Evening star., 1867-11-18
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
THAr NIssIoN.-There has been considera-
bic spec q lation as to the nature OF the secret
mission upon which the Rev. Mr.. HawIey, Of
Auburn, New York, had been sent by the
state Department. A report gained considers.
bic circulation that he had been commissioned
TO tender 10 the Pope an asylum the United
States; and similar guess-vork theories were
put forward by the quidnuncs rs to the pur-
port Of the mission. 1t is understood now,
however, that Mr.. Hawley has been sent
to advocate the interests OF the United States
with the people Of the two Danish West India
Isles, ST. Thomas and ST. Johns, or Saint Jan,
ss IL Is more usually termed. Our Govern
nent has been anxious 20 purchase these
islands for naval ard scaling station, And
the negotiation has progressed so far that IN
question has been left BY the Danish Cover
meat 70 the people OF the islands to decide nv
vote whether they will transfer their alleei.
ance to the United States.
Saint Thomas, the largest OF these two
Islands, is j miles east OF Porto Rico. It has
an area Of Is square miles; greatest length
from east 10 west Il miles; greatest breadth.
about ~ miles. 1t has Q rugged ana elevated
surface, which attaihs its greatest heisht
towards the center. and dsscends sometimes
gradually but oftener abruptly to the shore n,
vas once well wooded, but the cutting down
of the trees has laid il open to the full force of
the suns rays, and IL now suffers much from
adenclency OF water. The soil being sandy
ana oy no means fertile, the far greater part of
~ remains uneulrvated. The area under
crop Is only about 2 500 acres, Of which nearly
a half are planted with sugar-cane The
whole Island enjoys the privileges OF a trss
ha<oor, and the trade is very extensive. 81.
Thomas being depot of goods for napy of the
neighsoring Islands. IL has its central local..
~ at the capital, Charlotte Amelia. which IS
annually visited by about 1900 vessels from
Europe, North and South America, aud also
from the other westlndi Islands 1t. Thorn
as Is principal station OF the West India
mail steamers from Southampton, for which
large steam packet leaves n every fortnight.
The population Of 81. Thomas is estimated At
i2.eoO saint John or Saint Jan is small Is
land Immediately east OF St Thomas. area 4.
square miles, population 2,5SO. Christiauburg
is NE capital The importance 10 the United
States OF this acquisition, if 1t can be affected
can scarcely De ever-rated.
GONE To LIBERIA Rev. RaIn5 p
Guriey and his son Mcdonald Gurley. leave
charleston, c., in the ship GoIconda for
Liberia. DR. Gurley has been connected with
the America Colonization Society for nn,nv
wears and Is al present an honorary secretary
HIS healtn has been falling Of late wears ana
'Na' OI MS son Is quite delicate. In the hons
oflmproVmg their health they make this yov-
age, and Dr. GuIley. II able to do so
proposes TO look after the intarssts
of ibe Society while absent. Thav
expect 10 return IN about five months Tba
Geieonda (which makes two trips perve,r
under the auspices OF the society) takes ont
y jam
are from Pennsylvania, and the remainder
from Tennessee, GeorgIa and Soutb C.ro-
lima There are $50 applications for pss-
sage next spring, but the society have
not TIE means 10 send that number how
ever efforts Will be made 20 accommodate them
L'oerla IS SAID 10 be now in a highly prosper
Gus condition, Notwithstanding numbsr NJ
damaging reports put IN circulation some nv
South CarOlinian whose advice II appsar.
mas not been taken, as most Of those leaving
Today are from his Immediate neighborhood
SOLD--We see It stated that Pages picture
OF Aoniral Farragut representing him Iashed
70 the rigging OF the flag ship Hartford ana
directing the movements Of the Union feet
under the IRE OF the forts in the harbor of Mo-
oale, has been purchased for the Emperor OF
Russia at $4,000 The picture is now on sx-
hiostion al the artists studio, in New York.
NNh "oS o. OLc hanging over the west
door OF the rotInda In The Capitol. The price
PAID for the picture al once a compliment 10
its subject and painter; and the late visit O,
the old Sea Dog 10 Russia doubtless had some
tning TO do with the Emperor's desire 10 DOS
sess so interesting a souvenir
GOING AEEoAD.-Among the passengers fo-
brest and Hayre. by the steamer Europe
Wnien sailed on Saturday, we notice the
names OF Miss Dahlgren, and Mrs Dr. I'M
Foltz and three children. ofthis CITY
TIE ruBLIc IS sure of a vaIuable and we'll
written book in the life of Governor Andrsw,
announced to BE- written at once by p p.
NhippIe, the distinguished critic and esssyi.t.
MAIL ROBBERY-About the l2d n, Ssn,an
Der last mail pouch, made up at New Or
cans, La, for Portland, Maine, was stolen
from the ualn n Grand Junction, Tennessee
while the mails were being transferred a. thar
place a few Gays ago the missing poueh uss
found in the woods near Grand Junction with
the side cut open and the letters gone Onicars
ofine Post Once Department are bu.ily en-
gagged IN ierreiing out the robbers
PREPARATIONS FOR THE COMING SsssIos
For some time past wOrxmen have been busilv
engaged about the Capitol making prepararious
ior tne coming session The Senate Chamber
mas oeen re-earpeted, the desks re-yaruished,
and the seats IN the gallery newly cushioned
New carpets have been laid in the clerks
rooms and the various committee rooms. In
tne House the carpet used last winter has been
re-laic, the desks vanished and the seats in
me gallery newly cushioned. In he recap.
ton room, clerks once, library and several
OF the eommi;tse rooms, new carpets hays
oeen put down, and all things are now in
readiness for he meeting of Congress.
hoNEAENT 10 said to be on foot here 70
organize q Chase club. which Is to embrace ,
number OF the most prominent and in fiueptaI
men IN the city 1t Is also stated that q nevs.
paper 10 70 be started here in the same inter,sr
AkklNAL or SPEAKkR CoIPxx-Uo.
schuyler Coliax, Speaker Of the House ofRsn
nSentauves, arrived in town this morning
and Il ~ his residence on I65 street, Opposite
Lafayette Square.
PATENTS TO BE IssUED.-For the week nd
ing Tuesday, the 2sIh instant, 3I3 patents will
De issued from the Patent Once Burins the