Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-05

"0LD JEFFERSON. Hundred, if not thou
sands, of our fellow-citzens remember, with
pleasure and regard, the merry jcsts of that
best of comedians who have so far graced the
American stage-Joseph Jefferson, ST. He was
a good man for, while his personal character
was without single one of the blemishes now
so commonly blurring the fame of gentlemen
connected with the stage, he possessed as many
manly and useful virtues as any other man of
his day. His memory, and that of the happy
hours Of mirth we spent over his drollery in
childhood and extreme youth, were forcibly
brought to our mind on Friday afternoon on
receiving from the hands of Washingtonian a
copy of the inscription upon his tombstone in
the graveyard Of the ancient Episcopal church
at Harrisburg, Pa, copied by him few days
ago:
Beneath this marble are deposited the ashes Of
power took in the whole extent of comic charac.
ter. From pathos to heart-shaking mirth, his
color1ng was that Of nature-warm, fresh, and
enriched with the finest conception Of genius:
He was a member Of the Chestnut Street The
atre, Philadelphia, In its palmiest days, and the
compeer Of Cooper, Wood, Warren, Francis, and
host of worthless, who, like himself, are remem-
bered with admiration and praise.
He died at this place in 1882.
" Alas, poor Yorick knew him, Horatio-
A fellow OF infinite jest and most excellent
fancy"
The CRISIS OvER.-Saturday last was an
ticipated by all the knowing ones in financial
matters within three or four hundred miles of
New York, as likely to prove the most trying
day experienced by the merchants of that city
since the terrible times of 1887. More was due
(payable) from them on that day on foreign
account than ever bcfore-much more. The
general knowledge of that fact, and of the un-
exampled stringency of the money market,
produced the common apprehension referred to
above. The Herald of Sunday yesterday and
private letters, however, satisfy us that the
day was passed through safely. But one failure
is recorded as having occurred there. Viz ::
That Of Ely. Bowen & Mcconnell, large dry
goods house on Broadway. Had there been the
extensive crash (failures) on Saturday in New
York that so many anticipated, there is no tell
ing when and where the general financial
trouble might have ended. As matters now
are, however, the banks and merchants in all
quarters of the country will commence the week
with renewed confidence.
AN IMPORTANT CALIFORNIA LAND QUESTION
DISPOSED OF.-The Attorney General has re-
Gently rendered the following opinion. Viz:
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE,(
September %, 1857.
SIR: Certain citizens of Butler county. Cali
fornia, have petitioned the General Land Office,
praying that no patents be issued for the ranches
called "Flugge,' and "Hernandez ~ These
We're tracts Of land in California granted by the
MeYican Government hpfo no rba
grants were declared good by the Conlmiss lone =
appointed to investigate them. The same decree
was made afterwards by the District Court. An
appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, but it
was dismissed.
A person who claims land in California, under
title from Mexico is entitled to have a patent for
it issued out of the General Land Office here
whenever he shows that his claim has been final
ly confirmed by the commissioners by the Dir
trict Court CT the Supreme Court if he at the same
time accompanies that proof with a survey certi-
ned and approved by the Surveyor General Of
California.
The claims now under consideration have been
finally confirmed and the proper certificate of the
Surveyor General has been produced. These pro-
ceedings are conclusive on you. They put the
right of the claimants to patent on ground which
You have no authority or power to contest.
The 18th section Of the act Of March 3, 1851 Is
too plain to admit Of dispute.
When the survey covers lands belonging to 9th :
er persons as Is alleged to De the case here) their
remedy is to petition the District Judge for an in.
JUNCTION, ana IL ne grants IL The patent will be
stayed until the in JUNCTION Is dissolved
Nothing OF the kind has been done The pat
ents must issue.
But neither the decree Of the courts nor the
survey, nor the patent, Is conclusive on anybod y
but the Government and the patentee The rights
OF third parties are expressly saved in the act of
Congress. II, therefore, there he any ground FOR
the complaint made In the petition from Butler
county, those who claim a title adverse to the
patentee have still chance to establish it in the
proper courts of the State.
There is nothing in this case which authorizes
me to interfere. The Attorney General has a
certain supervisory control over the investga on
OF these California land claims while the contest
Is between the United States and Mexican gran
tees. But his power is gone when the Govern
ment ceases to have an interest. and private par
ties alone are concerned.
am, most respectfully yours, &c, &c,
j. y. BLACK.
Hon J. THOMPSON, Secretary of the Interior.
ROUND TRIP TICKETs.-A Washington sub
scriber to the Star asks us to inquire thus
whether the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany propose to issue round "trip tickets to
those desiring to attend the approaching Mary
land Agricultural State Fair and return within
three days. We know nothing as yet of their
purpose in that connection, but take it for
granted that they will do so, as they have done
so for some years past on the annual recurrence
Of that great show. As it has been extremely