Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-18
wAsHINafoN NEWS AND eossrr.


TIE GREAT EAsTEaN-we are inclined to
believe that the Great Eastern will very shortly
solve the problem Of @direct trade, between the
waters Of the Chesapeake and Europe, over which
30 many commercial spectators in the news
papers have been 50 long puzzling their brains,
II not those Of the public also. Thus, the exer-
tons being made to secure her a return cargo Of
grain, cotton and tobacco upon her next voyage
to American waters, to be taken on board at Nor
folk, bid fair to be crowned with success. - We
have long been Of opinion that the great obstacle
to the successful Inauguration Of the ''direct
trade' In question was neither more nor less than
the combined efforts Of the New York press to
ridicule the idea whenever seriously pressed upon
the attention Of the commercial world. The
making Of one such business voyage as the Great
Eastern 10 shortly expected to make, will settle
the controversy beyond peradventure. As me-
chanical achievement, her late voyage has already
demonstrated that the calculations Of her capacity
in all respects for service, on which she was con-
structed, were sound Or, in other words, that
she IL the most agreeable and safest passenger
steamer, and the most convenient freigbter and
the fastest steamship that floats on any ocean. It
now remains to be proven that she can carry such
freight as the South has to send the Atlantic
for less money, with fair margin Of profit, than
any other vessel. We repeat: our own belief is
that single voyage will make this fact 10 ap-
parent, that IL will initiate the end Of the ITO
the South) pernicious system Of sending nearly all
Southern exports for foreign countries coastwise
to New York, to be transhipped direct from that
port.
CHINA AFFARs.-A letter from a distinguished
source, just received, says that the Chinese win
not yield to the French and English forces with.
mt dear TO Thova rx>l
as being but poorly supplied with means to resist
the European enemy; their small weapons being,
for the nest part matchlocks and bows and arrows
That the allies will reach Pekin there can be no
doubt. The successes which await them, to-
gether with the progress Of the rebels justices the
writer In the startling announcement that the Chi
nese Empire is on the eve Of dissolution. It docs
not appear that our public functionaries In that
part Of the world are acting in pursuance Of any
special instructions, while Ii Is stated that the
Russian Ambassador had had an interview with
our own, and both were on the most friendly
terms.
An lNvIrArIoN.-Mr. Augustus Schell, Collec-
tor Of the Port Of New York, and Royal Phelps
and Isaac Bell, Esqs., Of New York city, reached
Washington last evening, coming as a committee
to invite the President and Cabinet and their
families to be present at the grand ball to be
given In their city on the 18th Of October prox-
limo, in honor Of the Prince Of Wales Though
1t Is hardly possible that the President can attend
1t seems to be understood that his niece, Miss
Lane, and some portion Of the Cabinet and their
families, will probably be present on the occa-
sion.
The CENSUS CLERKsHIPs.-There are neariy
one thousand applicants for clerkshp In the Gen.
sus Bureau, notwithstanding number have failed
to pass the examining board, and others, not
caring to submit themselves to the arithmetical
tests, have Withdrawn their recommendatory
papers. So far about twenty, or one fifth of the
entire number Of clerks required, have been ap.
pointed. II is noticeable fact that "qualiHcs-
ton" for the duties of office is paramount to all
other considerations, and to this the Interior De.
partment has consistently adhered in making
selections for the work appertaning to the census
The PUBLIC BuILDINGs.- Under the efficient
superintendent Of Commissioner Blake the pub
lie buildings and grounds in and about Washing.
ton, are undergoing considerable renovation and
improvement, al thorough and complete as a lin
tied expenditure Of means will admit Of, in order
that they may present a creditable appearance
when Lord Renfew and suite visit this city The
Presidents Mansion, especially, IL receiving the
ducuAOn Ol the commissioner In THIS respect.
PUBLIC LANDS IN MINNKsoTA-The Commits
sioner Of the General Land Office IL preparing for
the Introduction into the market OF 36i 900 acres
Of land in the State Of Minnesota consisting of
detached tracts withheld pursuant to the order OF
September 3, 1899, from the public sales had in
that State In October and November last, under
the proclamation Of the President of July o, 1859
Sixty days further notice of the places and time
Of sales win be given.
NAvAL-The Board recently appointed to ex.
anime into the condition Of the sailing vessels OF
the Navy, and the cost Of giving them full steam
power, together with the expedlency Of making
such change, in view Of the cost, condition, model
and general character Of such vessels are REQ
to report the result of their abors to the
Of the Navy, who win submit the facts TO Cor.
gress for It's further orders.
NAVAL BOARD OF EXAMINATION Medical
Board, consisting Of Surgeons Jas. G. Palmer
William Grier, and Charles Everfeld, has been
directed to convene at the Naval Academy be-
tween the 10th and Both Of September next, in
order to examine into the physical condition Of
candidates applying for admission into that insti-
tuition.
Posr OFFICE DRPARTMENr-MAIL Aarxr.-