The New York herald., 1870-08-01

WASHINGTON, July 81, 1870.
The Public Debt.


Government sales Of Gold.
The Assistant United States Treasurer at New
York has been instructed to sell one million of gold
ON each Wednesd ay during the month OF August,
and to purchase million bonds each alternate
thursday during the month, commencing Augusta.
and two millions on each alternate Thursday, COM
mencing August H.. The sales OF gold durirg the
month will thus amount to rve millions, and the
amount OF bonds purchased will be six millions.
Claims Against Mexico.
The Mexican American Claims Commission, which
Is hard a. work just now, is said to be making rapid
progress toward the decision OF some Of the most
important claims. Among those which nave re-
ceved favorable report from Mr. Hubley Ashton
Is said to he the famous German claim for an amount
OF upwards of $500 900. The nature OF this claim Is
about as i0lows:-During the ez-Comonfort
troubles in Mexico General Napoleon German con-
tracted with one OF the parties IN Mexico TO III ont
an expedition He did SO, purchasing two vessels
with arms and munitions of war besides furnishing
several hundred men. These were sent to Mexico.
but the bill OF damages therefor has never been
paid. General German brought his claim before The
present commission, and is hopeful OF obtaining
at last a settlement OF 1t. The General IL now in
this city attending to this business.
Collection of the Direct Tax in tho Sou,he rn
States.
States OF Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama Mississippi Arkansas
Florida, louisiana and Texas, and pro ceed ngs have
been had IN each OF these States for the collection OF
lts quota OF the direct taxin all $4,000. .OOO All
compulsory proceedings have, however, been sus-
| pended since August o, 1866, In pursuance OF an
order of the Secretary OF the Treasury that date
He subsequently directed that reeorssand papers
OF all OF the commissioners except those or South
| Earn -
| OF the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. or
| all these boards only two commissioners be-
| longing to the board for south Carolina now
| hold office and these remaining commissioners
| are occupied only in the management Of the
| lands acquired by the government in that State.
| The books and papers transmitted by the commits
sloners, except those OF South Carolina, betray a
lack OF system, but disclose their proceedings with
sufficient clearness TO enable the commissioner To
resume the collection of the tax. From this remark
must be excepted the records OF the Commissioners
| for Texas, which 'famentably imperfect The
| commissioners for Alabama had completed list OF
| the lands In that State, but had made no assess.
ments. Those for Florida report that they had made
assessments In only four COUNTIES and 1t appears
that In several other States the assessments have not
| been extended throughout the State. The officers
| OF the internal revenue In Virginia, Tennessee
and Florida have been instructed to make
complete descriptive lists OF lands held
in those States, with their values, and have
| been authorized by the Secretary OF the
Treasury to take charge Of them and collect both
rents IN arrears and rents accruIng This work Is
| In progress. That the balances due not only from
| the States lately in nsurrection, but from the
Northern States which in arrears. should be eX-
acted, appears to he matter OF constitutional OBJ
| legation. Charles p. James counsellor at law, who
| has these cases in charge says:-"In the case of
| Loughborough vs.. Blake t5 Wheat, $685. the SUI
preme Court Of the United States stated the law on
this question in very positive terms:-'if IL direct
tax be levied at all, it must be laid every state
conformaby TO the rule provided In the constitution.
Congress has clearly no power to exempt any State
| from its due share or the burden ~
Condition of the Jews i'm Roumania.
Letters have been received here with reference to
the heretofore reported massacre o. Jews in Rou
mania in which 1t Is stated that article ?I OF tn,
new constitution guarantees freedom OF conscience
TO all. -Four hundred thousand Jews have in Rouma
| mia one hundred and seyentysix synagogues forty
five thousand hundred ana dfty-two Catholics
have sixty-three churches; twentyeight thousand
nine hundred ana three Protestants have twelve
houses OF worship; eight thousand one hundred and
| seyentyeight Armenians (Gregorians], eleven
| churches &c. II religious persecution existed
| the Jews would not be allowed 10 have synagogues
or to worship in the manner prescribed by their re.
hgion and the prosecutions of maleactors would be
extended to the honest portion OF this jewish popu-
| lation
| Mr.. Nyc and the Proposed Purchase of
| st. Thomas.
During the closing hour or the Senate on the 18th
inst, after the announcement OF the declaration OF
war in Europe, Senator Nye introduced the follow
| Ing resol ution, which, however, was not read
Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Rela-
ons be instructed to inquire into and report tothe
Senate the conditions and terms Of the negotiations
heretofore entered upon by the President Of the
| United states with the government of Denmark
| touching the island OF 81. Thomas.
| 1t is known that the Committee on Foreign Rela
tons never reported upon the subject this treaty
Hence there never was vote upon 1t in the Senate
II is Senator Nye's Intention to call up this resolu.
| ton at the commencement OF the next session of
| Congress.
Plan for Improving the Revenue Marine.
Several members Of the Board heretofore appointed
TO inquire into the best meaus for improving the
revenue marine are now in Washington on that
business, which has particular reference to the
building Of revenue cutters to take the place OF those
| which have become unseaworthy. The Secretary Of
the Treasury, before he left Washington for Massa.
chusetts, approved the plan of improvement. AS
numerous applications have been made for entry
| into the revenue service it may be interesting TO
| know that candidates subject to rigid eyami-
nation In navigation, seamanship the revenue laws
and gunnery.
! Funeral of Alexander j. Atochn.
The funeral OF Mr.. Alexander J. Atocha, who died
twelve miles from Washington on Friday, took place
| in this city to-day. He aged sixty-1ve years.
| During the war between the United States and Mex.
leo he twice visited the latter country the instance
| ofour government. Being the firm friend of Santa
| Anna, President Polk employed MIN en- secret SER
| vice. by which he was instrumental in negotiating
| the treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo.
pEPc0NAI TMVEVTTnCMrY