C||t J) msb.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1862
THE LATEST WAR NEWS.
Quite a number of papers, referring to the occu
pation of Columbus, Ky., by the Union forces, con
gratulate the public that another important bate
t>f operations has thus boon secured. It has oc
curred to us that the most important “ base of
operations” lies not so much in the possession of
disloyal cities and towns pe in the possession of the
means to purge them of their disloyalty. What
more important baßfc of operations, for instance,
could |be secured than the confidence and una
nimity, and s&f denytag spirit of a people like this,
resolved to crush an insidious and desperate foe
that has sought to entrench itself within their own
dominions ? Compared with such bases of opera
tions as these all the technicalities of military re
source sink into insignificance, and suggest only
the iron sway of Might, where Bight should be
omnipotent. Let us thank God that Might and
Bight are both on. the side of the Union!
A week or two ago we published a stringent or
der from General Paine, then commanding at Cairo,
in which he commands a subordinate officer to
4 ‘ hang one of the rebel cavalry (captured a few
days before) for eaoh Union man murdered, and
after this two for each, and also continue to scout,
capture, and kill.” Major General Ualleok has
just issued a stringent order disapproving of the
conduct of General Paine, in which he says : “It
is contrary to the rules of civilized war; and, if its
spirit should be Adopted, the whole country would
be covered with blood. Botaliation has its limits,
and the innocent should not be made to suffer for
the acts of others oyer whom..they have no con
trol;”
The Navy Department has received more official
reports from Commodore Foote of the doings of
onr gunboats on the Cumberland river. The Com.
medore despatched Lieutenant Bryant with the
gunboat Cairo , up the Cumberland river, to
make a reconnoissance in the vicinity of Nash
ville. Lieutenant Bryant discovered that the
rebels had a battery six miles" below Nash
ville mounting fifteen guns, bat when they
evacuated the city they threw some of the guns into
the river, and then decamped. A strong Union
feeling manifested itself among the people on the
banks of the river, but the gunboats are the
terror of the rebels. The telegraph tine has been
completed to Nashville, and Postmaster Markl&nd
has sent a despatch to the Post Office Department
In which he states that ho has raised the stars and
stripes over the Nashville post office, and is ready
to discharge the duties of his office.
The Fortress Monroe boat arrived at Baltimore
yesterday. The steamer Express had gone up
James river for the purpose of receiving more
Federal prisoners, but the rebel boat did not
appear, and she had to put back to the fortress.
the rebel steamer steam
ed down to the Express , with a flag of truce,
to ascertain the cause of her appearance in the
river ou two successive days. The matter was
to the rebel officer, when the latter as
serted that be had no knowledge of any prisoners
being expected, but that he would return to Rich
mond and inquire into the affair. So the matter
ended, and it is. therefore, uncertain when Col.
Cordor&a and the other prisoners will arrive at
Fortress Monroe. It is stated that the rebel
steamer which recently left Southamp
ton, has run the blockade, and arrived safely at
Wilmington, North Carolina.
A Rochester paper, describing the arrival of Gens.
Buckner and Tilghman in that city, on their way
to Fort W&Tren, says that when they arrived at the
hotel the bookkeeper brought in the register for
the party to sign their names. Gen. Buckner signed
it first, and then passed the book to Tilghman, say
ing, “ Floyd, he wants your autograph.*’ Tilgh
man playfully replied, “Don’t call me Floydj I
am a better man than Floyd over was.” Tilgh
man’s first name is Lloyd. He writes a bold,
heavy band, on the “ Hancock” order.
A despatch from Cairo informs us that a great
tight was seen in the vicinity of Columbus on
Saturday evening. It is supposed that the rebels
have burned everything in the town of an in
flammable nature. They are probably following
the advice tendered by Toombs, Cobh, ft Co., to
the people of Georgia.
An important order, designed to facilitate the res
toration of commercial intercourse with the Southern
and Western States in which the flag of the Union
now waves, was issued yesterday from the Depart*
ment of Missouri. It will be found in full in our
telegraphic columns, and is in itself a striking com
mentary upon the vigor with which the Government
is quelling the insurrection.
Mr. Thurlow Weed writes a letter to the London
Star of February 13th, in which he gives the fol
lowing account of the manner in which John B.
Floyd was brought to resign his place as Secretary
ofWar under Mr. Buchananj which he had used to
further the ends of treason :
“In February, Major Anderson, commanding at
Fort Moultrie, Charleston harbor, finding his posi
tion endangered, pasSed hid g&friddb, by a prompt
and brilliant movement, over to the stronger for
tress of Sumpter; whereupon Mr. Floyd, Secretary
ofWar, much excited, called upon the President to
say that Major Anderson had violated express or
ders, and thereby seriously* compromised him
(Floyd,) and that unless the Major was immediately
remanded to Fort Moultrie he should resign the
War Office.
“The Cabinet was assembled directly. Mr. Bu
chanan, explaining the embarrassment of the Se
cretary of War, remarked that the act of Major
Andor§on would occasiia exasperation in the
South; he had told Mr. Floyd that, as the Govern
ment was strong, forbearance towards < erring
brethren might win them back to their allegiance,’
M-d that that officer might be ordered back. After
an ominous silence, the President inquired how the
suggestion struck hi? Cabinet?
“Mr. Stanton, just now called to the War Office,
but then Attorney General, answered: ‘ That
course, Mr. President, ought certainly to be re
§ aided as most liberal towards * erring brethren;’
ut while one member of your Cabinet has fraudu
lent fleeeptfinees for millions of dollars afloat, and
while the confidential olerk of another —himself in
Carotins, teaching rebellion—has jnst stolen nine
hundred thousand dollars from the Indian trust
fund, the experiment of ordering Major Anderson
back to Fort Moultrie would bo dangerous. But,
if you intend to try it, before it is done I beg that
you will accept my resignation.’ ”
“ < And mine,’ added the Secretary of State, Mr.
Black.
“ ‘ And mine, also,’ said the Postmaster General,
Mr. Holt.
“ * And mine, too/ followed the Secretary of the
Treasury, General Dix.
“ This, of course, opened the bleared eyes of the
President, and the meeting resulted in the accept
ance of Mr. Floyd’B resignation. ”
Congrees Yesterday*
Senate.—Mr. Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, pre
sented a resolution from the Legislature of Penn
sylvania, relative to the defences of the Delaware
river and bay. Referred.
Mr. Harris, of New York, presented petitions,
numerously signed, asking that the rank of major
general be conferred on General Wool.
The bill requiring captains of vessels sailing to
foreign ports to take the oath of allegiance was
passed.
Mr, Fessenden, of Maine, made a report from
the conference committee on the bill for the better
organization of the cavalry. The report provides
for a reduction of the number of regiments to
forty, and the allotment of two months’ pay to of
ficers thus discharged, The bill was laid aside.
The bill for the organization of strife of divisions
was passed.
A joint resolution was adopted authorizing the
President to appoint as many assistant adjutant
generals, and other officers of staff, as may be
deemed necessary.
House. —Mr. Stovers, from the Ways and Meara
Committee, reported a bill to provide an internal
revenue for the payment of the interest on the
public debt, snd for the support of the Govern
ment. This is the long-delayed tax bill. It was
made the special order for Wednesday week.
Mr. Sedgwick, of New York, offered a resolution,
which was adopted, requesting the President, if
not unadvieable. to transmit to the House copies of
correspondence or other information relative to the
condition of Mexico
Mr. Vallandigham offered a resolution request
ing the President to inform the House whether
any offer had been made to the Allied European
Powers, or any of them, to assume the public debt
of Mexico.
An important bill, to seonre a clearer definition
and more firm establishment of the maritime rights
of nations, was introduced by Mr. Cox, of Ohio,
and ordered to be printed. It reaffirms the prin
ciples decreed by the Congress of Paris, in 1836,
with the amendments of Mr. Marcy, and proposes
a convention of the great Powers of England,
France, and the United States.
The State Legislature.
Senate. —The bill reorganizing the Board of
Controllers of Public Schools of this city was re
ported with an amendment, and passed to a third
leading-
Horse.—Petitions from this city were presented,
asking the passage of a law securing to farmers
certain rights in the markets of Philadelphia..
Also, remonatrances against the incorporation of
the Philadelphia and Frankford Railway Company.
AISO t petitions for the passage of the aot incorpo
rating said railway company.
The Condition of the South,
The letters found upon the prisoners cap
tured by our armies, or in the rebel camps,
sometimes throw considerable light upon the
state of affairs in the South and assist us in
forming correct, estimates of the actual condi
tion of Secessia. Intermingled with their
allusions to domestic affairs, are not unfre
quently to be found references to public
movements or graphic delineations of the pe
culiarities of Southern society.
A letter is before us now, whioh was fid*
dressed to the captain of one of the rebel
vessels destroyed by the Burnside Expedition,
in Pamlico sound, by a frieml, writing from a
town near Mobile, Alabama, under date of
January 31. It expresses gloomy forebodings
(which proved prophetic) of the fate of what
he termed « the mosquito fleet ” of Commo
dore Lynch. Tiie writer felt considerable un
easiness, too, about Mobile, and, although an
ardent rebel, gave free expression to his dis
gust ami dissatisfaction with the reckless and
thoughtless manner in which precautionary
measures were delayed, and with the gross in
temperance of the officers and men who com
pose the rebel army. Speaking of the de
fences of Mobile, be said :
“ We have been making some preparations to
meet the enemy, and have some eight thousand or
nme thousand men, bat they are only imperfectly
armed. I see with what want of wisdom many
things are put off from day to day; and begin to
think- that Providence Millt dd muh for lIS. I
am more and more intolerant of strong drink.
I see constantly how men muddle their brains, con
fuse their ideas, and neglect their duties, for strong
drink —ojjicers over stimulated , men drunk , ana
everybody in the street talking nonsense, idling,
and drinking.”
The writer here doubtless gave utterance
to a complaint that, while it may be true to
some extent of other camps, is a peculiarly
wolUfoundcd charge against the rebel forces,
Ho proceeded to declare that the whole South
will arm in the present war. After describing
the enlistment of four preachers, he said:
“ every mail) irrespective of ycars } in our
county, able to bear arms, has been called
upon by the brigadier general; and the whole
population is aroused.” He alleged that a stub
born and indomitable spirit of resistance ani
mates them, and declared that they say “ we
may have to fight for years, to meet many dis
asters ; we must have years of taxation and
hard times, but never will we yield to the
Yankee.” Ho felt it necessary, however,
to slightly qualify this burst of enthusiasm by
declaring that “ though there be some pecula
tors and mean men, they 7 are in small propor
tion to the whole mass.”
The drafting process is evidently frequently
resorted to, and age is no protection against it
where the power of bearing arms exists. It is
well known that Governor Harris, of Tennes
see, recently ordered a conscription of the
whole militia force of that State ; but it was
not very freely 7 responded to, however. In
Virginia, too, the whole adult male population
of many districts has repeatedly been called
out, as well as in portions of North Carolina,
Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina. How
annoying and oppressive this system of ma
king forced levies must prove, may readily be
imagined. That it causes great discontent,
and in many cases much hardship, cannot be
doubted.
The whole population of the South is kept
in a state of constant alarm by these repeated
calls for unwiiiing troops, and by the proba
bilities of invasion from almost every direction.
"When these raw levies are forced to the field
they are supplied with arms, which, in most
instances, are far inferior to those used by the
Union armies, and their trepidation is consi
derably increased by their knowledge of this
inequality. Around their homes they know
that want must linger in consequence of the
presence of the blockade; and they cannot hut
dread that danger, too, either of insurrection
on the part of the slaves, or unexpected move
ments of our armies, will menace their fire
sides. Those who embark in the “ Confede
rate service,” under all these disadvantages,
not only find themselves poorly fed and poorly
clad, but they have great difficulty in obtain
ing the monthly pay in Confederate notes,
which is nominally allowed them; and the news
of our numerous victories is constantly an
nouncing to them the power of the great na
tion they are still vainly attempting, with their
imperfect resources, to defy.
Spring Trade.
A despatch, published in The Press yester
day, states that seven hundred thousand dol
lars’ worth of cotton has fallen into our hands
at Nashville, and that the Treasury Depart
ment has taken measures to have it brought
North. To some extent the impression pre
vails that the prospect of a supply of cotton,
now rendered probable by the victorious pro
gress of the Federal army, will create an im
mediate decline in the prices of all kinds of
cotton goods. For obvious reasons this effect
will not be realized. We have been at some
pains to speak .advisedly in the matter, and
our conclusion is, that no possible supply of
cotton can materially change the price of manu
factured goods during the trade season now
opening. In the first place, the aggregate
products of our factories for the present sea
son, both here and in'the New England States,
scarcely exceed one-fourth of their usual ave
rage, or less, by a very large percentage, than
the demand for them has ever been from what
are now known as the loyal States alone. The
present supply, therefore, is, clearly, not ade
quate to the demand, and it is now too late to
make up the deficiency from the raw material.
It is on this account that the comparatively
few jobbing houses in Philadelphia—and the
still fewer in New York—that have heavy
stocks on hand are not only holding them
firmly, but buying ail they can at the old
prices, believing, as they do, that under no
circumstances can the prices be reduced, in
first hands, within the next sixty or ninety
days, from au iucieascd supply of cotton, even
if the latter should sell down to pre-rebellion
prices. For these reasons, the. Spring trade,
though somewhat late and limited, will be
healthy, vigorous, and profitable, Of course,
the prospective decline which must eventually
lollow will check mere speculative operations,
and necessarily limit the sales to the country,
to the nation’s present wants. Nevertheless,
the current demand must be met, and as there
is no surplus supply, but rather a deficiency,
there is quite as much probability of desirable
styles of cotton fabrics advancing, as that they
will decline.
yf e havu deemed it proper to say this much
in order to dissipate the wrong impression
above referred to. So far as the chances of
trade this Spring are concerned, we believe
that the prospects of selling goods, by those
who have them to sell, were never more flatter
ing. In this category we are pleased to find
a large number of substantial Philadelphia
houses, on Market, Third, Chestnut, and Front
streets, who, almost against hope, have sur
vived the perils of the war. To these, and
others, we would suggest, in this connection,
that the advertising columns of The Press
present facilities for reaching the trade in all
accessible parts of the Union unequalled by
any other Philadelphia journal. Without
boasting, we may here state, that the increase
in onr circulation, within the last twelve
months, is without precedent in the annals of
daily journalism, and the daily increase of
names, from every section of the country,
upon our subscription books—which are open
to inspection—we have reason to believe, is
greater, fourfold, than that of any of our co
temporaries.
Auction Sauk of Boots, Shoes, Ac. —Tho early
attention of purchasers is requested to the large as
sortment of boots, shoes, brognns, rubber shoes, and
sandals; also, stock of shoes, Ac., of a city dealer,
embracing first-class seasonable goods, of city and
Eastern manufacture, to be peremptorily sold, by
catalogue, for cash, commencing this morning, at
10 o’clock, by J. B. Myers, & Co., auctioneers, Nos.
202 and 234 Market street.
Sale To-day.—Stocks, Real Estate, Ac.—
Thomas A Sons' first spring sale, including several
effates by order of Orphans’ Court and others—will
be sold to-day, at the Exchange, at twelve o’clock
noon. See pamphlet catalogues and advertise
ments.
Sale of-, Furniture. —Birch A Son, No. 914
Chestnut street, have a sale, by catalogue, this
morning, of superior new and second-hand house
hold furniture, piano-forte, Ao.
Monument to Col. Monteuil. —James G.
Smith, of Providence, R. 1., has contributed one
hundred dollars to the fund for the proposed monu
ment to Lieut. Col. Vigier de Monteuil, killed at
the battle of Roanoke Island.
Public Amusements.
The grand military and naval ball bids well for to
night, as it is expected that the entire City Troop will
appear in uniform j that Governor Curtin and lady will
be present, and that many tnlinential civil and military
people will participate in the fete. The arrangements
are adequate, music and other essentials having been
properly provided, and we doubt not that all will be
leased, odd U>4 Ait Asian honored.
LETTER FROM “ OCCASIONAL " -
Washington, March ?>, 1862.
When the news of the secession of South
Carolina reached Washington city, it was
greeted with delirious joy by a brilliant eve
ning party assembled at the residence of Jef
ferson Davis. A distinguished officer of the
navy, who had been in the habit of visiting
Senator Davis and his lady, dropped in during
the evening, and was informed of the event
which had excited so much gratification. And
when he manifested no pleasure at the an
nouncement, ho was informed by Davis that
there was no time for delay, and that if he
accepted service in the rebel ranks, he would,
in course of time, bo made an admiral. « Stick
to me, my friend,” said Davis to the gallant
seaman, “ and I will make your fortune. In
a short time all the Cotton States will be out
of the Union, and those will he followed by
the Border States, thus constituting a great,
independent, and flourishing Empire.” Find
ing him obdurate to such appeals, one of
the ladies of the coterie approached him.
“ Why,” she asked, “ should you falter now '!
Why not take the advice of Gen. Davis ? The
secession of South Carolina is but the beginning
of ft revolution Idig prepared for* Wo have
everything arranged. Not only will the South
ern States be ours, but in a short period we
will establish in that region a mighty monarchy,
and with the aid of foreign Powers, and our
own bravery and inexhaustible resources, will
take possession of Central America and Mexi
co, buy or take Cuba from Spain, and add to
our dominions such of the West India islands
as we desire. Give up yonr reverence for the
mere symbol of a flag. Take sides with us
against the vulgar Northern hordes, and so ac
complish the future that is in store for you.”
As lie ieft the house, indignant at these bold
declarations of those who had been fostered
and protected by the Government, the lady
politician entered her carriage, to convey the
thrilling intelligence of the treason of South
Carolina to the friend and ally of the Soces
sionists, James Buchanan.
This incident, which I have from undoubted
authority, is useful as showing not only that
secession was prearranged by the traitors,
hut that during the steps preceding its public
development James Buchanan was in concert
with them, cognizant of, if not a party to,
their schemes. South Carolina seceded in
December, and on the very day that the news
of her treason reached this city, December 21,
ISGO, I thus spoke of the criminal indifference
of James Buchanan, in the face of this mighty
peril:
“ The Administration of the Government is in
the hands of the enemies of the country! The Pre
sident of the United States has ceased to be the
Chief Magistrate of a free people, and may be
called the chief of those who are seeking to enslave
a free people. He is quoted by the Secessionist®,
if not as their aetive, at least as their quiescent
ally! He refuses to exercise his functions, and to
enforce the laws! He refuses to protect the
public property, and to reinforce the gallant
Anderson at Fort Moultrie! He sends the
Secretary of the Interior to North Caro
lina, with the intention of forcing that loyal
and conservative State into the ranks of the
Disunionists! While sending General Harney
(0 Kansas, with a large military force, to suppress
a petty border insurgent, he folds his arms when
General Scott, and his brave subordinates in South
Carolina, appeal to him for succor! His Attorney
General argues with all his ingenuity against the
power of the Federal Government to enforce the
laws of the country ! His confidants are Disunion
ists! Bis leaders in the Senate, and in the House,
and Disunionists! And while he drives into exile
the oldest statesman in America, simply and only
because he dares to raise his voice in fhvor of the
country, he consults daily with men who publicly
avow, in their seats in Congress, that the Union is
dissolved, and that the laws are standing stfli! I®
it not time, then, for the American people to take
the country in their own hands, and to administer
the Government in their own way ?”
It would be an old story to revive the mon
strous dereliction of President Buchanan in
tho midst of a crisis which he could no more
ignore than if an earthquake had opened the
ground at his feet. The incident I have quo
ted is one more evidence of the fact that he
was aware of the conspiracy gad refused to
arrest it. Nor is it a novelty to say that it was
the intention of Jefferson Davis and his fel
low-conspirators to establish a monarchy in
the South. Permit me to quote a passage
from my letter of December 20,1860, predict
ing this design 1
“ Should the Cotton States go out in a body, we
shall then witness the beginning of an experiment
to establish, on this continent, a great slavehold
ing monarchy, With few exceptions, the leaders
of ihe Disunion cabal are men of the most aristo
cratic pretensions—men who, notwithstanding
what their past political course has been, and their
assumed party relations, easily adopt the habits and
titles of the European. nobility. South Carolina,
which is at the head of Secession, is almost a monar
chy herself. Her representatives in both branebes
of Congress, for years past, have acted upon the
idea that the people of the free States are servile,
and Mr. Hammond, the most candid and straight
forward of the set, denounced the laboring white
masses of the free States as the mudsills of so
ciety. The venerable Andrew P. Batter, who
represented South Carolina in the United States
Senate until his decease, was an aristocrat in every
sense of the word; and it is unnecessary to refer
to Mr. Porcher Miles, of the Charleston dis
trict, Mr. Bonham, Mr. Keitt, General McQueen,
and others who hare served in the lower branch,
to prove that they toe are unconscious imitators of
the counts and dukes of the Old World. The peo
ple of South Carolina never vote for Presidential
electors, that duty being discharged by their Le
gislature, which body also chooses the chief magis
trate of the State, who is a magnate on a large
scale. Their judges go to court in official robes, and
are preceded’by an officer with a drawn sword, and
the mayor of tire populous city of Charleston affects
all the airs and graces of the Lord Mayor of Lon
don. South Carolina, while voting the Democratic
ticket for years past in tho Presidential election,
has done so with a kind of reluctant condescension;
and her public men, from Mr. Calhoun down,
have ignored all the popular movements of the
day. That State is, therefore, the fitting pioneer
of Southern monarchy, and those who follow in
her train in other parts of the South, wilt, if
they speak their honest-sentiments, not deny that
they heartily sympathize with her in the purpose
which she undoubtedly cherishes. What a proces
sion of palatines, and earls, and baronets we shall
have after the organization of this new Govern
ment ! The material is ample. Who that knows
the tastes and opinions of such men as John Slidell,
ex-Governor Manning, James M. Mason, R. H.
Toombs, C. C. Clay, Wigfall, Iverson, Chesnut,
and Hammond, can doubt that they will eagerly
adopt the example which has been set to them by
the Governments of the Old World, and found a
new order of nobility, the basis of which shall bo
the institution of slavery, and the degradation of
the white people of the Southern States ? Should
they succeed in their plan of dividing the Union,
they will be compelled to establish a standing
army. Their Government Will be one of force,
differing trom that salutary public opinion which
has been heretofore the foundation of the American
republic. To maintain a standing army will re
quire onerous and odious taxation, a powerful
Executive, and a subservient and fettered people.
After they have passed through the delicate and
difficult process of constructing their edifice, they
will then be called upon to elect a King. I have
little doubt that by genera] consent this high
honor will be offered to Jefferson Davis, of Missis
sippi. unless, in the meanwliile, his patriotic heart
should revolt from the task which will unques
tionably be set for him, and should act that better
part which has been expected at his hands by the
great body of the American people.
Jefferson Davis, however, was too deeply
involved in crime to retreat, and, shortly after,
he left his seat and commenced the career ho
had marked out for himself. Every subse
quent step has only served to confirm the
prophecy I ventured in the passage above
quoted. The whole conspiracy is animated
by the bitterest hatred of the popular prin
ciple, and if it had not been arrested by the
force of public opinion in the - free States, and
by the irresistible progress of our arms, it
would have culminated not simply in a mo
narchy, hut in a remorseless despotism ? And
where is this miserable effigy of a Govern
ment now ? Bankrupted, broken, and totter
ing to its fall amid the derisions of the civi
lized Wbrld. Jitay 1 not once more quote
from myself to show how thoroughly the an
ticipations I formed, in regard to this crime
against God and man, have been realized by
events ? On the 4th of December, 1860,
“ Occasional ” said;
« The gentlemen who are engaged in the pious
work of attempting to ruin the country, and dis
solve the Union, are beginning to realize that they
have undertaken a somewhat difficult task. Ae
they approach the prose of their enterprise, its
poetry vanishes. It is very easy to draw the plan
of the ludtle, but very arduous to carry it out; £nd
there is a vast difference between the philosopher
who theorises in his study and the artist who toils
to give life end substance to his theory.
“ These men relied upon the belief that the popu
lar affection for the Union had died out. There
had boon so much sneering at Washington and
Jefferson, and the patriots of the Revolution, on
the part of many of our writers, and such a fash
ionable habit of ridiculing the glittering generali
ties of tho Declaration of Independence, that they
imbibed the notion of making an easy conquest of
the Government. They are now daily discovering
that ‘YankeeDoodle,’ ‘Hail Columbia,’ and the
‘Star Spangled Banner’ are substantial things.
Laughed at by superfine logicians, and repudiated
by those rare casuists who think Calhoun the em
bodiment of public virtue, tbe traditions, the asso
ciations, and the victories of the past, are more
deeply enshrined in the national heart to-day than
at any former period of our history. The hand
of God is against these Disunionists. They feel
it, and see it in the indignation of the masses;
in the terrible awakening of the wrath of the
oppressed notions of the earth J in tho rapid
obliteration of all party lines, and the formation of
one great Union covenant—one vast Union army;
in the thunders that roll from the judiciary; from
the pulpit; from the press; from the student’s olo
set and the mechanic's benoh ; from high and low;
from rich and poor. They feel it in the irresistible
strength of the argument against them, and in the
wickedness and weakness of their own. They feel
it in the wretchedness of tho foundation upon
which they vainly hope to build their shameless
Southern Confederacy. It is such considerations
as these that lead mo to indulge the hope, even
n this gloomy hour, that my- country cannot
THE PRESS.—PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1862.
be destroyed. Its enemies mart, henceforth,
grow weaker and weaker, its friends stronger
and more numerous. Here, in the Federal
Capitol, where the peril must be met face
to face, iet us form a central brotherhood,
dedicated to the Union, and invoke the citizens of
every village, and town, and city, to follow our
example. Let us leave Presidential elections and
the distribution of patronage 'to the politicians,
and think only of our threatened country. AU
good men will go with us. There is not an Ameri
can heart that will not beat responsive to our
call; there is not an American pen that will not
bo inspired by our labors. The people wait fer
such a movement. They long for a loud, strong,
thrilling voioe in favor of the Union; find when
they are once awakened to a sense of their coun
try’s danger, they will rise like the tempest in its
wildest fury, and sweep the spoilers of their na
tion’s honor into instant and lasting oblivion.”
FROM WASHINGTON.
General Sigel to be Nominated a
Major General.
THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE TAX BILL.
Special Despatches to “ The Press.’'
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is being rapid*
ly rebuilt) and will soon be in running order.
About forty miles of iron and oross-tieß hare been
carried off by the rebels.
The Death of Gen. Lander.
Gen. Lander received unremitting and affec
tionate attention during the lost hours of his ill
ness. He oontinued unconscious until 5 o’clock P.
M., when he died, quietly aud without pain. He
expired in the arms of Brigade Surgeon Scckley,
bis bed surrounded by the members of his staff and
weeping attendants.
Gen. Shields has left this city to assume the
command of the division lately commanded by the
lamented Gen. Lander.
General Sigel to J»e Nominated as Major
It is understood that Col. F. P. Blair had an
interview with the President to-day, on the subject
of the appointment of Gen. Sioki, as a major gene
ral, the result of which wits the determination of
the President to send the name of Gen. Sigel to the
Senate at once, for confirmation.
Liberia and Hayti.
The newspaper statement that the House Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs have decided to report
against the recognition of Liberia and Hayti is
untrue. The oommittee have taken no notion
whatever on the snbjoct.
It Is expeoted that we will have railroad commu
nication with Martinsburg, Va., within the neat
three or four days.
A strong effort is being made, both in Congress
and out of it, to make Gen. Wool a Major Goheroi.
It is thought that the President will send his name
into the Senate for promotion.
Military Matters.
General Hooker arrived here this morning from
Liverpool Point. General Hunt kit arrived last
night from Missouri. General Shields loaves to
night for the command made vacant by General
Lander.
The remains of General Lander are expected
to arrive here this evening.
The ground is still, covered with snow, with a
drizzling rain falling, making the streets and roads
muddier than ever.
George W. Morgan, of Ohio, to be brigadier
general of volunteers.
From Nashville.
Assistant Postmaster General Kassox received
the following despatch from tjaahvillo, on Satur
day. It shows that the line is in operation from
there here:
“ Nashville. March I.—The United States flag
is floating over the post office here. lam in charge
of the office, and will rotain it until relieved.
George J. Furness, formerly connected with
Furness, Brinlev, & Co., an auctioneer firm in
Philadelphia, and a brother of Rev. William H.
Furness, died this morning, at Willard’B Hotel,
after a short illness of typhoid fever. At the time
of his death he held a clerkship in the Post Office
Department, which has already been filled by the
appointment of Mr. B. F. 'Wilkins.
Mr. Ashby, of Ohio, will make a report to-day,
from the Territorial Committee of the House, in
favor of abolishing the State Governments in re
beldom.
The committee Of conference agreed, this morn
ing, on the bill making the number of cavalry re
giments forty instead of seventy-eight. This bill
abolishes those regiments now located in the dif
ferent States. The bill is a law, the“report having
been adopted. The saving to the Government will
he about $5,000,000. The Senate Post Office: Com
mittee have adopted the House bill allowing
packages other than letters and papers to be car
ried in the mails.
Washington. March B,—The following h ah
abstract of the tax bill, as reported to the House
to-day:
It provides for the appointment, by the Presi
dent, of a Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with
a salary of five thousand dollar!. Hi! office Uto be
in the Treasury Department, with a suitable num
ber of clerks. The country is to be divided, as the
President may direct, into convenient collection
districts, with an assessor and collector to be ap
pointed by the President for each district, who
Bhall have power to appoint such deputies as may
be necessary. The bill provides for a duty—
Oil tpiritueus liquors cents por gallon.
On ale and beer. • SI per barrel.
On slefai Attfl leaf lobaeeo 8 centi per pound.
Do. to add‘when manufactured 5 cents.
On cigars 5,10, and 20 cents per pound.
(according to value.)
On lard and linseed oil, burning fluid and crude coal
oil ..6 cents per gallon.
On refined coal oil 10 cents per gallon.
On gaß per 1,000 cubic teet
On Bank-Note Paper;
On Writing Paper
On Printing Paper.
On Soap
On Salt...
On Solo Leather
On Upper Lealliit. “
On Flour. 10 cents per bid.
All other manufactures, 8 per cent, ad valorem.'
Railroad passengers, 2 mills per mile of travel.
Commutation tickets, 3 per ceDt.
Steamboat travel, 1 mill per mile.
Omnibuses, ferryboats, and liorso railroads, 3 per cent,
on gross from fftflSCßgOM.
Oh advertisements, 5 per cent, on amount of receipts an-
. nually.
For use of carriages, annually, from #1 to #lO, accord
ing to value.
On gold watches.... SI per annum.
On silver watche5.i.........00 cte. “
On gold plate 50 cts. per oatice
On silver plate ....... 3 eta. u
On billiard tables., $2O
On slaughtered cattle. 60 contaeacb.
On hogs 10 “
On sheep <• ® “
On Lieenieg^BaDkers...;i.....ii. i i«nmammlM
Auctioneers 20
Wholesale Dealers
Detail Dealers in Liquors
Retail Dealers in Goods.
Pawnbrokers
Rectifiers *
Brewers. ............
Hotels, Inns, and Taverns (graduated accord*
ing to rental), «•from W to 260
Bating Houses 10
Commercial Brokers,... 60
Other Brokers... 20
Theatres 100
Circuses 60
Bowling Alleys (mb a11ey)....... i... r. n• n 5
WholesalePedlers 00
Other Pedlers... ssto 20
Coal Oil Distillers, Ac 20
On incomes, 3 per cent, on all over $6OO, deducting
the income derived from dividends, &c., which
are taxed separately. *;
On railroad bonds and dividends of banks and saving
institutions..... 3 per cent*
On payment of all salaries of officersJn the civil, mi-
litary and naval service of the V. 8., (including
members of Congress). . .3 per cent.
On legacies and distribution shares of the personal
property of deceased persons, (according to the
degrees of relationship) I®s per cent.
And stamp duties on all kinds of legal and commercial
papers* all patent medicines* telegraphic messages, and
all goods by expresses.
The tax bill contains one hundred and fire sec
tions, and is one of the longest of any kind ever be
fore prepared, months of preparation having been
bestowed upon it
FROM GEN. BANKS' COMMAND.
Charlestown, Va., via Washington, March
3. —From 600 to 1,000 barrels of flour, belonging to
the rebels, have been seized and stored hare..
A woolen mill, owned by Davis, which has been
manufacturing rebel clothing, was also seized, with
a considerable stock of goods.
Richard Washington, a brother of the late John
A. Washington, is now confined at Harper’s Ferry.
Nothing of importance transpired in onr lines
last night or yesterday.
Our national interests in this section appear to
be in prosperous progression.
Louisville, March 3. —Railroad communication
between here and Nashville, (except over the
creek ten miles north of Nashville,) was damaged
by the rising of tho water on Soturday. It will be
repaired te-morroW.
An election was held at Nashville, on Saturday,
for municipal officers. It passed off quietly. The
retiring'mayor issued a proclamation assuring the
citizens that they would reoeive tho protection of
the United States troops if they quietly pursue
their acoustomed avocations.
Several rebel prisoners have been brought to
Nashville, and twenty-five negroes, seized by the
rebels in the vicinity of Bowling Green, haTC been
recovered at Nashville and sent back. General
mail communication is established to Bowling
Green, and for military letters to Nashville, and
Colonel J. J- Miller, the Government mail agent
for Kentucky, is making energetio efforts to ex
tend the mail facilities to every port of Kentucky-
Bosion, March 3.— The rebel Generals Buckner
and Tilghman arrived in this city at 5 o'clock this
afternoon, and wore immediately conveyed to their
quarters S'ort Warren.
Washington, March 3.
General.
Tbe Railroad to Martinsburg.
General Wool.
Confirmation by the Senate.
“A. H. Markland.”
Miscellaneous.
The Tax Bill.
From Nashville
Buckner at Fort Wtftren
THE BURNING OF COLUMBUS.
Hebei Aooount of the Occupation
of Nashville.
THEIR ONLY HOPE IN BEAUREGARD
THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT A QUORUM.
JEFF THOMPSON ON A SECRET EXPEDITION.
THE FORTIFICATIONS AT ISLAND No. 10.
Cairo, March 2.—(Special to the St. Louis
Democrat. ) —A great light was seen in the direction
of Columbus last night* and it ii generally be
lieved that the rebels there have burned every
thing of an inflammable nature.
The Memphis Affinal of the 28th ult. baa the
Mowing;
Occasional.
“ We have information from Nashville up to
noon on Wednesday that General Buell and Com.
Foote bad arrived and occupied that place. The
United States flag was raised over the dome of the
Capitol, and floats there now. But one other
Federal flag was exhibited, and that wae from the
shop of a Yankee jeweller, who had long been sus
pected of disloyalty. The feeling in Nashville is
strong Southern. A deep gloom seemed to oover
the community, and the citizens avoid intercourse
of any kind with the invaders. Two British flagd
have been raisod by property holders, thus evin
cing their intention to claim the protection of that
Government (!)
“ The sick are being removed to Columbus. We
arc pleased to leant that Beauregard is making
preparations to resist the attack, which now seems
so imminent, on Columbus.
“ The reported capture of General Buahrod
Johnson, at Fort Donelson, was incorrect. He ar
rived at Nashville on Saturday, having escaped
from tho bands of ihe enemy.
“Jeff Thompson left his old headquarters the
day before yesterday on a secret expedition. He
will turn up somewhere.
“ Both houses of the Tennessee Legislature met
on the 27th, but adjourned for want of a quorum.”
Concerning Jen Daria’ message, the Appeal
Bays : “He is free to confess the error of his past
policy, and the extent of the disasters which have
followed from it. He thinks war will soon be made
on the advancing columns of the enemy, and that
we will attack, pursue, and destroy, instead of be
ing attacked, pursued, and destroyed. The spade
will be dropped, and the bayonet resumed. Iu
other words, the policy of Fabian Davis will yield
to that of the Napoleonic Boauregard. In view of
these facts we can see a light gleaming through
the dark clouds that at present environ us, which
will burst forth, in iess than sixty days, in a full
resplendent lustre. ’ ’
The rebels are said to be fortifying Island No.
10, thirty-five miles bolow Columbus, to whioh
place they will fall back on the high ground to be
found on the island, which is well adapted for plant
ing batteries to command the river.
Prominent officers of the United States army be
lieve that Columbus was burnt last night.
The Restoration of Commerce in
the Southwest.
IMPORTANT ORDER OF GENERAL HALL EC K-
St. Louis, March 3.—The tollowing important
order was issued this morning:
Department of Missouri, 1
St. Louis, Mareh 3, 1862. j
In order that commerce may follow, with the post
officii, close upon the advance southward of tho
armies of the Union, the following regulations are
established for the present conduct of restored in
tercourse between the loyal section of the Depart
ment of Missouri and the country on the Tennessee
and Cumberland rivers.
First. Steamboats and other Western craft run
ning iu trade and travel on these rivers to or from
the port of St. Louis, or within any other port
within this department, must, in addition to the
customary registration and enrollment required by
the revenue laws of the United States, take out a
special license for their renewed intercourse, which
is now provided In the regulations established in
January last for the trade and transportation of the
Mississippi river.
' Second. Such license must be issued to tho su
perintendent of transportation in the city of St.
Louis, but can be applied for to any surveyor of
customs within the department, whose certificate
that all the requisite conditions have been complied
with by the applicants must accompany the appli
cation when forwarded to the superintendent. And
the aforesaid boats engaging in trade and trans
portation under suoh license are, of course, subject
to the revenue laws of the United States, and must
comply faithfully with the regulations) and instruc
tions of the Treasury Department now in force, or
which may hereafter be adopted, for the control of
the commercial and personal intercourse of those
sections.
With the view to render uniform the customs
now in a measure governing the trade and travel of
the interior, and to subserve the ends of order and
•law, it is further enacted—
First, That the permit system—made necessary
by the persistent efforts of persons in the loyal
States with those engaged in the rebellion, and by
pedlers and corrupt trafficers many of whom
come from disloyal States and sections expressly
for this purpose, to send goods, medicines, and other
supplies through to the insurrectionists—shall be
enforced on the Tennessee and Cumberland, as it
is on the Ohio and Mississippi.
Second. That the examination and sealing of ihe
baggage of travellers, introduced mainly by reason
of the frequent and illegal conveyance of packages
of letters to and 1 from the North and South, after
the rebellion had destroyed the postal facilities of
these sections, he extended by the custom-house
officers so as to embrace travel on the Tennessee and
Cumberland rivers. •
Third. That water crafts, railroad cars, and all
ordinary wheeled vehicles, be, until otherwise' or
dered, prohibited from carrying into the oountry
on the Tennessee and Cumberland baggage not
sealed, and merchandise not covered by custom
house.permite, or shipped by military authority.
These orders are issued only as a measure of
safety to guard against illegal or improper inter
course ana exchanges of commodities, and not in
tended to impose additional expenses or burdens
of anything upon trade, or impede in any manner
the freedom of legitimate and proper transporta
tion or travel. Consequently,
First. No charge shall be made by the superin
tendent of transportation for the license required
to be taken out for the time being.
Second. Blank forms will be supplied to the
several surveyors of customs within the depart
ment for their use, without cost to the parties
making applications for license.
Third. The surveyors aforesaid will use liberally,
though cautiously, the discretion with which they
are entrusted in the issue of permits to cover
goods, wares, and merchandise going forward for
commerce or family supply.
Surveyors, and other officers of the customs, if
resisted in the proper discharge of their dnties,
will call for aid upon tne commander of the nearest
military post or encampments; and at places
where there are no custom-house officers or
agents, such commanders are authorized and
required to exercise all necessary precautions
to prevent the transmission of letters and
other mail matter by any other than the regularly
established post office channels and agencies, or the
transportation of merchandise or supplies of any
description not covered by custom-house permits
or going under the sanction of the military authori
ties. By order of Major General Halleck .
N. M. NcLean, Adjutant General.
cents.
... b cents per lb.
2 ** (|
... 3mills “
... 5 « <«
... 4 c. per 100 lbs.
... 1 cent, per lb.
When not engaged in drilling or on duty, the
soldiers in the army of tho Potomac amuse them
selves in a variety of ways.' The spare hours in
camp, especially during the inclement weather,
have been to a great extent profitably employed
by most of the men in reading, writing letters to
their families and friends, and discussing the ab
sorbing topic of the times. Many hours, also, have
been whiled away in telling and in listening to
stories or “yarns” around tho cheerful camp-fires.
The bands belonging to the different regiments
have proved a perpetual source of pleasure to our
troops.
...... 100
A correspondent of the New York Herald,, speak
ing on this subject, says theatrical performances
have been gotten up in camp, and have met with
much success. In tno Fairfax Seminary building,
the former mess-room of the students has been used,
by some of_the enterprising persons in General
Kearney’s brigade, for theatrical representations.
But in General Heintzelman's division, the regi
ments composing the brigade recently commanded
by General Sedgwick, now by GeneraUßirney, have
erected an extensive structure, which is fitted up in
most respects like a well-appointed theatre.
KCaptain Gavitt, of the Thirty-eighth New York
Regiment, took the initiative m the matter. At a
meeting of the officers in the brigade, about the
middle - of last December, the suggestion to have
erected a spacious building on Colonel Ward’s
camp ground, to be used alternately for lectures,
balls, and theatrical representations, was imme
diately approved. Fundß were raised, and so was
the building. It is one hundred feet long, sixty
feet wide, and thirty-eight feet high. It has an
extensive gallery. The stage is twenty-eight feet
deep.
Besides this main structure, there are side build
ings one hundred feet longhand fifteen feet wide.
These are intended for the transaction of business,
and for supper f coni? when balls are given. Detach
ments from the regiments in the brigade have
erected this theatre. It is built of large logs to the
height of twelve feet, the upper portion being of
frame, and substantially put together. It cost
nearly four thousand dollars. A considerable por
tion of that amount waa expended for lumber. The
building is lighted by one of Kitchen's gas appa
ratus, purchased in New York, and valued fit over
a thousand dollars. The gas is
the premises, and costs the merest trifle. Including
the ..centre chandelier, ride lights, and footlights,
there are, in all, about one hundred and forty burn
ers. The inner walls are covered with canvas.
* Colonel Ward, and ? nrost of the officers and men
in the brigade, have taken considerable interest itt
the enterprise. An association, called the Lyceum
Association, has been formed, with the colonel as
president. The theatre was recently opened, on
which occasion every part of the house was crowd
ed. The prices of admission are fifty cents to the
dress circle and twenty-five to the Parquet. The
dress circle is patronized by the officers, and the
parquet by the privates. There are a number of
ladies in the division, who generally attend the
performances. It is expected that the receipts will
soon cover the expenses of the building, and that
whatever profits may accrue will be placed in a
fund for the relief ef the families of the soldiers.
There are a number of actors in the brigade,
who take prominent characters, tho inferior cha
racters being played by amateurs. On Thursday
night Miss Susan Damn commenced a brief en
gagement. in tho play of the “ Eddystone Light
house,” assisted by Mr. Rogers, who performed the
part of the low comedian. Captain Wm. Morgan,
of the Third Maine. Regiment, sustained the cha
racter of the Elf with credit. The Stevens
brothers, of the Fortieth New York, or Mozart
Regiment, played well in ‘‘Box and Cox,” the
afterpiece.
If the present managers do not devote the build
ing too exclusively to theatrical performances, nor
call in the aid of nigger minstrels of the “ baser
sort,” as at the commencement, the enterprise oan
be made the means Of healthful amusement to the
men, and consequently quite successful. It is
certainly astonishing to see such an elegant and
commodious structure “in camp.” On Sundays
it is used for religious service. After the army
moves for irnrd it will be valuable either as a store
house or a hospital.
Army Theatricals.
mm CONGRESS-FUM SB.
WAMtmTOITi Mnrcli 3,1933,
SENATE.
TH* HOMKST BILL. *
The homestead bill wes rp.<i T 4 the House.
BENATOB 3-Boiif iwDIAHA.
Mr. LAKE (Rop.), of Indiana, preientod the creden
tials of Hon. Joseph A. Wright, who has been appointed
Senator from Indiana in place of Bright, expelled.
Mr. Wright appeared and took the oath of office.
PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. WILMOT (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, presented se-
Tfial t"T tire viimnvlpHtivH vf tire tlarvs,
Als@, a resolution iTom the Legislature of Pennsylva*
nta relative to the defences of the Delaware river and
bay. Befcgffj
Mr. WIMtiNSON (Rep.), of Minnesota,presented a
petition fibm eftisens of New York, asking Congress to
reduce the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and Fio
i hta jp|o |he condition of Territories.
Mr. IiARRIS (Rep. J, of Row York, presented peti
tiouß, one of which is signed by all the State officers of
New York, asking that the rank of major general be
conferred on General Wool.
THE OATH OK ALLEGIANCE
Mr; CHANDLER (Bop. ft of Michigan* from the Com*
mittee on Conimerco, reported the bill requiring the oath
of allegiance (o be taken by the captains of vessels sailing
to foreign ports, which was taken np and passed.
„ ENLISTMENTS IN THE REGULAR ARMY.
Mr. WILSON (Rep.), ot Massachusetts, from the
Military Committee* reported a bill to encourage enlist?
ments in the regular army, with an amendment concern
ing staff officers. The amendment was agreed to.
s Mr. GRIMES (Rep.), of lowa,moved to amend so as
to repeal the act authorising the appoiutinent of addi
tional aids. The MU was then laid aside
ORGANIZATION OK THE CAYALRT*
Mr. FESSENDEN (Bop.), of Maine,male a report
from the committee of conference on the bill for the
better organization of the cavalry. (The roport pro
vides for forty regiments of cavalry; also, that the offi
cers discharged under the provisions of the bill shallre
iw9
Mr. WILKINSON (Rep ), of Minnesota, moved to
strike out the provision allowing the officers two months’
extra pay.
Mr. KING (Rep.), of New York, moved to amend so
as to make it one month’s pay to both privates and offi
cers.
Mr. NESMITH (D«m.), of Oregon, thought 11 best to
reduce the cavalry force as much as possible. They
were a most useless branch of the service. A large num
ber of them were armed with sticks, with a red rug stu«k
in the end.
The bill was laid aside. .
BTAFES OF DIVISIONS.
The bill for the organization of the stalls of divisions
was taken up and passed.
APPOINTMENT OF OTHER STAFF OFFICERS.
Mr. WADE (Hop.), of Ohio r offerod a joint resolution
authorizing the President to appoint as many assistant
adjutant generals and other officers of staff as in his
judgment the service may require. Adopted.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE SECRETARY OF
WAR.
A communication was received from the Secretary of
War, transmitting the orders and information relative to
the command in. &c. Also, a communication
transmitting the aggregate numbor of volunteers from
each State; also, the expenses of that department.
THE CONFISCATION BILL.
Mr. McDOUGALL (Dem.), of California, proceeded to
Bpeak at length on the confiscation bill. He referred to
the condition of the country, and claimed that all desired
the return of peace • but peace could not be obtained by,
subjugation, or by the principles set forth in this bill.
Such principles would only perpetuate the relentless war
which mu6t result in extirpation before we could have
peace. He referred to the counsels of clemency to ene
mies given by ancient Grecian and Roman statesmen,
and also quoted from modern authors on interna
tional law—Vatteft 'Gvotlus, and olliova—in favor
of clemency, and against the destruction of private
property. He claimed that the policy of this Govern
ment, as w ell as the counsels of the greatest and best
mon of the country, were opposed to confiscation. He
referred to the inaugural of the President, and the in
structions of the Secretary of State, as in favor of cle
mency. Ho Bald tliii bill was in violation of all inter*
national law, and noauch act was ever passed by a civi
lized nation. The general usage of civilized war was
not to touch private property or land, and such was the
usage of this Government in the Mexican war; and
he contended that the people of this country had as
much right to the privileges allowed in war as those of
any other country He contended further, that tho bill
was unconstitutional, as it was a bill of attainder, aud
Buch a bill of attainder as is without a parallel in his
tory—operating on a whole class of people, and not
against a few individuals, as cases of attainder in
England act. It was a bill to seud agents of tho
Government to seize the property of a million of peo
ple without proceeding before any court. Nothing
was so disastrous to a country as to organize an army of
informers to scour the country and pry out property to
seize on. Such n policy as this would never cure the
evil. It would only make a large body of desperate
men. Every true man who had ever tested freedom
would rather die than submit to such degradation. He
could not contemplate the result of freeing the vast popu.
lation of slaves at the South, and turning them loose on
the country, without fear.
Without concluding, Mr. McDougall gave way for the
purpose of allowing the Senate to go into executive
session.
The Senate subsequently adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF
VIRGINIA.
Mr. DAWES (Rep.), of Massachusetts, from the Com
mittee on Elections, mode a report on the petition of S.
Ferguson Reach, asking to be admitted to a seat as a
representative from the Seventh Congressional district
of Virginia. The committee offered a resolution, de
claring that Mr. Beach is not entitled to a seat. The
subject was laid over for futuro consideration.
THE TAX BILL.
Mr. STEVENS (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, from the
Committee of Ways and Means, reported a bill pro
viding an internal revenue for the support of the Go
vernment and to pay off the interest on the public debt.
[This is the tax bill which is published in another
column ] The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, and made the special
order for next Wednesday week. Ten thousand addi
tional copies were ordered to bo printed for the use of
members.
Mr. STEVENS said that, as considerable Impatience
has been expressed by the public at the delay in report
ing the bill, he desired to say that the Committee of
Ways and Means did not obtain possession of the esti
mates and facts to enable them to judge how much reve
nue was necessary, npdl in Jan-nary. The
committee then had before them the appropriation bills,
which were all passed ten days ago, being earlier than
is usual inj the session. The committee were also en
gaged for some time on the currency question, including
the treasury* note bill. The tax subject was referred to
a sub-committee, who worked as assiduously as possible
during even* hour that they were not engaged in the
House. Ha believed Iht-y Lad worked more Lotirs eVery
day since tint time, than any laborer, mechanic, or
manufacturer, in tho United States.
When the sub* committee completed their labors the
entire Committee of Ways and Means had to go over the
bill carefully, article by article, item by item, until they
bad adopted U aa their unanimous report. He did not
ask any commendation lor the committee, but desired
that when the subject came to be considered and re
viewed a benevolent indulgence would be extended to
them- He desired the extra copies of the bill ordered to
be printed, to be distributed for the consideration of the
people who ore to sustain the burdens, and that Congress
may have the benefit of their suggestions.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
Mr. SEDGWICK (top.), of New York, offered a reso
lution, which was adopted, requesting the President, if it
be not inconsistent with the public interests, to transmit
to Congress copies of correspondence, or other informa
tion, relative to tho present condition of Mexico, and the
alleged design of the Allied Powers in invading Mexico
to establish a monarchy.
OBJECT OF THE WAB.
Mr. HOLMAN (Dem.), of Indiana, offered a resolu
tion declaring that, in the judgment of this House, the
unfortunate civil war into which tho Government of the
United States has been forced hr the treasonable at*
tempt of Southern Secessionists to destroy the Union
should not be prosecuted for any other purpose than the
restoration of the authority of the Constitution and wel
fare of the whole people of the United States, who are
permanently involved in the preservation of our present
form of government without modification or change.
Mr. LOYEJOY (Rep.), of Illinois, moved to lay the
resolution on the table. Carried—yeas 60, nays 68.
YEAS.
Cravenß (Deni ),
Cutler (Rep-),
Davis (Rep.),
Delano (Rep.),
Duull tuep ),
Ely (Rep.),
Fessenden (Rep.),
Frauchot (ltcp.),
Frank (Rep.),
Hooper (Rep.),
Hutchins (Rep.),
Kellogg (R)Mioht
Lansing (Rep.),
Loomis (Rep.),
Lovejoy (Rep.),
McKnight (Rep.),
McPherson (Rep.)
Mitchell (Rep.),
Moorhead (Rep.),
Morrill (Rep.)Me.
Aldrich (Rep.),
Alley (Rep.),
Arnold (Rep ),
Ashley (Rep.),
Babbitt (Rap.),
Baker (Rep.),
Baxter (Bep.),
Beaman (Rep.),
Bingham (Rep.),
Blair (Rep.), fa.,
Blake (Rep.),
Bufllutou (top.),
Burnham (Rep.),
Campbell (Rep.),
Chamberlain (R),
Clark (Rep),
Colfax (Bep ),
ConkliugtFredi A>
(Rep.),
Conkling,R.(Rep.)
Conway (Rep.), |
NAYS.
Harrison (Union),
Holman ft>em.),
Horten (Rep.),
Johnson (Dem.),
Kellogg (R.), 111.,
Knapp (Rep.),
Law (Dem.),
Lazear (Dem.),
Leary (Union),
Mallory (U»),
Maynard (U.),
Monzies (U.),
Nixon (Kep.),
Noble (Dem.),
Noell (Dem.),
Norton (Dem.),
Nugen (Dem.),
Odell (DemJ,
Pendleton (Dem.),
Bailey (Dem.),Pa.
Biddle (Bern.).
Biair (V.)j Va.j
Browne {!'.), B I
Brown (TJ.), Va.,
Calvert (B.),
Clemente (V.)«
Cobb (Bern.),
Coming (Bern.)
Cox (DemOj
Crißfleld (U.),
Crittenden (U.)
Biven (Rep.),
Dunlap (U.),
Bunn (Rep.),
Goodwin (Rep.),
Granger (Rep.),
Bale (Rep.),
Hall(U.),
Harding (U.)«
WASHINGTON AND GEORGETOWN STREET
RAILWAY COMPANY.
The House then passed a substitute for the Senate bill
incorporating the Washington and Georgetown Street
Railway Company.
CLAIMS UPON DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST.
The Houso passed the Senate’s joiut- resolution provid
ing for the paymeut of the awards of the commission for
claims growing out of the military movements in the De
partment of the Weßt.
UNEXECUTED orders for arms.
Mr. ItOSCOE CONKLING (Rep.). of Now York, of
fered a resolution, which he said he wanted to debate, re
questing the Secretary of Wnr to suspend all unexecuted
orders for arms to companios, manufacturers, or individ
uals until the further action of Congress, or until they
shall be either suspended or annulled by its authority.
The resolution, at Mr. Conkling’s request, was laid
OTCr * HOME FOB DISABLED SOLDIERS.
On motion of Mr. DUNN (Rep.), of Indiana, the Com
mittee on Military Affairs were instructed to inquire into
and report on the establishment at Madison, Indiana, of
a home for disabled soldiers.
THE NATIONAL LOAN.
Ob motion of Mr. PENDLETON (Dein.), of Ohio, it
was resolved that the Secretary of the Treasury be di
rected to communicate to the House the amount of the
subscriptions to the National Loan authorized by the act
of the 17th of July, 1861, the amount of money paid on
such subscriptions, and the purposes to which they have
been appropriated.
MEXICO.
Mr.YALLANDIGHAM (Pem ),of Ohio, offered the
following, which, at his own request, was laid over for
the purpose of debate: , , 41 .
Resolved* That the President of the United States be
requested to inform the House, if not incompatible with
the public interests, whether any offer has been mads by
the Executive to the Allied Powers of Europe, or any of
them, to assume the public debt of Mexico, or any part
thereof; also, whether any offer has been made by the
Executive to Great Britain, or any other foreign Power,
of thefreenavigatiouof the Mississippi, limited or unli
mited; and if so, in either cane, to communicate the
terms to the House. . _
THE CONFISCATION BXW*r
Mr. ALDRICH (Rep ), of Minnesota, offered a reso
lution directing the Committee on the Judiciary to re
port back the bill for the confiscation of all Property ot
rebels, and their aiders and abettors, and lor the libera
tion of their slaves, and enjoining on all military com
manders the seizure of all the enemy a property mauo
Bill.!™* to capture by tllC Sftlll bill-
Mr. YALLAKDIGHAM proposing to dobate the reso
lution, It lies over.
MILITARY TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT.
Mr. ALDRICH elao offered a resolution instructing
the Judiciary Committee to report backlhe bill subjecting
certain persons to military trial and punishment. It lies
oyer lor a Bitullar reason.
MARI TIME RIGHTS.
Mr COX (Dein.), of Ohio, introduced the following
joint resolution in relation to maritime rights:
J IVJiersas, International law cannot aenuire any con
siderable extension except by the collective work of the
nations, either am-mibled in CongriMs or by the com
bined nosotiation of the Principal rations;
atml whereas* The events connected with the Tnnt
n n'uir have given rise tojlie discussion of maritime rights
l y the niincipel l’owers of the world, all interested m
their autboi it olive settlement, anil in that discussion the
friendly offices of the Emperor of Franco were tendered
to iis, for tin* purpose of adjusting till? question involved
on a dear and liberal basis, ( looklng to the amelioration of
the rights of nentrals upon the sea:
Therefore, be it resolved, by the Senate and Rouse
of Representatives of the United States, in Congress
assembled—
First. That the National Legislature acknowledges the
friendly Intentions and enlightened views of the Emperor
of the French in the said interposition.
Second T».»t it favors the most liberal propositions
with respect to maritime rights, and tho abolition of such
usages as restrict the liberty of neutrals and multiply the
causes of diHuenriehti la tho wmU, believing that hu
manity and justice demand that the calamities incident to
war should be strictly limited to the belligerents them
selves, and to those who volunturily take part with thorn;
but tbat neutrals abstaining in good faith from such
complicity onght to be left to pursue their ordinary trade
with either belligerent.
Third. Thai thu prcuiit tiaia |y pp&pltloufi for IL& re
sumption of negotiations to secure these objects, and
especially for the concurrence of the nations In the
benignant articles of the declaration of the Congress of
Paris of the 16th of April, 1850, with the amendment
proposed by Mr. Marcy, viz
Ist. Privateering Is and remains abolished, provided
that tho private property of tha subjects or cltiuons of a
belligerent on the high seas shall bu exempted from
seizure by the piibiie armed vessels of the other bellige
rent, except it bo contraband.
2d. The neutral flag covers an enemy’s goods, with
tho exception of contraband of war.
3d. Neutral goods* with, the oxception of contraband
of war, arc not liable to capture under the enemy’* Hug.
4th. Blockades, in order to be binding, must be effec
tive.
Fourth. That the people of the United States enter
tain the hope that the great maritime Powen of France
and England, relinquishing their present objections
growing out of their ill-advised recognition of our insur
gent States as belligerents, will consent to the proposi
tions of the Paris Conference, as the United States have
so constantly invited, and ns Mr. Marcy proposed to tho
Government of France on the 26th day of July, 1856,
with Btioli a liberal expansion of them that the private
property, not contraband, of citizens and subjects of na
tions in collision, shall bo exempted from confiscation
equally in warfare waged on the land and in warfare
waged on tho seas, which are the common highways of
the nations.
Fifth- That tho offorte of the late Secretory Mftisy
and tho present Secretary of Stato to liavo those maxims
engrafted as fixed principles of international law*, wore
eminently wise and just, sanciicned by onr traditionary
policy, and conducive to tho welfare of the Republic and
to the highest interests of peace and civilization.
Sixth. That for the accomplishment of this result it
would bo botn oourteoua anti wine for our Government to
consider the propori&i of the eminent publicist of France,
M. Hautefeuillc,. for a Congress of the Maritime Powers
which, by uniting in one body tho scattered forces of all
neutrals, may secure to each the respect and security
which they cannot obtain while remaining isolated, anti
that thus they may he enabled to maintain as a lasting
element of tho law. of nations that maritime squUibrlufn
so long sought by the United States of America, and so
important to the freedom of commerce and the repose of
the world.
On motion of Mr. COX (Dem.), the resolutions were or
dered to be printed.
The House passed the Senate joint resplutfqi) declarator/
of the Intention of the act of July, indemnifying the loyal
States for the expenses incurred by them in raising
troops, so as not only to apply to debts contracted before,
bnt since the passage of the act.
TREATY WITH INDIANS.
Mr. WATTS, delegate from New Mexico, introduced
a bill which Trag referred, authorizing the making of
treaties with tho Apaches, Navajoea, and Utahs in that
Territory.
FACILITATION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.
Mr. THOMAS (Rep.), of Massachusetts, called up tho
bill to facilitate judicial proceedings in adjudications on
c»ptorcU rrwrty, #nd for the better administration of
the law of prizes. The bill wbb passed.
The House then adjourned.
Note.—ln our report of the debate on Friday last,
upon the organization of engineer volunteers, mention
was erroneously made of Mr. Wilson, of Indiana. The
report should have read Mr. Wilson, of lowa.
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
Habrisbdro? March 3,1863.
The'Senate assembled at seven o'clock F. M., and
were colled to order by tho Speaker*
Mr. CONNELL presented a remonstrance against the
passage of the supplement to the charter of the North
Philadelphia Flank Road 'Company.
Mr. PENNEY read a supplement to the lien law rela
tive to churches*
Mr. HIESTAND, & bill to extend the charter of the
Columbia Bank.
BILLS CONSIDERED.
The bill relating to gas companies was taken up, but,
after some discussion, was postponed.
Tie bill reorganizing tbe Board of Controllers of the
Public Schools of Philadelphia woe reported with an
amendment, and passed to a third roading.
A supplement to the charter of tbe McCauley Moun
tain Railroad Company was considered aud passed.
Tbe Senate then adjourned
The Hours was called to order at three o’clock by the
Speaker.
PETITIONS AND REMONSTRANCES.
Messrs WEIDNER, TATE, aud POTTEIGER, pre
sented petitions from citizens of Philadelphia praying for
the passage of a law to secure to farmers certain rights in
the markets of Philadelphia.
Messrs. JOSEPHS, MOORE, COCHRAN. DENNIS,
GREENRANK, WILDEY, ABBOT, and McMANUS,
presented remonstrances against the passage of the sup
plement to the charter of the North Philadelphia Plank
Road Company.
Messrs. Hoover, Quigley, Greenback, Hess, and
Rowland presented petitions relative to the rights of
fanners in,the markets of Philadelphia.
Messrs. Hopkins, Wilder, and Abbot* remonstrances
against the passage of the act to incorporate the Phila
delphia and Frankford Railway Company.
Mr. DUFFIELD presented a petition, signed by three
hundred citizens and business men of tbe Twenty-third
and Twenty-fifth wards, asking for the passage of tbe act
to Incorporate the Frankford and Philadelphia Passenger
Railway Company.
Alto, remonstrances from the Board of School Direc
tors In the Twenty-third aud Twenty-fifth wards, against
any change in the manner of electing the members of the
Botrd of Controllers of the Public Schools in Philadel
phia.
Mr. McCOY reported, with amendments, an act incor
porating the Frankford and Philadelphia Passenger Rail
wa> Company.
Mr. DOUGHERTY read a bill authorizing certain
railroad companies to locate their roads in certain cases.
Mr, * HU the sale of in
toxicating liquors.
Mr. COCHRAN, a further supplement to the act in
corporating the North Philadelphia Flank Rood Com
pany.
Mr. JOSEPHB, a bill to prohibit the running of loco
motives through the city of Philadelphia by the Philadel
phia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Company.
Aie-o, a bill for the extension of Fifteenth street.
Mr. TATE, a bill to repeal certain parte of the revised
penal code.
Mr. LICHTENWALLNER, a bill to prohibit the irre
gular practice of suigery.
Mr. DENNIS presented a petition from officers of cer
tain military organizations, of the First Division Penn
sylvania Militia, asking that money expended by them
for accoutrements be refunded by the State.
Tbe House then adjourned.
Arrival of the Steamer Borussia.
New York, March 3. —The steamer Borussia
arrived at this port this nMJrateg, Her ady ices have
been anticipated,
Dental Surgery.— On last Friday Dr. J. L.
Suesserott, Professor of Principles of Dental Sur
gery and Therapeutics) in the Pennsylvania College
of Dental Surgery, in Philadelphia, delivered a
very able valedictory address to the graduating
class, and, at their request, has allowed it to be
published. Accordingly, it appears in pamphlet
form, with the imprint of Lippincott & Co., as pub
lishers. In the medico-dental seienee Philadel
phia takes the lead, not only in this country, but
everywhere, and the college of which Professor
Suesserott is an ornament, because an accomplished,
skilful, and proficient teacher of the art, has ob
tained, as it deserves, the highest reputation. His
valedictory, avoiding the too-common fault of wrap
ping up a few ideas in a crowd of high-sounding
sentences, gave excellent advice to the graduating
class, each member of which will do well to keep
the document at hand, and frequently peruse it.
The graduates of 1861-62 are nineteen in all—
from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Ver
mont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut,
New Jersey, Louisiana, South America, Germany,
and England. she annual session for 18G2-'63 will
commence on the Ist of November, and end on the
Ist of next March.
Morrill (Rep.),Vt.
Patton (Rep.),
Pike (Rep.),
Pomeroy (Rep.),
Rice (Rep.), Me.,
Riddle (Rep.),
Sargeaot (Rep.),
Sedgwick (Rep.),
Shanks (Rep ),
Stevens f Rep.),
Trowbridge (R.),
Van Wyok(Kop.)t
Verree (Rep.),
Wallace (Rep.),
Walton (R.), Me.,
Wheeler (Rep.),
White (R.), Ind.»
Wilson (Bcp.),
windoin (Rep.),
W orcester (Rep.)
frOB ADDITIONAL CITY NEWS, SEE FOURTH PASE.J
Perry (Dem.),
Richardson (D.),
Robinson (Bern.),
Rollins (U.), Mo.,
Sheffield (U.),
Shellabarger (B.),
Smith (Dem ),
Steele (D.), N.Y.,
Stratton (Rep.),
Thomra (Rt)Masfl.
Thomas (U.), Md.
Trimble (Rep.),
Vibbard (Dem.),
Wadsworth (U.),
Webster (U.,)
Whaley (Union),
WicMifFe (U,),
Woodruff (Demi),
Wright (U.)
MEETINGS LAST NIGHT.
Meeting in Behalf of the Contrabands, at
Last evening National Hall, Thirteenth and Market
streets, was comfortably filled with a highly respectable
audience* among whom were a number .of wlorft! P?F
iods, a meeting having been called for the purpose of
considering means for bettering the condition of the free
blacks in Virginia and South Carolina; and also for the
purposo of suggesting means for their permanent employ
ment.
The flight* Apt* Bjglwp potter waß called upon to pre.
side. On taking the chair, he Bald the ohjeel of the meet
ing was to bring before them the claims of one of the
most needy classes of our people. Within the lines o
our military forces in North Carolina aud Georgia are
between ten and twenty thousand men, women, and
children* who have been relieved for the time being, hut
are In danger of demoralization.
Owing to the consumption of the corn on the p'anta
tions by our troop 3, many of them are threatened with
starvation. They are in need, also, of instruction, and
of means of earning their own subsistence. Thotirae
for raising the cotton crop is now at hand, and we have
an opportunity of showing that free African labor can
take charge of our fields. He did not deßire to pledge
himself to any crude propositions in regard to emanci
pation. That remains in the hands of Providence. If
we are content to leave it, there we will at last, I trust, be
shown the proper solution of this problem
The Buy. Dr. Howe was then called upon for prayer.
Hebcpeeched Almighty God to look down on this land
in the day ont¥ adversity, »ud to Imp&rtto all 6iip pw
ple a cheerful submission to- this day of trial. Look
down with favor, 0 Lord, upon the proceedings ol this
meeting : instruct tlioso who are to instruct us, and
grant to those whom Thou haßt appointed to he our
rulers that wisdom which comes from above. Make ua
all patient to await the development of Thy purposes;
let us not be impatient, but may we Wflit find cheerfully
submitto all Thy righteous pleasure, and In the cud
everything will bo made conducive to the progress of Uni
land. Hear us m our prayers, and grant us that which
Tbou Beest we need, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
A Rev. Dr. Tyng, of New York, was then introduced.
He thought the presiding officer had well characterized
the object of the meeting. We come to fpeak of the con
dition mid plead the Cftuad of from hftppn to twenty
thousand freed men of South Carolina. tAppJause.] Wo
come to represent a claBS of persons °V r
sympathy as much as any class on the faco of the earth.
We do not come here to spoak of emancipation. We
would not enter into tho question whother the present
war should be for the extirpation of slavery. The ques
tion before us was not in reference to & Mill bf
to be freed. Thank God, we take the hands of freed
men to-night! [Applause.] Our armies have taken pos
session of over 200]plaulatious in South Carolina. This
avowed property, as it was called, la property no more*
No more a pock ol corn per week for men who wore
giving their very hearts 1 blood towards tho ftccumu*
lation of wealth for others. They are now, however, still
more in want. They he before you for your considera
tion to-niglit. He wasbold to say that at this moment
there was actual starvation among certain families of
them they were not only poor, but deeply dependent
and needy. Their little stock of food was gone, and ail
the clothing. A portion of them had been ih&pltvsd by
the military on certain works, but this, number would not
txcecd 1,000 or 1,200. The residue are scattered about,
sutlering severely. They have uo> tuonoy ta purchase
the necessaries of life and nothing growing iu the soil,
and before many weeks go by they will be actually starv
ing. There never was a more- sympathetic case They
are cryiug for relief— thoir very instincts seem to cast
them on our care. See how these poor creatures met
our fleets as they sailed up their rivers, with tlwir bun
dles on thuir shoulders, and hailing the Star Spangled
Danner [applause] wlucU«otherß had cast down. They
had no tears of the displeasure of their masters, and in
ik-fiuuce of all the threats that they were to be caught
by the Yankees aud sold as slaves to Cuba, these men
threw themselves !»to th* arms of our soldleru and
claimed that protection which we are bound
to give them. They have special aud peculiar
claims ui*ou ue—tbej have confidence in us. Their
pSBt sufferings and bondage deserve our. care. They
are not hostile captives taken in war—they are the chii-
SENATE.
BILLS PRESENTED.
HOUSE,
BILLS INTRODUCED.
THE CITY.
National Hall.
dren of innocent weakness. They are to be oar sal
vation or our doom. What account have these Govern
ment agents given of their character J Says Mr. Pierce:
«1 have travelled np and down among them daily, &n 1
never heard a pro'ane word from one." The report of
Mr. Pierce Is most ftffiMtto. He WAS with them If tlldif
religious meetings. Their lovo of music we all know,
and their interest In beautiful songs. Be could never
forget tbe plaintive sound of tM negroes, ringing thuir
hymns beneath the trees, when he was South, years ago.
His solemn faith was that we wore entering on a periol
whan we should give to those poor creatures their proper
position. If the South had brought thrill ffdttt lftetildb
ism, as they claimed, the North has a higher honor con
ferred upon them—bringing them to freedom. We can
not get rid of the connection in which we are linked
with them. Their susceptibility of improvement has
been well demonstrated. Mr. Pierco speaks of their great
willingness to labor* and of their Industry and energy
when properly instructed. The speaker felt it was a so
lemn conviction of duty for him to agitate tills subject.
He would now set before them means of relief. First of
nil was needed bread and meat and clothing, which an*
indispensable at this moment—they ore to be educated—
they are tube set up as a race upon the basin of their own
abilities and attainments They need olotliing at once,
and are Buffering for medical aid*
The speaker read a number of the reports receutly
mode by Government Agents on the condition of the con
trabands, and suggestions as io how their condition might
be bettered. Unless some means are suggested by which
they can unpport themwhrffli they are liable to become a
burden on the Government, He alluded to the assoria.
tion recently established in New York for tbe relief and
Improvement of tbe freed blacks, and or tbe plans sug
gested for their support and advancement. Auxiliary
committees are asked for in other cities who will work in
harmony with the New York committee. Secretary
Chase has most highly approved of the association and
its plftnß. Parties have already sailed for Fort Royal
with about forty mate and female teacliers and superin
tendents, under the auspices of the association. Go
vernment has engaged to do all it can. We'caanot do a
greater evil than to enter on this duty supposing that
this iH a claes of persons who will always be on our
hands. It, at this day, the Government would trust
their fidelity, they would themselves sweep the rebellion
from the land. [Loud applause.] For a while, and for
tlie present, we have everything to do. May every heart
|>e opejij nnd every hand be liberntj until pur great task
is fiuUhfd. The speaker closed amid groat appianrte.
Professor Lindsay next addressed tlio meeting. He
had been recently at Port Royal, and ho could state that
he was an eye-witnußS to all that had been narrated by
the previous speaker. He bad accompanied his friend
Mr. Fruuch to South Carolina, and had a fair opportu
nity nf eoeltfi these poor people. When they landed at
Beaufort ho visited a number of deserted houses, in one
of which the old family portraits were still left banging,
lie saw a troop of Massachusetts horsemen ride through
one of their most uristocrutio streets, which reminded
him of the time when, a few years .since, a person from
thiß very State had 1 been ignomtoiously driven aIT Lo
calise he came In behalf of those whose skins wb'p a
little darker than his own. At that time the mayor of
tbe city was not able to protect him. Yet the sight of
the present state of affairs, with a remembrance of tho
past* made the speaker feel sad.
He visited the school of Dr. Peck, which had been es
tablished in spite of the local laws of South Carolina. He
has from 00 to 70 pupils* and they are taught by colored
teachers. Dr. Peck told the pupils it was necessary tliat
they should support their teachers, which was done.
This shows how willing they are to take care of them
selves. He also visited on the islands about twenty plan
tations, which have been almost entirely despoiled. They
would doup &f the amp wagon* tot
ing away tbe com. Tho black men generally were in u'
state of bewilderment. They have no homes, and ex.
claim, “ Mats*, what are wo to do l” While It la true
they are willing to be employed, yet It is also true they
have nothing at which they cun work—that to, those on
the plantations- Great lack of medicine) and great suf
fering among the sick were fonnd*
The poor slaves, being entirely deserted, when rick
are totally neglected, except when treated by the army
physicians. The speaker thought that if every North
erner could but pass two weeks on a Southorn plantation
he would sot only become an emancipationist, but an er
tirpationist. He fully endorsed tho report of Mr.
Pierce* Tbe negroes cant under judicious management,
support themselves. The slaves he believed to be in the
main a truthful, people. The number of contrabands he
thought had keen under-estimated. At HUton Head,
tho Government has built long rows of houses, and in
one end have fitted up a school and a church. lie at
tended the Sunday school and fonnd over two hundred
thsre trying to loam their tollers. One old woman aLahi
sixty years of ago Bald she wanted to learn to read in
order that she might road her Bible before sho died.
This association, in New York, has already sent out
sixty missionaries, Christian men and women. They go*,
from an impel rive duty. There Is one man that goes’!
from my own church that tlio Breaker wwld be willing l
to place in any position] This man resigns a good post,
with a good salary, to go to the field which Gad hu
pointed out to him. This enterprise cannot fail; it has
the prajers and the Church of Christ to sustain It. We
can think of no way in which we can more fully sustain (
the Government than to support an institution of this*
kind. Our military men are bewildered, and do not
know what to do with tho poor blacks who are flocking
in on them and eating their rations up. Tho question is*
now*, not what we shall do with the slave, but wbat shall
we do with the nation’s unfortunate. Above all, let ns
get rid of the idea that the negro is a different thing from
us. lie thought the Freedman’s Association one or the
grandest schemes ever entered into, and One which should
elicit their interest And liberal support* It will send out
from New York the Steamer freighted with
hopes and expectations for these poor people. [Applause.]
Upon the conclusion of the speaker, an unknown man,
dresß+d in military uniform, arose from among tip* audi
ence and asked tliat he might be allowed a few moments
on the floor. Be announced his name as Colonel Abra
ham, of the Home Guard of Minnesota. He differed
slightly with the speakers of the evening, that we had
only the slaves of South Carolina to look after; he
thought we had those of the whole South in chftrge. He
then alluded to the Northwest, its troops in tho field, Ac.,
and closed amid great applause
The following resolutions were then read and adopted:
That we have heard, with tbe liveliest In
terest; the statements which have been made respecting
tbe freed blacks in South Carolina and elteWhrire, whose
condition we lmve been convened to consider; that we
recognize the claims which, on the score of humanity,
thoy have upon onr sympathies; and tbat we bold our
selves ready to co-operate with the Government, and
with all benevolent people, in efforts to provide for
their wantp, and to promote their welter©,
Resolved, That it has given ub pleasure to learn that
initial steps have been taken in New York and other
Northern cities to organize into activity the good will of
the people on this subject, and that we have every as
surance that in all just and well-considered measures
that may bo Adopted to promote the end in view, the
people of Philadelphia, and of tho Stite of Pennsylvania,
may be counted on for beany co-operation.
Resolved, That a permanent committee of sixteen be
appointed, with power to add to their number, whose
business it shall be to receive and forward to their pro
per destination contributions in clothes and other arti
cles and dshationa Intended for the benefit of the
blacks; and to adopt such general measures As MAy
seem to them best to carry out the object of this meet
ing.
i?ero7ved, That the appeal which is made to us by the
present exigency addresses itself to our loyalty as citi
zens as well as to our benevolence as Christian men; and
that we shall be wanting in fidelity to our common
country If we witholrt onr aid from the efforts which ora
now making, with the sanction of the Government, to
organize the newly-liberated blacks for useful labor and
habits of self- subsistence, and to educate thorn for the ex
ercise and enjoyment of the functions of freedom.
The following was the committee appointed:
Stephen Colwell. Rev. Dr. Newton,
Philip P. Randolph, Ellis Yarnall,
James L. Giaghom. R. W Clark,
Rev. Thos. Brainerd, Rev. J. Wheaton Smith*
James A. Wright, Charles Rhoades, '
Mordecai L. Dawson, J. Huntingdon Jones,
Benjamin Coateß, Francis R. Cope.
J. M. McKinn
Tb? m§§tf.Ps th®9 adjourned.
Meeting of the Board of Trade.
STATISTICS OF THE PETROLEUM TRADE.
A special meeting of the Board of Trade was held last
evening, Mr, H, C. Hickok made an address on the sub
ject i>( till Oil Tf Ado of Western Pennsylvania. He said
that he had been astonished at the small number of
Philadelphians who visited the oil region. In two years
he bad only seen two persons from this city at the oil
wells. Nearly nil the oil is being got out by parties from
other first refiner, baring been ,tarte4 hr -
company from Pontiac, Michigan. He believed the sup
ply of oil to be as inexhaustible as the supply of coal.
The oil field on Oil creek is about nine miles square.
All the wells here are fountain wells, lie had seen with
in a few days 160 barrels in vats, 16,000 barrels at a sta
tion on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, ob 4 22*999
barrels at Oil Gity, awaiting transportation.
The weekly product is now 76,000 barrels, and there f
might bo twenty wells sunk where there is now one..
The wells might be made to furnish 200,000 barrels aJ
week. The flow of oil seems to be on the increase. Thii .
famous Br&wley well required eleven months to complete
it On the day it reached the depth of &E 3 feet it yielded I
1 35 barrels of oil, glbco HeptoßU? lsit It has yfolJad
43,000 barrels.
Tho Empire well gives 8,000 barrels per diem.
It is believed that the deeper the welts are Bunk the
greater will be the production of oil—that is, up to 1,600
leet. ** . . •
The Birman oil field, in India, contains 490 wells, and
Uai * folded 400,C00 annually from time ImmsmortaL
This field covers a space of five miles by three.
It is very difficult to make a barrel that will hold this
oil. He had seen it draan through the head of a good
barrel at the rate of a gallon an hour by the heat of the
nun. Jn the sammer season the flowing wells are closed
up, the operators being mostly farmeft, A&d the demand
for oil being smaller than in winter. Nearly four mil
lion feet of lumber havo been used on Oil Creak Brace
the business commenced for buildings, derrick*, Ac.
The amount of capital invested has been nearly two mil
lions of dollars in two years. Nearly alt the oil
findH its way to New York, by way of Buf
falo, though the distance to Philadelphia is less, mn
when going by way of Pittsburg. Tho speaker said ha
believed the present pipe bill before onr Legislature was
a snake gotten up by some New York speculators. Thoy
- propose to convey the oil, by a pipe, from Oil creek to
Kittanning, forty miles, but the real object is believed
to be to secure the whole oil trade for New York city-
The Senator who had introduced the bill had no know
ledge of if, l/tit had Mißfrivttl 11 from some parties unknown
to him in Philadelphia. ,
The demand for this oil has been so great in New
York, that the Camp-makere have been unable to supply
the demand. At the pm out time crude Petroleum Is
worth 40 cents a gallon in Liverpool, and is worth 1 cent
a gallon at the wells. A letter from our Consul at Aut-
YifTP BWS !!■»s the oil I. coming into uw in France.
Thu eitimatcs for this year wro ow,ooo bids for th*
PiUßburg-wfinfrries, and 100,000 bbls. Tor a Trench coin-
Pfl There are refineries springing up all over the country.
Twelve are now open in Erie, twelve in Venango county,
one in Cleveland, and several in Pittsburg.
Mr, Hickok declared that the term coal oil was a mis
nomer. He did not bollovo there wu any connottiou
between this oil atid coni. No coal can be round any
where in tho vicinity of Oil creek. In England or Scot
land there is no natural deposit of oil from the cannel
cool. It Ib believed that the deposits of oil ore much
older than the coal deposit*. ..... ,
Mr. John Alexander, a large operator in tne oil region,
ninilu a few remarks comboratlng the nlfttMta! 9? Mr -
Hickok. no resides at Eighth and Walnut streets, aud
will furnish any information on the subject.
Death of a Union Prisoner.—ln
formation lion boon received in till, city of tho death or
Corporal W. Humphreys, of Co C, Third Pennsylvania
Cavalry, whisk Midi tlus on tha lllh nit. at TusaalooOi
Alai,Hina. Ho \v«B a Phihulolphlatl and much esteemed ,
by a large circle of friends who mourn hie loss. Hi.-, j
family was joyfully anticipating hie arrival with tha rest I
of the exchanged prisoners, when the sad intelligence <
was communicated to them by a prisoner who waa a com
pinion in captivity.
New Methodist Church.— A part
of the membership of Union M, E. Church have with
drawn from that congregation, and organized the Arch
street Methodist Church. They ratet at the- northeast
corner, of Broad uud Arch streets. Borne of the most
influential Methodists in tewu head this movement.
Fatal Accident.— A deaf and dumb
man, named Charles Hugg, while walking on the Tren
ton Railroad, above Tacony, yesterday morning, was
run over by the cars aud killed. He was taken to Bris
tol, where an Inquest was held. He resided in Deal
street, Eighteenth ward.
Fires —Last evening about half past
seven o’clock a trifling fire occurred at No. 11l Onas
street, below New Market, Eloventh ward, a dwelling oc
cupied by Michael Barns.
The foundry of Isaac Sheppard & Co.* at Hartal
afreet and Girard avenue, also took fire last evening in
the cupola and was slightly damaged.
A Southern Minister.— Last evening the
Rev. Hr. Wilson, of Beaufort. 3. C., preached in the
l*»rtirtsliwth in Xhlrtwntt! b ?!f, w
Wilson is a sound Union man—* rare thtarfor a
Carolinian. lie will preach at tlie same plaoe next Sun
day evening.
A SrLKNDin Trophy. —Colonel Kurtz, of tho
Twenty-third Massachusetts Regiment, hag for
irarded to the Massachusetts Gwranent a
splendid fiag taken from a Georgia regiment
at Roanoke Island. It is made of heavy
pongee silk, with the three longitudinal strlpos,
red, white, and red, and a blue field in the upper
corner, bearing on one side in gilt the motto, “ Li
berty or death,” surrounded by eleven stars, and
upon the opposite side the initials “ S. G.” enclosed
in a wreath of oak leaves.
One of tho Dartmoor prisoners, Mr. Benja
min Marshall, is stilll iving, in a halo old age, at
Troy, New York,