The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-10

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.

III
Our Preach ana Mexican Relations Minister
Aemers's Acsivity.-The Action or General
Sedswick ana Public Opinion Conformation
o. Appelnssaents Refused Senate Committee
en- Foreign A6airs- Reduction or Taxes Pro
observation-disclosures, &C.
tss WASHINGTON, December s, 1866.
There are various indications that our
Government Is on the verge Of diplo-
matte quarrel with France, even IL the diff
ficulty does not amount to more than q
quarrel. Secretary Seward is giving every
attention to the Mexican question at pre-
sent, and it Is the meaning Of the Govern
ment to suffer nothing which bears q SEM
blance Of delay in the evacuation Of Mex
leo by the Imperial forces. Mr.. Romero,
the Mexican Minister here, Is very well sa-
tisfied with the turn Of affairs, and keeps
the Government and the public alike~in-
formed with regard to the situation by
means Of the official dispatches received
through his agents at almost regular inter-
walls.
There is much speculation as to what is
10 be the result of General Sedgwick's self
assumed responsibility in crossing the Rio
GraDde and giving sucha renewed interest
to matters in that section. The feeling
seems divided, and in some respects as it
was at the time Commodore Wilkes, upon
his own ideas Of propriety and right, seized
the English mail steamer Trent, with the
Confederate Ministers Of State on board.
1t Is probable that court Of inquiry will
be held, and the subject investigated at an
early day. Congress will be duly informed
on the subject.
10 proo;lopk he ~, n n ~ ~ M
this week, and it does not appear that any
viii be made for some time to come, or at
least until IL is ascertained what legislation
will result from the discussion of the bill
70 regulate appointments and removals
now before Congress.
Several of the members of both Houses
left Washington day before yesterday after
the adjournment for their homes, and 1t is
not certain that they will all return by
Monday. Those who remain have been
very busy at the various departments, en-
gagged mostly in investigating the records
relating to appointments which were made
during the recess. 1t has already been de-
termined to refuse the confirmation Of q
number Of them.
Matters in the departments and else
where have been very quiet to-day. The
several points of interest will receive re-
newed discussion when Congress reassem-
bles on Monday, and during the week, when
the committees commence reporting. The
Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has
already begun the careful consideration Of
our relations with France and England |;
and il is generally conceded in official cir
cles that while with England there is little
or no cause Of MISUNDERSTANDING the Fe-
MAN uprising as a basis-yet with France
there are serious apprehensions to be en-
tertained. Too many prominent officials
are willing for q foreign war. Were all
disposed to harmony, things could be adj
justed without much diplomatic corre-
spondence; butdisturbance and revolution
seem new to be the order Of the day. If
certain Radical Congressman find it impos-
sible to get up civil war, they will turn, as
dernier resort, to insisting upon showing
their bad temper to the Emperor Napo-
leon.
A strong effort will be made this session
to have taxes very materially reduced. The
Secretary of the Treasury is confident that
the condition of the finances will warrant
move in this direction. 1t is not improba-
BILE that among the important tariff mea
euTcS WHICH arc SouBnt W oc iSuuCeu VIII
be reduction of the duty on tobacco as
well as cotton. The nuisance of stamps on
checks, receipts, certificates, etc., which is
loudly complained Of by merchants through
out the country, has also many advocates
in favoring an entire abolition.
The little excitement which was occa-
stoned by the announcement Of the arrest
OF Surratt has entirely subsidized after Mr..
Boutwell's official declaration to sift the
matter from his escape to his arrest.
The memorial from the Colorado Sena-
tors will be presented in the Senate on
Monday or Tuesday, and it is highly pro-
bable that they will be admitted within a
fortnight. TIMoN.