lj V rt t z 5 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1863 Actuality of Blockading. The prize steamer Princess Royal, re cently captured by one of our gunboats, as she was running the blockade into Charles ton,, is now at our navy yard, and indepeu dont of being a new-Britlsh- . built vessel; carried a cargo Which,' with herself, Would have been worth a million to the rebels. She is said_to be one of the finest BritiSh steam ers now:afiont. Cleared at London on :the :Stb -- of Deeember'for Halifax and VancouL ver's bland; She: was found and 'captured inside of Rattlesnake Shoals on the 29th day - of January: It happens that the way to Vancouver's Island' is not :idle Charleston. The island in question: lies on the other side of the American continent—namely, in the North Pacific oce'an;, near to the west coast of British North, America. Besides, - her manifest shows that her purpose IVIIS :to convey articles` "contraband of war" into Charleston fOr the rebels. 7 Brandy and cof fee, in large quantities ; drugs, machi nery, paper, rope, tin, , Pepper, hardware, tinplate, sheet iron, candles, boots and shoes, nianuthettired cotton; blankets, cloth, wool stuffs,' and so on, are arti cles :very needed by the : Rebels, and so are -the Military : buttons and 09,000 pounds of gunpowder which alai form part of urge: :,, The loss of ,this' cargo will fall heavily; of course,' upon the six or seven SpectilatorS )vllc* shipped it ; or, it inaY.be, on the Underwriters, at LLOYD'S, Who may have insured it.: - The vessel, itself,- was built for and 'owned by the firm of W. S. LINDSAY, : Co., Austin Friars, ..London. , We are forced, to confess that it gives es pe culiar : gratification to find this ownership. Mr. LtiOSA;r, head of the firm, has, been: acting as commercial agent for the Rebels_ ever since the war broke out,: and has been their disinterested • champion in the British Parliament, : where lie sits as mentber for Sunderland, worthy sriceesserpar nOOlcs fratrum I—of 'ar.OB.GE HUDSON, 'erst " the Railway King." Last year this Mr. lawn- Skit declared, in the. House of Commons, that the United States blockade of the Rebel ports merely nominal—a.paper blockade, Which any vessel could erisily:ruM Some how or : other, there has been no arrival of cotton, from theSe: pOtts, since the:blockade was commenced, and now, to remove : any: lingerhlgAotibtrlii: W. S. LINDSAY'S mind, his own beautiful steamer, the. Princess Royal, has been- captured M a bold attempt to 'get into Charleston. Surely, he can , not longer doubt the reality of the blOokade. R has reacliedJdru, where his heart must be —inhiS pocket:. LETTER FROM "OCCASIONAL." WAsranorox, Feb. 0, 1803. The blind and bitter opposition of the ' Democratic leaders, in Congress and else where, to nearly every war measure of the Government, is not without its practical teachings. They have almost discarded even the semblance of professed regard for the great issues involved in the war, and they mix so little loyalty with their disaffection that it is rarely detected. Such a state of things, so anomaloits and mischievous, will, nevertheless, result in good, unless the, people . are now as slow and indifferent as, a little more than a year ago, they were impetuous and patriotic. If we look into. and probe the transparent motive of the embodied opposition to the war, it will require little labor to find its source in hatred' of the - Union and . desire...for the overthrow of the Union. All their acts, those of the present as well as those of the last five years, were directly and indirectly prompted by this sentiment. Froth the hour that the prominent Democratic leaders sustained Buchanan's treachery and gloried over the betrayal of Douglas, to the present period, when Governor Joel Parker, of New Jeriey, and Gevernor Horatio Sey mour, and their friends in Congress, chorus their Contempt for the General Government, and their idolatry of the Pallionn heresy of State .Rights, • the work of disunion has been carried with the knowledge of the crisis to which it would inevitably and irresistibly lead. The active enemies of the war in the loyal States, composed in the main of the men who supported Breckin ridge, and therefore chiefly responsible for the bloody harvest of that reckless cam paign, scarcely disguise their concurrence in this review of the past. They not only traduce and trammel the President of the United States because he has transcended his authority. They • hate and proscribe, ridicule and malign, falsify his record, and fetter his ace* chiefly because he dared to lay the strong hand upon the rebellion of the slaveholders. That is the cardinal crime of. Mr. Lincoln. The first note of trea son, on Vie idea that the Government of the United States was an impo tent failure,' was pronounced by James Buchanan, in his message to Con gress; on the Dd day of December, 1880. The patriotic citizen cannot be too often reminded of that fatal, and, as results have proved, that intentional deolaratiOn of the objects -of the then rapidly accumulating rebellion. In one paisage of this Message, President Buchanan solemnly declares : "This Government, therefore, is a great and pow erful Government, Invested with • all ; the attributes of sovereignty over the special Subjects to which its authority extends. Its framers never intended to implant in its boson, the seeds of .its own destruition; nor were they, at its creation, guilty of the absurdity of pro. fbr its own dissolution. It was not intended by its framers .to be the baseless fabric of a vision, whiiih, at the touch of the enchanter, would vanish into thin air; but a substantial and mighty fabric, c.a table of resisting Me slow decay of time, and of defying the storms of ages. Indeed, well may the jealous pa triots of that day have indulged fears that a Go- vernment of such high powers might violate the reserved rights of the States ; and wisely did they adopt the rule of a strict construction of these powers to prevent the danger I Aar they did not fear, nor had they any reason to imagine, that Me Constil allot& would ever be 8o inlopreled as to enable any Stale, by her own act, and without the consent of her sister States, to discharge her people from all or any of their Federal ob ligations." And in another, as if inspired by the spirit; of that Treason which was even then- lying in wait to destroy the Republic : The question fairly stated Is : use the Constitu tion delegated to Congress the power to coerce a State into submission which is attempting to with draw or has actually withdrawn frotn: the Confede racy 3 If answered in the affirmative, it must be on the principle that the power has been conferred upon Congress to declare and to make war against a State 7 After much serious reflection, I have arrived at the con clusion that no such power has been delegated to Congress or to any other department of the Federal Government." When this monstrous - doctrine was pro mulgated it was received with a burst of universal indignation ; but every subsequent act of those who participated in the pro,, scriptions and outrages of Buchanan's ad ministration, and much of the present con duct of certain leaders who denounced this deliberate' invitation to treason in his mes sage, show that has wicked counsels were careftdly cherished, and are even now, pro - ducing • their natural and' fearful conse qudnees,' It was Buchanan's • wish, accord .in. to the principle laid down in the extract last quoted, that secession should go umv-I sisted and unpunished. Anthony Trollope,' in his remarkable boOk on " North Ame rica,t'.Says that " no President previous to Buchanan sent military Materials to the South with the self-acknowledged purpose . of using them against the Union. That Bu 7 chanan did so, or, .knowingly, allowed this to be done, I do believe; and I.thinkßucha nan ' was a, traitor to the country whose servant be was and whose pay he re ceived." And in this judgment of an intelligent Englishman all loyal classes united two short years ago; but constant to their purposes, and unaffected by their coun try's troubles, Buchanan's friends steadily kept in view his sinister and fatal sugges tions. Mr. Lincoln is assailed because he las done what Buchanan failed to do, and what Buchanan declared could not be done under the Constitution. 'Mr. Lincoln is hold - up as an object of opprobrium for acting upon the great instinct of self-preservation; . for believing that the Constitution could not be perverted to its own destruction, and for punishing treason promptly,and fearleSsly. If what Buchanan advised on the third of December, 1860, and -what the' Democratic • leaders on this ninth:daft:if Vebritary; 1803, indicate in all their votes and speeches, was right, Mr. Lincoln would' ot have respond ed to the populat: , acclaim against the rebel-, lion after the fall of Sturipter; lie would have allowed 'Washington and Baltimore to fall into the hands'ef thetraitorS'; hewOald have permitted Merriman and' Kane, :.rind the other champions of sedition in Baltimore, to revel in the work of riot and bloodshed ; he would have allowed tory newspapers in , all the great cities to send abroad their myriad cab:1'111110 - s against the Government;. he wottld'haveencOuraged clandestine ,eor resPandenee With the public, enemy ; he - would have honored witlihis confidence men like William B. liced,efi - ialido w oo d , John Van Buren, nntl d. C. Vallaudigiu* when they pleaded that the Southern States should be allowed to go in peace, and, when . gone; that they should: followed by New York; New, Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, rind the Northwest. It is because he has not dons these things : that:he is non) assailed in COUgrees and the disloyal prints as : a violator of the _Moat :Constitution, an assailant of the rights of the citizen, of the freedom of speech, and the -freedom of the press, and as unworthy of isle' high: Ocetaise position. OccAsion-kt, VirA.SIIINGrrrON. Special Despatettes to cc The Press." WASELINOTON, February 9, 1863 Allairs at .Vicksburg. A letter, received from the vicinity of Vickaburg, says the enemy are fortifying all the points com manding the river below the city, but they_do not seem to have guns for all their works. The canal dug last summer wall 'but a raere.ditch,. nine feet • wide.at . , the, top and sloping to nothing. This has been doubled in width, and on the ,29th of December water was running through.' The digging of another canal was . to be-com menced on the next day, but this was not the only means provided for effecting a landing on the:Mis sissippi river. The New Militia Bill. - Senator WiLsoN's new military bill enrolls all able-bodied male citizens between 18 and 45 years of age, ae militia liable to be called into service by the President. Exempts are those related as physically, mentally, or morally unfit for the service ; such as are necessary for the support of aged or in firm parents, orphans, or helpless children and paupers, provided they are unable to render an equivalent for personal service; the Vice President of the 'United States, the judges of the various courts of the United States, the only son Of aged or infirm parents dependent on him ; thiheads of executive departments ; the only brother of chil dren not .12 years old, having neither father nor mother; the father of motherless children less than 12 years of age ; when a father and son are in the service as privates, the other sons not exceeding 2 ; a father having two or more children under 14 years of age residing on a farm of not more than fifty acres, upon which he is dependent for their support. Section third divides this military force into classes, the first comprising all persons subject to mi litary duty between the ages of 18 and 30, and all unmarried persons between 30 and 46 ; the second, embracing all others who are not liable to be called into service until the first class is exhausted. For convenience in calling out this force, and in the arrest of deserters and spies, the Union is divided into districts, each comprising a Congressional dis trict in The States, the District of Columbia being one, And one or more in each Territory ; each dis trict to have a provost marshal, with the rank and pay of a captainrof cavalry, under a provost mar shel general, who,.with the approval of the Secre tary of War, may make rules and regulations for this department of the service. It is made.the duty of these officers to arrest all de serters wherever found, and send them to the near est military commander; toeinquire into and report all treasonable practices, and to detect, seize, and confine spies. Enrolling officers are to be appointed in each sub-district. Persons drafted, and failing to report, are to be seized and tried for desertion. Any surgeon conniving at fraud in inspection is punish able by from $2OO to $5OO fine, together with im prisonment, and being cashiered. Drafted persons are entitled to the pay and bounty of volunteers. If substitutes are furnished, the drafted men are entitled to a discharge. Articles of clothing or equip ment may not be bought, or sold, or received, under severe penalties. Officers absent on leave shall re ceive half pay, and without leave, shall forfeit all pay. Enlisted men detailed for special service are not entitled to extra pay. Soldiers of African Descent. Senatar Sum:velem bill to raise additional soldiers for the United States provides that all able-oodted males, between the ages of t 8 and 45, set free by the act of August 6th, 1861, or that of July 17th, 1862, or by the recent proclamation of the President, or by.any other legal or competent authority, exer cised in suppressing the rebellion, shall be enrolled, armed, and equipped, as a military force of the United States, to a number not exceeding three hun dred thousand, to be paid eleven dollars per month, one half each month, the remainder at the end of the service. They shall be officered by persons appoint ed and commissioned by the President. Each pri vate, at the end of hie service, shall be entitled to ten acres of land, to be used as a homestead, and each officer twenty-five acres. Section third autho rizes the voluntary enrollment of persons of African descent in any part of the United States. No- More Releases on Parole. The Secretary of War, in response to an inquiry of the House, has replied by enclosing a communi cation from Major General HALLECK, who states that, to his knowledge, no paroles have been grant ed to rebel officers since he issued his order of De cember lurt—namely, that no officers, prisoners of war, will be released on parole till further orders, or since the retaliatory order ofJerrsasox D.VVIS. Me dical officers, however, are excepted from the rule. Messrs. Rogers and McKenzie. . The House Committee on Elections decided sum marily against the claim of. Jona B. ROOERS to a seat from that portion of the district in Tennessee now represented by Messrs. MAYNARD and Char xervrs. They say that he based his claim on an election ordered by the rebels, after they had remo delled the districts, and to the fact that he received no Union votes at that election. • The same committee on reporting against the claim of LEWIS hloKvaiztu, from the Seventh dis trict of Virginia, says that there were cast only 550 votes, of which he had 227; that a large portion of the voters are absent from the district, and that until an opportunity can be given to all those who remain to vote there can be no fair election. The. Banks Transports. The report of Senator °nines In relation to the alleged abuses in the charter and outfit of the trans ports for the Banks and other expeditions, is a very voluminous document. It arrives at the following conclusions : First. That all Government vessels should be se cured through legitimate channels, by officers, in an ewer to advertisements. Second. The practice of employing agents, with Unlimited power to fix the rate or charter, cannot be Justified. Third. That all vessels should be thoroughly in spected 'by competent experts!, responsible to the military branches of the Government. Fourth. That the monopoly of chartering vessels by HALL, Lorxn, and others, cannot be justified. Fifth. That Joan TUCKER, Assistant Secretary of War, and Col. Janus ENLGER, United States army, knew and tolerated such monopoly. Sixth. That no one should be allowed to act in the double capacity of broker and ship owner. . Seventh. That the commission received by HALL, Loran, DANFORTH, and others, amounting to hun dreds of thousands, rightfully belonged to the Go vernment, and should be refunded. . Eighth. That many charters, obtained through these persons, were at an exorbitant value. Ninth. That Cor.r.we & PICHERILL should be made to refund their ill•gotten gains. Tenth. That no charter money should be paid to the persons above named. Eleventh. That Col. JA3lns BELoin should be court martlaled. . . . . Twelfth. That Jow B. DANFORTH i 8 guilty of a violation of the law. . , Thirteenth.' That the War Department should ex ercise vigllance in such cases to prevent loos, - and restore confidence in its management. Fourteenth. That the facts relative' to perjury in some of these cases should be inquired into. The McDowell Court of Ingo Major Peneral MCDOWELL read at length to-day hie statements in review oi'the testimony taken in the court of inquiry. The paper is very lengthy, and occupied the court throughout the entire session. A New :Brigadier., Joni; B. S. TODD, Delegate front Dakota, wail to nominated to the Senate 39 a brigadier general. . _ • DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA. . The General Hospital at Hampton, Vlr '. swift—Deaths of Pennsylvania Soldicu4= Condition of the Hospital- FORTlins 140•51t0E, Feb. B.—The following deathll la the General Hospital, at Hampton, Va., of Penn sylvania soldiers, since January 1, 1863, are re ported ' Lewis H. Chaddick, B, 68th, January 8. • Cornelius Calp, F., 58th, January 5. John B. Bolen, 11th, January a. Charles E. Baxter, A, 101st, January. 10. John W. Blair, K, 103 d, February 3. This hospital is under the superintendence of Dr. Ely McClellan. It was established August ,I.Gth, 1862, and is divided into twenty-one wards. It is unsurpassed for its arrangeinent and neatness Total number admitted up to date... Do. discharged from service on as of disability 344 sent to General Hospital at Wash ' ington 103 returned to their regiments for duty Do. deaths Do. now in this hospital None have deserted and none are absent on fur lough. The burying ground of this hospital Is very neatly laid out, being fenced and arranged in order. The following are the names of those buried in it, who were connected with Pennsylvania regiments; L. H. Chaddick, Co. 13, 58th; died Jan. 3, 1863. Harvter Lentie, Co. E, 26th, died Dec. 23, 1882. Silas Allentall, Co. H, 49th, died Dec. 26, 1862. Fred. Marshall, Co. B, 3d, died Oct. 12. Harris Raumebafer, Co. K, died 66th, Oct. 2, Seth Wallace, Co. E, 103 d, died Oct. 18. Henry Mcßrown, Co. A, 11th, died Oat. 80. Stephen Murray, Co. 11, 934, died Nov. 9, 0. Stockle, Co. 0, 103 d, died Nov. 10. Horace Greeley Sued for Libel. NEW YORK, Feb. 9.—Mr. Isaac Gook, of Uhkiago, has commenced, a suit against -Horace Greelek for ~: ; • SOLTII ATLANTIC SQUADRON. TRE Amax W OULt FLEET AT CHARLESTON, FULL OFFICIAL DE'T'AILS OF THE AFFAIR. THE REBEL RAMS DISABLED. WIIO IS -1 TO ISI...A.IVEU ? ADMIRAL DUPONT'S ,REVIEW'. Our Losses and the Injuries Sustained. Subordinate Commanders, OFFICIAL DESPATCEL OF AD.MIRAt DUPONT. WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.—The bearer of official de vetches from the fleet off Charleston has arrived. The following is from Rear Admiral Dupont, con cerning the rebel attack on our squadron of that port : FLA.O.BIYIP WARAS,R,.PORT ROYAL HARBOR, February 2, 18G3. Sin : I have to report that, about four o'clock on the morning of the 3lst ult., during the obscurity of a thick haze, two iron-clad gunboats came out of Ohaileston by themain ship channel, unperceived by the squadron, and commenced a raid upon the blockading fleet. Most of the latter were of ;the light class of purchased vessels; two of the heaviest men-of-war, the Powhatan and Canan daigua, being at thiii port coaling and repair ing. The Iffereedita was^ the first vessel at facked. lier officers and crew had been portion arty watchful during the night, to look out for suspected vessels, and, at three o'clock, had slipped her cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the channel by mistake. . She had returned to her anchorage, and Capt. Stellwagen had gone to his room for a short time, leaving Lieut.. Commander Abbott on deck„ when one of the iron-chide suddenly appeared. Her approach was concealed .by the haze and moist of the atmosphere. The vessel was immediately hailed and an order given to 'lire ; but the iron-clad being close aboard, and lying low In the water, no guns could be brought to bear. A heavy rifle-shell was fired from the enemy, which entered the starboard side of the hiercedits, passed through her condenser, the steam-drum of her port boiler, and exploded against her port side, blowing a hole in its exit some four or five feet square, killing the gunner, and, by the escape of steam, a number of the nien, and rendering her mo tive power apparently useless. Unable to use his guns, and being at the mercy of the enemy, which was lying alongside on his star board quarter, all further resistance was deemed hopeless by Capt. Stellwagen, and he surrendered. The crew and officers were Paroled, though nothing was said of the ship, the executive officer, Lieut. Commander Abbott, havini gone on board the ene my's gunboat, and made the arrangement. The iron clad, leaving the hlercedita to her fate to sink or not, next engaged the Keystone State, Capt. Leroy, who was also attacked by the other. Their fire was gallantly returned, but a shell exploding in the forehold of this vessel she was set on fire. Commander Leroy keft off until it was got under, when he steered again for one of the iron -clads, or dered full steam on, and determined to try to run her down. The guns had been trained and depressed for a plunging fire at the moment of collision, and the ship had acquired a speed of twelve knots, when a shell or shot from the enemy passed through the steam chest, wholly dieibling her boilers and ren deringter powerless. Ten rifle shell struck the Keystone State; two burst on the quarter-deck, but most of them struck the hull, beingnear and below the water line. In the meantime, the Augusta, Commander Parrott; the Quaker City, Commander Flatly, and the Mem phis, Acting Lieutenant Watmough, kept up a fire upon the enemy, diverting 'their attention from the Keystone State, which was soon after taken in tow by the Dlemphie, and drawn away from the fire. The Augusta and Quaker City were both struck in their hulls ; the Memphis only in her rigging. The Housatonic, Capt. Taylor, gave chase, and a shot from her struck the'pilot house of one of the iron.clads doing, it is thought, Borne damage and parrying away one other flags.. The rebel vessels then passed to the northward receiving the Bre of our ships, and took refuge in the Sweatt channel, behind the shoals. The only casualties were on the Mercedita and Keystone State. On the Keystone State they are very large. About one-fourth of her crew were killed and wounded, and among the former the me dical officer of the ship, Assistant Surgeop Jacob H. Golmold, who was scalded to death, while rendering surgical aid to one of the wounded men. Nine of those who died perished from the escape of steam, when the boilers and steam chimneys were pene trated, and among the wounded the greater number received their injuries from the same cause. As the Mercedita was the only vessel which sur rendered, I have directed a court of inquiry to examine into the circumstances of the case, as well as into the terms under which-the surrenddr was made. This' investigation has been asked for by Captain Stellwagen. I received this intelligence on Saturday, at 3 P. by the Augurda, which ship immediately re turned to Charleston. The Idercedita loon after arrived, and the Key stone State in tow of the Memphis, when the latter vessel was at, once sent back to her station. The • James Adger, Commander Patterson, was also turned back as she was coming into Port Royal, and ordered to Charleston; and the Powhatan, through the commendable zeal of Captain Gordon, was got ready by 9 o'clock F. K. I had the channel and bar buoys lighted, when As passed out safely. I forward herewith copies of the reports of Capt. Stellwagen, Lieut. Commander Abbott, and Com mander Leroy; also, the reports of the casualties on board the Mercedita and Keystone State. On the Mercedita there were four killed and three wounded. On the Keystone State twenty killed and twenty wounded. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, • S. P. DUPONT, Rear Admiral, &o. lion. GIDEOI.I Wm.x.x.s, Secretary of the Navy. IMPORT OP CAPTAIN STELLWAGEN The following is the report of Commander Sten wagen, of the United States steamer Dlercedita PORT ROYAL, January al. Near Admiral S. F. Dupont, §•c.: Sin : I have to report that at half past four, this morning, two iron clad rants, from Charleston, in the obscurity of a thick haze and the moon having just set, succeeded in passing" the bar near Ship Channel 'unperceived by the squadron, and made an attack-upon it, this ship being first encountered. Particular vigilance was exhibited by our officers and crew, in the expectation of a vessel to run the blockade. At 3 A. M., we. had slipped 'cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the channel by mistake. At 4 o'clock I laid down. Lieutenant Commander Abbott was on deck, giving orders to Acting Master Dwyer about recoverine the anchor, when they saw a smoke and faint appearance of a vessel close at hand. I heard them exclaim : " She has black smoke. Watch, man the guns ! Spring the rattle Call all hands to quarters I" Mr. Dwyer came to the cabin door, telling me that a steamboat was close aboard. I was then in the act of getting my pea jacket, and 'slipped it on as I followed him out, and jumped to the pookhul der. I saw a smoke and a low boat; apparently a tug, although I thought it might be a little propeller for the squadron. I sang out, "train your guns— eight on him, and be ready to fire as soon as I or-,. der." I hailed the steamer, "Ahoy ! stand clefir of us and heave to—what steamer' is that?". I then orderettmy men to fire on him, andl . old You will be into tis—what steamer isthat?" His an swer to The first or second hail was, "Halloo !" The other replies were indistinct, either by intention or from having spoken inside of his mail-armor, until in the act of striking us with his prow, when he Said—" This is the Confederate States steam ram." I repented the order, "fire! fire!" but no guin could be trained on hint, as he approached on the quarter, and struck us just abaft of our aftermost thirty-two pounder gun, and fired a heavy rifle through us, di agonally penetrating the starboard aide through our Normandy condenser, the steam-drum of our port boiler, and exploding against the port side of the ship, blowing a hole in its exit some four or five feet square. • Reports were brought to me that a shot hadpassed through both boilers ; that the fires were put out by steam and smoke; that a gunner and one man were killed, and a number of men badly scalded; that the water was over the fire-room floor and the vessel sinking fast. That ram had cut us through at and below the water line on one side, and the shell had burst at the other almost at the water's edge. After the ram struck she swung around under our starboard counter, her prOW touching, and hailed " Surrender or sink you. • Do you surrender?" After receiving the report I answered : can make no resistance, my boiler is destroyed." "Then do you surrender 1" • - " Yes," I replied, having found my moving power destroyed, and that I could bring nothing to bear but smuskets against his shot-proof coating: He hailed several times to :send a boat, and threatened to fire again. After some delay a boat was lowered :and Lieut. ComiPg Abbott/asked if he should eo in her, and asked for order'', what to say. ,I told him to see what they demanded, and to tell them the condition we were in. 'He proceeded aboard, and according . to their demand, gave his parole on be half of himself and all the officers and crew. His report accompanies this. - The ram having been detained a half an hour or more, ran out for the Keystone State, which vessel and three others we had tried to alarm by Wan. We, saw a shell explode as 'it - struck the ram with out ' injuring it ; saw that the Keystone State wets dinar , several tithes,' and that smoke and' steam were-Wowing from her. The firing then receded to the northward and eastward, and was pretty brisk at the head of the line: set everybody at work 617 THE PRESS.-PIrILA.DELPITIA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1863. talcirg care of the wounded, pumping the ship, ntOP ping.the leaks, examining the engine, &c. gcit things in' order to start a little steam, and hove up anchor. - The Stettin and Flag, seeing our condition, I told them they might. be wanted to the southward to pick up men, the fighting now being over (about 7yi o'clock.) In conclusion, I have to say that in the squadron, where all the vessels were conspicuous Tor vigilance, this ship has never been found wanting. Everything was done that the circumstances permitted in &pro per manner. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. S. STELLWAGEN, Captain. REPORT OF LIEUT. COMMANDING ABBOTT The following is the report ottieut, Commanding Abbott, giving an account of the proceedings on board 'of the rebel rain, at his :receptipn on that vessel, after the disabled condition of the Mercedits: Sin : In obedience to your order I proceeded to the rebel. rain, and was received by Limits. Parker and l'hyrock, and conducted by the former inside of the house; where I was received by her captain. His name I did not learn. I told hint I had come in the name of Captain Stellwagen to deliver up the U. S. steamer Mercedita, she being in a sinking and perfectly defenceless oondition.. They asked me about the condition of_ our boats end number of crew.' I told him our boats were not large enough nor in condition to carry our number of crew. After he had privately consulted with the com modore, he returned to' me saying- that they had concluded to parole our officers' and crew, provided I would pledge my sacred word and donor that neither I nor any of the officers and' crew of the Mercedita would again take up arms against the Confederate States during the waroinless legally and regularly exchanged as prisoners of war. Be lieving it to be tke proper course to pursue at that . time, I consented. I was then informed thatlcould return to the Mercedita. , I will here state, in this report,.that I WAS on deck at the time the. smoke of the ram was disco vered, and in less than two minutes she was into us. Ymir order to fire into her could not be obey 4, as no gun in the ship could be depressed or trainid to hit her, though every.effort was 'made, she beit e l so low in the water, and coming upon us quarteing. We had only time to get the watch to their quarts, and beforewe could - slip our cable, we , were ith out steam, a shell having passed completely though the ship and boiler. . . - I • I•rtm, very respectfully, &c. ' ; • . I - ' . . . • T. ABBOTT, Lt. Oommanter. Captain Henry S. Stellviagen, U. S, ateamerier . cedita, &c- . THE LOSS OF THE - ISAAC SMITH ..• . . . FLAG-BEIIP WAD SR, • . PORT ROYAL TIARROR4 S. C., Feb., l . Sin : On Saturday, when I received infor Lion of affairs off Charleston, referred to in my pr iOll3 despatch, No. 53, there were also vague rumo that . the two gunboats holding Stone Inlet had b en gaged, heavy tiring having been heard in tat 'di rection. At two A. M., on the Ist, the Coil. Mc- • Donough came into Port Royal, and, I regretto add, reported the capture, by three rebel batteries,itf the United States steamer Isaac Smith. It a wars, from Lieut. Com. Bacon's reports (timer clen osed), that, on the afternoon of the 6th . t., he sent the Isaac Smith, Acting Lieutenant gnover, up Stone river to make a reconnolisance,hs had been frequently done for weeks ,previott. , She passed some miles beyond Legareville lthout seeing an enemy, and was on her way, whet about a mile abOve that place, and in a bend of triver, three batteries, heretofore concealed; open a con centrated fire upon her, firing heavy rifled g 8.. i Lieut. Commander .Bacon, who, • with t Com modore McDonough, was anchored lower don the river, immediately on hearing the firing p ceded to her assistance. Soon after he had got•unfir way' Lieut. Commander Bacon discovered thatwhite flag was flying from the Isaac Smith, and t. t. the firing from shore had ceased.: On arriving breast of Legareville , she was seen to be aground 'out a quarter of a mile above the bend in the Her, and two of her boats were observed going on she's, load ed with officers and men. The Conamod e Blo• Donough stood up towards the bend, with t inten tion of either towing her off or destroying ; but upon reaching the bend she was opened upo by the same 'three batteries—one on the bend, o a half. mile above the bend, on St. John's Island mint ing six heavy guns, and one back and to th left of Legareville. . Lieutenant Cern:Bacon immediately retu ed the fire front his rifled guns, and by keeping tA vessel in Motion, going ahead and backhigisucOded in . .. Alcaping injury, though the enemy's sir shtick all' round the ship. It becoming dark, he aiedfiring;_ 1 and dropped down to the entrance of tll hart • ...4,1 Lieut. Corn. Bacon reports that the 'eancStrilt -11 . was under a heatry.. cross-fire, and jut ta:fore.., : :,,Ad ceased a large cloud of steam was settrasiendiO.!' from her, which probably rendered her tmariagea::.• ble, and caused her to run aground. Not•ithstanA- • ing all the vigilance exercised by the ckunanding officers of the Isaac Smith, and the .-..mender. McDonough, the enemy, who had comp e possea . Mon cf the surrounding country and is. dc, !suc ceeded in erecting the batteries by whit. e Isaac Smith was taken, masking them so ski• lly that their existence was unknown. . - - THE CAPTURE OF THE PRINOESS ROYAL. The following has also been received by the Sore tary of the Navy, reporting" tie capture of the steamer Princess Royal : • FLAB-Sat WABASH Port Royal Harbor, SIC., Jan. 34 1883. Sin : I have the honor to input the capture, on the morning of the 28th inst., oftthe screw.steamer Princess Royal, while atteiTting to run the blockade into . C harleston. The, following are the circumstances: After standing in a mile and half, Lieut. COM minder Quackinbush observed is steamer sliding along the land in the directionbf Charleston. He fired two shots at her, when het course was altered towards the beach, and she was run ashore. Two officers and an armed boat's crey were immediately sent to take possession. She pioved to be the iron steamer propeller Princess Royal, last, from Bermu da, four days out, and laden, as far as he could learn, with rifled guns, arms, ammunition, steam engines for the iron-clads, and an assorted cargo. On taking possession, it was ascertained that the captain, supercargo, pilot, andl some of the petty officals and a passenger, had left the ship when she struck, and , escaped to the shore, which fact was substantiated. by the chief mate, under supercargo and chief engineer, as well as by seeing the two Mis - ing boats lying on the beach deserted. By the active • exertions of Acting Master B. Yen Sice and Acting Erwign . R. W. Cornell, of the Unadilla, assisted by a boat's crew from the 'United States steamers Hou satonic and Augusta..arid" the schooners Blunt and 'America, aided by two of the engineers of the prize, she was got offwithout sustaining any Injuries. . . • I I have bad no means of ascertaining th on board the Isaac Smith, but it is my pu so by flag of truce at the earliest momen presume. the Department will receive i through Southern sources-on thia poin can be obtained here Very respectfully, your obedient se S. F. D Rear Admiral, commanding the Sout Blockading Squadron. REPORT OF COMMANDER LE Commander Leroy, of the Keystone St. to Rear Admiral DuPont : Slit: I have to report that about 5, qhis day (January shit), while at anchor off theimin en -1 trance to the harbor of Charleston, this p was approached by what was supposed to be a timer ; but, regarding her appearance as auspi us, I ordered the cable slipped, and fired a gu which was responded to by a shell, when I - Ord the guns to be fired as they could be brought bear on the object. On putting my head to e east v7anl, it was discovered that there was'pne on either quarter, and we made them out, f their Peculiar construction, to be iron-clads, er the model of the Merrimac. Owing to a fire e fore hold, we stood to the northward about to mute s, and, shoaling water, kept southeast ut ten minutes, to enable us to subdue the tire d then I turned around, and under full steam attppted to l a run down the ram, but about 6 A. M., a ell from one of them entered on the port side, un the for ward wheel-house guard, passing throug he port steam chimney, and landing in thestarbo , depriv ing us of our motive power. Ten rifle a struck the ship and two burst on the quarter k, most of them striking the hull, being near id below the water line. Our steam chimneyabeingratroyed, our motive power was lost, and our s v i i iation be came critical. There was two feet of er In the ship, and leaking badly; water rising r idly, the fire-hold no fire. Others of the squad coming along, the ram that had Injured us so m altered her course, and before our wheel entir stopped, we were enabled to get a hawser from th lemphis, and were taken in tow. I regret to report that our casualti are very large. Some twenty were killed twenty wounded. • Among the killed I have to mention surgeon of the ship, Assistant Surgeon Jacob Gotwald, who was killed whilst in the act of se ng assist ance to some of the wounded. Capt. Walnough, of the Memphis, ki ly gave us the services of Acting Assistant Surgeo .'rowri, to whom I feet much indebted for the ntte 'on he has exhibited in caring for the wounded. ng unable to communicate with the senior officer event, per- Bonally or by signal, I deemed it my du (Oomman- del Freiley advising the step) to make t best of my way to Port Royal, Commander Fraile by my re quest, advising the senior officer that I ould leave in tow of the Memphis, unless he gave 1 er orders. Accompanying please find a list of ' casualties. In conclusion, I beg ,to call attention the desire manifested by all under my command destroy the enemy, and particularly. to the cool d efficient t,l manner in which I was seconded *Mut. Com mander Thomas H. Eastman, the exOtive officer of the ship. e • I am, very respectfully, your obeffiel Will. E. LEROY, I . . . . TRH LOSS 07T THE MilltoSo Acting Assistant Surgeon, Mason, dita, makes the following report wounded of that vessel Kited.—Jacob Atmee, gunner,' by a Gale, second - class fire Man, scalded to Wounded.—Wm. Eastwood, slig,htl strong, slightly ; John Riley, mortall ger,.mortally. • The : two Latter have a • THE LOBS ON THE KEYSTONE ' The following le the report of Mlle on the KeiatOne State :. /Med—Jacob H. Gotr . vald, Binge death ; Samuel W. Boyle, steward, fireman, do. ;.George Neton, ward Livermore,ord. sergeant, d. Grave, corporal, db. ; Thomas ' MI6 Hobert McKinsey, Second-class boy .do. ; Robert We do. ; Davi .ordinary seaman killed by a abel Olatk, do. ; John B. Benson, do. • Gowan, do. • B. H. Thomas, do. ; Strong, marine, do. ; William Die Jno. T. Conway, do.; Wm. Peyto Herrick, ' I ,T,Woolukd—Penton Bellville, J. Wright; Pat rick Tattle, Robert Atkinson, Ii . ben A. Ronk, • William Loftus,James Hoovey lexander Mc n'elght, PatrickParrer, Francislit, John M.o. Kinney, - John Burns, Hugh Golden, .evenly Gould, William 00ffin, Moses O'Conner, homes Kelley, John Sullivan,ohn Quinn, Niche Stott. • . . THE norrskrOiito. • . • Captain W. R. Taylor, senior °ill of the steamer Housatonic, makes to Bear Adinh I Dupont a air cumstanHal report of the action, t. all the details are published elsewhere. He thi he shot away the forward turret and cut the fl taff of the rebel I ram. But as she immediately a med away, and he had to assist the Quaker City he could not as certain with certainty . The Au to received one shot in her side, but no one was f itijured• Captain Taylor sent the Keystone Stated Port Royal, as she was disabled. He last sowebel rams lying in Maffitt's Channel, close tore. There were no signs of a fresh attack. . . . . There not being • Sufficient 'coal on board of the Princess Royal to send:her North, she was ordered ill by the senior oeer : to this port to obtain a supply. NO papers pertaining to ship or cargo were found on board of her at the time except the shipping arti cles and a log book. But after her arrival here, Acting Master Van Sloe, of the tjnadilla (the oft'. .cer in charge of the prize), discovered, accidentally, ••in looking over the side, certain papers which bad lodged in the tender in the attempt to throw them overboard. These refer principally to the cargo, and,. with the papers before mentioned, which were all that were found on board, will be forwarded to the United States District Judge at Philadelphia. The under-supercargo Bosley, the chief mate Shaw; the captain's clerk (a young man named Beckley, whose hitherto said to he interested in the cargo,) two of the engineers, and several of the firemen, go North lai 4 the prize. The rest of the crew will be sent the first opportunity. I desire to call the attention of the Department to the fact that in this prize are two complete engines, said to be of great poWer and intended for iron.elads. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, • - S. P. DUPONT, Rear Admiral, • . Commanding S. Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Hon. Gipson Wattles, Secretary of the Navy, . Washington, D. C. ADDITIONAL NEWS. THE REBEL .IROR•OLAD CRICORA-TIRITIER STEAM . READir TO RUE THE RLOCKADIC-TILE PIRATIC, NEw YORE, Feb. 9.—The rebel prisoners on hoard the Circassian, who were captured from the Huntress, report that when they left Charleston the rebel gunboats were preparing for a dish at our vessels, only waiting for our iron-dads to go down to Fort Royal to join in the Ogeeohee fight. ' They state that the rebel iron-clad Chicora is a fine new vessel of a thousand tons and about six feet above water. She will make good fight with our New fronsides, being armed with the beat English • rifled cannon. The neutral British steamers Herald, Hero, and Ariel, were at Charleston on the 17th. The Hero'te of 2,200 tone, and has 2,400 bales of cotton aboard. She probably escaped on the night of the late re ported light. The Ariel has over 1,200 bales of cotton aboard, Waiting a chance to run the blockade. The rebels in Charleston are well posted in all our naval and military movements. The Oircasslan is from New Orleans via Port Royal, and took the rebel prisoners on board at the latter port. She has nothing later from New Or leans, but reports when coming out of the South west Pass she saw a light ahead, but the vessel, which proved to be the pirate Alabama, was too fast for her. • A Key West fisherman reports having been spoken by the United States gunboat Alabama, who was watching for her piratical namesake. The Circassian has also on board several rebel de• .Serters from Fort Morgan and the rebel gunboats In Mobile harbor. They all report that great dissatis faction exists there. • ARMY OF THE .POTOMAC. A SuccessfaUteconnoissanee on the Right Wing—Executions at Richmond—The Chariestoninns Dreading an Attach—Suc cessful Cruise of the Queen of the Wiest— One Army to be Annihilated. HISADQUAILTNRS OF THE AIMY OF THIS POTOMAC, Feb. 8, 1863.—A reconnoissance was completed yes terday on the right wing of the army, accomplishing the purposes which were intended in the most suc cessful manner. Richmond papers of the sth and Gth have been re ceived. As usual, they contain long extracts from the Northern papers, and ratber a significant notice of three executions to take place on the Bth, in Rich mond. The notice states that these executions were so frequent that they excite no attention whatever. The despatches from Charleston state that the re ports brought there by the British frigate Cadmus, of a most formidalVe naval and land expedition be ing about to attack that city, had greatly alarmed the citizens, who were leaving rapidly. The steamer Queen of the West, in her course down the Mississippi, was destroying everything in her way, the rebel batteries having no effect on her. A rebel correspondence from Fredericksburg states that the Yankee army is likely to be annihilated at any time by a sudden dash of the Confederate forces• DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. . . The Attack on Fort McAllister by the Montauk—The Rebid Parapet nearly.De raolisised—Probabie Capture of the Nash- Ville and Fingal—Arrival of Gen. Foster At. Port Royal—Attack on one of our I , , T . :pnboalts—Gallant Defence of the Negro titers. YonX, Feb. 9.--A • letter from Port Royal, !V . ... the 3d inst., says the iron=clad steamer Mon , Ali has been engaged for several days in attacking dlierebel iron-clad battery in the Ogeechee river. The rebels possess much heavier guns than' they have ever used before.. They also use steel-pointed solid shot ; but although the turret had been struck sixteen times; all the shots glanced off without doing any damage. - Captain Worden had nearly demolished most of the rebel parapet, and expects soon to capture the battery, behind which lies the steamer Nashville. The iron-clad Passaic is said to be up to Warsaw Sound, and heavy tiring was heard there on the 2cl. The rebel ram Fingal is in that vicinity. The Patapsco and Weehawken are both hourly expected. The harbor of Port Royal is full of vessels and troops, and General Foster had arrived. • The Port Royal New South of. the . 31st says the steamer City of Bath had just arrived with troops. I),The Cahawba is coming over the bar; and a large fleet is waiting for the fog • to lift to enter the harbor. A letter from Fort Clirich, Florida ' dated the 31st tilt., states that a fight took place on the St. Mary's river, at Scrubby Bluff, between a body of the rebel cavalry And three companies of colored South Caro lina volunteers. - . • • .• The rebels attempted to take the steamer John Adams by boarding her, but the negro soldiers beat them off bravely. The captain of the John Adams was shot, but his - Murderer was immediately slain by a negro sergeant. Our loss was two men and six women. We took seven prisoners. The steamer was not injured: • THE ATTACK ON FORT McALLiSTER. The • New • South, published at Port Royal, gives (January 31) the following account of recent ope rations in the Ogeechee river : " We learn that a reconnoissance in force was made against Fort McAllister in the Ogeechee on Tuesday last. The iron-clad Montauk, the gun boats Seneca,. Dawn, and Wissahickon,. the tug 'Daffodil,' and • mortar-schooner C. P. Williams, par ' ticipatedin the movement. ;They. found it impossi ble to get within seventeen hundred yards of the work, on account of the obstructions in the channel- At this distance, however; a sharp fight of several hours' duration was indulged ini when, the charao ter of the fort and the nature of the channels having been definitely ascertained and a thick fog coming on, operations were.suspended for a time. • " Fort McAllister is a casemated work, covered with railroad iron, and mounting thirteen guns. The practice of the rebel artillerists was perfect. Their first shot—a ten-inch solid shot—struck the Montauk in the bow, and during the engagement she was hit no less than sixteen times, with no other effect than to demonstrate her to be entirely invul nerable to any ordnance which the rebels can bring to bear against her. In return the ponderous mis . sites of the Montauk told with fearful effect upon the rebel stronghold, dismounting three of its guns. The attention of the rebels seemed wholly directed against the Montauk, which occupied the leading position in the line, and affbrded an excellent target for their heavy guns. "The latestintelligence from the Ogeechee is that five.. contrabands—fine the pilot of the Nashville— deserted from Fort McAllister on Wednesday night, secreting themselves in a small rowboat among the reeds, where they were discovered and taken off b one of our gunboats. They were so chilled throui by the night's exposure as to render it necessary lift them aboard. One of these contrabands was the master of the rebel tug, and assisted in removing the piles from the channel when the Nashville , went into the Ogeechee, and subsequently replaced them. His . knowledge of their • locality and of the proper way to extricate them will be of great value to our . forces. "Twenty-five hundred men from Savannah re inforced the garrison of ForthlcAllister on Thurs day.".-. sualties se to do ough rnuttion I , efore it 111, ~ reports DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF. Departure of the French Consul—Order Ex planatory of the President's Proclamation —The Editor of the True Delta Rebuked— Affairs in New Orleans. NEw Yonx, Feb. 6.—The steamer Marion, from New Orleans on the 2d inst., arrived at this port this afternoon. Among her passengers is Oount Mejan, late the 'French consul at New Orleans. No demonstration has yet been made by the Na tional forces at Port Hudson. • There is no later news from Galveston. Gen. Banks has issued an order explanatory of the President's, proclamation, which order has disap• pointed many who thought thatythe fugitive slaves would be returned to their owners in, that part of the State which is exempted by the terms of the President's proclamation. The editor of the True Delta his been rebuked for endeavoring to foreshadow the action of General Banks. Everything was quiet in the city.' Col. Thorpe had' been presented with a service of silver by the laboring men under him. Capt. Miller succeeds Col. Deming as Mayor of New tierleans. The steamer General Williams struck a snag while en route to the forte, and was sunk. All hands Were saved. servant, nunander the Meree killed and hell; James ath. 1; Jae. Arm ; Jae. Galla ,ce died. : e nd wounded scalded to „,.; Jas. Barr, an do.'; .Ed '. William A. marine,. do.; (contraband,) L. Caldwell, I William R. /Owen J. 111 - Imes W. 'Arm marine, do." do.; Patrick IMPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA. Affairs at Nmvhern, Newport, "mid More head CilyAceid7eint to the Steamer 'Jinni- more—No News of Imiortauce. New Yonx, Feb. 9.—The steamer Filen S. Perry( from Newbern on the sth inst., arrived this evening. She brings no news. Among the passengers from Newbern are Colonel Dyer, of the 176th Pennsylvania 'Regiment ; Goodmin and Surgeon Wright, of the 58th Penn sylvania. The Newbern Progress of the 4th instant contains the following items, in addition to an announce ment of 'a temporary suspension of the paper on ac count of their supply of paper being exhausted : The church at Newport City was totally destroy-. ed by fire on Wednesday night last. It is supposed that some contrabands went into the edifice and built up a fire to warm themselves, and neglected:TO quench it on leaving. Another theory is, that it was the result of incendiarism. The steamer Baltimore, which for some time has been lying at Morehead, had her state rooms acct. dentally burned out one day last week. n - F - " - >rti - d . Dioveinent4iofLGellerif . Wool for the Defence of NewYerk. • Nini• Yong, Feb. 9.1 t is reported that General Wool has issued peremptory orders •forbidding any °facers or soldiers from leaving Governor's .Wand, except the commanding °lnner, and prohibiting ail civilians landing thereon. It is also reported that a large quantity of ammo... , nition is being sent to the island. The New York Legislature. • Armany, Feb. S.—ln the Assembly, to-night, a resolution was offered inviting Gen, McClellan to visit the State capital as a guest. No action has yet been taken on it. A resolution was also offered looking to legislationte punishing as felony the re fusal by . judiolmy to grant awrit of habeas .corpws: - Fire it Meriden, Connecticut. NEW. HAvii, - IFetr. 9.—Dudlera Block, Merl den, Connecticut, woe burned last night. .The Lou was teary, . . XXXVUth CONGRESS—Third Session. WASHINGTON, February 9, 1863. SENATE. Paymaster General's Report. A communication was received from the War De partment transmitting a report from the Paymaster General, showing what regiments were not paid up to the 31st of August, 1862, and the reasons therefor. Ordered to be printed. Mr. Wade's Credentials. Mr. SHERMAN (Rep.), of Ohio, presented the credentials of lion. B. F. Wade, re-elected United States Senator, from Ohio, for six years from the fourth of March next. The Duty on Paper. ntr. HARRIS (Rep.), of New York, presented the reaolutions of the New York House of Assembly, in favor of a reduction of the duty on printing paper; also, in favor of the passage of a bankrupt act,. Memorials. • Mr. KING (Rep.), of New York, presented the memorial Of Thomas J. Dwight in relation to a aye• lemof finance. Also, a memorial from the bankers and merchants of New York, asking that the notes of the Govern.: ment bereceived for custom-house duties. Signal. Corps. Mr. LANE (Rep.), of Indiana, from the Military Committee, reported a bill to organize a signal corps during the present rebellion. Mr. WILSON (Rep,), of Massachusetts, from the Military Committee, reported a bill forenrolling and calling out the national forces. Government Cotton. Mr. WADE (Rep.), of Ohio offered a resolution requesting the Secretary of the Treaiury to com municate to the Senate the amount of Government cotton sold in New York since the blockade of the Southern ports; the amount of the commission and storage, and names of all persona interested in such sales. Adopted. Additional Soldiers. " Mr. SUMNER (Rep.) of Massachusetts, intro duced a bill to raise additional soldiers for the ser vice of the United States. Merclees Visit to Richmond. Mr. GRIMES (Rep.), of lowa, offered a resolution requesting the President to communicate to the Senate, if not Incompatible with the public interests, the character of the suggestions madeby Mr. Seward to 111. Mercier, the representative of the French Go vernment, as related by him to M. Thouvenel, and which induced M. Mercier to undertake a mission to Richmond, and what representations he was au thorized to make from the Government, or from the Secretary of State, to the Confederate authorities. Adopted. Overland Mail Company. Mr. LATHAM (Dein.), of California offered a re solution, which was adopted, instructing the Com mittee on Post Offices and Roads to inquire into the necessity of granting a transient right for stations to the Overland man Company. District of Columbia. Mr. GRIMES called up the following bills re lating to the District of Columbia, which were passed : Bill to amend an act relative to roads and highways ; bill to establish the office of a register of deeds ; bill to incorporate a National Association for the relief of colored women and children. The National Currency, The CHAIR called up the special order, being the bill to provide a national currency, secured by the pledge of U. S. Stocks, and to provide for the circu lation and redemption thereof. Mr. DAVIS (U.), of Kentucky, moved to postpone the special order and to take up the bill regulating the appointment of midshipmen. Disagreed to— yeas 20, nays 21.. The currency bill was then taken up and read. An amendment waif adopted, increasing the amount of *circulating currency from $200,000,000 to $300,000,000. Several' other minor amendments were adopted. Mr. SHERMAN (Rep.), of Ohio, offered an amendment providing that the existing banks might become associations under the provisions of this act. He said there was a grave legal question as to whether the banks, being mere oreature's of the law, could change their character under their charters. Mr. FESSENDEN (Rep.), of Maine, said that the amendment was simply to give the assent of the United States to such a change, as far as it would go, leaving the assent of the State to be obtained if neceerary. Mr. HARRIS (Rep.), of New York, desired to have the State banks avail themselves of the condi tion of this bill, to a certain extent. He thought that none of the banks would give up their charters, but they might adopt this currency as a circulation. Mr. FESSENDEN thought they might do that now to a certain extent We could not interfere with the State charters in any way, but can only give the consent of the United States. powEr.a.. (Dem.), of Kentucky, was of the opinion that Congress had no power to organize a bank with Out the assent of a State. . . . . The amendment was adopted. Mr. POWELL offered an amendment, that each and every banking association, organized under this act, shall be required to keep in its vaults gold and silver coin to the amount of one-fourth of the amount of notes it is authorized to issue. Pending the question, the Senate went into exe cutive session, and subsequently adjourned. HOUSE OF. REPRESENTATIVES. Appropriation Bill. Mr. STEVENS (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported the, Indian and civil appropriation bill. Electiolia Mr. DAWES (Rep.), of Massachusetts, from the Committee on Elections ,made a report adverse to the credentials of John R. Rogers and Lewis Mc- Kenzie, the former claiming a seat from Tennessee, and the latter from the Seventh district of Virginia. The Ship-Canal Bill. 'The House then resumed the consideration of the bill to construct a ship canal for the passage of armed and naval vessels from the Mississipprriver to Lake Michigan; for the enlargement of the locks of the Erie canal and Oswego canal, of New York, in order to adapt them to the defence of the North ern lakes. Dlr. BABBITT (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, had no doubt of the constitutional power to construct im provements for. the benefit of commerce, but a re view of the surrounding circumstances had con firmed him in the conclusion that the present was not the proper time for entering upon a work so expensive, which he conceived would be mainly of commercial character. All our resources should be devoted to the suppression of the rebellion. If the measure is intended for purposes of war t the conflict will have ended before the improvement can be made. Mr. MOORHEAD (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, did not object to this measure as one of commerce, but to its consummation now, when we can scarcely raise means to pay our troops. He presented a letter from Admiral Foote to show that there was not sufficient water at the mouth of the Ohio to take up gunboats to the lakes. Commodore Davis coincided with that naval officer. In fact, all prac tical men looked on the project. as preposterous. Mr. ARNOLD (Rep.), of Illinois, said it had never been contended by the friends or the bill that boats built for the navigation of the Mississippi river were Suitable. for the lake service, and pro duced a letter from • Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, stating that the largest light-draught boats can be passed up to the lakes, and those drawing eight feet of water can be lightened to six feet by taking out their batteries. Mr. OLIN (Rep.), of New York, concluded the debate. He said that this work had been recom mended by every Department of the Government as a necessity at this time, and yet it was denounced as a vile scheme by gentlemen who assume to be friends of the Administration. While the proposed enlarge ment was necessary for the purposes of war, the commercial advantages conferred would reduce the price fifteen cents per bushel on corn and a propor tionate rate on wheat. Whoever supplies the breadstuff's will control the world. In the course of his remarks he said there is greater danger of being embroiled in the difficulty with Europe now than there was six or sixteen months ago. Hence the importance of having a passage for vessels of war from the Mississippi to the lakes. The House voted on the amendnient of Mr. Stevens—namely, that before the United States proceed to make any expenditure, the State of New York shall make a conveyance and grant of juris diction to the United States in the same manner as is provided for in regard to the State of Illinois, and all the provisions relative to reimbursement of the sums expended by the United States by Illinois shall apply to New York so as to make her a simi lar reimbursement fpr the sums expended on New York canals. The amendment was -rejected by a majority of one. The House then voted on, and, by 71 yeas against 67 nays, agreed to Mr. Diven's substitute for the bill, providing that, if New York shall, within two years from the passage of the act, so construct, alter, and enlarge her canals as to pass a vessel two hun dred feet in length and twenty-five in width, of six feet six inches draught, and eighteen feet in height, measuring Mom bottom to keel, from the Hudson river to Lakes Erie and Ontario. and shall grant to the Government of 'the United States the right of passage through canals of vessels of war, boats gun boats,.transporte with troops, supplies or munitions of war, free of toll or charge, the Treasurer of the United States shall deliver to New York United States bonds in sums of $l,OOO each, bearing six per cent. interest, redeemable in not less than 20 years, with semi-yearly interest coupons attached, for the sunk& three millions five hundred thousand dollars. If tine State of Illinois shall, within two years after the passage of this act, so construct, alter, and en large her canals -as to pass a vessel of two hundred feet in length and twenty-five in width, of six feet six inches draught, and eighteen' feet in . height, measuring from bottom to keel. from the Misais sippi river to Lake Michigan, and grant the Govern ment of the United States - the right of passage through, the canals of vessels and supplies, such as those above named, free of toll or charge, the Trea surer of the United States shall deliver to the State of Illinois bonds of the United States in sums of one thousand dollars each, at six per centum interest, redeemable In-not less than twenty years, with semi-annual-interest coupons attached, for thirteen millions three hundred and forty-seven ,thousand dollars. The bill as thus amended was then rejected—yeas 61, nays 11 TEAS. Franchnt (R.) Frank (I(.) Gooch (R.) Grang,or (P.) Haight (U. ' ) Hooper (R.) Julian (R.) Kellogg(R.) Mich. Kellogg(R. )1.1).a. Knapp (D.) . Lansing (R.) Lcionlis (R.) •Lovejoy (R.) Mcludne (R. ) Marston ( It ) • Noel! (U.) Olin (R.) Pike, (R.) :Potter (R.) ißice (R.) Me. NAYS. AnCona (D.) Hale (IL) Norton (D.) Babbitt (It) Hall (U) Weil (DJ Daily (U.) Harding (U.) Patton (R.) _ Biddle (D.) Harrison (R.) Pendleton (D.) Bingham (R.) Hickman (R.) Porter (R.) Blair (1.1:) Vu, Heiman (D.) Shanks (R.) Blair (R.) Pa. Kelley (R.) Shollabareer (R.) Blake (R.) .- iierrignal D. ) Shia (D.) Calvert (U.) Killinger (R.) Steele (D.) N. Y. catspbeilat.) Law ( D.) Stevens (R.) eoalnberlain (R.) Lazear (D.) . Stratton (R.) lementa(lL) .Leary (U.) Thomas(lL Mass. nkling P.A. (R.) Low (U. Thomas (U.) Md. Covode ( B.) McKnight (R.) Trimble (R.) Crayons (D.) McPherson (R.) Trowbridge (R.))_' Crisfield (U.) Mallory (U.) Vallandtgliam(D) Crittenden (U.) May (D.) Wadsworth (IL ) Cutler (R.) ,Maynard (U.) Wheeler (R.) Dunn (B.) Menzies (U.) White, (D.) Ohio.. Edgerton (R.) Mitchell (R.) Wickliffe (Di Penton (R.) Moorhead (FL) Wilson (R.) Fessenden MA. D. Morrill (R.) Vt. Worcester (R.) (Rep.) Morris (D.) Wright (U.) Grider (D.) Ruble (D.) Yeoman (IL) Aldrieb (R ) Allen (D,)llx Arnold (R.) /Wiley (R.) Baker (R.) Baxter (IL) Beaman (R) Butlintan Catey (U.) Clark (R.) Colfax (R.) Conkling B. (.11-) Conway (It.) MINTIN (R.) Delano (It.) , lltven B.) Edwards (R.) Eliot. (H.) lay.(li.) Ewsenden.S.C.(R) smolder the vote by which the bill ed by a vote of 60 yeas, 51 nays. A motion to roc Was lost was tabl Messrs. Flanders and Mahn. Mr. DA IV ES called up the report of the Com mittee on Elections in favor of Benjamin F. Flan ders and Michael Hahn, to seats as members from Louisiana. -Mr. VOORHEES (Dent.), of Indiana, replied to . his remarks, contending that the President had no right to. appoint a military Governor, under whose order the election was held. ... • Mr. HARRISON (Rep.), of Ohio, said the chtindof Messrs. Flanders and • Hahn was independent of the action of the Military Governor. Mr. VOORHEES controverted that point,' con tending that the election must be held under regular civil machinery. The people were not, left to their own free choice; but were expressly told, in General Shepley's prcalamation, that they must elect mem bers of Congreesln order to save their slave pro .perty front the sweeping effect of the President's proclamation. There had been more rapid strides towards despotism doting the last twenty months than the last two hundred years. If he had not seen in this another evidence of executive dominion he would not have lifted his voice against it. Mr. HARRISON .wished to know what part of the Constitution wait violated by the people of Louisiana, in obtnining representation In the manner they pur sued. Mr. VOORHEES replied that he had been endea voring to show that the election : was held contrary to the Constitution of Louisiana. The proclamation of Mr. Shepley overthrew the law, and usurped the executive and legislativepower. . 'Without concluding the subject; the House ad journed.. Departure Or the Norwegian. PORTLAND, Feb. 9.—The steamer. Norwegian. sailed at 6 o'clock this mottling. PEMSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. The Senate met this afternoon at 3 o'clock. A. large number of petitiona were presented Bills Introduced. Mr. CONNELL introduced a bill relative to the collection of taxes upon foreign insurance compa nies. Mr. NICHOLS an act ceding to the United States the right of exclusive legislation over League Island. This bill was passed. Mr. KINNEY submitted a resolution requesting the State Treasurer to communicate to the Senate the amount of specie paid by the banks of the State Under the act for the payment of the State interest. The bill was postponed. The Senate than adjourned. • ROUSE. The Muse was called to order at half past Raven o'clock. Mr. IIiIOMURTRIE Presented a petition from citi zens of Blair county, asking for the passage of an act-ratifying and confirming . the action of commis missioners, in granting moneys for bounties for vo- lunteers. Mr. LILLY, a petition from citizens of Bradford county asking for the passage of an act repealing the act for the commutation of the tonnage tax, pass ed in 1861, which was read and ordered to be printed in the Legislative Reccord. The petition was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, general. Mr. 'PERSHING - , one signed by 261 citizens of Cambria county relative to fugitives from labor, and asking that negroes may be prohibited from emigrating into Pennsylvania. Several others of a similar import were presented. Numerous remonstrances from citizens of Lehigh county against the erection of dame on the upper section of the Lehigh navigation, and recommend ing a railroad instead, were read. A. remonstrance from the citizens of Montgomery county, against the ratification of the acts of their county commissioners in granting bounties to volun teers, was received. Mr. TRIMLEY, a memorial asking that the action of the commissioners of Montgomery county in granting bounties to volunteers may be legalized. Also, a petition asking that a National Convention may be called. Mr. GRAHAM, one of aimifkr import from citi zens of Indiana county. Mr. JACKSON, of Sullivan, presented a memo rial from , citizens Of . this Commonwealth, setting forth their grievances arising from illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional arrests of their fellow-citizens by the orders of the Federal Government, and pray ing fora legislative enactment to secure the rights and privileges guarantied by the Constitutions of ihe.United States and the State of Pennsylvania. The petition was read and ordered to be.printed in the Legislative Record. Mr. PERSHING read in place a joint resolution directing the purchase of a new flag for the 64th Regiment, the one formerly in possession of the regiment having been destroyed in battle. The rules were suspended and the resolution was passed. League Island Ceded to the United States. Mr. COCHRAN, of Philadelphia, moved to pro ceed to the consideration of the Senate bill ceding to the United States the right of exclusive legisla tion over League Island, provided a navy yard is established thereon. The motion was unanimously agreed to, and the bill pissed ilnall . Dlr. COOHR.AN read in place an act to consoli date the laws relative to the Guardians of the Poor of Philadelphia. . Air. BARGER, an. act for the erection of a free bridge over the Schuylkill at Penrose Ferry. The House then adjourned. News Concerning American Vessels— French Mediation Revived—A Conference Proposed—Confederate Cotton Warrants— Napoleon ou his Mexican Campaign—Re inforcements for Mexico—Affairs in Italy, Spain, and Greece. HALIFAX, Feb. 9.— Th e royal mail steamer Eu ropa, from L iverpool Jan. 24th, via Southampton on the 26th, arrived at this port at 7 o'clock this evening. The Europa has flfty-six passengers for Boston. She experienced heavy head winds during the voyage. On the 27th, in lat. 61°, long. 14° 23', she passed the Asia. The Europa will Bail again at midnight for Boston. The steamers Anglo Saxon, Hammonia, and Glasgow arrived out on the 23d. The ship Pamela Flood, from New Orleans for Liverpool, was abandoned at sea. The captain was the only person saved. The steamship William Corey, from New York for London, put into Falmouth on the 23d ult., in a leaky condition. Her decks were swept and her masts lost. The ship Favorite, front New York, was ashore at Sligo. The Paris correspondent of the London Times says he has reason to know that official instructions have been sent by the French Government to Washing ton, suggesting that commissioners be delegated by the Federal Government and the Southern State to meet together, without hostilities being sus pended, so they might advise mutual concessions and effect a reconciliation, so desirable for the inte rests of the world. The Pal is Pays nays: "We believe we are able to state that the Government of the Emperor has ad dressed a communication to Washington proposing a means of arrangement between the belligerents, which would fully protect the dignity (amour propre) of the Americans. " Iz Nord also says that France has proposed the convocation of an American conference with a view to peace. • The London Times says it cannot perceive any thing in the tone of the American people to give any very confident hope that the miseries of that nation are drawing to a close. Even the Democrats do not raise their voices for peace. The more the Union vanishes out of sight, the more do the two parties of State vie with one another in frantic promises to renew it. "We must be content to hope," says the Times, "that deliverance for this people—most sorely tried because most entirely handed over to its own devices—will come from some quarter of which the present circumstances afford no indications." The London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian learns, on excellent authority, that the Confederate Government has been doing a very considerable stroke of business in England through the medium of cotton warrants. The warrants are undertakings to deliver so much cotton at a fixed price—it is reported at 3d.@4d. per pound—so many days after sight, at any Confederate port, after the recognition of the Confederacy. He also says that It is reported the Confederacyhave even addressed proposals to the British Government for some such provisionary and speculative transactions in cotton on a large scale. The British consul at Charleston, writing to his Government in November, estimates the quantity of cotton in the South at that date to be four and a quarter millions bales. The consul at Savannah, writing in December, es timates it at not over three and a half millions. Letters from Paris speak of the probability of an animated debate taking place in the Corps Legisla tiff on the affairs of Italy and Mexico, and the treat ment of the press, in whicconsiderable opposition to the li Mexican war will be shown. The Emperor is reported to have said to a member of tne Chambers, "The public do not understand the thought which dictated the Mexican expedition to me. It will be judged later by the results, and every one will seethat it is one of the most important and glorious acts of my reign." The Faris Illoniteur denies that the French consul at New Orleans has been superseded. He left merely on a leave of absence. A reinforcement of 6,000 additional French troops has been ordered to Mexico. ITALY. Muralist plots in Naples, and Itlazinian intrigues in Marches and the Similes, have been discovered. The National Committee have issued a manifesto denying that there has been any change of policy, and asserting allegiance to the king. The Spanish Government intends to introduce a bill in the Cortes, declaring a general amnesty to all political offenders. The Weimar Gazelle announces the acceptance by the Duke of Coburg of the throne of Greece, on condition that the house of Bavaria renounces its rights. It is said that Russia protests against the Duke, on, account of his relationship with the English royal family. GERMANY. The proposal . to establish a chamber of popular delegates in addition to the Federal Diet has been rejected by that Assembly. The draft of an address of the Chamber of Depu ties, to be piesented to the King, if adopted, protests in strong terms against the violations of the Consti tution by the ministers of the Government, and de clares that peace at home and power abroad can only be secured by,the Government returning to a constitutional state of things. THE VERY LATEST, VIA QUEENSTOWN. Livunroor, San. 28.—There is no news of politi cal importance to-day. ' Insurrectionary outbreaks are taking place in Poland. Arrived, from Philadelphia, Frank at Liverpool From Baltimore, Ellen Stuart, at Bromerahaven, LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET.—The sales of the week amount to 23,500 bales, including 8,000 bales to speculators and 2,500 bales to exporters. Prices have been irregular, and show a decline of 34d14))1(1 for Ame rican qualifies and 3,i'd for Surat's, lina, and other kinds. The sates of to-day (Friday] are estimated at 4,ooobales, one-half of which was taken hy speculators and exp. rters, the market closing dull but at un changed prices. The following are the auhtoriaed quo tations: Riddle (R.) Rollins (U.) Mo. Sergeant (R.) Segni' (II.) ShenMid (1.1.1 Sherman (R.) Sloan (R.) Smith (D.) , Spaulding (R.) Van Horn (H.) Van Valkenburgh • • . Fair. a Middling. New Orleans • lid. 14,1. Mobile 161. Uplands ltd. 13d. The stock of Cotton in port amounts to 396,000 bales, hicind in g 65, WO bales of American. .STATE OF TRADE.—The advices from Manchester are unfavorable, the markets being very dull. • LI VBRPOO L BREADSTUFFS MARKET.—The Bread stuffs market generally is dull. Messrs. Richardson & Spence. Bigland St Co. and other authorities, report . Flour dull, and partially declined 6d: sales at "le sale Sd. Wheat continues to decline, and the quo tations are 392 d Iowa:: sales at Os Id4fis 9d for red Wesiern, Ids tor red Soul hern, 101411 a for white Western, and 11012 s fur white Southern. Corn easier at 30s. Ll'Vltltl'OOL PROVISIONS MARKET.—The Provi sions market in steady. The -various circulars report: Beef steady. Pork steady. Bacon irregular, with a de clining tendency. LIVERPOOL PRODUCE MARKET.—Ritter is steady. Lard firmer, but tinier, at 17s 6d@39s. Tallow steady. Ashes easier, pots 32st.pearls, Ms. Rosin firm, at 26® - 275. Spirits of Turpentine—Sales small, at SON. Sugar declined 3d. Coffee firm. Rice quiet, but steady. Lin sot d firm. Linseed Cakes quiet. Linseed 011 quiet, bin stesdv. Coil 011—No sales reported. LoNnolv ,MARKETS —Breadstnifs dull, but steady. .Iron steady. Sumer dull, and tki lower. Coffee lms out, and still advancing. Tea. steady. Rice Sidrile of TnrPentino have a downward iendeney,• sales at Ills. Rosin still advancing. Tallow firm at 44s 6d@ 44s lid. Linseed Oil still advancing. Cakes heavy. Sperm Oil quiet. Petroleum dull. LONDON MONEY MA - Rl:BT.—Consols are quoted at 9 0 414 92s' The' bullion In the Bank of England has de crenairsr.C246,olE). . AAIERICN SECURITIES.- 2 1T. S. Fives, SVGA U. S. Sixes, 660. • Illtuois Central Railroad, 4o( - 0.) , 0 c Erie, 4d0463i. (Rep.) Wallace (R.) Walton (D. ) Ward (D. ) Washburuo (R.) Whaley (U.) Windom (R.) Wooilroff (1).) LIVERPOOL, Sake[Mal, Jan. 24.--Coiton.—Tbc sales to day amount to 5.000 bales, including' 2,t00 bales to venti lators and for expert. The market is firmer. but prices arc quiet and unchanged. Bread.tuff+ quiet but steady. Provisions steady. Comes, Saturday.--Con.ol c10.e.1 at 92g. Jnn. N.—The Bourse is heavy. Rentes are quoted at 691:95c. Saw Flea:cc:ism, Feb. 9.—Business is slightly im moved. There is a better demand for. Groceries. Butter 2dc. - Best Eastern Lard 14c. Free sales of Tobacco $l. Pig Iron $4. The p a rries interested are inquiring as to their rights in regard to the treasure recovered from the Golden Gate. It is conceded that the original owners are entitled to something. The agent o the wreckers is endeavoring to get the underwriters to sign a general agreement to divide what is recovered, and so keep the matter out of the courts. The Legislature of Washington Territory has granted. over a hundred and fifty charters for mining districts, ferries, and toll bridges to private parties. in the .ininipg ngions east of the Cascade mountains. NEW Yong, Feb. 2.—The New Orleans Picayune, of the Ist, publishes advice& from the Rto Grande to Jan. 23d. The French had not occupied Matamoros. Tampico has been evacuated by the French and . the port is still blockaded. A large number of merchantmen were at the mouth of the Rio Grande with cargoes for Matamo- TOR. PoirrLarcu, Feb. 9.—There are still no signs of the steamer Bohemian. liaimrax, Feb. 9, 9 A.,M.—There are no tips of the steamer Europa. Renatenuaa, February 9, 1868. EMM Popt.tons. Bills in Place. EUROPE. THE THRONE OF GREEC PRUSSIA MARINE INTELLIGENCE, Commercial Intelligence. TILE LATEST From California. From Mexico. NMl—Arrival of Steamers. Murder Trial at Trenton. Tnereron, N. J., Feb. 9.—The trial of Cherie. Lewis for the murder of James Rowand, of Prince ton, on the 14th day of November, was commenced to-day. The court house was densely crowded. Edwin James and Thomas Danphy, of New York, and J. D. Banghardt, of Jersey City, appeared as counsel for the prisoners. A jury was selected without much difficulty. Mr. James raised a question as to the validity of the indictment, and moved to quash it on the ground that it was not stated that the jurors who affirmed did so on conscientious scruples. The motion to quash was denied on the ground that the matter omitted had been stated in each instance in the caption. The trial proceeded. The prosecutor, who is also Resisted by the Attorney General, gave the points of evidence, upon which he proposed to ask a con viction. The circumstances of the murder were minutely stated. Four witnesses were then produced, proving the finding of the body and its condition. Dr_ Schenck gave a minute description of the wound, which had been produced by a blow front a club. The club was exhibited with the blood and hair upon It. The prisoner looks careworn. He is an entire stranger, and all the facts in the case are circumstantial. He is about flfty-flve years of age, and represented himself, when arrested, as a Go vernment flour contractor. The case excites in tense interest in this locality. Death of Hon. Nathan Hale. Boa Tow, Feb. 9,—Hon. Nathan Hale, Sr., editor of the Advertiser, died „laat night, aged 78 yearn. Public Entertainments. WALNET-F,TREY.T THEATRR.—Senorita Isabella Cuban commenced a six-nights engagement at this house last evening. It may be needless to say the house was crowded from "pit to dome." She re ceived the most unqualified approval of the immense audience. We have no space this morning for an elaborate criticism of the acting of this gifted and pleasing lady. As a Terpsichorean artiste,'she has no superior on the stage—as an expressive pantomimist, she will compare with Celeste, and, indeed, in some, of the parts of the play where it requires great physical ea durance she excels. Before the Dey of Algiers, as the dumb Arab boy, she was all grace ; every position was a model for the sculptor, and it was here where she elicited the most applause from all parts of the theatre. The combat scene was ex cellent ; it was terrific ; it seemed natural on her part. At the close of the performance she grace fully appeared before the curtain, in response to the loud calls of her auditors. We have only room to say to the reader to go some time during the pre sent engagement, and witness one of the most graceful performances ever produced on the stage. The " French Spy" will be performed this evening. Anon-STREET THEATRE.—A fashionable audience graced the interior of this temple of amusement last evening, to witness the performance of Mies Jane Coombs, a graceful and pleasing actress. This evert ing she will appear as the "Wife." Of course there will be a crowded house. The new extravaganza entitled Music Mad" was produced last eveningg, and was received with much approbation, when we consider that it is an entire novelty. We shall have something to say of the piece critically hereafter. LAIION POSITIVE SALE OF BOOTS AND SHOES, AND Gins SHOES.—The early attention of pur chafers is requested to the large assortment of boots, shoes, gum shoes, satchels, blacking, shoe lacets, &c., &c., embracing about 11:00 packages of first-class seasonable goods, of city and Eastern manufacture, to be peremptorily sold by catalogue, on four months' credit, commencing this morning at 10 o'clock, by John 11. Myeee & Co., auctioneers, Igoe. 232 and 234 Market street. THE CITY. [POE ADDITIONAL OITY NEWS SSB POITATN PADS.] TER BOYS' CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL— Tun COMMENCEMINT.—The admission of candi dates will take place at this institution today between ten and twelve. The number of appli cants is one hundred and sixty-two. The exami nation has been a fair test of the results of education in the grammar schools. Successful candidates will have a double cause for self.gratulation. Admission into the High School is in itself an honor; to be a pupil there under the management of its present principal, Professor Nicholas 11. blagulre,is a pa. culler advantage. The many and great improve ments, which have been made in this triad. tuition through the endeavors of this gentleman, are worthy of more than a passing conside ration. Throughout the establishment the uses of beauty, and the beauty of usefulnesa, have alike been regarded. In the lecture-room the arrange• ment for seating the pupils 'has been admirably re. modeled. The comparatively new invention, so ne cessary in crowded halls, by which the seats of benches are folded directly against the backs, has been adopted. A passage down the middle of the hall divides the area occupied by the benches into two equal compartments; another passage at right angles with this, and leading directly to the door of exit, completes the facilities for the gathering and dismissal of classes. The work also of the janitor, Mr. Nathaniel P. Coniston, is thereby rendered less laborious and more complete. It is not too much to say that not only the lecture-room but the passe es also have a tasteful appearance. The paint and paneling of the walls have added incalculably to the effect. The pupils appre ciate this appeal to their tastes. They respect the forethought which has held them as its object. From the observatory to the basement, not a mark of disfigurement (something unusual in such institu tions) is to be seen on the balustrse and wail:mut. ing.. It is pleasing to know that the spirit of disci pline at this establishment, the progress of educa tion in the intellect and in the affections, fulfils the most sanguine expectations of its well-wishers, and is precisely whnt was to be looked for from the pre sent management. The commencement will occur next Thursday 'morning at the Academy of Music. The number of graduates is fourteen. The gr aduating class coin • pares most favorably with gradu ating classes of the past. Some vigorous and t oughtful addresses may be looked for. The Germania Orchestra will fill the interludes with music, which, as rendered by - its members, is always acceptable. TEE REMOVAL OP ASHES.—During the month of January, no less than 1-1,328 loads of ashes were removed by the contractor for cleaning the streets. Before the age of street-sweeping ma chines, the manner in which this work was con ducted was a great source of annoyance to our citizens. Oftentimes the ashes were allowed to remain on the sidewalks for months, until blown away by the wind. Our citizens now have cause to congratulate themselves, as this work is performed regularly and promptly, being quite a contrast to former winter seasons. The cost of this work is very heavy ; in fact, the removal of ashes, &c., ab sorbs more than two-thirds the entire amount appro priated for street cleansing, while the ashes produce no value whatever. Mr. Smith, the contractor, we learn, expects to have his new ash wagons in opera tion during the next month. These wagons will not only perform the work more efficiently, being entire ly covered in, but, from their large capacity, will do it much more economically than under the present cart arrangement. The dirt removed was principally mud, the season not permitting the work to proceed with any regularity. Mr. Smith is prepared to take advantage of the working season, and hopes to have the winter dirt all cleaned up before April. It he succeeds in this, the public will be satisfied, A 3 the streets heretofore have not been cleaned tip beiore Nay or June. MILITARY MEETING —An Critliusitritie meeting was held last evening in Banateml place to adopt measures to give a hearty support to the Texas Expedition. Brig. Gen. 3. B. Herman was present and made a patriotic speech, which was frequently applauded. The mast unqualified a proval was given to the policy of the present A ministration. The resolutions regard it of the ut most importance to occupy Texas—its this will b- the means of cutting off all supplies to the rebel through Mexico. A resolution was also adopt that Frauds evinces a desire to interfere, and th the war will be transferred to the West as well a the South. A resolution was adopted to raise men in one month: There are now 1,500 men ready and an appeal is made to all patriotic citizens to en sure the success of the expedition. SOLDIER Foust. DEAD.—Last evening W. H.lWUer, a soldier of the 71st ltegiment, and . inmate of the Germantown Hospital, was bona dead is the old railroad woods near Germantown Decried is very much bruised about the face. Th: deceased was subject to fits. The coroner w sent for, and he will make an investigation th morning, BLECTTON OF A SCHOOL CONTROLLER. Willlam P. Cooper, Esq., was yesterday afternoo elected by the School Directors of 24th sectio. School Controller, in place of Colonel Isaac Leech resigned. CITY ITEMS. &TUMOR. QUALITY FLOUIL—Mr. C. H Mattion, dealer in fine family groceries, Arch an• Tenth streets, has just received a fresh supply of th: best brands of wheat flour, fresh-ground from th finest quality of wheat. 'MESSRS. CHARLES OAEFORD & SOIN, lin der the Continental Hotel, are giving their customer great bargains now in fine Ladies' Fura. Give thew a call. - • . "an Evnnrrunco in the way of fine mill tary trappings for army and navy officers, go to Oak ford Sc Son's, under the Continental liotel. ROYALTY AT PETLADELPHIA.—We lay had. a distinguished arrival at this port. The Prin cam Royal, which met with a mishap while convey ing some substantial comforts to her distressed rel Live, King Cotton, at Charleston, S. C., has turn • up here rather against her will. She is weleono. under the circumstances. In the meantime we mus not be forgetful of the fact, that the best, the mos elegant, and the most comfortable garments extant are those that are made at the Brown Stone Cloth ing Hall of Boekhill S. Wilson, Nos. 603 and •1. Chestnut street, above Sixth. CRARLES STOKES. Wll. J. STOKES • EDWARD T. TAYLOR. Charles Stokes. Edward T. Taylor. Wm. J. Stokes Charles Stokes. Edward T. Taylor. Win. J. Stokes Charles Stokes & Co., . Charles Stokes & Co., Charles Stokes & Co., That-class Beady-made ClOthing Store, First-class Ready-made Clothing Store, First-class Ready-made Clothing Store, "One Price," " One Price," "One Price," Under the Continental Hotel, No. Flt Chestnut Under. the Continental Hotel, No. SU Chestnut at Under the Continental hotel, No. Eat Chestnut st DREss is essential in• every part of th world, and in all walks of life. Even the say does not despise outward decoration, and the su riority of his rulers is marked by a peculiarity o costume. Then 'why should not a civilized being particular with regard to his personal appearance and wear the best clothing he can get!, It is th duty of every man to dress as well as his incom will permit, and if there be any who say they ar 'too poor, we tell them they are mistaken. To • convinced, they have only to call at No. 609 Che nut street, and select a suit from the shelves • Granville Stokes. The prices are within the mea • SORE TIEROAT.—Those afflicted wit Coughs, Hoarseness, Irritation and Soreness of t Throat, will find nothing so efficacious,ns a Thr. Remedy, as Brown's lirc nchial Troches. Sold by Druggists, • GEORGE SteelVe Inimitable Piano Fortes, 3. E. Gould, Seventh end (lheataut. • EistiStlistl
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