The Portland daily press., 1871-12-22
WASHINGTON.
lUnHfAr 1trEnn A1n


WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 Mrs. Cady Stanton
ana other women have united in a petition pre-
sented by Mr.. Trumbull to-day demanding suf
TRACE and asking that they be heard before the
senate and House in behalf of their memorial
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
The Committee of Investigation and Re-
trenchment to-day arranged some matters of
detail and agreed to meet in New York the Sd
Oh january to commence examinations
TREASURY INVESTIGATION
Representative Lynch, Chairman of the
frauds IN the Treasury Department., has signi-
he'd his Intention of accepting the report of the
committee appointed by Secretary Boutwell,,
now investigating the affairs of that depart
ment. -
THE PRESIDENTS FATHER.
PRESIDENT Grant has received dispatch from
Covlngton, KY, announcing that his father
was not considered dangerously ILL.,
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE ON CUBAN AFFAIRS
The President sent brief message to the
House to-day in response to resolution offered
by Gen. Banks on the 9th inst, requesting in
formation relative to the execution of medical
students at Havana and the failure of the Span
1sn government to carry out in the West India
colonies reforms voluntarily promised by the
statesmen of Spain in their correspondence. 1t
SHOWS that our government has continued to
urge the fulfillment of the emancipation de-
cfeeS anu Otner prominent reforms.
A letter from Vice Consul Hall details the
alleged action of the Havana authorities in the
matter OF execution of the students who were
alleged to have desecrated the grave of Casta-
non, and says that there were well founded ap-
prehenslons that a general massacre of Cubans
was intended, and to this possibly may be at
trlbuted the compromise with the volunteers
and the sacrifice of the young men,
Copies of the instructions of the Secretary of
the Navy to the Naval Commanders of the
United States, show that ON April Z, 1869, he
instructed Admiral Hoff that all citizens of the
United States native born or naturalized in
Cuba, engaged in lawful pursuits, respecting
the laws of the country and taking no part in
the measures to overthrow the government are
entitled to protection.
On May 9th, 1870, the Secretary notified Hoff
that while the United States wishes to observe
strict neutrality in regard to the difficulties
arising in Cuba, it cannot consent to our mer-
chant vessels being molested i'll lawful pur-
suits, or overhauled and examined unless found
committing some violation of the Spanish
authority. This they can only do by landing
arms and munition of war; 1t will be your
duty to give full protection to American citi-
zens and American commerce, whenever op-
portunity occurs.
On June Sd, 1870, the Secretary notified Ad-
miral Poor to keep some of his vessels station
ed on the north and south ends of Cuba or such
ports, as the so-called insurgents should con-
vene for escape.
While the Department does not desire you to
seek opportunities to encourage these distress
ed persons to seek protection of the United
States flag you will in no case refuse them
shelter on board the vessels of your fleet and
when they are once under the protection of
the flag, their persons and property are to be
held sacred against the Inference of the Span
lsh authorities. In no case will you give up
any person escaping the island except by au-
thority from this department.
Instructions were sent by the Secretary to
Rear Admiral Lee on the 18th of July, 1871 to
visit Santiago in the Severn or send some other
vessel to that port and elsewhere in the vicinity
for the protection, if necessary, of our citizens
and interests. On August 11th, 1871, the Ad-
miral was instructed to send vessel to inquire
into the subject of the Hornet Since the exc
cution of students at Havana, the United States
iron-clad Terror and steamers Nipsc and Kan
sas have been ordered to that port. On the 18th
inst, commander Weaver, the senior officer
present, called upon the Captain General in
company with the commander of the Nipsic
and Consul Hall He reports that they met
with a courteous reception and at the date of
the despatch (the 9th inst) the city was quiet
and orderly.
PROCLAMATION.
A Presidential proclamation declares that on
and after the 1st of January next, so long as
merchandise imported from any other country
excepting the Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico
into ports of Spain and the islands adjacent
thereto in vessels belonging to citizens of the
United States they shall be exempt from dis
duties, any such duties on mer-
Spanish vessels excepting from the Islands of
Cuba and Porto Rico shall be discontinued and
abolished