Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
rCorrespondence of the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON. June Z.

night the conferees of the two houses
of Congress on the war revenue bill re-
sumed their sitting promptly at III
O'Clock to-day. The impression Is
growing that the committee is deter
mined to conclude its work promptly
and that the report will be presented
before the close of the present week.
When the conference adjourned at noon
Senator Allison expressed the opinion
tha, it would be able to report to the
Senate and House by tomorrow. The
House members are manltestlng
disposition to accept the minor
Senate amendments without cavil,
and the indication now is that
at least ninety per cent. of the SEN
ate amendments will be retained with
out serious dispute. The more i'm
portant amendments are naturally the
ones upon which there is most con-
troversv, and so far the seigniorage
provision has proved to be the most
difficult problem with which the com
mittee has had to deal. The republi'
can members of the conference are OPP
posed to any provision for coming the
silver in the treasury but they realize
that there will be great difficulty in get
ting the Senate to accept report that
| does not make some provision OF this
character, and consequently the repub'
can Senators are urging the House
members to agree to something in this
line. The probabilities now are that a
substitute silver provision will be re-
ported.
After war there must be peace. The
peace negotiations closing the Revolu-
| tionary war came about in this way.
Franklin and Jay were living in Paris
at the time, having succeeded IN enlist
ing the active assistance OF France.
Among Franklin's neighbors was o
Madam Britton, with whom he formed
fast friendship. Madam Bitton spent
the summer at Nice where she met seve-
raj Epglish noblemen, among whom
was Lord Cholmondeley. The latter
on learning that she was friend OF
Franklin asked for note of introduce
ton to him, saying he would call and
drink tea with him at Passey. The
letter was given and Franklin and
Lord Cholmondeley were brought
together on friendly terms. His
lordship stated that he was an in
innate friend of Lord Shelburn, who
| had iust become the ruling figure OF the
British ministry, and it was suggested
that Franklin write letter to Lord
Shelburn, which Lord Cholmondeley
undertook to deliver 10 person. Act
ing on the suggestion Franklin wrote g
brief letter expressing the wish that n
general peace" might be brought
about. The ministry of Lord North,
which had conducted the war, narrowly
escaped vote OF censure, and it gave
place to ministry favorable to the
recognition Of American Independence
| Lord Shelburn had not wished to in
itiate the movement, but Frank
Inns letter paved the way, and as
result formal negotiations were
opeped between Franklin end
Lord Shelburn leading to the
recognition of American independence
and the conclusion of peace with the
American colonies. During the Mex
lean war, while hostilities were still in
progress, the chief clerk of the State
Department, Nicholas ?. Trist, was
| sent to Mexico to open negotiations for
peace. He was instructed to demand
he cession of New Mexico and Cali
r,ruia. These terms were rejected by
Mexico Tnereupon the United States
recalled Mr.. Isr;;st. This caused much
agitation in Mexico as It was feared the
United States would adopt ",erS ag,,
gressive steps. Mr.. Trist had not act, y
on the recall, but had remained in
Mexico. He succeeded, as result of
the changed feeling, in making treaty
of peace. known as the treaty of Quad.
aloupe Hidalgo, on February 4 h, l84S.
The bill for the removal of all poliLi-
c.l disabilities arising from the civil
war is now law, the President having
formally approved it. The law declares
that the disabilities imposed by sec.
ton g. 18th amendment ofthe constitu-
ton, heretofore incurred are hereby re-
moved.
The only information that could pos
sibly be extracted at the War and Navy
Departments to-day touching the re-
ported engagement and landings in the
neighborhood ofSantiago was of mega
tive character. 1t was thought that
possibly the small contingent of en-
gineers with siege guns which were
shipped last week from Mobile might
have attempted to land some of their
equipment at Aguadores within six
miles OF the entrance of Santiago bay,
and this movement may have given
color to the reports of an extensive
landing of troops in that vicinity.
A bill was reported in the House to
day that repeats the proviso that staff
officers shall serve only in such capacity
and that when relieved from such staff
service such appointments or assign
| ments shall terminate.
1t is almost certain that no regular
troops have yet been dispatched to
Santiago, but it is the intention to
begin heavy movement either to-day
Or tomorrow. 1t had been the inten-
ton of the military authorities to have
started the first expedition day or two
ago, but the non arrival of the equip.
ment of the large siege guns which it is
proposed to use in the reduction OF
Santiago and the capture of Admiral
Cervera's fleet necessited a shore post.
ponement
The War Department has decided
that the provisions of the act of April
26, 1858, abolishing extra duty pay in
time of war, applies to enlisted men in
every department of the army, and as
uar ayisted when the sot Woe poooad