The Portland daily press., 1873-12-03
WASHINGTON.
The United state. and spani.

States and Spanish officials, which accompan-
led the Presidents message:
Protocol Of the conference held at the DEPART
ment OF State at Washington, on the 29th of
november, 1873, between Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State and Rear Admiral Don
Jose Polo de Barnabee, Envoy Extraord-
| nary and Minister Plenipotentiary for Spain:
The undersigned having met for the purpose
or entering into definite agreement respect
ing the steamer Virglnius, which, while under
| lnote) the flag OF the United States, was, on
the 3lst day of October captured on the bish
seas by the Spanish man-of-war Tornado, have
reached the following conclusion:
SPAN, on her part, agrees to restore forth
with the vessel referred to and the survivors of
her passengers and crew, and on the 25th dav
December next to salute the flag of the United
States; it however, before that date, Spain
should prove to the satisfaction of the govern
ment of the United States that the Virgipius
was not entitled to carry the flag of the United
states, ana was carrying it at the time of her
capture without right and improperly, the sa-
lutte VIII be spontaneously dispensed with, as in
such case not being necessarily reduirable; but
the United States will expect in such case
decislmer OF intent OF indignty to the flag in
# on or before the 18th day of December, 1873
IL snail 6e made to appear to the satisfaction
OF the United States that the Virginius did
not rightfuliy carry the American flag, and
was not entitled to American papers, the United
proceedings against the vessel if it be found
| that she has violated any law of the United
States, and against any Of the persons who NAV
appear to have been guilty of illegal acts in
connection herewith, it being understood that
Spain will proceed according to the second pro-
position made to General Sickles, and commun-
cated in his telegram read to Admiral Polo on
the 9th snst., to investigate the conduct of
those of her authorities who have infringed
Spanish law or treaty obligation, and will ar
raign them before competent coults and ipflict
punishment upon those who may have offended
their reciprocal reclamations, to be the subject
OF consideration and arrangement between the
two governments, and in case of no agreement,
to be the subject of arbitration, ir the constitu-
tio'a' consent of the Senate of the United
States be given thereto
IL Is iur.her stipulated that the time, manner
and place for the surrender of the Virgiuius
ana the Survivors OF those who were on board
of her at the time of her capture, and also the
salute of the flag of the United States if there
should be occasion for such salute, shall be sub
ject to arrangement between the undersigned
within the next two days.
(Slgned,) HAMILTON FISH
JOSE Polo DE BARNABEE.
Cuban Matters.
A delegation of native Cubans. including
some very attractive ladies, are here distribut-
Ing pamphlets narrating cruelties committed by
the volunteers, and urging the recognition of
the insurgents Four residents of Jamaica are
also here. asserting that the V:rginius sailed
from that port under the flag of the United
States, with regular papers,
The Position OF Mr.. Sumner.
NEW YORK, Dec. "A Washington dis
patcn says that the propriety of reinstating
senator Sumner as Chairman of the Comnsit-
tee on Foreign Relations is being canvassed,
but while there is universal display of good
feeling toward Mr.. Sumner and desire to well
come him back into the Republican fold, it is
thought unadvisable to place him in position
which requires friendly relations between the
incumbent ana the Secretary of State.
The Nominations,
;. The nominatan Of Attorney-General Will
llams to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
OF the United States was merely read in the ex-
ecHtlve session to-day, and thee laid over for
future consideration. 1t was expected that the
Senate would Immediately act upon the nomi-
nation without reference to the committee as
it has been customary thus to compliment
nominee, where he is either a member or ex-
member of that body
During the session of Congress the President
will receive Members of Congress daily from
10 to 10 O'Clock, without card. MONDAYS.
Wednesdays and Thursdays be will receive the
general public from II to 2 p M. by card.
Documents.
The Presidents messaoa to-dav was accom-.
panied by two printed volumes making nearly
i5v0 pages OF papers relating to tine foteisp ts.
ations Of the United States,
synopsis ofthe Treasury Report.
The Secretary OF the Treasury points out the
falling Oft in the revenue caused by the fnan-
clal crisis OF the estimates of receipts some
what theron; shows that the coin receipts are
still more than the Interests on the public debt
and other coin expenditures; recommends
economy and reduction in appropriations and
if the effects of the arrangement in business
should continue and make it necessary to PRO-
vide additional means, recommends judici6us
additional taxation rather than resort to bor-
rowing and increasing the public debt. The
operations under the refundine act for the year
ending December 3lst 1874, make saving of
81 ,000, 900 in annual interest The entire saving
OF the annual interest under its operation IS
$3,000,000. Recommends that action be taken
before January next for the payment of the
$2O,Q0D,0DO loan Of 1865. The Secretary con-
demns the practice Of paying interest ON depos-
its as tending to circulate currency in the large
cities where It is used largely In loans to specu-
lators whose operations tend directly to increase
the annually recurring stringency in the money
market and tend TO derange business generally,
The Secretary alludes to the prevailing senti-
ment that more elasticity should be given to
| the volume OF the currency, and earnestly COM
| mends to the wisdom of Congress careful con-
| sideraton of the subject and that in such ln-
| jury further imitation of irredeemabe paper
| currency should be avoided and permanent re-
turn to the sound basis Of specie payments be
kept 10 view,
As regards any large augmentation of legal
tender notes in time of peace, as a departure
from the. declaration of public policy and
pledge nt public faith to this national creditor,
made in an act OF June aQth, 1864, that the
amount OF such notes should never exceed
| $400, 0O0, 600, as well as from that more solemn
pledge contained in the 1st act of the 41st Con-
| gress to make provision at earliest practicable
period for the redemption of U. S. notes in
| coin.
He refers to the uncertainty in public opinion
as to tie right of policy of issuing the S44 ,000,-
| 600 called the reserved, aud recommends the
| act status thereof be fixed by Congress. He
opposes the issue af any, R9rt Of ths same to
initiate the currency, and suggests it be held for
| reserve under restrictions. The Secretary also
| recommends changes in the law authorizing
the national bank notes to be replaced, as there
are practical difficulties in carrying out the
purpose OF Congress qader the present laws
thorough revision of the customs laws is
recommended The tonnage tax should bs re-
pealed and new laws regarding enrolment and
license of vessels should be made so far as they
effect canal beats and similar craft employed
chiefly on the eternal waters ot t4e STATES: Ihe
| reorganization OF customs districts on the At
lantic coast. and various changes In the laws
respecting our navigation are recommended.
The Secretary details what has been done in
the matter of the Louisville and Portland Ca
nal, and suggests furthsr legislation.
Nominations.
The President to-day sent to the Senate the
|patice of the Supreme Court, B. H. Boston,
Attorney General, and A. r. Shepherd, Cover
nor OF the District OF Columbia.
| Senate Committees.
The Republican caucps nominated James R.
Young for executive clerk Ct the Senate. and
appointed a committee to report to an adjourn
ed meeting of the caucus tomorrow, on the
subject of standing committees. There are few
vacancies to be filled in the committees, but no
important change from the membership of the
last session is anticipated.
Treasury Payments.
The payments made from the Treasury OF
warrants diving the month of November, were
civil aud miscellaneous 797, ,429, ,242; War 181, )
2lo 20; Navy 297 233 O67 Interior, Indians, and
Eepsl9ps, 45S022 003; Total 187.S62,O ,O75. The
aDove does not INCLUDE the payments made on
account OF the principal and interest OF the
public debt
METEOROLOGICAL
PROBABILITIES FOR THE NEXT rwENTY-FoUB
| HOURS
WAR DEPT OFFICE CHIEF SIGNAL)
OFFICER, Washington, ID. G., I
Dec 2, IS p. MY
For New England
| nd JroC+ 10, oil tbo