The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-03

| 'uc appointment OF lT.enu or the removal
OF an official who may be disagreeabe
TO them. To have any rules effective they
must have the acquiescence Of Congress as
we'll as Of the Executive. I commend,
therefore, the subject to your attention, and
suggest that special committee of Congress
might confer with the Civil-Seryce Board
during the present session for the purpose
of dcyising such rules as can be main.
tanned, and which will secure the services of
honest and capable officials, and which will
also protect them in a degree of independ-
ence while in office.
| Proper rules will protect Congress as well
as the Executive from much needless perse-
cution, and will prove of great value to the
public at large.
| CONGRATULATIONS.
| would recommend for your favor
ablc consideration the passage Of an
enabling act for the admittance of Colo.
RADIO as State in the Union. 1t possesses
all the elements of a prosperous State, agri-
| cultural and mineral, and believe
has n population now to justify such
admission. In connection with this would
also recommend the encouragement of a
canal for 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 internal
improvements owned and controlled by Dri-
vate corporations, but in this instance I
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 hundred
miles in width, perfectly yalueless for the oc-
cupation of man for want Of sufficient rain
TO secure the growth of any products. An
4 10
belt as wide as the supply ot>water could be
made to spread over across this entire coun.
try. and would secure a Gordon of settle
mcnts connecting the present popula-
| ton of the mountain and mining
regions with that of the older
States. All the land reclaimed would
| be clear gain. If alternate sections are re-
tanned BY the Government would suggest
| that the retained sections be thrown open to
entry under the homestead laws, or sold to
actual settlers for very low price.
| GENERAL AMNESTY.
| renew my previous recommendation to
| Congress for general amnesty. The number
engaged in the late rebellion yet laboripg I'M
der disabilities is very small, but enough to
keep up a constant irritation. No possible
danger can accrue to the Government by re-
st oring them to eligibility to hold office.
| I suggest for your consideration the en-
actment of law to better secure the civil
| rights which freedom should secure, but has
not effectually secured, to the entranchlsed
| slave. U. :. GRANT.
| Executive Mansion, December l., 1878.
Protocol Of the Conference held at The De-
Dnrtn,ent of State at Washington on the
| ~ oLn,. hpi RYD1,TOO
| FISH. Secretary Of State, and Redr-Ad-
mural Don Jose Polo de Bernabc. ENJOY
| Extraordinary and Minister Plcn'poten
tiary Of SPAN:
The undersigned having met for the pur-
pose of entering into a detinitiVe agreement
| respecting the case of the steamer Virginius,
which, while under the flag Of the Uuited
| States, was on the 31St day Of October last
captured on the high seas by the Spanish
man-of-war Tornado, have reached the fol-
lowing conclusions: Spain on her part
stipulates to restore forthwith the vessel re-
ferred to and the survivors OF her passen-
gers and crew, and on the 18th day of De.
| Cember next to salute the flag OF
the United States. If, however, before
that date Spain should prove to the satistac-
ton of the Government of the United States
that the Nirginius was not entitled TO carry
the flag Of the United States. and was carry
ing it at the time of her capture without
right and improperly, the salute will be spon-
taneously dispensed with, rs in such case not
being necessarily reputable, but the United
States will expect in such Gaze disclaimer
of intent of indignty to its flag in the act
which was committed. Furthermore, If on
or before the 18th of December, 1873, it
shall be made to appear to the satisfaction OF
the United States that the Firginius did
not rightfully carry the American flag, and
was not entitled to American papers, the
United States will institute inquiry and
adopt legal proceedings against the vessel
if it he found that she has violated
any law of the United States, and
I against any Of the persons who
NAV appear to have been guilty of illegal
acts in connection Herewith. 1t being TN.
derstood that Spain will proceed according
to the second proposition made to General
Sickles and communicated in his telegram
read to Admiral Polo on the 9th ultimo to
investigate the conduct Of those Of her au.
thorities who have infriugcd Spanish laws or
treaty obligations and will arraign them be.
fore competent courts and infct punishment
on those who may have offended. Other
reciprocal reclamatons to be the subject OF
consideration and arrangement between the
two Governments, and in case of no agree
ment, to DE the subject Of arbitration if the
constitutional assent of the Senate Of the
United States be given thereto. 1t is further
stipulated that the time, manner, and place for
the surrender of the Firginius and the sur
viyors of those who were on board OF her
ut the time Of her capture, and also the
time. manner, and place for the salute to the
flag of the United States, if there should be
occasion for such salute, shall be subject to
arrangement between the undersigned with
in the next TWO days.