The New York herald., 1865-03-11
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1865.

WASHINGTON, March 10, 1865
AN EARLY RESUMPTION cP SPECIE PAYMENTS Ex.
PEcTED.
II is the expectation of the Secretary Of the
Treasury that from tho proceeds Of the large Of
eouthern products have fallen into the hands
OF our victorious armies, fund will be
lated which will enable The government specie
payments much sooner than is generally believed.
JOHN r. HALE OUR MINISTER TO SPAIN
Hon. John p. Hale, OF New Hampshire has been ap-
pointed and confirmed as Minister to Spain This nomna-
Non has taken by surprise Of tho particular per-
sona friends OF Mr. Lincoln who have been systemas-
ally persccuted by Mr. Hale for two years past They
1ay the surest WY the Presidents favor is to oppose
bis policy and abuse his friends.
IMPORTANT DECISION or THE SUPREME COURT RE-
GARDIgG RECONSTRUCTION AND PRIZE CASES.
An important decision rendered by Chief Justice
Chase in the Supreme Court to-day which settles the
policy OF construction II the great prize
growing out Of tho cotton captured by the Mississippi
squadron during tire Red river expedition. During
the military occupation OF the Red river country,
In March last, the navy seized large amounts Of
cotton on the plantations near the liver The
cotton was sent to Cairo and ibelled In the
Southern District Court Of Illinois lawful prize for the
navy. Nearly all the cotton seized was claimed by pri
.vate individuals The appealed was that OF the
United tates against seventy bales Of cotton, Eliza
beth Alexander, claimant The court below decided in
favor OF the claimant and the United States appealed
The for the government and the navy claimed in
their before the Supreme Court that the cotton
was the cnemys property, captured in an eneIny 8
country and was condeinnable as prize Of war. The
claimants counsel denied the right Of land captures by
che navy and also claimed that tho country time
OF tn seizure Of the cotton enernys country,
but occupied by the Union forces that election was
held delegates elected 10 a constitutional convention
which had met, abolished slavery and established civil
government thus securing the people all the rights
and privileges Of citizens Of tho United States
Chief Justice Chase delivered the opinion OF the
court today, sustaining the decision Of the court below
and decided that the cotton prize Of war; and
that the navy could take no prize interest in the pro
ceeds The also held the cotton should have
been turned over TO agent of tho Treasury Depart
ment also that should have been disposed Of In pur-
euapcc Of the act Of Congress Of March This
pct allows loyal claimants proceeds of their
property 10 the Court of Claims In addition TO this the
court decided that the election held part Of Loui.
siapa during Gen Banks occupation and in pursuance
OF his orders, null, void and OF no effect The
federal occupation declared Of short duration
not TO remove the character OF the enemys country
fhe court directed the libel to be dismissed.
DECISION or THE SUPREME COURT IN SLAVE TRADE
CAsEs.
Three arising under the law for tho suppression
az the slave trade decided to-day in the Supreme
Eourt--among them the Of the Sarah In each Of
Ahcse cases the decision Of the court below was affirmed
IND .he vessels and cargoes condemned
ADJOURNMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court adjourned to-day until the hrs'
Monday In December next
IMPORTANT TO ARMY PAYMAsTERs.
In order to prevent the accumulation Of surplus FUND
IN the hands Of paymsstsrs tho paymsstsr General ha
rscted chofs Of pay districts 70 require Paymssssn