DIMICK, JUSTIN. 



DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE. 253 



being distinctly convex, those of the latter 

 Hat. Most of the crystals are colorless and 

 quite transparent; some have a pale-brown 

 tint. They are symmetrically disposed in the 

 matrix. 



Three analyses by Meitzendorff indicate the 

 following as the composition of the mineral : 

 Silica, 16.30; alumina, 43.95; iron oxide, 2.81 ; 

 magnesia, 19.31; lime, 13.26; soda, 0.61; 

 water, 4.33 ; total, 100.57. Some of the num- 

 bers are those of the American mineral, din- 

 tonite. 



"As long as the diamond was only found 

 in alluvial deposits, in land associated with 

 metals and minerals of various kinds, the 

 most varied theories have been held regard- 

 ing the mode of its formation. Since, how- 

 ever, it has been met with in the Brazilian 

 itacolumite, the scientific views as to its origin 

 have been confined within much narrower 

 limits. The explanation, however, which has 

 gained acceptance is that ascribing its pro- 

 duction to the Neptunian process by the slow 

 decomposition of hydrocarbons. The pres- 

 ence of the diamond in xanthophyllite, lying 

 in beds of talcoso slate and steatite, fully sup- 

 ports the earlier expressed opinion that the 

 gem was of aqueous origin. Though we as 

 yet know nothing of the means whereby free 

 carbon has been converted into crystallized 

 diamond, we cannot avoid regarding the water 

 and carbonic acid, occupying cavities in xan- 

 thophyllite, talc, and other minerals, as taking 

 an important part in the last stage of that 

 mysterious process to which this beautiful 

 gem owes its origin." 



Diamond-hunting continued to be prosecuted 

 with great success in South Africa during 

 the year. Several fine gems, ranging from 60 

 to 100 carats (uncut), were reported to have 

 been found. A large number of the South 

 African diamonds which had arrived in Lon- 

 don were of an inferior description, compared 

 to the Indian or the Brazilian gems. Full re- 

 turns of the diamond production of South 

 Africa for 1871 are delayed; but the figures 

 of shipments for the previous two years are 

 as follows: Shipped in 1869, 141 diamonds, 

 valued at 7,405; in 1870, 5,661 diamonds, 

 valued at 124,910, to which must be added 

 the "Star of South Africa" and others sent 

 to Europe by private hands, and worth (esti- 

 mated) about 15,000. Toward the close of 

 1871 the most extravagant reports came from 

 the diamond-fields among others, that two 

 gems, weighing 1,000 carats each, had been 

 found. 



DIMIOK, Brevet Brigadier-General JUSTIX, 

 colonel First Artillery, F. S. A., born in Hart- 

 ford County, Conn., in 1800 ; died in Wash- 

 ington, D. 0., October 13, 1871. He received 

 his military education at West Point, where 

 he graduated in 1819, and was immediately 

 appointed second-lieutenant of light artillery. 

 In 1824 he was promoted first-lieutenant, and 

 in 1834 received the brevet of captain for 



faithful service ten years in one grade. In 

 1835 he was promoted to the rank of captain, 

 and in 1836 was bre vetted major for gallant 

 and meritorious conduct in the war against 

 the Florida Indians. He was engaged in the 

 suppression of the Canada-border disturbances 

 at Rouse's Point, New York, in 1838-'39. In 

 1845 he was ordered to Texas as lieutenant- 

 colonel, Artillery Battalion of the " Army of 

 Occupation." During the war with Mexico 

 he was engaged in the battles of Palo Alto, 

 Resaca de la Palma, Contreras, Churubusco, 

 and Chapultepec, where he was wounded. He 

 was in the skirmish at La Hoya, in the assault 

 and capture of the city of Mexico ; and after- 

 ward was given the command of Yera Cruz. 

 For gallant and meritorious conduct in these 

 actions, he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, 

 August 20, 1847, and colonel, September 13, 

 1847. He served in the Florida hostilities of 

 1849-'50. April 1, 1850, he was promoted 

 major. In 1854-'55 he was a member of the 

 hoard on the armament of fortifications. Octo- 

 ber 5, 1857, he was made lieutenant-colonel 

 of the Second Artillery. In 1859 he was or- 

 dered to the Western frontier, and the same 

 year was placed in command of the Artillery 

 School for Practice, at Fortress Monroe. 

 October 26, 1861, he was appointed colonel 

 of the First Artillery. From 1861-'64 he was 

 in command of the depot of prisoners of war 

 at Fort Warren, Massachusetts. In 1864 he 

 was appointed governor of the Soldiers' Home, 

 near Washington, D. C., where he remained 

 until 1868. He was honorably retired from 

 active service, August 1, 1863, being over "the 

 age of sixty -two years." May 13, 1865, he 

 was brevetted brigadier-general for long, gal- 

 lant, and faithful service to his country. 



DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE AND 

 FOREIGN RELATIONS. GREAT BRITAIN 

 The most important portion of the diplomatic 

 correspondence of 1871, on the part of the 

 United States, embraces the correspondence 

 and relations with Great Britain. As early as 

 January 26th, Sir Edward Thornton, the Brit- 

 ish minister at Washington, under instructions 

 from his Government, writes to Secretary Fish, 

 proposing a joint commission, as follows: 



Her Majesty's Government deem it of importance 

 to the good relations which they are ever anxious 

 should subsist and be strengthened between the 

 United States and Great Britain that a friendly and 

 complete understanding should be come to between 

 the two Governments as to the extent of the rights 

 which belong to the citizens of the United States and 

 her Majesty's subjects, respectively, with reference 

 to the fisheries on the coasts of her Majesty's posses- 

 sions in North America, and as to anv other ques- 



- i_ . . . . i i, ' _ a?_ . ii . . _A i-t 



tions between them which affect the relations of the 

 United States toward those possessions. 



As the consideration of these matters would, how- 

 ever, involve investigations of a somewhat compli- 

 cated nature, and as it is very desirable that they 

 should be thoroughly examined, I am directed by 

 Lord Granville to propose to the Government of the 

 United States the appointment of a joint high com- 

 mission, which shall be composed of members to be 

 named by each Government, shall hold its sessions 



