The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-17
WASHINGTON NEWS.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1863
The Impeachment Managers and the Alta Vein
COutrOyersv.

WASHINGTON, April 10, 1862
The Impeachment Managers and the Alta Vein
Controversy.
Tue Alta Vela sQuabbe has not reached Its end yet.
Judge Black and Secretary Seward are much exer-
csed about it, and 1t is said that some spicy develop
ments are ahead 1t would appear that Judge
Blacks clients are not the only parties interested in
the matter but that certain congressman have q
finger in the pic, and have been using their influence
to stir up State legislative action with q view to
inducing the Executive to demand prompt settlement
from the st. Domincans. l have seen a paper
signed by Messrs. Butler, Garfield, Thad Stevens,
Bingham and others giving their opinion that the
United states government has clear right to jurs-
diction over Alta vela. l have made a copy, which
is as follows:-
WASHINGTON, March Q, 1868.
Colonel J. w. SHAFFER, Washington, d. CT
DEAR SIR answer to your question relating to
the validity OF the claim Of the United States 10 the
siderable consideration OF the subject am clearly OF
opinion that. under the claim Of the United States,
its citizens have the exclusive right to take guano
there This Is clearly indsputable, both by the law
Of nations and municipal law. have never been
able TO understand why the Executive did not long
tain the rghtful claims of its citizens to the posses
sion OF the island in the most forcible manner.cOn-
ss'ent WIN she dignity and honor OF the nation
concur In the opinion above expressed by General
Butler. JOHN A. LOGAN.
j. A. GARFIELD. THADDEUS STEVENS.
w. H. KOONTz. J. G.. BLAINE.
w. MOORHEAD. JOHN A. BINGHAM.
Mr.. Shaner, to whom this letter is addressed is,
believe. lawyer for the claimants and one OF the
claimants himself It is somewhat remarkable to
find the names of these Congressman subscribed to
such document and the fact has given rise to the
suspicion that they must be interested in the claims
This paper was enclosed by Judge Black In letter
to the President and when Black found the Executive
unwilling to Interfere as desired in the Alta Vela
contest, he (Black) sent q letter Withdrawing from
his connection with the defence to the impeachment
trial. The fact OF four Of the Managers displaying
such remarkable interest in the subject has excited
considerable comment among those who are cogni-
SAINT of the facts in the case.
The Accounts of the Secretary Of the Senate.
1t is alleged, in the Of the accounts OF Colonel
Forney Secretary Of the Senate, that the amount Of
money admitted by Wagner, his clerk, to have been
used by himself in various speculations s2OooO
When the discovery was made it is understood that
security given for that amount, but afterwards,
il is alleged, further deacit was detected, which
swelled the amount to $4,000. Any knowledge Of
this surplus is disclamed by Wagner, and the object
Iii ordering an investigation at the hands Of the
Committee on Retrenchnent Is to either verify or
disprove these charges. Last evening Colonel Forney
gave a dinner TO number OF Senator's and other
friends
Celebration of the Anniversary Of the Emnn-
cipation Of Slaves in the District Of CO.
lumbia.
The coored citizens to-day, Notwithstanding the
extremely disagreeable condition of the weather.
were engaged in celebrating the anniversary of the
emancipation proclamation. Various societies and
associations IN procession through the different
streets OF the city, and the proceedings terminated
with speeches, at the White Lot, south OF the Execu
tive Mansion.