The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-20
WASHING ON.
SECRETARY FISY'S STATE DINNER.
The Cnban Question Not To Be Settled BY q
Post PFaBdial Discussion.



Western Congressman Agitating
for Resumption.
WASHINGTON Nov. 10, 1869.
Resumption Of Specie Payments.
Some Of the Western congressman who have been
here announced themselves boldly In favor OF resum
ing specie payments General Garfield, OF Ohio
who il chairman of the Committee on Banking and
Currency says II the present Congress had any
spunk they would say, "Well, we are In power for
as least year and half. During that time we will
provide for resuming specie payments and thus put
the business OF the country on q stable basis. We
may not be sent back-prObaby We win not-but we
win immediate ourselves for the country's good"
Garfield seems to have been studying the subject
and to be familiar with 1t in all Its aspects. 1t ls
probable that he VIII make some movement at an
early day In the House to open discussion the sub
tect OF resumption.
Another First Class Sensation Spoiled.
The story of diplomatic dinner having been
given here last week by the Secretary Of State at
which the Committee on Foreign Affairs OF the House
were present, and when the Cuban question was the
almost exclusive topic Of conversation turns out to
be first class canard. 1t appears that only three
Of the members OF the House Foreign Affairs Com
mlttee are In the city or have been here for some
months. None Of these gentlemen have had any
invitations to dine with the Hon. Secretary
Of State, at least they were issued
they were not received. Instead OF direct
ing their attention 10 Cuba and the other
West India Islands the gentlemen Of the Foreign
Affairs Committee have been trying to unrave the
mystery OF the Paraguayan- Washburn-Lopez mud.
Al lfr
Cuban question is or too grave importance to be
settled at dinner, especially when only three mem
pers Of one Of the House committees are present.
It Is known that the Attorney General is the most
obstinate opponent OF the Cubans In the Cabinet,
and 1t ia hardly probable that he would be invited to
dinner at which the question was to be definitely
settled, especially il the Cubans were to have any
show. Inasmuch as no such meeting took place,
however, the Attorney Generals opinion will proba-
bly, be reserved for o future occasion. II
The 81. Domingo Questionable Destination
of the Albany.
The report now is that the Albany, which left New
York last week, and whose departure created such
sensation, will be ordered to St. Domingo as soon as
she reports to Admiral Poor. who is in command OF
the West India squadron. There is nothing specially
significant IN this however, as hear she Is merely
TO be sent there to look after the interests of Ameri
can citizens. 1t may be stated again, on the author
tty of the Navy Department that the Albany carried
out neither stores, arms nor ammunition more than
she was entitled to as regular man ofwar. That
she Is to cooperate In any manner with President
Baez, either in putting his government on stable
basis or in fulfilling any alleged conditions agreed
upon BY Baez and President Grant. seems to be
without foundation. There Is nothing new in the
supposed negotiations between our government and
that OF st. Domingo beyond what has airendy been
stated in these dispatches.
Ono Cause Of Mr.. Washburn's "Unpleasanr.
ness'' with Lopez.
In 1868 Minister Washburn, learning that Lopez
Of Paraguay, desired to obtain arms from some
foreign country told Lopez that IN the United States
the best rides, cannon and other warke weapons
were manufactured; that nothing equal to them
could be found In the whole world; and at the
time he volunteered to procure specimens OF the
di1erent fabrics in this country. President Lopez
gladly accepted the o1er and handed to Mr. Wash
burn an amount Of money which by some is stated
TO haye been So $780, and BY others $4,000. With this
amount Washburn, on coming or sending to the
United states, was to obtain specimens OF the differ
emit kinds OF arms manufactured In this country,
and to have them forwarded to Lopez. This was
about year before the war between Brazil and
Paraguay. Lopez waited and waited, but nothing
was heard Of the warlike specimens from the United
States. Washburn informed Lopez that he had
purchased the required specimens but on learning
OF their nonarriva wrote to his agent In New York,
and was informed, as he stated In his testimony
before the committee that the export OF the arms
was prevented by our government under q law which
prohibited the exporting Of warlike arms during
domestic war. Wasbburn, therefore, wrote TO the
State Department here asking that the prohibition be
removed as to the arms intended for President
tn racI,h urv fbn
was finally allowed, but when the arms reached
Buenos Ayres they were seized by the authorities
there. This is Mr. Washburn's explanation, which,
however, is doubted by some people. Lopez is re-
ported to have told Minister Mcmahon that his
suffered incaiculable injury by reason of the
failure OF these arms to reach Paraguay before the
commencement OF the Brazilian hostities. Had
they arrived In time Lopez would not have been
compelled to depend upon flint lock muskets, and
the condition OF existing AFFAIRS might be very differ
ent. Lopez, therefore, regards the laundering
neglect OF Washburn NJ one Of the principal causes
of the protracted hostRties and has, naturally no
very friendy disposition towards the author OF his
endorsements.
Reports of Hexsse Committees.
The members OF the House Sub Committee Of
Foreign Affairs are busily engaged in preparing
their report on the recent Investigations into the
4
on Monday next TO complete the report.
Tho Census Committee resumed Its session to-day.
Mr.. Garfield presented bin for taking the census,
which will be discussed by sections until completed
No new members have JET appeared. Mr.. Gar
field ia the permanent Chairman Of the subcom-
mittee, having active charge of the matter under
consideration, and viii assisted BY Messrs. WINK
inson and Haldeman.
( OfBeIl Gewett's Transatlantic Cnble Scheme.
william Cornell Jewett to-day had an Interview
with the PxesIdeat on the subject or his franchise
from the Netherlands government for a cake from
New York to the Hague the oojecr being 70 give
our government opportunity, If IL SO desires, to
unite In the establishment OF the line the bCsis OF
strict reciprocity From what took place to-day 1t
Il probable tuat definite Will be soon made
aalt tap