The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-19
From Washington.

w ARLINGTON, April 10.
In the United States Supreme Court to-day
an amended bill on behalf of the State of Mis-
sissippi against the Secretary of War, Gen.
Grant and Major Gen. Ord, Attorney General
Stanberry moved to dismiss both this and the
bill for the State OF Georgia for want OF juris-
diction, and by consent of the counsel on both
sides Friday the Goth inst, is fixed for hear
ing on the motion.
The Senate to-day confirmed Gen. L. w.
Sweeney as Major of the 10th Infantry, and
Joseph w. Cake as Collector of Customs at
Philadelphia.
In the Circuit Court to-day Mr.. r. G. Tren-
ish, counsel for Surratt, moved to nix the day
for the trial of the prisoner, and suggested the
9th of May. The District Attorney, in reply
to statement of the prisoners counsel, said
the prisoner had been treated with all the
kindness consistent with the duty of gener-
Gus Government, anxions only to vindlcate the
majesty of the law. He did not think he could
De ready for trial in two weeks, and suggested
the second day of the June term, that is the
18th of June. Considerable discussion ensued
between the District Attorney and the prison
er's counsel, and various propositions were
made, but without coming to an understand
ing or agreement. Finally, the Judge said he
did not think he could set day in the June
term, as he would not preside at that term. If
he should grant the motion it would be for con-
tinnance He would take the subject into con-
sideraton
Two companies of the 9th regiment of U. S.
Cavalry, which has been stationed in this city
are under orders to report to Major Gen. Pope
commanding the Sd military district.
The following circular to fishing ports has
just been issued
Treasury Department, Washington, ApriE 16.
1t is represented to the Department that YES
sells licensed for the fisheries frequently return
from their voyage having aboard q residue of
the salt taken in at the commencement of the
voyage, which they desire to use shore in
completing the cure of the fish taken by the
vessel. This salt is understood to be frequent
ly saturated with moisture from fish, or other
wise rendered OF no value except for the pur-
pose specified, and the Department sees no
reason why, under such circumstances, per-
mission may not be given, under proper re-
strletons, to make use of such salt on shore.
Collectors are, therefore, authorized to grant
special permits, upon application, to enable
such remaining portion OF salt to be landed
without forfeiture OF bonds given under the
regulations of Sept II, 1866; but the privilege
can only be claimed by vessel at the port
from which salt was taken, and where the bond
is filed, and the Collectors will be required to
exercise great vigilance to satisfy themselves
that no fraud is perpetrated OF attempted, but
that the salt is in fact used only i'll curing fish
taken by the vessel landing salt The bond
gwen when the salt was first taken will not be
cancelled until ala such residue has been used
or the duty upon it paid. The evidence to can
Gel the bond must be in conformity with the
regulations OF September last, the above refer
red TO, and filed within the time limited by
bond. Collectors must exercise careful dis
elimination, re-issuing no permits and can
ceiling no bonds unless satisfied that there has
been good faith throughout. This note and
bond given upon entry OF salt for withdrawal
from bond for the purpose specified, will be in
form appended thereto.
(Signed,) H. McCULLooH
Secretary of the Treasury.
The President, by appointment, to-day re-
eeiyed party of twenty japanese now in
Washington, who were accompanied by Ed
ward Banks, formerly of the United States
Legation at Jeddo. A large number of visi-
tors, including ladies, were present in the |
East Room. Appropriate speeches were made |
by the President and visitors. |
Senator Jehnsons resolution providing that |
the United States should offer their mediation |
to the belligerents in Mexico, with a view to |
restore peace, honorable to both parties, was |
taken up to-day in executive session of the |
Senate. So far as can be learned, Senator
johnson supparted the resolution with a pre-
pared speech, and Senator Sumner spoke at
some length in favor Of it. Senator Fowler
then offered q substitute, setting forth that
since the United States had not thought prop
er to Interfere in the war in Mexico while the
French were there, and its interference might
have been of some advantage, and since the
Mexicans have shown courage and determine
ton 90 defend the independence of their coun
try, and had succeeded in expelling the foreign
invaders it was the sense of the Senate that
this was no time to interfere in Mexican affairs
and that the people of the United States had
Mexican people should treat their prisoners OF
war. Senator Chandler spoke against the res
olution, and was followed by Senator Morton
who took the ground that the Emperor
Macmillan Ma. being nothing else than a
fillibuster in Mexico, the United States could
not interfere in his behalf just as they would
interfere to save Walker MarciscO Lopez;
that besides, Maximilan soon after his arrival
IN Mexico, issued a murderous and barbarous de-
cree, ordering all Mexicans who would not sup
EOrt him fO he shot within
after capture, among them Major Generals and |
other officers OF high rank, and acknowledged |
they were shot for the pretended crime in de- |
Tending their country and their fresides; that |
the United States did not then interfere to pre-
vent this wholesale murder AMI assassination |
in which women and children We're included |
and that, therefore, it would not be becoming Tor
them to Interfere now when fillibuster and
murderer Is reduced to eXtremities; that it would
besides be modified for the Government to in
terfere in favor of party which, in all proba-
bility, has by this time been subdued; certain
by long before mediation could reach Mexico.
That the United States having altogether ig-
nored Macmillan and the Empire from the
beginning, they could not now if they had any
regard TOR consistency, acknowledge Maximil-
ian's ruleior government, and interfere in his
favor with his enemies.
The speech of Senator Morton embraced |
many other points, and it is said produced such |
an effect as to induce Senator johnson to with
draw his resolution, as a defeat seemed certain |
ii 1t were pressed to direct vote. In the |
course of the debate it was stated by one of the
friends of the resolution that Macmillan was |
not responsible for the bloody decree by which |
the black flag was raised in Mexico, and he sup
ported his assertion by reading letter from
the european Minister, that the decree i'm aues-
ton was signed by Macmillan under compul-
sion of the French. 1t is said this explanation |
did not seem to be quite satisfactory, as the |
French had disclaimed all responsibility on the |
subject.
MI
The result OF the debate was decidedly against |
any interference in behalf of Maximilian and |
his followers, and an expression of confidence |
in the ability of the Mexican people to deal |
with their prisoners of war according to the |