The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-06
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WASHINGTON NEWS

THE CovoDE INvEsTIGAroN-THE VERA CRUz
AFFAIR.
On Wednesday Mr.. Schell appeared again before
| Mr.. Covode's Committee, but only formally to sign
his testimony. He admitted, however, having con-
suited member of Congress in regard to the pro-
test which he submitted on his second examina-
ton as substitute for his testimony on the first
The lnqusition of the Committee renders it dam
gerous to have conversations with pei sons
as the committee claim to have private
concentrations of every kind given in evidence with
out reference to its connection with the matter be-
fore them. 1t is said the committee intend to SUBJ
init these important questions arising in Mr..
Schell's testimony to the House for its solemn
sideration. He will probably be brought before
that body tomorrow or next day. Mr. ButterwOrth
was then examined, and was asked whether he had
had any conversation with the President or men,
bers of his Cabinet in regard to the questions he
should answer before the Covode Committee? He
replied that he had not. The committee informed
him that they had decided to file his letters to Mr.
Haskn during the Lecompton question, and there
fore desired the letters in his possession from Has
kin to be fled which was accordingly DONE
The whole correspondence will be read in
committee tomorrow. 1t is decidedly unique.
They will soon take up the whole question of the
alleged political corruptiOns in Pennsy vania in
1850, and the following Pennsylvania witnesses
will be called to testify james g. Van Dyke, ex-
District Attorney; j. Leach, floating politician;
John Hancock, another floater; John NJ. Zeigler,
supposed to know about the famous naturalization
papers of Pennsylvania and Gideon G.. Westcott,
the State Central Committee of Pennsylvania in
1856. 1t is said the latter holds possession of a
very important letter naturalization, written
by very distinguished statesman, which will APP
pear in evidence.-A case occurred about month
ago which involved almost identical question
between England and the United States as that
which recently occurred near Vera Cruz, except
that there was no capture. An American vessel
near the Isle of Wight was brought to by shot
from British man of-war, for not exhibiting her
colors AT least such is the allegation of the Brit
sh side, though contradicted on ours. The British
officers subsequently apoogized for the accident,
but the fact stands, and has led to correspondence
between the tive Governments.-Mr. Hickman
will endeavor to report from the Committee
the Judiciary on Saturday, relative to the Presi-
dents protesting message. A minority report
will also be made. Nearly all the South Ameri-
cans will speak and vote to sustain the orty
port in favor Of the right of the House to exercise
its own Judgment in prosecuting Investigations, of
any and all departments OF the government, with
out dictaton from any quarter. Messrs. Nelson,
Davis Stokes, Harris, Etherdge and HattOn are
said to be prepared with speeches. Mr.. Nelson
will discuss the legal points, and Mr.. Davis will
present the constitutional history Of the question.
THE CALIFORNIA LAND CAsE.-On Wednesday, be-
fore the Supreme Court, Mr.. Walker concluded his
argument in favor of Mr. Bottoms claim, and was
followed by Attorney General Black, who opened
by denouncing the grant deliberate fraud. The
monetary article of the Philadelphia Ledger thus
notices the
Much interest is manifested in stock circles in this
city in the progress, before the Supreme Court at
w ashington, of one of the most important land
cases ever in Court in this country. 1t is the much
talked-of and long-litigated ''Santillan claim"
known upon the record as the United States as j.
X. Bolton. This suit involves interests estimate at
nearly $40, 000, 900, and covers large part f San
Francisco. William b. Reed of this city, no is
associated with the Attorney General opened for
the Government, and was followed on the other
side by j. Mason Campbell. of Baltimore Robert j.
Walker follows him, and the argument will be
closed by Mr.. Black. The case rests on an aIleged
Mexican grant made to Senior Santillan, in 1876
which was assigned to Mr.. Bolton, and by him CON
veyed to Messrs. Palmer, Cook & Co., who sold it
to the San Francisco Land Association of Pbiladel
phla. The Government contend that the grant was
a fraud, being ante-dated four years. Part of this
very tract was covered by Lmantour's claim re-
Gently exposed in California, and BY Others who as
sert title with equal assurance The Board of Land
Commissioners and the District Court of California
both sustained the validity of the grant to Senior
Santlllan very large amount of this stock is
held in and about this city, and up to within week
or two has sold at S52O@53O per share. This price
is very great falling off from quotations in this
market some few years ago-the stock having sold
here at public sale as high as S4 O00 Though the
decisions in the lower Courts have been invariably
in favor of the validity of Santilan's claim the
price, under the faint of litigation, has gradually
declined. The telegraph dispatches from WASH
lngton yesterday were of a favorable tenor and
the shares that Tuesday sold at $500 were last
evening held at $3.50 The case will probably be
concluded to-day, though the decision of the Court
may not be announced for fortnight