The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-26
WASHING
The st. Clair Canal SensatiOn-The Eng
llsh Mission Declined by Mr.. Morton
Reason for Cabinet Changes-G0y-
eminent Receipts and Expenses
for 1860 and 1870.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26. 1870.
Tho ~. Clair Canal Sensation.

WASHINGTON, Oct 25. 1870.
Tho st. Clair Canal Sensation.
me truth about the late sensation concerning the
seizure OF the ST. Clair Canal by gunboat belong
ing TO the Dominion authorities seems TO be this:
The Minister OF Internal Affairs OF Canada went on
tour CT inspection, accompanied by other officials,
and In the course Of his rounds sailed into The canal
In Dominion gunDoat. He took no possession,
however, nor did anything occur to indicate any
such purpose on his part Having sailed in he
sailed out again, and that's the whole story, as
developed by inquiries Instituted by the Governor
OF Michigan. Some Canadian. wishing to make o
sensation, circulated the seizure story, which
swallowed by several newspapers and finally found
its way 10 washington. Then an investigation was
ordered. with the above result There was an
air OF probability about the story. from the fact that
certain OF the Canadian authorities were
under the deluson that the canal was
really within the British boundary line as
settled by the commissioners. 1t Is ascertaned.
however, that there L. no foundation for this claim
OF the Canadians Maps In the possession Of the
Engineers Department show clearly and beyond
the possibility OF o doubt that the canal Is con-
strncled entirely on the American side OF the boun-
Diary line
Senator Morton Declines the En.i.h
Mission.
Senator Morton has formally declined the mission
to England, giving as reason Tor doing 80 that in
the event OF his resignation AZ Senator the demo-
Gratis being in the majority In the Legislature OF
Indiana, would not fail to elect q successor from
their own party, and setting forth the improperly
OF such course on his part In connection with the
interests Of the administration. He cordially thanks
the President for the mark OF distinguished favor IN
rendering the mission, and 1t Is understood the Pre-
sidrnt has replied In terms equally friendly.
President CRAMPS Cabinet-Reasons for
MIessrs. uosr and Cox Retiring.
some OF the Cabinet makers, now that Senator
Morton has formally, In letter to President Grant,
declined the mission to England, have started re-
port that Postmaster General Creswen has been
designated for that foreign position and Colonel j. W.
Forney fer the office 10 be vacated by Mr.. Creswe.
Both the President and Mr.. Creswell, when they
read the report were pleasantly surprised al the pro-
gramme which had thus been arranged. II Is safe
to say that the Postmaster General has no present
intention OF visiting England nor has the President
yet selected Minister In the place of senator Nor.
ton, declined.
AS erroneous reports have lately been made
connection with Cabinet changes the following
statement may DO OF interest In the way OF cOrrec-
ton:It win be Tecollected that after the name OF
A. 7. Stewart, nominated to be Secretary OF
the Treasury, was Withdrawn from the Sen.
by the President. Judge Hoar had pre-
viously been designated as Attorney General
When the last named heard OF the nomination Of
Mr. Boutwell, he fastened to Washington, and at the
first Cabinet meeting he attended he said the Pre-.
sdent that in his opinion there should not be two
Cabinet officers from the same State. Therefore
whenever 1t should be thought that his resigna-
ton would relieve the President from the slightest
degree OF embarrassment in this particular
he would esteem II favor to be so in-
formed in order that his successor might be
selected from some other State. The President
was not only friendly to Mr.. Hoar. but gave him his
entire confidence. Frequently Offering resign and
anticipating early release from the Office OF At
| torney General Judge Hoar never established him
| self IN housekeeping In Washington, nor did he
| bring his family hither
! IL has been published that while Presiden,
Grant soiourned at Long Branch, attend
ing the races, Secretary Cox was devotin 2
himself 10 business In Washington; but It
is known that while at Long Branch
the President did not attend the races, and that
meanwhile Secretary Cox was absent an entire
month. 1t was during General Cox's absence that
he, by letter, rendered his resignation and it may
be stated with like confidence that the reasons for
General Cox's retirement involved no differ
ence whatever on public affairs anG con
the policy of conducting AFFAIRS through the
agency Of civilians, selected for their business quail
fications, as well as for their known benevolent
character. The only thing that could be construed
as involving disagreement between these gentlemen
was the McGarrahan claim. year ago the Presi-
dent expressed TO Secretary Cox his desire
that no patent be signed in his name
either for McGarrahan or the New IdrIa
Company until Congress had finally acted upon the
subject, as much corruption had been charged on
on both sides, and as the question was undergoing
legislative inquiry even before the present admins
tratiop came Into existence, ana on the 22d
OF August last the President wrote General Cox a
note, In which he communicated similar views and
Inhibited the signing OF sucn patent by the Secretary
appointed to sign land patents for the President
less by his own specific orders or through the
Secretary himself. The Secretary, on the reception
OF the Presidents note, promptly gave the required
instruction to the land patent Secretary. General
Cox explained to the President mat McGanahan's
case was not before the department IL
was the new ldrla Company's claims
to the same quicksilver Mines the pos.
session or which il contested by McGarrahan, but
this matter was not the cause or the Secretary's
resignation. The reason given for the Withholding
OF the correspondence between Secretary Cox and
the President the resignation and its acceptance Is
that 1t was at the time II took place, considered
he private by both parties, and, repeated in
wolves no difference on public measures as a cause
OF official separation
The Internal Revenue GOmmis.
Vacancy.
II has been ascertained, inquiry at Official
sources, that no person has yet been decided for
Commissioner or Internal Revenue, nor Is it likely
that appointment viii be be made for several
weeks.
Increased Mail Service.
The following Is summary OF the number Of
miles travelled by the mails during the past fiscal
year as compared with the fiscal year previous-
Number OF miles travelled III conveying
the United States nails in 1869, 90 723,403;
number travelled IN 1870 97024, $780, increase
In one year, s3ol, 593. This is an increase