The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-16
Testimony i'm the Paraguayan
MIDDLE.
Washburn and Mcmahon Before
the Committee.
THE ARMY REUNION IN LOUISVILLE
Departure Of General Sherman and
Others for the Meeting.

signs Against tho south American Repub-
lics-Minister Washburn's Dispatches.
The House Subcommittee OF Foreign Affairs met
at ten O'Clock this morning and continued In
until three O'Clock this afternoon. Mr. james Wat
son Webb read few more letters OF his own on
American diplomacy in Brazil, after which the
worthy gentleman wound up his extended remarks,
without making any Impression whatever on either
side OF the Paraguayan difficulty and arordng no
new light to the committee. 1t is understood that
Mr.. Webb read three volumes OF diplomatic cor
respondence as part OF his testimony.
After MIR. Webb had ceased Mr.. Washburn got up
and made variety OF statements promscuousy,
contradicfng number OF newspaper articles Mr..
Washburn has not been summoned here by the COM
mlttee and his presence before that body of gentle
men Is a mere act or tolerance on their part. Not
outstanding all this Mr.. Washburn has taken quite
prominent par; in the recent Investigations. After
Mr. Washburn had finished General Mcmahon
called before the committee. Mr.. WilKIn-
son seemed to be very much exercised over
the reputed barbarities Of Lopez. All the lists pub
llshed were put forth by the Argentine Republic,
inimlcal to the interests OF the Paraguayans. The
gentleman in question asked in regard to Francisco
Sanchez Vice President OF the Paraguayan govern
ment, gentleman Of standing, having reached the
age OF eghtyseven years, ana always standing high
IN the estimation Of his fellow countrymen. This
officer was enumerated among the persons killed by
Lopez IN his miscellaneous butcheries. Gen.
eral Mcmahon replied that when he left
Paraguay Senior Sanchez was still alive, though
reported Dead and the departing American Minis
ter rode in his coach and four from Peribebuy and
Ascura, SO that at the time or General McMahons
departure Senior Sanchez still alive. The testl
mony further demonstrated that large number Of
persons said to have been butchered by Lopez
died Of disease in Paraguayan hospitals and others
were shot for desertion. General Mcmahon then
asked the question whether Mr.. Washburn,
the American Minister, did not pledge the faith OF
his government that Messrs. Bliss and Master
man should be punished In the courts
OF the United States, and afterwards the Bliss
was appointed by Mr.. E. B. Washburne then Secre-
tary of State translator In the State Department.
TO this interrogatory the committee objected. Mr..
Ortiz the chairman OF the committee. then asked
what interests that there necessitated the pre-
sence OF al American Minister in Paraguay. General
Mcmahon replied, because of republican lndepen-
dence and the necessity OF preventing the
absorption by Braz-a slave empire-of all
the republics OF South America whose de-
struction would necessarily follow that Of
Paraguay; also the magnificent prospective COM
MERGE which Paraguayan success in this war would
open to the world, and especially TO the United
states, by the free navigation of La Plata ana It's
tributaries He also called attention to the fact that
Brazilian policy in regard to that river has been
one OF Chinese exclusion and that the treaty OF the
triple alliance significantly STIMULATES that upon the
overthrow Of the ParaguaJan government La
Plata shall be made free to the allied nations.
It should DO remembered In this connection
thar Paraguay ten years ago, by treaty with
all the great Powers, guaranteed the free navigation
az La Plata to the flags OF all nations, and that Brazil
and tie Argentine republic opposed this. 1t was
shown that Mr.. wasnbdin. -, J, several dispatches
which have already been published, han inssteq
that Bliss and Masterman could only DO tried In
their own countries, and that he as Minister, was
bound to see that they should be SO tried and that
stern ana innexible justice be administered. His
despatch OF July o. 1865 closes with these remark
able works'I will, therefore, undertake TO hold
Mr. Bliss and Mr. Mastcrman close prisoners IN this
Legation Till can send them out OF the country.n
This statement, In connection with the charge
brought by Mr. Washburn and his friends as to- their
treatment as prisoners by Admiral Davis, certainly
appears remarkable. In reference to the existence
OF conspiracy in Paraguay, which Mr.. Washburn
now personally denies, IL appears by despatch OF
July Is, 1858, that Mr.. Washburn offered his cordial
and earnest fluctuations to President Lopez the
discovery OF that plot. He compared the intended
deed to the assassination OF President Lincoln. The
testimony being taken by the committee was closed
to-day. The evidence was distributed among the
members of the committee who will meet on Mon
day next in order consolidate the documents into
general report.
The New York Custom House Frauds.
With regard to the New York Custom House
frauds Il may be stated that the Treasury Depart
ment has put the whole matter into the hands OF
United States District Attorney Pierrepont, with
instructions to make fun and fearless investiga-
tion no matter who may be found involved. There
Is to believe that there are facts In the pos
session OF the government which have not been
made public, and for prudential reasons will not be,
and which show that these frauds are more extern
sve than has vet appeared. There was a rumor at
the Treasury Department today that irregularities
In the management OF the Custom House had been
discovered IN another quarter, but they could not
be traced to any definite source. and The secretary
did not seem to pay any attention TO them
The Income Tax-Decision OF Commissioner
Deano.
The Internal Revenue Commissioner decides that
special agents of the Post once are to be taxed only
on the amount OF their salary over $1,000 and not
on account OF additional payments to them on &C
count OF expenses.
Internal Revenue Appointments.
Thomas L. Bells has been appointed Assistant
Assessor OF Internal Revenue IN the Firth district Of
New York. vice J. Fonda, resigned. Isaac ID. Noak
has been appointed Assistant Assessor in the rnlr-
ticth district New York, and Ezra N. Hail gauger In
the Twenty-eIgnn district, New York.
Redemption OF Fractional Currency.
The redemption OF fractional currency for the
week ending Saturday last amounted to $500, 200.
Appointments Of Consuls.
The following appointments are announced:-
orrn d. Rose, Of Illinois, to be United States Consul
at Aucona Italy; James Il. Wheeler, OF Massachu
Sets United States Consul at Kingston, Jamaica,
vice Aron Gregg, suspended; John c. Ropeson, Of
Tennessee, United states Consul at Taugier Morocco
vice +. A. Mathews, suspended.
The Cherokee Neutral Lands i'm Kansas.
The attorney for Mr.. Jay, tho purchaser of the
Cherokee neutral lands had an interview with the
urnsl1enL lnda4 Tor Lhc nnInnse OF nrnsentinr cor