The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-10-06
Items Photographed from Washington.

Items Photographed from Washington.
TEE SAN JUAN CLAIM TO BE MAINTAINED
TEE CALrFoRNIA MAILS, &c. = Washington,
Sent 3O-The statement in the New York
Herald, that the island of San Juan is in the
Joint possession of British aud United States
forces, is discredited at the War Department.
There. and indeed in all official quarters, there
seems TO be a calm but determined purpose to
maintain the rightfulness of on. territorial claim
M to the channel of Haro. The interesting
fact is stated in army circles, tbat Arrowsmth's
maps. of the London edition of ls49, have the
boundary line drawn through the middle of that
channel. In the same quarter, l hear to-day
confirmation of my dispatch of last evening,
stating that the British commissioner was in
structed by his Government to run the line
through the Rosario channel.
Governor Floyd has improved rapidly since
his arrival at Old Point. He Eurposed reach
ing this city to-day, but, at the instance of the
President, Colonel Drinkard, tn, Acting Secre-
tary of War, autographed him tos REMAIN as long
as seemed beneficial to his health.
AS information reaches here tonight from
New York that the Postmaster there has ad-
vertised that the California mails would be sent
on the 4th, by the Vanderbilt steamer, it seems
settled that the Post Office Department has
given up the hope of the fulflment of the con-
tract by Mr.. johnson for mail service, either
from New York or New Orleans, The effect is
severe upon commercial men in the latter city,
who are deprived for an entire week of oppor-
tunity of communicating With correspondents
| in California, by reason of failure of transport
Of mails from New Orleans.
| Dates from Arizona to the 10Th instant have
been received here.
The presentation of the articles purchased
| for the Pimos and Maricopas Indians, under
the act of Congress of July 10, 1858, was made
| by Lieutenant Mowry recently. Between four
and FIVE thousand Indians were present. About
two thousand farming Implements, several thou
sand pounds of barley, and other grain for seed,
axes, &C., besides several Thousand yards of
cloth, calico shirts, tobacco, aid beads, were
distributed. The reason of these large presents
was explained to the Indians in speech by
Lieutenant Mowry and, in reply, the chiefs
expressed great surprise at the. kindness of their
Great Father, the President of the United
States, and promised to contin1e in the good
conduct which had brought the n so great a re-
ward. The Pimos and Maricopis cultivate this
year fifteen thousand acres OF and, and have
supplied the overland mail with arge quantities
of grain. 1t is expected that text year their
crops will be largely increased, through the ia
cilities given to them by the Government.
Washington, Oct. 2.-H. NJ. McGill, acting
private secretary of the President since the
resignation of MIR. Henry, has been appointed
by the President, secretary OF the Territory OF
Washington. William A. Shannon, of Penn
sylvania, clerk in he Treasury Department,
has been designated to perform the duties re-
Gently discharged by Mr.. McGill.
The report in the New York papers, that the
postmaster there had advertised the conveyance
Of the California mails by Vanderbilt steamers,
is said to be erroneous. An agent or attorney
of parties who are reported rs assignees OF
johnson, states here that thep have engaged
| six steamers for the service, ere of which will
leave New York on the 9Th Of October, and
another New Orleans on the same day. The
alleged reason of not reporting heretofore to
the Department as to the preparations for carry
ing out the contract is, they desired to keep
their regulations for vessels &C., from the
knowledge of Vanderbilt. SHOULD the above
programme be carried out, it viii be a source OF
great satisfaction to the Department, since the
Government is anxious to have the Nicaragua
transit opened.
1t is understood that Mr.. Childs, of Missouri,
has got the contract for trans portation for the
army in New Mexico. Irving Il Co., it is said,
have got the contract for transporting to Utah
and. Oregon, undertaking Russell, Majors, &
Co. H. :. Magraw, William NJ. Magraw, and
Allison White, are partners of Irving.
Washington, October although the bids
for the army transportation have been opened,
it is understood that no contracts will be made
for some days. The Department will especially
take care that the troops in Utah shall be
promptly supplied. 1t was stated in the ad
vertisement inviting proposals, that the right
would be reserved of rejecting any or all of the
bids which might be Offered; and this, it is
presumed, was in view of the fact that some
might be so low as not to insure a compliance
with the public demands.
The new Commissioner of the Land Office,
Mr.. Smith, an ex-member Of Congress from
Tennessee, will enter upon the duties Of his
office next week.
The President will leave Washington to-mor-
row or Wednesday, for a brief sojourn in
| Wheatland.
Mr.. Lisbos was to-day formally received by
the President, as Minister from Brazil.
The Postmaster General resumed his duties
to-day.
Additional reports have reached this city,
from respectable sources, of a contemplated fill
clustering invasion of Central America.
Fit shall appear that an expedition for this
purpose is in progress, every means will be
taken to intercept it. The orders heretofore
issued by this Government on that subject are
in full force.