The New York herald., 1873-12-31
Analogous Ground for a De-
mand Of Indemnity.
Frnits Of the Timid and Time-SerVing Policy
Of the State Department.
Pacific Offices To Be Preferred Spain
by the United States in Re-
lation to Cuba.
The Recommendation to Abolish Slavery
To BE Renewed.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 80, 1879
Spain's View OF the Virginius Like
America's View OF the Alabama-The
Analogous Ground for q Demand for
Indemnity. ~
The sinking Of the Virginius is regarded In ad-
ministration circles not as an irreparable mlsor-
tune, but rather as lucky accident, which relieves
the government of the trouble and expense which
otherwise it would have been called upon to meet
IN the final disposition of the ship. But, though 1t
ysis not likely now that Spain win demand the
restoration to her of the virginius as a lawful
prize. Mr.. Fish viii have something yet to do
before he can boast OF a complete and satisfactory
settlement OF this business. 1t IS understood here
that among the claims which Spain will urge upon
our government in view OF a definite settlement
Of our Spanish complications growing out Of
Cuban AFFAIRS viii be a demand for in
demnity for the acts OF the yirginius a
cruiser under the United states nag in the service
lof the Cuban insurgents. The ground for this de-
mand Will be that the case OF the virgnius is anal
agous to that OF the famous Angorebel cruiser, the
Alabama, and, in some appeal or this character it
bs probable the Spanish government viii propose
another tribunal OF arbitration. Unquestionably
the timid. temporiZing course and apologizing dis
position OF our State Department upon all our diff
identities and lndignities suffered in relations
with the Island OF Cuba during the last years has
encouraged Spain TO hope in the end even to bind
our government the conditions OF an active ally
in the maintenance or her authority over the Cuban
insurgents.
Cabinet Meetjng-Loss Of the Vfrgfnius-
Outstanding Legal Tender Circuiation.7 !
The Cabinet meeting to-day was almost two
hours in length. During the session telegram
was received by the Secretary OF the Navy an
he ci nj Of no
Richardson, who returned last night, was present.
and announced that the figures on the Treasury
books to-day showed a Slight decrease from those
OF yesterday In the standing legal tender
circulation.
The United States Again to Offer Pacific
Ohices 10 Spain in Relation to Cuba
The Abolition OF Slavery and Other
Reforms To BE Recon-
The appointment OF General Caleb Cushing to be
the successor OF General Sickles as Minister to
Spain continues to excite comment concerning the
character OF the instructions he will receive from
the Department OF State after the confirmation OF
the nomination by the Senate. Although usage IL
opposed to an open declaration OF the line OF dip.
aOmacy to be pursued 1t be stated, with truth,
that one of the subjects to which Mr.. Cushing will
give his attention will be the policy Of political and
administrative reforms Cuba as the best means
calculated 10 restore peace TO that island and pro-
mote Its prosperity and among those reforms is in
cluded the abolition Of slavery in the Antilles These
views have repeatedly been enforced, both In the
PRESIDENTS annual message and the off1cal corre-
spondeIce OF Secretary Fish, and have been often
communicated to the Spanish Cabinet 1t viii be
reccllected that several years ago our government
tendered its good Offices TO Spain in the hope or
Cuban pacification, but they were respectfully de-
clined on the basis suggested. 1t is not mproba-
fnaf cir x-ii1o
new Minister, as the administration will resort to
every proper expedient for the purpose OF restor-
ing peace and protecting American interests in
Cuba and the adjacent waters. There can be no
doubt that an effort will be made 10 conclude anew
commercial treaty with Spain, the only one ever
made with that Power being that Of 1895, which is
one OF friendship, limits and navigation.
Official Correspondence Between Secrc.
tary Fish and Minister SfckIes Re-
garding the Resignation OF the Latter.
The following is the telegraphlc correspondence
between Secretary Fish and ex-Mlnister Sickles
concerning the resignation Of the latter
MADRID Dec. 8, 1873.
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary OF state. Washing ton =
Ii is published semi-oficialiy that the govern.
1nent dsapproves OF my conduct In the case OF the
Virginius If in the opinion OF the President, nv
resignation would facilitate q satisfactory termi-
nation OF that question or be otherwise advan-
tageous 10 the public interests sucn resignation
THE REPLY.
wAsHINGroN, Dec. 8. 1873.
SICKLEs, Minister, Madrid:-
The alleged publication OF uisapproval OF your
Eonduct is entirely unauthorized. No dissatisiac-
tion has been expressed or animated, and il Is
deemed important that you remain Your resig-
nation at this time would not be accepted as 1t
.would interfere with the prospects OF an accommo-
dation. FISH.
srcKLEs WANTS PUBLICITY.
MADRID Dec. 1s 1873.
EtcY af
respectfully request that my telegram OF the 9Th
INST, rendering my resignation, ana your reply OF
tne same date, may be now published. SICKLES.
FISH DON'T WANT 1T.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II, ls73
Your tender OF resignation was only hypotheti-
CAL and your telegram referred IL to alleged pub-
cations unknown here, attributing dissatisfaction
which had not been expressed. Under these CTR
cumstances publication is not deemed necessary,
and cannot be authorized. FISH.
FINAL RESIGNATION.
MADRID, Dec. 20, 1878.
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary OF state, Washington -
l respectfully renew the tender OF my resigna-
ton, which trust may be accepted now without
INTERFERING with the prospects OF an accommoda-
t0n. SICKLES.
WAsniSoTos, Dec 20, 1873.
Your resignation will be accepted Letters OF re-
cali, with Instructions will DC forwarded by next
mall FISH.
False Statements Regarding MIR. Cush-
ing Contradicted.
Some persons, dissatisfied with the course OF the
administration respecting the Virginius, are in
venting and propagatng false and groundless
statements, which deserve contradiction. Thus it
has been ayerred that Mr.. Cushing wrote or die,
tated an article in a Washington paper critlclsing
the opinion OF Attorney General Williams. There
Is the best authority for saying that this report Is
utterly destitute ofa shadow OF foundation. Thus
1t is also asserted or implied that MIR. Gushing has
been the agent Of the Spanish government both
under the monarchy and republic which Is also
untrue. On the contrary, before going to Geneva,
he was the agent OF the United States against the
Anish government, and at that time and fince
hos been counsel agent for various citizens OF
the United States having claims against Spain
. 5ounded on wrongs perpetrated by the Spanish au-
thorities in Cuba, which are the only interests OF