The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-28
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
Special kilograms to the Dispatch.
WASHINGTON. December q, 1857.
Dissatisfaction i'm the Engineer Corps
OF the Navy.

| WASHINGTON. December 81, 1859.
Dissatisfaction i'm the Engineer Corps
| Of the Navy.
The proposed Reorganization Of the
corps of engineers Of the navy, and
the bill recently introduced by Senator
Spencer, have been subjects Of discus
sion here among officials. The bill pro-
vidcs for general promotion and Increase
OF pay. 1t appears that the engineer
corps ut the Naval Academy is entitled 10
fifty cadets, but at present there are none
There is complaint made of this and OF the
want of official appreciation on the part Of
the Government of services rendered du-
ring the war.
The dissatisfaction Of the members Of the
corps at the manner they are treated may
in part be Judged by the fact that from 1860
| to 1869, inclusive, 100 engineers have re-
| siened-viz. Chiefs. 6 : first assistants, 80 !;
second assistants, 107 third assistants, 80.
These are exclusive Of the volunteers who
resigned and those honorably discharged
| after the war ended.
these scientific gentlemen n single instance
may he mentioned. Mr.. D. NJ. Greene, late
first assistant engineer in the United States
navy, was formerly an engineer and pro-
fessor at the Rensselaer, Polytechnic School
in Troy. He entered the navy at the COM
mcncement Of the war, and after. doing
much sea service was made Professor of
Engineers at the Naval Academy. He was
lately ordered to duty on board the Frolc,
where he found himself outranked by young
line officers, and compelled to do service
under the orders Of lads who had been his
pupils ut the Academy. Already disheart-
ened by the course of legislation and the
regulations in relation to his corps, without
hope Of promotion in rank or pay, his po-
Sition under the circumstances seemed no
longer desirable, and he resigned his COM
mission. as many others had done before
him.
The Public Dcbt Statement.
The public debt statement for the pre-
sent month will show about the same de-
crease Of Indebtedness rs was shown by the
statement of last month. The amount of
gold in the Treasury to-day is SLOT ,22S, 900 :;
gold certificates, $37, So, $50; currency,
$l0,4l0,G00.
The Alabama Claims.
Intelligence received here by the last
mail from Europe is to the effect that the
British Government intends TO send 10 the
United States one Of her ablGst diplomats
either to tax" the place Of the present Eng
iisiI Minister (Mr. Thornton) or cooperate
with the latter in negotiating treaty for
the settlement Of the Alabama Claims con-
trovcrsy. From this it is assumed that the
British Government has accepted the pro-
position that negotiations shall bc carried
on i'll Washington.
'Eis" Resolutions in Respect 10 the
IcnGry' or the la:e Senator Fcs-
criycd from tho Secretary OF the Senate al
official copy Of the resolutions passed by
that BODY for the printing Of 5000 copies OF
The resolutions passed in respect for the
memory of the late Senator Fcssendcn. Inc
yigncttc Of the late senator is 10 be printed
OF each sheet confirming the resolutions.
The worl, is to lee done by Mr. MacCartec
in the Bureau Of Engraving and Printing.
Destruction 81 Pilates, Dies. &c.
The committee Of Treasury officials de-
n,teA IN count and see destroyed the plates,
dies. rolls. ETC., Of tho old series Of money
and bond issues in possession OF the New
York Bank Note Companies have con-
cIuded their labors. The old plates, ETC.,
have been melted.
The European 5jaiI ser"icc-groubie.
Posl1naster-Gcneral Creswell left here
tliS evening for New York to confer with
the managers Of the ocean steamships thiL
carry the mails between this country ana
E,uropc. 1t appears those owners threaten
to throw up the contract for carrying the
mails on account Of the low rates Tor SER
vice: AID as there are 10 American steam
ers to take the place Of the European YES
sells. there is probability Of difficulty III
b1vinn the European mail service per
formed if the Post-Ofiicc Department shall
| refuse to accedc to the demands OF th'
owner. Of the vessels now carrying tht
mails.
1t is supposed this action of foreign own
ers will stimulate Congress TO adopt some
measures in aid of American shipping, anC
possibly it may result in Discrimination
against foreign vessels.
Contributions for the Poor.
| Among the contributions TO the fund 10
the relief Of the poor to-day were one hun
drcd dollrrs by Chief Justice Chase ant
lifty dollars from Mrs. Grant.
| WALLACE.
| Associated Press kilograms.
Cuban BelIiGcrency.
| WASHINGTON, December 2I.-The Tn
hunc's special from this city says Advice
from Washngton represent the intention
| of the Administration as favorable 10 Al
early recognition Of Cuban belligercncy
and Mr.. summers views are believed L
have altered with respect 10 the antl-siaVer
character of General Cespcdes and his Go
| yernment."
Bank statenseat.g
WASHINGTON, December eI.-The Ne'
York Herald has the following comment
on the bank statement :" AStnc statement
only for five days, it is suggested that ther
has not been so even Distribution ol III
different items. inaslnuch a the banks los
the chances Of the last days exchange be
ing in their favor. again The pay
into the Sub-Ireasury for. customs, CON
bined with the SPECIE shipments OF III
week, will 20 far TO account Tor Tue dccreas
in specie. Taking the specie from the dt
posts, it would leave about two ana M
millions of the latter to he accounted !ol
| hot ,,aH t-ftI