The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-19
.w4R GOSSIP FROM WASHINGTON
The New French Minister.

Il.
WASHINGTON, Saturday Evening", July 16.
Mons. Paradol. In company with Secretary
Fish!a and one Of the French attaches, visited
moments the President received them In the
Blue. Room The usual formal declaration Of
friendship and good feeling were gone through.
Secretary Fish read the Presidents reply,
which was welcome, and assurances Of good
feeling, &c. Not the slightest allusi0n was
made In either the address or reply to the
political situation. Mons, Paradol was at
tired In q full court costume, with side-swords
&c. He retired as soon as the presentation
was over, and his exequator as Minister to the
United States for the Emperor of the French
was received and accepted.
- This afternoon the French minister officially
informed the Secretary Of State that bis gov
ernment had ceased peaceful relations with
Prussia, aud that declaration of war was
being promulgated, &c. This official announce
ment was transmitted to the President by Sec
rotary Fish.
The Prussian Minister.
Shortly after Mons. Paradol had left the
White. House, Baron Gerolt, the Pr,ssian Min
lister. made his appearance, and had short
interview with the President and Secretary
Fish. In the Blue Room. The subject OF the
conference was the safety of the different North
German lines Of steamships, &c. The Presi-
dent regretted very much the state Of affairs,
said that he had notified the owners
and agents OF these steamers that war
had. commenced, and suggested that the
running !. Of; their lines be- suspended.
he said, however, that he felt sure that they
would probably disregard his warning, think
ing, perhaps, that France would not attack the
merchant marine without full .proclamatons,
&c. The Secretary Of State regretted the nom
nff a nf m
commerce., &C., for its failure left the admins
tration powerless The Secretary said that the
fact of q large amount Of stock in these steam
ers being held by Americans did not change
the matter. - They were North German bot
toms, and could not therefore come under our
flag. The Secretary said that In all matters the
best offices Of this government would be used
to either party.
The Position of Spain.
81 From General sickles 1t is learned that the
Spanish army is under lighting orders, and
being got ready for emergency, while the
Spanish feet officers are receiving instructions
under seal, &c. 1t is not known what Is TO be
the position assumed by the Spanish Govern
ment. The Cortes will meet on Wednesday
next the goth instant. Among the Diplomatic
CORPS here 1t is generally believed that Spain
will unite with France The Spanish Minister,
however, is Silent on the subject BE has not
been to the State Department for several days,
nor has he called on the President.
those who have the entire to the Diplomatic
Corps that 1t Is known among them that Prim
is at the head of his Spanish army, and that
special messenger was sent by him yesterday
to the French Emperor: that continued COM
municalion, has been kept up between him
and Napoleon. 1t Is said that he will join the
forces Of Spain with those of France, so as to
1EC fhn tch
throne for himself.
The Ocean Mails.
All the North German steamship lines have
ceased running, and our foreign malls are
stopped in Baltimore and New York. Post
master General Creswen Is now engaged in
effecting temporary arrangement with the
Cunard and Innan line of steamers to carry
our mails. Several American parties have
put In propositions to carry the malls In yes
sells under our flag. These will receive proper
consideration next week. In the meanwhile
it is thought certain that. our mail will be
carried by the English lines next week.
Vice-Admiral Parker said to-day that 1t
made no difference whether the North Ter
man steamers carried our mails or not 1t
would not be necessary for US to contract with
the Cunard or Inman lines. He said that there
was plenty Of private enterprise In this coun-
try if our government would only foster It.
he insists that the matter will Ue all right,
and that the mails will be duly carried, and In
good shape and speed, and under our own flag.
But he does not tell the secret of how 1t is to
be done as yet.
Congress to bo Convoked.
The President Is known to be adverse to
calling Congress together, but said this even
ing that 1t looked quite probable that contin-
gencles might soon arise that would precpi-
tate him to do so.