The loss of the monitor Adder and its crew, to which the address refers, occurred in July last. It left Ymuiden to go to Helvoetsluis. Some days afterwards the bodies of its pilot and several of the crew were found not far from Scheveningen. The crew and officers numbered over sixty. The vessel itself was after considerable search discovered keel up, at the bottom of the sea, about a mile and a half off the coast northwest of Scheveningen. It was last reported in that locality, and although the weather it encountered was rough, it was not very severe, and would not alone, without some defect in the build of the vessel or seamanship of its officers, seem to explain its loss. The cause of it is being sought for, and the whole matter investigated by the Dutch authorities. The reference in the address to the condition of affairs in Atjih is probably caused, in part at least, by the news just received that the Atcheans have lately (August 7th instant) attacked the Dutch forces at or near Payon, causing a loss to them of 44 killed and wounded out of a force engaged of 140. Among the wounded were 2 officers. Eleven, killed, fell into the hands of the enemy. It appears that during the past year in Atjih the Dutch have lost in guerilla warfare 140 killed and wounded. The recent law, by which 30 per cent. of the expenses of the public schools in the kingdom is to be paid out of the general treasury, has made an unusual demand upon its funds, which may in part explain the necessity of an increase of the state revenues. The statement that propositions relative to the elective franchise would be submitted to the States General is no doubt the result of the constant efforts for an extension of that right made by the liberal party in Holland. I am, sir, &c., WILLIAM L. DAYTON. [Inclosure in No. 318.-Translation.] ADDRESS FROM THE THRONE. SIRS: It is agreeable to me to see the representatives of the Netherlands people again reassembled. My relations with foreign powers are of the most friendly nature. The navy and army have acquitted themselves, in their important duties, with a zeal worthy of praise. The navy has suffered a deplorable loss in the foundering of the monitor Adder with its crew. I shall trust to see passed in the course of the present session all the legal measures required in order that our new penal legislation may go into effect. Although the state of affairs in Atjih is not all that could be desired, I have confidence that the administration of that province with the aid of the navy and army will be able more and more to confirm authority and cause security to reign. In the other parts of the Netherland Indies the condition of affairs in general is matter of satisfaction. The epidemics which have afflicted some portions of the population have not yet entirely ceased. The ravages of cattle diseases have nearly come to an end. The state of the colonies in the West Indies may be considered satisfactory. Although there is reason to congratulate ourselves upon the increase of the state's receipts of late years, an augmentation of the sources of revenue cannot longer be deferred. At the same time, there ought to be a general reformation of our taxes. A proposition tending to accomplish this reform will be presented to you. A better regulation of local taxation seems more and more necessary. For this purpose, in connection with the revision of the fiscal system of the state, your co-operation will be asked. A project for the modification of the law concerning higher school education is in course of preparation. Propositions relative to the elective franchise will reach you soon. It is my intention to cause an examination to be made as to what articles of the fundamental law it is important should be revised. Your deliberations upon important projects of laws presented to you in former sessions are awaited with a natural interest. May our united efforts, under the indispensable blessing of God, contribute to the happiness of our dear country. I declare the session of the States General to be opened. No. 109.] RUSSIA. No. 260. Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Hoffman. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 29, 1881. SIR: The noble action of the government in Russia in hastening as it has done to relieve the distressing situation of the survivors of the American Arctic exploring steamer Jeannette, and to facilitate their speedy restoration to their homes, is welcomed by the American people as a striking tribute of the good-will and fraternity of sentiment which have traditionally subsisted between the United States and Russia. Nor is it to the Government of the United States a less notable proof of the closeness of the ties which bind the two countries in generous fellowship. We see in this act of rescue something more than an exhibition of the natural humanity of feeling which prompts governments as well as individuals to tender succor to the distressed and relief to the needy cast on a friendly shore-we recognize it as manifesting in a higher sense the warmth of the association of two great nations whose intercourse has been from the outset marked by signal and enduring friendship, and by acts of consideration and mutual high esteem. The President directs that you will convey these sentiments to His Imperial Majesty's government, assuring it, in the name of the govern ment and people of the United States, of the deep gratification with which the great hospitality of Russia to our unfortunate explorers on her coast has been here received. I am, &c., FRED'K T. FRELINGHUYSEN. No. 183.] No. 261. Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Frelinghuysen. [Extract.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, St. Petersburg, January 9, 1882. (Received February 2.) SIR: Referring to the correspondence between the Department and this legation upon the subject of American Jews in Russia, I have the honor to report the following curious case: About three weeks ago I was called upon by a man of the name of James G. Moses, who produced his United States passport, and stated that he was a Jew; that he was employed in the Ceniselli circus in this city as stable director, and that he had been ordered out. of the city as a Jew. He added that he was not "one of those Talmud Jews"; that he belonged to the American Reformed Church, known in Russia as the Karaim Jews. I asked the consul-general, who is in relations with the municipal authorities, to apply to General Kosloff, prefect of police, on Mr. Moses's behalf. As soon as General Kosloff understood that Moses was a Karaim Jew, he told the consul-general to send the man to him the next morning accompanied by his employer. The next moning they went accordingly, and the result of the interview was that Mr. Moses was informed that General Kosloff would recommend that permission be given him to remain, and in the mean time to give himself no uneasiness. I understand that he has since received the necessary permission. It appears that the Karaim or Reformed Jews are of a superior class, and have never given the Russian Government any trouble or been found enrolled among the Nihilists. Mr. Moses is a resident of New York, born in Germany, but taken to the United States when a young child. I am, sir, &c., WICKHAM HOFFMAN. No. 187.] No. 262. Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Frelinghuysen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, St. Petersburg, January 16, 1882. (Received February 9.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the long expected measure for the relief of the peasants in Russia, and of which I gave you an outline in my No. 113, of 5th May last, has at length been decided upon and is to go into effect January 1, 1883. The decree has been delayed by the necessity for further examination of the question, how much the indebtedness of the peasants should be reduced, and how the deficiency was to be met. The principal features of this measure are foreshadowed in my No. 113, to which I have the honor to refer you. Two important points stand out in the decree, the rest being matterof detail: 1. The indebtedness of about 15,000 serfs to their former proprietors, for lands bought of them, is canceled. The state assumes this indebtedness, and the peasants are hereafter to pay the state. 2. This indebtedness to the state is reduced by at least one-seventh,. and in exceptional cases considerably more. I am, sir, &c., WICKHAM HOFFMAN. No. 195.] No. 263. Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Frelinghuysen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, St. Petersburg, February 4, 1882. (Received February 21.) SIR: Referring to your dispatch No. 109, I have the honor to forward to you herewith a copy of my note of January 14, to Mr. de Giers, expressing the thanks of the President for the hospitality of Russia towards the survivors of the Jeannette, together with a translation of Mr.. de Giers' note to me of February 3, in reply. I am, sir, &c., WICKHAM HOFFMAN. [Inclosure 1 in No. 195.] Mr. Hoffman to Mr. de Giers. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, EXCELLENCY: In my note of December 9-21 last, I had the honor to inform your excellency that I had received telegraphic instructions from my government to tender its hearty thanks to all Russian authorities and persons who had been instrumental in assisting the survivors of the Jeannette. To-day I am in receipt of written instructions upon the same subject. The Secretary of State assures me that the noble action of the Imperial Government in hastening to relieve the distressing situation of the survivors of the American steamer Jeannette, and to facilitate their speedy restoration to their homes, is welcomed by the American people as a striking tribute to the good-will and fraternity which have traditionally existed between the United States and Russia. While to the Government of the United States it is, in addition, a notable proof of the closeness of the ties which bind the two countries in generous fellowship. Both government and people see in this act of rescue something more than an exhibition of that natural humanity which prompts governments as well as individuals to succor the distress and relieve the needs of those cast upon a friendly shore; they recognize it as manifesting the warmth of the association of two great nations, whose intercourse has been from the outset marked by signal and enduring friendship and by acts of mutual consideration and esteem. The President directs me to convey these sentiments to His Majesty's Government, and to assure it through your excellency, in the name of the Government and people of the United States, of the deep gratification with which the great hospitality of Russia to our unfortunate explorers, cast upon her coast, has been received in the United States. Happy to be the channel through which these earnest assurances are conveyed to your excellency, I beg at the same time to assure you, &c., &c., WICKHAM HOFFMAN.. [Luclosure 2 in No. 195-Translation. ] Mr. de Giers to Mr. Hoffman. IMPERIAL MINISTRY OF Foreign Affairs, DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR RELATIONS, St. Petersburg, January 22–February 3, 1882. SIR: I made it my duty to place before His Majesty the Emperor the note of January 2-14, which you were kind enough to address to me under the instructions of the Secretary of State of the United States for foreign affairs upon the subject of the assistance which the authorities of Eastern Siberia have been instructed to extend to the survivors of the American ship "The Jeannette." This assistance was a duty of humanity and of respect for the brave men who had undertaken this expedition from devotion to science. The circumstance that they belonged to a country for which sentiments of friendship are traditional in Russia certainly could only increase the ardor with which the government and the imperial authorities came to their aid in their distress. His Majesty the Emperor was much pleased to learn that the good will of these authorities has been received by the American people as a proof of the sympathy which the Russian nation feels for them. My august master is glad to see on every occasion these ties, to which His Imperial Majesty attaches a great importance, grow closer and closer. Have the kindness, sir, to transmit this assurance to the Secretary of State, and receive at the same time that of my most distinguished consideration. GIERS. No. 199.] No. 264. Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Frelinghuysen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, St. Petersburg, February 14, 1882. (Received March 5, 1882.) SIR: At my request Mr. Rawicz, United States consul at Warsaw, has prepared for me a brief account of the late anti-Jewish riots in that city. Mr. Rawicz is a banker, and a gentleman of intelligence and experience, and I have much confidence in the soundness of his judgment and the accuracy of his statements. I have the honor to inclose his report. WICKHAM HOFFMAN. [Inclosure in No. 199.] Mr. Rawicz to Mr. Hoffman. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LAST RIOTS AT WARSAW. In the month of April last, just before the holiday of Corpus Christi, on which, according to the Catholic customs, great religious processions take place all over the whole country, there appeared in the streets and workshops of our town, as well as in many of the principal manufacturing towns in the whole country, printed proclamations, instigating the Christian population against the Jews. Similar tendencies were never heard of here until the anti-Semite riots in Russia, namely, Kieff, Odessa, Charkoff, &c., and it is certain they did not spring out on this soil, but were conveyed here from the main source. The sober and well thinking inhabitants, with the assistance of the local governorgeneral, succeeded in influencing the Catholic clergy, who again on their part, by proper sermons preached from the pulpits all over the country, succeeded in refraining the greatest part of the lowest class of people in taking part in the riots, and in reality the last events were only perpetrated by minor apprentices, people of the owest rank, without any employment and reprobates, as there were hardly any amidst |