New-York tribune., 1867-09-20
WASHINGTON.

DESPERATE EFFORTS OF MR.. SEWARD ~
BUY TERRTToRY-REBEL TESTIMONY IN FA-
VOR OF FITz JOHN PORTER-DEPARTURE OF
CHIEF-JUsTICE CHASE FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsuISGToS Thursday, Sept. 10, 1867.
The news of the sudden death of Sir Frederick
Bruce at Boston reached here early this morning and
created a most painful sensation. 1t is said that,
next to Lord Napier, he was one of the most amable
diplomats ever sent to the United States by the
British Government With all the high breeding OF
his royal Scotch blood he combined the social graces
of truly cosmopolitan traveller and English gentle
man, and endeared himself to all who enjoyed the
privilege of his acquaintance. He Is younger
brother of the late great Lord Elgin of
Canadian, China, and India celebrity, and
bore strong resemblance to him, partic-
ularly in the lofty urbanity of his manners.
Sir Frederic Bruce was bachelor and lived quiet
and easy life while here. II is not at all unlikely
that Mr. Scarett, lately British Minister in Mexico,
will be appointed as his successor. In the mean time
Mr. Ford the first Secretary of Legation, will be the
acting Minister Theiwishes of Sir Fredericks rela-
tves and the British Government will be followed az
regards his remains and in all probability they Will
be transferred to the family vault of the Bruce 1an
IN in Scotland. Mr.. Howard First Secretary OF ths
British Legation here, and the French Minister left
for Boston this morning. A dispatch was sent by
Cable to England to know what disposition should
be made of the body.
The statement teegraphed to Boston johnson
paper TO the effect that Gen. Grant would issue an
order at extending registration in the Southern
States until the 2d of November, is incorrect. At
least Gen. Grant disclams any knowledge OF having
in contemplation any such orders. lie VIII not IN
terfere with any of the military commanders, not
thinking 1t necessary, the reconstruction act
plainly sets forth that registration shall not be eX-
tended beyond the lst of October The limit of tve
days for revision of registration lists in Louisiana
has ended and registration is closed for good There
were few additions to the lists.
Col. Wood of Brooklyn, Collector of the lid In
tcrnal Reucnue District, arrived here to-day IL Is
said that Col Wood is beginning early to push his
claim for the Naval Office in New-York. 1t VIII be
remembered that he was one of the prominent candi-
dates for the place last Winter, and several times
was sure he had it, having had the promise of the
President to that effect. Deputy Naval Ohcer
Franklin is now. and has been, Acting Naval
Officer since the death of the last incumbent of the
place. The general impression prevails that Frank
lin. being only acting Naval Officer, cannot receive
the land fee of that Office if he were the regular
Naval Officer This is mist Ike. The matter was
some time ago referred to the Secretary of the Treas
sury and he decided that Franklin acting Naval
Officer was entitled to all the fees and emouments
of the Office This is the reason why Frankllns
friends are so anxious that regular appointment
shall be made.
Chief-Justico Chase left this morning for Cincin-
natl, and expects to return in November.
Some days ago a paragraph appeared in New
York paper i'm relation to the endeayors of our
Government to purchase anaval station in the waters
of the West Indies This statement was incomplete III
several particulars. The facts are that Secretary
Seward had in view the purchase Of one of three places
The Island of ST. Thomas, belonging 10 Denmark;
Samana5Bay in the Island of ST. Domingo ana
an island off Cuba, the property OF SPAN Inc
attempted purchase of Samana failed ana "heh MI.
Bancroft left for his post at Berlin he was authorized
to visit Madrid and endeavor to purchase the island
off the caast OF Cuba This also failed He was tnen
ordered TO visit Denmark and negotiate for the pur-
chase Of ST. Thomas. He sent Senator Doolittle to
Denmark on the mission, and news has just reached
here that he has failed also to accomplish purchase
Judge Holt states that his for disappearing
tbc sentence in the case of the Lieutenant who was
dismissed the service as is alleged for having at
tempted to force Mississippi inn-keeper to board
his he Lieutenantsj paramour, were, that the eyi-
dence in the case showed that the Lieutenant made
no attempt to use force with L. S. soldiers. The
inn-keeper swore that tho Lieutenant did
send for n Corporals gnard OF three men
and attempted to force him. and, in rebuttal, the
three United States soldiers aforesaid swore that
their being present was mere accident, ana that
they never received any orders to force the inn
keeper or to guard his property The evidence fur
thcr showed in the opinion ~ Judge Holt that the
sentence on the Lieutenant, who had a good war
record was too severe and warrented some lenency.
Gen Grant has sent letters to the variou Com
manders of Military Departments asking for report
of all the operations in their Departments to the end
of the S0th instant This is for the purpose OF OBJ
tanning information for his forthcoming annual re-
port to the President and for presentation to Con-
gress
Gems. Sheridan and Sicklcs expected TO
arrive in this city tomorrow. Rooms have been
engaged for each at the hotels
One of the letters filed in Ftz John Porters appli-
cationsfor new trial is from cx-Rcbel General,
who speaking OF the Rebel movements says: Z" We
were ready for any attack at II o'clock H., Aug 90
and We were all particularly anxious for battle after
- o'clock n Ice more 40 than any of MS. Artillery
conld not possibly bo handled upon the ground on
our rigbt and 10 was difficult 90 handle infantry in
that poetion. II You had attacked us at any time
during that day. your troops would h ave been de-
airoycd that is IL we had been attacked ny less than
u 600 men, One point made against Porter at the
trial waa that IL he had attacked tho Rebels by
o'clock that day. tho enemy would have been de-
fented. lIia force about 1900
Gov. Fenton ia still here lie visited most OF the
Deno,tmenis 60 dny lie called nj tho White House
and left his card but did not Hco Mir johnson. Tho
Goyernor spent long time with Secretary Seward
tbla afternoon. and WA with Secretary MoCnlloch
and fhe raymaaiei General for nono Time looking
after the war claims of New York aud her soldiers.
The elerts IN the Departments here. hailinH from
New yufh we're about rendering tho Governor
aerenade but no hearing OF II declined tho compli