The New York herald., 1869-04-23
WASH INGT0N
>S>>~>>~~~~~~.>>~~>>~~>~
The Closing Scenes OF the
Senate.
PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS ALL ROUND.
Sharp Rencontre Between Sprague
and Abbott.
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A DUEL ON THE TAPIS.
A DUEL ON THE TAPIs.
Rejection Of Sss6rd, Jones, Pile and the
Quaker Indian Agents.
No Trouble Apprehended With
England.
THE SAN JUAN TREATY POSTPONED.

England Prepared to Render Satisfaction In
the Mary Lowell AAair-Ieum0red CoaIi-
ton Of England, France and Spain-Spain
Anxious TO Dispose Of Cuba.
Ofncial Information received from London confirms
my despatch Of two days ago to the effect that Secre-
tary Fish had demanded of England an explanation
regarding the seizure and condemnation OF the brig
Mary Lowell. There is no doubt whatever Of the
fact that such demand has been placed before the
English Premier, but at the same time it should be
stated that no fears are entertained in Official circles
here that any Of trouble between the gov.
ernments viii arise therefrom. 1t is understood
here that the English government agrees with our
own In regarding the conduct Of the Spaniards In
this matter as completely indefensible, and fur.
ther, that 1t has already requested an explanation
OF the whole proceeding. In vindicatlon OF its own
honor and dignity should Spain refuse to furnish
an explanation to England, there is reason to be-
eye that the latter will firmly insist upon the sur.
render OF the brig Mary Lowell Whatever may be
the sympathy Of England Tor the Spaniards in their
struggle to preserve Cuba In their possession, she
will not suffer nagrant violation OF international
law to pass unexplained and unsatisned It is said
MI. Fish has assurances from Minister Johnson that
steps have already been taken by England looking to
the surrender Of the brig In question On the other
hand 1t Is stated on good authority that this point
being settled England will do all in her
power, without openly declaring herself on
the side OF Spain to aid the latter country in keep
ing the rebellious Cubans in subsection. 1t is even
asserted that O secret understanding has already
been entered into on the part Of England and
France to send a powerful feet TO the West Indies
to assist In preventing supplies from reaching the
Cubans, and thus enabling Spain to starve out her
rebelious subjects. The two statements seem hardly
reconcilable, but give them as they reach me,
without vouchng for their truthfulness. II England
really has any such dangerous designs 1t Is
not easy to explain why she should express
herself 30 ready to pick quarrel with Spain
about the Mary Lowell AFFAIR. Certainly Brother
Jonathan will be quite as likely to Tight about
English and French interference with Cuba as about
the seizure Of little brig in English waters Fur
ther, IL Spain had assurance Of English and French
support she would hardly yield so promptly to the
late demands Of Secretary Fish, Some Of the diplo-
matte folks here declare that Notwithstanding all
the talk about Spanish pride and the impossbility
almost Of efecting bargain for the sale Of Cuba
the provisional government In old Spain are only
waiting good excuse and opportunity to sell out
the gem to Brother Jonathan. Money, say some OF
the diplomats assembled in washington, is what
Spain now needs above everything. She must raise
money soon, some how or other, and one Of the
easiest modes they believe is by the sale OF Cuba
More Personal Explanations in the Senate
Senator Nyo Attempts q heply TO senator
sprasue-Liftlc Rhody's Strategy.
Personal explanations have been the special order
Of the morning hour In the Senate for several days
past. This has served to vary the dull monotony OF
the executive session, for these ''personals'' are
generally spicy; besides, In executive session there
Is audience before which honorable Senators can
exhibit themselves when they set about to wash
their dirty linen. What with the correction OF
newspaper statements. the growl about Grants dis
tribution OF the spois and the standing comedy OF
Sprague versus Anthony, Ives, Brown Co.,
the ha6it,tes OF the Capitol have not missed
their little recreation since the "birds OF
plssage,r as Sumner calls the members OF
the House, took their flight twas generally un-
derstood that to-day Senator Nye would pay his re-
spects 10 little Sprague for the complimentary
eppeliations OF .charlatan' and 'harlequinu be-
slowed upon him In the latters speech Of few days
ago. The galleries were not unusually full when the
Senate met but the people kept dropping In until by
the time Nye got the floor there was q good sized
audience present. The Senator from Nevada has the
reputation Of beng something OF wag lie is
occasionally given to ridicue and sarcasm, and
sometimes wields tnese keen weapons or
debate with great skill and power against
his antagonists When he arose In his place
to-day therefore, oil present wen the audience
IN the galleries were the qa Utpe for something
of q rare, spicy order. Perhaps no man possessing
the peculiar qualities attributed to Nye ever had
better opportunity or favored with better sub
ject. sprague entered the Senate Chamber just as
Nye commenced his speech, with huge portfolio un
der his After depositng mis- coat and hat In the
cloak room he walked deliberately to his seat, with
out seeming to notice anybody or even TO recognize
what was going on. Nye spoke directly at sprague
who sat gazing at him In n cynical sort OF way,
with his chin resting on his bosom. For some rea
son or other Nye made few or no points. He
failed to rivet the attention OF his audience
and only raised q feeble laugh by reading
from wcbster's dictionary the definitions OF the
words "chariatanr and ''harlequin.r There was no
sarcasm, successful attempt TO turn the enemy's
guns upon his own columns lie eulogized the legal
profession, the military prowess OF General Burn
side. quoted Scripture and thanked God for the de.
feat OF the Union army at the FIRST Bull Run BATTLE
and various other "blessings in Disguise The real
subject sprague. was scarcely touched, and when
Nye finished his speech and sat down everybody
said that Sprague had st the inside track The
performance to-day seemed TO have been agreed
upon some time ago. How many rehearsals may
have been had In anticipation Of It s not known but
IL was evident there had been O good deal OF
preparation No sooner had Nye taken his seat
than three or four Senators were on their feet and
among them sprague, who was manifcstly eager for
thc fray. Abbott, Of South Carolina, was the lucky
man recognized by the Chair. He was asked n he
would yield TO sprague but he shook his head con.
temptuously towards 'Lttie Rhody'sr seat and
signined that he wanted 10 60 on. lie took up pile
of manuscript and commenced panegyric on the
xfe and military career OF General Burnside. There
wAs nothing in all he said about sprague, ana the
whole speech was 80 dun and stupd that kept tho
presiding onicer busilv rappins with his eavel to
preserve order. when he concluded Morton thought
IL necessary to add his tribute to General Burnside
ana assured the senate that tho Military hero was
born In the same town with bimself that they were
bsu together, spd iulimated that whatever Rhode