The Portland daily press., 1869-04-27
WASHINGTON.
SETTLEMENT OF THE sPRAGUE AND ARRoy1
DIFFICULTY

SETTLEMENT OF THE sPRAGUp AMI Appo.u
DIFFICULTY.
WASHINGTON, April 26-This mornino San.
ators Sumner and Sherman called upon Sena-
tDr oplague ~ order to suggest basis of set
tiement OF the difficulty existing between him
sell and Senator Abbott. In the course of
Ineir conversation Senator Pool Joined the
SENATORS above named and produced lettor
nom Senator Abbott to Senator Sprague, Of
"1len Waa tne following is copy: ,
q W0shsfagton, d. O., Aprn 26.-Hon. William
6pragne-Dear Sir: On the 22d inst, in the
U. 5. Senate, you uttered the following Ian
guage: Mr.. President, in answer to the TRADE
OF the Senator from Nevada and the Senator
from North Carolina, am reminded of little
illustration. In my travels from the centre
here into the rural districts, through the woods
and farms of the surrounding neighborbood
chance at one time brought me to a farm
house. found on looking up, large mastiff
a ana q mongrel puppy dog: The little dog
my heels; and frightened at his temerity ran
howbng away, followed by his larger compan-
ION: The Senate will observe that the mon
greI winning puppy, encouraged by the mastiff
ana emooldened to attack from the shadow of
MS packer, ran rapidly away alarmed at his
temerity, while the overgrown cur followed
with both ears Topped and his tail between his
legs to place of safety beside his menaced
companion
This language has been understood as meant
@4Ns
that gave an occasion in my remarks for you
to wish to be offensive or insulting in reply
/, therefore, deem it proper to ask that YOU
state distinctly whether you intended to apply
any of the above language to myself
am, sir, very respectfully
JOSEPH G. ABBOTT
In answer to this communication of Senator
Abbott, Senator Sprague wrote reply which
was placed in the hands of Senator Sumner,
who, together with Senators Sherman and
proceeded ha rnoid ofG
abbott with authority to deliver the letter
upon Abbott s acceding to certain conditions
In the nature of a withdrawal of certain Ian
guage applied to Senator Sprague and involv-
ing reply from Senator Abbott to the letter
OF Senator Sprague, which reply was to be
satisfactory to Senators Sumner and Sherman.
The following reply was suggested by Senator
summon and accepted by Senator Abbott:
Washington ID. c., Apzil 26.-To Hon. John
G. Abbott, U. s. Senat0r-Sir: have no hes
itation in at once replying to your note of this
morning, Just received, that the paragraph of
my speech referred to was written and in man
uscript some time before it was delivered in
the Senate and before You participated in the
debate and therefore was not intended to ap-
ply to you.
Your obed;ent servant,
~, w. SPRAGUE.
The following letter in response TO the
above, closed the correspondence in manner
satisfactory to all concerned: d:.---- &
''"s~fs"sSeOfts y. W, dpTu AO.-1O f1OQ. WIN.
Sprague-Sir: have pleasure in acknowledge
ing your letter OF this date, which shows that
mad misconceived your language NV own
alluslon to you afterwards in the Senate was
iounoea on tins misconesption, and ! ask you
to consider it as unsaid -
am, sir, very respectfully, a
JOSEPH @. ABBOTT
1t may be stated that ON Friday or Saturday.
Senator Anthony called upon Senator Abbott
and begged him to desist from committing vio-
0OIIn
THE CUBAN TROUBLES.
Statements have recently been published
that the government was making extensive
preparations to enforce respect to American
interests in Cuban waters and ON the island in
view OF the civil war now in progress there,
and that to this end an unusually large feet
would be sent thither. 1t has however been
ascertalned from authentic sources, that SO far
from this being the case, the number of ves-
sels 70 be employed in the public service in
that direction will probably be not more than
SIX, or two less than heretore in the squadron.
tne number being necessarily limited, owing
TO the TACT that Congress has made q very great
reduction in the personnel of the navy But
apart from this, the vessels TO be sent to that
coast are deemed sufficient for all legitimate
purposes, as no trouble with the Spanish au-
thorities is apprehended. The fitting out of
several iron-clads has not particular signif-
canoe, but is part of the plan of the Navy De-
partmsnt to save them and other similar yes
sells, and especially the machinery, from the
decay to which they are now exposed from be-
ing out of commission.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
The public debt statement to be issued Sat-
urday next, will, according to present pros
poets, exhibit decrease of 50 100000. The re-
port OF S93, or more than ons-half the National
banks, showing their condition on the 18th
inst, have been received at the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, in answer to the
recent call.
NO APPOINTMENTS By THE PRESIDENT.
No appointments were made by the Presi-
dent to-day. The Secretary of State, Seersta-
ry of the Treasury and Postmaster General
being absent, it IS not thought any important
appointments will be made In their respective
departments until their return, unless the pub
lie interest shall render it necessary.
APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF CLERK.
@. Green, of New York, has be en- appoint
ed chief clerk in the Office Of the Solicitor Of
the Treasury, vice M. It. Pleasants. who for
many years has held the position. Mr. Pleas
ants will be retained in the Office as second
class clerk.
RUMoRs OF CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.
New YORK, April 26.-The Posts Washing
ton special says that fumors of Cabinet chan
ges are again current. Now it is said not only
will Fish soon retire to private life, but Borie
and Hoar have informed by the President that
they would like to withdraw from the cabinet
From the present aspect of affairs it would
seem that probably within thirty days there
will be changes in three of the cabinet offices.
1t has been known for some time that it was
Attorney General Hoar's intention as soon as
the pressure for offices incident to beginning q
new administration was over to return to the
practice of his profession. Secretary Borie
finds Office duties il-suited to his tempera-
ment, and having rendered the President all
the support in his power, he will now retire.
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN, AFFAIRS
Gen. Parker, the new Commissioner of In
dian Affairs, took possession of his office at
noon to-day. Charles e. Mix win remain as
head clerk until the LIST of May, when he is to
be succeeded by Mr.. Waugh. Commissioner
Parker will make no changes until he has had
time to make thorough examination of the
bureau. ss +
PERSONAL.
Gen. Sherman has left, here to attend the
exercises of the artillery school at Fortress
Monroe.
The report that Gen. Sickles would be ten
dered the Spanish mission is confirmed.
1t is understood that Secretary Borie will
this week place his resignation in the Presi-
dents hands in consequence of his health not
permitting him to remain in the Navy De-
partmsnt.