The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-03

of an official who may be disagreeble [
them. TO have any rules effective the
must have the acquiescence Of Congress q
well as Of the Executive. commend
! therefore, the subject to your attention, an
suggest that special committee of Con
gress might confer with the Civil-Servic
Board during the present session for th
purpose Of devising such rules as can /
maintained, and which will secure the sci
vices OF honest and capable officials, an
which will also protect them in degree O
| independence while in office.
Proper rules will protect Congress a
well as the Executive from much needles
persecution, and will prove Of great valu
to the public at large.
! COLoRADO-IRRIaAT
would recommend for your favorabl,
consideration tho passage of an enabling
act for the admittance of Colorado as
State in the Union. 1t possesses all th,
elements of prosperous State, agricul
tural and mineral, and believe has pop
ulation now to justify such admission. II
connection with this | would also recon-
mend the encouragement of a canal fol
| purposes OF irrigation from the eastern
| slope of the Rocky mountains to the
Missouri river. As rule | am opposed
to further donation of public lands for in
ternal improvement s. owned and controlled
by private corporations, but in this instance
would make an exception.
Between the Missouri river and the
Rocky mountains there is an arid belt of
public land from three hundred to five hum
drad y,1iloo IL, midi, r.
the occupation of man for want of sufficient
rain to secure tho growth of any products.
An irrigating canal would make a product
i've belt as wide as the supply of
water could be made to spread over across
this entire country, and would secure a cor
don of settlements connecting the present
population OF the mountain and mining
regions with that of the older States. All
the lands reclaimed would be clear gain.
II alternate sections are retained by the
government l would suggest that the re-
tanned sections be thrown open to entry
under the homestead laws, or sold to
actual settlers for q very low price.
5s.. GENERAL AMNESTY.
| renew my previous recommendation
to Congress for general amnesty. The
number engaged in the late rebellion yet
laboring under disabilities is very small,
but enough to keep up constant irritation.
NO possible danger can accrue to the Gov
eminent by restoring them to eligibility to
hold office. Sss ss $50
| suggest for your consideration the en-
actment of a law to better secure the civil
rights which freedom should secure, but
has not effectually secured, to the enfran-
chised slave. u. s. GRANT,
{ Executive Mansion, December /, 1873.
PROTOCOL OF THE Conference held at the |
Department of State at Washington on |
the Goth of November, 1878, between
Hamilton Fish, Secretary Of State, and |
Rear-Admiral Don Jose Polo de Ber-
nabe, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary Of Spain
The undersigned having met for the pur-
pose of entering into definitive agreement
respecting the case of the steamer Vir. |
yinius, which, while under the flag of the
United States, was on the 31st day Of Octo-
per last captured on the high seas by the
spanish man-of-war Tornado, have reached
she following conclusions: Spain on
ner part stipulates to restore forth
With the vessel referred to and the
OF her passengers and
crew. and on the 25th day Of De-
cember next to salute the flag Of the Uni
ed States. If, however, before that date
Spain should prove to the satisfaction Of |
The Government of the United States that
the Virginius was not entitled to carry the
lag Of the United States, and was carrying
{ at the time of her capture without right
Ind improperly, the salute will be sponta-
,eously dispensed with, as in such case not
being necessarily reputable. but the Uni.
ed States will expect in such case a dis
,laimer Of intent Of indignity to its flag in
he act which was committed. Further
more, if on or before the 25th of Decem-
Dor, 1873, it shall be made to appear to
he satisfaction of the United States that
ne Virginius did not rightfully carry
he American b flag, and was not
untitled to American papers, the Uni
ed States will institute inquiry and
Idopt legal proceedings against the vessel
it be found that she has violated any
aw of the United States, and against any
# the persons who may appear to have
,een guilty Of illegal acts in connection
herewith. 1t being understood that Spain
viii proceed according to the second pro-
'osition made to General Sickles and COM
nunicated in his telegram read to Admiral
Polo on the 9th ultimo to investigate the
onduct of those of her authorities who
ave infringed Spanish laws or treaty obi
atoms and will arraign them before COM
etent. Courts and infllct punishment on those
rho may have offended. Other reciprocal
eclamations to be the subject of
consideration and arrangement between the
wo Governments, and in case of no agree.
aent, to be the subject of arbitration if the
Constitutional assent of the Senate of the
United States be given thereto. tits further
tipulated that the time, manner, and place
Or the surrender of the Virginius and the
urvivors of those who were on board of
er at the time of her capture, and also the
ime, manner and place for the salute to the
ag of the United States, if there should be
ccasion for such salute, shall be subject to
arrangement between the undersigned with
! the next two days.
HAMILTON FISH,
JOSE PoLoDE BERNABE. ;
PROPOSALS..
PROPOSALS