage has told with powerful effect, not only
upon the minds of the people Of the Old
| World, but on their governments The Lon
don Times, blythe by, ventures its usual style
Of hypercritical criticism upon the paper
only with reference to the Presidents views
on the slavery question.
News FROM PERRY's JAPAN SQUADRON
Advices have been received in Washington
from Commodore Perry. bearing date Macao
2Sth OF October last. These letters, we APP
prehend, were for tho most part, devoted to
the diplomatic and political object of his
squadron's mission. lie states that the eli
mate has enervated many Of the officers and
men of his squadron.
Hon. HENRY A. MunLESBEIG wa,
currently reported in this city, last evening
and this morning, that this gentleman had
died at the residence of the Hon. Richard
Brodhead, where he is stopping. This is not
so. Up to the hour Of our going to press, Mr..
Muhlenberg was yet alive, although his ply
sicians have pronounced him in a dying con-
dition.
News or THE L. 8. STEAMER WATER
WITcH.-This vessel, 1t. Page commanding,
was at Assumption. on the Parsguy river. on
the 81 Of October. All we'll.
NAVY OFFICERS ORDERED, 6c.-Assistant
surgeon Jas. F. Heastis ordered to duty with
the Coast Survey party under command of
1t. De Haven.
Midshipman VIM. II. Ward ordered to the
Coast Survey schooner Crawford.
The LATE 1t. JOSEPH II. ADAMS, U. N
The Navy Department, we hear, at length
have official intelligence of the death of this
promising young officer, which took place in
October last, on board The steamer Powhatan.
in the East Indies
A NEW BUENos AYREs CONSUL AckNow
LEDGED.-The President has signed the Exc
quatur of Fitzhenry Homer, as Consul for
Buenos Ayres at the port cf Boston, Mass.
The CURRENT OPERATIONS OF THE TREASURY
DEPARrMEsr.-On Saturday, the 7th Of Jan
uary, there were of Treasury Warrants en-