The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-13

propostion 10 transfer the service TO the Navy De-
partment and will DO reported BY Mr.. Roberts At
first opportunity.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON. April II, 1878.
RECOGNITION OF PRESIDENT DIAz-DEsPArcH
FROM THE MEXICAN SECRETARY OF STATE.
Mr.. Zamocona, the Mexican representative here
has received the following telegram announcing the
recognition Of the Diaz government by United States
CRY MEXICO, April 10, 1878.
Minister Foster sent yesterday com m unicullon
recognizing the government OF Mexico and establish
Ing Official relations with tho Mexican government.
You have been appointed our Minister 10 that gov
eminent and the senate has confirmed the appoint
menI VALLARrA Secretary OF State.
UNITED STATES INSPECTORS AT PHILADEL-
PHIA MADE TO THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT..
Mr. Hawey, Acting Secretary Of the Treasury, TO.
day transmitted 10 the subcommittee OF the Com.
mlttee on CONNER OF the House OF Represent
who are authorized by resolution OF the House
TO investigate the cause Of the Metropolis
disaster, copies Of the evidence taken by United
States Inspectors Philadelphia their investiga
OF that and shoir report thereon. The ro-
port attributes the cause Of the disaster TO
the rotten condition Of the ships bow
and stern, hastened by the unequal distribu-
ton OF the railroad iron composing her cargo.
Extensive repairs had been made, but sucn man.
ner 20 deceive both the Insurance and United
States inspectors but without bons1 to the ship
the umbers that had been put IN outing
on all but one line. causing the ship TO
work in the heavy seas ths line OF butts OF tho
new timbers, whicn were about the water line Of
the ship They say that portion OF these repairs
~hn
and the remainder ls75-in DO cases under The
direction OF one OF the Mr.. Lunts ono OF the owners
Of tho ship. as admitted by Mr. Lunt In his testimony
Eben Manson, master ship builder At Newburyport,
In anndavit, states that he did the work on tho
stern Of the ship In 1871 In such manner az 70 con-
cea the rotten wood the stern, under Mr.. Lunt's
direction.
Mr.. Dunbar. local inspector At Norfolk, who OK
ahmed the wreck on the beach tho TIN OF Febru-
airy, found that each end had been repaired In the
same Imperfect manner from which The officers infer
~ stated In their reporthat was Intentional zach
case While stating their belief that inspectors were
honestly deceived in the OF repairs they ques
sion the proprssy OF the hull inspector New YORK;
In changing the OF the snip from freight TO
passenger without previous knowledge OF the nature
OF the cargo she was 10 carry whether when
loaded she would have the Accommodation tho law
requires Tor the large number Of passengers he
thorized her TO carry. They think the
captain must have been In o. to
his whereabouts Al Inc time tho snip com.
menced leaking. and give their reasons Tor think
ing that be further southwark than he supposed
himself TO be; otherwise they should have held HIM
eulpaois for not going into Hampton Roads. They
sum up under four heads. ~ foilows:-
First-That they believe Mr. Lunt, the superintend.
Ing owner, was cognizaut OF imperectons the hull
Of tue steamer aud, therefore, liable 10 the provis
Ions oil the 1880 section OF the Revised Statutes
Second-rna. Ebsn Manson, shipbuiIdsr ~ New
buryp Mass, was accessory such kno wledsv.
and deserves criminal prosecution Tor withholding n
IRON she proper authorities until ninety human lives
had been sacrificed.
TA,rd-lhey suggest to the Supervising Inspector
OF the district an examination into conduct OF AS
sstant Inspector Craft In changing tho character of
the steamer under the circumstances noted IRON the
provisions OF section 44o7 tns Revised Statutes
EOurth-Thsy believe the captain WIS In igpornnco
OF tue imperfect condition OF tne ship wnen he leit
Pniiadspha and that IRON tho time she began lcak-
ing until soc was tho beach his conu uct was that
OF a cool aud skiliul seaman Tue total number OF
lives lost was 'ninety-passengers, ssventysI and
crew, fourteen.
The report 10 signed by Mershon and Hand, Phua.
dciphis, United statos Local Inspectors and IL ad-
dressed The supervising Inspector General Of steam
boats At Washington.
DEPARTURE or THE SAMOAN AMBASSADOR
THE REPORTED SEIZURE OF The ISLANDS
DY THE BRITrsH NOT caEpIrED.
Mr.. M smea. the samoan Ambassador, called a. the
Department Of State to-day to thank the Secretary
for his attentions and 10 bid hin farewell
He subsequently called upon tho Presi-
dent, aud In m informal manner took ieavs
OF him. He will forthwith leave the United States
for his homo. Mr.. Mamea ON being asked by ASSIST
ant Secretary Seward whether there any truth in
the report that England had seized Samoa, said no
could not believe there was, instances and his
--latest Information were against conclusion. The
report he said, might have IRON tho lac, that
Sir Arthur Gordon, the Governor oil Full recently
wen, t. the Samoan Islands Tor the purpose only Of
establishing consular court, such rs we have In tor
sign countries. Tho State Department has no recent
Information concerning Samoa other than that iur-
nisned by Msmea.
1ho United States slip Adams vas some time ago
ordered 10 Panama TO convey the Ambassador to his
home, ana, while at the islands, to make survey Tor
tho purpose Of selecting naval depot NJ ceded under
the recent treaty OF amy ana commorcs between tho
UuIted States and Samoa
THE SALE OF THE wALLABouT Landslide
PORT OF THE coMMrssroxERs.
The COMMISSIONERS " no were appointed under tho
bill OF Mr. A. ~ Bliss, passed by the For,y-iourth
Congress- which provided Tor the sale Of tho govern.
mcnt lands adjoining the Brooklyn Navy Yard
nj walabout Bay, IN the city OF Brooklyn, 10
that city Tor market purposes, have agreed
upon report and have sent II TO tho
Of the Navy. who will submit Il al an carry
day to Congress- Commodore n. w. snuieldt and ..
w. Coo, majority of tho commission, sign
the report which provides that $4,000 per
lot shall DO paid for tho water front lots
and Si.oUo per lot Tor tho balance, making
10 the aggregate about s5se, 600, bu, with the
suggestion that Congress shall decide whether the
land formerly used as a street, and winch will again
be used for tho same purpose, equally by tho Unnod
states aud the city Of Brookyu n tho sale Is consum
mated, should not DO lei, OF tho calculation as
the number Of lots TO DO pad for which would reduce
the total sum TO loss than $500, 600
Hon. John W. Hunter. the other Commissioner,
joins IN The report. but thinks that no more than