The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-11-26
WASHINGTON.
THE ALABAMA NEGOTIATIONS.

THE ALABAMA NEGOTIATIONS.
WASHINGTON, Nov. -Reverdy Johnson'
friends here say that the United States ha
withdrawn its demand for a specific referenc,
as to the right of Great Britain to recognize
the belligerency of the rebelious States, while
the representatives of both governments have
agreed to admit all questions arising out of the
rebellion to arbitration.
THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING
President johnson having issued his procla
nation appointing tomorrow as a day o.
Thanksgiving, orders have been issued :o-day
to close the department tomorrow and TO have
work suspended at the arsenal, navy yard and
treasury department and government printing
office.
The banks willalso be closed and little bust
ness will be transacted.
GRANTS CABINET.
General Grant told an old friend of his last
evening that he did not propose to designate
his Cabinet until February as he desired to
acquaint himself with the vie VS. of the Con-
gressonal Representatives of the party which
had elected him.
PERSONAL.
Senator Sumner is expected to arrive here
to-day.
Senator Morton has recovered from a sudden
indisposition and is out again.
PRAYERS FOR THE RESTORATION OF GENERAL
BUTLER.
The colored people hell large prayer meet
ing last night to return thanks for Gen. But
ler's recovery.
REPORT OF GEN, ROUSSEAU.
Col r. Keller, of Gen. Rousseau's staff, ar
rived here last evening, with the Generals re-
port of operations in his command, and also
his report upon the recent disturbances in
Louisiana. These he delivered to-day to Gen.
Grant. The Colonel also had interviews with
The President, Secretary of War and some of
The most prominent mewbcrs of Congress,
who have arrived here, giving details derived
from personal observation in New Orleans all
OF which could not well be included in the
Generals report. Col Keller represents that
the hostility of the white people of Louisiana
generally to the present State government is
most bitter and intense That with the force
under Gen. Rousseau's command during the
recent troubles, 1t was utterly impossible to
preserve the peace at all points, Every dispo-
sltion of the troops was made, and every pos
sible measure was taken to protect the people
IN their rights without regard to party. The
Republicans did not generally vote because
they were advised not to attempt to do so by
their leaders, who believed they could not vote
with safety TO their persons. In this opinion
Gen. Rousseau concurred, but with the means
at MS command he was DowerlesS to establish
a different order of things Gen. Rousseau
was in constant consultation with Gov War
mouth and the other State authorities during
the disturbances, and his course met their warm
approval as it does of all classes of New Or
leans. Col. Keeler states that up to the date
of Gen. Steedmans assuming charge of the
police, that force was utterly worthless. 1t
was composed of 243 negroes and 100 whites.
No riots have occurred and no city has been
more orderly and quiet than New Orleans
since that change.
Gen Rousseau courts the most searching
investigation of his management of Louisiana
affairs during the recent troubles.
AID FOR THE CUBAN INsURREcTIoNIsTs.
The Colonel says there is no good foundation
for the reports of an organization in New Or
leans to help the Cuban insurgents.
THE SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
Admiral Davis, commanding the South At
lantic squadron, has not, as has been stated
made application to the Secretary of the Navy
for additional force with which to proceed to
Paraguay. He has sufficient number to ans
wer his purpose.
ORDER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The War Department has issued an order
that no permanent barracks, quarters, hOspit-
ais, storehouses, officers stables, piers or
wharves shall be erected but by order of the
Secretary of War and according to plan direct
ell by him, and no alterations shall be made in
any such building without authority from the
War Department.
PRoFFER OF GOOD ADVICE TO THE NEXT PRESI-
DENT.
New YORK, Nov 25-The Times Washing
ton dispatch says the usual routine of calls
and business matters was observed at head
quarters to-day. Among those who paid their
respects to Gen. Grant was Gov. Bullock, of
Georgia. The President elect is now receiving
numerous letters rendering advice and sugges-
tions in regard to the Cabinet, most if not all
Of which share a fate similar to the applca.
tons for Office thus far. He has been advised
to appoint both Robert E. Lee and Horatio
Seymour to positions in his Cabinet, for the
reason that it would have very harmonizing
and modifying effect upon the people who op-
posed his election, and would therefore aid
largely to give us peace.