Year: 1872

General News summary.


WASHINGTON, March 4.-The Penn
sylvania Central railroad has leased the
Selma, Rome and Dalton railroad for
long number OF years, and will assume
control Of the road on the first day OF
March.


1t is understood that Ex-Governor
Holden, of North Carolina, is an ap-
plicant for and will be appointed Minister
to Peru, vice Thomas Sette, resigned.


Vice Admiral Rowan rested well last
night and is pronounced much better
this morning


The proceedings o: the naval court
martial in the case OF Captain Stephens
Of the Guerriere, has been received 10y
Secretary Robson. who will promul-
gate his decision in a few days.


At twelve o'clock, precisely, the
chief officers OF the Japanese Embassy
and their Secretary arrived at the White
House and were escorted to the Red
Room. Previous to their arrival the
President had taken his stand in the
centre OF the East Room, surrounded by
the members OF the Cabinet in full
dress, the army and navy officers
in full uniform, the heads of the
various bureaus in the different depart
ments, members of the Senate and
House, Foreign Affairs committee,
including Senator Schurz all in full
dress When everything was ready
Secretary Fish advanced to the Red
Room and received an introduction to
the japanese and escorted them to the
East Room and introduced the" to the
President, when his Excel.ency
Swakura, Chief ambassador, delivered
the following speech;


His Majesty the Emperor Of Japan,
our most august sovereign, has sought
since the achievement OF our national
reconstruction TO attain a more perfect
organization in the administrative
power of the government. He has
studied with interest the results attained
bv western nations and, having a
sincere desire to establish permanent
aud friendly relations with foreign
powers on a still closer footing, has
commissioned US his Ambassadors Ex-
traordinary to all powers having a
treaty with Japan upon the soil OF your
country. We first present our creden'
tials, delivering to you person
ally the letter of our august
sovereign at this public official
audience. The objects Of the mission
OF which We are charged by our govern
ment are somewhat set forth in this
letter. We are authorized to consult
with your government on all interna-
tional questions, directing our efforts to
promote and develop wider commercial
relations and to draw into closer
bonds the strong friendship already
existing between our respective people.
Thus we hope to gain fresh impulse
in the paths Of progress, gaining good
from every form OF civilization. This
we shall aim to do while in the exercise
Of strict integrity to our own national
interest 50 trustingly confided to us by
generous sovereign, and shall earnestly
hope to receive your kind cooperation
to facilitate the task assigned us by our
government We gladly avail Of this
happy meeting to convey personally to
your Excellency our sincere wishes for
your continued prosperity and happi
ness, and as national representatives, we
extend the same wish to all the people
OF the United States"


To which the President replied as
follows:


"GENTLEMEN Il am gratifed that
this country and that my administration
will be distinguished in history as the
first which has received an embassy
from the nation with which the United
States were the first to establish diplo
matte and commercial intercourse. The
objects which you say have given rise
to your mission do honor 70 the intelll-
gence and wisdom OF your sovereign and
reflect credit on you in having been
chosen as instruments for carrying
them into force The time must be
considered "a gone, never to return,
when any nation can keep apart from
all others and expect to enjoy the pros
perity and happiness which depend more
or less upon the mutual adoption of
improvements, not only in the science
OF government, but in the other
sciences and arts which con.
tribute to the dignity Of mankind and
to national wealth and power
Though Japan is one OF the most
ancient OF organized communities, and
the United States rank among the most
recent, we flatter ourselves that we have
made some Improvements upon the
political institutions Of nations from
which we are descendants Our expert
ence leads US to believe that the wealth,
power and happiness OF people are
advanced by the encouragement Of
trade and commercial intercourse with
other powers; by the elevation and
dignity of labor; BY the practical adap-
tstion Of science to manufacture and art;
by increased facilities Of frequent and
rapid communication between different
parts Of the country; BY the encourage
ment Of emigration, which brings with
i, the varied habits and diverse genius
and industry Of other lands; by
free press; by freedom OF