The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-23
wAsHINGT0N.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1867,
Ill O'Clock Il. 81.

4
| wAsHnoros Dec O. 1861,
/ III O'clock Y. n.
The Approaching TRIAL Of Ex.Secretary stan
- ton for Alleged False ImprisoHment.
The case OF smithson against Stanton. n charge OF
fass Imprisonment It DO brought TO the eat Of al
argumsn promises to solve many Of tho doubts which
surround tho question to the extent 10 which an
Official Of tho government has the power TO seize tho
persons property OF individuals without due process
Of law. Hughes Denver Peck, Of this city, having
the case in hand, in March last made motion in the
District Court require the defendant TO furnish
the originals Of certain letters papers and proceed
ings OF courts martial. Mr. Stanton, Notwithstanding
It, said the readiness OF his attorneys TO comply has
thus far obstnately refused this request 70 allow the
originals TO DO SEEM though copies freely offered
The attorneys for the plaintiff however, are not wiling
10 receive these they wish to discover the aulen-
ITCHY particularly OF tho reasonable letters alleged 10
have been written by smilhson, under the assumed
name Of Cables. These letters, thcy appear ia the
pleas OF the defendant contain Information respecting
the numbers and OF the garrison Of WASH
ington the lrst year of the rebeioe. Upon this
| ground Smithson arrested and confined IN FORT
Lafayette. After tmo he released, and soon
after again arrested and tried by military court,
| and sentenced TO I've years imprisonment at
| Albany, New York. After brief confinement
| no was again set al liberty by pardon
from the President During these il ia said
that government detective upon alleged authority
| from the Secretary OF War, turned the vito and
children OF smi.hson out OF their house, which
| cuped by onlcers OF the government The case has
been postponed OF courtesy to the opposite
counsel, but the attorneys Tor the plantin have
determined press their motion for Oyer and Inspec
tion and upon receiving m order Of the court TO the
effect will proceed other upon tho merits OF the
case. or. in event Of continued rerusa, without giving
sufficient legal to produce the desired original
letters will set aside the justification sot up by
the Defence and for order for contempt OF court
against Mr. Stanton.
Tho Fate Of tho District Of Columbia Bin.
The anticipated OF the bill which originated in the
Senate striking the word white out Of tho charter Of
the District OF Columbia, and the adjournment OF Con-
the holidays before the expiration OF the ten
days allowed the President In which to sign and
bills has gwen rise to considerable controversy. On tho
hand Is declared that the adjournment Of Congress
before the expiration Of the days. limit has
swered the requirements Of the constitution and there
fore, the bill Is void On the other hand IL Is asserted
that this Is but . recess, and tho law in the
does not apply, and therefore the measure
| has become law. Tho difficulty appears to
! Lilo in the distinction between q recess and
| an adjournment; though, has been asserted, in
neither Is the failure or the bill TO become Law
obvatet is we'll put that Congress- knowing the ten
/ days had not expired themselves responsible as
the President DESTROYS OF returning tho bill Con-
gross not being session, he s unable TO do II 10
therefore concluded whether the present suspension Of
the business Of tho national legislature be considered
adjournment . recess the bill fails. It is said
that many members OF both houses will take the
ground that the b not having been returned becomes
law apparently dsregardng very evident fact that
| their action the OF the bill signed OF
veto not having come in.
| The Financial Measures Of C0ngre ss-Tardy
| Action Of the Sennte Finnnce Committee.
The members Of the House of remain.
Ing the city occupying their leisure moments In
reviewing the acts OF their branch Of the Legislature
being the late fraction Of the The fate which
has thus far attended thcr bills and resolutions and
financial particularly, meets the
ment They state that II Is notorious fact that oil
efforts relieve the immediate necessity OF the finances
OF the nation have, upon reaching tho Finance Com
mittee Of the Senate been suppressed or at lease
mise remain unnolced until their utility will become
greatly essensd The resolution against contractona
measure decidedly popular among tho Western
bersh~ssss, thn fate, and honco the severe remarks
TO whi4rh .s soufys Of procedure has given rise
| DepsI ~. Of once Hunters md Lobbyfsss.
| Tho nk~ss and public resorts Of the city again
present deserted appearance. The flight Of members
Of Congress to their homes yesterday and to-day
accompanied By the army Of ONCE hunters and lobbyists
that usually crowd tho federal capital during the
OF Congress- These birds OF passage during their stay
In the city principally to DO Pennsylvania
avenue and In the Capitol ard departments. md they
make large addition to tho usual frequenters Of
these places their sudden departure cannot to
be remarked.
Leavc Of Absence to the Mexican Charge
d'Annircs-Te mporary Suspension of the
Mexican Legation.
Tho Secretary OF State learns from Mexico that tho
Mexican government has fet itself obliged, though with
great reluctance. TO grant leave OF absence TO Mr.
Msrscs their Charge d'Afalros here. Tho solo
for this leave or absence which, under the crcum-
Stances produces temporary suspension OF the Mexican
legation, the domestic situation Of Mr. Marisca Tho
state Department is assured that full minister will
soon DO sent to the United States.
Tho Public Lands.
The House Com mlttee on Public Lands agreed to re-
port bill forbiddng all further sais Of tho public lands
excepting as provided for by the Presumption and
Homestead The design TO prevent future specu.
iat,on in tho public domain and TO secure tho settle
ment and actual tags Of every tract Of land hereafter
disposed or by the government
Tho Freedmen In LouSsiana.
Tho Assistant Commissioner for Louisiana reports 10
the Fsedmens Bureau that tho number OF Iaborers OF
all classes male and female s stated 70 be two hundred
ninety thousand and the aged and helpless OF
both sexes one hundred and ninety six thousand, In
that State.
Journey or the KlnG and Queen or Greece TO
Corfu-RoyaI Sympathy with the Crctans.
apperrs from letters received here that the journey
Of ths King and Of Greece from Vienna to Venice,
and thence to Corfu, marked BY . series OF bril-
liant Demonstration the Crscian ladies, who reside OF
Venice, turning out en- 20 pay homage to their
Qu-en and tho Greeks At Trieste assembling for smi.
lar purpose the junction OF tho Trieste Venice Railroad
station The extensive preparations made at Corfu for
the reception Of their maestes upon their arrival
Grocisn so suspended, in compliance With the
quest Of tho King, who suggested thai all funds sppro
prated for that purpose should 10 expended for