The New York herald., 1869-06-01
A C0l0red Ambassadors Interview
with the President.
Views Of President Grant on the Annexation
Of West Indian Islands.
Expensive Management in the
White House.
THE LAMENTED CUSHAW'S SUCCESSORS
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1867.


The Cubans and Cuban sympathzers here were In
nigh spirits during this MONTH Three distinct car
goes OF arms and ammunition have been safely
landed in Cuba, with strong presumption that q
fourth has safely reached Its destination the effect OF
which, they say is already perceptibe In recent
lights, according to Spanish admissions.
Our Minister 10 Russia.
Minister Curtin this morning received full and
ianal instructions from the State Department ana
afterwards accompanied by Mr.. william Moran,
called at the Executive Mansion to take leave OF the
President, with whom he had que long conversa-
fion on International affairs.
Minister Curtin has appointed as his personal Sec
retary and diplomatic attacho to the legation. Mr..
Robert H. Gratz, OF Pennsylvania. He VIII sail from
New York, accompanied by Mr.. Coffee, Secretary OF
legation and Mr.. Gratz, on the nth OF June.
Interview Of the New Minister Hayti With
the President--The Presidents Views Upon
= Annexation.
Mr.. u. d. Bassett tcolored), our new Minister to
Hayti arrived here to-day and had interviews with
the President Secretary Fish, Senator Sumner and
your correspondent. Bassett though belonging 10
what young Douglass calls "a despised race, is
a man Of considerable parts. He is good
looking. apparently well educated, quite
polished in manners, well posted about politi.
cal matters and seems TO have thoroughly fitted
himself for the discharge OF the duties devolving
upon him the FIRST colored diplomatic representa-
tive OF the United States. With all these good quail
ties he combines rare modesiy which nicely dis
unguishes between servility to 1.-THE white. trashn
and that undue assumption which often character
izes the conduct Of men suddenly elevated. "a am
going to President Grant, said he to your cor.
respondent, ''and ! confess 1t will be an ordeal a
little trying to me. Some men like notoriety
OF that kind, but ! am not one OF them
i am only a poor Yankee, ana don't care
10 make myself remarkable. ''In what part OF the
country were you bornfn asked your correspondent
connecticut sir, in Ltchneld.n where, strange 10
ray, besides the present Minister TO Haytl, John
Brown and the Seymours were also born Mr.
Bassett then proceeded to say that he had already
had snort interview with the President
who received him graciousy and appointed
later hour In the day for longer talk
stating that he desired TO see him when they
could he more secluded. 81 told the President
had called TO see him because had heard he
wished 10 say something to me before my departure
10 Hayn. | said TO him that had general written
instructions from Secretary Fish, but supposed he
might like 10 give me some special instructions He
smiled and said NO, he had not, but in such way
that inferred that he really had something special
20 say.'N
OF the second Interview with the President will
endeayor 10 give you an account, also In Mr.. Bas.
setts own words:-"when went into Mr.. Grants
once found him talking with Mr.. Creswell, both
sitting down and both smoking cigars (Here
Bassett smledl They both received me pleasantly
and was given cigar by Mr.. Grant, the rem aims OF
which still have exhibiting cigar stump. Our
conversation was free and cordial. MIR.
Grant asked me several questions about the re-
sources OF Hayt, its history, customs OF the
people, &c, which answered as well as knew
how. Mr.. Grant opened map OF the West Indies
az bag that table and referred 10 it. During our
conversation Mr. Cresweil also examined cyclo-
pedia regarding some points that The Presi-
dent was very emphatic and at the same time very
cautious in expressing himself about the policy OF
nexstion. He said his own views were In favor OF
snch policy but that he thought In all cases
the people Of country 10 he annexed
should nrst show themselves anxious for union
with us aud tnat then II would be subject for the
consideration OF our government. You see he was
very careful In his expression that subject say
ing that even after people showed themselves
favorable TO annexation Il would stll be a ques-
ton for our consideration. He said he had
no particular instructions 10 give me. I told him
j could only bring 70 the once with which
he had honorcd my patrioIsm, honesty, fidelity and
INDUSTRY. HE replied that he felt there could be
t0Ide adyaniage to be derived from my appoint
msut 10 Hayti; that being accredited 10 people OF
the same race myself would be received with
more cordialiiy, and be enabled perhaps 70 be OF
inDre service 10 the United States. told him had
assurances that would be wei received. The In.
teTyiew, suppose, occupied altogether about three.
quarters Of an hour.
M basseit, ia reply 90 several questions from
you correspondent. related other things that oc.
cpffed ~ the interview, but a. they were not OF
much account they are omitted. The above II rub.
tianiiaiy what occurred. Al his Interview with
Secretary fisb ne told that there were several
claims against the Hayden government, but that
ihsy were not In snch shape ~ to require de-
Insno for settlement. The services OF the United
slaies Mmlter would simply be used In the way
81 friendly mediation. Mr.. Bassett informed
sopr correspondent that he woals aaa
from New York for Hsyu pext Thurzday. and r..
euesed tina, II anything shttld bs pabuahed about
Dis conversation with Grant that II should 10 only
very general. Bet the intery = sonssyhst
important from TIE fact that Mr. Bassets ras Ara,
colorcd ambassadors from the United states ani as
nothing related above is TO the disctedlt either H ne
President or of Minister Bassett rhave you zoe
above account even ct the risk of being charged
with violating .conaderoe as Holsce would Say,
.Jnst once.r
The Whereabouts or Minister Meunbon.
On inquiry al the Department OF state II was ascer.
tanned no Information has lately been received OF
the whereabouts OF Minister Mcmahon, win the ex-
ception OF the despatch from General Webb, at RIO,
received q week ago, giving az rurnor thaa ReJs.
hon was at Asuncion.
The East India telegraph Company.
Governor Curtin, as President or the East Iudia
Telegraph Company, having requested the Navy Ne
partmcnt 10 extend such aid 10 that enterprise ae
might seem proper, secretary Borle mas Instructed
Admiral Rowan, commanding the United states
Asianc squadron, 10 give full protection and render
nll the assistance within his power TO the work Of
laying the cable Of the above named company, aud
20 manifest 10 the Chinese authorities the deep In.
ferest which this government feels In the success OF
the enterprise. Post Captain Alexander Murray ls
detailed 10 proceed to China and give the benefit OF
bis aid and experience 10 making the preliminary
surveys and soundlngs.