The Portland daily press., 1866-12-21
The Case of John III. Surratt.
COMBINATIONS.

- s-A WASHINGTON, Dec 90
Edw. V: Murphy, for many years one of the
reporters in the United States Senate, has been
appointed Superintendent of Exports at the
port of Philadelphia. - sAtt pf7 itt4" -
The colored citizens of this District are
holding private meetings to arrange for unit
ing at the next municipal election, and to con
slider other matters in that connection
The Republican Association at their regular
meeting last night, passed a resolution declar-
ing that in its judgment the organization of
auxiliarles to this society, composed exclusive
ly OF colored persons, was neither expedent as
a matter of policy nor consistent with our Re-
publican principles which recognize mo dis
tinctiOn on account of race or celor
The Postmaster General has sent estimates
to the House for service of the Department for
the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1868, the sum
being $19, 100000. The items include for inland
transportation, .$S,6OO,OOO; for foreign mail
transportation, $6, ,200,000; and for steamboat
way letters, $4,000. The following amounts
will be required from any money iii the Treas
ury not otherwise appropriated; for overland
mail transportation between New York and
San Francisco, $4,000; for steamship service
between San Francisco, Japan and China, for
one year from July LIST, 1867, $5OOG0O: for the
steamship service between the United States
and Brazil for the same period, $150,O0O; total
81 $4,000.
r The correspondence submitted to the House
to-day, comprises letters from Santa Anna.
addressed to the President from St Thomas
and ndIslizabeth, setting forth his intention in
respect to Mexico, and soliciting aid as basis
to commence the work OF redeeming his coun-
try from the yoke which oppresses it. He sent
Capt Etylge, in june last, to Washington,
with full power to act for him. but it appears
that he was informed that the Executive Gov
ernment holds no intercourse affecting the in-
tefnatlonal relations of the United States and
Mexico, only with its accredited Representa-
tives. Santa Anna asked for q personal inter-
view, but this the Secretary of State refused
on the ground that it was the practice of the
Government to hold correspondence in regard
to the affairs ofa friendly, foreign Republic
exclusively with its recognized agents, and
never with persons whom such FOREIGN Gov
ernment pronounces to be hostile. The cores
pondence also includes letters of General Or
tega, complaining Of his arrest, and protesting
in the name of the Mexican Republic, whose
President he claims to be. General Sheridan
says that Gen. Ortega was about to cross the
line Of our frontier, and was arrested ON the
same principles that the Fenians were arrest
ed in attempting to violate our laws by inya-
sion of Canada. MA Xfksgse sgf 7ifE
Commissioner Beckwith writes that new
order of prizes will be offered at the Paris Ex-
position for competition of persons, establish
ments and localities which have developed re-
markaDle good order and harmony among the
operatives or WOrkmen, and promoted their
moral, intellectual and physical well being in
an eminent degree, Competition, therefore,
does not consist in exhibition and comparison
OF products, but in comparison of methods
presented in plans and reports and memorials
describing such organizations and their re-
suits. The labor Of examining the documents
presented for this purpose is assigned to jury
Of twenty-five persons disconnected entirely
from the exhibition of products, and whose
duties VIII commence ON the LIST of December
1866, and be continued till the period fixed for
their report in 1868. Mr.. Beckwith has nomi-
mated for juror, Charles c. Perkins, of Boston,
which nomination has been accepted by the
Imperial Commission.
The New York bank tax cases were taken
up in the Supreme Court to-day, for argument
Messrs. Sllllman and Currll opened for plain
tits IN error, and Mr.. U. German, for the Com
missioner of taxes. Mr.. Ole onor will follow
on the same side tomorrow
Lonis III. Weichman, who it will be remem-
6ered, was one of the principle witnesses for
government in the case of Payne, Atzerott
Harold, Mrs. Surratt and others, the assassina-
tion conspirators, was before the Grand Jury
to-day, to give his testimony as to the compile
ity OF John III. Surratt, in the murder of Pres
ident Lincoln.
The Senate, in Executive session to-day,
confirmed the following nominations: Rear
Admiral T. Bailey, retired; Capt. j. M Berrin,
to be Commodore, vice Commodore r. b.
Hitchcock, RETIRED Capt. Alfred Taylor, to be
Commodore, vice L. o. Selfridge, retired !;
Commander Louis G. Sarton, to be Captain,
vice Captain ] NJ Berrin, promoted to Com
mOdOre; Melancthon Smith, to be Chief of
Bureau of Repairs vice Commander A. M
Smith 7iit' ta
Arrangements have been made for an ex-
change of mails withthe French line of steam
ers between St Nazaire and Vera Cruz post
age fifteen cents. The arrangement extends to
Central and South America.