The press. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1857-1880, January 24, 1862, Image 2

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1862.
'EXTRACT FROM THE LAST SPEECH OF
RYSPHEN A, HOUGLAS.—ti The conspiracy
-4a break up the Union io a fact now known to
osli. - Armies. are befall raised, and mar levied
da accomplish it. ,There can be but two sides
de the controversy. Every man must be en the
- side of the United States or against it. There
r-can be - no neutrals la this war, There can be
•ote but patriots and traiterc,t,
' THE LATEST WAS. NEWS
, The only information yet received from
, the
iturnaide expedition has reached us through rebel
•, sources. It is reported that a large number, of the
vessels comprising it are inside of Pamlico Sound,
- and that-attacks upon Newbern, N. C., and Roe;
aoke Island, are expected; The object of the
capture of Newbern is supposed to be to establish a
basis of operations against the railroad communioa- .
'lions of Virginia with the Southeastern States ; and
the object of a movement against Roanoke Island
is said to be to threaten Norfolk and to flank the
rebel army stationed there. -
It
General Burnside tan succeed in gaining pos
session of these roads, - and our armies in Kentucky
are enabled to destroy the railroad communications
• of Virginia with the Southwist, via Tennessee,
the rebel atmy on the Potomac will bo in a terrible
dilemma. It will either be compelled to disband,
to retreat, or to attack, at a disadvantage, the Union
forces under General McClellan.
The objects of the new expedition of General
Grant in advancing from Cairo aro said to have
been fully accomplished. It prevented tho robots
from sending reinforcements to Bowling Green, and
gained valuable information in'regard to the geo
. graphy of the country in the vicinity of Columbus,
and the condition of the roads and !streams.
- The sews of the surrender of Mason and Slidell
caused great joy in England. Console immediately
advanced from Ito 11 per cent. The intelligence
foniardel by the last steamer, that the pirate
Sumpter had arrived at Cadiz, has been confirmed.
She landed:at that port forty-two prisoners who
were taken from the American vessels Vigilant,
Ebert Dodge, and Arcadia.
Fifteen hundred and twenty-five more bales of
ginned cotton arrived at New York yesterday from
Port Royal. : It must be peculiarly gratifying to
the rebels of South Carolina to see.suppliea of their
boasted product furnished to the North and their
power to send it to foreign countries destroyed.
The United States Senate_ yesterday confirmed
the appointment of Brigadier Generals Sohcepff and
Ord—a deserved compliment to two of the most
succeisful and meritorious officers of the service.
The former repulsed the rebels in their late attack
upon Somerset, Ry., and the latter commanded the
gallant Pennsylvania Brigade which won the battle
of Drat:marine. At that battle Gen. Ord sighted
the gun • which did such fearful execution in the
ranks of the rebels, and so disposed his command,
that, although the enemy occupied a most advan
tageous position, a glorious Union viotory wos
achieved upon a field where Gen. Stuart, with his
picked troops, supposed he was certain to seem a
second Big Bethel or Vienna Secession triumph.
The French residents of New Orleans, in siecisi
ing to leave that city, were influenced by the assu
rance of the French minister at Washington,
Monsieur Bicolor, that France would not break our
blockade to obtain cotton.
The New York Express, in commenting upon
. the lotion of the existing, authorities at Vera Cruz
in relation to a rebel eohooner which recently ran
our blockade on the coast of Texas with a cargo of
cotton, says: "There have been rumors all along
that the objects of the coalition against Mexico was
to open up trade with the rebel States, through the
Mexican port of Matamoros. It was a good place
through which cotton might bo smuggled. Unless
we. keep a powerful naval force at the mouth of
the Rio Grande, nothing' can prevent the carrying
on of a brick trade between the rebels and their
foreign relations,' which. will enable Jeff Davis
'to replenish his exchequer at home, and enable
him to 'resent another argument in London and
.Paris, to show the inefficiency of the blockade.' "
A late letter from Havana Says:
" We came very near having a second edition of
The Mason and Slidell affair on the occasion of the
last departure of the Karnti. 45n:ow-ilea yea: - anti
_had on board several Southerners, among others
the captain of the Ella Worley, formerly the
/sateit then at 'Nassau, and the former captain of
the Webster, who succeeded in getting out of Ha
vana-some months ago, under peculiar circum
stances. It was decided to seize those persons, and
arrangements were made accordingly to board the
_Karnak at sea; but the arrival of the City of Bal
timore, with news of the intense excitement in
Xi:gland, spoiled the game, which was abandoned
ratifier then add more fuel to the fire."
The Washington correspondent of the New York
_Exprest , in a letter dated January 22, says:
"Your readers may set their minds at rest about
any advance movement of the army of the Poto
mac. Officers and their regiments and divisions
may receive orders to be in readiness to 'move at a
!Moment's notice. General twenty-four
baggage wagons, including arrangements for eating
and sleeping, with well:Matched bright bays, may
be in good running trim, but an advance movement
of the army of the Potomac at present, and for
ntnety days to come, is out of the question. The
winter of this region has just commenced, and the
roads are frightful. A piece of bard ground upon
which to mancouvre an army of 25,000 men can
scarcely be found between this and Richmond.
This state of affairs, It is feared, may prevail at
the West, where the grand army has so auspicious
ly commenced active operations."
The Richmond Examiner attaoks a faction in
Virginia, which it accuses of a design to secure the
election of _Hon. R. M. T. Hunter as President of
the Southern Confeßeraey.
A Louisville letter in the Toledo Blade, written
under date of January 16, gives those particulars
of Gen. Buell's movements:
"The bridge across Green river being finished,
the he:eased energy and busy aspect of every
department, together with movements that are feat
developing themselves, indicate a forward move
ment very aeon. You need not be surprised any
day to bear that Gen, Buell has taken the field in
person; whelk he does, if he and Gen. Hallook aot
in concert, the rebels will have a 'mortality list'
along their whole' line, from the Mississippi east
ward. The next month promises warm work In this
State.
"A few nights since there were indications of an
attack by the rebels upon our advance at Green
River— Everything was in readiness for them.
General Buell went down on an extra train, and
regiments were moved up to the front lively. It
proved a false alarm, bat it showed the readiness
cad eagerness of our forces for a fight.
An interesting letter from a correspondent on the
flog-ship Ntagaia, which forms part of the Gulf
Squadron, states that the late bombardment of
Pensacola resulted in rendering the navy yard use
less to the rebels; in destroying Warrington; and
in dismantling Port Mcßae, He also asserts, on
the authority of the captain of a prize schooner,
and of Wed , contrabands, who escaped to the Nia
gara, that negroes, free and slave, are being
armed in the Cotton States to resist the Union
forces.'
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Times, in de
scribing the late battle at Somerset, says the rebe
forces numbered 8,000 and the Union troops only
about 3,000 men. This disparity of force is pro
highly one of the main reasons for the attack which
resulted so disastrously for the enemy.
- The election in the Bucktail Regiment for a co
fetid, to take the place of lion. Chas. J. Biddle,
has resulted in the choice of Capt. McNeil.
The Trent Altair
By the steamship City of New York, which
left Queenstown on the 9th inst., we learn that
news of the surrender of MASON and SLIDELL
reached London on the preceding day, and so
immediately re-established confidence, that
Consols at once advanced from one to one and
a quarter per cent. In England, therefore,
44 the long agony is over." The joint props
rationalor the; worst, made by Lords PALHEP.-
ETON and &mu.; on their own responsibility,
without consulting the pleasure of Parliament,
have been thrown away.' It is estimated that
as much expense as $5,000,000 was thus most
needlessly incurred—by no means a desirable
outlay, at a moment when the Financial mi
nister will have to iinnonnse to Parliament a
deficit of nearly $20,000,000 on the year's ro
wan,. In all probability, there, will be a
•chatige of Ministry in England before the end
of, March—if not earlier.
.The adjustment of
- the Dila difficulty will clear the 'way for the
Allhplaceittent of PALMERSTON and RUSSELL.
"ffi. „
emitir:Eicalue Btitromir.—The 103 d
, waiver.
mitt relebrited by t supper at the St: Lords
Notel, - Chestout - street,
on Saturday, evening, and
ffilit - ifftillmenieht le that it Audi olcse,..nt 11. 'Po
initibillatis, 'the price has Ibsen pit At $1.25.
Diold Wiliityre, Esq., ill! officiate as President,
mitlitaceri-Williairi J. Yountand William Pitidlay
*PIO tie, iriee Proddate. A *ay pleasant and
tiostadWiiiaid mom asitelpiA4A. , ,
.
WE REGRET our inability to print the elabo
rate speech of Mr. BINOUAM, of Ohio, deli
vered in the House last week. From many of
Mr. MixonAst's views we are inclined to dis
sent—simply because he does not present them
in a sufficiently practical manner. Our pre
sent system of politics abounds in theories,
and we accordingly have a vast amount of ex
cellent logic and brilliant rhetoric, very pleas
ant to read for its ingenuity, if for nothing
else. The trouble is, however, that they do
not go beyond logic and rhetoric. In one of
Mr. THACKERAY'S characteristic chapters, he
makes an c,xhaustive argument to prove that
no profession in the world requires more abi
lity, education, and knowledge of the world
than • that 'of an auctioneer, while WEIATE
LEY'S argument against the existence of
NAPOLEON i 8 complete in all of its logical
parts. We are often reminded of the plea
santry of the satirist, and the skill of the lo-
gician, when reading some of our Congres
sional essays upon this war ; and without wish
ing to apply the parallel to Mr. Bixtment, there
are some parts of his speech equally as plausi
ble, and,yet equally as impracticable. When
the Representative says rc pass your laws libe-
rating the 4,000,000 slaves held by the rebels,
and thereby break every unjust yoke in that
rebel region, and let the oppressed go free,"
he forgets that for all practical purposes we
might as well pass a law annulling the right of
property in England, or arrange an internal
tariff for France. We have to obtain posses
sion of that rebel region before we can legis
late for it. The President issued a proclamation
commanding certain unlawful combinations of
armed men in the Southern States to lay down
their arms and return to their homes, and yet
the unlawful combinations still exist. Con
gress passed a law apportioning a quota of di
rect taxes among the same States, and yet
their first dollar .remains to be paid. Mr.
BINGIIAM shadows forth a result, and in very
eloquent terms, but does not show us the first
step towards accomplishing it. He says
"Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land,
to all the inhabitants thereof," and yet he says
nothing about BEAVREGARD 3 and hrINSTOM,
and PIME, who all seem to be in the way,
and, for all practical purposes, his suggestions
end in beautiful sentences and rounded pe
riods.
It was with no desire of writing this criti
cism that we took upThe speech of the Repre
resentative from Ohio. It is so full of good
things that we regret he should have passed
to the consideration of a question so per
plexed and premature. The main body of
the speech is devoted to an argument upon
the law of necessity in connection with govern
ment, and the propriety of taxation for the
prosecution of the war. If any doubt existed
as to the powers and duties of Congress in re
lation to taxation, it must be removed by the
perusal of Mr. BINGIIAM 3 EI argument. The
constitutional precedents are quoted and
the commentaries of the leading jurists are
cited in illustration of the spirit of our con
stitutional enactments, while the whole posi
tion he bases upon this high ground : «11 hat
ever legislation, then, is necessary for tho
common defence, and to suppress insurrection
and to secure the faithful execution of the laws,
and is not inconsistent with the humane spirit
and declared object of the Constitution, it is
the right and duty of Congress to enact that
the Government may live, and that the su
premacy of the Constitution may be main
tained in accordance with the law of the land."
He advances the sound doctrine that the re
bellion be made to pay for itself. We should
like this doctrine embodied in some simple
law of Congress. We want a confiscation law
that will reach the $800,000,000 of corn, cot
ton, rice, sugar, and tobacco, in the hands of
the reliels, that will authorize us to convert to
the public use all the real and personal pro
perty of the enemy; a law that will open up
the fertile lands of the rebels to the occupation
and Cultivation of loyal men. And for all
these suggestions we thank Mr. BINGHAM, and
trust they will be heeded.
This work must be accomplished as our
armies advance. The hardships and cruslty
surrounding a universal confiscation law must
be avoided by curbing the power of military
commanders with just and prudent legislation.
These rebels have brought upon us war and
disaster, - and an' enormous debt, and we must
convert their means of life and prosperity into
a recompense for our expended*
rcumtrw.
- countries along the Potomac, in many parts of
Virginia, in Kentucky, Missouri, and South
,Carolina—territory, which in peaceful times
was unprofitable and neglected, and has
since undergone the devastation of war—
should be resettled and recultivated, and
inducements for its settlement and culti
vation should be made by Congress. Turn
the army of the Potomac into farmers
and residents after the war is over; give them
the broad valley beneath the Blue Ridge, and
the banks of the Rappahannock and the country
towards Harper's Ferry; enable them to bring
their families there, and Eastern Virginia, in
ten years, would be as 'free, as great, and as
prosperous as Pennsylvania and Ohio. Wash
ington would be a metropolis in fact, as it is in
name, and the Potomac something more than
a pleasant stream for excursion parties, or a
way for the oyster trade of the Chesapeake.
The army of conquest must be an army of oc
cupation; the swords must be ploughshares,
and the spears pruning-hooks. Place the
conquered country in the hands of these
Northerners, protect the suffering Union men,
compel the traitors to pay the penalty of their
treason and return to their allegiance, and the
other questions arising out of the rebellion
will be speedily settled. Leave slavery to
its destiny, and. emancipation to time.
.Emancipation now means separation in the
future. Accept the argument of those who
insist upon unconditional emancipation being
made a part of our military policy, and the
logical consequences of their argument will
be a plea for separation ; for a dissolution of
the Union ; a recognition of the Southern
Confederacy. By emancipation we mean a
general edict proclaiming the slaves of the
whole Southern people to be free. We must
either do this or nothing. Mr. BINGHAM
phrases it "a legislative act, forfeiting all
property and liberating all slaves of these
rebels, their alders and abettors ;" but how are
we to distinguish between the loyal men and
the disloyal men in the Seceded States? No
ono wilideny that in all of the Southern States
there is a large Union minority; in many
parts a Union majority. An edict of emanci
pation would injure them as well as their dis
loyal neighbors. It would fall upon the
Border States, where our armies are ;• upon
Eastern Tennessee, where our friends are
longing far BUELL; upon Kentucky, Mary
/and, Virginia, and Missouri—it would not
affect the interior Southern countries. Under
existing circumstances, the passage of such a
law would injure our friends and do compara
tively no harm to our enemies. Mr. BING
HAM'S own suggestion shows how theoretical
his remedy is. In ten days, the "joyful news
of emancipation," he says, tc will reach every
slave in the republic, by means of that human
telegraph whose living network overlies every
slave plantation, and is woven of the lacerated
heart-strings of the victims of this infernal
atrocity." It would be difficult to construct
a prettier sentence than this, but Mr. BlNG
rum does not surely intend that his laws shall
obtain publicity and force by means of such
an,iancertain and fanciful agency as a "human
telegraph."
Indeed, the whole theory of emancipation,
as it presents itself now, is uncertain and
fanciful. It is not so much the idea we oppose
as the impossibility of giving that idea sub
stance-the impossibility of doing anything
but injury to our friends in the Border States.
Slavery is the cause of the rebellion 7 Granted.
If we would crush the rebellion wo must
abolish slavery 7 Very good. But how is it
to be done 7 Take the plan suggested by
General namely'. in his modified proclama
tion, make it legal by a vote of Congress, and
we shall be satisfied. General FREMONT
emancipated the slaies of rebels when he ob
tained possession of them, and we would be
willing to emancipate the slaves of every rebel
in the land if 'they were within our jurisdic
tion. Take any other fair and. impartial plan
"not inconsistent with the humane spirit " (we
are requoting Mr. BINGRAMO " and declared
object of the Constitution," and. we shall sup
'port it, We want to see this Union restored;
if the abolition of slavery is necessary to its
restoration, we aro for the abolition of slavery.
Wo are laboring in the same cause with Mr.
Bri:num. He professes to see our triumph
In the passage of an emancipation act ; we can
only see in such an act injury to our friends in
the Border States, the alienation from our
standard of a vast number of Union mon, and,
as we have said before, the ultimate separation
of this Union into two Confederacies. We
know that the Representa'ive from Ohio is
anxious to avoid any such results; but he will
permit us to say that, in our opinion, the prac•
Real effect of his doctrines would be to hasten
them.
We cannot pass from Mr. BINGUAM without
thanking him for the pleasure we have re
ceived in reading his speech. He is a candid
and courageous man—and in dealing with the
financial duty of Congress, he exhibits a won
derful clearness and sagacity. For the
thoughts we have written we are also indebted
to the speech of the Representative. We think
he will see, however, that in the prosecution
of the war, we must leave many of the imprac
ticable theories and opinions crowding upon
us; that an issue like this of emancipation can
only distract the Northern people, and bring
division into our counsels. Lot us push on
the war—let us conquer victory. Slavery and
Treason will meet their destiny in their own
good time.
Taxation and Revenue
Were oven such a small stamp-duty as one
cent levied upon each copy of a newspaper, it
would greatly augment the price, and thereby
diminish the sale. For example, THE PRESS_
is a two-cent paper, supplied at $6 a year.
There are 312 publication days in the twelve
month. Here, then, would be an addition of
$3.12 to the price of the paper—raising the
$6 to $9.12. The public would fret and com
plain under such a pocket-picking impost as
this. Not so, however, thinks one of the
New York papers, which goes to the length
of saying . cf The press will make no outcry,
because the impost will not affect their circu
lation in the least, every man who reads in
America being perfectly willing to pay one
cent more for a daily gratification that has
proven more necessary to him than many
petty, and not always harmless indulgences,
on .which the poorest man lavishes dozens."
To increase the price of a newspaper from
two cents to three would very materially af
fect its circulation. Again, if a tax were.
levied upon advertisements, the public would
have to pay it, for it would be added on to
the price of advertising.
The absurdity of our imposing taxes on
Hnowledge upon the press, after England was
compelled to relinquish them, need not be
pointed out.
An uniform stamp-duty on all receipts and
bank-checks would be productive. In Eng
land, a stamp-receipt must be given for all
sums over forty shillings ($B,) and this stamp
costs two cents. It is the same for checks,
drafts, or orders on demand. Agreements,
letters or power of attorney, bills of exchange
or promissory notes, protests, bonds and
mortgages, bills of lading, apprentices' inden
tures, legacies, male servants, dogs, horses
for private use, carriages (except omnibuses
and cabs,) and quack medicines, aro all taxed
in England, and might be made productive
here, now that public purposes require a large
public revenue. Would it not be well to try
these, or some of them, before imposing
Taxes on Knowledge?
Mexico
The combined European force—Spanish,
French, and English—is in occupation of Vera
Cruz, but are singularly situated. They re
ceive scarcely any food or forage from the inte
rior, and are particularly in want of vegeta
bles. The Mexicans, for once perceiving the
advantages of union, have allowed their politi
cal quarrels to subside, and are heartily acting
together for their country. They actually are
besieging Vora Cruz, landward, and their at
tack on it is anticipated by the allied invaders.
This condition of affairs is considered as unsa
tisfactory as unexpected.
Portrait of Colonel Cameron.
. .
Wo were yesterday shown at the studio of Mr.
A. B. Rookey, a spirited and life-like portrait in
oil, of the late Colonel Cameron, who fell while
gallantly loading his Highland Regiment (the New
York Seventy-ninth), at the battle of Bull Run,
July 21,1861. The Colonel is mounted on a bright
bay steed, sinewy, _fleet, and spirited; the latter
having been drawn by Mr. Recite} , from life. It
appears that Colonel Cameron, on the eve of making
his fatal dash, dismounted, leaving his horse in
charge of a groom, by whom the animal was subse
quently brought to Washington, and afterwards
taken to Lewisburg, this State, where he is now, in
possession of Mr. Wm. Cameron, to whose order,
we may state, the picture here referred to has
i l e . / . 2 2.Sslt i LaPo e u P tti l itirtietfa u nla i r t ikreariit
waving his sword and giving the word ' , forward"
to his men, prior to dismounting and loading them
into the thickest of the fight. The tall and grace
ful figure of the dead hero is presented in the
picture with admirable Wed. Tho likeness, by
those who were intimate with the original, is said
to be stliking. The picture will no doubt be viewed
with pleasure, not only by the family and personal
friends of Colonel Cameron, but by the public in
general. We understand that it will be at Messrs.
Earle & Son's, Chestnut street, in a few days, where
our citizens will have an opportunity of examining
it for themselves.
Mr. Cleveland's Readings
This evening, at the Assembly Building, Tenth
and Chestnut streets, Mr. Samuel M. Cleveland
will continue hisreadingsof, and analytical lectures
upon, Shakspeare's plays, "Romeo and Juliet"
being the theme for the evening. As we have
already remarked, these readings aro designed to
develop rather than to gratify a public taste already
popularly formed. Mr. Cleveland brings to the
performance of his difficult task a high order of
talent, a degred of culture attained by compara
tively few, and has evidently entered his ohesen
field eon amore. The entertainments hitherto
given by him, although not very largely, have been
fairly attended, and these who have heard him
once, have, in the main, been sufficiently pleased to
go again. It is not to be disguised, of course, that
a refined intellectual taste is requisite for their full
appreciation. However persons may differ in
opinion as to the lectures of Mr. C., his merits
as a fine dramatic reader cannot be questioned. If
he will take our advice, therefore, by reading more
and commenting less, his efforts will be much more
likely to meet the success they deserve. Ms theme
for this evening will afford an admirable field for a
popular hit, and we have no doubt ho will have a
large audience.
Public Amusements
AUCH.STREET THEATRE.— " Handy Andy,"
which is good fer a fortnight's further representa
tion, has been withdrawn for the present, and to
night Mr. Drew appears, with the full stook com
pany, in the famous Irish drama of " St. Patrick's
Eve." Ile will likewise represent Larry °Woolf
gan in "More Blunders than Ono." "St. Patrick's
Eve " will be remembered as one of the best pieces
of the late gifted Tyrone Power, who wrote the
drama, and enacted Major O'Dogherty, a part
which Mr. Drew is said to play with equal felicity
and faithfulness.
Weratur.srnnEr THEATRE. Mr. and Mrs.
Williams appear tonight in three pieces, the first
of which in point of time is the "Lakes . of Kil
larney." Mrs. Williams is deservedly popular in
this drama. She combines fine personal attraction
and great suppleness of carriage in a spirited Irish
dance. Mrs. Williams has ono of the finest ward
robes in this country, and dresses with much taste—
an unusual thing, now•a•days, in stage matters.
Mr. Williams—indefatigable as ever—plays three
parts.
THE CONTINENTAL THEATRE is about to do well
with.a version of "Uncle 'Tom's Cabin," ono of the
most successful novels and plays that we have had
in America. The oast appears to be creditable,
and we are promised novel scenery and stage ef
fects.
Tan OLD FOLKS give their concert to-night is
Musical Fund Hall.
DOWNING'S STATISTICAL POCKET COMPANION.—
A pocket-book thus named has just been published.
in this city, containing home and foreign statistics,
latest American and British tariffs, census returns,
chronology, &o,—quito a inultutn in parvo, care
fully put together. We suggest, for future editions,
a few blank pages at the end for memoranda.
lloneas BINNEY.—Tho pamphlet on the right to
Impend the Habeas Corpus under circumstances of
rebellion, originally printed for private circulation,
is now on sale, by permission of Mr. Binney, its pa
triotic, author, by C. Sherman k Son, southwest
corner Seventh and Cherry.
11.7 i, An artiolo on the subject of " Iron Plates
for War Vessels " will be found on the outside of
to.day's paper, to which wo invite attention.
THE extreme high price of salt makes the
present a favorable time for engaging in the ma
nufacture of this article and the improvement of
the numerous saline springs which aro known to
exist in Western Kansas and Nebraska. We loam
that a gentleman residing in Jefferson county re
cently made a trip to Salt creek, in Nebraska Ter
ritory, about 150 miles from hero, whore M eight
days, he manufactured eight barrels of pure salt,
worth from seventy five to ono hundred dollars. If
a single individual, without any of the usual appli
ances for the manufacture, could do this, how much
better might a company do, properly organized and
equipped for the business ? Salt Is now selling hero
at six cents per pound, and will probably not be
much, if any, lower during the continuance of the
war. At that high price, an interest in a good salt
spring becomes at once a handsome investment, if
not a fortune. Besides those on Salt creek, there
are five springs along the Saline Fork of Kansas ri
ver, not more than ono hundred and fifty miles
from this place.—Nebraska City News, Tart. 11.
MOMAS A. Haunts, one of the members
elected by the bogus Legislature of Missouri to the
rebel Congress, which is to meet on the 18th of
February at Richmond, has boon taken prisoner.
• • II a
a 4 `il; II 4 4 4 is
LETTER FROM " OCCASIONAL."
WASHINGTON, January 23, 18G2.
The question of slavery, like Banque's
ghost, will not down. It hangs like a black
shadow over every path which leads into our
. -
futine. Even the most conservative men are
beginning to admit that it must be discussed,
and, in one way or another, disposed of. Into
this war it has entered, and the issues arising
out of this war are either identified with it in .13 ELECTION IN THE BIICKTAIL RIFLES.
theory, or modified by it in practice. As slavery
was the undoubted cause of the rebellion,
and Northern feeling against it as a dominant,Capt. McNeill Chosen Colonel.
social, and political system the pretext for
secession, so in the management of the war
, ENERALS ORD AND SVHOEPFF CON.
North and South, in Shaping the policy to FIRMED AS BRIGADIER GENERALS.
govern our military operations, in legislation .
and discussion, we find slavery an agitating. special Despatches to "The tram"
imperative, and unavoidable subject. In the
hour of their distress, the Southern peep!: WASTIINGTON, January 23, 1332.
are beginning to use slavery against the re
public. It is known beyond all doubt, the The Black Hole of Calcutta.
Dr. J. H. SELTZER, surgeon of the Eighty
the Southern mon are now arming their slaves e i g hth Pennsylvania Regiment, gives a most do-
We have intelligence from every part of thislorable account of the doings in the slave pon at
South confirming this statement. The nogroeAlexandria, which is now used as a guard house
are either persuaded, frightened, or whlppocfor our soldiers. The walls of the a pen" are high,
into regiments. At a recent review in Not and there is no roof to shelter the unfortunate ,
Orleans', there were two thousand negtsol o nd " fi e lthl is " a a nc iii le deep, it fm an t d h e th w e e r a e th a e r r e .
slaves in line, and all through Virginia t
T of h te e n m botween two and three hundred soldiers con
slaves are being mustered into the service al
drilled into soldiers. The rebels are afraid diersudwha
fined in the place at the same time.
their' During the bad weather they must necessarily
bondsmen, but, so desperate is their c:
contract colds, which load. to worse diseases, per
dition, that their very fear is an instrumen' Genital), during the bad weather which has pro
rebellion. oo They were not united. in 0 Tailed for some days past. In addition to this, the •
body," says the intelligent oorrespondt prisoners are often without food for twenty-four
from Florida, who tells of the armed slaven hours or more at a time. The most of the soldiers
New Oilcans, "but were distributed in ca-
who are confined in this hole are arrested for
panics among the different regiments, to 0- drunkenness, which makes them quarrelsome. They
vent mutiny and revolt." engage in fights between themselves, which often
end in serious results A few days ago one of the
We cannot ignore facts that force flu- men had his thigh broken, and another his back
selves upon our attention, and it woukhe broken, in ono of the disgraceful fights which al
madness, for the sake of respecting the s si- most daily occur in :his slave pen.
bilities of the traitors, to deny that neceity Some of the drunlen men who aro put into this
may compel us to adopt the very course agnet place, when they cone to their senses, almost bog
which old theories and prejudices have eon to be shot if they sonnet be released. There aro
arrayed. How easy for the southern derVis plenty of houses evacuated and belonging to &cas
te say to their chattels: to Assist us to dettt Slonists, which
t ivct i l c e h a
s eoull ot b o ou e s d ed fr as om
he
g t uard-hoiises, and
the Yankees, and we will make you free. Go theweather.
e mena a
miserable hole, not fa for
inclemency
of
us your services, and we will give you Cr
lands. The commanders of the Federal fair the slaves to bo staled in before the rebellion broke
out, and is certahly now not a fit place for the
refuse to receive you in their camps, and:- meanest soldier is the army to be confined in.
turn' you to your masters to be scourgedar General 141eCLELLAN should send ono of his staff to
your desertion." Startling as this policy my Alexandria to haglike into the matter.
seem, it is undoubtedly seriously entertaird
in the seceded States. Mr. Conway, a naive
of Virginia himself, in his recent lecture at he
Smithsonian, very forcibly put this point wino
he said that the Southern people could mast
mit and arm a million of slaves, and yet tot
interfere with slavery. In the future tiny
would but strengthen that institution, for the
women and their posterity would be bondsnen
still. I mention these circumstances for the
double purpose of laying them before our
statesmen and of disabusing the Northern
mind. A mass of ignorant prejudice has been
allowed to accumulate in the free States on
this subject. It has been stimulated by politi
cians and by newspapers until, at last, the bare
idea of denouncing slavery became a capital
offence. But we are being educated by
events. That portion of the North which
has regarded slavery with favor, and tolerated
It as essential to Southern prosperity and to
universal commerce, is undoubtedly under
going the process of a rapid change. Do not
understand me as advocating emancipation.
That remedy is so surrounded with complica
tions, that no satisfactory defence of it has
yet been furnished. But in a state of war we
must avail ourselves of every means against
the common enemy, and especially against
such an enemy as Secession. The purposo of
this war, says Secretary Stanton in his
splendid order of yesterday, { is to attack,
pursue and destroy a rebellious enemy, and to
deliver the country from the danger menaced
by traitors." These arc brave words, and
corning from a Democrat, they should sink
into every Democratic heart. This order
should be felt and acted upon by every mili
tary leader. In many cases it may be his
duty to protect the loyal slaveholder in his
person and his property : In others it may be
impolitic to make war upon the slaves even of
the traitors. But, wherever these slaves can
be used for military purposes, to protect file
whites from surprise and massacre, to con
struct fortifications, to bring in or take out
Informally), imaroa,tek - l i afty,Wne i pmf i l,fq
such agencies. I do not know a loyal South
erner in Congress who does not say, if the choiee
is presented between the overthrow of the
Republic and the destruction of slavery,
slavery should go to the wall. In my opinion,
one of these two alternatives will soon be
pressed upon us, and it behooves the teachers
of public opinion to prepare the people for
that hour. OCCASIONAL.
General Thomas—The Victory in Ken
tucky.
General Thomas, who contributed so much
to the great victory in Kentucky, when the
rebels under the late Zollicoffer suffered so
much, is an officer highly esteemed, and with
military antecedents of the first character.
Ile served, in the early part of the war, under
General Robert Patterson, who greatly es
teemed him, as an officer and a gentleman,
and took the opportunity, on one remarkable
occasion, to do him full justice. In General
Patterson's report of one of the most brilliant
achievements of the early part of the war, lie
acknowledged the assistance received, in that
conflict, from General (then Colonel) Thomas.
Strangely enough, this report has never yet
been published. We have pleasure in now
placing it before our readers :
lIEADQUARTERS, DEPT. OP PENNA.,
MARTINSBURG, VA., July 6, 1861.
Sin ; I telegraphed my intention to cross tho
Potomac on the let instant. I now have the honor
to report my movements since that date. I left
Hagerstown on the afternoon of the 20th ultimo,
the earliest date my command could take the field
in a proper condition for active service, intending
the following morning to enter Virginia with two
columns (at Dam No. 4, and at Williamsport,) to be
united the same day at Hainesville, the location of
the rebels. Owing to the danger and difficulty at
tending the fording at Dam No. 4, I placed all the
force at Williamsport. My order of march for the
2d instant is given in the accompanying circular.
The advance crossed the Potomac , at 4A. M., all
taking the main road to Martinsburg, with the ex
ception of Negley's brigade, which, about one mile
from the ford, diverged to the right to meet tho
enemy, should he come from Hodgenville, to guard
Our right, and to rejoin at Hainesville. About five
miles from the ford, the skirmishers in front and on
the flank, suddenly became engaged with the enemy
posted in a clump of trees; at the same time their
main force appeared in front, sheltered by fences,
timber, and houses. Abercrombie immediately de
ployed his regiments (the First Wisconsin and Ele
venth- Pennsylvania) on each Side of the road,
placed Hudson's section, supported by the First
Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry in the road, and
advanced to the attack agSinst a warm fire before
him. The enemy, being supported by artillery, re
sisted for twenty-five minutes with much determi
nation. Lieutenant Hudson, after getting into po.
sition, soon silenced their gees. In the mean
-time, Thomas' brigade rapidly advanced and
deployed to the left flank of the enemy.
The enemy, seeing this movement, and being
pressed by Abercrombie, retired, hotly pursued
for four miles by artillery and infantry. The ca
valry could not be employed on account of nume
rous fences and walls crossing the country. In the
enemy's clamp were found camp equipage, pro
visions, grains, ho. This brush was highly credi
table to our arms, winning, as we did, the day
against a foe superior in number to those engaged
on our side. They wore well posted, /haltered by
timber, and sustained by artillery and cavalry.
Our men advanced over open ground against a
warm fire of artillery and infantry. I present the
reports of the Colonels Abercrombie and Thomas,
and Lieuts. Perkins and Hudson, and take much
pleasure in bearing testimony, as an eye-witness, to
the admirable manner in which their commands
wore handled, and their commendations earned. I
also bear testimony to the efficient Herrin in post
ing portions of the troops, and conducting them to
the front, and into action, rendered by the mem
bers of my staff present and en the field of battle ;
Col. Porter, Capt. Sohn Newton, and Liout Bab
cock, and Majors Price and Biddle, who were em
ployed conveying orders; also, Surgeon Triplor, in
attention to the wounded.
The loss of the enemy was over sixty in killed.
The number wounded cannot be ascertained, as a
largo number were carried off the field.
I am, sir, very respeotfully,
Your obedient servant,
R. PATTEIISON,
Major General Commanding.
Colonel E. D. TOWNSEND, A. A. G. U. B. A.,
Washington City :
Mn. SIDEEY WRIMIT, of Durham, Mass., is
blessed with a healthy lineage. Ile has a grand
father and grandmother, a father and mother living,
and his only son has not only two grandfathers and
two grandmothers, but also two great-grandfathers,
and two great-grandmothers, living. At the date
of hie birth ho had a groat-grandfather and a great
grandmother, since deceased, so that the boy has
bad since bis advent, three great-grandfathers and
three great-grandmothers, and two grandfathors
and two grandmothers—all of whom are now living,
except one great.grandfather and Great-grandmo
ther, who died last year.
A. TEST NEWS
BY TELEGRAPH.
LODI WASHINGTON.
ItHE NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF WAR.
A Visit to the Alexandria Hospitals—Ob.
jections to Female Nurses.
The chief pointiof interest at Alexandria are the
military hospitals. Of these there aro three in
active operation, he Mansion House, Fairfax
street, and Washbgton-atreet Hospitals. There
are now about ecvet hundred patients in the above
mentioned buildims, besides which two more have
been recently upend at Wolfe and Pitt streets, and
are almost ready for the reception of patients.
These latter bulldogs have been put under the
charge of Dr. SREMON, the former surgeon in all
the hospitals ; recatly, however, relieved by Dr. J.
B. PORTER, an oh surgeon of the army. In the
management of teso hospitals there is much to
praise and much t condemn. The professional de
partment proper—that within the exclusive control
of the physicians ttending upon the sick soldiers—
is most admirabl• administered. Those surgeons
are accomplished and able men, and it would be
invidious to makta distinction. Most of them aro
from Philadelphia.
The patients ire carefully and promptly at
tended, all the tine of the medical officers being
solely devoted tothoir welfare. Considering the
large number rocived, and the gravity of the
diseases in most aces, the mortality has been re
markably light. In the Mansion House there aro
beds for five Mildred and sixteen. The ward
rooms aro clean and comfortable ; they are well
warmed and venilated, and the diet for the sick Is
whelesome,fgenerallfwell cooked, and such as is best
suited to the silk and convalescent. There are
come exceptions, in oases where reprisals aro made
by tho attondtnts upon the rations of the sink
soldier. These complaints, some of the sol
diers Say, they have traced to about a dozen
women nurses who have been quartered upon
the hospital. These female nurses, sent to at
tend, upon strange men, in every stage of almost
every variety of disease, are seemingly out of
place in a military hospital. The soldiers do not
seem to desire their presence—they irritate and
annoy them, and from what we could gather,
the medical officers prefer, in every case, that the
nurses and attendants should be mon.
Tho matron of the establishment, the soldiers
appear to think, is too strong an advent() of
woman's rights, and has encroached, by degrees,
upon the authority of the officers, mall aya ge — na.
COD , " -.""t, in fact, tbasaYEllefyaemplaint, attamee
Eg l A nd ia ii r eeem, is of the women. Their employ
went in such an institution is manifestly a mistake.
The soldiers very ill-naturedly say that the lady
nurses have their table supplied better than any
hotel in Washington, and that it is often made up
of delicacies ordered and sent to the kitchen for
the sick soldiers. From what wo could learn, the
lady nurses have no duties to perform which could
not be done more satisfactorily to the sink soldiers
by the hands of men. As permanent nurses, fe
males are out of their sphere in military hospitals.
The Fairfax•stroot Hospital contains one hundred
and ton bode, and is under the professional care of
Dr. ROBERTSON, of Cumberland, Maryland. The
doctor manages it alone; he prescribes for all the
cases; is the superintendent of every specific de
partment; performs the duty of steward, apothe
cary, and clerk ; and the completeness of every
thing therewith connected is a strong argument in
favor of the position that women officers aro useless
in a military hospital. Tho little hospital is a
model in its way, and to Dr. RODERTSON too much
credit cannot be given, for his ability, efficiency,
and industry.
The Washington-street Hospital is under the care
of two brothers Drs. TROSIrsoN, of Pennalvania, and
is a well-conducted institution. It will compare
favorably with most others of the kind, Here it is
that many of the surgical cases aro treated.
The whole number of buildings are classified as
the General Hospital, and there are fourteen sur
geons employed to attend them. Dr. J. B. PORTER
is surgeon in charge, and is quartered at the Man
sion Deuce. His staff consists of the following
gentlemen from Philadelphia : Dr. Robert K.
Smith, Dr. Thomas B. Gibbons, Dr. J. Bernard
Brinton, and Dr. Mitchell If. Picot. Dr. Rankin,
also a Pennsylvanian, is attached to the Mansion
House, and Dr. Thomas R. Dunglison, of Phila
delphia, with Dr. Edo W. Helmsman, of Lancaster
county, Pa., are at the Wolfe-street Hospital, with
Dr. 11. Laurence Sheldon, 11. S. Army.
The Confirmation of General Ord and
General Sehoeplf.
The Senate, in executive session to-day, confirmed
the nomination of General One, as Brigadier
General, for his meritorious services in the field.
As some seventy Brigadier Generals are yet await
ing confirmation, this prompt action is considered a
great honor. General &ROM'S, now in 8132V100 in
Kentucky, was confirmed at the same time, upon
the same ground. It is hoped that these signal dis
tinctions will stimulate other officers to similar ac
tivity and energy.
Lieutenant JAMES A. SNYDER, Company K,
Third Infantry Regulars, has been appointed
captain, to act as aid-de-camp to Brigadier General
Brans, who is to take command of all the regular
infantry now in the service.
The Election in the Bucktalls.
The election in the Bucktait Regiment for a co
lonel, in place of COlOnel CHARLES J. BIDDLE, re
signed, took place on Wednesday. By a provision
of the law creating the Reserve Corps, the elootion
of all field officers is conducted by the privates, and
this law held good in the case of the Bucktail Re
giment. When Colonel BIDDLH resigned, his friends,
and the influence they possessed, were opposed to
Lieutenant Colonel KANE, who naturally sought
advancement to the position of colonel. He was
at first opposed by Colonel CHARLES CAMPBELL, of
the artillery regiment, now disbanded, hut Colonel
CAMPBELL withdrew and Captain Ryon W. Mc-
Erma" from Warren county, commanding Com
pany D, was placed in nomination against him.
There We a great deal of excitement among the mon
during ths election, and it resembled very much a
political awembly in a ward or district. A very
full vote was cast, the majority against Colonel
KANE being 223.
The computes voted as follows Company A,
Captain lImLAND, from Tioga, for MckTritui ;
Company B Captain WINTER, from Perry county,
for ISIcIIEm ; Company C, Captain Girronn, from
Cameron comity, for KANE ; Company D, Captain
IffeNtimr, br MeNnext. ; Company E, Captain
Elms, from Tioga county, officers for KANE,
imen for Maxim.; Company F, Captain MA
oar., from fiehuyikill county, for McNsiutit.i;
Company 0, Captaia McDoxecn, from Elk and
Tioga, Elk met for KANE, Tioga men for 111 -
NEILL ; Compmy 11, Capt. TAYLOR, from Chester.
county, divide( between RANT: and fllcliarit, ;
Company I, Ctpt. BLANCHARD, from McKean
county, for MEE ; Company K, Capt. lawfx,
from Clearfield aunty, for MCNEILL.
Colonel Men= is from Warren county, and
has been a very ifficient officer of the line. lie is
about thirty-five Tears of age, and is said to be a
good disciplinariat. Lieut. Col. KANE will retain
his present positim. Those who voted for Col.
KANE aro among toss belonging to the old Book.
tail organization. Col. ISlcNnua, will assume com
mand when his (Joni:plosion arrives.
Peter Punks in Camp.
After the payment of a few of the companies of
the Tenth Now Yorc Legion, Colonel VAN WycK,
discovering that sone camp-sharks were soiling
composition and gal'anized watches, had them ar
rested, and cempellei the sellers to take back their
watches and refund tbout five hundred dollars to
the men.
A Nex• Tax Ihttl.
A now tax bill is in die hands: of a sub-oommittoe
of the Committee of Ways and Means. Sovoral
weeks will probably clips° before the bill will ho
reported.
Assistant Secretaries of War.
It is said that Jones TUCKER, Esq., of Philadel
phia, and PETER T. WATSON, Esq., of Washington,
have been appointed Assistant Secretaries of War
under the new act passed by Congress. Mr.
TUCKER is a Philadelphian, and well known to your
readers. Mr. WATSON IS an eminent patent lawyer
of this city, a man of influence and large fortune.
COl. SCOTT will retain his position at present.
The Schuylkill Steamers.
The little Schuylkill steamers, Reindeer • and
Volunteer, are now making daily trips between this
city and Mattawoman's Creek, near the headquar
ters of Gen. HOOKEIS'S division. The ice in the
Potomac has almost entirely disappeared, and as
the roads from hero to Port Tobacoo are almost im
passable, the reopening of the steamboat communi
cation has been a great accommodation to the
Government in forwarding supplies.
The War Department Regulations.
The recently.issucd regulations of the War De
partment result in surprising faoilitios for the trans
action of public business, which is taken up end
disposed of in the order in which it is presented.
All the branches of, this Department aro benefited
by the systematic arrangements.
Washington News and Gossip.
The mud and the small-pox axe the prevailing
topics of conversation to-day. The transient travel
this week has fallen off one hundred per cent.
The new rules and regulations which have boon
issued by Secretary Srawrox hold at bay for the
present contractors and office-seekers.
The postmaster here has issued a notice that
treasury notes will not be received in payment for
stamps, unless they are purchased in sums of two
dollars and fifty cents.
The members of Tent No. 2 have presented a
beautiful sword mid sash to Captain STICKNEY, of
Company F, Third Now Jersey Regiment.
Major Many L. BEN/4ER has just returned from
General,gooann's division, on the lower Potomac,
where ho has been paying off the First and
Eleventh Massachusetts regiments, and DENT
ING's battery. The rebels are almost continually
firing on our works. Their shot and shell fortu
nately do no damage. The rebel shells, owing to
the bad quality of powder of which they aro manu
factured, seldom, if ever, explode.
THE VICTORY AT SOMERSET.
PARTICULARS OF THE ACTION
THREE THOUSAND UNION TROOPS VAN
QUISH EIGHT THOUSAND REBELS.
CINCINNATI, Jan. 23.—The Somerset correspon
dence of the Times says that at 7 o'clock on
Sunday morning the enemy drove in the pickets
of the Tenth Indiana, stationed at the forks of the
road, eight miles from Somerset. The Tenth were
drawn up into line, and moved into the woods,
whore they were mot by the enemy, six thousand
strong, slim instantly opened upon them.
General Thomas immediately ordered up the
Ninth Ohio, Second Minnesota, and Fourth Ken
tuoky, to the support of the Tenth Indiana, the
latter holding the rebels in check nearly half an
hour before being reinforced. The First and Second
Tennesseans wore ordered up on the right wing for
the purpose of outflanking the enemy, Standard's
and Whitmore's batteries In the meantime shelling
the enemy in the woods.
After being engaged nearly two hours, the Ninth
Ohio, Second Minnesota, and Fourth Kentucky
Regiments made a desperate bayonet-charge upon
the enemy, and drove them from the woods, com
pletely routing and puieuing then; to tilMr en
trenchments. At the heat of the engagement, Cap
tain Kinney ordered lne sootion of his battery
within sixty yards of the enemy's lines, and opened
a deadly fire upon them, which added greatly to
the successes of the day.
Our advance arrived within sight of the real
entrenchments ono hour before dark, and opened
upon them with shot and shell. Night closing in
put a atop to further demonstrations. At daylight
next morning a steamboat was observed transport
ing troops across the Cumberland. Whitmore's
battery of Parrott guns were brought to bear on the
boat, which in a few minutes afterwards was in
flames. The Tenth Ohio and Fourteenth Ohio
were ordered forward to advance on the enemy's
breastworks, moving up in line of battle, rand
sealing the entrenchments, they found the camp
entirely deserted, and everything standing as when
occupied by the enemy. The houses, tents, horses,
mules, wagons, baggage, cannon, ammunition, and
firearms, wore found in perfect preservation. The
rebel forces in the attack were led by Generals
Crittenden and Zollicoffer, and were 8,000 strong.
The Federal forces in the fight did not exceed
3,000.
FROM IL'ItTUCKY.
UEN. HINDMAN ARRESTED
ruv.rivirx 'yr 1m - -nrasraiLEADER.V.
GEN. BUCKNER'S CHILDREN BAREFOOTED
Hardee Unable to Pay hie Washerwoman.
Loursvrim2, Jan. 23.—The Journal learns that
General Hardee has arrested General Hindman,
for burning houses at Cave City, and other places
on the Nashville road. The Fame paper alsolearne,
and credits the statement, that General Buckner
has resigned his commission.
The rebels at Bowling Green are eufforing for
want of money.
It is reported that General Buokner'e children
aro running about the town bare-footed, and
General Ilardoe, the second officer in command,
could not pay a colored woman employed by him,
and gave her a pass through the Confederate lines,
as the only means hi had of liquidating hor de
:nand.
There are no further particulars from Genera
Thomas' oommnnd.
All is quiet below
THE WAR IN MISSOURI.
SEDALIA, Mo., Jan. 23.—Two companies of °e
very, under Major L. Raldermen, of the First
Kansas Regiment, left Lexington on a reconnoitring
expedition on the night of the 16th, which resulted
in the arrest of Captain Whiting, Joe Shelby, and
several other notorious rebel desperadoes, and the
capture of a large lot of horses, mules, wagons,
commissary stores, ko., taken from Col. Mulligan's
command, and a considerable quantity of boots
and shoes, and other articles taken from the
steamer 8717:shine by the rebels some time since,
all of which wore turned over to the Federal troops
at Lexington.
Colonel Deitzlor, of filo Kansas First Regiment,
in command at Lexington, announces, by a general
order, that as rebel assassins lurk in the ambush
and fire upon soldiers, he has therefore ordered to
be arrested a large number of wealthy and influ
ential Secessionists who give aid and comfort to
Price's army, whom ho will hold responsible for
the good behavior of their hirelings, and the assas
sination of ono man of his command in this manner
will bo followed by the shooting or hanging of tiro
of th'ese wealthy rebels.
FROM CAIRO.
CAIRO, Jan. 23.—Captain Willard, of tho Chica
go Light Artillery, arrived to•day from Calloway,
six miles from Fort Henry. Ile reports that that
place is garrisoned by 6,000 or 7,000 rebels, with
several heavy guns.
The whole of General Smith's command started
across the country for Paducah this morning.
From General Banks' Column
FREDERICK, January A.—No intelligence has
been received from General Lander's division
within the last forty-eight hours, and everything
hero and in the upper brigades are in strait quo.
The excitement and prtparation commenced on
the news ofJaalreon's advance on Romney,havo died
out, and our troops are mainly employed in looking
to their personal comfort.
Last night a very recherche party was given by
Dr. Schley, ono of the most prominent Union mon,
to the officers of the division, brigades, and regi
ments.
Last Saturday forty condemned horses were sold
at auction, by order of Inspector Perkins. The
best brought $7O, and the worst 25 cents ; the aver
age was $23.
Captain Collis, of the Body Guard, has resigned
his seat as judge advocate of the general court
martial, and Robert B. Brown, of the Second Alas
saebusetts, has been appointed in his stead. Owing
to the establishment of brigade courtz-martial, and a
consequent reduction of tho number of prisoners
here, the court will probably adjourn ore many
days. A Tory large number of cases have boon ex
amined into, and the findings awarded.
Mason anti Slidell Sailed from Bermuda
for St. Thomas.
liEw YORK, Jan. 23 —The British gunboat
Racor, arrived this morning from Bermuda, re
ports that the steamer Rinaldo arrived there on
the 11th, and had sailed for St. Thomas, with the
traitors Mason and Slidell on board.
The Bohemian Outward Bound
CAPE Iteca, Jan. 23.—Tho steamer Bohemian.
passed hero at half past 2 o'clock, outward bound.
The news station will be kept up hero all winter,
and all the steamers will be boarded when practi
cable.
The Hibernian at Portland.
PORTLAND, Jan. 23.—The steamer .7106am/fin
has arrived from St. John.
Fire nt Saco, ➢lame
Seco, Jan. 23.—The Thomson blook of buildings
was destroyed by fire this morning. Loss $7,000.
Execution at Newton, N. J
NEWAIIK ' Jan. 23.—John Cowan was executed
today, at Newton, for the murder of Allan Skil
linger.
Mn. G. V. BROOICE, the tragedian, has quar
reled with the manager of the Theatro Royal, Bel
fast, because the latter wished the former to play
on the date of the Prince Consort's funeral, The
dispute is to be settled in a court of lam.
MUTH CONGRESS-MST SESSION.
WISIIINGTON, Jan. 23, 1862.
BEN &TE.
. .
Mr. HOWARD, of Michigan, preeented a joint reed•
lution, passed by the Legislature of Michigan, in favor of
an exchange of prisoners, with epeoial reference to the
gallant Colonel Wilcox, who wee wounded at 801 l Run.
Rewired.
Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, presented the re
monstrance of the underwriters, ship-owners, and others,
of Boston, against auy measures which will impair the
efficiency of the coast survey.
me. HALE, of New Hampshire, called np the resolu
tion in regard to Ward IL Lemon, Marshal of the Dis
trict of Columbia, declaring toot, in the order he trans
mitted to the Senate, ho was guilty of a breach of privi
lege and contempt of the Senate, and that the Secretary
of the Senate report the resolution to the President.
Passed.
Mr. COLLAME.II, of Vermont, from the root Office
Committee, reported a bill for the completion of the Poet
Office at Philadelphia.
On motion of Mr. WILSON, the bill for the comple
tion of the defences of Washington was taken up, the
question being on the amendment providing the penalty
of death for forcing the safeguard, which was agreed to
The bill was amended so that no work shall be hereafter
commenced, and then passed.
On motion of Mr. MERMAN. of Ohio, the bill re
lating to Congress, from the Committee on Compensation,
Ac., was taken up and considered for some time, whon
the morning hour expired.
On motion of Mr. WILSON, the bill for the increase of
the clerical force of the War and Navy Departments, as
returned from the House with an amendment, was
taken up, the amendment agreed to, and the bill passed
finally.
The easel:if Senator Bright was then taken up.
Mr. DAVIS, of - Kentucky, resumed his remarks. He
said that treasons, as the greatest of crimes. It involves
the whole nation in Its consequences; yet, the men who
are now engaged in treason boldly confront honest men.
There has been 'too much leniency shown—these men
ought to be abhorred as the vilest of culprits. Was not
Benedict Arnold a traitor I Suppose that the Senator
from Indiana had been a member of the Continental
Congress, and suppose that after Arnold had been de
tected in his treason, the Senator had written such a let
ter to Arnold as he has now written to Jeff Davis! In
that day of purity and ,patriotism, would he not hove
been expelled from the •tenate'l IsJeff Davis less a traitor
than Arnold was! Was not Aaron Burr ineffably leas a
traitor than Jeff Davis I Yet, the Senate expelled Smith,
of South Carolina, for too intimate relations with Aaron
Burr. The Senator from Indiana avows that he has
not changcd his opinions and will not. IC the Senator
holds opinion, opposed to coercive measures to suirlue
I the rebels, and Will not vote for any measures to support
the Government, he ought to have resigned his position
here. But as he has not done that, It must be the duty
of the Senate to expel such a member. He (Mr. Davis)
regretted that the Senator from Massachusetts had in
troduced the subject of slavery. He thought, at such a
time us this, w e should allow all such disturbing subjects
to sleep till after atrocious rebellion was put down.
Slavery was not the immediate cause of the rebellion, but
only a rem( te cause. He did not see where the.Sonator
from Massachusetts got the power to interfere in slavery.
He paid a high tribute to the purity and worth of John
Q. Adams, and quoted from the speech of his where
he said that, "so long as the slave States have the
power to sustain the institution of slavery, I will
not interfere ; but if they come to the free States for
help, and ask them to help to put down an insurrection,
then I say that it mines into the full plenary power of
Congress over it. It Is the war power." He referred alto
to the assertion of Gen. Jackson, that, in cases where the
military power takes possession, the war power must be- -
come the law. 'Bathe Senator from Massachusetts would
have it in the power of any subordinate general to de
clare emancipation ; but that statesman seems to forget
that we have a written Constitution. This ConStitu
lion reserves certain rights from the States, and
gives them inalienably to the people of the United
States, but invests the war-making power in Congress.
The Constitution provides for the crime of treason, and
that the attainder shall not be perpetual. Can military
generals alter the provisions of the Constitution in regard
to treason 2 He contended that in Congress alone was
the power to declare martial law, and to suspend the
writ of habeas corpus. Martial law Is the mere will of a
military commander. Is such a law to sweep away all
the provisions of the Constitution/ Such a law would
be worse than the bloody laws of Draco. Is this sublime
edifice of the Constitution to tumble into ruins when the
army makes its appearance, and is commanded to have
power to proclaim universal freedom to the slave 7 Such
an idea is monstrous. He was for putting down the re-
hellion, sod, so far as possible, to hang the leaders. He
said, In the name of Justice, hang them, and forfeit all
the property you can; and, if it is improper to invest it
in the United States Government, give it to true and
faithful men. He thought the rebellion had many causes
for its rise. If slavery was never mentioned in the halls
of Congressy there would never have been any rebellion.
Ono of the causes of the rebellion was the admission of
Texas; another was the attempt to force the Lecompton
Constitution on the people of Kansas. He was utterly
opposed to emancipation schemes, and deprecated severely
the placing of arms in the hinds of slaves, as was pro
posed by the Senator from lowa i Mr. Harlan], as tending
to lead to the fearful horrors of an insurrection.
Those fanatic, political, and social demons, the Gres
lays, Cheevers, and Phlllipaes, who are frying to break. up
in fragments the Constitution, for the purpose of achiev
ing emancipation, have been here desecrating the Smith
sonian Institute. They and that horrible monster,
Greeley, have been here sneaking like wolves after sla
very. ]f he had the power, he would take these fanatics,
and the worst Soceshers, and hang them in pairs. He'
feared that the Senator from Ilfassachusetts sympathized
too much with these men. lie closed With a eulogy of
Gen. Lyon and Gen. Sigel, and said that he wanted all
brave men to join in the war for the Union, and to leave
out these discordant elements.
Mr. HARLAN, of lowa, did not see the pertinency of
the whole of the last part of the speech of the Senator
from Kentucky. He wanted it known that every day a
speech on slavery is lugged in just in this way by some
member of the slave Staten.
Mr. DAVIS said that his speech was Intended to meet
the numerous petitions introduced here.
IfARLAN said that in the discussion on another
hill he had said that ho was willing to muster into the
service of the United States any able-bodied men, wheth
er black or Indian. We .might as well arm the slave
against the master as arm the child against the father,
which was done every day whore one or the other chances
to be a rebel. In regard to the Senator's eulogium on the
condition of his slaves, it they love him so much he need
have no fear of an insurrection. Ile supposed the Sena
tor's horses and other animals were also well treated, but
does be trent the slaves like men—like men who have im
mortal spirits to live equally with our spirit I There is
not now in existence a system of slavery so bad as that
which now exists in the United States. He knew that
hind and Christian gentlemen did treat their slaves well,
Wag was. LAl:mini. Immanar nut aut. Ann tr, COA
"
The &nate vent into executive session, and subse
quently adjourned.
ROUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. STEVENS, of Penney !Tanis, from the Committee
of Wei a and Means, reported the naval appropriation
Lill.
Mr. ELIOT, of Massachusetts, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported a bill authothing the President to
appoint eight light•houoo Inspectors for any of the light
bousts on the coast, during and for one year after the
continuance of the present rebellion. Passed.
. • • ...
Mr. THOMAS, of Massachusetts,from the Committee
on the judiciary, reported a bill to acilitate judicial pro
ceedings, and to better regulate the law of prizes.
Mr. KELLOGG, of Illinois, from the Committee on
the Judiciary, reported a bill to authorize the Secretary
of the Treasury to settle with the States for the supplies
furnished their troops called out to aid in the suppression
of the rebellion.
The consideration of the bill waa postponed.
Mr. MALLORY, of Kentucky, from the Committee on
Roads and Canals, reported a bill for a military railroad
in Kentucky and Tennessee.
The House, in Committee of the Whole, went into
consideration of the Military Academy bill
Mr. ALLEY, of Massachusetts, said that no questions
were ever agitated in the balls of Congress of greater
importance, in all their aspects, and in all their conse
quences, than the financial measures which the necessi
ties of the hour call upon us now to inaugurate, will. all
the industrial energies of a great peopla-palsied by the
nightmare that is upon us; and Congress, upon whom
tho people have placed tho responsibility of providing
nays and means for relief, have done nothing bat waste
their time in talking about unimportant matters. Great
schemes are to be devised and measures enacted, upon
hich our very existence depends, which should engage
the earnest thought and active energies of every member
of this Mouse until the task is accomplished. The first
thing to be done is to raise the means to carry on the
Government, by making available its credit, at the least
possible expense, in the best manner possible, with the
least detriment to tbo material Interests of the whole
people. In order to accomplish this object properly, you
must make 3 our securities good by misquote tax
ation. We must provide for the wants of the Govern
ment, at any cost and every hazard. Every individual
and corporate interest must bow in patriotic submission
to the necessities of the Government.
The currency question has employed the brain and en
listed the pen of the greatest statesmen and emir cat
writers of every age. A mixed system of currency and
barter was first introduced by William the Conqueror,
800 years ago, and from that day to this wo have an au
thentic record of its lottery. In the reigns of the Hen
rys and the Edwards the coinages wore frequently altered
to suit theexigencies and wants of the crown. A rock
less and improvident monarch was sure to produce a
dearth of money, and a dearth of money was always fol
lowed by a dearth of food. Down to the reign of Henry
the Eighth it was the practice, whenmoney was scarce, to
reduce the standard of the coin,until Henry reduced it very
materially, and his eon, Edward the Sixth, reduced it
until it became infamous, leaking 180,000 pounds out of
20,000 of good coin. With the reign of Elizabeth came a
determination to improy e the coinage, and in the reign of
William and Mary the Bank of England was established,
and the currency, ever after, became a mixed one of
paper and coin. There was more stability then than
there had been with an exclusive metallic currency.
Increasing the volume of the currency, in all coun
tries and every age, produces the same effect—its
undue expansion stimulating unhealthy business, and
its contraction causing ruin and distress to fellow in
its wake. The great financial desideratum is to pre
vent the one and avoid the other as much as possible.
Ile spoke of the example of England, because upon this
question she bad a moro authentic record awl a wiser
policy than other nattered. After the suspension of the
Bank of England, in 1797, which continued over twenty
four years, the currency of England was almost exclu
sively a paper currency. In view of the experience of
England, with her overwhelming indebtedness and vast
expenditures, together with our own experiences, there
is nothing to alarm In our own suspension of specie
payments, and nothing In our financial condition
to occasion despondency. In all our financial arrange
ments the Government should wisely co-operate with
these who conduct the financial and business interests of
the public. But we must not forget that the Government
is supreme. The inquiry should be, not what is best
under the circumstances, but what can be done in the
crisis that is upon us. In order to determine that enese
tlo,i e e meet be governed more or lees by considerations
connected with existing sy stunts. There are three great
financial =names now under consideration, the adoption
of which, coupled with a determination to reform the
expenditures, will, in my judgment, resuscitate the
drooping interests of trade, improve the currency of the
country, establish confidence, and place the public credit
upon as firm a foundation as that of any Government on
earth.
First—Authorizing the Issue (irons hundred millions of
demand treasury notes, to be mule a legal tender, con
vertible at any time, in sums of not less than one hun
dred dollars, In United States six per cent. bonds, pay
able In twenty years, or convertible Into sterling bonds
of not less than five hundred pounds, payable in London.
Second—Simultaneous with this, the levying of one
hundred and fifty millions of tax.
Third—To provide a uniform currency, by causing
all the bank circulation of the country to protect
holders against loss, by securing their redemption by
a pledge of United States stocks. We would not be
in favor of either of these three. measures, standing
alone; but in combination, each with tho other, they
will copier the triple benefit of relief to our hums
ditto necessities---establishing confidence en a firm
foundation, and giving to the people a safe currency
which shall be uniform in every section of tho country,
and ample for ell the requirements of trate. If this ever
should continue eighteen months, according to the esti
mate of the Secretary of the Treasury, w o shall owe nine
hundred millions of dollars. This looks like a large
sum; but with one boundless resources and matchless
energies in der o' oping the material interests of the
country, we can pay the Interest easily, and, if norm
eery, a portion of the principal, annually. If need be,
we can make our public lands, If properly managed and
disposed of judiciously, pay ono-third of this debt before
it matures '
if it Is funded for twenty years, and have
enough left to pay Iwo-thirds of the balance the succeed
ing twenty years. Nine hundred millions of dollars is
only about to ice as much as England's usual amount
of expenses In time of pone; but little more than she has
expended inn ow gle year at several 'periods In her history.
Our surplus earnings in two or three years will wipe it
out, all out, if we wish, Can any man of reflection doubt,
when ho realizes that we bays little cause to question
the ability of the Government to maintain its credit un
impaired through any pecuniary trial it may be called
upon to encounter I He was In - raver of Issuing no notes
of less denomination than ten dollars, because he was
opposed to the Government competing in the circulation
with the banks any more than Is absolutely necessary to
provide for its necessities. lie thought that the Interest of
all would be promoted by leaving the banks to supply the
malt local currency predicated upon United States
bowls. The measure of taxation was so obviously wise
that he would only remark, in the language of the great
statesman. " that nations as welt as individuals, ought
always, in contracting debts, provide some plan of re,.
deniption: w Itherlit it public confidence could not be re
tained." Among the advantages to be gained by the
udoption of this national currency system was, as tho Se
cretory has soul ; It will unite with the Government all
the monetary interests of the country, mid make it for
tin pecuniary interest of all to sustain anti sicengtlien
the Government and its credit. Adopt thesameasures,
and diminish the burdens of the people by weeny prudent
rotrenelinient and reform, by ferreting out and punishing
MI frauds, and then, if the policy of the. Government In
other sresperts should be as vigorous and wise as its
financial errengements are politic and just, "we shall have
the PM? smaily clpsed, Had a si,sirr, of prosperity as
the American people have never witnessed In the whole
annals of her history.
Mr. II elleitlSON, of Ohio, said the object of the Pa
was to execute the laws of the laud, establish permanent
peace and security within our national jurisdiction, and
maintain republican liberty on this continent. As to the'
means of subduing the rebellion, ho held that whatever
I. not prohibited by the National Constitution or pub
lic laws Is clearly a military necessity, and legally right.
These embrace the power to seize and condemn pro
perty and confiscate debts. The confiscation ought to
be of such a nature as to induce citizens of the rebel
States to return to their allegiance, rather than to ren
der them desperate. He believed the prevalent senti
ment of loyal States, and the views and feelings of a
large majority of the army, suggest the volley of
avoiding any unnecessary interference with slavery in
the rebellions Staters. The argument of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Stevens,) yesterday, did not
convince him of the necessity of the general emancipa
tion of the slaves. This war was waged against our Go
vernment by political leaders—by men against lawful
authority. Therefore, the object ehould be to destroy
the rebel army with superior Union forces, and then
promptly punish the leaders for treason according to
the Constitution and the law of the land. Such action
as may be necessary should grow out of the political
necessity. Our ealvettlon depends on adhering strbstlY
to the Constitution in all its length and breadth. The
American people are thoroughly and irrevocable dotes:-
mined that neither the Constantien nor the Union shall
be destroyed by any combination or conspiracy e uneer
any pretext whatever. If we all maintain an efficient
war solely for the Constitution and the integrity of the
Union, on the principles of Washington and his com
patriots, without being distracted by disputes and im
practicable theories, the rebellion will be suppressed, and
then the people will be secure in the best, as well as the
wisest and the most enduring Government in the world,
snore enduring from the fact that it has been put to the
test for maintaining its efficiency.
Mr. V ASHBURNE, of Illinois, called the attention
of the House to a communication In the New York
Tribune, editorially endorsed as worthy of confidence,
touching the Special Investigating Committee on Con
tracts. So for as it regarded Gen. McKinney, he de
nonricee the communication as Nee in all material re.
spec% so far as it referred to the committee. As re
garded the military authorities here, they could tetra
care of themselves. He read from the published journal
of the committee the letter of the committee to Mr. Cie
meats, the clerk of the quartermaster, calling on him for
the explanation, which he tendered and showed that the
said Clements was before the committee, and testified to
the amount of more than thirty pages, es published
in the report, and that the committee gave him the
widest latitude to put In everything In his testi
mony that could explain General MeNinetry's
acts, all of which is published in the testimony. Also,
that another clerk in the Quartermaster's Department
was called before the committee, whose testimony co
vered twenty-two pages. He stated that the examina
tion of these witnesses disclosed many of the fraudulent
acts of Gen. IlicKinstry, which he believed surpassed
any thing in the history of the country. He caned to be
read another editorial of the Tribune, denouncing the
frauds of speculators and jobbers, which, he said, was
a good text—the ben commentary on which would be
the evidence taken by the committee against Gen. Illc
jeffistry, which he thought the Tribune might profitably
publish, if it desired to see its suggestion carried out.
Mr. is - ANHORN, of New York, maintained that the
time has arrived for the emancipation of the slaves, who
form the strength of the contest against as. The reSele,
hassit g trampled upon the Constitution are, by their
treasonable acts, no more entitled to protection than out
laws. The loyal people cf the free States, who furnish
the men and money, have the right to demand that every
means in our possession to destroy the enemy shenld be
faithfully and vigorously employed. If the gentlemen
here do Ims, they are unworthy of the official po
eitions they occupy. He quoted from the Southern
papers to show that they made the open confee
non that slaves are ono of the• main resources of
the rebel strength and belligerent power. Hence the im
portance and necessity of striking a decisive blow in that
direction. He argued that the Constitution authorized
the passage of a law for that purpose The forfeiture of
this description of property of the rebels should be for
ever. The war cannot be waged for the protection of
slavery, but for the good of tho Government and the se
curity of a permanent peace. Re did not believe with
his colleague (Mr. Steele) that the declaration of such a
policy would paralyse the power of the army. He would
assume Any responsibility to put down the rebellicin.
Whatever hums oily and the salvation of the country
demand, he was ready to yield. The Union wilt stand,
and everything that comes between it and its ealvatiert
must perish
The committee then rose, and the House adjourned,
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
Ltd RRISBORG, January 23, 1862
SENATE.
The SPEAKER presented the annual report of the
Philadelphia Saving Fund Society.
Mr. LOWRY presented the memorial of John R.
Brooke, colonel of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regi
ment, and thirtysiz of his oßcero, asking for legisla
tive relief.
141 r. BENSON, from the Finance Committee, reporter'
the supplement to the act establishinc. an asylum for the
insane poor.
HILLS INTRODUCHD
Mr. ROBINSON, joint resolutions relative to the oar ,
ment of officers of volunteers in the service of the Unltsl
States.
Mr. lIIESTAND, a supplement to the act incorpo
rating the Reading and Columbia Railroad.
Mr. DIOTT, a supplemont to the act cI 3.838, relative
to the lion of mechanics and others.
Mr. CaIi:NELL, a bill to reorganize •the Board of
School Controllers of the First School district; also. A
bill relative to advertising - claims In Philadelphia.
Mr. KETCHAM, a supplement to the act or 1856.
relative to the incorporation of insurance companies.
DANK or COUMBROB OF ?818
Mr. LOWRY offered a resolution, requesting the State
Treasurer to inform the Senate what amount of money
belonging to the State was in deposit in the Bank of
Commerce, at Erie, at the time it closed Its doors onkel.
holders and depositors, and what steps have been taken
to secure the same.
Mr. 181811 inquired whether this wait a peculiar caps.
and whether it differed from that of other banks sus
pending payment.
. .
. Mr. COWRY said that the case was nothing peculiar
with banks in his section of the State. The Dd.) City
Bank failed with liabilities amounting to 8150,000. 1.1
was then runtinder the new name of the Bank of Costfe
merce. He had In hie pocket bills of this bank amount
"lng to one hundred dollars, belonging to a widow lady.
The officers of this bank occupied very respectable pee•
tone; one was an officer of the United States Gowan
ment, and another resided on Walnut street, Philadel
phis. These officers one the morning closed the doprs
of the bank, and never paid the Commonwealth Ous
dollar. That bank was born a fraud, fired a fraud, es
twice died a (rand. It never had any capital Its oftleetlt
were guilty of fraud and perjury In their returns,
After further discussion, the resolution was adopted.
On motion of Mr. ROBINSON, the Senate proceede4
to the comm.:salon of the resolution relative to the pair
meat of officers of volunteers in the service of the
United States. [This resolutiqn requests our Repro.
sentatives in Congress to secuie to officers pay from
the date of their enrolment, the War Department haying
refused to pay them fur their services before their reel.
menu were mustered into service.]
The resolution was discussed, and passed, after being
so amended as to extend the inquiry into the iloactiissr
with reference to the pay of private soldiers.
The Senate then lulteurneit. until Monday afternoOlt i at
three o'clock.
The House was called to order at 10 A. M., by the
SPEAKER.
The report of the State Saving Fund was preseriteitarat
laid upon the table as well as a communication instil the
Western Saving ivad.
Mr. IiAINIC presented the report of a committee ap
pointed to harmonize the differences between the Senate
and House m reference to the pay of retiring officers of
the Assembly of 1861. The report recommended their
payment at a reduced rate, and woe agreed to.
PET I lONS
IT li tr.'.
A number of
petitions wAT,2 vtesente., reteriiirg talons[
2.r.:erlor of the State.
objects in tin
;or WILEENBANK promoted a petition of merchants
and others, praying that an act may be passed enabling a
creditor to release one partner or joint debtor without
prejudice to the claim against the other partner orjoint
debtors.
. .
DIiFFIELD, a petition from the monthly meeting
of Friends, asking the right to extinguish certain ground,
rents.
Mr. ABBOT, a petition from the 'Farmers awl Me
chanics' Lend and Building Association, for the exten
sion of their charter.
Mr. RYON, of Schuylkill, presented a pstition, praying
for an investigation into the manner in which the act
commuting the tonnage finales was passed i also, the man
ner in which the $3,500,000 loan was disbursal.
A communication was read from the citizens of West
moreland comaty, setting forth that the wife of a tax
payer of Greensburg (now a private in a Virginia regi
ment) had received aid from the county funds, and de
nying the statement' of her husband to the contrary—
which statement was presented to the souse last week.
It will be recollected that the husband petitioned Mater
that his family might be relieved, or that his property
might be exempt from taxation, he having enlisted In a
regiment outside of the State.
Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, presented a petition of
the Managers of the School of Design, asking an appro.
priation of $2,000.
All of tho aboro,were referred to the appropriate com
mittees.
Mr. CESSNA moved to amend the rules of the House
so as to receive retell:Wens only on 'Wednesdays and
Saturdays. The motion was agreed to.
Mr. ARMSTRONG offered a resolution calling on the
heade of the State de sartmenta for estimates for theme..
suing year. Agreed to.
Mr. McCLELLAN, of Cheater, offered a resolution
providing for the amendment of the common school law
so as to make the school week consist of five days-
Agreed to
111131ffi
Mr. BROWN, of Mercer, offered the following resold
tion
Resolved, That the Committee on Wale and Mane be
instructed to report a bill, if deemed advisable, providing
for the assumption and payment by the State, of that
portion of a direct tax of twenty Millions of dallers
aa
nnally laid upon the United States by an act of Coo-grass
approved August 6, 1661, •ahich was apportioneir to the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and to provide for the
assessment and collection of said amount as other State
tax is now by law assessed and collected. -
Agreed to.
DRONERS AND PRIVATE BUSKERS
_ .
Plr. CRANE, of Wayne, offered a resolation calling
upon the Auditor General to furnish the names of al
brokers and private bankers who have paid taxes ac
cording to the act of last torsion.
This was amended by Ile. WILLIAMS so as to re
quire the names of all those who have not paid. awl was
then agreed to.
11=1
The following bills were reported from the various
committees as having been acted upon:
An act relative to the District Court of Philadelphia,
with an affirmative recommendation.
An act for the appointment of fence viewers in Phila
delphia, With en affirmative recommendation.
An act to incorporate the Athena.= Association of
Germantown, as amended. The act was taken up and
passed.
A supplement to the act incorporating the Gettysburg
Railroad Company, as amended, authorizing the issue of
preferred stork. Passed. - -
A supplement to the Duncannon and Droad Top Rail
road, with an affirmative recommendation.
An act to incorporate the American Engraver? Com
pany, with an affirmative recommendation.
=EI
Mr. SHANNON, of Alleglieny,read in placard! act to
establish a State Military Academy.
Mr. BIGII.kM, an act to extend the time within
which certain railroad companies-may claim the benefit
of the fourth section of the bill for the Commutation or
Tonnage Duties.' [The time is extended for two yowls
for the purchase of their bonds by the , Pennsylvania
Railroad, and tire years AS far as the completion of the
'roads le concerned).
Mr. KAINE read an act relative to the rr.to of interest,
(repealing the law of .Bth May,.11358.).
Mr. ARMSTRONG, an act en spending- the- taxation on.
real estate owned by corporations. [lt provides - that so
much of the capital stock of any corporation as is in
reeled In real estate shall not be-sublect totaxation, pro—
vided the real estate itself-ia taxed.)
Mr. GREENBANK, an act relative to copartnera and
Joint debtors.
Mr. DUFFIELD, an act Tsweiling forfdling vacancies
which may occur in Select Councils. Also. a supplement
to an act incorporating the Board of Port Wardens.
- Mr. 111cMANUS, an act providing for on oath of alle
giance to public officials.
Mr. DENNIS, an act relative to evidence in actions.
Also, nn art to provide for taking judgment by default.
Also, an act relative to foreign attachments. Also, aet
act authorizing coal companies to purchase real estate at
sheriffs' sales.
Mr. BRANNON offered n resolntios Instructing our
Senators and requesting our Representatives to pass an
act for the payment of volunteers from the time of their
enlistment, and officers from the time when they are
plated on recruiting service.
Mr. KAINE moved to amend by Inserting the words
"and to make sufficient provision for the payment of;
expenses incurred In recruiting companies and regimentsi
for the vohuiteer army of the United States. The restn
lotion as amended was agreed to.
Mr. VINCENT, of Thie s moved to take up the rent*
of the special committee appointed to consider the tilitir
and harbor defences.
The resolution attaohed to the report urged flostresu
to take imniediato measures for the defence of thalbbla.
ware river and the harbor of Erie, and the estabNahment
of a navel depot at the latter place. The rentstion was
adopter
EMIEEBTEM
. .
The House resnmcd the consideration of the reaolntion
' e
hic k a committee to investigate Oho mamma — in
vrhich the act for the commutation of tonnage dates had
teen Passed.
Mr. SHANNON, of Allegheny, litlroSged. kbP,DaasaAl
of
tho resolution.
'rho Hours then adjourned.
-'~'~~ i