The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-02-11
From Washington.
A despatch, dated 7th inst.

FROM washington.
A despatch, dated 7th inst, says:
A delegation of colored men. head
ed by Fred. Douglass and r. H.
Downing, called on the President to.
day, for the purpose of expressing
their ideas on the questions now be-
ing considered affecting their inte-
rests, and also to learn the views en-
tertained by the President in the
same connection. He was addressed
by both Downing and Douglas, who
strongly urged that the colored race
should be endowed with all the
rights, privileges and immunities of
citizens of the United States, and de-
sired that the right of suffrage be
given to them. not only in this Dis
trict, but all over the land.
The President responded, saving if
his past course was not evidence of
his good will to the colored race. he
could say no more. He had said.
and repeated here, that if thev could
find no other Moses to lead them to
the land of promise and liberty. he
would be that Moses; but he was not
willing to adopt o policy which would
result in danger to the colored man.
and possibly lead to q war of races!
Nothing but evil would result from
forcing upon the people of this Dis
trlct, or any other section, q princi-
pie in direct opposition to the ex-
pressed will OF the majority.
At the conclusion of his remarks,
which were of considerable length.
Douglas said the question would have
to be settled by the people, to which
the President expressed his assent.
saying he had great faith in thepeople.
Incredible as the statement may
appear, it is nevertheless now consi-
dered extremely doubtful whether the
Stevens amendment to the Constitu-
ton can secure q sufficient number of
votes in the Senate to make it even a
proposition to the States. Hear
what the Washington correspondent
of the New York Times says:
cit appears now almost certain
that the joint resolution will fail 20
receive two-thirds vote III its favor
In the Senate. Among those who
have openly announced their purpose
to oppose it, are Senators Howe and
Yates, and it is said all the radical
members will vote against the resolu-
ton"
In relation to the property of
blockade runners, another despatch
says:
Government, taking the ground
that blockade-running was part of
the rebellion, and that all property
used and all profits made in it are
subject to rules of war, have sent
agents South, who have seized all
cotton and other property intended
for blockade-running, and have called
upon all engaged in the business to
state, under oath, their associates,
the amount of their business, their
profits, &c. Most Of the witnesses
have told the full tale of their bust
ness; but the one or two probably
unwilling to disgorge were sent to
prison on account of their refusal to
testify. One of the largest stock
holders in this enterprise was the
Hon. G. A. Trenholm, late Secretary
of the Treasury of the so-called Con-
federate States, thus carrying on the
double business of guarding the Con-
federate money and filling his own
pockets at the same time. In the
course of his examination, which
took place on the 10th ultimo, Mr..
Trenholm stated that just before the
evac0tion of Richmond, the total
amount of specie in the Confederate
vaults was $35O,OOO to $4OO, 1000, of
which sum about $500, 600 was in the
Treasury at Richmond. This $780,
600 was carried off and distributed,
partly among the soldiers of John
ston's army, and partly among the
military escort of JEFF. Davis at the
time of their disbandment. Mr..
Trenholm stated that, in his opinion,
Mr.. Davis and She other civil officers
refused to receive any part of it. The
examination of MI. Trenholm, as ex-
Secretary and ex-blockade-runner,
was quite long, but showed much
frankness on his part in revealing all
he knew
Iota, the well Informed and usually
correct correspondent of the Balti-
more SIN, writes:
The public may prepare for some
political events within few weeks,
or even days, that give new aspect
to national affairs. Hitherto Con-
gress, or rather the leaders of Con-