The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-25
WASHING ON.
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TIE ALABAMA CLAIMS QUESTION.
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England Disposed to Accede to the
Demands of the United States.
Report Of the Secretary Of the
Navy.
Important Subjects Before the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.

entirely finished their Investigations into the Para
guayan controversy. Mr. Ortiz Is now busily engaged
IN preparing report to be laid before the general
committee early after the meeting OF Congress. No
action will be taken before Congress until after the
Christmas holidays Those Of the Foreign Commit
tee now in tins city express the opinion that great
deal OF business will come before them during the
approaching session. The leading questions antici-
pated are In relation to St. Thomas, Cuba and the
annexau0n OF st. Domingo.
The Alabama Clain,s-PrOspect OF n Satis-
factory Settlement oil the Question.
The entire speech Of Mr. Gladstone at the Lord
Mayors dinner has just been received here In Lon
don papers, and is regarded as friendly to the set
Element OF the Alabama claims question In manner
satisfactory to the United States and this view Is
strengthened by letters from distinguished sources
in Eng and making inquiries and suggestions indi
eating continued Improvement In the state Of feel
lug on this SUBJECT and strongly expressive OF the
desire that the dispute be promptly adjusted
There has however, been no official action, but the
aspect leads to the belief that negotiations Will be
resumed at an early day.
The Question oil Rank in the Navy.
report has been published to the effect that
Admiral Porter has endeavored to influence the
board now in session for the adjustment of the diff
ferences between the line and star officers OF the
navy, to the prejudice OF the latter. One report
states that the Admiral sent to the board bill,
which he prepared himself, with letter urging Its
adoption. Now, the truth is, the Admiral aware OF
the feeling against him on THIS subject has refused
TO make any suggestions to the board, and even de-
clined to give advice when asked by one OF the
members. 1t IL supposed that the object OF these
reports is to influence Naval Committees OF Con-
gress and TO prejudice public opinion in advance
against the report OF the board The story of want
OF harmony among the members Of the board are,
learn, ncticious.
Annual Report of the Secretary Of the Navy.
The annual report OF the Secretary OF the Navy is
finished and will be sent 10 the printer next week.
1t about half the length OF the last report OF
Secretary Welles, and will make about twenty-five
pages OF printed matter. Mr.. Robson says MS
future reports will be even more brief. In this one
J was necessary 10 give detailed account OF the
reorganization Of the navy, and also to recommend
several reforms in the service which will require
legislation from Congress- The financial exhibit of
the Navy Department. as shown by the Secretary's
report is very nattering, proving concusively that
with all the money spent recently in fitting
sells the department has been run at expense less
than it cost during last year OF the previous ad
| minstration.
| The Proposed International Fair.
Tonight at public meeting Of citizens. largely
attended, committee reported that after two days
only Of canvassirg they had obtained subscriptions
to the amount of $3.50 000 including $4,000 from Presi-
dent Grant, in furtherance OF the international fair to
| be held in Washington in 1871. The announcement
was enthusiastically received and foilowediby addi
tiona subscriptions OF s20o0 600. The amounts sub
scrbed range from 1000 to $4,000. These with the
subscriptions to be paid by the city make total of
| about 81, 600 secured for that object. These
favorable circumstances led TO the passage Of
solution definitely fixing the purpose OF holding an
| international exposition. The committee will
resume their canyassng, calling on railroad corpo-
| rations, manufacturers and others. The pros
| pect is that as much more viii be real
| lied. Interest has already been awakened
| In Europe. Henry d. Cook, chairman OF the
meeting, has received inquiries from mechanics,
institutes and manufacturers of Berlin, Paris. Man
chester and other European cities. gentleman
stated he was In London, when he heard OF the pur
pose Of holding this fair and that from what he
learned the Engishmen would not only exhibit their
wares, but many OF the citizens would avail them
selves OF the opportunity to visit the capital OF this
republic.
Tie Ninth Census.
The subcommittee on the Ninth Census are still
busily engaged IN framing new law in relation to
taking the census. 1t VIII be days before their
labors will have been completed.
Tibel salt.
The Republican of this city has got another libel
suit on hand. Treasury Official has brought suit
against the paper laying damages at $4,000 for an
article published few days ago, in which he was
charged with seducing lady.
State Dinner Party at Secretary Fish's.
The Secretary OF State gave large dinner party
last evening, said TO De the most recherche given in
Washington TINS season. Among those present
were the President and Mrs. Grant, Secretary Bel
KNAPP and lady, Senator Morton and lady, Admiral
Porter and lady, Secretary Robson, Assistant Sec
rotary OF State DAVIS and lady, General Porter and
lady, Mrs. General Babcock, Secretary Cox and lady,
Hamilton Fish, Jr., and Postmaster General Cres-
well and lady.
Executive Appointments.
The President has appointed Samuel A. VIII eel.
wright, Consul at Rosario, Argentine Republic.
The President has appointed JohniB southworth
to be United States Attorney for the Northern dis
trict Of Alabama, vice Francis Bugbee, suspended.
Presidential Visit TO the Navy Yard.
The President and Mrs. Grant, Admiral Porter
Secretary Robson and large number Of other pro-
mnent persons, including ladies, by invitation, WIS.,
tied the Navy Yard this afternoon. After viewing
the United states steamers and other objects of in.
terest they were entertained by Admiral Dahlgren
at his residence. The usual salute was fired and
there was dress parade OF the Marine guard
Relief Of the Lillian Filibusters.
The following letter was to-day received at the
Department OF State:-
NAVY DEPARTMENT,l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 49, 1869. (
SIR have the honor 10 acknowledge tho recent
OF your letter, dated The Goth nst relative to Tie
destitute condition OF q number or misguided cit
zens OF the United States who have been abandoned
IN Nassau, N r.. by the steamer Lillian alleged to
nave been engaged in the OF ,he Cuban insnr.
gents. Rear Admiral Charles H. Poor, commanding
the North Atlantic eet has been instructed to send
one OF his vessels TO Nassau for the purpose of re-
ceiving on board and conveying 10 key West such
OF The men referred 10 as wish TO avail themselves
OF the passage and will agree not TO Violate here
after the neutrality laws OF the United states. Very
respectfully, your obedient servant
GRO. i'd R0BES0N, Secretary OF the Navy
Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary Of State