Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-01-08

informal offer Of the mediation of the Governs
ment between the parties to the existing de-
plorable European war, Of which General
Bayly gave the country an inkling in his late
short speech, by way of clearing up the mys-
terry, we have to say that from circumstances
within our own knowledge, we are salts.
fed that It was not Russia that declined to
recognize the good Offices of the United States
in the matter, which doubtless would have
been cordially rendered had willingness to
accept them been intimated. As yet, We do
not know which Of the allies it was, who,
through their minister here, promptly SO gave
our Government to understand that they
wanted no American advice on the subject
Such being the meaning Of the virtual repulse,
as We understand it.
Powers Of Naval Commanders to Anthem
ticate Papers.-A deposition executed by a
seaman in the service of the United States.
and authenticated by the commanding officer
of the vessel, then on the high seas was re-
Gently presented in support of a claim on the
Treasury. A question as to its validity as evil
dence arose, and it was held, that. for long
time previous to any statute On the subject,
such papers had, from the necessity of the
case, been admitted as evidence by the prac-
tce of the Government and that, since the
act of February 20, 1s45, such power of au
thentication, &c, had been conferred by law.
The second section Of that law enacts "that
the commanding officer of any vessel squad
ron, or feet of the navy Of the United States
when upon the high seas or in any foreign port
States, shall be, and i hereby, authorized and
empowered to exercise all the powers of a
consul in relation to mariners of the United
States.''
Among the duties and powers Ct consuls,
prescribed and recapitulated by the State
Department, (under the acts of April IA, 1892
February %, 1903, July 20, 1910, and July %,
1862 are " authenticating, under the consular
seal, protests, declarations, dispositions, or
other acts which captains, masters, mariners,
ssamen, passengers, merchants, CIR others as
are citizens of the United States, may respec-
lively choose to make
Postage On Letters We see it stated in
several of our exchanges, that an act was
passed at tho last session of Congress, requir-
ing the prepayment Of al ,otters sent through
the mail. This is an error ; such bill was
introduced, but failed to pass, and the law on
this subj cot is therefore unaltsred
Appointed by the President, and Confirmed
by thu senate.-Daniel Shaw, of Wisconsin,
to be register Of the land office at Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
John CAIN of Indiana, to be agent for the
Indians IN Washington Territory
>Eo Current OpsIati. n: Of the Ir5asosy
2partzaent.-Gl Saturday tho 9th Of Jan {,
thsrs He!o o. Treasury Warrants entered on
tho books OF the department
For the redemption of stock. ..... ST. GIL 90
For paying other Treasury debts. 23,647 OF
For the Customs. ................ 40 SOL 60
For covering into the Treasury from
miscellaneous sources. ......... 42l 81
c25ered into the Treasury FREE
Customs ...... ............... 1901 "a
For the War Department. ......,. 1928 Sc
For TIE interior Depart u ent..... 1926 80