Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-28
EVENING STAR.

LV GNlNd OIAk.
Washington News and Gossip.
THH ALABAMA CLAIMs-The COMMITTEES ON
Foreign Relations, in neither house of Con-
eress, have had any meeting since the ad iourn.
ment, and there has been NO discussion as to
the Alabama claims. But one member Of the
Senate Commitse-Mr. Sumner-,s in town
and it is understood that he declares the entire
state me nt as to the nature Of the agreement
upon the Alabama claims which would be rasi-
fed by Congress fabr ication. All the members
OF the House Committee on Foreign Affairs have
been absent from the city for the past week
There has been no consultation among the men,
bers of the committee, as tney are Of the opinion
that ii would be indelicate to take any actioa
before knowing the plan agreed upoa between
the two Governments. Whea matters shall
have been satisfactorily arranged between the
two countries and Official notice OF the same be
given 10 Congress, then some acton will be
taken. but until that time everything pertai n =
ing TO the settlement of the Alabaml claims will
be with 81 cretI-y Seward aud Miais.sr sr John
SOD.
MR. A. Z. SPoFFOED, Libr,ran OF Congress
has made an interesting report, showing the
present condition of the library. The library
now presents an aggregate OF 173.965 volumes,
exclusive OF unbeund pamphlets, manuscript
materials aud maps. or th,s amount 24,6SS
volumes are IN the law dep lrtment, and S,a9S
yolurss have been added during the wear.
Under the law requiring a deposit OF a copy of
every publication for which a copy right has
been granted. 1852 books, 1,i21 pamphlets
1861 pieces of music, and so maps have been
received during the year. Mr.. Spoford says
he has reason to believe that nearly all impor.
tant publications, and a proportion exceeding
ihree-iourths Of all publication copyrighted
under the law are received at this library. Mr.
Spoiord announces that the printing OF the
alphabetical catalogue of subjects has been
commenced ard finished to the letter g. making
81 pages already printed.
TIE CHILDREN OF the Presidents family, as
already stated. have issued cards of invitation
TO youpg misses and masters Of an age CORES.
ponding with their own to dancing party on
Tuesday evening next, at six o'clock. The
iact that written invitations have been issued
strips the party Of anything like the character
Of reception by the ladies or a levee of the
President Notwiths landing the evident inten- =
tion to make it an exclusively Juvenile party,
"children of a larger growth" have been
eagerly seeking invitations TO attend, and some
amusing if not disgusting accounts could be
told OF the strategic means resorted to by this
| "larger growth" to obtain the " entree" Invi-
tations have gone for about $50 children, en-
bracIng families in official position and in pri.
vats life, irom Gen. Grants children to those
OF the humblest pan entage.
TEE FASHIONABLE CIEcIRs of Louisville
have been agitated for some time by the ap.
preaching marriage of Gen. Wager Swayne,
Of the U. s. Army, and Miss Ellen Harris,
daughter Of Alfred Harris, the well kno vu
lawyer. which occurred on Wednesday last at
Christ Church. Louisville, the rector, Rev.
James Craik, ofiiciating. The ceremony was
rendered unusually imposing by the number
and distinction Of the bridal party. Mr.. Jus.
tice Swayne and lady, parents of the BRIDE
groom, and Mr.. and Mrs. Harris, parents Of
the bride, graced the occasion with their pres-
snce The bride was attended by her sister,
Miss Eugenia Harris, Miss Deanison. daugh.
ter Of the Ex-Governor Of Ohio, Miss Swayne
sister of the bridegroom, and MISS Kelly, of
Columbus Ohio; while Gen. Swayne's suit
consisted OF his former comradcs.iu- arms,
Col. Wharton, Col Fredeabeig Col. Bulwer,
aud Mr.. Swayre.
SECRLrAEY McCULLoCH retorned here on
Saturday evening from his recent visit to Jsy
Cooke, Esq. IN Pnilsdelphis, aud was st his
office this morning. His family will not return
for several days.
GENERAL 9EANr will leave here on Wed.
nesday evening for Baltimore, and remain in
that city until Thursday, when be will 60 to
Philadelphia and spend New Years day. He
VIII probably return here about the first of
next week. While IN Baltimore Gen1 Grant
Will be the guest of Mr.. ]. Albert.
COMMANDER THOMAS SCOTT FILLRBRowN,
u. 5. N, has been detached from duty in the
photographic office, corner OF 18th street ana
New York avenue, after the I4th Of January
next, and ordered 10 command the steamer
Narragansett-
ATTORNEY GHsEKAL EvARrs has not yet
considered what effect the recent proclamation
of the President will have upou the motion
now pending In the Supreme Court to quash
the indictment IE the case Of JEFF. Davis
whether 1t does or does not relieve the court
from the necessity Of disposing OF this motion
TIE TARIFF BILL now pending in the
House, will, II is understood, be recommitted
| 10 the Committee Of Ways and Means mme-
diafely after recess. 1t is conceded that in
its present shape 1t stands no chance Of pass
III the House, and the only means of saving il
is 10 recommit il to the committee. There i,
will be considerably altered and amended, 50
IS TO include q larger number Of interests than
| it does AZ present and thus secure the vote OF
| different sections of the country. J. X. Moor.
head, who Is candidate for the SenatorshiY
from Pennsylvania, has heretofore had the bill
| in charge, and he is anxious TO have il passed
before the election TOR Senator takes place In
| January. should he succeed he will urge
| that as among his claims TO the Senatorship.
TIE CoNNirTII chosen by Gen. Howard to
investigate the causes Of the recent accident q
the Freeamen's Hospital have not completed
their work ~hey have submitted scientific
| questions connected with The. strength, mate.
4 rials, &C., to Prof. Henry, Of the Smithsonian
| Institution, and will net report until his an.
| swer is received. Gen. Howard says that hs
will pay for tbs damage TO the building ont oi
4 his own pocket. He believes that the whole
amount Of damage will not exceed three thou
| sand doilsrs-
1T n UNDERSTOOD that Mason, Slidell, Wig
| fan, Judah r. Benjamin, and John O. Breckin
| ridge have sent dispatches here inquiring anx.
,ously the exact nature Of the protection which
| the Presidents proclamation Of amnesty Affords
II .esm ms these distinguished participant, In tht
rebellion are at q loss to know II the clemency
| extended by Andrew johnson is Of such char
acter "a Congress is bound 70 respect, and