Many of the reports we get through the newspapers have to be changed or contradicted, no matter how careful the news-gatherers may have been in selecting their information. This is because the reporters do not have access to the official documents, and are obliged to base their reports upon rumors or uncertain information. When, however, a report comes direct from the Government, there is no hearsay in the matter. Each department of the Government has the documents relating to its business, and the reports it issues are made from the actual letters that have passed between countries--despatches and diplomatic documents which no outsider can ever hope to see. Here, then, is Mr. Gage's report on filibustering. He says that during two years and a half only six American vessels are said to have successfully landed filibustering expeditions from the United States in Cuba. Three foreign vessels are said to have been successful in the same effort. With the vessels referred to it is said that a dozen harbor tugs, three or four lighters, a few small steamers, and about a dozen small sloops and schooners have been associated. That only six American vessels out of all our large merchant navy succeeded in reaching Cuba is, the Secretary thinks, a proof of the law-abiding spirit of the American people. He says that eight revenue-cutters, with 317 men, have cruised 75,768 miles, patrolling the coast to prevent filibustering. These vessels captured seven ships and 115 men, and broke up two expeditions. He goes into the close examination of sixty expeditions which Spain complains of. Twenty of these he shows were stopped through the efforts of the Treasury, five by the United States Navy, four by Spain, two were wrecked, and one driven back by storm. One which is laid to our credit the Secretary declines to acknowledge as belonging to us at all. Of the successful expeditions, Mr. Gage points out that much was due to the weakness of the Spanish patrol. In all the cases where the offenders have been caught, he shows that they have either been punished or are awaiting trial. Concerning the case of the _Silver Heels_, the Secretary says that the Collector of the Port of New York informed him that a representative of the Spanish Consul stated to him that he did not desire the vessel to be seized at the dock, but captured after departure therefrom. It was not, therefore, so much negligence on the part of the Government, as speed on the part of the _Silver Heels_, which enabled her to slip away from her pursuers. While we are on the subject of the _Silver Heels_, it will interest you to know that she has been taken into custody. She arrived at Wilmington the other day, and was at once seized by the collector of that port. An examination was made of the vessel, but nothing was found on board to indicate that the ship had been engaged in unlawful work.