Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-09
News From Washington.

| Washington, 8. Up to the 9Th instant the
sums awarded to Americans by the Joint
United States and Mexican Commits sion
amounted to $4,000. The amount claimed
IN the aggregate was Sll 100000. The
awards to Mexicans amounted to only $780,
ooO, though the aggregate claimed was SlS,-
OOo, 900. About 400 cases have been decid-
ed; upwards of 1000 cases are pending. and
many OF them will be decided in gross. Ac-
cordlng to the present state of business all of
it will be transacted between now and next
January, when the commission by the terms
| of the treaty will terminate.
Information has been derived from an Off
clal source that warrants a denial of the
genuineaess of the recently published alleged
correspondence between Minister Schenck
and Secretary Fish relative to the treaty of
Washington, and dated the fifth instant. 1t
bears no resemblance whatever to the origi-
nal terms. No despatch was received from
Minister Schenck on Monday as has been
stated.
The bill introduced by Secretary Boutwell,
before the House Committee of Commerce
to-day, as his means for aiding the maritime
interests of the United States, authorizes the
Secretary Of the Treasury to offer a bounty
of not more than ten dollars per ton to be
paid each year for a period Of five years,
for construction in the United States of iron
steamships Of not less than one thousand
tons each, bountes 10 be paid for not ex-
ceeding 100000 tons in the aggregate, nor
for more than 100000 tons in any one year,
the SAID vessels to be employed exclusively
IN foreign trade. The secretary has to give
notice that proposals will be received for the
construction of 80, 900 tons upon the Atlantic
coast, 200 tons upon the great lakes and
Mississippi river, and %, 900 tons upon the
Pacific coast The vessels shall be first
class, and be constructed after such patterns,
models and specifications as shall have been
first approved by the bureau of construction
and repairs of the navy department. and the
government may at any time purchase or
charter said vessels or require them to carry
the mails between the United States and
and foreign country, and the payment shall
be made thereof Any such sums shall be
ascertained thereby by five disinterested per-
sons, three of whom shall be appointed by the
President Of the 1 nited States and two by the
owners of any such vessel that may be so
taken or employed, and the Secretary of the
Navy may detail an officer of the navy not
above the rank of lieutenant to serve as a
record officer, and another officer of inferior
position on board of any vessel that may be
built under authority Of the first section of
lhis act, and upon the request of the owner
OF any such vessel he may detail an officer of
the navy to serve as commander if consistent
with public interests. There shall be allowed
and paid under such regulations as shall be
established by the Secretary of the Treasury
upon any tirst-class sailing vessel of not less
than 400 tons burden hereafter launched and
furnished and to be employed exclusively in
foreign trade, including trade between the
Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United
States, sum of eight dollars for each and
every ton OF the registered tonnage of such
vessels.
Gen. Butler will tomorrow appear before
the same committee to urge plans relative to
discrimination in favor of American vessels.