Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-05-19
NEWS OF THE DAY
10 s7sow Aevery age and body of the Times.

In accordance with the law requiring that all
postmasters appointed in the Southern States
shall take the oath of allegiance, the Postofhce
Department, failing to find capable persons in
South Carolina who had not given aid or COM
fort to the Confederacy in some form or other,
has issued orders to discontinue the delivery OF
the mails at an early day at all Offices in that
State where there are no regularly commission
ed postmasters Gov Orr complains that this
order will subject the press, and the business
community to very serious embarrassment, and
recommends that some person be selected at
each Office who can take the oath and give
bond
Mr. Smythe, the new collectorat New York,
entered upon his duties on Wednesday. In an
address to some of the deputies, he stated that
he was a republican afriend to the President
and to the policy by which he was seeking the
restoration of the Union, and he also shared the
Presidents dislike of extremists on either side.
He further remarked that the only request made
of him by the President was that none but loyal
men should receive appointmentsin the custom
house. This request would be fully complied
with.
Generals Steedman and Fullerton have re-
ported to the President complaints and charges
against the Freedmen's Bureau in South Caro-
lima, except the coast portion, similar to those
that were established against the officers OF the
Bureau in North Carolina and Virginia. 1t is
rumored that Major General Howard will
shortly be relieved as Commissioner Of Freed
men Affairs, and some other officer appoint
ed in his place.
Since the close Of the war the Second Com
ptroller has received a number of claims from
various sources against the Government, invol-
wing an expenditure of millions Of dollars. Re
Gently check for over one thousand dollars,
payable at the Treasury Department, and drawn
prior to the war, was presented for his consld-
Grafton, decision affecting which will he given
in few days.
It is stated that the Treasury Department
has received an important mass Of testimony
Gearing on the claims Of the Richmond banks
to the specie captured from Mr.. Davis, which
goes to show that the coin was manufactured
from the gold and silver sweepings OF United
States minis in the Southern States prior to the
war, and consequently belongs to the Govern
ment.
Gold, to the amount Of million and half
of dollars was sold yesterday on Government
account at New York 1t is expected that the
export Of gold by the steamer for Europe to-day
will reach the sum Of three millions OF dollars.
Three millions of gold was also shipped by the
steamer Scotia, which sailed on Wednesday
last.
Ex-Admiral Raphel Semmcs has been reius-
ed permission to exercise the functions OF Judge
Ct the Probate Court of Mobile county or any
other civil or political Office of trust while he
remains unpardoncd by the President The
order to this effect is said to have been issued
under instructions from President johnson.
John Porterfeld, formerly a banker at Nash
Vile. Tennessee, and an old resident of that
city, has been arrested there and sent to the
penitentiary. 1t is rumored that his arrest IS
in consequence of his being implicated with GER
tain conspirators in Canada some time previous
to the death of Mr.. Lincoln.
Mr.. Gladstone suggests plan for reduction
Of $3.50, 900, 900 III the national debt Of Great
Britain by the year 1885, and in q passing allu,
sion to the debt Of the United States he cx-
pressed the opinion that heavy as it Is, its pay
ment is not difficult task for the American
people.
Francis f. Spinner, u. S. treasurer, has
decided to resign his government position, to
accept the presidency Of an insurance company
in New Y ork city