The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-08-06
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

of the United States
"By direction of the President of the United
States you are hereby instructed to observe with
vigilance all persons whom you have reason to
suspect of combining unlawfuly for expeditions
into the territory of any foreign ration; and to
promptly interpose the authority of the United
States, whenever you have probable cause for
believing that any person has violated the ma
turalization law of the United States"
The Freedmen's Bureau has advices that ex-
IRENE dcstitution in the South and Southwest
has ceased. The issue of rations, except to the
hospitals, orphan Asylum and extreme cases,
will be discontinued On the Goth of August.
A curious story has come to light to. day rela-
tive to General Grant, and Washington detec-
tive, very we'll known Massachusetts, politician.
If it is true, it DEVELOPS most extraordinary
plan, concocted by an enemy of General Grant,
to ferret out something to the disadvantage of
that distinguished commander. The story is to
the effect that the General has recently discov-
cred that be has been watched by a detective
wherever he goes-whether at the theatre, on
drive in the country, or about town, or in the
railroad train. 1t is said this detective has
been on his track watching him closely, and af-
forwards reporting progress to the Massachu-
sets politician, whose name shall not be men,
toned. Recently General Grant paid several
visits to the national theatre here, and the de-
tective was seen proWling about. Gen. Grant
started for West Point, and the detective was
found in the train. The General sometime after
started for New York, and the detective was
again 10 the train and on the track OF the Cen
eral during his movements about the metrop-
oils. One night while in New York, General
Grant left his hotel for drive, and was followed
in carriage by the detective. lie returned
hastily to Washington, in obedience to sum-
mons from the judiciary committee, and the de-
tective followed him to this city, where, imne
diately on his arrival, he (the detective) re-
paired to the house of the Massachusetts, politi-
clan to report progress, alleged. The move
ments of this detective becoming known to him,
General Grant sent for him and asked him by
what authority he watched his movements, and
who employed him 10 such strange business
The detective promptly answered that the Gen
eral was mistaken as to his movements; that he
the deective) was employed in no such work,
but simply on private business, hunting up tes-
timony for congressional committee recently
appointed, and that the fact that he (the detec-
tive) happened to be in the same train with and
so near the General on several occasions was
purely accidental.
[ am Informed, however, that the same poll
| tician from Massachusetts, who held high
commission in the army during the war, is cup
posed by General Grant to have resorted to the
same species of spying over his (Gen. Grants)
movements while in command of the army, and
that he thus kept himself posted of everything
transporting at headquarters. It may be that
the affair is somewhat exaggerated, but l think
| not. The object, supposicg my information to
be correct, is undoubtedly to hunt up something
derogatory to General Grant, to be used against
him in the Presidential contest.
T 1t is supposed that the Massachusetts, poll
ticlan referred to is Gen. Butler
The Washington Chronicle gives up all hope
of the conviction of Surratt. The evidence for
the defence has been so complete and exeulpa-
tory, that the verdict is regarded as a foregone
conclusion. Mrs Surratt (the mother of the
prisoner) was tried before military commission.
She was not permitted hearing before the re-
cognized tribunals, or according to the accus-
toned laws Of the land. She was convicted at
| time when the passions of the whole country
were aroused, and when it was almost imposs-
Bile to gain an impartial audience. But even
then, the public sentiment Of the country was
divided in reference to the case. She was, it
is true, sentenced and executed but this was
meyer regarded as satisfactory judgment. At
| the time the sentiment was general and earnest
that there had been grave error, resulting in
| conviction not in accordance with the real truth.
And the opinion has since been strengthened
that excitement took the place of justice and
suspicion of proof. The public mind never has
beon satisfied Of the guilt Of Nrs Surratt. 1t
never has yielded its assent tothe correctness
of her conviction. The real sentiment is that
Of great mistake committed.
Several South Carolinians opposed to the re-
publicans who have recently been in Washington
say the leading conservatives have proposed the
terms of bargain to some Of the leading colored
citizens, to the effect that the conservatives will
help the blacks to elect their candidates for Con-
gress without regard to color, provided the blacks
give the whites control of the State government.
Statements of similar character have hereto
fore been made in regard to South Carolina poll
ticians bu. there is no evidence that such bar
gain has or can be effected.
A delegation from Pennsylvania, represent
lug the Conservative Republican party, called
on the President. They represented themselves
in condition to act with the Democratic par
ty, but propose acting distinctly. The Pres-
dent declined giving them advice, expressing
himself hopefully, as the issue of the hour was
in the peoples hands.
CONFEDERATE BoNDs.-The occasional demand
for Confederate Bouds now and then alluded to
by the papers, has created very false impressions.
Some very senseless and malicious persons have
even gone far as to attribute it to the conf
dence some Southerners have in the revival and
ultimate success of the Confederate cause than
which there is nothing more silly or unfounded.
We have before us a letter to 2 gentleman of