Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-02-12
Affairs at the Capitol.

DaCa, CQe w dSulUSCOu correspondence VI tHo
Baltimore Sun, in his yesterday 8 letter says
1.-The Presidents rejoinder to Gen. Grant and
accompanying statement of members of the
cabinet, were read in the House this afternoon,
and listened to by the members and spectators
with undivided attention The Presidents
letter did not excite any special remark during
the reading, but the letters Of Messrs. Welles'
McCuloch and Seward were greeted with out
bursts of laughter from the republican side OF
the House. The first two excited the ''rlsl-
bles'' by reason of their brevity and sweeping
endorsement of the general statements Of the
President, and the letter Of Mr.. Seward pro-
voked merrimcnt by reason of what the mem
bers termed it's Sewardsms, it's diplomatic
character, and here and there at the comntal
phraseology. ~
Gen. Grants final reply to the President
was received this afternoon at the Executive
mansion just as the private secretary was leav-
ing for Congress with the President rejoinder.
In about an hour afterwards the President
sent to the House q copy of Gen. Grants last
letter. ...... ...
Upon motion of Gen. Butler, the House,
in committee OF the whole, to day struck out
of the executive appropriation bill the allow
ance for certain secretaries and clerks in the
Presidents household. Under the law the
Executive is allowed a private secretary, an as
sstant private secretary, photographic writer,
pardon clerk and three additional clerks
Even this force has not been. found sufficient
to perform the heavy and accumulating work
of the executive Office, and two military officers
we're detailed for additional help at the White
House, one Of these, long ago, upon the sug-
gestion of Mr.. Stanton. The clerical labDrs
lmperatively required of the Executive give
all the above assistants ample work, and the
business is constantly on the increase:
Gen. Grant has ordered Gen. Hancock to set
aside the order reorganizing the New Orleans
city councils. TO this General Hancock res
pectfuly takes exceptions, and tegraphs Gen.
Grant that unless the latter revokes his order
he (Hancock) must ask to be relieved from the
command of the fifth military district.
The nominations to the Senate to-day were: :
Quebec; Henry Z. Hcrrot, to be collector of
customs at Georgetown, S. G.: VIM. Fithian,
to be collector OF internal revenue Of the seventh
district of Illinois. ... ...
1t is given out that Gen, Geo. B. Mcclellan
will be nominated to be minister to Eng land.
Whilst there is no official authorization for
such an announcement, it may be said, newell
theless, that it has been known for some days
| that the President had such nomination under
consideration. .s.
MIR. Stllson was the only person called be-
| fore the reconstruction committee to-day, and
| no material fact was elected by the examina-
/ ton that has not been made public heretofore.
! The memorandum of proceedings of the cabinet,
| already published, was produced by Mr.. Still
son, and he was questioned as to the source
| from whence he obtained it. Mr.. Brooks
] argued that tue witness could not be compelled
/ to answer the question, and newspaper cores
! pondents should refuse to disclose the source OF
| their information when that information was
obtained confdentially.
Other members of the committee controver
ted the propositions. The witness, however,
did not avail himself of the privilege suggested
! but gave full answers to the questions pro-
| pounded. There is genera agreement among
newspaper correspondents this evening that
| hereafter they will refuse 10 give the sources
| of their information, when, in their judgment
| matters are impaired to them in confidential
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