The New York herald., 1863-12-28
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1868
rHH POSITION or axNRxA aun

ssOsss Vevo
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81. 1868
fHH POSITION OF GENERAL GRANT
personal feod OF General Grant this city has lust
received letter from that eminent officer ths cotexta
""on arc at variance wth tho published ex-
tract Of another ieser alleged to hayn from <bo
same distinguished soayee, sad Id,os.sa ~ r.n,L.n
in New York Indssa IAos. /, such marked difference
between the seaps "a in one o,.sr and ,hs
I" tao other to excite considerable doubt
ming the genuineness Of the New York lettsy
The fact Is that the politicians are taken 50 completely
oy surprise by tho bodness aud popularity of tho
HEADs course In regard to tho next Presidency that
they are at their wits end for means 10 oounteract
movement which threstens TO defeat all their schemes
Tor she succession The extraordinary hold that General
Grant has taken OF the popular has alarmed all the
old tacticans, who for tho last few days have been
perfectly FRANTIC with rage. oursng the HERALD
without stint, and pooh. pooling each other like
30 many escaped iunatics Secretary Seward
the only disappointed candidate who takes the
matter quite phiosophically although It has beea re
marked By those near him that he consumes more Ha
vauas THAN usual. which 10 q indication OF some
slight arrangement In his nervous system. President
Lincoln stated last evening" In the course of conversation
with well known wire. puer for his recollection, that
unless General Grant be persuaded TO damage him
seit by some act Of imprudencs thero no power on
earth which can hinder him from taking possession of the
White House 10 1866. As striking Illustration OF the
peculiarly morbid condition Of mind which am,able
Chief Magistrate has been thrown into by this sudden
turn in the indications Of the political zodiac may
ton tho fact that Immediately after the conversation
above alluded TO, distinguished ocer. direct from the
front presented himself on some business OF moment,
but found utterly I'm possible engage his attention
that he had TO forego the object Of his visit,
In the letter referred the beginning OF this des
ndence In tho wisdom OF the American people and un
questioning deerence to their wishes all the as
sertons about his declining 10 be candidate which have
been adroty circulated utterly destitute of ehr
truth or pausibity.
THE CHESAPEAKE AFFAIR AND OUR RELATIONS
WITH GREAT BRiTAIN.
Unusual interest Is manifested in official CIRCLES 10 refer
once 10 the settlement Of the Chesapeake aa. 1t
garded infinitely serious and provocative Of
foreign war than any question that has been presented
for adjudication by the State Department
EFFEors OF THE RECENT ARREST OF GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES
The recent arrests Of purchasing disbursng officers
upon charges Of fraudulent dealing towards the govern
ment haye created considerable Consideration among
tractors. some Of whom fear that they may be implicated
In the frauds developed The discovery of the pccuatons
In the Redemption Bureau Of tho Treasury Department
appears to be only the beginning Of series Of deveor
ment about to DO made. Of serious and extensive
dishonesty upon tho part Of public servants which
now undergoing investigation. Some Of them have long
been suspected and charges have been preferred
against them and dismissed simply ridiculous; but
scarching investigation is foos astounding
II ts said, will bo exhibited.
rHx DEATH or uENxRAL ooMoAFoRr
n wOud dif8cuit co0vey adeouafA tdea of
gloom which has pervadcd the Mexican legation since
tho confirmation OF the report General Comonforts
death. Tho calamity Is fclt tho greatest that could
have befaen 70 the national cause for although there
other military leaders in tho ned far ssgacous
and capab,c yet tnere many noble attrbutesA
which clustered aroung General Comonfort character
TO rcndor him enphaticay tho most popular the
most likely to organize successful
ssance to tho invading armies Of Napoleon The purity
OF his fc his high integrity and scorn Of meanness in
man or thing gained Am warmth OF personal regard
which overload all oshor considerations and placed
him In the front rank among those fcw high-moded
patriots who are now struggling 70 effect tho salvation
of that long msgoverned country General Comonfort
will be we'll and kindly remembered by large number
Of your prominent ctzens who delighted 10 honor him
during bis residence in New York city, whoro his smen
~ and unaffected urbsnty cndeared him 10
all who camo in contact with him Two OF his daughters
s finishing their education at the Convent OF the
Sacred Heart
rHB PRINTING OF THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
Tho government printing establishment is working
night and day upon tho documents accompanying the
Presidents Message; but tho extraordinary volume OF
Of these documents rsndors delay In the publca
ton unavoidable.
THE HOLIDAY LULL or WASHINGTON LIFE.
Washington is extremely dull just at present From
Senators and Representatives in Congress to the
worked clerks In tho departments every appears 70
be enjoying tho resting time afforded by the holidays
The First Sunday ON the Ice.
TIE SPORT STILL KKCIrIN0-rwKSTY-YIvK THOU
SAND ON THK rCE-THE SURFACE SOFT, BUT THE
BODY or ICE SrILL FIRM-vLsrr OF DISTINGUISHED
SKATERS, ETC.
Notwithstanding tho rain aud warm atmosphere the
Ice on tho Park remained nrm during the whole day
Skating allowed up sx O'Clock the evening" and
about twenty i've thousand persons enjoyed themselves
On tho ice until that hour, whom tho pond cleared
according to tho usual custom Sunday evenings Tho
men then set to work preparing the ice for days
skating.
The skating surface vaa aone hat sorsned veaerdav