The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-01-02
WASHINGTON.
Facts and RulnOrs.

The st. Thomas purchase by Mr.. Seward is
getting into an awkward complication. 1t ap-
pears Mr.. Seward was the first to apply to the
Danish Government to sell the island. Denmark
refused, not wishing TO appear DESTROYS to part
with territory, and minated that it could not
we'll be done with . proper regard for her digni-
~. After Russia agreed to sell Alaska this
opinion changed. Mr.. Seward made q new ap-
plisatisa and Denmark agreed to sell if the peo-
pie Of st. Thomas desired it, and q treaty was
osncluded. Without waiting for the ratifica-
tiea, Mr.. Seward urged that Denmark should
order N immediate vote On the question. This
VA done and the people agreed. Now, although
the Senate did not act, it il understood that
Dennark's argument is, that in treating with
this government she could only know its Exscu-
tive head, and ~ . formal treaty has been con-
eludsd on her part exactly as requested by the
State Department, that our government 10 in
honor bound to take St. Thomas. After formal
vote Of the people, Denmark does not desire to
take them back.
THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.
To say nothing Of the abuse Of the franking
privilege to the extent Of half million Of dol.
lars by the Philadelphia Union League during
the presidential campaign, another fragrant abuse
has just come TO light, in which the name. Of
Congressman Lincoln, of New York, is involved.
The members, too lazy to write all their franks,
it appears are supplied with stamps Of fac SINH.
les of their signatures. 1t appears some Of the
- A-.s To- NJ. hov
piled themselves with the fac simile of Mr.. Lin.
coin, and been carrying on all their correspond
encs under this forged frank.
THE AMNESTY PROCLAMATION.
The Intelfgeneer is very enthusiastic in praise
of the Prssident's amnesty proclamation. 1t
says:
"Both political parties, by tho action Of their
last conventions, are committed to its approval.
The document affects less than enc hundred per.
sons. This act of amnesty fifty belongs to
Christmas Day, and in issuing the proclamation
the President has struck key note which will
be caught up by the great body of the people.
1t will be hailed as real, tangible step towards
peace. By its spirit and lesson will be tested
those who shall succeed to the grave response
bilities of power, and if they shall be found
wanting in carrying out the doctrine this docu-
ment teaches, most assuredly the cheat will be
detected and this party condemned. Fer this
reason especially. as an example and standard to
others, do we hail this proclamation. 1t makes
it very easy for the incoming administration to
pursue policy Of peace and reconstruction, if
they rsally have these noble ends at heart, and
it makes it alse extremely difficult for them to
follow out opposite course if it shall be found
that the professions Of peace by which the cleo
~ cd mi M ha
hour
MISSING RECORDS.
A writer in the Ecening Express, a conserva-
two journal published in Washington city,
makes the curious statement that when Judge
Campbell, of South Carolina, was in Washing
ton attempting to arrange terms for the separa-
ton OF his state from the Union, President Lin
coin prepared proclamation, with which gen.
tlsman having free access TO the private office of
President Lincoln, repaired to the capitol OF
South Carolina and deposited it with high Off
csl of the state in manuscript, announcing to the
American people that, rather than plunge the
country in civil war, the Executive Government
Of the United States aoquiesoed in the disember-
ment of the United States. With this was a
column OF editorial in slip FORM with corrections
supposed to be Mr.. LIS, recting freely the words
of the instrument, indicating the Executive act
and calling for the approval Of the American
people. This document, which the writer Gays
should BE- preserved in the archives of the state
department a. we'll a. of South Carolina, has,
however, wholly disappeared
AMNESTY PROCLAMATION.
Considerable speculation is INDUCED in at
Washington as to the effect of the amnesty proc
lamation. Congress Of course, will ignore it,
but will Chase and the Supreme Court? In
fact the trial Of jeff. Davis is considered as
ended All he need do, Il is said, 10 to surrender
himself into custody, get out writ Of sadeas
corpus, and his release must follow. Breeksn.
ridge, Slidsll, &C., are in the same boat.
I'll GEN. GRANT. t53
The President elect left Washington on We'd
nssday for Baltimore, whence on Thursday he
proceeded to Philadelphia, where he spent New
Years day ~ the guest Of Mr.. Albert, whoever
that may be. y uN. ,LlfGa
A dnel was fought near Washington on Mon
day morning between an officer Of the regular
army, whose name is not given, and Phil. Fer
nsy, soa Of John Forney, the weapons being pis-
tolls at 20. PAGES Both were wounded but neither
dangerously, only it is feared Forney will lose
his hand which was shattered. The quarrel was
about lady. - '''''''1 : '-'-f'
.sis.i IL THE 4sPEAKERsHIP. T. '1s3F tg-.l
The Republican congress are in lively fight