The Portland daily press., 1868-03-30
WASHINGTON.
A NEW POSTAL TREATY.

A NEW POSTAL TREATY.
WASHINGTON; March 2S.-Oficial proclama-
ton is made of postal convention made De-
tween the United States ana CoIoniI a. u 10Y
eminent of Hong Kong. Mails are 10 De car
ried by a direct line of American paGkets
passing between san Francisco and Hong
Kong via Yokohama Japan.
THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTIONS.
The Committee on Reconstruction had be-
fore them to-day two sets of delegates from
Florida each presenting constitution for
that State. One of the delegations is composed
in part of Wisconsin men, and the other of
Massachusetts men, who have settled in Flori-
d. The former have the advantage as they
exhibit the constitution sanctioned by Gen.
Meade and signed by forty-fve delegates The
latter object to this constitution on the ground
that these delegates signed because otherwise
they could not receive their pay Mr. Stevens
of Pennsylvania promised Mr.. Banks that he
would offer resolution in the House eaii ing
upon Gen. Meade to report all the facts ia the
case in order to relieve the committee from
the embarrassment
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
A delegation, consisting of w. b. Ogden OF
Chicago, Judge Rice of Maine, the Governor
of Minnesota, and one or two gentlemen from
the British Provinces, were before the Hous
Committee the Pacific Railroad to-day, and
made an argument of two hours duration in
favor of the construction of the North Pacific
Railroad. They also pointed out to the Com
mittee the necessity for three projected
routes-Northern, Middle and Southern-and
gave detailed description of the country
through which it is proposed to run them. The
arguments closed with an appeal for aid from
government, SO that the roads may be COM
pleted without delay.
BUTLERs ARGUMENT VERY ABLE.
NEW YORK, March 28.-Washington specials
say: Gen. Buffers opening argument is said
to ne ono of the ablest ana most elaborate eff
forts ever presented in an American court
he will read from the manuscript, and it's de-
livery will consume abont five hours In it
he will incorporate a brief survey of authori-
ties upon the law of impeachable crimes and
offeDses, which have been prepared by Mr.
Lawrence, one Of the Managers. The general
impression is that the trial cannot be finished
IN less than four weeks. The House Managers
have subpen@d about a score Of witnesses, and
the Presidents counsel have probably called
twice that number. No legal bubble which
may have the effect of prolonging the case
VIII be left untried by the Presidents counsel.
GEN. MAGRUDER's PARTY.
Gen. Magruder gave a select dinner party
last night. Among the guests was Gen Emo
ry, Commander at Washington.
NO LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS DURING THE TRIAL
The House will probably agree to do no bust
ness Tor ten days or two weeks and there is
not much probability of there being quorum
present after Saturday, as many of the men,
bers are going home because no business can
be done until the impeachment trial is COM
pleted, which will take from two to three
waeks,z
SUBSIDY FOR NEW YORK STEAMERS
The House Post Office Committee have
agreed to report a bill authorizing the Post
master General to make certain contracts with
the commercial Navigation Company of New
York Tor a weekly conveyance of all European
and United States mails to and from Europe.
The company is to have seven large steamships
constructed under the supervision of a Gov
eminent inspector, and capable of being turn
ed into war vessels. They must be Differed
Dy American citizens, and the rights and priv
heges granted them are not assgnable Bonds
may be issued by the Government to the extent
Of two and half millions of dollars. secured
by liens on the vessels. The line must be put
IN operation in one year from the passage of
the bill.
CRETAN AFFAIRS.
WASHINGTON, March 90 Advices from
Crete report another battle as having been
fought, killing 200 Turks. Gen. Corones land
ed at Cauea on the LIST inst. with number of
picked volunteers, and others are to follow
Inc provisional government publishes Offic-
ial bulletins of the Turkish massacres and
crimes for the year 1867, disclosing a series of
dlaDoncal outrages perpetrated not only on
men but on women and children. The Cretan
commission at Athens has addressed an ap-
peal tor help to all the sovereigns eff Europe |
and the President of the United States.
The railway from Athens to Peirus is to be |
opened in August next.
THE FREEDMEN's SAVINGS AND TRUST COM
PANY.
The National Freedmen's Savings and Trust
Company has just published its annual report,
from which it appears that the total deposits
since March, 1865, have been So, 682, 378 There
remains on deposit sos, 299 The money de-
posted represents part of the savings of the
freed colored people within the last two years.
THE NEW TAX BILL.
The new tax bill will not probablyb be report
ed to the House until the first week in MAY.
THE OPENING ARGUMENT OF GEN. BUTLER.
The opening speech by Gen. Butler to-mor-
row, on behalf of the impeachment managers,
will occupy three hours. He will take up in
order and comment on each of the articles. |
after which the managers will present their |
witnesses and fully enter upon the trial.