The New York herald., 1869-01-27

three days, no matter what the weather may be- and
In order to do must keep horse and vehicle. In
such districts the Commissioner has placed the fees
al five or ten cents gallon, that the gauger's re-
muneration may be nearly, II not quite as high as
the amount fixed by law. 1t is almost impossible,
however, to arrange the assignments OF districts
as to come anywhere near equalizing the profits OF
gaugers. In some OF the busiest districts
the gaugers receive quite large reve-
nue. from supplying to distillers triplicate
copies OF their gauging certificates, for which they
charge from five to ten cents per barrel, and which
cannot be included in their salary OF $3.50, as the
law does not require them to furnish copies to any
other persons than the assessor and collector.
Consolidating the South American Missions.
Secretary Seward has addressed letter to the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and one TO
the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs protesting
against the adoption OF Buffers amendment to the
Diplomatic and Consular Appropriation bill consoli-
dating the South American missions. The Secretary
OF State says that the adoption Of this amendment
would be unwise ana impolitic The case OF Great
Britain, cited by Mr. Butler and others In the debate
which keeps very few representatives In South
America Mr.. Seward says is not analogous, because
our relations with the South American republics are
more intimate and our commerce with them larger
than that OF any European Power.
Acquisition of the Danish West Indies.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs held q
meeting this morning and heard speech from
General Raaslof on the Importance to the United
States OF the acquisition OF the island Of st. Thomas.
The General pointed out the necessity which this
country was under to maintain naval station in
the West India waters, where much OF its COM
merce Is directed and where its future
interests greatly concerned. He
dwelt good deal upon the bugbear, as he
n oft or ~,
culed the notion that these unhappy manifestations
the bowels Of the earth were chronic in the island,
but rather casual volcanic visitation which even
Washington city nigh; be afflicted by In the years
come. These disturbances had been the means OF
throwing cold water on the idea Of the purchase;
yet their occurrence In the future might never
transpire, as lightning which strikes in place
seldom hits the same mark again. The General gave
the subject as much attraction 1t was capable Of
receiving. The committee, however being obliged
to attend caucus meeting, did nothing In the mat
ter Several letters of Secretary sewards were read
descriptive OF the Danish islands and of the negoa
tons instituted for their purchase
Petition for the Pardon Of DIR. lEadd.
This afternoon Messrs. Stone, Archer ana Phelps,
OF the Maryland delegation in Congress. accompa-
MED by r. j. Merrick OF this city. called upon Pres
dent Johnson at The Executive Mansion and
members in Congress and giving reasons for
tho pardon Of Dr.. Mudd, now in confne-
ment on the Dry Tortugas for alleged com
plicity in the plot that resulted In the
assassination Of President Lincoln. Mr.. Stone, of
the Fifth district presented the paper and stated Its
contents. He called the Presidents attention espe
ciay to the statement contained In the paper that
there was a disagreement OF oplni>l between the
Justices of the Supreme Court OF the United states
aud that Of Judge Boynton, of the District
Court Of Florida, and also invited atten-
tion to the statement that Congress had by the
law Of March, 1S6s deprived persons accused Of all
right Of appeal to the Supreme Court in habeas cor.
pus cases. He argued that this case was one in
which the Executive should interfere as, under the
law referred to a party under punishment for al
legged crime Is virtually without means OF obtaining
relief The paper presented to-day he said, was adj
dtional 10 that presented days ago, and which
was signed by all Of the democratic members OF
Congress. This was signed only by the Mary
land Senators and Representatives, who believed
10 be their duty to enforce the former applications
In every possible legitimate way. II the President
had doubts upon the legal subject matter presented
in the paper, his doubts might be dispelled by
rect legal statement of the case The President,
after hearing Mr.. Stone, took the papers and said
he woun duly consider them. The subject had
the questions OF law stated he did not think that
In q case involving the exercise OF Executive
cemency 1t was his duty TO determine
them. Mr.. Archer presented to the President reso-
lutlons that had been adopted By the Medical Asso
citation OF Hartford county, Md, asking for Mudds
pardon. He called attention to the medical aid that
had been given United States soldiers during late
epidemic at the Dry Tortusas. The President took
the paper, remarking that he had already received
copy Of the resolution. Mr.. MericK next addressed
Mr.. Johnson, and said he felt deep interest
IN the case because he had known Mudd
from childhood. lie was about to continue,
when the President interrupted him by re-
marking, substantiay:-"Mr. Merrick, there
Is no gentleman from whom would rather hear an
argument upon this case to-day than Yourself; but
have thoroughly examined the subject and have al
most made up my mind what shall do. II is only
a question OF tlme.r Mr.. MerrlcS said then If the
President had made up his mind 1t was OF no TO
address him further, but that he had simply III
tended TO say something with reference to the
legal point made the paper, hut more
particularly TO bring to the Presidents at
tention matter OF evidence which was not
brought out at the trial. The President said
the latter was always in order IN an application TO
an executive officer for the exercise OF the pardon
ing power. and he intimated mis- willingness to hear
Mr.. MerrcS. Mr.. Merrick said he would discuss
nothing. but only call attention to fact. The legal
question suggested In the petition is simply 20
the eject that there Is q doubt as 10 the
regularity Of the sentence 1t il a case de-
manding investigation by the Executive, and
TO show that under law made against the veto
power he has relief In the courts or the country
but the matter OF fact to which he referred he deemed
OF the erayest Importance At the trial before the
military commission the Judge Advocate examined
Everton J. Conger who beside Booth at the time
Of his leath The witness, as appears ~ reference
to the record OF the trial. identified knife
pair OF pistols, fle. pocket compass
spur pipe and various other insignificant
articles having been upon the person OF Booth ct
the time OF his DEATH and the Court was left TO infer
that the articles Identified were all the articles
found and taken from the dead mans person. It
was the duty q tie PROSECUTION to have produced