AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

West Coast Times, Issue 596, 22 August 1867, Page 3

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Reconstruction proceeds slowly in the United States. There have been frequent conflicts between the generals appointed under the Military Government Bill and the constituted authorities of the several districts, and the former have not hesitated to use their powers in the deposition of unruly officials. Meanwhile the negroes are beginuiag to occasion trouble. They are waking up to an understanding of their new-privi-leges, and in several places-have asserted themselves with a porrentousness that that would be amusing were it not dangerous. Riots also have occurred, which have only been suppressed by military interference. The committee on the impeachment of the President have resolved to report in favor of his being censured only, and not impeached. Mr Davis has reached Canada, and wisely holds himself aloof from all public manifestations. Horace Greeley, whose star had seemed in the ascendant, has fallen iuto disfavor by becoming bail for the ex-President, " and given great offence to the more extreme members of his party. Booth's diary, about n-hich we have heard a great deal, has been published by order of the President ; but does not add much to our knowledge. Vanity seems to have been a ruling passion with the assassin; and there arc some traces of remorse for his crime.

From Mexico we have the usual crop of contradictory rumors. But it is now certain that Queretaro was betrayed by treachery, and that the Emperor Maximilian is a prisoner. He is said to have telegraphed to his brother, the Emperor of Austria, that there is no danger, and that he is treated in a manner which in nowise violates the usages of civilised nations. Yet the report lias been circulated that he has been or will be, shot. Another statement, and that probably the correct one, is that he will be tried by court-mar-tial; that he has appealed against such a tribunal ; and that the trial has been postponed. One dispatch even asserts that he has been banished, and that ho is on the way home.

As the first result of the abolition of the Reciprocity Treaty between this country and the United States, three American steamers have been seized at Montreal for navigating the St Lawrence without a permit, which is now required. Canada thus claims once more the right of controlling tho whole water-traffic between the great lakes and the'sca.

We leavu from the English papers that her Majesty's ship Galatea left Gibraltar for Madcria on the afternoon "of the; 1 lth June. On the day of his departure His Royal Ilighness, attended by Lieut. Ilaig. E.E. the equerry in watting, went on shore to say "Good-by" to the Governor, Sir Richard Airey. It was not until past/ two in the afternoon that the Galatea quiUt'd hpr moorings. As soon as the anchor was up, and just as the screw made its first revolution, the royal standard was hoisted at tho main. The "Home News" says :— The presence of the admiral of the Mediterranean ileet and other chances had brought together an unusual number of ships of war. Tho Bay of Gibraltar has'seldom been so well filled since the siege, not even lately, when troubleseemed imminent with Spiin. "Prom Madeira the Galatea proceeds to llio Janiero. The whole voyage will be made under canvas. At the C:\pc the Prince will remain a month, and then, should tho advices respecting tho epidemic foyer at, Mauritius be satisfactory, en route lor Australia. There is no programme made out as yet of the probable proceedings on arrival in Australia, but it is known that the Galatea will come home round Capo Horn, and that she may be expouted in England in Iho course of t\ve!\o months."