Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1873 — The Protocol Signed by Secretary Fish and Admiral Polo de Barnabee. [ARTICLE]

The Protocol Signed by Secretary Fish and Admiral Polo de Barnabee.

Protocol of the conference held at the Department of State at Washington, on the 29th of November, 1873, between Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, and Rear Admiral Don Jose Polo dc Barnabee, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Spain: The undersigned having met for the purpose of entering into a definitive agreement respecting the case of the steamer Virginius, which, while under the flag of the United States, was, on the 31st day of October last, captured on the high sea by the Spanish man-of-war Tornado, have reached the following conclusions: Spain, on her part, stipulates to restore forthwith the vessel referred to, and the survivors of her passengers and crew, and on the 25th day of December next to salute the flag of the United States. If, however, before that date, Spain should prove to the satisfaction of the Government of tho United States that the Virginius was not entitled to carry the flag of the United States, and was carrying it at the time of her capture without right and improperly, the salute will be spontaneously dispensed, as in such case not being necessary or requirabie; but the United States will expect, in such a case, a disclaimer of an intent of indignity to its flag in any act whieh was committed. Further-, that if, on or before the 25th of December, 1873, it shall he made to appear to the satisfaction of the United States that the Vifgihitts did not rightfully carry the American flag, and was tint entitled to American papers, the United States will institute an inquiry and adopt legal proceedings against the vessel, if it be found that she has violated any law of the United States, and against any of the persons who may appear to have been guilty of illegal acts in connection therewith; it being understood that Spain will proceed according to the second proposition made to General Sickles, and communicated to Admiral Polo on the 29th instant, to investigate the conduct of those authorities Who have' infringed the Spanish laws and honorary obligations, and will arraign them before competent courts and inflict punishment upon those who may have offended. Other reciprocal recommendations to be subject to the consideration and arrange-' ment between the two Governments; and, in case of no agreement, to be th« subject of arbitration, if the constitutional assent of the Senate of the United States be given thereto. It is further stipulated that the time, manner and place for the surrender of the Virginius and the survivors of those who were on board of her at the time of her capture, and also the time, manner and place for the salute to the flag of the United States, if there should be occasion for such a salute, shall be subject to arrangement between the undersigned within the next two days. (Signed) Hamilton Fish, Joße Polo de Barnabee.

And now the New York press, besides attending to all sorts of public affairs, take to furnishing practice for briefless lawyels. One Sanderson, a member of the bar there, has started them in that line. He managed to get hipaself libeled, and thus far, though it is early in the season, has obtained judgmentagainst the Brooklyn Union for SSOO, the Sunday Mercury for $7,000, and Henry C. Boner for $8,300, and as Sanderson is his own lawyer he considers his practice handsome. _ Oysters are in perfection when from five to seven years old. An oysterman can tell the age of a bivalve by counting the successive layers or plates overlapning each other, each of which is termed a shoot, and indicates a year’s growth. Judging from the size and thickness which some shells attain, an oyster may be capable of arriving at the respectable age of three-score and not be the Metfiu - sSeh of bis tribe then.