The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-03
EFFORTS TO SECURE THE PRIZE
A More Peaceful Outlook Between
the Two Republics.
Civil Office and the Army Re-
tired List Incompatible.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.


COURSE OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
IN REGARD TO IT.
Tho facts about the proposition that the United
States government should claim tho money SAID to DO
on deposit IL the Bank OF England TO the credit OF
the late Confederacy are rs iollows:-
"In the timo Of Mr. Brstow's administration as Sec
rotary of the Treasury a shrewd him
ana proposed contract by which in case the latter
sh ould succeed In getting possession OF tho money he
should receive onethrd OF tho amount for his scrvices
This money has been vsriousy estimated all way
from trac to as hign as thirty or forty million dol
lars Mr.. Bristow gave the man a conditional con-
tract and him over TO England but nothing over
came Of the matter. Tho man is said to become
go cated over his prospect OF achieving great wealth
that he grand spree IN London and neglected
tho business altogether. Mr.. Bristow sent two
special agents to watch the progress Of the claimant
II appears that Secretary Brstow. before making
the contract, consulted Mr. Caleb Gushing, who
gave an opinion that whatever money or property
claimed by the called southern confederacy belonged
unquestonably to the United States, opinion OF
similar tenor having been given In regard the legal
possession OF the steamer captured at Mobile and
which subsequently, was used by Cubun Alibusters and
called the virginius. On the PRONUNCIATION OF this
opinion in London the cotton bonds held by English
spectators advanced In value the impression having
holders OF tho bonds and thor original Investment In
this way fully covered. For reason unknown at
the Treasury Department Secretary Bristow dropped
the claim. Recently an attorney for another party,
claiming to have influence, applied to the Solicitor
the Treasury for renewal OF the contract The SUD-
jec. referred 10 Secretary Sherman and by him
submitted to the Secretary OF State, who In
ferred the the Solicitor OF Claims This OH
cial gave it his opinion that to press tho claim
for the Indebtedness OF the cotton oan and for that
reason the government had better not undertake 10
claim the money alleged TO DO In the Bank OF Eng
land. This opinion, however,, It is not be-
lieved. will deter the government from officially
making inquiry as to whether there Is money de-
posted In the Bank Of England to the credit Of tho
coniederacy. The joint high commission In framing
the treaty Of Washington FULLY discussed the probable
claims of British subjects and in this treaty pro.
viding for arbitration the claims Of British sub.
jects payment for slaves and the so called cotton
loan were excluded. II there is then any sum in tho
bank 1t cain be claimed tho unencumpered property
OF tho United States"
CAPTAIN ADAM BADEAUs NAME DROPPED FROM
THE ARMY REGIsTER-DETAILs OF HIS CASE.
Several weeks ago It was intmatod to tho Paymas.
ter General Of the army that Consul General Badeau
at London would be relieved and that he would then
list Anticipating this application the Paymaster
General submitted tho question to the Secretary OF
War whether Mr.. Badeau was entitled, under the
act OF March 3, 1876, TO continue officer
on the retired list. 1t appears that as long
ago 1SC9 the question raised, both
regard Captain Badsau and General Sckles then
Minister toSpain. Judge Advocate General Holt. 10
whom the question referred, OF opinion that
both thes. gentlemen had forfeited their rank by
accepting civil Office. AS neither had any idea OF
leaving the diplomatic service II not considered
important enough TO press the matter, aud their
names where continued on the army register In the
early part Of 1875 the question OF their status
the subject then referred by the secre-
tary OF War 10 Attorney General Williams At this
time General Samuel Crawford had applied for relief,
to placed the retired list brigadier general
ana while his matter WAS pending occasion taken
to protect General sicKes and General Badcau from
the supposed operations Of an act passed in 1S6s
which would drop them IRON the retired list on leav
ing the civil Offices then held by EACH General Sckes
not long Thereafter did resign Minister Spain
and resumed his rank and pay the retired list of
the army. Reference 10 tho law did not
make It clear 10 the Secretary or War
that the wound which ncapacitat ted General Badeau
entitled him TO resume tho pay OF retired officer
leaving the Consul Generalship IN London Attorney
General Devens finds that General Badsau's wound
IN his foot, but thinks he excluded by the Ian.
guage OF the law, which this point excerpts only
those retired officers ''who had lost arm or leg or
had IN arm or log permanently disabled by OF
resecton account OF wounds" There was no re-
section In the case of General Badea1's wound. Ac-
cordingly the name OF Captain Adam Badeau has been
dropped from the Army Registor and on withdrawing
from his present diplomatic position he retircs TO the
rank or a civilian. He will is understood, endeavor
have the Crawford act amended include his
case.
MEXICAN AFPAIRs-sENoR zAMACoNA BEF0aE
THE SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
The Senate Special Committee OF Investigation into
Mexican Affairs held long meeting to-day, which, as
stated by some Of its MEMBERS proved very interest
Ing. Senior Zamacora, the special com m ISIS oner
scnt to represent Mexico at Washington appeared bo
fore the committee and gave important testimony
relative to the disposition Of the Diaz government
and Its capacity TO funi Its international
obligations to the United States Men,
bcrs Of the committee express themselves
as highly pleased with the statements made by Senior
Zamacona who IS at present a member OF the Mexican
Senate and fully Informed OF the views OF his gov.
eminent as we'll as tho personal views OF President
Diaz One Of the pr Senators on the commit
tee speaking of its labors to-day remarked, with
grim smile, ~ do not think that there Is such irnmi-
nent danger Of war with Mexico as there was some
two months ago, especially since the hight has boon
turned upon It,"
Sehor Zamacona says that the question of recogni.
ton Is not now OF tho nrst importance, and hence
does not engage the consideration either his gov.
eminent or himself. but he Is addressing himself 10
the task Of securing some kind Of commercial rela-
tions between Mexico and the United States which
he thinks s lar more urgently needed by both coun.
than the mere formal negotiations for diplomatic
relations. He says recognition will como In It's own
good time, and there is no pressing necessity for
Mexico 10 hasten ~
TIE INTERPOLATION OF THE Ell PAso
TROUBLES.
The Secretary OF War has yet taken action upon
the accommodation Of Messra Mills and schlecher,
OF the Texas delegation, relative 10 sending some
regular army officers cooperate with representa-