The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-03-10

and to substitute for them, when necessary, m,n de-
tailed from the army.
\ great ten months excursion is planned to leave
New York in May, in n first class steamer chartered
for the purpose. England, Ireland, France. Italy.
Russia. Egypt. the Holy Land, and in fact all coun-
tries of special interest in Europe. Asia and Africa.
will be briefly visited. One hundred excursionists
at $1,000 apiece will be taken. The proposed trip.
as ordinarily made, would consume two years aud
$1,000 in gold for a single traveller.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION OF GENERAL ScuorIFLD's
I MIssIoN.-The visit OF the Yankee General TO Europe
has been so thoroughly sifted that We have discover
ed at length its real motive, which is nothing less
than the purchase Of one OF the islands in the Archi-
pelago. the one named Spe.zia. the most important
of the Sporaies. admirably situated for the surveil-
lance of both the European and Asiatic coast, aud
possessing the most splendid climate, and every facjl-
ity for the realization of that hearts desire of every
patriotic Yankee, the formation Of a marine depot, a
port and a ~dockyard, beneath the American flag. all
protected by the stars and stripes. The island has
hitherto been the resort Of pirates, the very nest
whence they spread the light wings Of their tartanes
and dart forth in pursuit of the little Turkish slOops.
laden with merchandise, which ply between the two
shores. This state of things will soon be changed
under the American rule. The pirates themselves
will be ~plundered Of their ~ill-gotten gains. and order
and industry will soon be made 10 reign instead Of
the spoliation and rspine which neither Greeks nor
Turks have yet been able TO put down. The dis
covery of this proposed arrangement with the Amer
lean Government has given Us n terrible surprise, as
II is considered the realization OF the famous threat
which at one time appe ired nothing but Yankee
bombast. One foot on the American, the other on
the Asistic shore. and he can step over European
heads to the conquest Of the world.-Cor.0 Of the
Paris Journal, Dec. 14h.
WHAT DOES 1T MEAN lit is currently reported
here, and generally believed, that after the holidays.
General Grant will sail for the Rio Grande in the
flag ship of the Gulf Squadron. Commodore Win
slow, of Kearsdrge and alabama fame. the Com
mander of the Squadron, has already sailed for that
destination via Havana. Much speculation is in
dulged as TO the objects of these visits, especially in
view of General Grant'6 Wpll-EnnWn sentiment OF
hostility to the Macmillan usurpation. As the
French have frequently Of late charged the American
forces on that river. with assisting the Liberals. firing
into their boats, Sc, and they in turn preferred
countercharges against the Johnny Crapeaus, il is
probable the General goes there under the direction
of Government to investigate the matter, and report
the actual condition of affairs. 1t is generally be-
lieved here, in the best informed circles, that our
Government will act very cautiously in reference to
complications which might produce hostilities. Ii is
thought that If it becomes necessary to actively inter.
fere, to make Napoleon leave Mexico, the first means
tried. if the affair caunOt be arranged by diplomacy,
will be to pass q Non-intercouse Act against France,
and strictly enforce il.
The CASE OF THE PIRATE SEMMEs.-The following
are the charges and specifications preferred against
Raphael Semmes, late Commander of the rebel pirate
In this, that on or about the 10Th day of June, 1864.
off the entrance of the port of Cherbourg, France,
the said Raphael Semmes, being then in command OF
the rebel steamer known as the .4idbamd, and an
engagement having taken place between the said
steamer and the United States steamer HeGrsargc,
ordered or permitted q white nag To De nOlSteu on
board the said rebel steamer, and took the orpor-
tunity of the cessation thereby caused in the engage
ment, and of the trust reposed in him, 10 make his
escape from the said rebel steamer, for the purpose or
avoiding the actual surrender of his person as IL pri-
soner of war, and the responsibilities thereby incur
red, and did subsequently,, without having been ex-
changed as a prisoner, engaged in hostilities against
the United States. GIDEON WEILEs.
Secretary of War.
Against which Semmes offered the following
protest
n-t 1-- - D 49,
Greensborough, N. c., in Command of a naval brig
ade, forming part of the army of Gen. Joseph l..
Johnston. and participated in the capitulation be-
tween Gen. Johnston aud Major General w. L. Sher-
man, commanding United States army of North
Carolina. The condition of said capitulation on the
part of General Johnston was that the army under
his command should cease all acts of war from the
capitulation, April Goth. aforesaid. In consideration
of which condition thus entered into by Gen. John
ston, Gen. Sherman stipulated that the officers and
men comprising the army of Gen. Johnston should
return to their homes and there remain unmolested
by the United authorities so long as they observed
the obligations they had entered into, and obeyed the
laws enforced where they resided. L have this day,
been arrested by order of the Secretary of the Navy;
had a guard placed over my house, and have been
informed that | am to proceed to Washington, in
custody, there to answer to a charge against me
predicated upon faces which took place anterior to
the capitulation between Gen. Johnston and Gen.
Sherman. This being a violation of the capitulation
between Gen. Johnston and Gen. Sherman, | respect
fully make this my protest against said arrest.
IL. SEMME9.
The PRESIDENTS VIEWS ON CONSTITUTIONAL
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. January 18th. Til
following is the substance of the conversation which
took place TO. day between the President and a Sena-
tor not named. The President said he doubted the
propriety at this time Of making any further amend
ments to the Constitution. The propositions to
amend were becoming as numerous as the resolutions
at a town meeting. All this, in his opinion, had a
tendency to diminish the dignity and prestige attach
ed TO the Constitution, and TO lessen the confidence of
the people "a that great charter of freedom. Ii some
amendments are to be made, he knew of none better
than the simple propositions embraced in a few lines
making in each State the number Of qualified voters
the basis Of representation, and the value of pro-
perty the basis of direct taxation.
CHICAGO, Jan. 30-The Washington correspondent
Of the Chicago Tribune says it has been difficult to
convince the Radical members Of Congress that the
reported conversation telegraphed yesterday, had the
Presidents sanction, but such is the fact, he having
revised the copy and directed it to be sent to the
press. In this view, the whole statement is herewith
telegraphed
:" The President said he doubted the propriety at
this time of making any further amendments TO the
Constitution; one great amendment had already been
made by which slavery has been forever abolished
within the limits of the United States. and the ma
tional guarantee thus given that the institution
should never again exist in the land.
Propositions TO amend the Constitution were be-
coming az numerous as resolutions at town meetings
called TO consider the most ordinary questions OF local
affairs. All this. in his opinion, had "A tendency to
diminish the dignity and prestige attached TO the
Constitution of the country. and to lessen the respect
and confidence of the people III this great charter OF
freedom. If, however, amendments are to be made
to it, changing the basis Of representation and taxa
tion-aud he did not deem them at all necessary at
the present time-he knew Of none better than the
simple proposition, embraced in n few lines, making
in each State the number of qualified voters the basis
of representation, and the value of property the