The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-16
II . h Il IG N.
Spanish Affairs.

MADRID, July 15-There is strong under
current of excitement present here, growing
out of an expectation that important measures
will be preached in to-day's sitting of the Cor
ties. There are no overt demonstrations how
ever and the city is unusually Tranquil.
Senior ri y Morgall is engaged in forming
new ministry. to be presented to the Cortes for
ratification, which includes the names Of Seniors
Esterantz, Carla, and Narvaretta.
1t is believed that the Right will present to:
day resolution of censure against the presi-
dent of the Council of Ministers, which the left
and center will unite to oppose and defeat,
The Cortes yesterday adopted a resolution
eulogsing the conduct of the volunteer troops
in Valencia.
A brother of Senior Aurich minister of ma
rne, is said to be one of the leaders of the in
surgents in Carthagena.
The crew of the war ship Almanac deserted
to Join a band of Carlists tlG
The Carists are again beseiging the town of
Puycerda, which is very vigorously defended
by the garrison and citizens.
Berga Occupied by Carlists
BAYoNNE, July 15.-The Carlists have occu
pied the town of Berga. fifty miles from BARGE
Iona, The garrison of 500 surrendered as pris-
oners of war. Don Carlos will soon re-enter
Spain, and take personal command of the forces
in the field
Twelve thousand rifles for the Carlists were
landed near Requetz.
Parliament
LONDON, July 15.-It is stated that Parlia-
ment will be prorogued on the 9th INST.
The judiciary bill abolishinc the powers of
the House of Lords as o court of last appeals,in
certain cases, has passed the committee.
The Republic i'm Cnba
HAVANA, July 15.-The Colonels of several
volunteer regiments are circulating petition
for signature among the officers and men of
their commands, to send to the authorities at
a1r-A -. 49, IL.
festo and the projected reforms in Cuba. Sew
eral companies have refused to sign, but the
majority favor it, A bitter feeling exists be-
tween the Conservatives and the Republicans.
The virginius Again.
KINGSTON Ja., July ia Spanish man-of-
war has arrived. Her coming creates great
alarm for the safety of the steamer Virginius
The Spaniard threatens to take her, and Que
sada declares that he will blow her up. no mat
ter at what sacrifice, rather than permit her
capture The American Consul went last night
at midnight, with seine-Greaa gentlemen resi-
dent here, to solicit the interference of the
British colonial authorities, The excitement
in the city is very great 1t is believed that an
arrangement had been made by the command
er OF the Firginius to meet the released schOon-
er Village Bride, with cargo of arms from
Port Antonio, on the open sea near this harbor,
the Governor of Jamaica having issued orders
for the release of the schooners CARGO which
had beenseized.
The Fourth in Mexico.
CITY OF MEXICO, July 5via Brownyille, Tex
| as, July 12-[N. Y. Herald Special Mr. Fos-
| ter, the American Munster gave a breakfast
and and evening entertainment to the Ameri-
| can residents on the Fourth of July The Mex
| lean government celebrated the day by display
| ing flags on the public buildings. and the press
| is full of complimentary remarks on the DAVIS
| proceedings.
The Editors Eek cursion.
ST. JOHN, N. B.: July 15.-The Maine Press
| Association arrived here this evening. The par
| ty Numbered about go ladies and gentlemen.
| They visit Fredericton tomorrow.
Official Investigation Of the Wreck of the
Civ of Washington.
| The court of inquiry into the wreck of the
| City of Washington, recommended it'd sittin.
at 3 p. m. to-day.
John Green, quaItermaster. was sworn. This
| was his very first voyage on the ship She
steered well. During the first thirty-six hours
| we had clear weather; all the rest of the vow
| age there was a dense fog. No sOundings were
| taken during the voyage to my knowledge No
| stars after the first two days at sea- Have
| been going to sea % years. Understood all
about a ship According to my idea, the City
of Washington was in good order; that is, she
had fall compliment of men and everything
necessary. Was on watch at the time the ship
struck. There was nothing to lead one to think
she was near the coast The weather was at
the time as thick as could be. Never knew so
thick weather in 10y life as on this voyage. At
the time the ship struck, the usual number of
persons were on lookout. Was on the foreside
of pilot house keeping lookout The men were
at their proper stations at the time. The captain
was on the upper deck. More care was used
ON this occasion than | ever saw before on the
ship.
j. H. Fasson was sworn: Am an able bodied
seaman. Did not take the wheel during the
voyage. My duty was to make and shorten sail
when ordered. The weather was clear during
the first two days, but dense fog prevailed af-
ter that. Did not think the pole star could be
seen after that. Was on the lookout in star
board bow when she struck Could rot see half
the length of the ship. Did not see any boats
or sea weeds at any time before she struck Did
not notice the color of the water. The stars
could be seen occasionally, but not often
enough to permit observations to be taken.
David Kenney was sworn. Am an able sea-
man. My duties were the general duties of a
seaman. Only took the lee wheel after clearing
Fastnet Rock.
The weather was not very clear. A dense
fog prevailed after the first two days. When
the ship struck was on the port side of the
forecastle on lookout duty. Heard no bells or
horns, and saw no boats OF seaweed before the
ship struck. All who were on duty were at
their posts when the ship struck. Saw moth
ing that would lead me to suppose we were
near the coast.
Henry Wins sworn:-Was purser of the
vessel; have been fifteen years at sea with the
Inman Company; have been in the City of
w dSulIgUOD nVe or SlN Fps ana DeneVe her to
have been a first class ship. Her cargo consI t.
ed of steel, iron and four or five hundred boxes
OF tin and sundries. Have sailed in another
ship having steel or iron as her cargo. 1t was
the Vigor; IN 1860, from New York to Liverpool.
Her cargo had among other things twenty-sey-
en- cases of sewing machines. We observed on
that occasion deviation as near as l can re-
member of about fifteen day in the compasses
during the voyage. The weather was clear and
we discovered the deviation by observation
Hha riatin FIRST nc xyba off N
Race. made the return voyage in the same
vessel but no deviation was noticed, the sewing
machines having been landed When the cap
tain first discovered the deviation he asked me
II had any steel, such as knives, forks, &c, on
board, and if they had been moved from their
proper place. | answered in the negative He
then examined the manifest and found the en-
try of the sewing machines which WIS taken
to account for the deviation. The sewing ma
chimes were not moved because the weather
continued fine and observations were daily tax
en-. 1 would say from my experience at that
time that the quantity of steel on board at the
City of Washington was sufficient to account
for her compasses being out. The error of the
compasseS was not discovered in this instance
as in the case have cited because no observa-
tions could be obtained. The rails were slowed
In the main hatch.
Jn6 Kitchen, chief steward, worn;--Haye
been in the ship four months; have every OPP
portunity of observing the conduct of the cap
tain and officers during that time. Did not OBJ
serve any nebrety on their part; was in the
pantry when the ship struck.
Hard Weather at Sea.
HALIFAX, July 15.-The brig Leader, which
| arrived yesterd y from Cow Bay bound to Port
land,was dismasted in the hurricane of the 10th
inst. The steamship Hibernian reports strong
head winds and sea- the entire voyage from
Liverpool, and thick at intervals, Captains
who have arrived during the last few days, say
they never before experienced such weather on
this coast in July, as they did the last week.
The wind has been from all points of the COM
Hnau1r Rims hau 1,rauailad and YesSelS