The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-09
WARRINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
THE AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CLAIMS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Sup to the 9TH inst,
the sums awarded to Americans by the joint
United States and Mexican Commission amount
ed to $575,000 The amount claimed in the ag-
gregate was S11 800, 900. The awards to Next
cans amounted to only $780, 00O though tho ag-
gregate claimed was SlS,000,000. About 400
cases have been decided. Upward Of 1000 cases
are pending, and many of them will be decided
in gross According to the present state of
business all of it will be transacted between
now and January next, when the Commission
by the terms of the treaty, will terminate.
BOGUS CORRESPONDENCE.
Information has been derived from an official
source, that warrants denial of the genuine
ness of the recently published alleged cores
pondence between Minister Scheck and Secre-
tary Fish, relative to the Treaty of Washing
ton, and dated the 9th inst 1t bears no resem-
blance whatever to the original terms, and no
despatch whatever was received from Minister
Schenck Monday as has been stated. The fact
of the reception and the general subject of
despatch received on Tuesday, which was not
deciphered till the afternoon of that day, were
spoken of freely and mentioned by Secretary
Fish to numerous Senators and Representatives
and other inquirers. In the afternoon and even
ing of Tuesday, the contents were not disclos-
ed, but the tone and subject of the dispatches
We're spoken of by him without reserve.
ta. APPOINTMENT.
Thomas X. Cree of Pittsburg, Penn, has been
appointed Secretary of the Board of Indian
Commissioners vice Vincent Colyer, who has
resigned and taken charge of the Board in this
city. -i'
SECRETARY BoUTwELL's BILL TO AID COM
MERGE. '''-f'.
The bill presented by Secretary Boutwell, be-
fore the House Committee of Commerce to-day
as his means of aiding the maritime interests
OF the United States, authorizes the Secretary
OF the Treasury to offer bounty of not more
than $40 per ton to be paid each year for pc
riod of five years on the construction in the Unit
ed States of iron steamships of not less than
1000 tons each, bounties to be paid for not ex-
ceeding 100000 tons in the aggregate, nor for
more than 100 900 tons in any one year The
said vessels to be employed exclusively in for
eign trade The Secretary has to give public
notice that proposals will be received for the
construction of $4,000 tons upon the Atlantic
coast, $4,000 tons upon the great lakes and Mis-
sissippi river. and 70, 600 tons upon the Pacific
coast. The vessels shall be first class and be
constructed after such models and specifications
as shall have been first approved by the Bureau
of Construction and Repairs of the Navy De-
partment, and the government may at any time
purchase or charter said vessels or require them
to carry the mails between the United States
and any foreign country, and the payment shall
be made of any such sums as shall be ascer-
tanned thereby by five disinterested persons,
three of whom shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States, and two by the own
ers of any vessel that may be so taken or en-
ployed, and the Secretary of the Navy may may
detail an officer of the navy not above the rank
of Lieutenant, to serve as q record officer, and
another officer of inferior position on board of
any vessel built under the authority of the first
section of this act; and upon the request of the
owner of any such vessel, he may detail an Off
Ger 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 first class sailing vessel of
not less than 400 tons burden hereafter launch
ed and furnished and to be employed exclusive
ly in foreign trade, including trade between the
Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States,
sum of IS for each and every ton of the reg
istered tonnage of such vessels.
There shall be allowed and paid under such
regulations as shall be established by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury upon every first-class sail
ing vessel of not less than 200 tons burden here
after launched, finished and authorized to en-
gage not more than three months in any one
calendar year in the coasting trade of the
United States, the sum of So for each ton of
registered tonnage of any such vessel on which
bounty shall have been paid, shall desire to
have such vessel enrolled and licensed for the
coasting trade, such authority may be granted
by the Secretary of the Treasury upon the re-
payment of the amount originally paid by the
government after making deduction of 10 per
cent. for each year that such vessel may have
to be in the service, provided at least so per
cent. of the amount originally paid shall be re-
funded to the government For period of five
years there shall be allowed and paid to the
owner or owners of any vessel engaged in the
cod or mackerel fishery upon the Atlantic
ocean or it's coast the sum of St per ton of reg
istered tonnage of such vessel, provided that no
payment shall be made ON account of any vessel
that has not been SO employed for at least four
months of the calendar year. Vessels of the
United States employed in foreign trade or in
fisheries may purchase ship stores, supplies and
outfit, not including articles for repair or the
running of such vessels in bond and without
the payment of duties under such regulations
as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
Secretary Boutwell, supported the bill in a
speech of nearly an hour.
He was followed by Secretary Robson, who
confirmed the statements of Secretary Boutwell,
in regard to the great Importance of merchant
marine as a means of naval defence in time of
war, and especially for the purpose of engaging
as privateers.
General Butler will tomorrow appear before
the same Committee to urge plans relative to
determinations in favor of American vessels
The Committee is examining into our mari
time relations with other nations and the effect
which they have upon our material prosperity.