ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1346, 7 June 1878, Page 3

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS

[FROM’OUB OWN COBSHBPONDENTS.J San Francisco papers say that it is probable that offers to purchase the new steamship State of California, now on the stocks at Philadelphia, have been made to Messrs Goodall and Perkins. Mr Goodall did not deny the report that overtures to purchase the vessel had been made, but only admitted it by inference, saying that a sum sufficient to buy her had not been offered. It is surmised aud generally believed by other ship owners that Russian agents have been negotiating for the purchase of swift ocean steamers in various ports of the Atlantic aud Pacific. Whether the Russian Government had anything to do with the offer made for the sale of the California cannot be ascertained from her ov ners.

A few days ago the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. sold their steamer Great Republic. This vessel is one of the old wooden side-wheelers employed for a great many years in the China and Japan trade. She was one of the oldest vessels afloat belonging to the Pacific Mail Co., and was laid up a long time ago. Other unseaworthy Pacific Mail hulls thrown out of commission have also been purchased. A New York special states that the Great Republic was sold “ to persons for purposes unknown,” leaving the inference she has been sold to Russian agents to be fitted out for service as a cruiser in case of war being declared between Great Britain and Russia. Mr Blanchard, agent of the Pacific Mail Company, says that the Great Republic has been sold to Mr Cornwall, President of the Black Diamond Coal Company, and will be sent to Oregon to be used as a hulk or receiving ship. The Pacific Mail agents in this city deny the statement that they have been in negotiation with agents of the Russian Government for the sale of any vessel. The prospects of war between England and Russia stimulates shipbuilding enterprises in this country, and it is believe that many ships have been purchased on speculation. Mr Elihu Barrett, in a letter to the “ New York Tribune,” takes the ground that the British Government is undertaking at this juncture to demonstrate that the British Empire is united—not a heterogenous mass of interests scattered in all divisions of the globe. If England is successful, Mr Barrett believes she can again establish her position as a military power. The population of India is two hundred millions, and with the control of the Suez Canal, and a fleet in the Mediterranean, it would be possible to confront any European power with from 300,000 to 400,000 Asiatic troops. Mr Burrett suggest that these would prove a valuable assistance should ever it bo attempted to annex Belgium to France, or should British interests be threatened by the absorption of Holland by Germany. Vague rumours of a raid on Canada by the Irish, in case of war between Russia and England, are afloat. It is stated that three companies of Irish patriots are armed and equipped at Buffalo ready for service, and 2000 Western Irishmen have been notified, so that they will be here in twenty-four hours, while 3000 more are in this vicinity, who will rendezvous for raid within three days after the orders are issued. Nothing authentic can be obtained to substantiate these rumours.

It is said that the British naval force in the Pacific is exceedingly weak. The “New York Herald’s” special correspondent at Petersburg telegraph* : —The capital is greatly exercised regarding a quarrel which occuvred at the Imperial Palace. It appears that the French Ambassador, General Deflo, who has just returned from Paris, called upon the Emperor Alexander on Monday, and had a long audience. In answer to an inquiry from the Czar as to what France would do in the event of war, General Dello replied France would certainly not interfere in favour of either belligerent. The Emperor was greatly offended at this remark, and some ill-tempered language followed. The result was that the French Ambassador concluded the interview by saying, “ France has paid sufficiently dear for the right which she now claims to steer clear of other nations’ quarrels.” This rejoinder was received by the Czar with such dudgeon that General Deflo has declared his intention to ask to be recalled.

Drafts for 148,000 dollars and 5000 dollars, drawn by Elder and Co., of Glasgow, Scotland, on the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, were protested yesterday, the executive committee refusing payment of the claim of Elder and Go. It grows out of a contract which existed years ago between this firm and the company for carrying mails between Australia and the United States. Elder and Co. purchased three, and the Pacific Mail Company two vessels, and the subsidies were divided in that proportion. When the contract was ended, the Pacific Mail Company claimed that Elder and Co. owed the balance of 80,0C0 dollars. Since then the firm paid 70,C00 dollars. “Recently,” President Clyde says, “ Elder and Co. claim to have discovered that the Pacific Mail Company is debtor to them 53,000 dollars, and they drew a draft on United States, through the Merchants’ Bank of Canada, for the Clydesdale Banking Company of Glasgow. We do not recognise the validity of the claim. We decline to pay it.”