The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-24
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, Nov. q, 1858.
General Grant.


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WASHINGTON, Nov. - 1858.
General Grant.
General Grant is engaged to-day at the Army Head
quarters attending to Official business. He will not
make any formal official report this year, but merely
q short communication, forwarding those which
have been received from the various military CON-
manders. Among the visitors who called on Gene
raj Grant this morning were Senator Cole, from
California, and Hon. Il. b. Washburne.
Sensation Concerning tho Alabama Claims.
The receipt at the State Department OF budget OF
dispatches rom Minister Johnson. to-day, has given
rise to something OF sensation here and the chief
subject under discussion Is the question OF the Ala
bama claims. Reports have got into circulation that
MI Seward has at length received dispatches from
England announcing that a plan has been agreed
upon which meets the approval Of the British gov
ernment and enclosing copy OF the convention for
the OF the Secretary OF State and some
rumors have 1t that Mr. Seward has expressed the
opinion that the terms settled upon will, without
doubt prove satisfactory to our government. Care
ful inquiry in Official circles, however eectually dis
poses OF the great majority OF these rumors by giving
them spositive denial. II is true that dispatches
were received to-day at the state Department from
Minister Johnson, relating principally to the Aaba-
ma claims, but in this fact there Is nothing sIgnlh-
cant, as similar packets OF dispatches come from
Mr.. johnson by every steamer Recently there has
been more than usual activity in the transmission of
cable dispatches between this country and Great
Britain, which u taken al an indication that the
arrangement OF the final details was then In
progress | have 1t from the highest authOri-
~ that our government has received no notice
yet OF the completion Of negotiations for the settle
ment OF the Alabama claims. The dispatches
received to-day bring from Minister John
son his detailed report Of the progress
made towards basis OF settlement at the
date the steamer sailed. These dispatches, although
they do not convey the welcome intelligence that
our long pending differences with England have
been virtually removed contain information Of
character to AFFORD the most lively hopes thar such
contamination Is not far distant. Much has been
accomplished within the past fortnight. The
friendly spirit that has been shown by both govern
ments since the opening OF negotiations by Reverdy
Johnson seems to have gained strength within the
past few days, and the sincere desire or each to
arrive ut conclusion that shall be mutually salts
factory is undeniable. Important concessions have
been made on both sides of matters which do not
materially affect the interests OF either nation in the
questions at issue, but which have nevertheless,
stood in the way OF an amicable adjustment. Judg-
ng from the tenor OF the latest dispatches received
from Mr.. Johnson, by cable as well a. by steamer
there il good reason to believe that the arrival OF the
next mail will bring the treaty agreed to by her
Majestys government to be submitted to our govern
ment for acceptance or rejection.
Cruise of q Revenue Cutter ON the Northwest
Coast.
The Revenue steam cutter Wayanda, Captain J.
w. White, has just returned to San Francisco from
summer cruise to Alaska. Besides visiting many
points OF interest and importance south OF tho Aleu-
tian Islands, already comparatively wen known,
the object OF the cruise chiefly IN view was
accomplished In visiting the important and
valuable islands OF ST. Paul and st. George and the
coasts OF Behrng Sea. Much interesting informa-
ton has been thus procured. South OF the Aleutan
Islands coal has been discovered in numerous local
tiles along the coast and or good quality. The In
dams have been visited at various points and found
well disposed and peaceful, even those from whom
difficulty had been anticipated. A number OF valu-
able harbors not laid down ON the charts have been
visited and described with such accuracy a. was
possible consistently with the rapidity OF movement
necessary TO accomplish the widely separated OBJ
jects in view The Wayanda IL now undergoing re-
repairs at San Francisco and will as soon as they
are completed, return to Alaska for the winter.
Aided ny tho information thus procured, the govern
ment viii be able to adopt stringent measures
during the next year To enforce the laws against
Illicit tralic and the killing OF forbidden fur animals
imprisonment Of Americans In Syrla.
letter received In washington from Syria dated
October II, states that recently party OF English
men and two Americans were charged with having
smuggicd arms into the Interior for the purpose OF
Overthrowing tho government Of the Sultan and
placing 1t into the hands or the Pacha. who had
just lost his SUCCESSION to the Vice Royalty OF EgypA
oot.vx
new railroad route, and that their arms were for
tho purpose Of defending their employees. At the
date OF the letter they werc imprisoned ut Damascus
The American Consul General for Syria and Pales.
tine had sent his consular clerk to that city to de-
mand the release OF the Americans and their de.
livery 70 him for trial according to the provisions
OF tho existing treaty. The ottoman authorities
frightened ut what they suspected to be treas0na-
bic plot thus far had refused 10 release the prisoners
The English Consul seemed s0mewat Indifferent to the
fste Of his own countrymen Our Consul General
was endeavoring, while showing oil proper respect
for tho Turkish government TO give the American
prisoners such aid and counsel a. was proper. The
consular clerk sent to the Turkish Governor Gen.
eral at Damascus, and was supposed that a he had
had experience In arranging similar difficulties at
Jappa and Jerusalem his present errsnd on behalf OF
his countrymen would be successful without tho ne
cessty OF resorting TO formal dpomsc proceedings.
Tho Currenoy Printing Investigation.
The investigation into the accounts OF the currency
printing division Of the Treasury has been suspended
for few days. owing TO the absence OF Senator
Edmunds who has gone TO New York to remain
until Saturday next
The WhisLey Frauds Investigation.
II ID rumored here to night that Thurlow Weed n to
be here In few days to take hand In arranging the
hof.r INF tovo
tsaton- Judge Fullerton, 1t Is said. viii DC here to-
morrow or Wednesday.
The Whiskey Ring and Its Mode Of Fighting
Prosecutions.
Numerous accessions to the whIskcy ring have
been arriving here daily for about week. and a.
consequence the Interest In tho cases OF all the
cused ofcias Is rapidly reviving. These late access
sions have evidently been sent hero for special
purpose They arc busy M bees, circulating In
every part Of the city, and whatever their object
may be, they are evidently working most earnestly
sh-s- ~wsfw 49,