The Portland daily press., 1868-08-04
WASHINGTON.
NO MORE CLERKS WANTED.


WASHINGTON, Aug. BIN view of the
changes taking place among the employees il
the Treasury Department in Washington Mr.
McCulloch has directed the appointment
clerk to receive no more applications for Office
either from men or women and to return those
already received to the respective parties who
presented them.
MINISTER JoHNsoN's INSTRUCTIONS ON THE
sE ALABAMA QUESTION.
1t is announced in administration quarters
to-day that the instructions from the Govern
ment to Reverdy johnson, Minister to Eng
1Psna, are few, and his powers to treat with the
BRUSH Government upon the settlement of
the Alabama claims, general and without lin
1T. MIR. johnson, it is said, meets the British
government upon this long protracted discus
SION untrameled by any of the previous propo-
sltIoDs or demands made BY the State Depart-
ment and to which England took exception
1t is confidently expected that within two
months after the arrival of Minister johnson
at the Court of St James he will have effected
an amicable and satisfactory adjustment of the
Alabama claims.
HEALTH OF THAD. STEVENS
Hon. Thaddeus Ste ems is still in this CITY at
his residence on Capitol Hill. He is in quite a
feeble state of health, but hopes to take his
departure for Lancaster on Thursday next
To friend who called on him yesterday he
expressed doubt as to whether he should be
able to return to the capital at the next meet.
ing of Congress, but maintained no anxiety on
the subject save that he would fain live to see
the noble principles of the Republican party
in their purity triumph over the obstacles and
resistance now opposing them.
fb-l INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The Superintendent of Indian affairs prompt-
ly writes to the Indian Bureau from Fort Els
worth, Kansas, under date July 49, informing
the Commissioner of his arrival at that place
on the 18th ult The next day he called on
Gen. Sully, at Fort Harker, who informed him
ne mad recently, about ten days previous to
the date of the Superintendent's letter. met in
council at Fort Larned the Kiowas, Canaan
ches, Apaches, Cheyennes and Arrapahoes.
Inc CheyeLnes were cross and sullen because
OF not having received their supply of arms
and ammunition from the Government, while
the kiowas and Camanches were snlen be-
cause OF the scarcity of provisions among
them. Gen Sully had collected all the army
that was In the neighborhood of Fort Larned
and posted them in proper position, which had
a good effect on the refractory Indians, and
they had stated their willingness to await ac-
ton of their Great Father in sending them
provisions. The reason why the KIowas have
not been supplied with arms and ammunition
is because of their recent violations of treaty
stlpulatons, they having made war upon the
Kaws, which are friendly to the whites, be-
sides having invaded the Government reser
. vations for warlike purposes.
About 12OO lodges, consisting of 5000 Ind-
ans, were present at the Council held by Gen.
Sully. Many of them were still in the neigh
borhood of Fort Larned, but up to the date of
Superlntendene Murphy's report everything
was quiet, although some of the Indians had
been stealing whenever they could get an OPP
portunity
The Tt ported killing of Lieutenant and five
soldiers some time ago is denied by Mr.. Muir
ply. Reports state that while the Indians are
now quiet, it is probable that unless they are
aided by the Government they may resort TO
extensive stealing rather than starve, which
may lead to other serious difficulties this fall
unless provision is made to keep them from
suffering for food The Indian Department.,
however, feels assured that with the means Of
provision now under the direction of General
Sherman, all difficulties will be averted with
the Indians.
BRIDGES DAMAGED.
The only communication for wagons between
Washington, Alexandria and the Virginia
shore is by ferry, both the Long bridge and
Aqueduct bridge being in an impossible con-
dition.
THE POST OFFICE DEFICIENCY.
A paragraph recently was telegraphed hence
saying, among other thlngs, the voluntary in
crease of pay granted by the Postmaster Cen
has added considerably to the deficit of the
Department. There is authority for saying
this assertion is entirely without foundation,
as the Postmaster General has under the law
no discretion in fixing the amount of pay for
service on any route, as increased compensa-
ton for service can be allowed emily in proper
ton to increase of service.
Col. VIM. NJ Small Wood was to-day desig
mated by Postmaster General to take charge
its present incumbent, who has been suspen-
dpd