The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-29

WASHINGTON, Oct. %, 1868.
The Proposed Settlement Of the Alabamn
fDfu

tue proposed settlement OF the Alabama claims with
England Is regarded In Official circles here as mere
speculation. The President has received no inti-
nation OF any such arrangement agreed to by
Reverdy Johnson; and while he does not state posi-
tiveiy that the cable despatch may not be true,
In regard to mixed commission to adjust
the claims. he doubts its truth, for the reason that
had anything OF the kind occurred he would have
been advised OF II before II could have reached the
ears OF the news gatherers OF England. He believes
that Minister Johnson would have promptly Informed
secretary Seward OF any important progress in the
negotiations and that therefore it is not at all likely
that he has agreed to the terms outlined in tho late
cable dispatches. Whether the President favors the
idea OF mixed commission or not ia point on
which bis Excellcncy maintains rigid reserve.
Besides, these reasons given for discrediting the
cable despatch are strengthened by private letters
received here from Minister Johnson, in which
not word Is found about any such proposal. The
views expressed privately by Mr.. Johnson before his
departure from this country would likewise seem to
be inconsistent with the idea Of his agreeing to
commission OF any kind for the settlement OF our
claims. It Is well known that Mr.. Johnson, when
ne left here, expressed the hope that he would be
able to dispose Of the troublesome international
bone Of contention within ninety days. In recent
letter TO gentleman In this city he shows some dis
appointment nc the tardy manner in which the nego
tlations were being conducted, but nevertheless
speaks hopefully OF a successful issue.
The New Orleans Difficulties.
Nothing further has been heard at the White
House, War Department or army headquarters from
General Rousseau since receiving his despatch call
ing for Instructions and no additional intelligence
was received to-day at the Freedmens Bureau from
General Hatch 1t Is, therefore, believed that the
troubles which were threatening IN the vicinity OF
Grctna, near New Orleans, have been warded or by
the opportune interference OF tho military COM
mander.
Reduction Of the Public Debt.
II Is estimated from the present condition OF the
books at the Treasury Department that the state
ment OF the public debt for this month will show
reduction Of the debt To the amount
OF about s4.5oo,ooo Tho receipts from GUS
toms during the present month have been
good deal greater than the estimates
made few weeks ago. which we're based upon the
suppostion that there would be considerable fall
ing OIL in mportaions during October. 1t is thought
that the receipts from this source win reach nearly
SIS, 900, 900. Tue expenditures on account of the
War Department have not been 80 large as some
cent reports have stated them. As the account
stands now they will scarcely exceed $40, 600.
Quarterly Abstract or the National Banks.
The general abstract of the national banks for the
last quarter VIII soon be published It will show, in
addition TO what has been formerly exhibited, the
amounts due from the national banking associations
which are available for redemption OF circulating
notes.
The Second National Bank OF st. Paul has been
designated RS national depository.
The abstract OF the quarterly reports OF the national
banks Of virginia shows loans and discounts OF near.
Iy s4,OO0,oOo; specie on hand. $4,000: compound
sa,00O,00o
Revised Customs Regulations.
The volume OF Customs Regulations Of the Trea-
sury Department" published In 1857, having by rea-
of the numerous changes In the laws, become to
large extent obsolete, revision thereof has been
for several months in course OF preparation, and the
Secretary has just issued a pamphlet addressed TO
customs officers, comprising the regulations under
warehouse laws. Tho other portions OF the work
win be published IN short time The form OF ware
house bonds are materially changed IN the revised
regulations and important instructions are give,
relative TO the execution OF them. Precise direction
are also given In reference to the sales of unclaime
| goods.
Internal Revenue Appointments.
The following Internal Revenue appointment
| we're made to-day
| .storeteepaS--H w. Purdy, Filth Kentucky; II. s.
Manser Eighth Ohio VIM. Cook Warrington ,h Terri
4 TORY. JOS. II. Means, tlr5L hnOuo lSauu. Franz
| Zerbc. Eighth Pennsylvania.
taugers-J. II. Murray Fourth Kentucky: c. w
Short, sixth Ohio; Chas p Moye. Eighth Pennsyl
vanla; \. r: Little, Third ONO; Lewis Day, Wash
ington Territory; Chas. g. Merrill, Second COnneci
| cut; John w. Corley, Fourth Kentucky.
Decision or a Court of Inquiry.
| General Orders NO. 81, just issued from tn,
Headquarters OF the Army, promulgates the ooinion
| Of the Court OF Inquiry which convened at Water
town to examine into tho nature or and the neces
Brevet Captain Phepps by Brevet BrigadIer General
| Kingsbury, commanding the WATERFOWL arsenal. as
well as nature and extent Of the grievances tc
which the parties allcge they were subjected. Thu
Court thinks there are not sufficient grounds for
complaint on the part Of Major Burlington and Cap
| tain Phepps against General Kingsbury.
| sharp Practice Of Head Of n Department.
! There is good deal OF gossip going here about
! certain prominent oficia 10 charge or q very i'm
| portant department, VINO has fnaugurated Q new
system OF social economy. The said Official. as tee
graphed you before has taken up his residence In al
eligible portion OF his department, and furnished
in good style, thus u the Same time saving house
I rent end permitting the government to defray his
| private bills for carpets, curtains mahogany and
| clean linen. This same oficiai. moreover has been
| o strong advocate or rtsrenchment and ON his &C
cesslon to Office applied the guillotIne without mercy
TO male and female clerks causing the fact TO b.
proclaimed far and near an evidence OF stern dc
| votion to duty. Thus while a number OF needy
young girls and men ara sent adrlrt without means
OF support Mr.. Commissioner luxuria,es his gov
eminent farm and Uncla Samuel foots the bill.
Discharge Of Treasury Clerks.
There IS grief In the Office OF the Second Auditor
OF the Treasury, occasioned BY the retrenchment t
which has attacked all the departments OF the gov
crnment lately. one hundred clerks have been con-
demned 70 the gulotine by Mr.. Auditor French. and
what makes the execution more odious IL the fact
that threefourths Of the victims unforunatcs OF
the democratic faith, whose heads are chopped on
without regard to their past usefulness and services
TIE unfairaess thus shown by Mr.. French Is causing
unfavorable criticism. Not only Is that Official un.
sparng o. those differing with him politically,
but he seems 10 have made it o special
ob.ecs 70 take advantage OF the retrcnch-
mpnt fnyer rnveuCp hmsrIf unon auc,,