The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-05-13
FROM WASHINGTON.

THE CASE OF TIRE ARCHBISHOP OF PARIS
HIS CAPTIVITY AND TREATMENT IN MAzAs
PR1soN-INTERvIEw WITH MINIsTRR WASH
BURNE-INTERESTING PARTICULARS.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Secretary of
State has received adyices from y. S. Min
lister Washburne, in Paris, detailing some
interesting particulars Of the incarceration
and treatment OF Monsigneur Darboys, the
Archbishop Of Pars, by the insurgents in
that city. Mr.. Washburne visited the Arch
bishop, by permission of the Commune, in
the Mazas prison, in relation to which he
says, under date OF April 23d:
"On Thursday night last received q
letter from Monsigneur Chige, Archbishop
of Myre, and nuncio apostolic of st. Liege,
and also communication from Mr.. Lon
over, chauvlne Of the diocese of Paris, Mr..
Lasard. the Vicar-General of Paris, and
Messrs. Tabouset and Allan, chauvines and
members Of the Metropolitan chapter Of
the Church Of Paris, all making strong
appeal TO me, in the name of the right Of
nations, humanity, and sympathy, to inter-
pose my good Offices in behalf Of the i'm
prisoned archbishop. l have thought that
| should have been only conforming to what
[ believed to be the policy OF our Govern
ment, aud carrying out what conceived to
be your wishes under the circumstances,
by complying with the request of the gen.
tlemen who have addressed me. I, there
fore, early this morning put myself in COM
munication with Gen. Cluseret, who seems
at the present time to be the directing man
in affairs here. ] told him that applied to
him not in my diplomatic capacity, but
simply in the interest Of good feeling and
humanity, to see if it were not possible to
have the archbishop relieved from arrest
and confinement.
He answered that it was not matter
within his jurisdiction, and however much
he might like to see the archbishop re.
leased, he thought, in consideration Of the
state of affairs, it would be impossible. He
said that he was not arrested for crime, but
simply to be held rs hostage, as many
others had been. Under the existing Cir
cunstances, he thought it would be useless
to take any steps in that direction. I, my
self, thought the Commune would not dare,
in the present excited state OF public feel
ING in Paris, to release the archbishop. l
told Gen. CluSeret, however, that must
see him, to ascertain his real situation, the
condition of his health, and whether he
was in want OF anything. He said there
would be no objection to that, and he i'm
mediately went with Inc in person to the
Prefecture Of Police, and upon his applica-
ton received from The project permits
sion to visit the archbishop freely ut any
time.
In company with my private secretary,
Mr.. Mexican, L then went TO the MaZas
prison, where was admitted without diff
Cultv, and being uShered into one OF the
vacant cells, the archbishop was very soon
brought in. must say was deeply touch
ed ut the appearance OF this venerable man;
with his slender person, bis form somewhat
bent. his long bead, tor he has not shaved
apparently since his Imprisonment, his face
hageard with iil-healtb, all could not have
tailed to have moved the most Indifferent.
| told him had great pleasure, at the IN
stance of his friends, in intervening IN his
behalf, and whi1 could not promise my
sell the satisfaction Of seeing hum released,
WAS very glad TO be able TO visit him to
ascertain his wants, and assuage the cruel
position in which ne found himself.
lie thanked me most heartily and cor
daily for the disposition I had manifested
towards him. I was charmed by his cheer
| full spirit and his interesting conversation.
He seemed to appreciate his critical situa-
ZION and to be prepared for the worst. He
had 10 word OF bitterness or reproach for
bis prosecutors, but, on the other had, re-
marked that the world judge them to be
worse than they really were. He was pa
tientIy awaiting the logic OF events, and
prayed that Providence might ma soiu-
ton to these terrible troubles without The
further shedding of human blood.
He is confined in cell about feet by
10. possibly little larger, which has the
ordinary furniture Of the Mazas prlson--a
wooden chair, a small wooden table, and
prison bed. The cell is lighted by one
small window. AS = political prisoner, he
il permitted to have his food brought to
him from outside the prison. and IN answer
co my suggestion that | should be GLAD TO
send him anything he might desire, OF 1ur-
"a 10 MIGHT want.
he said he was not in need at present. L
was the first man he had seen from the out
side since his Imprisonment, and he had not
been permitted to see the newspapers, or
TO have any intelligence Of passing events.
7 shall make application to the Project OF
Police to be allowed to send him neWspa-
pers and other reading matter, and shall
also avail myself of the permission granted
me 10 visit him, to the end that may a.
ford him any proper assistance In my power.
cannot conceal from myself, however, The
great danger he is in, and L sincerely nope
mat NAV be instrumental IN saving hlm
from the fate which seems to threaten him."
Minister Washburne also writes an ac-
couut of his subsequent successful efforts
with the Commune for the protection OF
property of Americans in Paris, and the
release of Germans and others cast into
prison by the Commune. Among the per-
sons released by his Intervention were TWO
French Sisters of Charity, who had been
dragged from their convent by the national
guard, and German priest. He afterwards
visited the Archbishop of Paris, taking him
some newspapers and bottle OF old Madeira
wine. He found him about the same ne
was on the occasion of his previous Visit,
and maniiesting the same cheerful sp'rl1'
DEPOSITS OF BANKS AND BANKERS.
Office of Internal Reuenue, Washington,
NAV 2. 1S71.-Sir: In reply to yours OF lotn
nit. would state that the monthly lax Oh
one.twenty-iourth Of one per cent. upon
ca Dital and deposits Of banks and bankers,
as proyided in section ITO, act OF June ~,
1864. as amended, should be assessed and
collected after May LIST, 1871, the same as
heretofore. 81
The act of July IA, 1870, in no way al-
fected liability to said tax.
You are further instructed, IN response
to your inquiry, that the tax imposed on
pas by the act of June 80, 1864, is still TO De
assessed and collected as heretofore.
Very respectfully,
A. PLEAsoNT0N, Commr.
INTERESTING TO DIsTILLERs.
Washington, May s, 1S71.-Where a
stamp has been destroyed, and the tax
PAYER in consequence Is forced TO aih1
new stamp, the Commissioner, upon
nroof Of these facts, clearly has the
rnsnar m direct the Drice OF the sec.