The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-05
Latest News from Washington.
Special telegram to the Dispatch.

!. WASHINGTON, January 4.--The presence OF
Minister Sickles in Washington gives rise to
greater comment than heretofore OF, the re-
lations of this country to Spain. He had a
lengthy interview with the Secretary Of State
to-day on Spanish and Cuban affairs. Many
believe that one result Of Sickles's visit will
be an earnest diplomatic correspondence with
the Spanish authorities on the subject Of the
recent stoppage of the steamer Florida by
Spanish yessel-oi-war, as well rs upon other
topics, which have recently had large share
of public attention,
1t is also believed that any further COM
initial of inhumanities IN Cuba will result in
bringing out strenuous protests on the part Of
the Government. Unusual activity is pre-
Willing in several Of the navy-yards of the
United States. The iron-clad Terror, nowat
Havana, is being supplied with new detacf-
ments of officers, most of whom have had
long service in the gulf of Mexico.
There are other circumstances Of serious
import but the belief in official circles is that,
whatever arises, any armed collision with
Spain will lie avoided. T1MoS.
Weather Probabilities.
WAsriISGToS, january 1.-THE barometer
will probably continue to rise OH Friday
throughout the Atlantic States and on the
lower lakes, with partially cloudy and clear
weather and falling temperature. North
westerly winds in the Middle and Eastern
States. North and northwest winds on the
South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. An area Of
low barometer will probably develop west
of Illinois and move norlheast"ard, with
rising temperature. 49,.
The Hornet AGair--The Steamer to he
Taken i'm Charge by n United States
War Eessel--ApOI0Sy, Indemnity, &c,
to be Demanded Of Spain. 80!
WAsHINGToH, January 4.--From what can
be leatnea thefe Is lis doubt hit t1at tile
steamer Hornet will lie taken in charge by
Captain Davenport, Of the United States
steamer Congress, and conveyed 10 the United
States. This course will he pursued to PRO-
tcct her from annoyance or seizure by the
Spanish war, vessels; which have for long
time be5ii lying in wait to seize her should
she leave Port-au-Princc, where ut last ac-
counts she was blockadcd.
Whatever offence she may have committed
against our neutrality will he investigated
within our own court. This Government, it
will he rocollscted, announced its policy i'll
the official correspondence published recently,
in which it was stated That while the United
States Government wishes to observe strict
neutrality in regard to difficulties in the
island of Cuba, they cannot consent that our
merchant vessels shall be molested in their
lawful pursuits, or oycrhallled and examined
unless they are found committing some VIC
l:.t;on of Spanish authority.
In pursuance Of this policy this Govern
mcnt will, if it has not already, make strong
protest against the act Of tic Spanish COM
m,uder in ovcrhauling and scafvbing the
Florida On the high sens. Is il usila in such
cases, I'll apology will be demanded, the act
of the Spanish commander disavowed, the
commander punished; and PROPER indemnity
demanded OF the Spaiiisl. Government.
TIE Spanish GoverIimentwill. it is thought,
comply with this proper request Of our Gov
eminent. as all nations under similar circum-
stances never hesitate, on proper showing
of the facts, to make honorable amends.
From what is heard now III Washington
there is no reason to believe that any col
li>icn with Spain is Imminent. Gin Govern
mcnt, however. seems to be enforcing with
more Vi%or than heretofore Inc pollcy ~
sumcd at the commencement Of the hostii-
tics in Cupa. ...,
General Items. - ...
WAsE11NaroS, january 4.-secretary Hal
lcck Is dangerously Ill. -. 49,
The Secretary Of the Treasury and the
President have gone to Philadelphia. They
will return OH Monday.
The Haytien Minister, Mr.. Bassett, has
been notified by cable OF the determination
Of the United Suites to protect the Hornet.