The New York herald., 1869-04-27
Sumner, Sherman and Pool Negotiate Peace
Between Sprague and Abbott.
A APICKWICKIAN CONCLUSION
General Retraction All Round
and Nobody Spanked.
Proposed Reduction of the Squad
ron in Cuban Waters.
WASHINGTON, April 20, 1869.

Senator Chandler ON the Rampage.
Since old Zach Chandler made his famous speech
the other day, on the Alabama claims, he has been
on the rampage generally, and particularly tonight
Strolling into Wecker's your correspondent beheld
Zachariah In very happy state; In fact, highly So
and heard him declaiming TO two gentlemen about
the conversion Of the Senate TO his views expressed
four or five years ago on the Alabama question.
sumner has stolen my thunder, by jingo," ex-
claimed Zach. "He has only repeated what said
years ago in one Of my speeches. Have you ever
read that speech, slrf No you haven't9 Well,
then you ought TO, by Jove. In that speech used
up the whole subject. Gentlemen, l am go.
ing home to Michigan, and when 1 get
there l am going to make speech
to sixty thousand boys in blue. 1 am
going to tell them BOYS, there's Canada over
there; run over and take it, That's what am GO
ing to say am going to England, TOO lhic-hc-
hic) ana am going to walk down Whitehall street
with John Bright on one arm and Lord Clarendon on
the other. Yes, Sir, am going to do it-youn see.
Then am gong to Russia, too.n
"Are you indeedG'' asked Mr.. Bodisco, the acting
Russian Minister, who formed one Of Zach's audi
ence.
"Yes, sir, 1 am" said Zach.
"Ihen / must give you letters to take there, in-
cluding one OF introduction to the Emperor Alexan-
"Yes, do now. Give me letter to Aleck, Bodlsco.
want letter to Aleck, sure ~ exclaimed Zach, In
particularly blissful manner. Zach was decidedly
intoxicated about the Alabama claims and his pro-
posed journey to the Old World.
Reduction Of the American Fleet I'm Cuban
Waters.
Statements have recently been published in the
newspapers that the government was making ex-
tensive preparations to enforce respect to American
interests in the 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 ascertained
from authentic sources that SO far from this being
the case the number OF vessels employed in the
public service in that direction Will not probably be
more than six, or two less than heretofore in the
squadron, the number being necessarily limited ow-
ing to the fact that Congress has made very great
reduction in the personnel OF the navy. But apart
from this the vessels to be sent to that are
deemed to be sufficient for all legitimate purposes,
trouble with the Spanish authorities is appre
hended. The fitting out OF several OF the IRON
clads has no particular significance, but Is a
part Of the plan OF the Navy Department to save
them and other similar vessels and especially the
machinery, from the decay to which they are now
exposed from being out OF commission.
Decrease In the Public Debt.
The public debt statement, 10 be 1ssued saturday
next, WILL according to present prospects, exhibit
decrease Of probably 81 100000.
Reports Of the National Banks.
The reports Of $685. or more than one-half, OF the
national banks, showing their condition the 18th
inst, have been received at the ONCE OF the Comp
troller Of the Currency, in answer to the recent
call.
Clerical Appointments.
No appointments were made by the President to-
day. The Secretary OF State Secretary OF the Trea
sury and Postmaster General being absent, IL Is not
thought any important appointments Will be made
in their respective departments until their return,
unless the public interests shall render necessary
j. O. Green, OF New York, has been appointed Chief
Clerk OF the ONCE OF the Solicitor OF the Treasury
vice NJ. F. Peasants, who for many years has held
that position. Mr.. Peasants VIII be retained in
Office as second class clerk.
Payment Of Nebraska War Claims.
f. b. Taylor, President OF the Nebraska State
Senate and special agent Of the state to recover
from the United States government large sum of
money due to Nebraska. left here for Omaha last
evening" having fully accomplished the object OF his
mission by securing the payment OF the amount
claimed by the state.
sales OF Government Property.
The Secretary OF the Treasury has issued an order
directing that hereafter all property belonging to
the department offered for sale shall be SOLD by pub
lie auction under sealed proposals Heretofore II
has been the custom to dispose OF Old mrnIture car
pets, &c. at private sale to chance purchasers.