Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-06
WASHINGTON.
The ProdigaI's Return.

arrival tbis morning. He returns to Long
Branch TO night and starts Monday for st.
Louis.
The Cabinet session continued two and
a half hours and was confined to the routine
of business There was nothing said about
an extra session of Congress.
ait is known from the President himself
that he will not call an extra session OF
Congress unless the war in Europe shall SO
effect our interests as to render one neces-
sary; but of this he has no apprehensions
at present.
Gen. SickIes and the Marines.
Gen Sickles' leave of absence extended
one year
He urges the wages of all enlisted men
in the navy increased to $50 per month,
by order Of President Grant.
san Domingo.
Captain Green, of the United States
steamer Congress, writes from San Do
mingo, June l, that in his opinion by
withdrawal of protection from the U. S.,
and of prospects of annexation at some fu-
ture time, would lead to revolution q
Cabral.
proposed FrOclamatlOn.
The President contemplates issuing a
proclamation of neutrality, but this may
not be ready for a week or moro.
FreIinghuysen.
Frelinghuysen has not yet accepted the
mission to England. 1t is understood that
the unsettled condition of his business af-
fairs delays his response.
Gone Back.
The President left tonight for Long
Branch. The object of his presence IN
Washington to-day has hZen to settle some
public business of 3kine character
merely.
Passports.
Notice has been given that passports for
France can be obtained by application to
the Department of the State Passport b.
reau.
Formal Notification of War.
The French Minister of War has, by
order of his Government, notified us of
war between France and Prussia, The
Emperor says he declares war to protect
the honor and dignity of France. The
document is brief and in the usual form,
and contains nothing of special significance.
As the fact that Prussia accepts war is ap-
parent to everybody, it probably will not
be thought necessary to give anybody Off
cial notice. The question that now pre-
sents itself is whether we shall issue a
proclamation of neutrality. The President
has not yet reached determination to do
so. and those who have learned his views
since he went to Long Branch are confident
he has no intention of doing SO at present.
The French and Prussian Ministers were
informed by Mr.. Fish some time ago that
we would observe our neutrality acts and
the laws of nations, and that supplies, not
contraband of war, would be sold to either
Government. Neither power has yet
offered to buy anything about which there
can be a question raised.
a Fiction.
The Berlin telegram, saying an agent Of
the United States is at Antwerp making
arrangements whereby that port shall be
come the centre of trade between America
and Europe during the war, must be an out
and out fiction, or is founded on some mis-
for we have not sent an
agent abroad for any such purpose, nor
given any one in Europe authority TO
make such an arrangement.
The English Proclamation Of Ncu-
traIiIy.
A copy of the English proclamation of
neutrality between France and Prussia has
been received here. 1t is in the usual
form, and bears date of the 10Th of July,
four days after the declaration by the
French Corps Legislatif
The Madrid Telegram,
which recites that the Ministerial Council
of Spain has been debating Cuban affairs,
in connection with the demand from the
United States Government, is easily eX-
planned. Some weeks ago Secretary Fish
furnished Minister Sickles with a list of
names of persons claiming to be American
citizens, who have suffered loss of property
in Cuba, and instructed him to again ex-
press the Presidents desire that early steps
be taken to examine and adjust the claims
of these persons. The Secretary suggested
that the business be done here, and that
the Spanish Government appoint an agent
with full power in the premises to sit with
an agent TO be appointed by our Govern
ment, for the purpose of settling all claims
not of a political character, each by itself,
and on its own merits. This proposition
is probably what the Spanish Council have
under consideration. 1t is no new thing,
and in some form will probably receive
their assent.
Short Weight Coins.
Some correspondence has recently boen
had by the Treasury Department with par
ties in New York and Boston as to the loss
of value in gold coin by handling in the
course of business. A test in New York
on coin taken at random from that received
at the b-Treasury, showed twenty-five
pennyweights deficiency on five thousand
dollars of half eagles, quarter eagles and
gold dollars, and something less deficiency
on larger pieces, but the Office says it never
rejects any coin, however light, if short
weight is due the natural wear from use in
ordinary business. At the Customhouse in
Boston, the correspondence says the
coin is required to come up to certain
standard. There is no law of Congress
nor any regulation of the Treasury Depart
ment with reference to this matter.
Government Cotton Cases.
Business of all Government cotton cases
has been brought to a stand still by changes
deemed necessary to comply with the new
law organizing a department Of justice.
There are seven hundred and thirty seven
of these cases, and work upon the portion
in hand, nearly half the number, has been
going actively forward for two years.
About forty were disposed of at the last
term of the Court of Claims, and a number
were ready for trial. The reorganization
has, however, thrown out every one here
tofore engaged upon these matters, even
down to the clerks who were familiar with
the records, and all briefs, in whatever
stage of preparation, have been put in the
hands of new men. These will know moth
ing Of the evidence or the special history
of individual cases, except what can be
learned from examining a room full of pa
pers turned over by the retiring council
The suits involve about fifteen million dol
lars.
The WuSs
about the Richmond municipal offices Is 10y
no means settled. The Judge who, few
DAYS ago, declared them all vacant because
of frauds in the election, yesterday made
made seven new appointments. The pre-
sent incSahbents will not surrender thell
places. and the whole matter will probably
90 to the Court of Appeals. The hope L
expressed by dispassionate observers tha
| things will be allowed to take this cours'
instead of running into a civil outbreaB
as on former occasions since this quarre
/ began.